20demayo Chapter 57 Mei Niang's Plans: Determined to Enter the City
Chapter 57 Mei Niang's Plans: Determined to Enter the City
Chapter 57 Mei Niang's Plans: Determined to Enter the City
I. Clever planning and sound strategy
Wu Meiniang stood alone at the alley entrance, her heart churning with a myriad of thoughts, the more she thought, the clearer things became.
Throughout her life, she was alone and destitute, never went to school, had no family wealth or connections, but she honed her ability to see through people's hearts.
She could see right through the people in this town at a glance: who was soft-hearted, who cared about their reputation, and who wouldn't listen to reason.
She knew Chen Shanhe's personality perfectly well.
He is kind and benevolent, cherishes old friendships, cares about the reputation of his fellow villagers, has a soft heart, and is always responsive to gentle persuasion rather than force.
As long as she acts pitiful and speaks with grievance, he will definitely not be able to refuse her.
Su Wanjing, on the other hand, was always wary of him and didn't like him.
But the girl was kind-hearted by nature, cold on the outside but soft on the inside. She was a good daughter from a respectable family and couldn't bring herself to be heartless and cruel enough to kick someone out.
Wu Zetian understood these two points perfectly and grasped them flawlessly.
She secretly planned that as long as she was willing to lower her stance and soften her posture, she could succeed.
She recounted all the grievances she had suffered in the Wu family, the difficulties she had faced being bullied, and her current desolate state of having nowhere to turn.
He addressed everyone as "brothers from the same land," and repeatedly asked fellow villagers for help.
With her innate charm, every smile and frown evokes pity, and with her eloquent and heartwarming words.
I'm sure I can persuade Chen Shanhe to agree to take me on the journey.
Even if Su Wanjing was unhappy and her face was full of displeasure.
However, out of consideration for Chen Shanhe and the reputation of her fellow villagers, she ultimately couldn't bring herself to drive away a weak woman like herself.
This road may seem humble, and it may seem difficult to walk.
But for her, it was the only way out at the moment.
The Wu family had long since fallen into decline, and their fortunes were getting worse day by day. Wu Xianchou himself was barely able to protect himself and could no longer be relied upon.
If she stayed in Qinglong Town, she would only be bullied, criticized, and looked down upon, and eventually die of starvation.
The only way was to follow Chen Shanhe to the provincial capital and leave this place where she had suffered so much injustice.
Only then will she have a chance to turn her life around, a hope to survive, and a possibility to live a decent life.
With this thought in mind, a glint flashed in her eyes, and her plan was finalized, leaving her with no more hesitation.
Poems as proof:
Skillfully understanding people's hearts and strategizing meticulously.
A wise plan kept in mind brings peace of mind.
But we can travel far by relying on warmth.
Once freed from hardship, he sought fame and fortune.
II. Lightly packed travel gear for departure
Once she made up her mind, Wu Meiniang didn't hesitate for a moment.
She immediately turned around, her steps light and quick, and walked back to her simple and desolate little house.
Pushing open the door, the room was bare, with no walls and a view from top to bottom.
Apart from a kang (heated brick bed) and a small table with a missing leg, there were almost no other items.
The stove was cold and the pot was empty; there wasn't even a cigarette to light, creating an indescribable sense of desolation.
But Wu Meiniang only had the road ahead in her mind at this moment, and did not feel sad at all.
Without the slightest hesitation, she nimbly walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and lifted the lid of the old chest.
I rummaged through the bottom of the trunk and found the few changes of clothes I had.
They were all made of coarse cloth, washed until they turned white and worn thin, but she kept them clean and tidy every day.
She carefully smoothed out the wrinkles, folding each piece neatly and squarely.
She then reached under her pillow and pulled out a half-empty box of cosmetics, a handkerchief embroidered with old flowers, and a few other worthless trinkets.
They were all gathered together and carefully wrapped in a clean blue cloth.
In no time at all, a small, lightweight bundle was packed away.
There were no valuables, no household belongings, and not a single worry.
Her entire possessions consisted of simple clothes and natural charm.
She picked up the bundle with one hand and stood quietly in the middle of the room.
Her gaze slowly swept around the small house that had confined her for so long and caused her so much suffering.
There was no lingering attachment, no reluctance to part, and not a hint of turning back.
My heart felt only a sense of relief and a longing for the future.
She had long since had enough of this place, was tired of it, and felt utterly desolate.
After waiting until there was no hope left, and having had enough of the cold shoulders and harsh words.
Once I step out of my home today, it will be a final farewell, and I will never look back.
From then on, her world was far away, in the bustling provincial capital, in brand new days.
As for Qinglong Town, let it remain in the past forever.
Poems as proof:
Pack your bags lightly, with a relaxed air.
He set off with just a few simple clothes.
Though my old home is cold, I have no attachment to it.
My only goal is to go to the provincial capital.
Third, I secretly resolved to follow you.
Wu Zetian raised her hand and gently slung the small blue cloth bundle over her shoulder with a swift and decisive movement.
The next moment, her originally gentle gaze suddenly vanished, becoming incredibly firm, without the slightest wavering.
She had made up her mind and had already devised a foolproof plan.
They don't make a fuss, don't force things, don't barge in, and certainly won't do anything to annoy others.
She waited for the day Chen Shanhe and Su Wanjing would set off, getting up early and quietly waiting under the old locust tree at the village entrance.
They walked forward, and she followed quietly behind, neither too close nor too far.
No entanglement, no fuss, no trouble, just quiet and honesty.
When Chen Shanhe turned around and saw her, she softened her posture, spoke softly, and begged her fellow villager to help her and pleaded with Shanhe's brother for pity.
He said he was desperate and couldn't stay in town any longer, and he just wanted to find a way to survive.
Based on her looks and figure, her soft voice, and her pitiful and endearing demeanor.
Although Chen Shanhe had concerns and wanted to avoid suspicion, he was kind-hearted by nature.
Faced with a helpless and vulnerable woman, even the hardest-hearted man couldn't bring himself to abandon her.
She knew perfectly well that she didn't ask for much.
They do not seek wealth or status, nor do they seek to climb the social ladder or disrupt their lives.
All I ask for is to be able to follow them into the provincial capital, have a full meal, and a roof over my head.
No longer will I be pointed at and gossiped about by the townspeople, no longer will I suffer those scornful looks and humiliations, no longer will I live a life that is neither human nor ghost.
As long as she could leave Qinglong Town, where she had suffered so much injustice, as long as she could step into the prosperous provincial capital.
No matter how tough or tiring the road ahead may be, even if she has to serve others tea and water or work like a beast of burden, she will be willing to do it all without ever complaining.
This step is her only way out; she must take it.
This path is her hope, and she must follow it.
Even if she was looked down upon, even if she was gossiped about behind her back, she accepted it.
Poems as proof:
He secretly made a resolution as firm as steel.
I vow to accompany you on your journey to distant lands.
I don't crave worldly riches, I just want to live.
From now on, let us soar freely through wind and rain.
IV. Secretly plotting for the future and hoping for glory
With her baggage ready and her mind made up, Wu Meiniang stood in front of the small house, a long-lost light gradually returning to her eyes.
She looked up toward the village entrance, a gentle yet resilient, charming yet firm smile playing on her lips.
She knew better than anyone that staying in Qinglong Town meant certain death.
With the Wu family in decline and her powerful backer gone, she faced constant disdain and gossip from the townspeople, leaving her with nowhere to stand.
But once you get to the provincial capital, it's a whole new world, full of opportunities and vast open spaces.
With her looks and figure, her charm and grace, every smile and frown of hers evoked pity;
With her skillful and tactful approach, she understands people's hearts, knows how to handle situations, and makes people feel comfortable in her words and actions.
With her ability to read people's expressions and adapt to changing circumstances, navigating social situations was one of her strengths.
With these skills, why worry about not finding a stable job? Why worry about not finding a place to settle down and make a living?
She had already secretly planned in her heart that once she arrived in the provincial capital with Chen Shanhe, she would first establish a foothold.
I don't aspire to instant success; I just want to have food to eat and a place to live, and settle down before worrying about anything else.
Once we've established ourselves firmly, we can slowly look for opportunities.
Or find a decent and easy job to help out others;
Or perhaps they will encounter a kind family and be able to find shelter;
Or perhaps they rely on their looks and eloquence to gain some opportunities.
She believed that one day she would be able to completely escape her current shabby and destitute state, and escape the days of being looked down upon and criticized.
She wanted to live a decent and stable life, to be respected by others, to dress respectably, and to live with her head held high.
No more having to put up with other people's opinions, no more being subservient, no more compromising myself for a meal.
Thinking of all this, Wu Meiniang took a deep breath, her heart filled with clarity.
After a long period of gloom, a glimmer of genuine light finally appeared.
That was hope, a glimmer of hope, a glory within reach.
As long as she can leave this place and step into the provincial capital, she will definitely be able to start her life anew.
Poems as proof:
Secretly plotting their future, their ambitions soared.
A ray of clear light illuminated her face.
But if one can find a place to settle down in a foreign land
I will not let down my beautiful face in this life.