Chapter 48 : Who do you want to fight?

He Tingyue was concerned about how it might look, so he didn’t linger. After taking the measurements, he prepared to leave.

Just as he reached for the door handle, he heard a knock.

He opened the door, and Jiang Ting’s hand came swinging toward him.

If it had been Jiang Yu, she wouldn’t have been able to avoid it.

But for He Tingyue, this slap was nothing.

He quickly grabbed Jiang Ting’s wrist, tightening his grip and twisting it back, his gaze sharp as he looked at her.

Jiang Ting hadn’t expected him to be the one who opened the door. Before she could react, her wrist was in his grasp, the pain shooting through her like a fracture.

She cried out, “Let go of me!”

Yet He Tingyue was like iron, leaving her unable to move.

He released her and stepped forward. “Who did you want to hit?”

Jiang Ting stumbled backward, her face twisted in rage. “Where’s Jiang Yu?”

During her time inside, she had thought of nothing but tearing Jiang Yu apart.

If it weren’t for Jiang Yu, she wouldn’t be suffering like this.

Her days in there felt like years, and in just a short while, she had become gaunt.

Jiang Hao was in even worse shape than her.

Their suffering was all due to Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu stepped out, appearing behind He Tingyue.

“Out already? Seems you haven’t learned your lesson.”

Just as she came out, she dared to cause trouble.

Jiang Ting’s eyes were wild, her teeth clenched as she spat, “You dare bring this up! If it weren’t for you, how could I be in this mess? Jiang Yu, are you satisfied now? Jiang Hao and Du Juan’s marriage is ruined, and both families are at odds!”

Jiang Yu chuckled. “Not quite satisfied ultimately, you and Jiang Hao, the two main culprits, are out.”

Jiang Ting couldn’t believe it. “But he’s your own brother! Do you really not want to return to your maternal family anymore?”

“After our parents pass, I won’t have any reason to. I can’t afford a brother who would sell out his sister for a few bucks.”

Jiang Yu’s eyes were filled with derision, she considered that she had never treated these siblings poorly throughout their lives.

But what they had done was truly chilling.

Jiang Ting was filled with hatred, she had just stepped inside when this trouble arose, and Lin Hongxia would love nothing more than to tear her apart.

The Pu family had spent a hundred bucks to bail her out, only for that money to end up in Jiang Yu’s hands.

Failing to get what she wanted left her furious.

Then Jiang Ting had a realization, Jiang Yu preferred softness over toughness.

Suppressing the anger in her chest, she softened her tone.

“Sister, I’m your real sister. How could I harm you? The Du family matter was a misunderstanding. If you had been willing to marry properly, how could they have acted out? You only have Jiang Hao as a brother, you’ll need his support in the future.”

Jiang Yu looked at her coldly. That so-called misunderstanding had nearly cost her life.

She didn’t want to linger on this issue and simply said, “Marrying Fu Xiangyang was your choice, I never competed with you. I just don’t understand why you hate me so much. Jiang Ting, be mindful of your actions. Just don’t regret it later. I have no desire to keep entangling myself with you.”

Jiang Ting wanted to say more, but at that moment, Yao Xiangling returned.

“What are you still doing? Haven’t you caused enough trouble for Jiang Yu?”

Jiang Ting bit her lip, filled with resentment at Yao Xiangling’s favoritism.

“Auntie…”

Yao Xiangling raised her hand but then held back.

“Forget it, I wouldn’t even want to get my hands dirty hitting you. Just leave!”

Jiang Ting’s face turned pale, humiliation washing over her.

“We’re just the same as Jiang Yu! Auntie, why are you so biased?”

Yao Xiangling glared at her, remaining silent.

She was indeed biased toward Jiang Yu, that favoritism had been evident since they were born.

When they were younger, Yao Xiangling once brought them to the city and bought each of them a bag of candy.

Jiang Ting had saved all hers for Jiang Hao, not eating a single piece.

Jiang Yu divided her candy into three parts: one for Yao Xiangling, one for herself, and one to take home.

Later, seeing that Jiang Ting had nothing to eat, Jiang Yu had given her half of her share.

But she was scolded by Jiang Ting “How can we compete with our brother for food?”

After returning home, Jiang Ting even told Wang Meili, who took all of Jiang Yu’s hidden candy and beat her up.

From that day on, Yao Xiangling understood what kind of person Jiang Ting was.

If she were to favor Jiang Ting, the Jiang family would drain her dry.

“Go back. Respect is earned by yourself, not given by others. If you come back here again, I’ll have to ask the Du family how they educate their daughters-in-law!”

Jiang Ting feared she might really go to Lin Hongxia to complain and hurriedly covered her face as she ran away.

Yao Xiangling playfully tapped Jiang Yu’s forehead. “Next time she comes back, just slap her. She nearly cost you your life, and you’re still talking to her.”

Jiang Yu pouted. “Auntie, hitting her here would create quite the scene.”

Yao Xiangling shot her a look, only then realizing that He Tingyue was also there, nearly startling her.

“This… Director He?”

He Tingyue spoke up, “Just call me Xiao He.”

Yao Xiangling glanced between Jiang Yu and him, quickly putting the pieces together and smiled.

“How did you come by? Would you like to come in for some tea?”

Jiang Yu hurriedly interjected, “He came to deliver fabric, no tea needed.”

He Tingyue concealed his disappointment and nodded obediently.

“Yes, maybe next time.”

Yao Xiangling didn’t press the matter and only closed the door after watching him leave.

Inside, she noticed the snake-skin bag full of fabric, her face filled with curiosity.

“Where did you get all this fabric?”

Jiang Yu briefly explained how she had asked Xie Feifei to buy it.

“You got all this fabric for how much?”

Yao Xiangling calculated in her mind, such a quantity of fabric couldn’t be bought with just money.

Jiang Yu shook her head. “He didn’t charge me.”

“Really? If he didn’t charge you, then you should have refused! Auntie wants you to marry him. If you got married, being his wife means he should take care of you. But you two haven’t even started dating yet, how can you use his money?”

There’s a clear difference between pre-marriage and post-marriage in Yao Xiangling’s view.

Jiang Yu shrugged. “I’m making clothes for him and Feiyan, and he said that counts as payment for the fabric. I know I’m taking advantage, but later I’ll find a way to buy some cotton and, if possible, make them each a cotton coat.”

Yao Xiangling finally smiled in satisfaction. “I told you before, he has feelings for you but he’s just reluctant. Honestly, Xiao He seems quite innocent.”

Jiang Yu felt a bit uneasy and looked away.

He Tingyue’s attitude toward her had indeed changed significantly, but she was starting to feel uncertain.

Before, she had rushed in without a second thought.

Now, with a clearer mind, she could see the gap between them.

“Auntie, let me take your measurements too. I’ll help you make a dress.”

Yao Xiangling wouldn’t refuse, it was her daughter’s filial piety.

“Make a couple more for yourself too. Keep some of that fabric for yourself, don’t let your parents take it from you.”

Jiang Yu nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely keep some for myself.”

If she truly couldn’t find a suitable man and had to go back to Nanghe Village, she wouldn’t take the fabric with her.

Wang Meili and Jiang Yonghua might not be as cunning as Jiang Hao, but as long as the Jiang family was in Nanghe Village, she wouldn’t sleep soundly.

After taking Yao Xiangling’s measurements, Jiang Yu started selecting fabric.

She planned to make skirts for herself and He Feiyan.

The weather in Beicheng was still warm, but it would cool down next month, so long sleeves would be more appropriate.

She kept the floral fabric for skirts, while Yao Xiangling preferred solid colors, so she saved a piece of beige for a blouse, planning to embroider the neckline.

As for He Tingyue’s clothes, she hadn’t decided whether to make him a single piece or a complete set.

Sitting by the sewing machine, she felt a tinge of distress.

Earlier, she had only thought of making clothes for him as a way to repay him for not accepting money.

Now she wondered if making clothes for him was crossing a line since they weren’t in a relationship.