Chapter 16

The eldest sister-in-law took one look at her and burst into laughter.

“In Cha Family Village, almost every household is related in some way. Every new bride who comes here needs time to recognize everyone. When I first arrived, I was just as confused as you. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.”

“There are many aunts and sisters-in-law in the village, and to avoid confusion, everyone just uses names directly now. You can call me Sister Guifang.”

Jiang Tiantian smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Sister Guifang. What are you all going to do?”

“It’s the matsutake mushroom season now. We’re heading up the mountain to gather some.”

Wow, matsutake mushrooms?

That’s a real delicacy.

Jiang Tiantian immediately thought of the high-end Japanese restaurants where matsutake sashimi could cost 2,000 yuan per serving. Her appetite was instantly awakened.

“Can I come with you?”

She had never experienced picking matsutake mushrooms herself, and it sounded like a fascinating experience.

Not to mention, the process would make for excellent video content.

Fifth Aunt looked at the small bruises still visible on Jiang Tiantian’s left cheek and hesitated. A delicate girl like her—could she really handle hours of trekking through the mountains?

But seeing the excitement in her eyes and remembering how determined she had been against Ayi Duo yesterday, she changed her mind.

“If you really want to go, you can, but you’d better go back and change your shoes. The mountain paths are slippery, and those white shoes of yours won’t do at all. They’ll be ruined by the time we return.”

Jiang Tiantian nodded excitedly. “Okay! I’ll go change now. Walk slowly and wait for me!”

Before they could reply, she turned and dashed off like the wind.

Second Aunt watched her running figure and chuckled. “Jiuzhang really married the right girl. She has a good temperament, and she’s not as delicate as city girls. She’s bold and energetic.”

Fifth Aunt thought of Jiang Tiantian’s mother and sister and the way they had subtly looked down on the villagers yesterday. She nodded.

“This younger sister is really different from her mother and sister—she’s a straightforward person.”

She turned to her daughter. “San Ya, you’re about the same age as her. Make sure she gets to know the other young people in the village, so she doesn’t feel like an outsider.”

San Ya nodded. “Mom, I know. Don’t worry.”

“You don’t know how quickly news spread yesterday. Everyone’s talking about the marriage exchange and the fight between her and Ayi Duo.”

“People are really curious about her.”

“I still don’t get why her sister would reject Brother Jiuzhang. He’s such a good man and the first university student from our village. How could she look down on him?”

“In the nearby villages, every girl of marriageable age has dreamed of marrying Brother Jiuzhang. They just didn’t have Ayi Duo’s guts to say it outright.”

Fifth Aunt tapped her daughter’s forehead.

“What do you know, little girl?”

“The Jiang family is from the provincial capital. Just look at Old Master Jiang’s demeanor yesterday—he’s not an ordinary man.”

“I heard he’s quite accomplished. It’s understandable that his granddaughter wouldn’t be interested in Jiuzhang. If it weren’t for the arranged marriage between the families, she probably wouldn’t have come here at all.”

Second Aunt added, “That’s why I say Jiang Tiantian is a good person—she’s sensible and knows how to handle things.”

She turned to her eldest daughter-in-law. “Spend more time with her when you can. It won’t hurt.”

The daughter-in-law smiled. “Got it, Mom.”

—-

Back at the Cha family home, Jiang Tiantian rummaged through her luggage.

Besides the white sneakers she was wearing, she only had a pair of plastic sandals and the round-toed leather shoes she had worn yesterday.

None of them were suitable.

She really missed her old hiking and trekking shoes.

Could she ask Xiao Qi to order a pair through the system?

Xiao Qi’s voice immediately responded in her mind:

“Tiantian, sorry, but you don’t have enough coins to buy those kinds of shoes yet.”

“A pair of hiking shoes costs even more than the lingerie set you bought last night.”

“But your two uploaded videos are steadily gaining views and followers. You should keep posting more videos.”

—-

Cha Jiuzhang saw Jiang Tiantian rush back into the house in a hurry early in the morning.

Following her inside, he watched her search through her belongings and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Tiantian turned to him with a pitiful expression.

“I want to go with Fifth Aunt and the others to pick matsutake mushrooms, but I don’t have suitable shoes.”

Cha Jiuzhang originally wanted to remind her that the mountain was steep, and the journey was tough. A city girl like her might slow everyone down.

Gathering matsutake mushrooms was an important source of income for many families.

But seeing her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, he couldn’t bring himself to discourage her.

He glanced at her feet.

“Wait here. I’ll go ask Mom.”

A few minutes later, Zuo Mingyan arrived with a pair of rubber-soled work shoes that were about 80% new.

“Tiantian, what size do you wear? Try these on and see if they fit.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Jiang Tiantian quickly thanked her, thinking that once she earned enough coins, she’d buy her mother-in-law a good pair of hiking shoes.

She tried them on and looked up at Zuo Mingyan in disappointment.

“Mom, they seem a size too big.”

Zuo Mingyan knelt down, pressed on her toes, and checked the empty space in the shoes.

“No problem. I have some new insoles. Wait here, I’ll get a pair.”

With that, she stood up and left.

Cha Jiuzhang looked at Jiang Tiantian and couldn’t help but ask,

“Do you really want to go? Climbing the mountain is tough and tiring.”

“Yes!”

Jiang Tiantian nodded eagerly, her eyes shining. “I’ve never picked matsutake mushrooms before. I really want to try!”

Cha Jiuzhang patted her head indulgently.

“Alright, then let’s go.”

Then, he turned and left.

He returned a moment later, having changed his shoes and carrying a backpack. He also brought a smaller basket for Jiang Tiantian.

Jiang Tiantian placed the insoles inside the shoes and tried them on again—they fit perfectly.

She happily hugged Zuo Mingyan.

“Thanks, Mom! I’ll bring back some matsutake mushrooms to add to our meal!”

“Silly girl, matsutake mushrooms aren’t easy to find. Just stay safe, that’s the most important thing.”

Zuo Mingyan patted her shoulder encouragingly.

“Go on now.”

When the two of them stepped outside, Tea Jiuzhang was already waiting in the courtyard.

“Mom, I’ll go with her.”

Zuo Mingyan clapped her hands together.

“Oh! I should’ve thought of that earlier. That’s perfect—Jiuzhang knows the mountain paths well.”

Jiang Tiantian smiled gratefully at Cha Jiuzhang and took the small bamboo basket he handed her. She curiously examined it before excitedly strapping it on.

“Mom, we’re leaving now!”

“Wait a second.”

Tea Chengye came out of the kitchen and packed a few flatbreads, some dried meat, and a military-style canteen of tea into Cha Jiuzhang’s backpack.

Then, he handed them each a large steamed bun.

“Eat this first, just to tide you over.”

He turned to Cha Jiuzhang.

“If she gets too tired, bring her back early. Don’t linger in the mountains too long.”

Cha Jiuzhang nodded. “Got it. Don’t worry. We’re heading out now.”

With that, he led Jiang Tiantian out the door.