Chapter 8

In her past life, Jiang Ci was a pampered little princess, loved by her parents. Still, her family required her to learn how to cook—not so she could serve a husband in the future, but to cultivate her ability to live independently. She never expected this skill would come in handy today.

She boiled water, washed vegetables, and steamed an egg custard, adding a couple of drops of sesame oil. She also made braised pork and a plate of stir-fried greens.

By the time the meal was ready, Jiang Yaozu had already finished washing the diapers. Holding the basin, he asked, “Sis, where should I hang these?”

Jiang Ci pointed to the pole on the balcony. “Wipe off the dust and hang them there.”

Jiang Yaozu nodded, wiped the pole, hung the diapers, washed his hands, and sat down for the meal.

At the table, the egg custard was golden and tender, the braised pork rich and glossy with a sprinkle of dried osmanthus flowers on top, and even the vegetables were a vibrant green. He exclaimed in delight, “Second Sis, your cooking looks amazing!”

He picked up a piece of braised pork—soft, sweet, and rich with flavor. One bite in, it was tender yet springy, bursting with meaty goodness.

“Sis, your cooking is a hundred times better than Mom’s. How did I never realize before?” Jiang Yaozu grinned happily.

Jiang Ci placed another piece of meat into his bowl and smiled, “Eat more if you like it. Yaozu, let me ask you something.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Do you know where our family keeps the money?”

Jiang Ci was plotting—before leaving, she planned to clean out the Jiang family’s stash.

Jiang Yaozu replied, “I think it’s in Mom and Dad’s room, but I’m not sure. Why do you ask?”

Jiang Ci said, “I want to make a quilt for Duoduo. Your brother-in-law’s salary is all with Mom. I don’t have any money.”

Jiang Yaozu said, “I’ll look for it when I go back.” Then he lowered his voice. “Sis, guess what I saw at Uncle’s house?”

Jiang Ci wasn’t too interested. “What?”

Jiang Yaozu said, “Yellow croaker fish—boxes of them! All confiscated from other people’s homes. There were vases and all kinds of stuff. Liu Xiaoling even broke one.”

Confiscated? At this time, property raids were rampant. Those with red armbands didn’t care who you were—once they raided, they took everything. Some people handed the loot over to authorities, but others kept part of it for themselves. When the political climate later relaxed, these people used their hoarded goods to get rich and live comfortably.

Although the original novel didn’t say what her uncle did, it did mention that his family suddenly became wealthy later on.

Clearly, there was something shady going on.

Jiang Ci asked, “You sure you saw correctly?”

Jiang Yaozu patted his chest. “Absolutely. I opened one of the boxes to peek, and that’s when Uncle’s family kicked me out.” He grew angrier as he spoke. “Usually Auntie and Liu Xiaoling are always freeloading at our house, but now I haven’t even had one meal there and they threw me out. I’m telling Mom later.”

This confirmed Jiang Ci’s suspicions that her uncle’s family was hiding something. She had to check it out someday. Her space was still empty, and she was broke—perfect for storing some goods. She said, “Stop whining and eat. Then wash the dishes.”

Jiang Yaozu nodded, then asked, “Can I stay here tonight?”

“You can if you do chores. If not, don’t come.”

“I’ll do chores!” Jiang Yaozu grinned cheekily.

After the meal, Jiang Ci fed the baby and played with Duoduo for a while. Jiang Yaozu washed the dishes and even wiped the floor. It was getting late, and he had to head to school. Before leaving, he reminded her, “Sis, aren’t you going to visit Dad in the hospital?”

Jiang Ci shook her head. “When he hit me, he didn’t think I was his daughter. Why should I care now?”

Jiang Yaozu thought that made sense. “Okay, I’m off to school. I’ll stay here again tonight—don’t forget to open the door for me!”

With a bang, the door closed. Jiang Ci yawned, picked up her daughter, and took an afternoon nap. In her dream, she seemed to be back at the scene of her rich second-generation boyfriend’s marriage proposal. Everyone said she was lucky—PhD graduate marrying into a wealthy family. The sky was blue, the grass green, white doves flying everywhere. Then suddenly, the boyfriend’s cold and imposing elder brother appeared and sternly opposed the marriage.

Jiang Ci argued back, “You’re just a brother, not his parent. What right do you have to object?”

The older brother sneered, “Miss Jiang, I inherited not just our family business, but also the responsibility of this foolish brother. You’re not worthy of him. Please leave immediately.”

Jiang Ci jolted awake from the dream. It had felt so real. But now, there was no terrifying rich elder brother—only this rundown old house. She sighed. She didn’t even know if the letter to that “cheap husband” of hers had been delivered.