Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Fear Like a Demon Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Fear Like a Demon It wasnât just because he had lost an eye, but also because he was addicted to alcohol, often going mad when drunk, and moreover, his temper was strange, making him appear violent and gloomy.
In the eighties, especially in a backward mountain village, it was quite shameful for a man over twenty-five to still be unmarried.
If it wasnât because the familyâs conditions were too poor, then the person had some serious problems. Another situation was when parents were too overbearing and eccentric, to the point that girls from other families would avoid such in-laws and such a family as if fearing disaster.
Chiang Baohe was twenty-nine, and villagers his age had children who could herd cattle and go to school, yet he was still single.
Not only was Ho Laidi anxious, but Chiang Baohe himself was desperate. He dreamt of having a soft woman to hold in his sleep, to serve him and bear him sons.
So, whenever he encountered the villageâs young ladies, he would stare at them intently with his remaining eye, his face always gloomy, as if he was about to pounce at any moment.
As a result, Chiang Baoheâs reputation in the village grew even worse, and the young maidens and married women would feel terrified and take detours upon seeing him.
Siyang Village was small, with a known handful of people, all familiar with each otherâs backgrounds. Ho Laidi was well aware that her second son couldnât find a wife in the village, so she kept inquiring in other towns while also urging him to visit the town more often, in hopes that he might encounter a suitable marriage prospect.
Chiang Xiao had been deeply afraid of this second uncle from the bottom of her heart, not just because of these issues, but more so because of what Chiang Baohe had done not long after. That incident made Chiang Xiao truly feel that Chiang Baohe was a demon; being targeted by him meant being dragged into hell, a fate worse than death.
Chiang Baohe generally wouldnât bother her, as he was very annoyed by Chiang Xiao, even, it could be said, hateful. So whenever he called her, it was through gritted teeth that he called her âlittle wretch.â
This was because the girl he had been betrothed to had been promiscuous with another man. Just before the wedding, it was discovered that she was already pregnant.
Chiang Xiao was Chiang Qingzhuâs premarital fling, and in Chiang Baoheâs eyes, was just like that shameless fiancĂ©eâs child, a âlittle wretch.â
Amidst Chiang Baoheâs cursing and swearing, Chiang Xiao finally remembered this event; she had forgotten about Chiang Baohe!
In her previous life, Chiang Baohe had come to find her just a few days later. At that time, her grandfather had barred him, and she wasnât clear about the reason, but having lived again, she now connected all the events and understood why Chiang Baohe had come for her.
During this time, Chiang Baohe had taken a fancy to Ji Deshengâs mother, Widow Liu.
Although Widow Liu was a few years older than him and had a sixteen-year-old son, she was irresistible with her good looks, attractive dress, and figure.
Unfortunately, with Chiang Baoheâs reputation, even Widow Liu was afraid to associate with him. When Chiang Baoheâs pursuit became too much, Widow Liu started to fancy Chiang Songhai, hoping that by getting involved with his uncle, Chiang Baohe would no longer dare to fixate on her.
But Chiang Xiao had never understood why Widow Liu would be interested in her grandfather; she didnât believe it was just to ward off Chiang Baohe.
After all, Widow Liu was only thirty-five, while her grandfather was fifty-three and still had a wife.
âLittle wretch, if you donât come out now, I will come in,â Chiang Baoheâs voice had reached the main room.
Fearing that he would truly enter her bedroom, Chiang Xiao quickly left the Space, lifted the door curtain, and stepped out.
As soon as she entered the main room, she met a dead gray eye and a gloomy glare.
Chiang Xiao took a deep breath and spoke first, her tone cold and hard.
âMy surname is Chiang, yours is too. If you keep calling me a âlittle wretch,â then what does that make you?â
It seemed Chiang Baohe didnât expect Chiang Xiao to talk back so rudely right from the start, and he was momentarily stunned.