Huang Guilan thought to herself, she would wait until Xie Zhongming got divorced.
He and Xingyue were both people who had faced hardships—one widowed, the other divorced—and An An and Ningning had a special connection with the Xie family.
If the two of them started a new family together and raised An An and Ningning, they could surely build a happy life.
So, from now on, Huang Guilan began to have her own little schemes. “Old Fourth, Xingyue works at our house every day. She’s a woman with delicate skin, and I’m afraid it might get rough. Mom wants to buy a box of Snowflake Cream for Xingyue. Could you pick one up for me on your way tomorrow?”
Xie Zhongming, who had just taken off his coat and hung it up, turned around and replied, “Okay.”
He had no idea that Huang Guilan was subtly trying to bring him and Qiao Xingyue together.
The thought of possibly making Qiao Xingyue her fourth daughter-in-law someday made Huang Guilan so happy she could wake up laughing in her dreams. Beaming, she walked out, saying, “I’m going to the Zaofang to help Xingyue tend the fire.”
In the Zaofang, Qiao Xingyue was standing by the stove preparing braised pork with potatoes. Along the edges of the pot, she was frying Tiebingzi made from cornmeal, while on another honeycomb coal stove, a steaming rack held rice cooking above it.
The entire Zaofang was filled with the warm, fragrant aroma of a home-cooked meal.
Just as Huang Guilan was about to enter the Zaofang, drawn in by the delicious smell, Jiang Chunyan suddenly pulled her back from behind.
Turning around, she saw that Jiang Chunyan had changed her clothes. She was wearing a beige dacron blouse tucked into a navy blue long skirt, paired with a light-colored blazer.
She twirled around, lifted her skirt to show off the black low-heeled leather shoes on her feet, looking quite fashionable.
“Guilan, what do you think? Do I look good?”
“If I wear this outfit to my blind date, don’t you think my chances of success would be higher?”
That’s right—this outfit, including the shoes, all belonged to Huang Guilan.
They were new clothes made for her by Xie Jiang and new shoes he had bought. Huang Guilan, now retired, was scheduled to return to the university next week as a guest professor to give a speech to the students. Xie Jiang, who always doted on her, wanted her to look dignified on stage, so he had these new clothes made for her.
The new outfit had been washed just this morning and was hanging on the bamboo pole to dry. Huang Guilan hadn’t worn it even once, yet now it was on Jiang Chunyan.
Jiang Chunyan’s skin was somewhat dark, and the clothes didn’t look particularly good on her, but she was preening with pride, thinking she looked incredibly stylish.
Huang Guilan felt stifled. Every time Jiang Chunyan wore her clothes or took her things, she never even bothered to ask.
She was seething with anger inside.
“Chunyan, you just divorced Old Zhao. Why are you going on a blind date again?”
This Jiang Chunyan had remarried less than half a year after Yingying’s father passed away, and now, freshly divorced from her second marriage, she was already rushing into another blind date. What could Huang Guilan even say to her?
“What, can’t I remarry after getting divorced?”
“…”
“Guilan, no wonder we’ve been like sisters since we were kids. We wear the same shoe size and the same clothing size. This outfit fits me perfectly. Guilan, why don’t you let me have it? It’s not like you’re short on clothes anyway.”
Huang Guilan was annoyed, but her voice remained gentle. “Chunyan, I can’t give you these clothes. I need to wear them next week when I go back to the university to give my speech.”
Jiang Chunyan continued admiring her own stylish appearance and replied matter-of-factly:
“You have so many Zhongshan suits in your closet. They’re perfect for wearing back to school. Why do you need a dress?”
“No, Chunyan…”
“What’s wrong? We’ve been sisters since childhood, decades of friendship. Are you really unwilling to part with one set of clothes and a pair of shoes?”
“I…”
“Besides, Guilan, if it weren’t for Yingying’s father sacrificing himself to save your Old Xie, I wouldn’t have had to live such a hard life all these years. Look at you—your Old Xie gets a high monthly allowance and cloth coupons. You can make any new clothes you want. How can you be so reluctant to give me one set of clothes? If my Old Deng were still alive, would I be pitifully wearing your hand-me-downs?”
Once again, that accusatory tone—as if she were taking advantage yet making it seem like Huang Guilan was at fault—left Huang Guilan feeling deeply stifled.
Xingyue had told her yesterday, what was it called? Emotional blackmail? Huang Guilan couldn’t recall the term at the moment, but she felt utterly wronged and couldn’t find the words to refute Jiang Chunyan.
Just then, Deng Yingying approached. What perfect timing. If she spoke up for Aunt Lan and criticized her mother’s behavior, would Aunt Lan think she was sensible and like her even more?
After all, as long as she could win Aunt Lan’s favor, it would be easier for her to marry Zhongming after he divorced his rural wife.
As she was about to speak, a voice came from the kitchen: “Oh! Aunt Jiang, your bracelet is so beautiful!”
The speaker was Qiao Xingyue, who had just emerged from the kitchen.
She took Jiang Chunyan’s right hand. The porcelain-white jade bracelet made Jiang Chunyan’s already somewhat dark skin appear even darker.
It looked truly awful, yet Qiao Xingyue praised, “Aunt Jiang, this bracelet really matches your temperament. It looks so lovely on you!”
Flattered by the compliment, Jiang Chunyan completely forgot what she had been about to say. Just as she started to speak, a sharp pain shot through her wrist. “Ouch! Comrade Qiao, what are you doing? You…”
Before she could finish, Qiao Xingyue had already slipped the bracelet off Jiang Chunyan’s wrist and placed it onto Huang Guilan’s hand.
“Aunt Jiang, since this bracelet is so beautiful, why not give it to Aunt Lan?”
“How can that be? This bracelet…”
“What’s wrong, Aunt Jiang? You and Aunt Lan have been sisters since childhood, decades of friendship. Are you really unwilling to part with one bracelet? How stingy can you be?” Qiao Xingyue cut her off decisively, not giving her a chance to speak.
“I…” Jiang Chunyan suddenly found herself at a loss for words.
She stammered for a long time before managing to say, “But, but, but… but this is my bracelet!”
“You do realize it’s your bracelet?”
“Of course it’s my bracelet!”
“And the clothes and shoes you’re wearing originally belonged to Aunt Lan. Since you’ve been good sisters for decades, it’s only fair—Aunt Lan gives you clothes, and you give her the bracelet. A mutual exchange, perfectly balanced.”
“How can that be? My bracelet is valuable!”
“Aunt Jiang, among sisters, being so calculative is just petty. What does value matter? This represents the bond between you two. Unless you don’t consider Aunt Lan your sister?”
“Of course I consider Huang Guilan my sister!”
“If you consider Aunt Lan your sister, how can you be so reluctant to part with a bracelet?”
“What, Comrade Qiao, just because Huang Guilan and I are sisters, I have to give her my bracelet? That makes no sense.”
“Aunt Jiang, then why should Aunt Lan, just because she’s your sister, have to give you new clothes for free? That doesn’t make sense either.”
“I, you… this…”
Jiang Chunyan was so aggrieved, yet couldn’t find a single word to refute.
Her frustrated and speechless appearance secretly delighted Huang Guilan. How satisfying it was to finally make Jiang Chunyan experience this suffocating feeling!
Huang Guilan had endured Jiang Chunyan for decades, feeling wronged for decades, never finding a way to solve this problem. Unexpectedly, her Xingyue had resolved it so effortlessly with just a few words.
At this moment, Huang Guilan looked at Qiao Xingyue with admiration in her eyes: her Xingyue was truly remarkable! She admired her deeply.
She almost couldn’t resist giving Qiao Xingyue a thumbs-up.
Noticing Jiang Chunyan was still wearing a necklace, Qiao Xingyue decisively pulled it off:
“Aunt Jiang, although the Four Olds campaign has ended, everyone is still wary of bad influences. Few people are as ostentatious as you, wearing a gold necklace so openly.”
“How about this – let Aunt Lan keep this necklace for you, to avoid being reported for being too flashy.”
Saying this, Qiao Xingyue collected both the necklace and bracelet, handing them to Huang Guilan. “Aunt Lan, come on, I’ll cook while you tend the fire.”
She then pulled Huang Guilan into the Zaofang, closing the door behind them.
Outside, Jiang Chunyan stood fuming, wanting to snatch back her bracelet and necklace but lacking proper justification. She felt that whenever Qiao Xingyue spoke, she became completely powerless to refute anything she said, and even if she tried, she would be shut down.
This feeling was like a heavy stone blocking her chest – suffocating and oppressive. Clearly, Huang Guilan had taken her bracelet and necklace, gaining a huge advantage, so how had it become her fault?
Where exactly had things gone wrong? Jiang Chunyan couldn’t articulate it.
Deng Yingying, standing nearby, was utterly dumbfounded. She had originally planned to use this opportunity to speak up for Aunt Lan, criticize her mother thoroughly, and thereby win Aunt Lan’s favor.
Unexpectedly, Qiao Xingyue had stolen this chance. Not only had she helped Aunt Lan deal with her mother, but she had also left her mother trembling with rage yet unable to utter a single word.
This Qiao Xingyue was truly extraordinary and difficult to deal with, leaving even Deng Yingying feeling thoroughly frustrated.
“Mom, I told you to stop provoking this Qiao Xingyue.”
“How did I provoke her? Clearly, she’s bullying your mother, and you’re just standing there watching without helping.”
“How could I help? You were clearly in the wrong first.”
“Why do you always take others’ side?”
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
So stupid!
…
Inside the Zaofang, Huang Guilan couldn’t help but chuckle quietly while giving a thumbs-up to Qiao Xingyue, who was shoveling Tiebingzi from the stove:
“Xingyue, you’re truly amazing. Did you see how speechless Jiang Chunyan was? So satisfying!”
Potatoes stewed with meat sizzled in the wok, emitting a delicious aroma.
The cornmeal Tiebingzi stuck to the wok’s edges were already cooked, having absorbed the stew’s broth, smelling wonderfully fragrant.
As Qiao Xingyue shoveled the Tiebingzi one by one into an enamel plate, she said, “Aunt Lan, from now on, don’t suppress yourself anymore. Just remember one trick that’s guaranteed to keep Aunt Jiang in check.”
“What trick?” Huang Guilan inquired earnestly. “Xingyue, Aunt Lan isn’t as quick-witted as you. Please teach me.”
“It’s not that I’m particularly clever,” Qiao Xingyue said modestly. “This trick was taught to me by someone else too – it’s about using magic to defeat magic.”
“What magic?”
Huang Guilan might not fully grasp this modern phrase, so Qiao Xingyue thought for a moment and added, “It means giving someone a taste of their own medicine.”
“Oh, I see.” Huang Guilan suddenly understood. Yesterday at the dinner table, Xingyue had used the same tactic to leave Jiang Chunyan speechless.
After scooping up the Tiebingzi, Qiao Xingyue dished out the braised potatoes with pork. “Aunt Lan, don’t worry. Aunt Jiang will definitely take off all the clothes and shoes and return them to you properly.”
Sure enough, before Qiao Xingyue had even finished preparing dinner, Jiang Chunyan had already taken off the clothes, folded them neatly, and carried them in her hands. In her other hand, she held the new leather shoes as she approached Huang Guilan. “Guilan, you’ll need these new clothes and shoes when you go back to the university to give a speech. I won’t keep them. Please put them away quickly.”
Huang Guilan, who was in front of the Stove Chamber, set down the firewood, wiped her hands, and took the clothes and shoes.
Jiang Chunyan quickly asked, “Guilan, what about my bracelet and necklace…?”
“Here, I don’t like taking advantage of others.” Huang Guilan pulled a handkerchief from her pants pocket and returned the wrapped bracelet and necklace to her.
Jiang Chunyan breathed a sigh of relief as she retrieved her bracelet and necklace, but her face burned with embarrassment. Wasn’t this implying that she loved taking advantage of others? Yet, after what had just happened, she couldn’t find a single word to retort.
This was all Qiao Xingyue’s fault—if it weren’t for that little slut, Huang Guilan wouldn’t dare oppose her like this. In the past, she was the one who had Huang Guilan completely under her thumb. When had she ever been the one feeling wronged? No, she had to get that little slut out of the Xie household. Otherwise, life would be utterly unbearable.
After dinner, Jiang Chunyan took a quick bath.
Seeing Qiao Xingyue walk out of the old lady’s room carrying a basin of dirty clothes, Jiang Chunyan shoved her own clothes into her hands. “Comrade Qiao, wash my clothes too. Make sure they’re clean. Thank you.”
Hmph! Little slut, let’s see if I can’t handle you.
“Aunt Jiang.” Xie Zhongming also emerged from his grandmother’s room.
He took the clothes from the basin and shoved them back into Jiang Chunyan’s hands. “Wash your own clothes. Comrade Qiao has no obligation to do your laundry.”
“Isn’t she the maid? If the maid doesn’t wash clothes, who will?”
“Comrade Qiao didn’t come to our Xie family to be a laundry maid or a servant. Her main task is to help Grandmother recuperate. My mother isn’t very good at cooking, so Comrade Qiao simply helps her out occasionally. There’s no reason for Comrade Qiao to wash your clothes, Aunt Jiang. Do you not have hands of your own?”
“Zhongming, how can you speak to me like that? I am, after all, your elder.”
“What? Elders don’t have to wash clothes? Are you paralyzed like my grandmother, Aunt Jiang? Or are you too old and frail to move?”
Qiao Xingyue, holding the enamel basin, couldn’t help but chuckle.
She knew Regiment Leader Xie was not only shy but also sharp-tongued, but she hadn’t expected him to be this sharp!
This completely overturned the image she had of him—a stern, resolute, upright, and shy regiment leader.
“Zhongming, how can you speak to Aunt Jiang like that?”
“If Aunt Jiang wants me to speak nicely, she should first learn to behave properly.”
“You…”
“Aunt Jiang, from now on, show some respect to Comrade Qiao. Don’t treat her like a servant. She practices traditional Chinese medicine, and her main duty is to help Grandmother recuperate. She is not a maid in our Xie family, and she is certainly not here for you to order around.”
In recent days, Xie Zhongming had observed that Comrade Qiao spent an hour each time massaging his grandmother, performing this task more than three times a day. Every session left her back aching and exhausted—it was truly demanding work.
He had no intention of letting Qiao Xingyue wear herself out.
Standing nearby with an enamel basin in hand, Qiao Xingyue felt a peculiar sensation—Regiment Leader Xie’s protectiveness toward her seemed almost like how a man would shield his own wife: authoritative, dashing, and fiercely partial.
How could such a strange thought pop into her head?
Her fingers gripping the enamel basin tightened slightly as she quickly suppressed the odd notion. Then, she looked up once more at the resolute and steadfast Regiment Leader Xie.