Chapter 14

Jiang Tiantian caught a whiff of the medicinal ointment on her body, recalling Cha Jiuzhang’s flushed ears and his hurried escape just moments ago. She hid under the blanket and giggled.

Because her skin was so fair, the bruises all over her body looked quite shocking.

After taking a bath, she applied the ointment to the visible bruises on her face and limbs. However, she couldn’t reach her shoulders and back.

She checked in the mirror and decided that the bruises needed treatment. Otherwise, they wouldn’t fade anytime soon.

So, she called Cha Jiuzhang into the room to help her apply the medicine.

Jiang Tiantian removed her outerwear, leaving only a vest, and lay on the bed.

Cha Jiuzhang entered the room, keeping his gaze steady. He carefully pushed her damp, silky black hair to one side and gently applied the ointment to the bruises on her shoulders and back.

Then, he rubbed his palms together to warm them and lightly massaged the area, helping the medicine absorb better and promoting circulation to heal the bruises faster.

His gaze drifted downward, spotting another bruise on her exposed waist. He asked,

“There’s a bruise on your waist too. Have you applied medicine there?”

Jiang Tiantian, feeling relaxed as she enjoyed the slight roughness of his calloused hands gliding over her skin, felt a tingling sensation.

It was an itch—deep in her bones.

A shivery, numbing sensation.

Hearing his question, she ordered, “I haven’t applied any there. You do it for me.”

Cha Jiuzhang glanced at her contented, half-closed eyes and found it amusing. She looked just like the little tabby cat he had as a child, purring in bliss after he stroked its fur.

So, he carefully lifted her vest slightly.

Seeing the large bruise on her lower back, his brows furrowed. He recalled how desperately she had fought that afternoon, and his heart ached.

He wasn’t someone who liked explaining himself, but at this moment, he felt some things needed to be made clear to Jiang Tiantian.

“Ayi Duo’s father is the village chief of Soyang Village on the other side of the mountain. He has helped our Cha Family Village many times in the past.”

“I didn’t want to strain relations between our villages. So from the start, I clearly explained to him that I’ve been engaged since childhood and could never marry his daughter. He understood.”

“In the past, out of respect for the bond between our villages, I couldn’t be too harsh on Ayi Duo. She’s just stubborn, not a bad person.”

“Acuo grew up with her. They’re childhood sweethearts. You must have noticed how much he likes her this afternoon.”

Jiang Tiantian nodded, recalling the handsome young man whose eyes were filled with affection when he looked at Ayi Duo.

“In my eyes, Ayi Duo and Acuo are a perfect match. I thought that, given time, she would realize who truly cared for her.”

Jiang Tiantian turned to look at Cha Jiuzhang and said seriously,

“That’s where you’re wrong. You men don’t understand women’s hearts. A girl like Ayi Duo—so single-minded—you should never have given her even the slightest hope.”

Cha Jiuzhang pondered for a moment and nodded.

“It was my mistake for not handling it properly before. That’s why she came looking for me again today.”

“But I promise, she won’t come again in the future.”

So from now on, you don’t have to fight so hard.

Do you know how painful it was for me to watch you get thrown around again and again today?

You were always meant to be cherished and protected.

Jiang Tiantian, thinking of her own heroic performance today, praised herself inwardly.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already taken care of it for you today. I doubt she’ll come back.”

“Besides, with a strong opponent like me, she should be the one feeling insecure.”

Cha Jiuzhang chuckled at this proud little girl and continued applying the medicine carefully.

As he rubbed the ointment into her skin, he noticed how soft and smooth it was. The combination of her delicate skin and the slippery ointment made it feel like his palm was being absorbed into her body.

He steadied himself, looking at her slender waist, and instinctively measured it with his hands.

It was so thin.

Would it snap if he held it too tightly?

She needed to be fed better.

Once he finished applying the medicine, he gently pulled her vest back down, covering that distracting slim waist. Just as he was about to ask if she needed ointment anywhere else, Jiang Tiantian suddenly flipped over and sat up.

“Oh, right! Do you have any bruises? Do you want me to apply medicine for you?”

With just a thin, traditional tank top covering her upper body, there was no way it could conceal her well-developed curves.

Cha Jiuzhang watched, wide-eyed, as her two soft mounds bounced twice when she moved.

His mind went blank, and his nose tingled.

In a panic, he shoved the ointment into her hands.

“You do it yourself!”

Then, he bolted out the door.

Jiang Tiantian was stunned.

She watched as Cha Jiuzhang nearly ran into the doorframe, steadied himself, and then dashed away with his face covered.

She looked down at herself—and finally realized.

Compared to her previous life, this body was exceptionally well-proportioned. Especially with that tiny waist, the contrast made the curves even more dramatic.

Even she thought she looked a little too seductive.

Her face flushed, and she smacked her forehead.

It was all because Du Yulan, her so-called mother, never paid attention to her.

After Jiang Tiantian hit puberty, she developed too well. Combined with her delicate face, it made Du Yulan uncomfortable.

So she constantly drilled the same words into her head:

“Your appearance is improper. You don’t look like a decent woman. Be extra careful in front of others.”

Because of this, Jiang Tiantian grew up feeling self-conscious about her body and looks.

She kept her bangs long, avoided eye contact, and never dared to stand up straight—always timid and reserved.

And Du Yulan never even thought of buying her a proper bra.

She had been wearing these loose, old-fashioned tank tops all this time.

“Are there any women’s undergarments available on the platform? Can I buy a couple first?”

She hadn’t noticed before, but now she felt uncomfortable. It was too loose, offering no support—no sense of security at all.

If the platform didn’t have any, she’d have to find a chance to go to town and look for some.

But it was only the early 1980s. Would there even be as many styles as in modern times?

Wait—Jiang Tiantian suddenly froze.

This was a great business opportunity!

She could sell them herself!

No matter the era, women’s desire to look beautiful never changed.

“As of now, your accumulated fan coins total 58,763.”

“These are the available lingerie styles within your current gold coin balance.”

Jiang Tiantian’s consciousness entered the system, and she saw hundreds of undergarment designs floating on the light screen.

She picked a few that matched her previous tastes—ones with subtle floral patterns, embroidery, or lace trims that looked elegant and luxurious.

But when she saw the prices, she was shocked.