Chapter 5 : Don’t Follow Me

After discussing Jiang Ting’s situation, Yao Xiangling looked at her.

Jiang Yu was beautiful, even from birth, she was more attractive than other children.

Yao Xiangling had noticed this and had considered adopting her.

“And what about you? Jiang Ting is getting married, how about your marriage prospects?”

Jiang Yu leaned on the table, tracing circles with her fingers.

“Auntie, I want to marry someone from the city.”

Yao Xiangling scoffed, “Do you think city folks are like cabbages that you can just pick one? Jiang Ting got lucky, the Fu family is indeed decent. Why don’t you try to make an effort for yourself?”

Jiang Yu hesitated, thinking that even if she mentioned Fu Xiangyang had issues, Auntie wouldn’t believe her.

“Jiang Ting said she wants to marry, I’m the older sister, so it doesn’t make sense for me to compete with her.”

Yao Xiangling pushed her forehead lightly, looking frustrated.

“Women have two chances to be reborn: one is when they are born, and the other is when they marry. You can’t let this go!”

She didn’t treat Jiang Yu as her own child, but she had some affection for her, naturally favoring her.

“Your parents value sons over daughters. Once Jiang Ting is married, you’ll be the only one left for them to plan for. Think about it carefully. City folks aren’t easy to marry, anyone with sense wouldn’t look for a country girl.”

Yao Xiangling didn’t have a god’s perspective, she didn’t know about Fu Xiangyang’s issues.

From her point of view, the Fu family was quite good, and it was a shame Jiang Yu hadn’t seized the opportunity.

Before Jiang Yu left, Yao Xiangling slipped her some pocket money.

“Thank you, Auntie!” Jiang Yu felt happy again.

The two sisters met up at the bus station, and Jiang Ting looked quite upset as she approached from a distance.

Jiang Yu asked, “Didn’t you meet Fu Xiangyang?”

Jiang Ting huffed, “What’s it to you?”

This time, Jiang Yu couldn’t hold back. If Jiang Ting wanted to marry whoever she liked, that was her choice, Jiang Yu wasn’t competing or objecting. Why did it feel like they were at odds?

“Jiang Ting, are you sick? Or do you have a persecution complex? You said you wanted to marry Fu Xiangyang, did I say anything against it? Or am I competing for a man?”

Jiang Ting was momentarily speechless, after all, Fu Xiangyang had been her man in her previous life.

She felt irritated because, in truth, it was her own despicable and shameless act of taking Jiang Yu’s engagement.

Realizing this made Jiang Ting furious, which turned into animosity towards Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu didn’t want to deal with her anymore, so she directly got on the bus and found a corner seat.

When they got home, she learned that the matchmaker had sent a message saying that Jiang Ting was to meet Fu Xiangyang at the state-run hotel the next morning.

After they met, they would probably discuss marriage, and both families thought the sooner, the better.

Wang Meili declared, “Tomorrow your sister will accompany you! I said her taste is good, look at the clothes she picked for you, they’re so pretty!”

Jiang Yu didn’t take credit “Mom, I didn’t pick the clothes, Jiang Ting liked them herself.”

It turned out Wang Meili had the same taste as Jiang Ting, they were indeed mother and daughter.

Wang Meili didn’t care about those details, she just wanted Jiang Yu to accompany Jiang Ting tomorrow.

Jiang Ting protested, “I can go by myself.”

What if Fu Xiangyang liked Jiang Yu better since she looked better than her?

But Wang Meili was firm “No more discussion, your sister is going with you!”

Jiang Ting felt a bit angry, thinking that tomorrow she must not let Jiang Yu show her face in front of Fu Xiangyang.

…

The next day, Jiang Ting wore her pink floral shirt, her face full of joy.

Jiang Yu, on the other hand, wore her own dress, which highlighted her slim waist and graceful figure.

Jiang Ting was initially pleased with her shirt, but now, seeing the comparison, she thought Jiang Yu’s dress looked even better.

“Jiang Yu, I want to swap with you! It’s not even your blind date, why are you dressed so nicely?”

Jiang Yu pouted, “Fine, let’s swap.”

Jiang Ting was even slimmer than her, so the dress would definitely fit.

The two exchanged clothes.

But when Jiang Yu put on the pink floral shirt, her fair skin made her look like peach blossoms in spring, absolutely stunning.

Jiang Ting bit her lip tightly, “Forget it, I just like my new shirt!”

Jiang Yu responded, “…What’s wrong with you?”

They switched back again.

As soon as they got in the car, Jiang Ting reminded her several times, “You’re not allowed to follow me to the state-run restaurant later. Go out and look around on your own.”

Jiang Yu wrinkled her nose and huffed, “How can I shop without any money?”

Jiang Ting was furious. “You took a dollar from me yesterday when we went shopping together!”

“I’ve spent all my money.”

Jiang Ting gritted her teeth, thinking what a spendthrift Jiang Yu was!

Wang Meili had stuffed two dollars into her pocket when she went out, leaving her with three.

After a moment of hesitation, she reluctantly gave Jiang Yu a dollar.

“Go out on your own and don’t follow me.”

Jiang Yu “reluctantly” agreed.

As soon as they got out of the car, Jiang Ting couldn’t wait to put some distance between them and quickly ran off.

With four dollars in her pocket, Jiang Yu felt confident enough to go shopping. Money truly gave her a sense of security.

She went to look for Yao Xiangling again, but this time she was nowhere to be found, as she was out on a business trip.

Jiang Yu asked for the address and turned to search for Yao Xiangling.

The male clerk she had met yesterday called out to her, approaching with a flushed face.

“Comrade, my name is Zhuang Yihang. What’s your name? Are you Director Yao’s relative, and are you from the city as well?”

Seeing his red face, Jiang Yu realized he must have taken a liking to her.

It wasn’t that she was vain, it was just that every morning when she looked in the mirror, she thought she looked beautiful.

Her mind raced through various thoughts in a short time.

Zhuang Yihang was a temporary worker at the street office, not yet a full-time employee, and his salary wasn’t high. She didn’t know much about his family situation.

He had an average appearance, the kind that wouldn’t stand out in a crowd.

In terms of height, Jiang Yu estimated he was about five centimeters taller than her, around 1.7 meters.

Overall, he was just okay.

“My name is Jiang Yu. I don’t live in the city, my home is in Nanghe Village.”

The light in Zhuang Yihang’s eyes visibly dimmed.

As soon as Jiang Yu saw it, she knew it was hopeless.

Just the label of being a “country girl” could dissuade many men.

“Comrade Zhuang, I won’t disturb your work any longer, I need to go find my aunt.”

“Ah? Oh, go ahead.”

As she walked away, he was still a little dazed.

A senior colleague noticed his dazed expression and advised him, “Xiao Zhuang, don’t be fooled by appearances.”

Zhuang Yihang blushed, “Sister Ren, I… I didn’t mean that. I was just talking to Comrade Jiang.”

Sister Ren sighed, “Jiang Yu is indeed pretty, but she’s from the countryside, not a good match for you. If you don’t want to deal with a bunch of poor relatives later, take my advice and don’t date a country girl.”

Zhuang Yihang remained silent, his mother had said similar things.

But when he thought of Jiang Yu’s face, he considered that if she were willing to behave better and charm his mother, it might not be impossible.

“The girl I introduced to you last time has both parents working. She would be a good match for you. Want to meet her?”

Zhuang Yihang scratched his head, “Sister Ren, my mom said she would handle it, so I’ll listen to her.”

Sister Ren shrugged and didn’t say anything more.