Chapter 2: Words Only She Could Hear

“Old Lady Wang, Old Man Wang.”

Jiang Dai looked at the Wang family members standing before her—people who clearly didn’t like her—and sighed inwardly.

【This is tough! Juanjuan only mentioned that the adults in the family didn’t get along with the Wangs, but didn’t go into detail about the past disputes. She’s just a child—there’s a lot she wouldn’t understand or be able to explain. Still, they seem like decent folks.】

【As long as I show some sincerity, it should be doable.】

Juanjuan heard her mother “speak” and instinctively glanced at Old Man Wang and the others. It seemed… they hadn’t heard a thing her mother said.

“I’ve just woken up, and I can’t remember much from before. I don’t even know where the money in the house is kept. And there are still four people lying unconscious at home…”

At this point, the Wang family understood what she was getting at.

Old Lady Wang was just about to refuse when Jiang Dai quickly spoke again, her tone sincere and her words clear, cutting in before anyone else could say a word: “We still have a few hens at home. I can use them as collateral. I promise I’ll pay the money back!”

“You’ll borrow the money, then turn around and say we stole your chickens! Who are we supposed to argue with then?!”

The Wang family’s daughter-in-law instantly recalled how her mother-in-law and son had been taken advantage of last time. She slammed a bowl down, stood up angrily, and planted her hands on her hips, trying to look fierce.

But Jiang Dai remained calm, speaking earnestly, “We can have a third party witness the deal!”

As she said this, the Wang family turned to see the Bai family’s daughter-in-law watching them.

The soft morning light spilled over her, highlighting her fair skin and delicate features. The wound on her forehead added a touch of fragility.

Jiang Dai’s body had never been unattractive.

It was just that, in the past, her eyes and face were always clouded with bitterness and gloom. Her hair hung in her face, unkempt and wild, making her unpleasant to look at.

Now, though, her expression was clear and calm. Her delicate brows were slightly furrowed, and her eyes brimmed with sincerity, pity, and hope—it was almost overwhelming.

As a third-tier actress in the 21st century, Jiang Dai’s acting skills were top-notch. She might have been lazy and unlucky, which kept her from fame, but in terms of pure acting ability, she was textbook-level.

Juanjuan looked at her mother and felt, once again, that she had changed. This wasn’t the same mother she used to know.

【If Juanjuan helps out a little now, we might actually get the money.】

Suddenly being mentally cued by her mother, Juanjuan blinked: ?

In the past, her mother didn’t like her much, but she hit her the least out of everyone.

Juanjuan still longed for her mother’s affection—for the day her mother would stop hating her and start loving her, just like how Dachui’s mother loved him.

As for her father, who hit her often, and her three lazy, bullying brothers…

Juanjuan hesitated, then mustered her courage and gently tugged at her mother’s hand, whispering, “Maybe… we don’t have to save them…”

Her father and brothers weren’t that important, really.

Without them, she and her mother could probably eat a little better for a few more days.

Jiang Dai: ?

Old Lady Wang and the others: ?

Everyone turned to look at Juanjuan. In that moment, she lowered her head, as if ashamed.

Old Lady Wang glanced at the little girl, who looked guilty for troubling them again, and then at the Bai family’s daughter-in-law, who now claimed to have lost her memory and seemed much gentler than before.

They were all neighbors, after all. And right now, the Bai family’s daughter-in-law did seem more agreeable.

Bai San dead and gone, but those three boys were still just children.

“Alright,” Old Lady Wang agreed.

Old Man Wang frowned deeply but said nothing. He was kind at heart. He thought, just this once—if they got taken advantage of again, and the Bai family’s sixth branch ended up dead in a ditch, they wouldn’t lift a finger next time.

That would be the last time!

Jiang Dai: !

【Juanjuan’s a natural! Retreat to advance—brilliant!】

Juanjuan: ?

She hadn’t meant it as a tactic. She really didn’t want to save them.

Old Man Wang didn’t object. The daughter-in-law looked a little flustered, but since her in-laws had agreed, getting angry was pointless. Besides…

She was a little scared of that Bai family woman who acted all mysterious.

With a huff, she stomped back into the inner room, choosing not to look anymore.

Jiang Dai rubbed her nose sheepishly.

She sent Juanjuan with the Wang family’s son to fetch the chickens, then found two other households to serve as witnesses. In the end, she managed to borrow 500 wen—half a tael of silver.

The Wang family had been generous. Those three scrawny hens from the Bai family weren’t worth more than 100 wen.

Seeing that the Bai family’s “widow and orphan” were struggling, Old Man Wang even sent his youngest son, the fastest runner, to fetch a doctor.

“Juanjuan, have something to eat. This pancake’s still warm!”

Wang Dachui had already brought Juanjuan to their table while the adults were busy. He generously split his vegetable pancake with her.

Juanjuan was truly starving. Since bringing her parents home that morning, she hadn’t eaten a bite. She’d spent the whole afternoon tending to them and was now famished.

“Thank you, Dachui.”

The little girl took the pancake and nibbled at it in small bites.

A whole, clean vegetable pancake—she never got to eat something like this at home. It was a rare treat!

At home, she only ever got the leftovers after her father and brothers were done.

Seeing this, Dachui wanted to give her the country egg he’d hidden away, but Juanjuan quickly shook her head.

Eggs were precious.

Even though she was the one who fed the chickens and collected the eggs, she had never tasted one.

At home, everything went to her father. Her father favored the sons. Even her mother didn’t get any—let alone Juanjuan.

Wang Dachui peeled the egg, split it open, and scooped out the yolk. “Here, you eat this. I don’t like it.”

Juanjuan hesitated, but in the end, couldn’t resist. She carefully cupped the yolk in both hands, then took a small bite. Her eyes lit up—it was delicious.

When Jiang Dai arrived, she saw the two children sitting together, getting along so well.

She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly:

【Childhood sweethearts, growing up together—how sweet!】

【Wait… that boy’s name is… Dachui? That can’t be the male lead’s name, right? What a pity.】

Juanjuan suddenly heard her mother’s voice again. She turned around sharply and saw her mother standing behind her.

She quickly swallowed the egg yolk and called out softly, “Mama.”

Wang Dachui stood up, eyeing the woman warily. Without hesitation, he grabbed Juanjuan’s hand and ran off.

He was genuinely afraid that Juanjuan, the little fool, would give her precious food to that old witch.

Jiang Dai: ?

She wasn’t some monster! She was Juanjuan’s mother!

【Seriously, what did the Original Host do before? Even the neighbor’s kid acts like Juanjuan belongs to their family!】

Juanjuan looked back at her mother, whose mouth hadn’t moved but who had clearly spoken. She couldn’t help but whisper to Dachui:

“Dachui, did you hear my mama talk just now?”

Juanjuan was clever, but still just a child. She didn’t understand what was going on, but Dachui’s little uncle could read—maybe Dachui would know something.

They ran a little farther, out of earshot of the adults.

“Nope! Did your mom say something?”

“She did. She said, ‘How sweet!’ And she said your name too.”

Juanjuan couldn’t remember the whole sentence or what it meant.

Wang Dachui reached out and touched her forehead like an adult would. “No fever…”

“You must’ve misheard! Your mom didn’t say anything!”

Juanjuan looked down. Could it be… only she could hear her mother’s unspoken words?

“Dachui, can people talk without moving their mouths?”

Then, in a small voice, she asked, “Is it… a ghost?”

She was seriously starting to suspect her mother was possessed. Otherwise, how could she speak without moving her lips—and say such strange things?

Dachui nodded solemnly. “Of course! Ghosts get caught by Taoist priests! Those priests are super powerful!”

“With a few swipes—poof! The ghost’s gone!”

Wang Dachui described ghosts with great flair, clearly trying to impress Juanjuan with how much he knew.

He didn’t realize he’d just scared her stiff.

The thought of her now-gentle mother being captured and vanishing into nothing terrified her.

She actually liked this version of her mother.

“My mama’s not a ghost!” Juanjuan said quickly. “I was wrong—I was just asking.”

She swore to herself that she would never tell anyone her mother could speak without moving her mouth.

Dachui nodded. “Okay, okay, you were wrong. Your mom’s not a ghost! But I do think your mom’s gotten a lot better. She’s pretty now!”

Juanjuan nodded. “Mm!”