"Second Young Master!"
The village head showed up just in time to stop this farce.
"What on earth are you all doing! You're all grown - ups, yet you're acting so disgracefully. Aren't you ashamed?"
Bo Jingyu dragged Zhang Caixia in front of him.
"Please find someone to talk some sense into her."
"Sure, sure! I'm really... Oh! You've been so wronged."
The village head apologized to him with a pained look.
"Ouch!" A stinky egg suddenly hit Shen Ximan, and she cried out involuntarily.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on her.
"Mommy, the ugly monster is here. Run!" A few kids, not afraid of causing more trouble, threw a few more eggs and scurried away with their baskets, looking guilty.
"Chen Daniu! It's you again, you little rascal!"
The village head shouted and sighed angrily.
Just as he was about to apologize to Shen Ximan, he suddenly froze.
The memories of ten years ago seemed to burst open the door, releasing all those old things and flashing through his mind one by one.
"Man, Manman?"
This kind of affectionate name was only known to a few people.
The egg yolk slid down Shen Ximan's cheek, and the stench that made her nauseous filled her nose and lingered for a long time.
"Uncle Zhong...?"
Bo Jingyu thought for a while and sorted out the whole thing.
He had investigated her before.
It was said that she and her mother were secretly driven out of the Shen family and had lived in the countryside for several years. The place they lived was exactly Huazhi Village.
The village head, Uncle Zhong, thought that he wouldn't shed tears when he got old.
But seeing this girl with a scar on her face, the sourness and pity welled up in his heart instantly, and he burst into tears.
"Manman, my poor Manman."
Shen Ximan's eyes also turned red. So many things she wanted to say got stuck in her throat, and she sobbed.
At that moment, she didn't feel ashamed.
When she first came to Huazhi Village, she was just a naughty kid.
Every day, she either caused trouble behind the rice - planting team or followed the boys up to the rooftops to steal bird nests.
But even though Shen Ximan was so eager to join the "kids' group", she was always isolated because of the terrifying scar on her face.
"You're so ugly."
"Don't come near us. We'll have nightmares at night."
Whenever she heard these hurtful words, she would run into Zhao Xiangyue's arms and act coquettishly, silently enduring it all.
"Mom, when will the baby be born?"
Zhao Xiangyue gently stroked her soft hair and said with a beautiful smile, "When mom's belly gets a bit bigger, the baby will be born soon."
"Great!"
"Do you like a younger brother or a younger sister?"
Without even thinking, Shen Ximan said, "A younger sister! Mom will definitely give birth to a younger sister! As long as the younger sister is born, I can play with her."
Zhao Xiangyue's smile suddenly froze.
How could she not know how much grievance her daughter was suffering.
Thinking of Yang Wan and Shen Yuliang showing up as a couple in the villa, the beauty that only existed in her memories was gradually disintegrated and devoured.
If it weren't for the baby in her belly, Zhao Xiangyue would have ended this meaningless life long ago and left this heart - wrenching reality.
"Is Manman at home?"
The village head, Uncle Zhong, walked into the yard with a big smile, his hands behind his back.
Shen Ximan giggled, "Uncle Zhong, don't squint and smile like that. You really look like the weasel in the cartoon."
"Man'er! Don't be so rude." Zhao Xiangyue tried to get up from the bed.
"Don't, don't. You just rest," he put the freshly - made goat milk bottle on the wooden table and took out a handful of colorful candies from his pocket. "Manman, these are for you."
Shen Ximan happily spun around.
"Yeah! I get to eat candies again today."
Uncle Zhong was a kind - hearted man. Even though rumors were flying around in the village, he still brought goat milk to Zhao Xiangyue every day to nourish her. He loved Shen Ximan as if she were his own granddaughter.
"Uncle Zhong, please don't bring things here anymore in the future."
"What about the baby in your belly? If you don't eat, how can she? For her sake, you have to live well!"
After saying this, Uncle Zhong took Shen Ximan and was about to go out.
"You just rest well. I'll bring Manman back soon."
The candies made a crackling sound in her mouth as her teeth bit into them. This should be the happiest time for her since she was driven out of the Shen family.
A big hand holding a small hand, warm and cozy. Shen Ximan even thought about how nice it would be if she had a grandpa.
"Master Gao, I've brought the girl here."
Curiously, she peeked out half of her head. In front of her was an old man with a long beard, sipping tea leisurely.
"Uncle Zhong, sit down and have a cup."
"Thanks for your kindness, but I have things to do at home. I won't bother you," he tugged at her hand. "Manman, call him Grandpa Gao."
Shen Ximan called out softly and then immediately hid behind him.
"Hehe, so this is the girl you were talking about?"
Uncle Zhong lovingly stroked her head. "You know those people in the village very well. Without any skills, she'll be looked down upon when she grows up. Manman is still young and worth cultivating."
The old man, Master Gao, took a look and nodded with a smile.
"Rarely do you ask me for a favor. Then let her stay."
At first, Shen Ximan thought Uncle Zhong was taking her out to play. In fact, the nightmare was just beginning.
"Shen Ximan, learn acupuncture today and memorize the acupoint map."
"Learn to cook medicinal herbs today."
"You can't even tell the difference between the human meridians. How can you talk about treating diseases!"
A few months passed in a hurry. Zhao Xiangyue's belly got bigger and bigger, and it was even difficult for her to walk. She was almost always in bed except when going to the toilet. And Shen Ximan took care of her while reading medical books.
The scar on her face also showed signs of improvement after many failures.
To prevent outsiders from seeing, she deliberately painted a terrifying scar on her fair and flawless face. The purpose was to protect her mother and younger sister, as well as herself.
But good times didn't last long. As soon as An Ruo was born, Yang Wan found out. She sent people to rob the newborn baby in the middle of the night. Shen Ximan shouted herself hoarse as she watched her mother, who was dying from a difficult birth.
She didn't have time to ask Uncle Zhong for help, couldn't practice skills with Master Gao anymore, and even... didn't get to see her mother for the last time.
Time flew by. When Shen Ximan returned here again, her heart ached, but she couldn't say a word, because of guilt and regret.
But more than that, it was hatred for Yang Wan and Shen Shiyu.
Everyone present, except Bo Jingyu, was stunned.
Zhang Caixia wrinkled her face and rubbed her wrist, muttering and complaining, "This girl really knows how to play tricks. First, there's Bo Siming, and then there's the village head. How annoying!"
"Enough!"
Uncle Zhong roared, "Manman is my granddaughter. Bullying her is bullying me! You must give me an explanation for what happened today tonight!"