After clarifying the matter, they prepared to leave.
Before departing, He Yingjie pulled out a stack of bills and handed them to Jiang Mother. “Mom, Jiang Ye’s wedding is a joyous occasion for our family. This five hundred is our small gesture of goodwill. Please take it.”
Wang Zhiqiang, Jiang Qin’s husband, also extended a stack of money. His honest face carried a hint of apology. “Mom, we’re giving three hundred. Please don’t think it’s too little.”
Before Jiang Mother could respond, Jiang Shu approached with a smile. “Eldest brother-in-law, the intention matters most. The amount isn’t important—I’m only contributing two hundred anyway.”
As for the four hundred in her bag, she could give it privately later.
Since her eldest sister didn’t work, being able to offer three hundred was already quite substantial.
However, Jiang Mother pushed their money back toward them.
“Third Daughter is right. The amount doesn’t matter. I appreciate your goodwill, but I won’t accept the money. You all work hard for your earnings—keep it. Managing your own households well is more important than giving me money.”
“Besides, your father and I combined earn over a hundred each month. We’ve long saved enough for your brother’s wedding expenses. There’s no need to worry.”
She understood clearly: because Jiang Ye was somewhat unreliable, the children wanted his wedding to be dignified—both to reassure the in-laws and to present a good image to the neighbors.
But she felt it was unnecessary. In her view, guiding Jiang Ye onto the right path was what truly mattered.
The others still insisted on giving, having long awaited this day.
Seeing this, Jiang Father stuffed the money back into their bags. “No more tugging and pulling. Let’s all listen to Director Yang—that’s the right way.”
“If you truly feel uneasy, you can give Ruan Tang a Red Envelope later. Any amount is fine—the sentiment matters more.”
Jiang Ye, standing to the side, began joking around. “Exactly! We won’t mind if it’s less, and we won’t mind if it’s more. Anyway, neither of us has a job—whatever you give will last us quite a while.”
Thwack, thwack.
No sooner had Jiang Ye finished speaking than two slaps landed on his shoulder.
Turning around, he found Jiang Mother glaring at him with disdain. “Shameless all day long! Twenty years old and still relying on us to support you—aren’t you ashamed?”
Jiang Ye wasn’t angered. He spread his hands and grinned in an utterly punchable manner. “What can I do? You’re my biological mother. If you don’t support me, who will?”
“But after I’m married, I might have to rely on my wife to support me.”
His words were immediately met with eye-rolls from everyone.
Jiang Ye shrugged indifferently.
Internally, he was pondering how he could legitimately transfer the money in his possession to Ruan Tang.
Unaware of his troubles, Ruan Tang had already gone to bed.
She slept soundly through the night without any dreams.
The next day, Ruan Tang rose at the first light of dawn. Instead of rushing to wash up, she first cleaned the entire room.
She wiped down the tables and chairs, tidied the items on the floor, and organized everything neatly.
After Ruan Mu got up, she prepared breakfast. Big Brother Ruan left for work after eating.
Before leaving, he asked Ruan Tang, “Nervous? Do you want me to stay home to bolster your courage?”
Ruan Tang found it amusing and nudged him toward the door.
“I’m not nervous. This isn’t a fight—why would I need courage? Hurry up and go. Remember to ask for leave for Mom and Dad.”
After breakfast, Ruan Tang washed up again.
Once freshened up, she noticed the snowflake cream Jiang Ye had bought. Hesitating for a moment, she picked it up and opened the lid.
Holding it to her nose, she inhaled its scent. She truly loved this fragrance.
A charming smile unconsciously graced her delicate little face.
After washing up, Ruan Tang examined the clothes she was wearing. Though they appeared clean and neat, having been worn for so long they looked somewhat shabby and not quite formal enough.
Without overthinking it, Ruan Tang directly changed into the dress Jiang Shu had given her.
The light blue dress paired with black leather shoes made her look like a little princess. Ruan Tang stared at her reflection in the mirror, completely mesmerized.
The young girl appeared fresh and elegant, like a lotus emerging from water.
When she smiled, she looked particularly sweet and adorable.
Ruan Mu was stunned when she saw her, never expecting Ruan Tang to look so beautiful after dressing up.
However, remembering that these clothes were gifted by Jiang Ye’s third sister, she felt it somewhat inappropriate to wear them today.
After all, if his family saw her wearing them, it might seem like she couldn’t afford clothes herself.
So, pursing her lips, Ruan Mu advised: “Tangtang, this occasion isn’t suitable for wearing a dress. It seems a bit flashy, not simple enough, and lacking maturity and steadiness. Why don’t you go change quickly?”
Hearing this, Ruan Tang was momentarily taken aback before responding: “I think it looks fine. The style is conservative, and the hem falls below the knees. Where does it seem flashy?”
Seeing her reluctance to change, Ruan Mu showed impatience and began nitpicking.
She tugged at the fabric around Ruan Tang’s waist, criticizing: “There’s too little fabric here. The waist is tailored so tightly it reveals your figure, making your chest look big and your hips curvy, giving off an improper impression.”
“Hurry up and change.”
“No decent girl would dress like this.”
Ruan Mu grew more animated as she spoke, making it sound more and more convincing, as if Ruan Tang were truly being indecent.
Ruan Tang felt both stifled and helpless inside.
Not wanting to conflict with Ruan Mu today, she turned and entered the bedroom.
She took off the dress, including the bra Jiang Shu had bought.
Changing back into her undershirt, she put on a black-and-white checkered short-sleeved shirt, paired with black trousers and black cloth shoes.
Ruan Tang checked her reflection in the mirror and reached up to remove the pearl hair clip by her ear.
Now completely devoid of any accessories, she looked plain beyond measure.
Seeing Ruan Tang like this, Ruan Mu smiled with satisfaction, “This looks much better – simple and unadorned, clearly someone who knows how to live practically.”
Ruan Fu nodded in agreement.
Noticing this, Ruan Mu’s smile widened as she whispered: “Look at Cai Xiaolan across the street, always dressing so flamboyantly. She’s clearly not a proper girl. Sure enough, even before marriage, she’s already getting involved with men.”
This was somewhat of an overgeneralization. Ruan Tang couldn’t agree but opened her mouth without saying anything.
Her mother had made similar comments before, and at that time she hadn’t thought much of it.
But today…
For some reason, those words struck her as rather harsh.
Before she could ponder further, Jiang Mother’s voice sounded in the courtyard, “Is my dear sister home?”
Hearing this, both Ruan Fu and Ruan Mu went out to greet them.
Ruan Tang followed as well.
In the courtyard, Jiang Mother was chatting warmly with Ruan Mu while matchmaker Wang Cuihua occasionally chimed in. Jiang Ye stood to the side holding gifts, his eyes smiling as he looked at Ruan Tang.
Today’s Jiang Ye seemed even more handsome.
His hair appeared specially styled, with a few strands falling obediently at his temples, making him look particularly… proper.
He wore a light blue shirt, all buttons fastened neatly, unlike his usual style of leaving it open to reveal his undershirt beneath.
He wore dark blue trousers on his lower body, and perhaps because he stood perfectly straight, his legs appeared even longer.
On his feet, he no longer wore those sandals but had changed into a pair of shiny new black leather shoes.
Ruan Tang lowered her gaze and instinctively took a few steps to the side, trying to let the others shield her.
“Why aren’t you wearing the new dress? Does it not fit?” Jiang Ye had somehow arrived beside Ruan Tang, whispering softly.
Hearing this, Ruan Tang abruptly looked up at him.
Perhaps because they were too close, she directly met a pair of dark eyes filled with laughter.
His eyes were entirely filled with her.
His eyes held only her.
Ruan Tang stared blankly at Jiang Ye, her heart… uncontrollably fluttering once.
This feeling was strange; she had never experienced it before, and she couldn’t help but feel somewhat resistant in her heart.
So Ruan Tang ignored Jiang Ye and turned to go back inside.