13

Chapter 13: Didn't You Call Me?

In the blink of an eye, it was the ninth day of the month, the day when Jiang Ting and Fu Xiangyang were to hold their wedding banquet.

Ya Xiangling glanced at the dress she had worn countless times, finding it shabby.

"Wait!"

Jiang Yu paused. "Aunt, are you going?"

Ya Xiangling snorted; she had no intention of going.

"Your shoes, the soles are almost falling off, the leather is peeling, didn't you see?"

Jiang Yu looked down, her face turning red with embarrassment.

She cherished these shoes dearly.

But after wearing them for so many years and patching them up several times, they were finally broken.

"They can still be worn."

Ya Xiangling scolded, "Wear these."

From somewhere, she produced a pair of brand-new small leather shoes and placed them on the ground.

"Try them on quickly to see if they fit."

Jiang Yu clutched her fingers tightly, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Auntie, there's no need to buy me these things."

Ya Xiangling glared at her with a frown. "You said you wanted to take care of me in my old age. What's wrong with me giving you a pair of shoes? Did you just say that to placate me?"

"Of course not, I really want to take care of you!" Jiang Yu wished she could raise her hand and swear an oath.

"Enough, put them on quickly. If you don't, you'll miss the hot meal later."

Fu Xiangyang was going to the countryside to pick up Jiang Ting, so there was no need for Jiang Yu to go so early.

But it was already ten o'clock, and the bride should have arrived by now.

Jiang Yu finally changed into the shoes, liking them very much.

"Auntie, they fit perfectly, and they're so beautiful."

Ya Xiangling smiled. She loved seeing this lively and pretty young girl. Then she took out a pink plaid dress from the room.

"This isn't new; I wore it a few times when I was younger, then I put it away."

She had adored that pink plaid fabric. In those days when everyone struggled to get enough food, she went hungry and saved every penny to buy that piece of pink plaid cloth and made a dress.

But because she treasured it so much, she hardly ever wore it, and it had been tucked away in a chest ever since.

"Go try it on, you'll look great in it."

Jiang Yu pursed her lips. "This is Auntie's."

Ya Xiangling scolded gently, "Instead of letting it go to waste in my coffin, why not let you wear it? It will make me happy."

Yao Xiangling urged Jiang Yu to put on the dress.

The pink color and her snow-white skin complemented each other, making her look like a flower in spring.

"You look beautiful! Hurry up!"

Jiang Yu smiled, nervously gripping the hem of her skirt.

"Auntie, is it too flashy?"

Yao Xiangling twitched her lips and tapped Jiang Yu's forehead.

"Do you really think your sister invited you because she's being so kind? She wants you to be the green leaf that makes her shine! Only a fool would give up her marriage opportunity and let herself be pushed around."

Yao Xiangling wasn't going to let her have her way.

The dress made Jiang Yu's already outstanding appearance even more striking.

Her arrival in the large communal courtyard immediately drew everyone's attention.

Xu Lihua was the first to speak. "Dear, who are you looking for?"

Jiang Yu politely stepped forward. "Auntie, my sister is getting married today, marrying into the Fu family of this courtyard."

Xu Lihua was taken aback, and her voice rose. "You're Jiang Ting's older sister?"

Jiang Yu nodded. "Jiang Ting is my sister."

Xu Lihua looked her up and down, thinking that Jiang Ting couldn't compare to her.

"Oh my goodness, everyone, come and see! Jiang Ting's sister is here!"

Jiang Yu was puzzled, not understanding why she had a look of someone watching a drama.

Unbeknownst to her, the previous day, Lin Hongxia had assertively declared that one should pick the best for a daughter-in-law.

Everyone had assumed that Jiang Ting was the better one of the twins.

Now they realized Lin Hongxia had been exaggerating.

The first to come out was Mother Sun.

Mother Sun exclaimed, surprised. "This is Jiang Ting's sister?"

Xu Lihua laughed. "Yes, she is. She's really pretty! Your Liangzi is still single. I think the two young ones should meet."

Mother Sun, however, had ulterior motives.

Being pretty is useless; she's just a country bumpkin.

But she said, "Liangzi has a stubborn temper, I can't control him. Let him manage on his own."

Jiang Yu's smile remained unchanged. She knew this was Sun Zailiang's mother and didn't miss the contempt in her eyes.

Mother Sun looked down on her, but Jiang Yu also disdained Sun Zailiang, the philanderer.

Soon, Lin Hongxia inside came out after hearing the commotion.

Xu Lihua couldn't wait to see her embarrassed and called out, "Old Lin, Xiangyang's sister-in-law is here!"

Lin Hongxia looked closely and her expression changed. Ever since their last meeting, Jiang Yu had been haunting Fu Xiangyang's thoughts.

Fu Xiangyang had complained incessantly at home for a long time and even blamed the matchmaker for not properly investigating.

Compared to Fu Xiangyang's persistent infatuation, Lin Hongxia's impression of Jiang Yu wasn't as positive; she saw her as a fox who bewitches men.

But it was her son's wedding day, and no matter how much she disliked Jiang Yu, Lin Hongxia wouldn't show it on her face.

She plastered a smile and pretended to be enthusiastic as she walked up to Jiang Yu.

"Oh, it's you, Elder Sister-in-Law! Please come in. Jiang Ting has been waiting for you impatiently. Later, we'll go to the restaurant for the wedding banquet."

She led Jiang Yu into the house, and her face immediately fell as soon as they were inside.

Of all times, she has to show up now.

Jiang Yu seemed to have noticed what she was thinking and smiled as she explained, "I thought you might be too busy to be disturbed, but Jiang Ting personally invited me, so I had no choice but to come."

Lin Hongxia forced a smile. "Don't say that. You're Jiang Ting's elder sister, of course you should come and share a cup of wine."

Inwardly, she cursed Jiang Ting, thinking she was an idiot.

Jiang Yu lifted the curtain and entered the bridal chamber. It was clear that the Fu family hadn't put much effort into preparing for the wedding; the room was hastily decorated with a couple of "double happiness" characters.

There wasn't even a red quilt on the bed, making it look no different from any other day at all.

"Jiang Ting, your elder sister is here to see you."

As Jiang Yu entered the room, Jiang Ting's face turned pale the moment she saw her.

The pink dress and new leather shoes made her seem more like the bride.

"Why are you here!"

Jiang Yu found it amusing. "Didn't you invite me to come for the banquet? I didn't want to come, but you came to invite me specifically."

Jiang Ting's eyes turned red with anger as she clutched her dress tightly.

"Jiang Yu!" she shouted. "You did this on purpose!"

Seeing her agitated reaction, Jiang Yu couldn't help but laugh.

She blinked, feigning innocence.

"But you asked me to come, didn't you?"

Jiang Ting was speechless with anger. She had invited Jiang Yu to show off how well she was doing, not for Jiang Yu to steal the spotlight!

Those shoes were clearly new, and Jiang Ting could tell the matchmaker had done it intentionally.

How could she treat us so differently when we're both her late husband's children!

A while later, Lin Hongxia came to knock on the door.

"Jiang Ting, Xiangyang is here to take you to the restaurant."

As soon as Jiang Ting heard that Fu Xiangyang had come, she panicked.

"Don't leave!"

Jiang Yu arched her eyebrows. "I'm here to attend the banquet, why am I not allowed to leave? You asked me to come, didn't you?"

Jiang Ting was overwhelmed with frustration. Every time Jiang Yu showed up, she always ruined things, even on her wedding night.

Jiang Yu paid her no mind and walked right out.