5

Chapter 5: Don't Tag Along

After finishing talking about Jiang Ting, Yao Xiangling looked at her.

Jiang Yu was good-looking. She had been prettier than other kids since birth.

That's why Yao Xiangling planned to adopt her.

"What about you? Jiang Ting is already married. What about your marriage?"

Jiang Yu lay face down, drawing circles on the table with her finger.

"Great-aunt, I want to marry someone from the city."

Yao Xiangling snorted, "Do you think city people are like cabbages you can just pick? Jiang Ting hit the jackpot. The Fu family's conditions are really quite good. Why didn't you try to grab the opportunity yourself?"

Jiang Yu hesitated, thinking that even if she told Great-aunt about Fu Xiangyang's problems, she wouldn't be believed.

"Jiang Ting said she wanted to marry him. As the older sister, I don't have any reason to compete with her."

Yao Xiangling lightly pushed her forehead, a look of exasperation on her face.

"Women have two chances in life: one is birth and the other is marriage. You can't give that up!"

She couldn't say she treated Jiang Yu like her own, but she did care for her and naturally favored her.

"Your parents favor boys over girls. After Jiang Ting marries, they'll only have you left to arrange a marriage for. You better think carefully. Marrying a city person isn't that easy. Anyone with any sense wouldn't go for a country girl."

Yao Xiangling didn't have a bird's eye view and didn't know Fu Xiangyang had problems.

From her perspective, the Fu family was the best choice, but Jiang Yu missed this opportunity.

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

"Thank you, Great-aunt!" Jiang Yu was happy again.

The two sisters met at the station. Jiang Ting had a bad expression as she walked over.

Jiang Yu asked, "Didn't see Fu Xiangyang?"

Jiang Ting snorted, "What's it to you?"

This time, Jiang Yu couldn't bear it anymore. Jiang Ting could marry whoever she wanted. She hadn't taken or had any objections, so why were they acting like enemies?

"Jiang Ting, are you sick? Or do you have a persecution complex? You said you wanted to marry Fu Xiangyang. Did I ever say no? Or did I take your man?"

Jiang Ting was speechless. Who would call Fu Xiangyang her man from a past life?

She felt disgusted because, if truth be told, it was actually she who had been despicable and taken Jiang Yu's marriage prospect.

Because of this realization, Jiang Ting's shame had turned into anger and then into disgust for Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu couldn't be bothered anymore and boarded the car, finding a corner seat.

When she returned home, she learned that the matchmaker had sent a message. They wanted Jiang Ting to meet Fu Xiangyang at the state-run hotel the next morning.

After the meeting, they would probably discuss the marriage. Both sides wanted it to happen as soon as possible.

Wang Meili decided, "Tomorrow, have your sister go with you again! I've been saying her taste is good. Look at the clothes she picked for you, how beautiful!"

Jiang Yu wasn't trying to take credit: "Mom, this outfit wasn't my choice."

As it turns out, Wang Meili and Jiang Ting had the same taste in clothes—true to their mother-daughter bond.

Wang Meili didn't concern herself with these minor issues and still insisted Jiang Yu go with them the next day.

Jiang Ting didn't feel like going: "I can go by myself."

But Jiang Yu was better-looking, and Jiang Ting was worried Fu Xiangyang might prefer her.

But Wang Meili was firm: "That's final. Your sister is going with you!"

Jiang Ting got annoyed, deciding there was no way she'd let Jiang Yu meet Fu Xiangyang tomorrow.

...

The next day, Jiang Ting wore a pink floral shirt, beaming.

Jiang Yu, meanwhile, wore her dress, accentuating her slim waist and graceful figure.

Jiang Ting, who had been quite satisfied with her shirt, now felt that Jiang Yu's dress looked much better in comparison.

"Jiang Yu, I want to trade clothes with you. It's not like you're going on a blind date today, so why are you dressed up?"

Jiang Yu shrugged her shoulders. "Sure, swap away."

Jiang Ting was still thinner than her, so the dress would definitely fit.

And so, they exchanged clothes.

But as soon as Jiang Yu put on the pink floral shirt, the pink accentuated her already fair complexion, making her look even more radiant, like a fresh peach blossom in spring.

Jiang Ting gritted her teeth. "Never mind, I actually like my new shirt!"

Jiang Yu: "...What's your problem?"

They swapped back.

As soon as they got in the car, Jiang Ting reiterated several times: "Later, you're not allowed to follow me to the state-run restaurant. Go explore on your own."

Jiang Yu wrinkled her nose and snorted.

"I don't have money to explore."

Jiang Ting was exasperated. "Didn't you get a whole yuan yesterday when you accompanied me to buy clothes?"

"It's all spent."

Gritting her teeth, Jiang Ting thought, what a waste!

Wang Meili had given her two yuan when they left the house, so she had three yuan in her pocket.

After a moment of hesitation, she reluctantly handed Jiang Yu one yuan.

"Go explore on your own and don't follow me."

Jiang Yu agreed, playing along.

As soon as Jiang Ting got out of the car, she quickly put some distance between them, dashing away in an instant.

Jiang Yu had four yuan in her pocket and was bold enough to go shopping. Money really does give people courage.

She went to look for Yao Xiangling again, but this time she struck out. Yao Xiangling had been sent on an external assignment.

Jiang Yu asked for an address and was about to head out to find her.

The guy she'd seen yesterday called out to her, blushing as he approached.

"Comrade, my name is Zhuang Yihang. What's your name? You related to Director Ya? From the city too?"

Seeing his red face, Jiang Yu knew he was sweet on her.

Now, Jiang Yu wasn't being vain, but she'd look in the mirror every morning and think, 'Dang, I'm gorgeous!'

Her mind whirled in an instant.

Zhuang Yihang was just a temp at the neighborhood committee and hadn't gotten a permanent spot yet. His salary wasn't high, and it was unclear what his family was like.

He wasn't anything special to look at.

Jiang Yu figured he was maybe five centimeters taller, about 5'7".

All things considered, he was just okay.

"I'm Jiang Yu. I'm not from the city; I'm from South River Village."

You could see the light in Zhuang Yihang's eyes just faded away.

Seeing that, Jiang Yu knew there was no point. Being a country girl was enough to discourage many male comrades.

"Comrade Zhuang, I won't keep you from your work. Gotta go find my auntie."

"Ah? Oh, oh, go ahead."

As Jiang Yu left, he remained a bit dazed.

An older coworker saw how bummed out he looked and said, "Young Zhuang, don't be fooled by appearances."

Zhuang Yihang blushed. "Sister Ren, I... I didn't mean anything. I just wanted to talk to Comrade Jiang."

Sister Ren clucked her tongue. "Jiang Yu is indeed pretty, but she's from the countryside, not a match for you. Take my advice, if you don't want to be bothered by a family of poor relatives, don't pursue a countryside girl."

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

But thinking of Jiang Yu's face, if she were willing to be obedient and sweet, and could win over his mother, it might still work.

"The girl I introduced to you last time, her parents are both state employees; she's a better match for you. Do you want to meet her?"

Zhuang Yihang scratched his head. "Sister Ren, my mom said she would arrange it, I'll listen to her."

Sister Ren pursed her lips and didn't say more.