Chapter 10: Doomed, Doomed!

“Ouch, that hurt!”

Yan Xiaoyue couldn’t help but exclaim, clutching Jin Chao’s waist tightly.

Her eyes flickered, and she suddenly wanted to touch his waist. As her hand moved down his back, Jin Chao’s muscles tensed.

“Yan Xiaoyue, take your hand away!” Jin Chao’s low voice sounded, and Yan Xiaoyue snapped back to reality.

She realized she must have been crazy to test the waters with a tiger.

For the rest of the journey, Yan Xiaoyue walked forward with a tense face, showing no inappropriate behavior.

After Jin Chao and Yan Xiaoyue left, the Yan family was in an uproar.

“Second son, is what you said true?”

Old Man Yan stood up abruptly, tapping his tobacco pipe to hide his embarrassment before slowly sitting down again.

“Dad, Xiaoyue told me herself, how could it be false?” Yan Shu patted his chest.

These past few days, he’d known his parents’ worries, so he’d taken the opportunity to ask.

“That’s good.” Mu Fangru clasped her hands together and bowed to a statue of Guanyin.

“May Guanyin Bodhisattva bless Xiaoyue with happiness.”

“Mom, I think Xiaoyue has Jin Chao wrapped around her finger. She even got him to help us start a business!”

As soon as Yan Shu finished speaking, Old Man Yan’s face hardened.

Yan Shu knew he’d said the wrong thing and began to recount today’s events.

Old Man Yan tapped his pipe and asked in a deep voice, “Is what your sister said true? Do you really have a problem?”

“Mom, look at what Dad’s saying. It’s all because of Wang Yunyun.”

Yan Shu had only met Wang Yunyun once before their wedding. On their wedding night, two strangers were naturally unwilling to share a bed.

Wang Yunyun said they would sleep together only after she fell in love with him. Yan Shu respected that, never imagining she would cheat on him.

After hearing Yan Shu’s story, the room fell silent.

The town wasn’t far from the village, only a few minutes by bike.

Arriving in town, Yan Xiaoyue jumped off the bike, massaging her numb bottom. She wanted to curse.

Jin Chao glanced over, and she quickly looked away, pursing her lips and cursing inwardly.

“There’s only one tailor shop in town. I’ll take you to see the clothes they make. If you don’t like them, we’ll go to the city tomorrow.”

Jin Chao took her hand and walked into the shop.

Yan Xiaoyue tried to pull away but couldn’t. She shivered involuntarily.

Did Jin Chao know how she got the marks on her neck?

It must have been this dog man, trying to strangle her.

With this realization, Yan Xiaoyue felt her usually slow brain finally start to work.

She had to maximize her value to ensure her survival.

“Boss, we need clothes made.” Jin Chao walked into the shop, attracting everyone’s attention.

Yan Xiaoyue felt coming out with Jin Chao was a mistake.

“You want clothes made?”

A stout woman came out and asked Jin Chao.

“No, she does.”

Jin Chao stepped aside, revealing her.

Yan Xiaoyue twitched her mouth. Was she “she” again?

She decided then and there: if she didn’t carve her name into Jin Chao’s heart, she wouldn’t be Yan Xiaoyue.

“Sister, you’re so beautiful! I want two outfits. Could you take my measurements?” Yan Xiaoyue smiled brightly at the stout woman.

Even though she was a bit dark and thin, everyone knows a smiling face is hard to refuse.

“Okay, come here.”

The stout woman had Yan Xiaoyue stand and began taking measurements.

Yan Xiaoyue thought of the various fruits and vegetables in her space, enough to make her plump and healthy.

“Sister, make it a size larger. In case I get pregnant, I can still wear it.” She found an excuse. Cloth was scarce these days; people expected to wear a garment for ten or eight years, so making it loose was normal.

“Okay, your husband is very handsome.” The stout woman glanced at Jin Chao again before noting down the measurements, making each one a bit larger.

“How does this look?”

The stout woman handed her the order. Yan Xiaoyue looked at it. Understanding traditional crafts, she had made many things herself. While not an expert tailor, she could do it.

She looked at the measurements, impressed.

“Sister, you’re amazing! Your measurements are perfect. I’ll come to you again next time.”

As soon as Yan Xiaoyue finished speaking, a giggling voice came from behind. “Aunt, can you make this style? If so, let’s cooperate.”

A sweet voice, she slowly turned around and softly called, “Sister.”

She remembered her older sister had gotten into university. Why was she still in town?

“Xiaoyue, you’re here to get clothes made? Aunt, this is my sister. Give us a discount, okay?” Yan Zhitang smiled brightly.

When they were young, their aunt had taken care of their twin brothers, leaving Yan Zhitang with their grandmother. Even their grandmother focused on the twin brothers. Their older sister had mostly grown up with their mother, Mu Fangru.

She had grown into a kind person, always understanding and extra kind to their aunt and grandmother.

Even at home, their aunt often made her wash the family’s clothes, and she did so without complaint.

Oh well.

When she transmigrated, she thought the author had showered the protagonist with all the love.

Now, through the original owner’s memories, she understood that everything comes with a price. With such a miserable childhood, her older sister didn’t deserve it.

As the saying goes, great achievements require great sacrifices.

“Sure, sure.”

The stout woman’s smile faded, and she looked seriously at the design.

Yan Xiaoyue was also curious and tiptoed to look. The pattern was from an ancient book she had once replicated.

“It’s beautiful.”

She couldn’t help but praise it. The style suited the current fashion.

In recent years, small suit styles had become popular, and with the pattern, it was a perfect blend of eras, highlighting the characteristics of this era.

“If you like it, let Aunt make you one?” Yan Zhitang’s eyes lit up. Having someone like and wear her designs was her dream.

“Okay.”

Yan Xiaoyue was startled and nodded. This style was more appealing.

She remembered several retro fashion trends in the future, including this style, proving its timeless appeal.

“Aunt, the usual way will do. Mine should be made first. I’ll be leaving for school in a few days and can help you get more business then.”

Yan Xiaoyue didn’t know what Yan Zhitang meant by “the usual way,” but when she heard it, Yan Zhitang pulled her out.

They ran into Jin Chao at the door. She saw Yan Zhitang glance at him several times, frowning in displeasure.

Leaning down, she whispered in her ear, “It’s best to stay away from people like that. They’re clearly not good people, so fierce.”

Yan Xiaoyue smiled awkwardly. Jin Chao was from the army; his hearing must have been excellent.

She only had one thought: Doomed, doomed!