CHAPTER 21: CHAPTER 21: THE HEROINE

Lin Xiang completely ignored him and continued repeating the same actions.

Before long, a thin layer of sweat appeared on Lin Xiang’s forehead.

Tiantian was definitely very spoiled at home. Even in an era when most people couldn’t afford enough food, she was much heavier than her peers.

Plus, since she ate tangyuan, it was even more troublesome to save her compared to regular food.

The father, seeing Lin Xiang’s lack of reaction, called out and rushed over, but was pulled back by his wife.

"Didn’t you notice Tiantian is better than before?"

Although she hadn’t regained consciousness yet, at least there was an expression on her face, and she wasn’t looking as deathly pale as before.

The father hesitated for a long time but ultimately didn’t interrupt Lin Xiang, holding his wife’s hand with one hand and clenching the other into a fist, staring unblinkingly at Lin Xiang and Tiantian in her arms.

Just as Lin Xiang was about to exhaust her strength, Tiantian finally reacted, spitting out the sticky tangyuan from her throat.

"Wah..."

Along with Tiantian’s hoarse crying, her parents also hugged each other and wept.

Lin Xiang, now out of strength, slumped onto a stool, gasping for breath.

Thankfully, she hadn’t forgotten the key points of the Heimlich maneuver and brought the person back.

"Lin Xiang, you’re amazing!" Yang Rong gave Lin Xiang a thumbs up, "We all thought this kid was beyond saving, but all you did was this and that, and you brought her back?"

Lin Xiang twitched the corner of her mouth.

What do you mean by ’this and that’?

Her actions seemed without method, but in reality, they were life-saving techniques!

"Tiantian is really blessed; it’s lucky I was here today and discovered it in time."

Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable!

The mother and daughter trio hugged and cried together; the mother, upon hearing Lin Xiang’s words, wiped her moist eyes with the back of her hand and walked towards her.

"Comrade, thank you so much earlier. If it wasn’t for you, my Tiantian might have..."

"Big sister, the person you should thank is yourself. In such a critical situation, you were willing to let a stranger like me attempt to save Tiantian; that’s her true fortune."

The fear is of encountering someone without the skills but stubbornly refusing to let go.

The mother smiled and beckoned to Tiantian, "Tiantian, come over and thank your sister. She’s your savior."

Tiantian, holding her father’s chubby little hand, stepped toward Lin Xiang with small steps.

She didn’t speak, just looked at her with those deer-like clear eyes, full of gratitude and curiosity.

"When Tiantian was little, she had a high fever that damaged her brain, so she still can’t speak," the mother said, placing her hand on Tiantian’s shoulder, full of heartache and powerless regret, with not a hint of disgust.

In the seventies, not to mention remote areas, most people in Hua Country favored boys over girls. A girl, especially one not quite normal, being loved wholeheartedly by her parents — isn’t that a kind of happiness as well?

Lin Xiang loved seeing such a harmonious family scene. She cheerfully said, "Tiantian has probably finished all the hardships of her life today; from now on, her life will surely be smooth sailing."

"Then I’ll take your kind words. Comrade, can you tell me your name? Given today’s special situation, we need to take Tiantian to the hospital for a check-up, so we’ll have to repay you another day."

Lin Xiang waved her hand repeatedly, "It’s no trouble at all, I believe anyone with the ability would lend a hand in such a situation. You don’t need to thank me specially. Just get Tiantian to the hospital first."

"But..."

"Uncle, Auntie!" A female comrade ran in, her voice trembling with worry, "How’s Tiantian?"

"Tiantian was saved by a kind-hearted person, and she’s fine now, but we still need to take her to the hospital. Meng Meng, you..."

"Lin Xiang?" Shi Lemeng noticed Lin Xiang standing with her aunt and uncle and frowned slightly, "You’re the one who saved Tiantian?"

Lin Xiang stiffly nodded.

But in her heart, waves were surging.

She had merely done a good deed by saving a poor child, so how did she ’summon’ the original female protagonist?

That’s right, Shi Lemeng was the book’s female protagonist, Lin Yun’s official match!

Her family had dual-income earners, and she and her sister were the only children. Their parents did not favor sons over daughters; instead, they did everything to nurture both sisters.

While Yang Lihua was the flower of the Li Hua Team, compared to Shi Lemeng, she was nothing.

Shi Lemeng wasn’t only outstanding but also had strong correct values and ability, serving as Lin Yun’s right-hand woman.

However, the original character didn’t favor Shi Lemeng and frequently competed with her.

Later, she hit it off with a scumbag, and Shi Lemeng even stepped in to advise against it, but the original character cursed her for being jealous of her happiness.

Even though the original character’s miserable fate was self-inflicted, Shi Lemeng repeatedly helped her, although it never ended well for her.

Lin Xiang reflected that the female lead had come on stage and the emotional story was about to unfold, leaving the lovesick Smartie Liu heartbroken.

Without the original character’s meddling, the male and female leads’ love story would surely proceed smoothly.

Facing her future sister-in-law, Lin Xiang immediately smiled, "Mr. Shi, what a coincidence to run into you here."

"Lin Xiang, are you sick?" Shi Lemeng looked Lin Xiang up and down.

Every time Lin Xiang had seen her in the past, she practically wanted to fight her. Why was she so polite today?

And for someone who was idle and lazy, to be able to save Tiantian?

"How did you know I was sick a couple of days ago? But I’m almost better now, thank you Mr. Shi for your concern."

Shi Lemeng: Who’s concerned about you!

Can’t you understand what I’m saying?

Shi Lemeng took a deep breath, ignoring Lin Xiang, and turned to the mother, "Auntie, Tiantian’s savior is someone I know. We can thank her properly later. Let’s take Tiantian to the hospital first."

"Yes, yes, we should indeed take Tiantian to the hospital for a check-up first." Lin Xiang urged them to go to the hospital and escorted them out of the state-run restaurant.

Tiantian was placed on the back seat of a bicycle, with her father pushing it and her mother holding her back to prevent her from falling. Her sister held her hand tightly, worrying she might be scared.

As a family, they were harmonious and happy.

Shi Lemeng grew up in a loving family environment; no wonder she could warm Lin Yun’s wounded heart and give him grounding confidence during his toughest times.

Lin Xiang stretched lazily.

Ah, the seventies were indeed good — saving someone with kindness without fear of being falsely accused!