CHAPTER 189: 183 I AM ME, EXPERT AT TAKING THE BLAME

Damn it, is this guy possessed by a ghost? Instant mood swing...

One moment he’s cold and indifferent, the next he’s sinister and creepy!

Don’t act like you’ve found something amusing. Let me tell you upfront—I’m not some "thing"! Hey...

Tian Sangsang stopped her inner rant and smiled too, her smile mild and calm: "I’m just me, the unique me. Tian Sangsang."

This body is legit—you wouldn’t be able to yank the soul out even if you tried. Thinking of this, Tian Sangsang found a bit of confidence.

"You’re not her." Jiang Jinghuai insisted, his gaze still firm and cold: "She’s not like this."

Tian Sangsang burst out laughing, spinning her tale: "Time changes many things. It’s been five years, it’s not surprising for someone to change. Can you honestly say people’s personalities remain static forever? I seriously doubt it. People’s personalities evolve as they grow older."

"Other people might change, but you—I don’t believe it."

Ugh, so pissed off! This totally feels like discrimination! "This is arrogance and prejudice."

Jiang Jinghuai scoffed, tightening his grip, his teeth gnashing: "Fine. What do you have to say about what happened that night five years ago?"

His chilling glare made her skin crawl.

Tian Sangsang forced herself to swallow a lump in her throat, but it felt horribly dry, so she mustered her courage and retorted: "What else is there to say? Our ancestors taught us one truth across the river of history—when someone saves your life, you repay them with yourself. It’s a simple principle, an unchanging law, one that birthed countless tales of heroes and beauties. Besides, buying o—hey, hey, hey, what are you doing!"

Her back slammed against a tree, the impact hurt like hell. When she lifted her eyes, they met Jiang Jinghuai’s deep orbs, like a night sky, reflecting her panicked face.

Jiang Jinghuai pressed her wrists down with one hand, the other braced against the sturdy tree trunk. At first glance, it might look like the two of them were getting intimate, but in reality, there was a gap between their bodies. Still, his breath brushed against her face—a mix of unfamiliarity, familiarity, itchiness, and heat. That cigarette smell...

I can’t take this anymore.

Tian Sangsang took a deep breath, "Fine, I’ll confess."

"Speak." His voice was magnetic, low, and intoxicating. "Don’t try anything funny."

"Actually, I’m..." She tilted her head: "I’m actually a fox spirit from the deep mountains."

After she said it, she glanced at his face, which grew even colder, so cold the surrounding air seemed to freeze inch by inch, ready to splinter into icy shards.

Tian Sangsang shut her eyes then reopened them, "Alright, fine, I’ll confess again. I’m Tian Sangsang, but a different Tian Sangsang. I died, then lived again. I had a car accident, and when I woke up, I was in her body. I transmigrated and was reborn. You can call it soul borrowing. Believe it or not, I don’t care, because I believe it. And then, my miserable days began. I became everyone’s scapegoat. They called me shameless, mocked me for being fat, ugly, lazy, and dark-skinned. They came to my door to bully me."

As she continued, her eyes turned red, her voice growing softer and softer: "Do you think I didn’t feel wronged? I used to be a normal person who never endured such disdain or such humiliation. Most people wanted me gone, wanted me out of the village. But since I took over this body and got a second chance, I had no reason to complain. Then I got a son, an adorable son. I treated him like my own flesh and blood. But he kept yearning for his father—a father who hadn’t fulfilled even a shred of responsibility or obligation over the years. Even though I knew I was being a bit extreme and shouldn’t tarnish someone completely, it hurt. And then, when I finally found someone who didn’t care about my looks and seemed to like me, it turned out to be nothing more than a ridiculous dream... That’s all. Believe it or not."

The river late at night, the evening breeze gently gliding through.

Jiang Jinghuai’s deep gaze settled on her. In the moonlight, her face was illuminated almost translucently—so pale it was eerie. Her long lashes cast shadows under her eyes.

He reached out, his hand appearing like it was about to touch her face...

"But so what? Bring on the storm, let it rage even harder! You’re weak? Then I’ll be strong. You’re strong? Then I’ll be even stronger. You lack something? Then I’ve got it. You’ve got it? Then I have even more! I’ll live like a proper human being; no one can break me, not even earthquakes can destroy me! You rotten heavens, come at me! I’m not afraid! I’ll tell you this—I’m Qi Sang... I’m Tian Sangsang!" Her eyes shone brightly—brighter than tonight’s stars, so dazzling they rivaled a flashlight.

Jiang Jinghuai’s hand adjusted its course, landing in her hair that seemed about to explode from excitement, then quickly withdrew.

"I understand." He grunted, appearing visibly startled: "You’re right. Time certainly can change a person; especially five years."

"Huh?" Did he believe her?

"You should go see Guan Kunling." Jiang Jinghuai mused.

"See what?" Tian Sangsang’s mind went blank.

"See your brain." He shook his head lightly, shoving his hands into his trouser pockets, leaving her with a tall and suave silhouette.

"See my brain..." What did that mean? Suddenly, her brain clicked: "He’s saying I’m crazy and should see a doctor. Ugh, so he doesn’t believe me?"

He was the one who told her to speak the truth. Now that she did, she feared he’d direct all of his past resentment toward Tian Sangsang onto her, making her the scapegoat. But he didn’t even believe her story. Total waste of breath.

Under the moonlight, Sangsang angrily covered her face.

When Tian Sangsang checked on Chen Ying and returned, she saw Jiang Jinghuai holding Meng Shuyan. Guan Kunling had somehow procured a small thin mattress. "Spread it on the ground so Yanyan doesn’t get poked by stones at night," she said.

That made sense. Just as Tian Sangsang was about to spread the mat out, Jiang Jinghuai said, "No need, I’ll hold him."

"But..." Wouldn’t holding him be tiring? Wouldn’t his arms go numb by morning? Sure, sleeping in someone’s arms was more comfortable than on the ground, but still...

"Sangsang." Guan Kunling tugged her sleeve, "Our Captain Jiang can handle holding one child. Let’s rest. He’s showing love and care for the young master—it’s a good thing."

Alright then, Jiang Jinghuai was asking for it. Tian Sangsang sat down, leaning back-to-back with Guan Kunling. Exhausted, she quickly fell asleep.

Though asleep, Guan Kunling’s body remained on alert, and she was aware Captain was staring at her.

She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze cold and distant.

"Has anyone ever said you look a lot like someone?" Jiang Jinghuai whispered, his smile pale.

"Yes, Lu Chi and Li Qiong’er—they said I look like Jiang Jiaqi," Guan Kunling stated matter-of-factly.

Jiang Jinghuai hesitated before speaking, "And are you?"

"I’m Guan Kunling."

Indeed. Even if the resemblance was uncanny, they were different people.

How could someone dead truly come back? Impossible—her body was burned to ashes back then.

Jiang Jinghuai felt a pang of melancholy and nodded slightly.

"Will Yanyan’s leg recover?"

"Yes." Guan Kunling replied with unwavering certainty: "I’ll heal him."

"Thank you."

"Don’t mention it."

"Good night."

"Sweet dreams."

"..."