2 Adoption

Yao Mengmeng was utterly shocked. Fifth Sister had always been the gentlest and most timid member of the family. How could she say something like that? Not to mention anything else—after an abortion, who would still want her? Yao Mengmeng almost suspected that Fifth Sister’s mind had been corrupted two weeks ago, trying to harm her. Angrily, she shoved Yao Zhizhi away. “None of your business!”

Yao Zhizhi was speechless. “Are you blind? You want a man like that? Are you picking up trash?”

Yao Mengmeng grew even angrier. Struggling to get up, she grabbed Yao Zhizhi’s shoulder and warned sharply, “Shut up! Don’t spread this around! I haven’t revealed anything yet. As long as I get married quickly, no one will notice. Don’t meddle in my affairs, got it?”

Yao Zhizhi wrenched her hand free, turned, and walked away without hesitation.

Was she bored or what? This matter was already fraught with complications, making her an outcast no matter what. If Yao Mengmeng weren’t the sister of the original owner’s body, she wouldn’t bother at all. Anyway, the task was completed, and the reward package was secured. Let whatever happen, happen.

Yao Mengmeng stared at her retreating figure, feeling this sister suddenly seemed so unfamiliar, so strange. Clenching her fists in hatred, she hurried after her.

Back home, she changed into clean clothes and tossed the dirty ones into Yao Zhizhi’s arms, ordering, “Wash these quickly. If it rains later, they won’t dry.”

Then she left as if Yao Zhizhi owed her the favor.

She didn’t even think about how she’d acted like a supplicant before Zhao Hesheng! Really a bully who fears the strong and bullies the weak. Did she really think Yao Zhizhi was still the same old Yao Zhizhi? She’d rather not wash them!

Yao Zhizhi ignored her completely and spent the afternoon sitting in the courtyard, doing some handicrafts.

Her weaving skills were exceptional. After resting two days from a fever, she learned there was a special bamboo craft station at the commune. She collected a bundle of torn bamboo strips, made finished products, and delivered them back.

For example, a small vegetable basket that could hold thirty to fifty eggs, woven with a simple over-and-under technique, could be completed in two to three hours and paid fifty cents per unit.

Or a large basket holding a hundred or two hundred eggs, woven with a more complex twill pattern, took five to six hours and earned one yuan twenty cents per piece.

There were also bamboo mats, winnowing baskets, sieves, small chicken cages… each craft had different pay.

Usually, during the off-season, villagers would pick up bundles of bamboo strips to work on at home and earn extra income.

Since Yao Zhizhi didn’t need to work in the fields, she did this to pass the time.

She didn’t plan to turn in her wages—better to keep them for herself. After all, a person who isn’t selfish isn’t truly human. Besides, with her system, no one could steal the money if she hid it.

While busy, three well-dressed adults—two men and one woman—arrived at the doorstep, boldly peering into the yard.

Yao Zhizhi ignored them and kept to her work.

This was money! During the apocalypse, she had relentlessly gathered zombie crystal cores, like a greedy dragon dazzled by gold.

Here, weaving was her only way to earn money, and she wasn’t about to waste time on strangers.

Seeing her focused and unbothered, the three entered.

Wang Aiming approached Yao Zhizhi and cleared his throat—a typical pretentious elder.

Yao Zhizhi didn’t recognize him and remained engrossed in her weaving.

Wang Aiming, a little annoyed, asked gruffly, “Zhizhi, it’s so hot out here. Your uncle came to your door, and you didn’t even offer a drink or bring a stool?”

Yao Zhizhi suddenly realized this was the uncle Wang Fang had mentioned—the one from the city.

He was said to be an excellent electrician, promoted to cadre last year, and living comfortably.

She looked up briefly. “No time. Go ahead.”

Wang Aiming was speechless. Was this kid really brainwashed by the river water?

He could only fetch a kettle, a bowl, and a stool himself.

The other man and woman were nicer, smiling warmly without complaint as they watched Yao Zhizhi.

After finishing her basket, Yao Zhizhi glanced up and met the woman’s gentle gaze, sighing softly. Alright, this auntie seemed decent.

She clapped her hands and asked, “Who are you looking for?”

“We are your father’s elder brother and sister-in-law,” the woman said kindly. Her name was Liu Yue, and she had been assessing Yao Zhizhi since entering.

Yao Zhizhi understood. “They’re waiting—Genbao works at the supply and marketing cooperative and gets back at half past five.”

“Genbao? Why wait for Genbao?” Liu Yue looked puzzled.

Zhu Ben didn’t know either, so he looked at Yao Zhizhi. “Your father only has one son, right? We wouldn’t compete with him. We came to adopt a daughter. That was agreed on over the phone.”

What?

Yao Zhizhi was surprised. “You openly said you want a daughter?”

“Exactly! Our colleague’s son isn’t married; he’s an only child. We want to adopt a daughter and become relatives by marriage, to help the young couple build their lives together. When they have children, each family gets one. If they have more, we’ll talk then.” Liu Yue was very enthusiastic and tried to take Yao Zhizhi’s hand.

She liked the idea of having such a beautiful daughter.

Yao Zhizhi quickly dodged away. They hadn’t even settled the basics yet, and already they were thinking about how many children the adopted daughter would bear. Elders these days had no sense of boundaries.

So annoying!

No matter how gentle or radiant their smiles, she didn’t like it.

Their gaze was too intense—it was as if they were undressing her soul, coveting her womb!

What kind of people were these?

She thought city folk would be more enlightened, but this was it?

Not even if they invited her with a grand ceremony would she go.

She quickly turned and left. “You sit down a bit; I’ll call my parents.”

She was too lazy to deal with these people.

At the threshing ground, before Yao Zhizhi could speak, Zhao Hesheng pulled her aside. “Your sister told me. Do you want to harm her?”

Yao Zhizhi blinked. “Are you crazy? She’s my sister; why would I harm her?”

“Then why was she crying?” Zhao Hesheng looked troubled. Had Yao Mengmeng lied to him?

Yao Zhizhi lost her temper and kicked him away. “Get lost!”

Zhao Hesheng was just like Yao Mengmeng—intimidating the weak and fearing the strong. After the kick, he immediately quieted down, muttering nonsense as he limped off.

Yao Zhizhi didn’t bother wasting words. She went to Yao Erdan’s side and called the four older sisters away.

Yao Mengmeng was still mad and ignored her.

Not wanting to waste effort, Yao Zhizhi only spoke with the other three sisters.

The eldest sister, Yao Yingying, 24, was bright and elegant, with a dignified and gentle temperament, and tall stature. Unfortunately, she was a widow with a bad reputation.

Her husband died before they even married, considered a jinx.

This made it difficult for the other sisters to marry well.

Going to the city might be better since no one there knew their background.

The second sister, Yao Taotao, 22, was flashy and alluring, with naturally seductive fox-like eyes. Many young men in the village pursued her relentlessly.

She had a good figure, a large backside, and the old women said she was fertile. Unfortunately, with the eldest sister’s bad luck, the stubborn elders refused to risk their sons, afraid she was also a jinx.

The third sister, Yao Ningning, 21, was delicate and refined—not stunning at first glance but pleasing to the eye.

Her personality was dull and slow; the villagers nicknamed her “Three Wooden Head.”

As for Yao Mengmeng…

At 19, she was rebellious and unruly, and the one Yao Zhizhi disliked most.

Now that the troublemaker was gone, Yao Zhizhi directly asked the three sisters, “Uncle brought the eldest uncle and aunt from the city. They said they want to adopt a daughter. Whoever wants to go, hurry home. But I warn you, if you go, you have to marry and have children, at least two. Think carefully.”

Yao Taotao burst out laughing. “Did Fifth Sister really lose her mind? What woman doesn’t have children? What’s the big deal?”

Yao Zhizhi frowned. She simply didn’t want children—was that too much to ask?

Forget it. She wasn’t going to argue. At least she passed along the message.

Better not let Yao Yao benefit.

Which sister goes didn’t matter.

Yao Zhizhi turned and left.

Yao Yingying hurried after her. “Fifth Sister, don’t take second sister’s temper to heart.”

“Mm.” Yao Zhizhi had to rush back to weave her basket and quickened her pace.

Yao Yingying sighed and watched Yao Taotao follow. “You! Fifth Sister specially called us aside to try to help us. If you don’t appreciate it, fine, but why laugh at her?”

“I’m not laughing at her—I’m laughing at us women. Who can escape having children? Like it’s something to brag aboutI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.