Chapter 36

Big Sister looked at Xiaofang with a complex expression, immediately understanding the situation.

“Sigh…”

She let out a deep sigh.

“I told you long ago—some things are better let go before they take root in your heart.”

“Why put yourself through this?”

“Besides, you and Songzi had that kind of relationship. A man like Cha Jiuzhang—whether he already has a wife or not—would never touch a brother’s woman.”

Xiaofang immediately threw herself into Big Sister’s arms, sobbing. “But Songzi has been gone for two years!”

“Can’t I pursue my own happiness?”

Big Sister let out a long sigh and patted her back. “Xiaofang, listen to me.”

“Last time, I introduced you to that county supply and marketing cooperative director. He’s just in his early thirties, has a child, but he’s still young, capable, and family-oriented. If his wife hadn’t passed away from illness, you wouldn’t even have the chance to meet him.”

“He’s quite satisfied with you and is sincerely proposing marriage. Stop being stubborn and think about it.”

“A man like Cha Jiuzhang… you won’t be able to hold onto him.”

“You’ve seen that girl today, right? With a figure and looks like that—what do you have to compete with her?”

Hearing this, Xiaofang felt even worse. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

If he had no interest in her, then why was he so kind to her before?

Before Jiang Tiantian came, she still held onto a sliver of hope. But after seeing her in person, all that was left was despair.

She had an instinctual feeling—Cha Jiuzhang would definitely like that girl. And with his personality, once he set his eyes on someone, he would never let go.

Suddenly, a soft and sweet voice called out from behind, “Mama.”

Xiaofang quickly straightened up, wiped away her tears, and turned around with a smile.

“Chunni, you’re awake?”

“Do you need to use the restroom? Mama will take you.”

Chunni rubbed her eyes, yawned, then nodded and stretched out her arms toward her mother.

Xiaofang bent down, picked up her daughter, and said to Big Sister, “Big Sister, can you watch the store for me? I’ll take Chunni to the restroom.”

Big Sister quickly waved her hand. “Go ahead, go ahead. I’ll be here.”

Watching Xiaofang carry her daughter out, Big Sister felt a deep ache in her heart.

Back then, the whole family took turns persuading her to abort the child. Songzi was already gone, and keeping the baby would only be a burden.

But no matter what, she refused.

And now?

A single woman dragging along a child—how could life be easy?

After leaving Xiaofang’s Tailor Shop, Jiang Tiantian couldn’t shake off the heavy mood.

What was a joyful day was now only half as bright.

Seeing the sun already past noon, she picked a small roadside eatery and decided to satisfy her hunger.

When a steaming bowl of lamb rice noodles was placed before her, nothing else mattered anymore.

The tender lamb, the soft and chewy rice noodles, the rich and creamy broth—paired with seasonings, mint, and a side of pickled radish—made for a meal so delicious it could make a person ascend to heaven.

Indeed, good food could cure all bad moods.

And if one bowl wasn’t enough?

Then have another.

Jiang Tiantian decisively ordered a second bowl.

By now, the lunch rush had passed, and the shop was nearly empty. Seeing how much she enjoyed her food, the kind-hearted owner even gifted her a small plate of pickled cucumbers and a lamb trotter.

What generosity!

As they chatted, the owner proudly shared that the lamb was raised on their own farm, the broth had been simmered overnight, the mint was freshly picked every morning by the Qingjiang River, and even the pickled radish and cucumbers were homegrown and homemade.

Pure, natural, organic, and pollution-free.

Jiang Tiantian gave her a thumbs-up. “The broth is incredible. In one word—perfect!”

While eating, she casually asked if there were any warehouses for rent nearby—preferably large and in a secluded area.

After satisfying her hunger, Jiang Tiantian felt rejuvenated again.

She continued wandering around town, heading in the direction the owner had mentioned.

At the same time, she instructed Xiao Qi to edit and upload the video clips she had taken of the lamb rice noodles—both the cooking process and the tasting session.

Food reviews and culinary vlogs were great for attracting followers. This could be turned into a separate content series moving forward.

As Jiang Tiantian strolled toward the outskirts of town, she suddenly heard someone pleading.

Curious, she peeked into a nearby alley—right into the middle of a robbery.

A thin, fair-skinned, and delicate-looking man had his glasses knocked askew, his hair in disarray. He clutched his chest and whimpered, “I really don’t have any money.”

“Bullshit! You think I’m stupid? Your family used to run such a big business—how could you have no money?”

The mugger was a burly man with a baby face.

He smacked the scrawny man on the head. “Stop pretending to be broke. Hand over the cash!”

The scrawny man held his clothes tightly, his voice trembling, “That was in the past. My family really has no money now… only a few empty houses left. Do you… do you want one of them instead?”

The baby-faced thug tried to look fierce, but his big round puppy-dog eyes completely ruined the effect.

He was…

Adorably aggressive!

Annoyed by the sniveling display, the thug barked, “Lie down! I’ll search you myself!”

Terrified, the scrawny man collapsed to the ground, burying his head like an ostrich while covering the back of his head with both hands—his butt sticking high in the air.

The baby-faced thug groaned in frustration at the ridiculous posture. “Damn it! Be more civilized! I’m robbing you for money, not anything else…”

“Pfft—”

Jiang Tiantian couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.

“Who’s there?!”

The baby-faced thug turned around and saw a beautiful young woman standing casually at the entrance of the alley, walking toward them with an air of ease.

Annoyance flickered across his face at the interruption. “Can’t you see I’m in the middle of something? Take another route!”

Jiang Tiantian didn’t stop. She walked straight up to them and pointed at the scrawny man. “I’m looking for him.”

“F***, how much money do you owe people?!”

The thug kicked the scrawny man, flattening him completely onto the ground.

The scrawny man scrambled up, fixed his glasses, and looked at Jiang Tiantian in confusion. “I don’t know her.”

The thug frowned, wary. “Then why are you here?”

He had a strange gut feeling—this girl was not someone to mess with.

“Relax, I’m not exactly a good person myself.”

The thug: “?”

The scrawny man: “?”

Realizing her slip of the tongue, Jiang Tiantian quickly corrected herself, “I mean, I came for something good.”

The scrawny man looked even more confused. He had already hit rock bottom—what good could possibly come his way?

“Your family owns an empty warehouse on the outskirts of town, right?”

“Are you renting it out? I want to lease it.”

The scrawny man’s eyes lit up. “Yes! Of course!”

“Great. Show me the place, and if it’s suitable, I’ll rent it.”

The warehouse was about 500 meters away—technically outside town, but not too far.

When they arrived, the scrawny man unlocked the gates with a nostalgic sigh. “This was once used to store medicinal herbs.”

But now, it had no use.

Jiang Tiantian was quite satisfied with the place—several large storage rooms and a spacious courtyard, more than enough for her needs.

She immediately rented it for three months.

Before the scrawny man could even touch the money, the thug snatched it away. “This is mine. You’ll pay me back in installments until your debt is cleared.”

The scrawny man reached out, only to grab at the air. His eyes welled up with tears again.