Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2 - 2 2 Compensation

Having endured those chaotic years where even a whisper of feudal superstition could lead to catastrophe, their generation still carried a deep-seated sense of dread in their hearts.

Even with the 1980s having already arrived, the fear remained.

Ge Liutao recalled Chiang Xiao’s recent words, and a sudden coldness spread through her limbs.

“Little just woke up and uttered something that terrified me to death.”

“What did Little say? Did she mention who shoved her into the creek?” Chiang Songhai’s brow furrowed deeply. “We cannot simply let this go.”

Chiang Xiao had always been a delicate child; the idea that someone could be heartless enough to push her into the water was unbearable.

In this climate, the mountain spring remained piercingly cold. Since being pulled from the water, Chiang Xiao had been battling a severe fever for two days straight.

Chiang Songhai was waiting for her to regain her senses so she could identify the culprit. He intended to go to their home and demand justice. He was certain his granddaughter hadn't been reckless; she wouldn't have been playing by the water at dusk, especially since Little was naturally afraid of the creek and usually kept her distance.

“No! She wasn't fully conscious, she was just mumbling,” Ge Liutao stammered, repeating Chiang Xiao’s words with lingering fear.

Chiang Songhai heard her clearly this time.

He also began to frown.

It was no wonder his wife was frightened; the words were indeed unsettling. Still, one shouldn't get carried away by a single sentence.

“It was likely just a bad dream; don't speak nonsense,” he told her.

Ge Liutao opened her mouth to argue, but seeing her husband’s exhausted face and worried expression, she decided to stay silent.

With a sigh, she said, “I'll go prepare another bowl of medicine for her.”

By the time Chiang Xiao woke up again, dusk had fallen over the village.

The scent of cooking reached her nose, causing her stomach to rumble loudly.

This sharp pang of hunger made it impossible for her to keep dismissing her situation as a mere dream.

She was resting in an old-fashioned canopy bed. Four pillars held up the frame, and the three-sided railings were decorated with traditional paintings of wealth and luck. The bed curtains were pulled back, secured on both sides by a pair of golden iron hooks.

Looking past the bed, she saw concrete walls and floors, a tiled roof, and raw timber beams. A single, dusty light bulb dangled from the ceiling...

A large calendar poster was plastered to the wall, depicting a beautiful actress in a red dance outfit holding a pipa, radiating a sense of old-fashioned charm.

Chiang Xiao’s eyes locked onto the date printed at the bottom of the poster.

The year was 1980.

Goosebumps erupted across Chiang Xiao’s skin.

She reached up and gave her cheek a sharp pinch.

“Ouch!”

The pain caused her features to twist.

Staring at her thin, small hands, she could hardly believe she had returned to being thirteen years old.

She was back in her childhood home in Siyang Village.

Chiang Xiao covered her face with her hands as hot tears began to fall once more.

Just then, voices drifted in from outside the room.

“Aunt Tao, hasn't that girl Chiang Xiao gotten out of bed yet? Tsk tsk, she really behaves like a pampered Young Lady! I'm going to wake her up!”

Her grandmother’s voice followed immediately: “Guiying, don't go in there; our Little is still suffering from a fever!”

It sounded as though she had been blocked, as the visitor’s tone turned sharp and annoyed.

“Running a fever? What fever? I’m just here for an answer! How did Da Ni’s clothes get ripped? I need an explanation! That dacron fabric was hard to get, and I spent several nights sewing that new dress by candlelight! Da Ni claims Chiang Xiao tore it, so you owe us compensation!”