Chapter 17: Only Fang Ying

Fang Ying nodded affirmatively, "There really isn't. If there were, it would have spread throughout the surrounding villages long ago."

Lin Qin thought for a moment and decided to tell her about her own situation. "There is a woman named Fang Ying from Fangshan Commune. She attended a junior college in the provincial capital at the same school as my husband, and the two of them were involved with each other. That Fang Ying is pregnant. I suspect she’s restless because the baby is due soon and plans to get rid of us mother and daughter so she can marry my husband.

"That Fang Ying might be the Fang Meixiang you mentioned. As for why she used your name to attend college, I have no idea."

Fang Ying’s face gradually turned pale, her pupils dilated, and her voice trembled as she spoke, "You... you mean... Fang Meixiang used my admission letter to impersonate me and attend college?"

Lin Qin took a deep breath. "I’m only speculating; I’m not certain if that’s the case."

"No! Your suspicion... it’s possible!" Fang Ying looked at Lin Qin excitedly, tears streaming down her face. "I should have realized it sooner. Meixiang is the village chief’s daughter and is incredibly spoiled at home. How could she possibly marry far away just because she failed at high school?

"The village chief dotes on her so much, how could he let her marry so far away? I’m so stupid; I should have suspected it earlier! No, this won't do! I have to go back and ask them to clarify this."

Lin Qin hurriedly grabbed Fang Ying. "Don't be rash! If Fang Meixiang really did impersonate you to go to college, that’s no small matter! It would involve a lot of people. You’re just a woman on your own—how would you seek justice?"

"Sister! What should I do? I’m at a dead end! Today, my parents took eighty yuan from an old man and forced me to marry him. If the police hadn't arrived in time, I would have been dragged away by that old man!

"Now I have a home I can't return to and grievances I can't voice... I really don't want to live anymore! But I’m not willing to die like this! Wuwuwu..." Fang Ying knelt on the ground, sobbing bitterly.

Lin Qin looked at Chen Wenjun.

Chen Wenjun stepped forward and took out fifty yuan, handing it to her. "Take this money to buy a long-distance bus ticket to the provincial capital. Find the school principal or the admissions office and ask them if the Fang Ying they enrolled is you. If it really is you, then tell the school and the principal the situation, and report it to the police in the provincial capital!

"If it’s not you, then come back. Fifty yuan is enough for a round trip and for you to stay in the provincial capital for a few days."

Fang Ying, who had never traveled far in her life, stared at the fifty yuan in front of her. Her eyes were fixed on it; she didn't know whether to take it or not.

Lin Qin advised, "That’s how life is. If you don't take a gamble, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. Consider this money a loan from us. You can pay us back when you have the ability later. If you can't, it doesn't matter; we understand."

Fang Ying came to her senses and sobbed as she thanked them.

She had lived this long, and this was the first time she had felt cared for and favored. Ironically, this warmth didn't come from her parents, but from strangers she had met by chance.

"Thank you! I will definitely work hard to pay you back! What are your names? Where do you live? How can I find you later?"

Fang Ying asked many questions.

Lin Qin answered her earnestly.

When they reached the hospital, Chen Wenjun said to Lin Qin, "You take the child up first. I’ll take her to the station in a while, and I’ll come to see you all tomorrow."

"Okay!"

With Chen Wenjun around, Lin Qin always felt very at ease.

When Lin Ying and Lin Yi saw Lin Qin carrying Liu Yaya back, both of them wept with joy.

Lin Yi couldn't move, but his eyes never left Liu Yaya for a second.

Lin Ying held the child tightly, calling her "heart and treasure" for a long while, feeling lingering fear. "What did the police station say?"

"They are still investigating. Fortunately, the child was found, and the traffickers were caught."

Lin Qin didn't say too much.

Lin Ying was so angry that she cursed the traffickers' ancestors for eighteen generations before she calmed down.

At eight o'clock the next morning, Chen Wenjun arrived at the ward carrying fruit.

As soon as he sat down, Lin Qin couldn't wait to ask about Fang Ying.

Chen Wenjun quickly said, "I bought her the earliest bus ticket for today. She’s already on the bus and gone. I hope the result is what we expect."

Lin Qin nodded, relieved.

Liu Yaya called out sweetly to Chen Wenjun, "Uncle Chen."

Chen Wenjun quickly picked her up and said to Lin Qin and Lin Yi, "Uncle, if you trust me, you can let Yaya stay at my place for a few days. The hospital is crowded and chaotic, and there are always moments of negligence. I won't be going out to sell fish for the next few days, so I can help you look after the child. When you are discharged, I’ll bring her back to Shanglin Village. What do you think?"

Truth be told, Lin Qin was quite tempted.

Chen Wenjun was a Tanka person; his home was on a fishing boat. If they didn't go ashore, they would be drifting on the Nanxi River, and he could easily find an empty shore to dock. As long as the child didn't go ashore, there was truly no need to worry about traffickers.

More importantly, this kidnapping was a conspiracy by Liu Yongming and his mistress. If they failed once, they would definitely try again. If the child was with Chen Wenjun, Liu Yongming would never find her!

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?" Lin Yi looked at Chen Wenjun with eyes full of gratitude and guilt.

Chen Wenjun shook his head. "What’s the trouble? I’m looking after one child anyway, so looking after two is the same. As long as you are willing!"

As he spoke, he looked down at Liu Yaya and patiently persuaded her, "Yaya, how about you come home with Uncle Chen for a few days? I have a brother your age at home who can play with you. When your grandfather is discharged, Uncle will send you home, okay?"

Liu Yaya was reluctant to leave Lin Qin.

Lin Qin cried as she comforted her, "Be good. Mommy will come to see you when I have time. Stay with Uncle Chen for a few days so you won't be targeted by traffickers again, okay?"

"Okay! Mommy, remember to come see me and pick me up!" Liu Yaya cried pitifully.

The adults all shed tears as well.

To reassure Liu Yaya, Lin Qin went back to Nanxi with them.

This was the first time she had returned here since her rebirth.

The scenery of Nanxi remained the same, with fishing boats coming and going on the river—a lively scene. Passing Tanka people would look at her curiously, but soon returned to their own business.

Chen Wenjun carried Liu Yaya and led Lin Qin back to his boat.

This was a five-canopy boat used by the Tanka people, also known as a five-canopy skiff. A five-canopy boat is generally over 10 meters long and about 3 meters wide, with an area of more than 30 square meters. "Five" refers to the five bamboo canopies that can be retracted freely to deal with different weather conditions.

The bow was equipped with a long oar for rowing, as well as an anchor and a long bamboo pole. The middle cabin, commonly known as the "boat belly," was divided into two levels, especially in the rear cabin. The lower level was for storing goods and raising pigs, while the upper level was spacious. It was the center of the family's life, where they ate, drank, relieved themselves, and slept in the rear cabin.

A pair of couplets hung on the cabin door, and the four characters "Smooth Sailing" were pasted on the door in red paper.

All of this was so strange and novel to Liu Yaya.

When Chen Wenjun opened the door, a dark-skinned head crawled out from the cabin and shouted happily, "Daddy!"

(End of chapter)