Jiang Yao abruptly looked up, her eyes filled with disbelief as she stared at Jiang Yue’e.
“Aunt, back then, you said that I…”
Jiang Yue’e shot her a cold glance and immediately cut her off. “Jiang Yao, your grandfather sent you here so you could get treatment for your ears at Yuncheng Hospital.”
“Out of consideration for our aunt-niece relationship, I couldn’t bear to see you spend your whole life buried in the mountains. I thought I’d find you a decent young man from the district. And before Zhou Zhuo got married, he was indeed the best one.”
As she spoke, she picked up a basin and walked over to the thick chopping board, her tone suddenly shifting. “But Zhou Zhuo has looks, ability, and family background. What do you have that makes you worthy of him?”
Back then, when she heard that Zhou Zhuo had gotten married, she thought it was just a rumor.
So she didn’t stop Jiang Yao’s little schemes.
But now, since she knew Zhou Zhuo was indeed married, she had to put an end to Jiang Yao’s unrealistic fantasies.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yao’s eyes instantly reddened.
Her throat tightened slightly. “Aunt, if Brother Zhuo had married Ye Jingjing, I would have accepted it.”
“But he…” Jiang Yao sniffled, her voice turning sharp. “But he had to marry a capitalist’s daughter.”
“Aside from that seductive face of hers, what do I lack compared to that woman?”
Jiang Yue’e was both angered and amused by her words. “Have you even interacted with her? Do you know her? You’ve barely even seen her face, and you already think she’s inferior to you?”
Jiang Yao clenched her teeth tightly, her voice trembling slightly. “I… I just can’t accept it!”
Seeing Jiang Yao’s stubbornness, Jiang Yue’e knew that no amount of talking would help at this point.
Realizing this, Jiang Yue’e said nothing more. She simply stared at Jiang Yao for a long time before shaking her head helplessly.
“Jiang Yao, there are plenty of good men in the Yuncheng district. Why must you fixate on a married man?”
Her eyes were filled with disappointment. “This is called shamelessness!”
Jiang Yao stiffened her neck and blurted out almost instinctively, “Aunt, back then, didn’t you also…”
“Shut up!”
Jiang Yue’e’s hand, holding the kitchen knife, suddenly froze. She trembled with anger.
She pressed her lips tightly together, her chest heaving.
Truly her “good” niece, knowing exactly where to strike to hurt the deepest.
Interrupted sharply by Jiang Yue’e, Jiang Yao finally realized what she had just said, and her heart sank instantly.
Her eyes widened, and from the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Jiang Yue’e’s pale face. Only one thought crossed her mind: I’m done for!
As Jiang Yao grew restless, she saw Jiang Yue’e take a deep breath, then slowly exhale a heavy sigh.
With each rise and fall of her chest, Jiang Yue’e’s emotions seemed to gradually calm down.
Seeing this, Jiang Yao thought the matter was over and secretly breathed a sigh of relief…
But then Jiang Yue’e suddenly spoke.
“The autumn harvest is in a little over a month. Tomorrow, I’ll call your grandfather and have your father come pick you up.”
“For the next two days, stay quietly at home. You’re not allowed to go anywhere!”
She deftly sliced the potatoes into thin strips without looking up.
Her light tone felt like a heavy blow to Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao’s face suddenly turned pale. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
How could Aunt do this…
She knew perfectly well that her ear condition wasn’t fully cured yet.
She knew that once she returned to her hometown, it would be difficult to come back again.
She was her own niece—how could her aunt side with outsiders and keep speaking up for that capitalist’s daughter!
No, if she left now, she would truly lose her chance!
Even if it meant swallowing her pride and lowering herself, she had to stay here!
Jiang Yao’s voice carried a noticeable tremor, rising at the end, “Auntie…”
Jiang Yue’e listened to her deliberately pitiful tone without softening in the slightest.
She only said calmly, “You’re not a child anymore. Go back and learn more from your mother. That way, you can find a good match in the future.”
Though her tone was perfectly calm, it sent a pang of panic through Jiang Yao’s heart.
She really hadn’t meant to touch on her aunt’s sore spot earlier.
Seeing Jiang Yao’s lips quiver slightly as if she wanted to say something, Jiang Yue’e poured the mixed shredded potatoes into a plate and glanced at the wall clock.
“Alright, it’s half past six. Go set the table first.”
Jiang Yue’e still wore that same indifferent expression, clearly unwilling to say more to her.
Seeing this, Jiang Yao had no choice but to take the bowls and chopsticks and leave.
Not long after the table was set, everyone had gathered.
Just as Jiang Yue’e set down the plate, she looked up and saw Wen Mingyao standing beside Zhou Zhuo.
When this capitalist’s daughter had first arrived at the residential compound, Jiang Yue’e had only caught a distant glimpse, seeing just the general outline.
Though she hadn’t seen clearly, she could vaguely tell the woman was beautiful.
Now, seeing her up close, Jiang Yue’e felt a momentary shock but quickly regained her composure.
Even though she had spoken up for Wen Mingyao earlier in front of Jiang Yao, it was only to make Jiang Yao see reason.
Though this face was undeniably beautiful, Jiang Yue’e still didn’t like her.
In an instant, Jiang Yue’e concealed the faint trace of dislike in her eyes, smiling as she took the gifts the young couple had brought, repeatedly saying, “You’re too kind,” appearing very warm and welcoming.
Though she hid it well, Wen Mingyao could still sense her dislike.
Wen Mingyao glanced at Jiang Yao across the table—the same girl who had been so aggressive in the cafeteria earlier—and understood everything perfectly.
Unlike Jiang Yue’e, Qin Zheng was genuinely satisfied with Zhou Zhuo’s wife.
There was none of the usual delicate, pampered air often seen in capitalist daughters about this young woman. Instead, her every movement exuded an indescribable grace and composure.
Before, Qin Zheng had always thought Zhou Zhuo was stuck in his deputy position because he had been forced by his family to marry a capitalist’s daughter. He, too, had disliked this spoiled young lady he had never met.
But recently, he had realized the rumors were wrong.
Qin Zheng patted Zhou Zhuo’s shoulder and gestured for Wen Mingyao to take a seat. “Xiao Wen, right? A few days ago, when you first arrived, I thought about inviting you two over for a simple meal. Since you came, Zhou Zhuo has been smiling more often in the office.”
Qin Zheng was Zhou Zhuo’s direct superior. They shared the same office, and every time Qin Zheng looked up, he would see Zhou Zhuo’s expressionless face.
At first, he thought Zhou Zhuo was upset about work, but as time went on, he realized Zhou Zhuo always wore that same impassive expression.
It almost made him wonder if his subordinate had a perpetually stiff face.
Wen Mingyao raised a faint smile, meeting Qin Zheng’s gaze that held a trace of amusement. “Thank you for your hospitality today. As for him, he’s always been this cold and distant.”
As she spoke, she glanced at Zhou Zhuo beside her.
How could Zhou Zhuo possibly be happy about her joining the army?
This leader certainly knew how to speak with tact.