Chapter 17: There Is Only One Fang Ying

Fang Ying nodded firmly. "It’s true, there isn't. If there were, it would have been the talk of the entire region by now."

Lin Qin thought for a moment and decided to share her own plight. "There is a woman named Fang Ying from Fangshan Commune who attended a junior college in the provincial capital at the same time as my husband. They got involved, and now this Fang Ying is pregnant. I suspect she’s restless because she's about to give birth and intends to get rid of my daughter and me so she can marry him.

"That Fang Ying might be the very same Fang Meixiang you're talking about. As for why she used your name to attend college, I don't know."

Fang Ying’s face turned pale. Her pupils dilated, and her voice trembled. "You... are you saying... Fang Meixiang used my admission letter to steal my identity and attend college?"

Lin Qin took a deep breath. "I’m only suspicious; I can't be sure."

"No! Your suspicion... it's possible!" Fang Ying looked at Lin Qin, tears streaming down her face. "I should have realized sooner. Meixiang is the village head’s daughter and is pampered at home. How could she have married so far away just because she was frustrated with high school?

"How could the village head, who loves her so much, possibly let her marry so far away? I’m such a fool! I should have suspected it! No, I can't let this go! I have to go back and get to the bottom of this."

Lin Qin quickly grabbed her. "Don't be impulsive! If Fang Meixiang really stole your identity, this is no small matter. It involves many people. You are a woman alone—how can you get justice?"

"Sister! What should I do? I have nowhere else to turn! Today, my parents took eighty yuan from an old man and tried to force me to marry him. If the police hadn't arrived in time, he would have dragged me away!

"I have no home to return to and nowhere to plead my case... I don't want to live anymore! But I can't bear to die like this! Wuwuwu..." Fang Ying knelt on the ground, sobbing bitterly.

Lin Qin looked at Chen Wenjun.

Chen Wenjun stepped forward and handed her fifty yuan. "Take this money, buy a long-distance bus ticket to the provincial capital, and find the school principal or the admissions office. Ask them if the Fang Ying they enrolled is you. If it is, tell the school and the principal the truth and report it to the police in the city!

"If it's not, just come back. Fifty yuan is enough for a round trip and a few days in the city."

Fang Ying, who had never traveled far in her life, stared at the fifty yuan, stunned. She didn't know whether to take it or not.

Lin Qin urged her, "That's life. If you don't take this gamble, you'll regret it forever. Consider this a loan; pay us back when you can. If you can't, it doesn't matter. We understand."

Fang Ying came to her senses and bowed in tearful gratitude.

For the first time in her life, she felt cared for and valued. Ironically, this warmth came not from her parents, but from strangers she had met by chance.

"Thank you! I will work hard to pay you back! What are your names? Where do you live? How can I find you later?" Fang Ying asked many questions.

Lin Qin answered her sincerely.

Once they reached the hospital, Chen Wenjun said to Lin Qin, "You take the child up first. I'll take her to the station and come see you tomorrow."

"Okay!"

With Chen Wenjun around, Lin Qin always felt a sense of security.

When Lin Ying and Lin Yi saw Lin Qin returning with Liu Yaya, they both wept with joy. Lin Yi couldn't move, but his eyes never left the girl.

Lin Ying hugged the child tightly, calling her "darling" and "my heart," still terrified. "What did the police say?"

"They are still investigating. Fortunately, the child was found, and the traffickers were caught." Lin Qin didn't say much more.

Lin Ying was so furious that she cursed the traffickers' ancestors for eighteen generations before calming down.

The next morning, around eight o'clock, Chen Wenjun arrived at the ward with fruit. As soon as he sat down, Lin Qin eagerly asked about Fang Ying.

Chen Wenjun replied, "I bought her the earliest bus ticket for today. She’s already on her way. I hope things turn out as we expect."

Lin Qin nodded, relieved.

Liu Yaya called out sweetly, "Uncle Chen."

Chen Wenjun picked her up and said to Lin Qin and Lin Yi, "Uncle, if you trust me, you can let Yaya stay with me for a few days. The hospital is crowded and chaotic, and things can slip through the cracks. I won't be out selling fish for a few days, so I can look after her. Once you're discharged, I'll bring her back to Shanglin Village. What do you think?"

Lin Qin was truly tempted.

Chen Wenjun was a Boat Person; his home was on a fishing boat. If they didn't go ashore, they would be drifting on Nanxi Creek, or he could park by a deserted bank. As long as the child didn't step on land, there was no need to worry about traffickers.

More importantly, the kidnapping was a plot by Liu Yongming and his mistress. If they failed once, they would surely try again. If the child were with Chen Wenjun, Liu Yongming would never find her!

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?" Lin Yi looked at Chen Wenjun with gratitude and guilt.

Chen Wenjun shook his head. "What trouble? Looking after one child is the same as looking after two. As long as you are willing!"

He looked down at Liu Yaya and gently persuaded her, "Yaya, would you like to come home with Uncle Chen for a few days? I have a boy your age at home to play with. When your grandfather is discharged, I'll bring you back. How about that?"

Liu Yaya was reluctant to leave Lin Qin.

Lin Qin comforted her through tears, "Be good. Mommy will come see you when I can. Stay with Uncle Chen for a few days so you won't be targeted by bad people again, okay?"

"Okay! Mommy, remember to come see me and bring me home!" Liu Yaya cried pitifully.

All the adults teared up.

To soothe Liu Yaya, Lin Qin accompanied them back to Nanxi. This was her first time back since her rebirth.

The scenery of Nanxi remained the same—fishing boats crisscrossed the river, a lively sight. Passing Boat People looked at her curiously before returning to their work.

Chen Wenjun carried Liu Yaya and led Lin Qin onto his boat.

It was a five-canopy boat used by the Boat People, also known as a "five-canopy skiff." It was over ten meters long and about three meters wide, covering over thirty square meters. The "five" referred to five retractable bamboo canopies used to shelter from different weather conditions.

The bow was equipped with a pair of long oars, an anchor, and a long bamboo pole. The middle section, known as the "boat belly," was divided into two levels, especially in the rear cabin. The lower level stored goods and raised pigs, while the upper level was spacious. It was the center of the family's life, where they ate, drank, lived, and slept.

A couplet hung on the cabin door, and a red paper sign reading "Smooth Sailing" was pasted above it.

To Liu Yaya, all of this was strange and novel.

When Chen Wenjun opened the door, a dark-haired head poked out from the cabin and shouted joyfully, "Daddy!"