Chapter 52

Jiang Tiantian was amused.

Seeing that she had a carefree personality, she playfully joked, “Sis-in-law, that just means Fat Brother treats you well! You know, we call this ‘happiness weight.’ Only those in happy marriages and fulfilling lives end up like this.”

“Besides, whether you’re a bit chubby or thin, as long as you’re healthy, who cares what others think?”

Fat Brother chimed in from the side, “This little girl really knows how to talk! Every time someone calls her fat, she comes home and scolds me at night.”

“I mean, where is she even fat?”

“When she first married me, she was skinny like a bamboo stick—looked like she hadn’t been eating enough.”

“But look at her now! She’s finally gained some weight, and she looks great!”

“I don’t get it. She’s my wife, and I don’t mind at all. She’s soft and cuddly—feels great to hold at night. What’s it got to do with anyone else? Mind your own business!”

“I worked hard to help her gain this weight. Why should she lose it?”

His wife turned around and pinched his arm hard. “You big fatty! There are guests here, what nonsense are you talking about?”

Fat Brother looked aggrieved. “I’m just telling the truth. How is that nonsense?”

“Hahaha~” Jiang Tiantian laughed uncontrollably. Fat Brother was too funny.

The kitchen was filled with laughter and chatter.

“Sis-in-law, see? Whether you’re fat or thin doesn’t matter. In the eyes of someone who loves you, you’re the most beautiful. You’ve already won.”

“Exactly! In my eyes, my wife is as beautiful as a goddess.”

—–

By the time Cha Jiuzhang stood at the kitchen door again, Jiang Tiantian had already finished learning from the lady boss and was now hands-on, practicing the cooking herself.

Cha Jiuzhang had to admit—he was truly impressed by her. This must be what people call “social genius mode.”

But soon, Jiang Tiantian came out again because their bowls of rice noodles were ready.

She sat back down, busy slurping the noodles while commenting, “The broth is rich and flavorful, the ingredients are abundant, the noodles are chewy, and the warmth of each bite increases my happiness level exponentially…”

Cha Jiuzhang watched her mumble while eating and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Be careful, it’s hot. Eat slowly.”

Halfway through their meal, a man walked into the shop.

He was tall, with well-defined features, a strong build, and an air of masculinity.

If her musician friend were here, they would probably say, This guy exudes pure pheromones.

Seeing a handsome guy? Jiang Tiantian wouldn’t miss out! Eye candy is a treat, after all!

But as she kept watching, the man ordered a bowl of rice noodles and then walked straight over to sit beside Cha Jiuzhang. He even gave her a polite nod.

Cha Jiuzhang turned to him. “You’re here.”

“Yeah. What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you. I need you to help me haul some stuff back to the village later.”

“What stuff?”

“Samples for the hot spring pipeline. I finally found the right ones.”

“So fast? Didn’t you say before that there weren’t any suitable ones in the country?”

Cha Jiuzhang reached over and ruffled Jiang Tiantian’s hair with a proud smile. “My wife found them.”

At this, Cha Baiwan finally took a serious look at the woman across from him.

If Cha Jiuzhang hadn’t said anything, he would’ve thought she was just another diner at the table.

After all, this girl—he had absolutely no impression of her.

Cha Baiwan frowned slightly, scrutinizing her features and comparing them to what he had learned from his previous investigation.

Jiang Tiantian put down her chopsticks, flashed him a bright smile, and reached out her hand. “Hello! Let me introduce myself—I’m Cha Jiuzhang’s wife. And you are?”

Cha Jiuzhang, this guy, seriously? No proper introductions?

Cha Baiwan’s doubts deepened. She didn’t seem like the same person at all.

The difference was too stark.

Where was the supposed inferiority complex, the timidity, the fearfulness? The woman in front of him was bold, confident, and radiant.

Had there been some mistake?

Cha Baiwan glanced at Cha Jiuzhang, who was looking at this girl with nothing but admiration in his eyes.

Suppressing his doubts for now, he extended his hand briefly, his face showing a faint smile. “Cha Baiwan, Jiuzhang’s close brother.”

He lightly grasped Jiang Tiantian’s fingertips for a second before letting go.

Jiang Tiantian raised an eyebrow.

Oh?

A gentleman?

“You’re different from what I imagined,” Cha Baiwan stated bluntly.

Jiang Tiantian turned to Cha Jiuzhang, silently asking with her eyes.

Cha Jiuzhang cleared his throat. “Ahem. The ones who picked up your things from your house… were Baiwan and Xiaoliu.”

Oh, so that’s how it was.

That meant they had some knowledge about the original Jiang Tiantian?

Jiang Tiantian casually waved her hand.

“Oh, come on. Who doesn’t have a phase of youthful ignorance? Back then, I thought that as long as I behaved well, stayed obedient, and didn’t compete with Jiang Hongmei for attention, my parents would love me more.”

Deep down, the original Jiang Tiantian had truly believed that if she listened to Du Yulan unconditionally, she could keep her family’s love.

But she had overestimated that so-called “family bond.”

Jiang Tiantian shrugged regretfully. “Turns out, that wasn’t the case at all.”

“Jiang Hongmei kept setting me up, and my parents either turned a blind eye or brushed it off lightly. Would I really be dumb enough to keep pleasing them?”

“I don’t care about them anymore. So now, I just live as my true self.”

“See—” Jiang Tiantian spread her hands. “The moment I stopped expecting anything from them, I started living a much better life.”

That should be enough to dispel their doubts, right?

As for whether they believed her?

Who cares?

She was Jiang Tiantian now, and Jiang Tiantian was her.

No one could change that.

Cha Jiuzhang’s heart ached after hearing her words. He hadn’t realized that such a proud woman had once been so humble in front of her own family—just for a little love?

He patted her head. “From now on, we’re your family. We’ll treat you well.”

Jiang Tiantian grinned, flashing her sharp little canines. “Of course! If you don’t treat me well, I’ll find a new man.”

Cha Jiuzhang flicked her forehead. “Stop talking nonsense. Did you forget what I said last time?”

Right after, he realized she had delicate skin. Seeing a slight red mark on her forehead, he felt guilty and rubbed it gently.

“Sorry, I hit too hard. Want to hit me back?”

Jiang Tiantian smacked his hand away. “Hmph, can’t be bothered with you.”

Right now, her bowl of noodles was way more tempting. She picked up her chopsticks and continued slurping.

Cha Baiwan, watching this whole scene unfold, shrugged and stopped asking questions.

Whoever’s wife it is, that’s their business.

He had given the information and the warning—that was enough.

“Thanks, Fat Brother.” He grabbed a pair of chopsticks and focused on his own bowl of noodles.

As he ate, a certain delicate silhouette flashed through his mind, causing his heart to tighten. He started eating faster.

After finishing their meal, Cha Jiuzhang asked, “Do you want to keep shopping around town, or go with Baiwan to pick up the stuff and head straight back?”

“I had a dress made at Xiaofang’s shop. One of them is ready today—I want to pick it up first.”

Cha Baiwan, seeing this, didn’t bother asking Cha Jiuzhang anymore. He simply stretched out his hand. “You go with her. Give me the keys—I’ll haul the stuff back first and pick you up later.”

“Alright.”

Cha Jiuzhang handed over the keys. “It’s in the warehouse outside town—the old Tan family’s herbal medicine storehouse. Take the pipes in that storage room, plus the boxes in the corner.”

Cha Baiwan took the keys, nodded at Jiang Tiantian, then got up and walked out.