As the voice sounded, the door was pushed open. A middle-aged woman with a bitter expression, dressed in a blue coarse long-sleeved outfit and short hair, appeared at the doorway. She raised her voice and walked in with exaggerated enthusiasm, showering Qiao Shanshan and Yang Huaiyuan with concern.
The newcomer was Yang Huaiyuan’s aunt, Yang Aijiao.
She had married a butcher in the city and considered herself a city person, rarely returning home except during holidays. In the previous life, she had only attended the wedding after hearing that Qiao Wanyue was a technician at the textile factory.
But during the wedding, when she learned that Qiao Wanyue’s job had been taken by her own family, she flew into a rage, ridiculed Qiao Wanyue, and even pointed at her brother and sister-in-law while scolding them.
She never acted without benefit.
A faint smile curved Qiao Wanyue’s lips.
“Auntie, aren’t you busy? How would we dare disturb you?” Qiao Shanshan said with a cold laugh.
She and Yang Huaiyuan had arrived early in the morning. Yang Aijiao had clearly been avoiding them, afraid of getting into trouble at the factory and unwilling to help. But now that everything had been settled, she came to curry favor.
Qiao Shanshan despised her blatant opportunism.
Yang Aijiao indeed knew they had come early. She had never approved of Yang Huaiyuan marrying Qiao Shanshan. Aside from her high school education, Qiao Shanshan was inferior to Qiao Wanyue in every way and far too scheming.
She had even wanted Yang Aijiao to interfere and transfer Qiao Wanyue’s job to her. If Yang Aijiao had that kind of influence, she would have given the position to her own son—why wait for others to beg her?
Still, she didn’t dare openly offend either the Yang or Qiao families.
She had heard that Qiao Wanyue was naive and blindly obedient to her mother and sister—perhaps she would willingly give up her job.
A technical worker held a high position in the factory. In a few years, she might even be promoted to leadership.
So Yang Aijiao chose to stall without offending anyone.
But she hadn’t expected Qiao Shanshan to actually succeed.
Her gaze fell on Qiao Wanyue, and a trace of mockery flashed in her eyes.
What a useless woman—her husband had been taken, and now even her job was taken without her understanding.
A waste of a brain.
Of course, she didn’t dare say that out loud. Life in the city was tight for her, and she still relied on her parents and brother’s family for support every month.
Soon, someone from the office returned.
“Comrades, are you sure you’ve already discussed everything privately? No outstanding debts?” He held a stack of documents. Qiao Shanshan’s sharp eyes immediately spotted the job transfer agreement.
She eagerly snatched it and signed her name.
Then she stuffed a pen into Qiao Wanyue’s hand and coaxed, “Sister, this is just a guarantee form. Once you sign, I’ll have a temporary job.”
Qiao Wanyue hesitated. “I can’t read, Shanshan. Are you sure you’re not lying to me?”
Qiao Shanshan replied, “Sister, I wouldn’t deceive anyone—especially not you. We grew up together.”
Qiao Wanyue said coldly, “You took Yang Huaiyuan from me.”
Qiao Shanshan: “…”
Impatient, she said, “Sister, Lu Yunzhou earns a hundred yuan a month in allowances. When he goes on missions, he earns even more. His future is bright. You’ll live a life of comfort marrying him—how could I possibly harm you?”
A hint of mockery tugged at Qiao Wanyue’s lips.
She simply looked at Qiao Shanshan.
By the end, even Qiao Shanshan almost believed her own words. She forced out two tears, but when she met Qiao Wanyue’s clear, piercing gaze, it felt like a blade stripping away all her disguises.
As if she stood naked before her.
Qiao Shanshan’s heart tightened. She averted her gaze, a trace of disgust flashing across her face.
It had always been like this since childhood.
Qiao Wanyue was upright and composed, while her own schemes were always seen through. Qiao Wanyue would just quietly watch her perform like an actor, seeing through every clumsy act.
What she hated most was that self-righteousness.
Gathering her last bit of patience, she said, “Sister, won’t you help me?”
“Shanshan, whatever you want, your sister will give you,” Qiao Wanyue said softly, looking at her with indulgence.
Just like countless times before—
Every unreasonable request Qiao Shanshan had ever made—
Qiao Wanyue had always agreed.
And this time would be no different.
Qiao Shanshan suppressed the disgust in her heart.
She hated that expression—the righteous, charitable look.
After today, she would become the dignified wife of a professor.
And Qiao Wanyue would be nothing more than a lowly widow.
The final winner would be her.
Without hesitation, Qiao Wanyue signed her name on the paper.
Looking at the transfer agreement, Qiao Shanshan burst into laughter.
“Thank you, sister,” she said, her tone more sincere than before.
Qiao Wanyue stood up and looked at her. “Shanshan, come with me to the administrative office. I want to transfer my household registration here. Let’s ask when it can be processed—and check on housing too. After I get married, I’ll have a place. We sisters can live together.”
Qiao Shanshan’s fingers stiffened.
Her eyes darted. “Sister… you want to buy a house?”
Qiao Wanyue said innocently, “Yes. I’m a formal worker. Director Wang said I can be allocated housing, and she’s been helping me keep an eye out. Whether I can follow the army is uncertain, so it’s better to secure my job and housing first.”
What was in hand mattered most.
Qiao Shanshan cursed inwardly.
She should have waited until Qiao Wanyue secured housing before making her transfer the job.
Qiao Wanyue naturally knew what she was thinking.
She continued, “Director Wang is also helping me look for a television and a refrigerator. Once I have a house, I’ll buy them. If we’re living together, we should live well. Our salaries can even be combined.”
She spoke as if envisioning a bright future.
Qiao Shanshan and Yang Huaiyuan nearly ground their teeth to pieces.
Yang Aijiao’s eyes darted around.
If Qiao Shanshan and Yang Huaiyuan had those things—wouldn’t they belong to the Yang family?
Television and washing machine coupons were extremely rare—money alone couldn’t buy them. Even the factory director’s household only had a black-and-white TV. Yet Qiao Wanyue casually mentioned buying two major appliances.
It was obvious she had a lot of money.
Yang Aijiao began to feel dissatisfied with Qiao Shanshan.
If Yang Huaiyuan had married Qiao Wanyue directly, wouldn’t all of this belong to the Yang family?
Seeing the shifting expressions on their faces, Qiao Wanyue let out a soft laugh.
Go ahead and laugh.
Soon, you won’t be able to.
Of course, Qiao Shanshan couldn’t accompany her to the office. Qiao Wanyue might be illiterate, but once they handled the transfer, her deception would be exposed.
Her eyes turned. “Sister, why don’t we go buy the television and washing machine first? We can come back after your wedding.”
She wanted to send Qiao Wanyue away.
Qiao Wanyue blinked. “But without a house, where would we put the washing machine?”
“At my house,” Yang Aijiao blurted.
Qiao Shanshan’s expression stiffened.
There was no way she would agree.
“Sister, just give me the money first. I’ll have Brother Huaiyuan buy them. Those big items are too heavy for you anyway,” she said.
Qiao Wanyue had over a thousand yuan. Qiao Shanshan had been scheming how to get it—this was the perfect opportunity.
Qiao Wanyue looked at her warily.
“You took my husband—and now you want my money too?”