Chapter 44: Late Love Is Cheaper Than Grass — I Don’t Want It

Jiang Zhi Ning knew that starting a business wouldn’t be easy. It required a lot of preparation.

With the dowry money given by Song Yuzhou, she still had over 800 yuan. When it came to doing business, she preferred to take things step by step — starting small and growing from there. So, she decided to begin with a small workshop.

Having her space ability was like having a cheat code. She could grow all the ingredients needed for her spice base in there, significantly lowering production costs.

With her plan in place, Jiang Zhi Ning began taking action. First, she started by purchasing all kinds of seeds she needed.

Also, since they were out of rice at home, she decided to de-husk some of the grains from her space.

“Xixi, do you want to go out with Mommy?” Jiang Zhi Ning bent down and asked.

Xixi rubbed her sleepy eyes, “Xixi wants to nap.”

Seeing her like this, Jiang Zhi Ning thought for a moment and said, “Okay, I’ll hold you to sleep first. Once you’re asleep, I’ll go shopping.”

Xixi nodded and leaned softly into her arms.

As she cradled her and gently patted her back, Jiang Zhi Ning couldn’t help but think — when she was little, how she had wished someone would hold her like this and lull her to sleep.

Eventually, Xixi’s breathing evened out.

Looking at the peacefully sleeping little girl, Jiang Zhi Ning carried her into the small bedroom, placed her on the bamboo mat, covered her with a thin blanket, and quietly left the room.

With her small bag in hand, Jiang Zhi Ning headed out the door.

She went to the market to buy seeds and then, after making sure no one was watching, took out a basket of rice grains from her space and entered a nearby grain store.

There was a de-husking machine in the store, and the owner only charged a small fee.

After the de-husking process, the store owner was stunned as he looked at the pristine white rice: “This rice is amazing! The aroma is so strong. Girl, your family’s grains are excellent.”

“It’s not bad,” Jiang Zhi Ning smiled, then a thought struck her, “Big brother, my family had a good harvest this year and we’ve got surplus rice. Does your store buy grains?”

Hearing this, the store owner responded enthusiastically, “Of course! I’ve been selling rice for years — one look and I can tell this is high-quality stuff. It’ll sell well for sure.”

“You have a good eye,” Jiang Zhi Ning laughed. “How much are you offering per jin (500g)?”

“The government’s standard price this year is 1.9 yuan per jin. Your rice is good, so I’ll offer you 2.2,” he said with a grin.

Jiang Zhi Ning laughed, “Big brother, that’s too low. My rice is soft, fragrant, and high-quality — much better than average. That price doesn’t cut it.”

“It’s good rice, sure, but too expensive and it won’t sell,” the store owner tried to haggle.

“People are living better lives now. Those with money want to improve their meals. My rice has a market — why don’t I give you some to try before you decide?”

The store owner agreed, and Jiang Zhi Ning gave him a jin to sample before leaving.

The soil in her space was even richer than black earth. Thinking about the potential of her rice business, Jiang Zhi Ning felt optimistic.

Wearing high heels and walking with a light mood, she was just about to enter the military family compound when Shen Hao suddenly appeared from nowhere.

Seeing him, Jiang Zhi Ning ignored him completely.

Frustrated, Shen Hao grabbed her slender wrist, “Jiang Zhi Ning, are you blind? I’m standing right here!”

Jiang Zhi Ning smiled faintly, “To me, you’re no more noticeable than air. Let go, Comrade Shen Hao.”

His mood turned sour. She never used to speak to him like this.

“You really got married?” he asked again.

He suspected she had married a soldier and might be living here, so he came to try his luck — and actually ran into her!

“Of course. Why would I lie to you?” Jiang Zhi Ning warned, “If you don’t let go, I’ll call for help.”

But Shen Hao still wouldn’t let go. “Who’s your husband? I know you’re sad because I’m marrying Shen An’an, but you shouldn’t ruin yourself like this.”

Jiang Zhi Ning laughed as if she’d heard the biggest joke: “Shen Hao, don’t flatter yourself. My marriage has absolutely nothing to do with you.”

She yanked her hand away.

But after just a few steps, he grabbed her again. “Who is he?!”

“Let go,” Jiang Zhi Ning’s patience was clearly running thin.

“Answer me,” he demanded.

Their argument started drawing the attention of passersby.

Jiang Zhi Ning struggled, but he refused to loosen his grip.

Annoyed, she raised her knee and slammed it into his groin.

Shen Hao groaned in pain and instinctively let go.

As he bent over in agony, Jiang Zhi Ning arrogantly lifted her chin, “If you pester me again, I won’t mind crippling your manhood next time.”

“When did you become so vulgar?” Shen Hao said through clenched teeth and grabbed her again. “Who is your husband?”

Jiang Zhi Ning stepped closer, tilting her head. “Don’t tell me… you’ve fallen for me?”

Shen Hao’s expression twitched.

“Me? Like you? What a joke.”

Jiang Zhi Ning leaned in, her beautiful face magnified in front of him, making his ears burn red.

She tugged at his collar and said coldly, “There’s no such thing as ‘too late.’ Late love is cheaper than grass. I don’t want it.”

Then, she shoved him away and walked proudly back toward the compound.

Shen Hao watched her walk into the military compound without being stopped — jealousy and rage flooding his chest.

“She really did get married!”

“The man she likes can’t possibly be better than me. I have to find out who he is,” Shen Hao muttered angrily.

Her good mood was ruined — all thanks to Shen Hao.

She had a bad feeling. The way Shen Hao looked at her didn’t feel right.

She hadn’t told him that Song Yuzhou was her husband because she didn’t want to cause trouble for him.

After all, even though Song Yuzhou was only a company commander for now, the Shen family had influence in the military. If Shen Hao tried to trip him up, she was worried her husband would suffer for it.

Back home, just as Jiang Zhi Ning stepped over the threshold, she was startled by what she saw.

“Xixi!”

Xixi was lying on the ground, foaming at the mouth.