He Begged in This Life, but I Wasn’t Hers Anymore

My mother said that if I didn't marry William, I would have to go to the countryside. Initially, I wasn't supposed to go.

But after my dad passed away, my uncles and relatives took the factory job spot that was meant for me. I had no choice but to give it up and accept being sent down. My mother blamed herself for not protecting me; she thought I was just a burden and she's been heartbroken about it ever since.

William, on the other hand, was a teacher. If I married him, I would enjoy the privilege of not having to go to the countryside. It was precisely because of this that William felt I wasn't marrying him out of love but to avoid rural assignment.

It wasn't that I was afraid or unwilling to go to the countryside, but my mother's health was poor and she was blind. If I left, I reckoned she would be driven to her death by my father's relatives. Thinking of this, I also felt a bit worried.

I was somewhat anxious, torn between my mother and the bitter life I had lived for the past thirty years, which was still vivid in my mind. Just as I was at a loss, I heard coughing and the sound of pouring water outside the door. The moment I saw who it was, my eyes lit up. That's right! There was still him.

***

The visitor was Jackson Wagner, my dad's comrade's son. My father had saved his father on the battlefield and had helped Jackson in various ways after both his parents passed away. When my father died, Jackson knelt before his coffin and kowtowed deeply several times, saying, "Derek, please go in peace. I will take care of Josephine and Meredith for the rest of my life."

At the time, I just thought he was saying it casually, but I never expected him to really start taking care of my mother and me. He even remained unmarried his whole life. In my previous life, if it hadn't been for this sworn brother who was a skilled technician with special status supporting me, I probably would have been kicked out of the house by the successful William long ago.

Jackson was a highly skilled worker. If I married him, I could still stay in the city and get a factory job; there was no need to go to the countryside. Thinking of this, I quickly ran to the courtyard, but Jackson had already filled the water tank and quietly left. I didn't chase after him but turned and went to the pharmacy.

I picked up a few packs of medicine for cough and cold. Just as I was leaving the pharmacy, I bumped right into William. He glanced at the medicine in my hand and let out a cold snort. "Weren't you all bold just now, saying you were calling off the engagement? What's the meaning of buying these medicines for me now?"

It seemed William thought I had bought the medicine for him. I couldn't be bothered with him, so I turned and walked away with the medicine. However, William suddenly reached out and grabbed me. "Don't come to my house for a while. Sofia's there waiting for me and I don't want you causing trouble for her again. I'll take the medicine, but only because it's what you should be doing. If you'd just given me your jacket earlier, I wouldn't have caught this cold in the first place."

I wanted to scream at him, but I knew William too well. The more I said, the more he'd think I was trying to cover something up. So, I just shot him a glare, yanked my arm away and walked off.

***

When I got home, I carefully prepared the medicine and then knocked on Jackson's door. Jackson coughed a few times and came to open the door. "Josephine, why are you here? Is something wrong at home? Wait a moment. I'll grab a jacket and be right there."

I shook my head and handed him the medicine. "I heard you coughing yesterday when you brought us water. You're still young, but you need to take care of yourself. If it turns into something serious, like a lung infection, it'll be too late."

As I said this, my face couldn't help but turn a little red. Jackson was utterly stunned. For a moment, he didn't know whether to take the medicine, say thank you, or invite me in. I didn't hesitate and said directly, "Back when my dad died, you promised you'd take care of me for the rest of my life. Does that promise … still count?"