Chapter Twenty-One: The Female Lead

Lin Xiang paid him no mind, continuing the same rhythmic motions. Before long, a thin sheen of sweat broke out on her forehead.

Sweetie was clearly doted on at home; in an era where most people struggled to get enough to eat, she was significantly heavier than others her age. Furthermore, because it was a sweet glutinous rice ball she had choked on, it was much harder to dislodge than ordinary food.

Seeing that Lin Xiang remained unresponsive, the father started to rush over, but his wife held him back. "Don't you see? Sweetie looks better than she did a moment ago."

Although she had not regained consciousness, she at least had facial expressions now, and her complexion no longer held that deathly, greyish-blue pallor. The father hesitated for a long moment, ultimately deciding not to disturb Lin Xiang. He held his wife's hand with one of his, while his other was clenched tightly into a fist, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Lin Xiang and the child in her arms.

Just as Lin Xiang was nearing exhaustion, Sweetie finally reacted, coughing up the sticky rice ball from her throat.

"Waa..."

As Sweetie’s hoarse cries filled the air, her parents huddled together and wept. Lin Xiang, drained of all strength, slumped into a chair and panted heavily. Thank goodness, she thought, she hadn't forgotten the essentials of the Heimlich maneuver and had managed to save the girl.

"Lin Xiang, you’re amazing!" Yang Rong gave her a thumbs-up. "We all thought the child was beyond help, but you just did... that, and saved her?"

Lin Xiang’s mouth twitched. What did she mean by "just did that"? Her movements might have looked haphazard, but they were actually life-saving techniques!

"It was just Sweetie's own good fortune. I’m just lucky I was here today and noticed it in time." Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

The mother wiped her damp eyes with the back of her hand and walked over to Lin Xiang. "Comrade, thank you so much. If not for you, my Sweetie might have..."

"Big sister, you should be thanking yourself. In such a desperate situation, you were still willing to let a stranger like me try to save her—that is her true blessing."

It was always a fear to encounter people who were incompetent yet stubbornly insistent.

The mother smiled and beckoned to Sweetie. "Sweetie, come here and thank the big sister. She is your lifesaver."

Sweetie, her chubby little hand held by her father, walked toward Lin Xiang with small, tentative steps. She didn't speak, but looked at her with clear, deer-like eyes, filled with both gratitude and curiosity.

"When my Sweetie was little, she had a high fever that damaged her brain. She still hasn't learned to speak." The mother placed a hand on Sweetie’s shoulder; her tone was full of heartache and helpless frustration, but not a shred of resentment.

In the seventies, let alone in remote areas, the vast majority of Chinese people favored sons over daughters. For a girl—a girl who wasn't quite normal—to be loved so wholeheartedly by her parents, was that not a kind of happiness in itself?

Lin Xiang loved seeing such a harmonious family scene. She said cheerfully, "Sweetie has suffered all the bitterness she will ever face today; her life will surely be smooth sailing from here on out."

"I hope your words come true. Comrade, would you mind telling me your name? The situation was unusual today, and we still need to take Sweetie to the hospital for a check-up, so we will have to repay you another day."

Lin Xiang waved her hands repeatedly. "It was just a small effort, not worth mentioning. I believe anyone would have reached out to help if they were able. You don't need to thank me specially. Go on and take Sweetie to the hospital."

"But..."

"Uncle! Aunt!" A young woman trotted in, her voice trembling, likely from worry. "How is Sweetie?"

"Sweetie was saved by a kind person and she’s fine now, but we still need to take her to the hospital. Mengmeng, you..."

"Lin Xiang?" Shi Lemeng noticed Lin Xiang standing with her aunt and uncle, and frowned slightly. "You are the one who saved Sweetie?"

Lin Xiang nodded stiffly. Inside, however, a storm was raging.

She had just done a good deed and saved a poor child—how did she end up "summoning" the original heroine? That’s right, Shi Lemeng was the heroine of the book, the destined match for Lin Yun!

Not to mention that her parents were both employed, she was one of only two children, and her parents didn't believe in favoring boys over girls; they had poured everything into nurturing both her and her sister. If Yang Lihua was the "flower" of Pear Blossom Brigade, compared to Shi Lemeng, it was like the difference between clouds and mud!

Shi Lemeng was not only outstanding herself, but she also had a strong moral compass and great capability; she was Lin Yun’s right-hand woman. However, the original owner of this body had detested Shi Lemeng, always engaging in petty rivalries with her. Later, when the original owner had set her sights on a scumbag, Shi Lemeng had tried to talk her out of it, warning her that he wasn't a good match, only to be cursed at by the original owner for "not wanting to see her happy."

In the book, Shi Lemeng was a bit of a saint; the original owner's tragic end was entirely of her own making. Even after Lin Yun had become thoroughly disappointed in Lin Xiang, Shi Lemeng had still tried to help her repeatedly, though it never amounted to anything.

Lin Xiang sighed inwardly. The heroine had arrived, the male lead's romance was about to bloom, and the infatuated supporting character, educated youth Liu, was destined for heartbreak. Without the original owner acting as a troublemaker in this life, the romance between the leads would surely be smooth sailing.

Facing her future sister-in-law, Lin Xiang immediately put on a smile. "Comrade Shi, what a coincidence to run into you here."

"Lin Xiang, are you not feeling well?" Shi Lemeng looked her up and down. In the past, whenever Lin Xiang saw her, she acted as if she wanted to start a fight; why was she so polite today? And how could someone as lazy and unlearned as her have managed to save Sweetie?

"How did you know I was sick a couple of days ago? But I’m mostly better now, thank you for your concern, Comrade Shi."

Shi Lemeng thought: *Who is concerned about you! Can't you understand a backhanded comment?*

Shi Lemeng took a deep breath, ignored Lin Xiang, and turned to her aunt. "Aunt, I know Sweetie’s savior. We can thank her later; let's get Sweetie to the hospital first."

"Yes, yes, we must take Sweetie for a check-up." Lin Xiang urged them to leave and saw them out of the state-run restaurant.

Sweetie was placed on the back of a bicycle, her father pushing while her mother steadied her back to keep her from falling, and her sister held her hand tightly, worried she might be scared. A family, harmonious and beautiful.

Shi Lemeng had grown up in a loving home; no wonder she was able to warm Lin Yun’s scarred heart, providing him with a foundation of support when he was at his lowest.

Lin Xiang stretched. It was good to be in the seventies—you could do a good deed and save a life without fear of being blackmailed!