I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel-Chapter 156 - 153: Da Qiang, What a Miserable Guy

Du Shouqiang’s mind usually isn’t as quick as others, but he’s someone who understands reason and logic. Otherwise, Pan Zhoucong wouldn’t have trusted him so greatly. Right now, he’s drenched in cold sweat but also has concerns: "But, but she’s the daughter-in-law my mother chose. She’s taken care of my mother for three years. As you know, I’ve been away with you, Pan, rarely going home. Xiao Fen helped me fulfill my filial duties in front of the elderly."

Jiang Mingyue interjected: "Isn’t there another reason? Something you can’t say? But if you don’t confess, it’ll be hard for Pan, too."

She was indeed forcing him to make a choice.

Du Shouqiang closed his eyes, steeling his heart: "Pan, Xiao Fen is pregnant with my child."

Pan Zhoucong, upon hearing this, felt so angry that he almost wanted to sober Du Shouqiang up with an ashtray.

In this era, getting someone pregnant and being reported could lead to arrest, and might even cost your life. So, most people would choose marriage, even if they knew they were being set up — they could only suffer in silence. Li Xiaofen surely knew this.

Jiang Mingyue took a sip of tea and gently put down the teacup, "It’s a lie! She’s not pregnant, and you were so drunk that night that according to latest medical research, a man can’t even handle anything, let alone commit a crime."

"Cough, cough, cough..." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Cough, cough!"

"Cough, cough!"

The throats of several people were choked by Jiang’s words, but looking into her calm lake-like eyes, they realized she was only stating facts, medical facts at that. They were the ones misunderstanding things.

Du Shouqiang seemed to see the dawn of hope, yet couldn’t understand how Mr. Jiang knew these things.

"Mr. Jiang, are you saying I didn’t do anything with her? So... she, she really isn’t pregnant?"

"Indeed, she is not pregnant!"

Du Shouqiang thought, Mr. Jiang can even produce a miracle cure for Pan and Uncle Mute’s chronic ailments, surely she understands medicine, and what she says must be true.

If he had felt some guilt towards Li Xiaofen before, now it was replaced by raging anger. No man could tolerate a woman deceiving him like this.

"Damn, that bitch! Why did she do this?"

Jiang Mingyue: "Let me ask you, you said she took care of your mother for three years. During those years, did you send money home?"

Du Shouqiang didn’t understand why Mr. Jiang asked this but he cooperated earnestly.

"The first time I sent money, my mother said the home’s shortages were in food. I gave her money, but she didn’t know how to spend it, and asking the village chief for help would be inconvenient. So, sensing money was tricky, after that, I only sent a few hundred during New Year’s. Typically, I’d have someone deliver things each month, usually with a cartload. Rice, flour, oil, fabric, household items, if I saw something nice, novel, or they hadn’t tasted, I’d save enough for someone to deliver home."

"What I’m telling you is that a significant portion of those goods probably went into Li Xiaofen’s pockets. You can go back to your hometown and investigate; it shouldn’t be difficult."

Du Shouqiang felt hurt; he thought he found someone who cared for his mother and didn’t mind his disability, only to realize he fell into a trap.

"So, Li Xiaofen never truly cared for me, possibly disdaining my mother while coveting the good things I sent, which is why she treated my mom well?"

Pan: "You already know the answer yourself."

"But I’m unwilling to accept it, and I’m confused."

Uncle Mute: "In a world of countless people, you can run into all sorts. As life gets better, people will envy and keep a watch on you. But if something’s gone, consider it wages for taking care of your mom for three years."

Seeing he had almost processed it, Jiang Mingyue shared more information.

"Didn’t you recently get a new member under you? Recommended by your mom?"

Du Shouqiang: "Yes, named Li Fugui."

"Then let me tell you, Li Fugui is Li Xiaofen’s lover. They were supposed to marry, but were too poor. They targeted your family, concocting stories of Li Xiaofen’s affections for you. Once trusted by your mom, they gradually pocketed more items, wanting even more as they received more. Li Xiaofen learnt you managed people in the city, then had the idea to send Li Fugui to work under you.

You can verify all this; it’s possible with investigation. I recalled seeing Li Xiaofen when she went for an abortion at the hospital my second brother and sister-in-law work at. That’s when I accidentally bumped into Li Fugui, who scolded me. My brother wasn’t pleased and checked Li Fugui’s background, where everything came to light."

Jiang Mingyue wasn’t forgetting to assign blame.

Everyone believed Jiang Mingyue without hesitation; nobody would fabricate such matters, let alone frame an innocent girl. After extensive interaction, everyone knew each other’s character.

This revelation deeply impacted Du Shouqiang, prompting him to step back from his duties, leaving them to Uncle Mute.

Pan rubbed his hands, eager for something good to be thrown his way.

"Mr. Jiang, uh, do you still have the plum wine and corn wine you gave Uncle Mute the other day? I want it all; I promise you won’t lose on the price. What do you think?"

Pan: See my cautious expression, can it fully convey my sincerity?

Good wine requires precise fermentation time, and those two jars given to Uncle Mute will eventually be sniffed out by Pan Zhoucong. The hopeful gaze proves everything, as they await her return with more wine.

Since that’s the case, it’s time to wrap things up, though Jiang Mingyue did not plan to price the corn wine too high. She hoped it would be accessible to many, like Uncle Ma or Uncle Niu from Lotus Village. They could sample this fine taste with just a few bucks.

"Pan, I’m here precisely for the wine."

Pan Zhoucong sighed with relief.

"There are two thousand jars of corn wine; no more plum wine at the moment. Additionally, there are a hundred bottles of dried banana, each weighing two hundred grams." Jiang Mingyue pushed the dried fruit samples toward him.

Pan’s hopeful gaze: "That’s all?"

Jiang Mingyue smilingly dealt a blow: "You heard right."

Though Pan felt let down, having something was better than nothing, acquiring two thousand jars and some new items could ease market pressure.

"Alright. Mr. Jiang, let’s discuss pricing. Although your corn wine is top-notch, considered peak level among corn wines, it’s still beneath that of fruit wines. Enthusiasts care more about the ingredients for brewing, hence..."

"I know, corn wine won’t be overpriced. That’s what I want. I hope you act with integrity, Pan, don’t profit excessively, and try to let a wider audience enjoy it."

Pan: "..."

"Tell me, how much will you pay?"

Pan held up two fingers.

"Alright, I trust you, Pan." Two bucks a jar, they could collectively purchase one, and even five liters can be divided among many.

But when payments arrived, Jiang Mingyue realized, it wasn’t two bucks a jar, but two bucks per liter, clocking ten bucks per jar, while banana dried fruit settled at ten bucks per bottle.

Thus, late that night, she effortlessly pocketed 21,000 more.

Even at ten bucks a jar of wine, many couldn’t afford it, causing some concern. Thankfully, tonight’s featured products were still well-received by Uncle Mute and Pan.

Uncle Mute managed personnel to haul away goods.

Soon after they departed, Jiang Mingyue’s spiritual power detected the turbulence from Taohua Lane.

A group was headed straight to her number 66.