“Yao Yao, don’t be sad. Mom didn’t mean that!” In the past, if she had argued with Jiang mother or talked back, Jiang mother would have scolded her for being immature.
But now, with good intentions she had made soup and brought it over, only to be rejected anyone would be in a bad mood.
“Mom, I know. I just want my sister to get better soon,” Jiang Chuyao said, subtly revealing the burn on her hand. Jiang mother noticed it.
After all, she was her own flesh and blood; no matter what, it was part of her family.
“You got burned? I’ll go get some burn ointment!” Jiang mother said, leaving the ward immediately.
She turned her head and glanced at Jiang Chuying’s face, giving a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
“What? No more pretending?” Jiang Chuying realized that the “useless” girl in front of her had played a decisive role in how she got to this point.
She just didn’t know when Jiang Chuyao had started guarding herself against her.
“My dear sister, the game has just begun. Don’t be in such a hurry!”
Jiang Chuyao said, wiping the corner of her sister’s mouth with a handkerchief, then whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, “I’ve withdrawn from the Tan family’s marriage!”
“You… ah!” All of Jiang Chuying’s plans were destroyed by this casual, almost airy statement.
Unable to contain herself, Jiang Chuying pushed hard, and Jiang Chuyao simply sat down on the floor.
“Yao Yao!” Jiang mother returned with the burn ointment just then, saw the scene, and hurried over, lifting her up. “Did you hurt yourself anywhere?” The concern in her voice was genuine.
But a heart wounded as deeply as Jiang Chuying’s wouldn’t be moved by a few words.
“Mom, I’m fine. Sister must be uncomfortable don’t blame her!” Jiang Chuying had used this trick countless times before, and each time she took the blame.
Now, it was returned in full.
Jiang mother turned to her eldest daughter, stunned.
“Ying Ying, she’s your sister. No matter what, you can’t push her!” Standing behind Jiang mother, Jiang Chuyao stuck out her tongue, teasing the sickly girl.
“Mom, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” Knowing Jiang mother’s temper, once she sincerely admitted fault, Jiang mother relaxed.
“Mom, I’ll go home first. Sister isn’t resting well,” she said, limping out.
Jiang Chuying clutched her mother, “Mom, I’m sorry! Don’t ignore me!”
By the time Jiang Chuyao went downstairs, the burn didn’t slow her at all; she practically flew.
She went straight to the market to explore. Now she could start her own small business.
To move out of the Jiang family, she first needed money.
To have money, she had to earn it. Of course, the initial capital could come from her father. After all, he was her dad spending a bit of money on her was only fair.
But she didn’t expect that before even reaching the market, she would see Shen Hexuan standing at the dance hall’s entrance.
… Could he be any more obvious?
“Looking for me? Made up your mind?” Shen Hexuan teased, knowing full well she wasn’t here for him.
“Not fully awake yet?”
“If you’re in my dreams, I’d rather never wake up!” Shen Hexuan’s flirtation came out effortlessly.
“I’m here for work.” Jiang Chuyao said it plainly, clearly catching him off guard.
“Did the Jiang family go bankrupt?” Shen Hexuan thought. Her father ran a small factory not extraordinarily profitable, but it brought in a decent income.
So for the daughter of the Jiang family to say she was looking for work startled him.
“The old man’s money has nothing to do with me. If he wants me to spend it, fine; if not, that’s fine too.
I’m not helpless I can rely on myself.” Jiang Chuyao explained, and Shen Hexuan realized her position in the family was indeed difficult.
“At your age, you should focus on school. If you need money, I can give you some.”
“I won’t be distracted. I just want to see if there’s something suitable for me. It won’t interfere with my studies.” Jiang Chuyao finally remembered she still had school.
In her previous life, she had dropped out because of bad rumors. This time, she would fully enjoy her campus life it was the purest place of all!
“Want to take a look inside?” Shen Hexuan pointed to the dance hall.
“You opened it?”
“Yes, with a partner.” Shen Hexuan answered honestly.
They walked shoulder to shoulder into the hall. It had just been renovated; the sign hadn’t been hung yet, the tables and chairs still unopened.
The ceiling was decorated with colorful lights, giving a very period-specific, atmospheric vibe.
They glanced around. The bar area had food and drinks, but the selection wasn’t complete yet.
“When it opens, come by and play. It’s free for you,” Shen Hexuan said, giving her VIP status with a wave of his hand.
“I appreciate it, but I probably won’t have time.” Jiang Chuyao had school and business to focus on there was no time to play.
Shen Hexuan led her to the bar and handed her a soda, opening another for himself.
For that era, soda was simple but surprisingly tasty.
“This bar is pretty big!” Jiang Chuyao observed. It was about two meters long, with enough space for people to sit. The cashier’s counter was to the side, unobstructed.
“Yes, it was designed that way so people could sit here too.” Shen Hexuan spoke freely, answering everything.
While chatting, Jiang Chuyao had an idea. “Is this bar outsourced?” In her past life, she didn’t deal with people much, but she watched plenty of TV and attended a few social events even if not happily, she had seen enough. Plus, she liked drinking… so this was perfect.
“Outsourced?” Shen Hexuan was puzzled.
“Or maybe we could collaborate differently…” Jiang Chuyao briefly explained her idea and said they could sign a contract to ensure mutual benefit.
Of course, her selfish intention was to protect her own interests.
Hearing this, Shen Hexuan was surprised. This seemingly small, naive girl, though mischievous and sharp-tongued, could handle serious matters with no less skill.
Indeed, he hadn’t misjudged her. Interesting!