Transmigrated as an Unwanted Ugly Girl

Chapter 482: Chapter 252: Zhang Huai’s Reaction (2)

She wasn’t sure if Zheng Changhe and Zheng Qingmu would actually come storming over. But the ugly girl before her was a far cry from her usual self—no longer gentle and smiling, nor embarrassed and ashamed. Instead, she stared coldly, a look that chilled the woman’s heart and made her deeply uncomfortable.

Zhang Huai took a deep breath and slowly calmed down. Ignoring Xiaonian’s wife, he turned to Juhua and said in earnest, "It’s for the best. Juhua, you shouldn’t wear that veil anymore. It just gets in the way, and your face needs to breathe. I think it’s just a toxic sore. We’ll go to Qinghui to find a doctor. Once we get rid of the poison, it’ll heal, and it’ll be easier to wash your face."

Liu Xiaomei quickly chimed in, "Yeah! That’s right. One summer, my second brother got a sore on his butt..."

She clamped her mouth shut as soon as the words were out. ’How could I compare a sore on someone’s butt to what’s on Juhua’s face? I really need to watch my mouth.’

Juhua gave her a wry look and shook her head. "I’m used to wearing it; I’d feel strange without it. It’s not that I’m afraid of how it looks. Still, it’s better to keep it on. That way, certain people with too much time on their hands won’t be distracted by my face. It would be a shame to waste their precious time," she said, shooting a pointed glance at Xiaonian’s wife.

Getting the hint, Liu Xiaomei smiled and stepped forward to help Juhua tie the veil back on.

Guizhi gave Juhua an apologetic smile. "Juhua, we should get going. We’ll let you get back to your work!" With that, she grabbed the scowling Xiaonian’s wife and pulled her away.

She was mortified. ’I’m the one who brought Xiaonian’s wife here, and she started making trouble the moment she arrived, putting Juhua in such an awkward position. I should definitely keep my distance from that woman from now on. She’s clearly bad news.’

Juhua quickly called out with a smile, "Alright! Take care, Sister-in-law Guizhi!"

At first, Xiaonian’s wife had been thrilled. ’Huai Zi went pale the moment he saw Juhua’s face. At least he hasn’t forgotten she’s an ugly girl. So what if she covers it with a veil? Does she think that can turn her into a beauty?’

But then Huai Zi had said all those things to Juhua, acting as if he didn’t mind her appearance in the slightest. Annoyed, she walked away, thinking contemptuously, ’Hmph, what an act. Wasn’t he scared out of his wits just a moment ago? He must be after the Zheng Family’s money, pretending like it’s no big deal. Who’d believe he doesn’t care at all? Does he take everyone for a fool? He’s just stringing that scabby-faced girl along.’

And so, sometimes the facts and the truth aren’t what really matters. What matters is perception.

Juhua witnessed Huai Zi’s behavior, knew she held a place in his heart, and accepted him as the man for her. Yet, when Xiaonian’s wife witnessed the exact same thing, she concluded that he had been horrified by the ugly girl and had only pretended to comfort Juhua—all because her family was rich.

There was truly no reasoning with that.

Could you really crack open someone’s skull, scoop out their thoughts, and replace them with your own?

If someone who witnessed the event with their own eyes and ears could arrive at a completely opposite conclusion, one can only imagine what sort of speculations would arise from those who rely on hearsay.

That is why the world is full of inscrutable truths and inexplicable events, giving rise to countless life stories.

After Guizhi and that woman Jin had gone, Zhang Huai forced a relaxed smile at Juhua and said gently, "Don’t be angry. We don’t have anything to do with that woman, so just ignore her. If you take your veil off more often, people will get used to it. Most people won’t laugh at you, and anyone who does isn’t a good person to begin with. Right, Mei?"

’He wanted to encourage Juhua not to worry so much about the lesion on her face, and especially not to mind the gossip and strange looks. But his heart still ached. Just as Qingmu had thought, no one would feel good seeing their beloved in such a state—not family, not friends. Finding a way to cure it felt like their only, desperate hope.’

Liu Xiaomei quickly added, "Right, right! Brother Huai Zi is right. Juhua, you used to be too timid and afraid to go into the village. But we never looked down on you or refused to be your friend. Look, later on, Meizi, me, Jinxiang, and a bunch of others all became good friends with you, didn’t we? There aren’t many people like Xiaonian’s wife. I’d say she’s just itching for a beating. Brother Xiaonian needs to teach her a lesson."

Juhua was dumbfounded. ’Isn’t this a classic case of shooting myself in the foot? If I take off the veil for good, does that mean I’ll have to reapply this fake lesion every single day? Forget about how ugly it is—it’s just so uncomfortable!’

She forced a stiff laugh. "I think it’s better if I keep the veil on. I’m used to it! Heh! Really, I’m used to it!"

’Being fussed over and comforted by Huai Zi and Liu Xiaomei like this... I can’t bear it,’ she thought. ’It feels wrong to take advantage of their sympathy.’

Seeing her discomfort, Zhang Huai misunderstood, thinking she was still too afraid to face the world without her veil. His heart ached with a mix of pity and helplessness. He could only try to console her, "Alright, then just keep wearing it. It’s no big deal. Mei, why don’t you stay with Juhua for a while? I’m going to check on the workshop. If we get off work early this afternoon, we can come back and trap some sparrows to roast."

He knew how much Juhua loved activities like that. They had roasted fish last night; if they could roast sparrows today, he was sure it would cheer her up.

Sure enough, as soon as he said it, both Juhua’s and Liu Xiaomei’s eyes lit up. They nodded in unison and said, "Okay! You’d better come back early then. We’ll get everything ready and wait for you!"

Seeing Juhua back to her usual self, Zhang Huai relaxed. He smiled at her. "It won’t take long. There isn’t much pork to process today, so it’ll go quickly."

After a few more lighthearted words, he turned and strode away.

Juhua watched his retreating back, a strange feeling washing over her. ’Is this closeness? Or dependence?’ It felt like a bit of both, mixed with a sense of finality, of everything settling into place. ’After all,’ she thought, ’I’m about to be engaged to him. This is for life.’

Just then, Zheng Changhe came out from the backyard shouldering a shovel and a hoe, with Yang Family following, a basket in her hand. He asked Juhua, "Who was just here? I thought I heard shouting."

Afraid her parents would get angry, Juhua shot Liu Xiaomei a look, signaling her not to say anything about what had happened. She simply said that Sister-in-law Guizhi and Xiaonian’s wife had stopped by, glossing over the whole incident.