The female companion looked at Su Yinyin in surprise, asking, “What do you mean ‘giving up the job’? And what’s this about twenty yuan? Yinyin, didn’t you say your parents found a job for you, which is why you didn’t have to go to the countryside?”
Su Yinyin had never expected to run into Jiang Tang here, much less that Jiang Tang would expose her so directly on the spot. In a desperate pinch, she could only rely on her usual repertoire of tricks, wiping her tears as she began to sob: “I know Sister isn’t willing to admit it, but it’s alright. Taking a small loss doesn’t bother me, as long as Sister is happy.”
Jiang Tang truly couldn’t stomach this display any longer and was in no mood to say more. After all, Su Yinyin was the female protagonist of the book; who knew how many people revolved around her and were all too willing to believe every word she said?
Saying more would simply be a waste of time.
“Fine, take your time browsing. I’ll be taking my leave.”
With that said, Jiang Tang turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Su Yinyin, who was still wiping her tears, completely stunned.
She’s just leaving? Without even giving me a chance to play out my role?
Su Yinyin merely assumed Jiang Tang had left because she couldn’t win the argument, letting out a slight sigh of relief before pulling her friend along to continue browsing the department store.
She failed to notice, however, that the female companion’s face went through several shifts in expression. Before they had even browsed for long, the friend excused herself, claiming she had other matters to attend to, and left.
Only then did Su Yinyin react with hindsight, realizing it was definitely because of what Jiang Tang had said earlier.
Stamping her feet in frustration, she wished she could track down Jiang Tang right away to demand an explanation.
Yet with Jiang Tang driven back to the Jiang family, she could hardly chase her over there, leaving her no choice but to swallow her anger.
It doesn’t matter, Su Yinyin thought. Before long, Jiang Tang would have to be sent off to the countryside anyway, and her bitter days were still ahead of her.
……
The moment Jiang Tang stepped out of the department store, she tossed Su Yinyin to the back of her mind. So what if she was the book’s female protagonist? Now that she had been reborn, she had to dare to fight against destiny.
At least right now, she possessed a portable spatial dimension and had successfully altered her original trajectory.
Afterward, Jiang Tang and Jiang Sijie returned home together.
After Jiang Minghong and Sang Suxiang got off work, they prepared a whole table of dishes for the two of them, their eyes filled with reluctance to part with their children.
“Dad, Mom, let’s eat.”
Suppressing their reluctance, the couple nodded repeatedly. “Alright, let’s eat.”
After the meal, Sang Suxiang asked about the situation regarding Xiao Xun.
Before Jiang Tang could speak, Jiang Sijie blurted out everything about their trip to the photo studios and the movie theater today.
“Xiao Xun is fairly thoughtful. After Xiaotang mentioned the two photo studios, he immediately suggested going to both to see which one takes better pictures.”
The moment the words left his mouth, Jiang Sijie wished he could slap himself twice. Why was he speaking up for Xiao Xun again?
On second thought, however, he had been quite satisfied with Xiao Xun’s performance today, so he didn’t take back his words.
Sang Suxiang held Jiang Tang’s hand gently. “Xiaotang, no matter what, your happiness is the most important thing. If you encounter any trouble after going to accompany the troops, remember to tell your brother. If your brother turns out to be unreliable, write a letter to tell us—don’t carry it all on your own shoulders, do you hear me?”
Nodding with tears in her eyes, Jiang Tang knew her parents were the ones who treated her best. Yet in her past life, she had been blinded by a single leaf, deluded by so-called blood ties, and had missed out on the most precious things.
“Alright, Mom, I will. Actually, Big Brother is quite reliable; he won’t let me suffer any grievances.”
Jiang Sijie, who had just been about to defend himself, nodded with immense satisfaction. It took his sister to truly understand him; after all, he was no longer that unreliable kid he used to be.
The next day, using the excuse of getting married, Jiang Tang requested time off from the factory and headed straight for the supply and marketing cooperative.
Over the past few days, Jiang Tang had taken the time to organize the contents of her spatial dimension, realizing that many of the items were far too valuable to be brought out for everyday use right now.
If she was going to accompany the troops, she needed to bring plenty of practical supplies to avoid not being able to buy them later.
Buying goods couldn’t be done too conspicuously either, so Jiang Tang decided to visit multiple supply and marketing cooperatives to gather everything she needed.
Even if she bumped into acquaintances, she had nothing to fear; admitting directly that she was getting married made preparing wedding supplies completely logical and justified.
Thus, Jiang Tang rode her heavy-duty 28-inch bicycle, crisscrossing all over the city.
She would first buy items at a supply and marketing cooperative, then find an empty, deserted spot to transfer everything into her spatial dimension.
At any rate, her space had no shortage of food coupons, meat tickets, cotton coupons, or cash—shopping posed zero pressure for her.
Only when she had bought nearly enough did Jiang Tang ride her bicycle back home, where she happened to run right into Jiang Minghong and Sang Suxiang returning with armfuls of large bags and small packages.
The family of three stared at each other, their eyes practically asking: “Aren’t you supposed to be at work in the factory?”
Soon, however, the three of them came to a mutual understanding—they had all gone out to buy things.
Left alone at home, Jiang Sijie didn’t feel abandoned by his family; instead, he felt a bit embarrassed.
So it turned out he was the only one who hadn’t thought about going out to buy things for his sister.
No matter, he thought. Once his sister went to accompany the troops, he would be able to take care of her regularly.
Sang Suxiang pulled out the newly bought items: a washbasin, bedding, cotton-padded clothes and shoes, along with bolts of fabric, scarves, water cups, white sugar, malted milk extract…
As Sang Suxiang laid them out, she said, “The place Xiaotang is going to is remote, and living there won’t be as convenient as in the city. Everything that needs to be prepared must be set, lest it can’t be bought later. Though it looks like a lot, every single item will come in handy. In a few days, we’ll have your brother help carry it over so you won’t tire yourself out.”
Jiang Tang almost failed to hold back her tears. Her parents were truly wonderful to her.
Treated as the heavy labor force, Jiang Sijie didn’t mind at all, nodding repeatedly: “Right, I’m strong—I’ll carry it over for my sister.”
After all, since he hadn’t bought anything himself, putting in a bit of elbow grease was nothing.
Once Sang Suxiang had displayed everything item by item, Jiang Tang brought out the things she had bought as well.
“I bought Mom and Dad a new hot water thermos; the one at home is getting a bit old and doesn’t hold heat well. Here are a few bolts of fabric as well—Mom and Dad’s clothes are worn out, so it’s time to make new sets. There’s also a flashlight that Mom and Dad can use when going out after dark, as well as two fountain pens, two pairs of rubber boots…”
Jiang Tang had intentionally brought out the items meant for her parents while stashing the portion meant for herself into her space for easy transport.
After all, she would be taking plenty of things with her when she went to accompany the troops. No one would know the exact specifics of what she brought, so taking them out to use at any time wouldn’t raise any suspicion.
Looking at the vast array of items their daughter had bought for them, Jiang Minghong and Sang Suxiang were moved to tears, with Sang Suxiang unable to stop her tears from falling.
“Xiaotang, buying so many things… have you used up all the money and coupons you saved up?” As Sang Suxiang asked this, it wasn’t just superficial concern; she immediately brought out a box and handed all the cash and coupons inside to her.
“Take these. You must not mistreat yourself when you’re out there in the future—buy whatever you lack.”
Looking at the thick stack of ten-yuan notes handed over by Sang Suxiang—at least two thousand yuan in total—Jiang Tang knew this was the savings her parents had painstakingly built up, yet they were giving all of it to her.
Tears welled in Jiang Tang’s eyes: “Mom, if you give all of it to me, what about the household?”
“Our Xiaotang has never suffered any grievances since childhood, and she won’t suffer any in the future either. Consider this money your dowry. With money in your hands, you won’t have to worry about your days ahead. As for home, your father and I are still young and can earn money—don’t worry about the family.”