I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel

Chapter 340: Chapter 299: Be a Good Person

Jiang Mingyue returned home and saw the package leaning against the base of the pillar, which reminded her that she hadn’t unpacked the mail yet.

She slapped her forehead—how unreliable must she be to have forgotten about it?

Unpacking the package was as effortless as tearing a piece of paper, surprising Xie Yunhai who had just returned.

Jiang Mingyue opened it to find local specialties from that region, along with two brand new army-green cotton coats. The letter mentioned the weather was cooling down, suggesting she wear them in winter. She inventoried the specialties: walnut-stuffed dates, honey dates, honey, goji berries, pumpkin powder, and a large portion of meat wrapped tightly that Jiang Mingyue couldn’t identify.

"I know, it should be donkey meat," Xie Yunhai, well-versed as he was, identified it.

"Great stuff, Yueyue. Let’s have charcoal-grilled donkey meat tonight. I’ll make it for you, and promise you’ll want more. By the way, why hasn’t An Jian been seen around lately?"

"Busy, can’t get away."

Xie Yunhai nodded: "I suppose. Your work’s flooding you, lucky you haven’t drowned."

Jiang Mingyue: "..." So, it means she has good luck? Certainly.

As night fell, Uncle Mute came with freshly baked pastries. Although Jiang Mingyue had just had dinner, she couldn’t resist grabbing a piece to eat, followed by another. Xie Yunhai, possibly influenced by her, also grabbed some to eat, one after another.

Uncle Mute revealed a gentle, satisfied smile, very much feeling a sense of accomplishment.

"Tomorrow evening, we’re having a hot pot meal. You both come, don’t bring anything."

Despite the words, the two still prepared three gifts to bring, one naturally on behalf of her elder cousin.

With Xie Yunhai accompanying, Jiang Mingyue’s business discussions were postponed once again.

Jiang Mingyue felt inexplicably that something was obstructing her grain sales, otherwise how come things were repeatedly not going smoothly?

Forget it, just find another chance; it’s just next door anyway.

Back home, they suddenly had a power outage. Xie Yunhai, worried she might be afraid of the dark, lit the lantern and hung it in her room.

"Sleep well, call me if you need anything."

Jiang Mingyue glanced at the lantern hanging on the wall and suddenly realized she had forgotten about being afraid of the dark. Since she’d been together with Yan Jinzhi, she seemed to have forgotten about the fear. And now, nearly a month after Yan left, she didn’t seem to be troubled by it either.

After washing up, Jiang Mingyue turned off the lamp and went to sleep, inadvertently letting Brother Xie’s effort to burn a nightlight with courage go unappreciated.

But perhaps because she read Yan Jinzhi’s letter during the day, she sank into deep sleep only to dream persistently. This time it wasn’t just a fragment like before, but more like a full film telling the story in detail. Jiang Mingyue woke up in alarm to a room covered in darkness, and she panicked for a split second, then lit the lantern following her instinct, bringing light to the room as well as a bit of drift to her thoughts.

Unlike others, she could remember the content of her dreams each time she woke.

Her past self had truly forgotten, except she had selectively discarded memories of him, turning away heartlessly when he needed her badly.

Jiang Mingyue wanted to justify herself claiming it was amnesia, but it felt weak and powerless; he needed her so much!

Jiang Mingyue still wanted to say it was just a dream, nothing to stand on, but inexplicably, she just felt everything was real.

Thinking it through, Jiang Mingyue put on the army-green coat sent by Yan Jinzhi during the day, grabbed pen and paper, and wrote a letter to Yan Jinzhi, not avoiding the details this time, including everything about the dream. The next morning, she waited at the post office to send the letter.

The young guy from yesterday remembered her.

"Comrade, why so early? Is there something urgent? Let me take care of it for you first."

"Thank you!" Jiang Mingyue, having not slept after midnight, felt a bit lacking in energy.

The young guy waved his hand: "That’s my job; it’s what I should do. Luckily, you came early; otherwise, there might be a long queue later."

Jiang Mingyue sharply asked: "Is something happening?"

"Lingshui County was struck by disaster. Large hailstones fell for hours—such misfortune! Lingshui doesn’t evoke spirits anymore; it’s been hit by disasters for consecutive years—five years running. Lingshui County has the most hunger deaths in Yun Dian. Before the summer harvest, they encountered a locust plague. Now hail has hit, and the farmers of Lingshui are desperate to live. We have to adjust personnel since the higher-ups called asking us to prepare for many kind souls coming to donate grain and goods for the disaster area today."

Jiang Mingyue checked her pocket, revealing over a hundred yuan, and hastily pulled it all out.

"Comrade, I’ll donate it all."

The young guy: "...Alright! Mr. Li, please count it, and I’ll record it. Comrade, please sign and press your fingerprint here."

"Okay!" After completing the paperwork, Jiang Mingyue hurried to find Uncle Mute.

"Uncle Mute, have you heard about the disaster in Lingshui County?"

The message caught Uncle Mute mid-workout, causing him to stop.

"I’ll have someone check it out immediately. Have you had breakfast?"

"Not yet!"

"Join us?"

Though Jiang Mingyue initially wanted to decline since she needed to return to join Brother Xie for breakfast, the array of rich meals on the table quickly changed her mind.

"Sure!"

After breakfast, the person gathering information returned.

The details were exactly as the postal worker said, if not worse.

Jiang Mingyue contemplated and promptly had a plan.

"Uncle Mute, do you have any channels? I want to donate my grain to Lingshui County."

Unsurprised, Uncle Mute nodded, "Yes, I’ll arrange it."

"Great!"

Jiang Mingyue went to the outskirts at No. 5, releasing all the grain; 30,000 kilos of sweet potatoes, 25,000 kilos of potatoes, corn used up for wine, 20,000 kilos of rice, and 7,500 kilos of wheat flour.

In total, over 80,000 kilos of grain was handed over to Uncle Mute. She insisted it was grain she had acquired for trading with them; now, it must first be used for disaster relief, or many would perish.

Jiang Mingyue was aware that many things couldn’t withstand scrutiny, like Uncle Mute never asking where she lived or worked, yet knowing she worked at the Southern Institute and lived at 42 Magpie Street. Some things don’t need stating; everyone already knows. What of it? Smart people don’t delve into roots and branches; they believe what they’re told.

Having dealt with Pan and his group for so long, Jiang Mingyue was well-acquainted with their character. You don’t worry about betrayal, so she never considered bypassing Pan and his team to deal with others.

Uncle Mute took the key Jiang Mingyue provided and arranged for manpower, quickly transporting the grain to Lingshui County and anonymously donating it.

It’s noteworthy that, with the villagers of Lingshui facing unlivable conditions, many sought aid from the county. While leaders endeavored actively in resolving issues, the vast number of affected people quickly depleted the grain stocks, leaving many without grain. As leaders twisted their minds seeking help, a kind soul unexpectedly donated a significant batch of grain, saving many on the brink of starvation.

The upper leadership wished to present a banner to this anonymous hero but couldn’t identify them despite efforts. A secretary suggested.

"I’ve heard some news. In May, flooding and mudslides destroyed homes in Cang County, affecting several villages. Without grain for relief, luckily, a benevolent person donated a large quantity of grain and supplies, resolving the disaster-hit people’s food and living issues. That benefactor’s identity was found to be Shi Wu."

"Shi Wu? Doesn’t sound like a name."

"I also know it’s not a real name, but think about it, Director—how could ordinary families even have spare grain to donate in these times?"

"Hmm?"

"This person must be extraordinary. But they stepped up despite the risks to donate. Let’s not fixate on the details; instead, let’s pledge a flag for them."

"That’s understandable, assign this to you, ensure it’s done well."

"Wait, Director, I’m not sure it’s Shi Wu; I just gave an example."

"Even if it’s not, it must be."

"..."

Now regarding Shi Wu’s whereabouts? Of course, it followed the track to Secretary Ou in Cang County, and the banner ultimately found its way to Secretary Bai, then ended up with Jiang Mingyue.

Jiang Mingyue: "..." Staring at the banner, Jiang Mingyue noticed the tangible benefits as her space seemed to have upgraded.