Chapter 58 : It’s My Pleasure

Jiang Yu stared blankly at him, wondering why he had changed clothes just to go home for a bit. Upon closer inspection, she realized that the outfit He Tingyue was wearing was the new one she had made for him.

It looked surprisingly fitting and quite nice.

He Feiyan stifled a laugh, thinking even a reserved peacock could show off its feathers sometimes.

When He Tingyue noticed her teasing gaze, he awkwardly turned his face away. “Just wait a moment.”

He turned and walked back into the kitchen, so Jiang Yu decided to wait outside.

I have to say, the south wing of the He family was really nice.

It had a small, independent courtyard, and there was enough space to grow some vegetables.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t a single responsible person in the He family, the courtyard was overgrown with weeds.

The main room was bright and spacious, almost as big as two normal rooms.

They had even built an additional kitchen and bathroom in the courtyard, which was very convenient.

However, like many others, it didn’t have an indoor toilet, so they had to go outside to use the public restroom and empty the chamber pots every day.

Yao Xiangling’s apartment was similar, and Jiang Yu still wasn’t quite used to it.

After waiting for a while without seeing He Tingyue, she was instead met by Jiang Ting.

Jiang Ting stood outside the south wing, her face sullen as she coldly stared at Jiang Yu.

Since the incident with the Duan family, the two sisters had indeed severed ties.

“You don’t really think that by getting close to He Feiyan, you can marry Section Chief He, do you?”

Jiang Yu ignored her, knowing there was no point in engaging.

Jiang Ting’s self-proclaimed cutting remarks felt like hitting a pillow, there was no response at all.

Her frustration grew, and she spat, “Jiang Yu, stop dreaming! You can only marry some rural guy, live a life of farming and childbearing, and work yourself to the bone forever!”

She had imagined countless times, dreaming of Jiang Yu ending up like her previous self, marrying a rural fool and living a life with no future.

Her fingers would be stained with dirt, her feet rough and cracked, suffering in the winter, and forced to work hard!

She had endured all those hardships.

Knowing she could have taken Fu Xiangyang for herself, she couldn’t understand why Jiang Yu didn’t follow the plan and marry in the countryside.

Jiang Ting’s resentment wasn’t just about her own bad luck, it was also about not seeing Jiang Yu suffer.

“I know you still want to find a job in the city, but even the city people don’t have jobs. What right do you have to compete with them? Those jobs don’t belong to you! Just like the newspaper office, even if they don’t want Duan Yuzhen, they still won’t hire you!”

Jiang Yu’s ears were ringing, and she frowned in impatience. “Are you done? If you’re done, leave. I don’t want to talk to you.”

Jiang Ting’s face turned green with rage, she naturally had more to say.

But He Tingyue stepped out at that moment, not even glancing at her as he walked straight to Jiang Yu’s side.

“Take this home with you.”

Jiang Yu looked at the bag he was holding, which contained two packages of peach crisps, two packages of peanuts, and a pack of White Rabbit milk candies.

These items weren’t cheap.

Jiang Yu quickly declined, “Leave it for your younger siblings, this is too precious.”

He Tingyue replied, “They don’t like it.”

Just then, He Zhengdong and He Lilan entered, exchanging glances.

“Big brother, I heard…” He Zhengdong started but was interrupted.

“Go inside and ask your sister.”

He Zhengdong simply replied, “Oh,” as he pulled He Lilan inside.

He Tingyue treated all three of his younger siblings similarly, not being overly polite or affectionate, more like a family head.

However, when he looked at Jiang Yu, his voice softened significantly.

“Should I take you back?”

Jiang Yu came to her senses and nodded.

“Okay.”

Outside in the courtyard, Jiang Ting felt her eyes reddening with jealousy.

“Section Chief He!”

Unable to hold back, she called out, trying to catch up to He Tingyue.

Since she had also contributed to what happened with He Feiyan today, He Tingyue was still somewhat courteous to her.

But Jiang Ting was oblivious to social cues and was determined to sabotage their relationship.

“Section Chief He! I don’t know how Jiang Yu fooled you, but she’s not as great as you think! I grew up with her, I know her inside and out. She’s a manipulative, materialistic woman! She doesn’t care for you as a person, she loves your status and your money! Don’t let her deceive you!”

He Tingyue looked at her coldly. “Are you finished?”

Jiang Ting faltered under his sharp gaze, feeling as though her inner ugliness was laid bare, causing her to blush.

“Once you’re done, listen carefully. She’s a hundred times better than I imagined. If my identity and wealth can attract her, then that’s my honor.”

His few words made Jiang Ting’s face turn ashen.

This was a conclusion He Tingyue had reached after thinking for a while.

Although He Feiyan didn’t have much experience in relationships, she had a clear grasp of the underlying principles.

She once asked He Tingyue, “Do you hope I’ll marry into the countryside? Forget about character, just consider the conditions. Imagine a family with nothing, bare walls, a meager income of only a few coins a year.”

He Tingyue had remained silent, knowing it was impossible.

If that day ever came, he would break He Feiyan’s legs.

“Since that’s the case, what’s wrong with Jiang Yu wanting to find a man with good conditions? Is it wrong to seek material stability? Should she only marry someone with poor conditions? In my opinion, with your reserved personality, what else can attract Jiang Yu besides external conditions?”

“Marrying a man means having clothes to wear and food to eat, isn’t that what it’s all about? If the conditions are poor, who can be assured of giving you children to inherit your dishes and pots?”

He Tingyue couldn’t help but admit that this was an enlightening moment for him, realizing that his previous doubts and conflicts had been utterly foolish.

Jiang Yu wanted those things, he had them all, and he was even better than others. He should be happy.

Men earn money to support their wives and families, right?

Not even daring to admit he liked women, he was no different from a coward.

“Comrade Jiang, since you’ve married Fu Xiangyang, focus on your own life and stop meddling in others’ affairs!”

Jiang Yu and Jiang Ting were both frozen in place.

But her heart was racing, thumping loudly, as if it were right beside her ear.

She touched her cheek with the back of her hand, surprised at how hot it felt.

But He Tingyue’s words replayed in her mind like a movie, over and over.

Were those sincere words, or just meant to brush off Jiang Ting?

The more she thought about it, the more confused she became.

She was a coward, too scared to ask.

He Tingyue had already gotten on his bicycle, the sturdy frame looking small against his broad build.

“Want to get on?”

Jiang Yu’s voice was barely above a whisper, and she murmured an agreement.

Once she sat on the back, her thoughts were a jumble, and she didn’t notice as the bicycle rolled into a pothole.

The sudden jolt startled her, and with a brief scream, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his slim waist.