You Called Me a Jinx, but You’re Upset When I Really Bring You Bad Luck

Song Mianmian has been tormented by her stepmother since childhood. Now, for twenty taels of silver, her stepmother plans to sell her to He Huazhang, a village rogue from the neighboring village, as a bride to bring him good fortune. She says all the right things: “The He family is wealthy. You’ll live a life of luxury once you marry into it.” But what she is really thinking is: At last, I’ve gotten rid of this jinx! Once she brings bad luck to young Master He and he dies, I can bring her back and sell her to the old widower in our village in exchange for two mu of paddy fields. Her stepmother’s scheme is well laid, but fate has other plans. Because Song Mianmian really does bring He Huazhang back to life! He even sheds his roguish ways and becomes a fine young man praised by everyone for miles around! Outsiders say she has a bad reputation, that she killed her mother and will bring her husband to ruin, so he should hurry up and divorce her to marry someone else! Her mother-in-law says, “Who says my daughter-in-law is a jinx? She’s a lucky star sent from heaven to my young Master He! Good girl, put on this gold bracelet!” The village gossips whisper behind her back that she’s so thin she obviously can’t bear children. Her sisters-in-law make her all kinds of delicious food every day. “Sixth Brother’s wife, you’re too thin. Eat some more!” The young women who admire He Huazhang are jealous of her. “You’re ugly, skinny, and bony. What makes you think you deserve to marry Sixth Brother?” He Huazhang says, “If you’re blind, go see a doctor! My wife is beautiful and kind. We’re made for each other!” Seeing Song Mianmian thrive in the He family, clearly living in a nest of good fortune, her stepmother realizes something is wrong. “I thought the He family was a den of wolves?” Song Mianmian says, “I set the trap for you, and you walked right into it!”