Chapter 20 : Don’t compete with me for a partner

Jiang Yu sat in the return car with a cold expression, her previous chill now transformed into anger.

Even if she were just a stray cat or dog that had been raised for years, she couldn’t simply be tossed aside.

It was laughable that as a daughter, she was worth even less than a cat or dog.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at the glaring sunlight outside, biting her lip until tears welled up in her eyes.

Her chest was filled with a mix of grievance and rage, pressing against her from all sides, nearly tearing her apart.

She often felt touched by the slightest kindness from others because she had never been favored.

Yet, when someone did show her affection, she felt uneasy.

The love her aunt showed her always made her feel guilty, as if she didn’t deserve such kindness.

Back in the city, Jiang Yu composed herself, life had to go on.

She didn’t go home but headed to the shared courtyard.

Having been there a few times, she felt at ease and greeted everyone with a smile.

Xu Lihua spotted her immediately.

“Isn’t this Jiang Yu? Your sister isn’t home, I saw her go out.”

Jiang Yu smiled and replied, “I know, she went back to our family. I saw her at home.”

“Oh, back to her family again?” Xu Lihua’s words were directed at Lin Hongxia.

Jiang Yu noticed Lin Hongxia’s face darken, clearly displeased.

She walked over with a smile, “Auntie, my mom asked me to come and thank you.”

Lin Hongxia was confused. “Thank me for what?”

Jiang Yu tilted her head, appearing innocent.

“Didn’t you have my sister bring home some meat? My little brother hasn’t eaten meat in a long time, and my mom was so happy.”

Lin Hongxia’s face turned dark as a pot bottom.

She couldn’t even afford to buy meat for herself, and now Jiang Ting had brought some back to her family!

Just married, and already taking things from her in-laws to support her family.

Well, this is just wonderful!

Having achieved her goal, Jiang Yu felt refreshed and turned to leave.

As she turned around, she locked eyes with He Tingyue’s cold gaze.

Her smile froze at the corner of her lips, as if he could always catch her in the act whenever she did something wrong.

She bit her lip, feeling a hint of guilt.

But she hadn’t done anything wrong, it was Jiang Ting who had provoked her first.

Jiang Yu averted her gaze, lowered her head slightly, and quickly exited the courtyard.

He Feiyan brushed past her, stealing a few glances, utterly captivated.

“Elder brother, I just saw a beautiful woman. Is she from our courtyard? Who is she related to?”

He Tingyue replied mildly, “I don’t know.”

He Feiyan frowned, “Can you help me find out?”

“Why do you want to know?” he countered quietly.

He Feiyan stuck out her tongue, not daring to say more.

“Well, if you’re not going to say, I’ll ask myself!”

It was quite a coincidence; in the afternoon, she saw Jiang Yu again at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Jiang Yu was there to find Xie Fei fei.

She started talking to Xie Fei fei about how her parents wanted to trade her for a marriage, not realizing He Feiyan was eavesdropping.

Xie Fei fei was outraged. “What era is this? How can there still be such parents!”

As an only child, she didn’t understand the mindset of Wang Meili and Jiang Yonghua, who favored boys over girls.

Jiang Yu held her hand, her face full of worry.

“To be honest, my purpose for coming to the city is clear, to escape my parents. Marrying a city person is the best choice.”

Xie Fei fei nodded earnestly, “I understand. I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

Jiang Yu shook her head, lowering her eyelids.

“But I’ve realized it’s really hard to find a suitable man. I can only stay in the city for a couple of months, and when the time is up, I’ll have to go back. So, I’m afraid I’ll still end up being sold off by my parents. I want to ask you to help me look for a job. Any job would do, as long as I can stay.”

She had spoken to Yao Xiangling, who had offered to help her find a job within her means.

Jiang Yu figured she could just write an IOU and pay it back monthly.

Of course, Xie Fei fei couldn’t do it herself, but she could talk to her parents.

“Don’t worry, Jiang Yu. I’ll ask my parents when I get home.”

Jiang Yu held her forehead. “I’m really in a rush, but jobs aren’t that easy to come by. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll find a matchmaker and see if there’s a suitable partner.”

Xie Fei fei nodded, “Two-pronged approach: if you can’t find a job, then at least find a partner.”

Jiang Yu thought the same.

After thanking Xie Fei fei, she turned and spotted Zhao Qing.

Without a word, Zhao Qing ran over to Xie Fei fei, crying.

With her delicate features, she looked heartbreakingly beautiful when she cried, evoking sympathy.

Xie Fei fei was caught off guard and grabbed her hand.

“You’re Xie Fei fei, right?”

Xie Feifei was taken aback and nodded, suddenly feeling that Zhao Qing looked somewhat familiar.

Zhao Qing sobbed, “I beg you, please don’t steal my boyfriend!”

Her words shocked everyone, and the surroundings fell silent as they stared at them.

Oh? Two women competing for a boyfriend?

Xie Fei fei quickly reacted and pulled her hand away.

“Are you out of your mind? I don’t even know you!”

Zhao Qing quickly explained, “My boyfriend is Sun Zailiang, a mechanic from the Second Factory. I heard he gave you a red scarf before! I really like him, please don’t compete with me. You’re so much better off, you can find someone better!”

Xie Fei fei’s face turned red with anger. Zhao Qing’s words implied that she was the third party!

“I have nothing to do with Sun Zailiang! He did give me a red scarf, but he never told me he had a girlfriend! If I’d known he was taken, I wouldn’t have bothered with him at all!”

But Zhao Qing tearfully protested, “Then why did you accept his red scarf? What stage are you two at?”

Xie Fei fei was so infuriated she wanted to grab Zhao Qing.

“I’m telling you, we’re not involved. If you don’t believe me, let’s go to the Second Factory and confront Sun Zailiang!”

But Zhao Qing dodged her hand and ran outside, clearly not wanting to confront her.

It was Jiang Yu who reacted quickly, grabbing Zhao Qing.

“You can’t run! This matter isn’t resolved yet. If you run away, who will be responsible for the damage done to Xie Fei fei’s reputation? You can’t just leave it like this. Now everyone thinks Xie Fei fei is stealing your boyfriend. You should know how important a woman’s reputation is, right? This has to be clarified!”

Zhao Qing’s expression changed. She only wanted to teach Xie Fei fei a lesson and annoy her, she hadn’t thought about confronting anyone.

Otherwise, she might upset Sun Zailiang, and he could easily ditch her.

“Fine, if she says she isn’t, then she isn’t. I have to go to work, so I’m not discussing this anymore.”

Jiang Yu sneered, still holding onto her tightly.

“Since you’re going to the Second Factory to work, let’s go together and confront Sun Zailiang! Fei fei, let’s go!”