The next morning, Cheng You dressed Zhenzhen neatly and took her to Uncle Li's house.
Zhenzhen was a little nervous. "Will he dislike me?"
Cheng You smiled. "No, you're so cute."
"Am I cute?"
"Yes."
Zhenzhen didn't quite believe it. "You're lying to me."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because they don't like me or my mom."
Ever since Zhenzhen could remember, no one had been good to her.
Oh, except for Uncle Zhou.
But Uncle Zhou didn't come often. Her mom told him not to, saying it would lead to gossip.
"If they don't like you, that's their problem, not yours, and not mine. I like you anyway."
Zhenzhen's little face was flushed, her eyes seemed to be stained with starlight, radiant and dazzling.
It felt so good to be liked.
"We're here, this is it."
Uncle Li was still brushing his teeth in the yard and saw the little one beside her at a glance.
"Where did you find this little doll?"
Cheng You led the uneasy Zhenzhen inside and explained yesterday's events to Uncle Li.
Uncle Li asked, "Then you didn't give the household registration book to Zhang Fuhai?"
Cheng You suddenly remembered this and slapped her head in annoyance.
"I forgot!"
Uncle Li wiped his face. "Remember to go back this afternoon. Why did you bring the child here to me?"
Cheng You said, "Her mother is gone, and she has no father. I'm not married yet, so it's inconvenient to raise a child. I wanted to ask you..."
"Are you asking me to adopt her?"
Uncle Li understood her meaning and fell into thought.
For so many years, he had considered adopting a child to comfort himself.
But he had never taken action.
He always wondered, if he had a new child, what if he forgot his own son?
He couldn't overcome this hurdle.
"You can call me Master, like you, but adoption is not necessary. As long as I have something to eat, she won't starve."
Cheng You patted Zhenzhen's little shoulder. "Hurry, call him Master."
Zhenzhen didn't quite understand the etiquette, her hands and feet unsure where to place themselves. She called out tentatively, "Master."
Uncle Li nodded and agreed.
"I'll arrange a few tables soon, just like yours, to formally accept you as a disciple."
From this moment on, Cheng You had a little shadow following her.
No matter what she did, Zhenzhen would follow closely, watching eagerly, pitiable and cute.
The villagers of Wujing Village finally learned that Cheng You had picked up a little girl and that Uncle Li had taken her as a disciple.
It made people gasp, how lucky this child was.
Zhou Yunru, who was about to become a mother herself, looked at children with a natural maternal instinct.
"Zhenzhen, what's your full name?"
"My name is Wen Zhen."
Zhou Yunru's smile faded slightly. "Wen? Which village are you from?"
Zhenzhen shook her head. "I don't have a village."
Zhou Yunru looked at Cheng You in surprise. "Where did you bring her from?"
"Near Xiting Village."
Zhou Yunru nodded. "Then it makes sense. The Wen surname is a major surname in Xiting Village. Yesterday, someone came to the house to propose to Zhao Lifang, and they were from Xiting Village, also surnamed Wen."
Cheng You was stunned. "What a coincidence?"
"Isn't it a coincidence? They didn't talk for long before my mother-in-law agreed. I don't know why she was in such a hurry. Usually, she would ponder for a long time before marrying Zhao Lifang off."
However, the family proposing was well-off, reportedly very prosperous.
Cheng You didn't think much of it.
Speak of the devil, and she shall appear.
A moment later, Zhao Lifang was seen approaching.
Cheng You and Zhou Yunru exchanged knowing smiles. Indeed, one shouldn't speak ill of people behind their backs.
"Cheng You, I'm getting married!"
Cheng You glanced at her. "You didn't specifically come here to tell me this, did you?"
Their relationship shouldn't be at that level.
Zhao Lifang snorted and gave her a sideways glance.
"I came to buy medicine from you."
"What medicine?"
Zhao Lifang fidgeted and took out a few yuan.
"I want medicine for rapid skin whitening."
The wedding date was rather rushed. She had wanted to buy fabric for her wedding dress yesterday.
However, after just holding the red fabric against her, she felt it looked bad.
The more she looked, the darker she seemed.
They all lived in the countryside, but why was Cheng You fairer than her?
Cheng You shook her head. "I don't have that kind of medicine here."
"How is that possible! Everyone says your medicine is effective. You can even make a cracked skin cream, why can't you make a whitening cream? I'll pay!"
Her boisterous voice was a little grating to Cheng You's ears.
Cheng You walked to the side, creating some distance between them.
"Perhaps I'll make it in the future, but it hasn't been developed yet."
Zhao Lifang put the money on the table. "Then do me a favor, just for my sake, make it now!"
She was a pampered girl who grew up spoiled, and never had the concept of "politeness" when speaking to others.
Even now, she still spoke to Cheng You with an air of arrogance.
"I'm busy now."
She still had to sort out the matter of opening a shop.
With a license, her products wouldn't be considered unbranded.
She could sell with peace of mind, and people could use them with confidence.
Zhao Lifang frowned and stamped her foot. "It's not that you're busy, I think you just don't want to help me!"
"You know I don't want to help you, and you still came to me? Zhao Lifang, please understand, we're not close. Don't act like we're good friends."
Cheng You's blunt words made her feel incredibly embarrassed.
"What's so great about you? You're just a medicine seller, and you think you're something special! Do you know who I'm marrying? His father is the captain of our Yangshu Brigade. His position is even higher than your father's!"
Cheng You ignored her and walked away.
Zhao Lifang, unwilling to be ignored, followed Cheng You wherever she went.
"It's no big deal that you have a boyfriend from the city. Who in the village doesn't know that Qi Chengyan would never marry you! Not only is he from the city, but his father is an official, wealthy and influential. How could he possibly fancy a village girl like you!"
Cheng You lazily glanced at her. "Are you done? If you're done, leave. You're hindering my work."
She wasn't angry. Zhao Lifang felt as if she had punched cotton, making her feel uncomfortable all over.
After saying so much, she had only managed to anger herself.
"What's the point of what you're doing? A woman's life is all about marrying a good man, right? Can these things help you marry Qi Chengyan? No! When Qi Chengyan abandons you and returns to the city, don't cry!"
Zhou Yunru's face soured. "Zhao Lifang, then are you sure that the man you're going to marry will definitely be a good man? If he's a good man, why do you care so much about being dark-skinned and fear he'll dislike you?"
Perhaps a word had hit a sore spot. Zhao Lifang jumped up in anger.
"You're whose sister-in-law, how can you help outsiders!"
Zhou Yunru said coldly, "I am your sister-in-law, that's why I don't want to see you embarrass yourself."
Zhao Lifang was so angry that her face turned the color of pig liver. She clenched the money tightly and ran out.