Qiao Shanshan knew that Zhou Wenwen liked Yang Huaiyuan.
On the day Yang Huaiyuan married Qiao Wanyue, they didn’t consummate the marriage that night. In the middle of the night, Zhou Wenwen secretly went to the back hill, and the two of them slept together there.
“I’m so happy—we sisters can still be neighbors in the future.” Qiao Shanshan curled her lips.
A trace of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes as her fingers slowly tightened.
In an instant, she returned to her usual smiling expression, though it didn’t reach her eyes.
In this lifetime, Yang Huaiyuan could only belong to her.
No one else could touch him.
“I knew Shanshan would be happy for me.” Zhou Wenwen wrapped her arm around Qiao Shanshan’s and rubbed against her affectionately.
A flicker of disgust flashed in Qiao Shanshan’s eyes. She subtly stepped back and quietly pulled her arm away.
Zhou Wenwen’s attention was completely on Yang Huaiyuan. She didn’t notice Qiao Shanshan watching their flirtatious glances, her fingers digging into her palm until they turned blue. Finally, she couldn’t hold it in anymore and cleared her throat.
Only then did Yang Huaiyuan snap out of it.
“Shanshan, let’s go to the textile family compound first,” he said, not forgetting their purpose for coming to the county.
They hadn’t even secured Qiao Wanyue’s job yet and had already run into trouble.
An unlucky start.
Qiao Shanshan nodded.
“Wenwen, we have something to take care of. You should head back first,” she said tactfully.
But Zhou Wenwen seemed not to understand. “What are you going to do? I can go with you.”
Her eyes clung to Yang Huaiyuan.
“Wenwen, we’re visiting relatives. Are you going too?”
Zhou Wenwen’s eyes widened. “Is it Brother Huaiyuan’s aunt’s house? Auntie likes me too—we can go together.”
She showed no embarrassment at all.
The words “Brother Huaiyuan” stabbed into Qiao Shanshan like a needle.
Her expression turned cold. “Wenwen, we’re newlyweds visiting relatives. It’s not appropriate for you to come.”
Zhou Wenwen’s face fell, lips trembling as if she might cry.
She lowered her head, looking deeply wronged.
Yang Huaiyuan couldn’t hold back. “If she wants to come, let her. It’s no big deal. The report to the police had nothing to do with Wenwen. You two grew up together—do you really suspect her?”
He thought Qiao Shanshan was upset because they saw Zhou Wenwen when they were taken by the police earlier.
Qiao Shanshan was speechless.
She suppressed the anger in her chest. If she argued with Zhou Wenwen now, Yang Huaiyuan would find out about Zhou Wenwen’s feelings. Even if he didn’t reciprocate, he would still show her more care.
She would never allow that.
In her previous life, Zhou Wenwen had repeatedly used her charm to sabotage Yang Huaiyuan and Qiao Wanyue’s relationship.
Part of the reason Qiao Wanyue was disliked by the Yang family was because of Zhou Wenwen’s interference.
She glanced at Zhou Wenwen and curled her lips into a meaningful smile.
Did she think she was Qiao Wanyue, that useless fool?
She took Zhou Wenwen’s arm affectionately. “What are you saying, Brother Huaiyuan? I was just worried you might feel uneasy about Wenwen. Earlier, when Huaiyuan and I were being a bit close on the street, someone reported us to the police.
Wenwen, I think I saw you in the crowd.”
Qiao Shanshan smiled faintly.
Zhou Wenwen’s heart tightened.
She cursed Qiao Wanyue in her mind.
“It was Qiao Wanyue.”
Yang Huaiyuan and Qiao Shanshan exchanged a glance.
A flicker of doubt passed through their eyes.
She had come to the county too?
What a coincidence.
No need to look for Yang Aijiao anymore.
Qiao Shanshan’s eyes rolled as a new plan formed.
Without thinking further, she grabbed Yang Huaiyuan’s hand and ran. Yang Huaiyuan still felt shaken—the police’s warning echoed in his mind: no hugging or inappropriate behavior in public, maintain proper conduct.
But Qiao Shanshan gripped him tightly, too strong to resist. Behind them, Zhou Wenwen dragged them down.
One pulling two.
By the time they reached the family compound, all three were out of breath.
Just as they were about to enter, they ran into Qiao Wanyue walking out.
Seeing her come out of the textile family compound, Qiao Shanshan’s eyes lit up.
Perfect timing.
She stepped forward and grabbed Qiao Wanyue’s arm. “Sister, what are you doing here?”
Qiao Wanyue caught the probing look in her eyes and smiled. “I came to deliver wedding candies to Director Wang.”
Qiao Shanshan’s eyes shifted as she leaned on Qiao Wanyue, acting spoiled. “Sister, I need your help with something.”
“What is it?”
Qiao Shanshan bit her lip. “I know you don’t want to give up your job. We’re family—I don’t want to force you. Brother Huaiyuan’s aunt found me a temporary position at the textile factory,
but it requires a permanent worker to sign as guarantor. Sister, I don’t know anyone else. Can you sign for me?”
Qiao Wanyue gave her a meaningful look.
Full of schemes.
But it suited her just fine.
She had been worried Qiao Shanshan wouldn’t ask.
Suppressing the excitement in her heart, she said, “Is Yang Huaiyuan’s aunt also a permanent worker?”
A hint of impatience flashed in Qiao Shanshan’s eyes. Why had Qiao Wanyue become so hard to fool?
But for the sake of the job, she forced down her irritation and spoke more urgently. “Sister, don’t you want to sign for me?” She tugged at Qiao Wanyue’s sleeve, acting pitiful.
In the past, whenever she did this, Qiao Wanyue would drop all resentment and agree to anything.
She had always loved this little sister the most.
Qiao Wanyue closed her eyes, suppressing the swelling emotions in her chest.
“Fine.”
A glint of triumph flashed in Qiao Shanshan’s eyes.
“Sister, let’s go quickly.”
She pulled Qiao Wanyue toward the factory, with Yang Huaiyuan following behind, confused.
At the factory, the staff handling employee records paused upon seeing Qiao Wanyue.
She came again?
Qiao Wanyue subtly shook her head.
The staff member understood.
Qiao Shanshan pulled the staff member aside and whispered something. The staff frowned, glancing between Qiao Wanyue and Qiao Shanshan.
“You’re sure she agreed herself?”
Qiao Shanshan explained that Qiao Wanyue was a permanent worker at the textile factory but illiterate. Due to family hardship, she needed money, so she had sold the job for one thousand yuan. They were there to complete the transfer.
But they couldn’t upset Qiao Wanyue—just get her to sign.
If they said too much, she would cry.
The staff member looked at Qiao Wanyue suspiciously. In the morning, she had seemed bright and articulate—how could she be as timid as described?
Yet now she looked like a wilted eggplant.
Had she been forced?
Alarm bells rang in his mind.
“Comrade, this technical position is important. Please wait here while I report to the factory director.”
After speaking, he left.
Qiao Wanyue found a stool and sat down, head lowered, looking listless.
Qiao Shanshan paced back and forth.
She feared delays.
This job was crucial to her. In her previous life, Qiao Wanyue had suffered under Yang’s mother because she had no job. She would never follow that same path.
At that moment, a sharp female voice came from outside.
“Huaiyuan, you came without telling me?”