In the main hall.
Jiang Xiaoxiao hummed a tune, her mood unusually bright.
Even though she hadn’t spoken during dinner, she had clearly understood every word Yang Zaohua said—Jiang Li was probably going to be married off to a divorced older man with children!
Jiang Xiaoxiao had originally wanted to mock Jiang Li, but Ye Suqin quickly stopped her.
Ye Suqin wore a cheerful smile, secretly thinking: Don’t you like showing off? Fine, I’ll give you plenty of chances to do it.
“Xiaoxiao, don’t rush back yet. Help your sister-in-law clear the dishes and wash them.”
Being stopped like this instantly darkened Jiang Xiaoxiao’s expression. But she had always maintained the image of a sweet and sensible girl, so she could only reluctantly carry the bowls into the kitchen.
In order to completely outshine Jiang Li and win over the Jiang family, Jiang Xiaoxiao had long investigated Jiang Li’s usual behavior and made sure to perform even better in every aspect.
Now, Jiang Xiaoxiao plunged her hands into the warm water heating in the large iron pot as she washed the dishes. Grease floated across the cloudy surface, and when her dark hands came out, they looked coated in a shiny layer of oil.
Seeing such grimy hands, Ye Suqin nearly gagged in disgust and hurriedly patted her chest.
Jiang Xiaoxiao’s eyes darted around. “Sister-in-law, Jiang Li never helped you wash dishes before, right?”
Since she was already doing the work, she at least wanted some praise—preferably praise that would reach Jiang Li’s parents.
The more she thought about it, the happier she became.
Now that she had taken Jiang Li’s job and school placement, a smooth road lay ahead of her. Everything glamorous that Jiang Li had in her dreams would now belong to her.
“Of course not.” Ye Suqin stepped back a little and pulled out some melon seeds from her pocket to snack on. “I’ve been married into the Jiang family for years. Forget washing dishes—even chores like picking vegetables or hanging laundry, she never helped me once.”
Here it comes.
Jiang Xiaoxiao could barely suppress the excitement in her eyes. If Jiang Li could be drowned in criticism, what was washing a few dishes worth? Yet outwardly she pretended to be shocked.
“Not even once? Jiang Li really is something. You’re pregnant, sister-in-law, and she still has no consideration.”
“Little Sister doesn’t do chores, but…” Ye Suqin changed the subject. “She gives me money. Every month she voluntarily hands over ten yuan for food expenses. Honestly, there are only five people in the family eating—she alone covers nearly half. That’s way too much.”
Ye Suqin continued, “Besides the food money, she secretly gives me extra money too. Five yuan every month. She says I don’t have a job and work hard taking care of the family.”
“She even gives you five yuan?!” Jiang Xiaoxiao’s voice sharpened instinctively. On the island, studying medicine meant identifying herbs all day long. Even after trying every possible way to make money, she couldn’t earn five yuan a month!
“Exactly. Think about it—I stay home all day taking care of things, and the family already pays for all the living expenses. Why would I need money? But Little Sister just feels sorry for me and insists on giving it to me. Sigh, in three years of work, she’s never missed a single month.”
Thinking back on the past, the melon seeds in Ye Suqin’s hand no longer tasted good.
Actually, when she had first married into the Jiang family, she and Jiang Li had gotten along well for a while.
Jiang Li would share the perfume and clothes Xu Huili bought for her. But later, Xu Huili’s favoritism became too obvious. Every time she saw Jiang Li helping Ye Suqin, she would scold Ye Suqin.
Over time, things became awkward, and Ye Suqin stopped wanting to interact much with her sister-in-law.
Perhaps to avoid getting Ye Suqin scolded, Jiang Li stopped helping with chores entirely. After she started working, she instead secretly gave Ye Suqin money every month.
Thinking of this, Ye Suqin loosened her grip and scattered the melon seed shells onto the floor.
“Xiaoxiao, now that you’ve taken Little Sister’s job, you’ll also contribute food expenses to the family on time in the future, right? Oh, and my five yuan too. I’m heavily pregnant and taking care of the whole household isn’t easy, so don’t forget.”
Thinking about her monthly salary of forty-five yuan being cut by fifteen, Jiang Xiaoxiao’s face twisted, and she nearly refused on the spot.
Why should I?
There were only five people eating. Why should she have to pay extra? She barely ate anything anyway—a few bites were enough.
If Jiang Li liked being a sucker, then let her do it!
But she couldn’t say such things right now. Jiang Xiaoxiao could only force a smile and nod while secretly plotting how to avoid paying after she received her salary this month.
After finally finishing the dishes, Jiang Xiaoxiao was about to leave the kitchen when Ye Suqin called her again with a smile.
“Xiaoxiao, you really are hardworking. The floor’s dirty too—why don’t you sweep it while you’re at it?”
Suppressing her anger, Jiang Xiaoxiao turned around and grabbed the broom.
But after sweeping, she had to wipe the stove. After wiping the stove, she had to prepare dough in advance for steaming buns the next day. By the time she finished everything, the moon had already hung high in the sky for quite some time.
Having been ordered around all evening, Jiang Xiaoxiao was filled with resentment as she headed toward the small room off the hallway.
Bang bang bang!
She pounded heavily on the door.
Only after a long while did the door open. Jiang Xiaoxiao froze when she saw the person inside.
The young woman had changed into cotton pajamas. Her braided hair had been completely undone and now draped softly over her shoulders. Under the warm yellow light, her skin looked as if it glowed, and her eyes were as clear as spring water.
Jiang Xiaoxiao bit her lip in jealousy.
That fair skin should have belonged to her. If she were that pale too, she’d definitely be prettier than Jiang Li!
Jiang Li casually smoothed her loosened hair with her pale fingers and raised an eyebrow at Jiang Xiaoxiao’s jealous expression.
“What is it?”
“Jiang Li, you probably don’t know yet.” Jiang Xiaoxiao grinned maliciously. “Grandma found a husband for you—a divorced old man with children. Soon enough, you’ll be marrying him.”
Only then did Jiang Li understand why Yang Zaohua had suddenly come into town.
So she planned to sell her off for money.
“Forget everything else. Where’s the money?” Jiang Li held out her hand.
Under the warm light, her fingers were long and slender. Pale skin revealed faint blue veins beneath, and her nails carried a soft pink glow.
The more Jiang Xiaoxiao looked, the more jealous she became.
Wait.
Money?!
Only then did Jiang Xiaoxiao remember paying back the debt. Her face instantly turned pale, and all thoughts of regaining face vanished.
“What money? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Playing dumb won’t work, Jiang Xiaoxiao. If you won’t repay your boyfriend’s debt, then I’ll go tell Mom.” Jiang Li’s tone was calm.
She wasn’t worried about Jiang Xiaoxiao refusing to pay.
Sure enough—
“You wouldn’t dare!” Jiang Xiaoxiao snapped angrily. “Fine, I’ll give it to you! As if everyone’s as poor and pathetic as you!”
After saying that, Jiang Xiaoxiao stomped back to her room. Jiang Li waited by the doorway until she became sleepy enough to yawn.
Only then did Jiang Xiaoxiao finally return clutching a bankbook. Her eyes were red and watery—it was obvious she had cried over it for a long time.
Jiang Li tugged the bankbook from her hands with some effort, opened it, and confirmed there really were five hundred yuan inside. She looked up with a smile.
“Xiang Zhou should thank you.”
With that, she turned to go back into her room.
“Jiang Li!”
Unable to hold back, Jiang Xiaoxiao shouted. Her dark face was full of unwillingness.
“What’s there to be so smug about? You’ve got no job anymore, and you can’t even go to school! In the future, you’ll marry a divorced old man and raise his children! I’ll definitely live better than you!”
Bang!
Jiang Li slammed the door shut, the edge hitting Jiang Xiaoxiao squarely on the nose just as she tried to move forward.
Clutching her nose in pain, Jiang Xiaoxiao pounded furiously on the door.
“Jiang Li, just you wait!”
As she held her nose, she suddenly felt warmth in her palm. Opening her hand, she saw bright red blood.
“Ahhhhh!”
Jiang Xiaoxiao’s face turned white, and she nearly fainted.