Chapter 72: Are You Trying to Play with My Feelings

Chapter 72: Are You Trying to Play with My Feelings

He Feiyan nudged Jiang Yu. "Go on, you still have shopping to do, so let's not waste time."

Jiang Yu nodded. "Sorry for the trouble, I'll head out now."

She took Jiang Xin's hand and first went to the general store.

Originally, she planned to buy a hot water bottle, but it required industrial vouchers, which she didn't have.

Even buying a pillowcase required fabric coupons, which left Jiang Yu stumped.

"Hey sis, why don't you make something for Zhao Di too? She'd love it."

Jiang Yu still had quite a bit of fabric. With some hard work over the next few days, she should be able to finish the clothing.

But if she was going to make it, it had to be a padded winter coat to be presentable.

However, she didn't have any cotton.

She had promised to make a padded jacket for Auntie but still couldn't find any cotton.

"Let's go find Auntie first. You stay here with her for a while, and I'll go out to buy some things."

Jiang Xin asked, "Buy what? If the general store doesn't have it, where else could we find it?"

Jiang Yu didn't explain in detail, but she was thinking of going to the black market.

Last time He Tingyue mentioned that there was a black market behind the alley of Da Xin Hutong, and she wanted to see if there was any cotton for sale.

As usual, she went to the neighborhood committee to see Ya Xiangling, leaving Jiang Xin there temporarily.

Ya Xiangling didn't ask her what she planned to do, only saying, "Go ahead, I'll take Jiang Xin out for noodles later. If you can't make it back in time, just eat something outside."

"Okay, thank you, Auntie."

Jiang Yu felt a bit nervous. This was her first time at the black market, and she felt like a kid sneaking around for the first time.

At the alley entrance, she ran into the yellow-haired guy who had bullied He Feiyan last time.

"Hey! Sister! Remember me? What brings you here?"

Jiang Yu glanced at him. "What do you want from me?"

"How can you say I'm getting chummy? We started off on the wrong foot, but now we're cool."

Since Duan Yuzhen and He Feiyan had privately reconciled, he was released after being detained in the police station for a few days.

The yellow-haired guy, Liu Zi, grinned. "Sister, where are you headed?"

He wasn't giving Jiang Yu face out of respect, but because he knew He Tingyue's status was not low, so it was better to earn some favor than to make an enemy.

"I need to go to the black market. Which way is it?" Jiang Yu asked in a low voice.

Liu Zi's smile faded a bit, his expression turning complicated. "Why would a young woman like you go to the black market?"

Most people going there were older women who didn't look suspicious.

Jiang Yu said, "I need to buy some cotton."

Liu Zi shook his head, "Cotton is just as hard to come by at the supply and marketing cooperative as it is on the black market. Going there would be a waste of time."

Jiang Yu couldn't hide her disappointment, "I want to get a ration ticket. Can I exchange for it there?"

Liu Zi continued to wave his hand, "Why go through all this trouble? Just ask your man for it. Don't try to fool me, after seeing his skills last time, I knew he's definitely not an ordinary person."

Each time he said "your man," Jiang Yu blushed.

"Don't talk nonsense! We're not married yet!"

Liu Zi was surprised, "Not married yet? You two act like you're already together. He treats you like you're his. If you really want a ration ticket, wait here for a bit. I'll go ask around for you. But did you bring money?"

Jiang Yu nodded, "I brought money. If you can help me get it, I’ll owe you."

"Got it. Wait here."

Since Liu Zi was very familiar with this area, he quickly maneuvered into the alley and entered the black market.

Jiang Yu didn't have to wait long before Liu Zi brought the ration ticket out for her.

"This isn't cheap, five bucks a piece, want to buy it?"

Jiang Yu gritted her teeth and handed over the five bucks.

"Buy it!"

A thermos at the department store costs only six and a half yuan, but this ration ticket costing five was really not cheap.

But Jiang Yu needed it right away, so she had no choice but to buy it.

Cash on delivery.

"Jiang Yu!"

A voice full of anger made Jiang Yu nearly drop the ration ticket in shock.

She quickly hid her hands behind her back and looked down, like a kid caught doing something wrong.

Liu Zi raised his hands in a surrendering gesture.

"Bro, I didn't do anything."

No wonder he was scared—his arm still hurt from when He Tingyue roughed him up last time.

He Tingyue got off his bicycle and walked straight to Jiang Yu, his face stern.

"What are you doing here?"

He had just learned from He Feiyan that Jiang Yu had come to town.

When he asked at the street office, Ya Xiangling said she had dropped off Jiang Xin and left, not knowing where she had gone.

He had thought to wander around and see if he could run into Jiang Yu.

Instead, he did find her, but also witnessed their transaction.

Jiang Yu bit her lip, "I wanted to get a ration ticket, so I asked him to help me exchange for it."

Hearing this, He Tingyue's anger flared even more.

"Why didn't you come to me?"

Jiang Yu shrugged her shoulders, a guilty look on her face.

If she told him what she was really thinking, he’d probably get even more upset.

But she didn’t think she was wrong—after all, they weren’t married yet.

He Tingyue glanced at Liu Zi and led his bicycle over.

"Get on."

Jiang Yu thanked Liu Zi again and climbed onto the bicycle.

Once they left Dashin Lane, he asked, "Why do you need industrial coupons?"

Jiang Yu replied, "A good friend of mine is getting married, and I want to buy her a hot water bottle."

He Tingyue was still a bit annoyed, but he took her to buy the hot water bottle anyway.

Then, avoiding the crowd, he guided her toward the park.

Jiang Yu watched as he pulled out a stack of money and coupons from his pocket.

"Take it."

Jiang Yu's eyes widened, her wide-eyed innocence making He Tingyue chuckle.

"Take it." He grabbed her hand and stuffed the money and coupons into it.

It was a thick stack, with several hundred dollars alone.

Jiang Yu nervously curled her fingers, feeling like the money was burning in her hands.

"So much money, I can’t take it. I’m just buying a hot water bottle and don’t need anything else."

He Tingyue frowned, staring at her intently, making Jiang Yu feel a chill down her spine.

"Jiang Yu, are you telling me you never planned to marry me?"

His accusing gaze seemed to say 'You’re playing with my feelings' without needing to say it aloud.

Jiang Yu's cheeks flushed, and she quickly defended herself, "I’m not! But we’re not married yet. My great-aunt said that before marriage, a woman shouldn’t ask a man for things."

"Your great-aunt said… quite right, but you need to learn to analyze specific situations. Some men might mind this, but I don’t. If you’re willing to use my money, I’d be very happy because it means you’re willing to marry me and consider me family. Conversely—"

He Tingyue's eyes darkened. "If you’re unwilling to spend my money, is it because you’re just toying with my feelings and never intended to marry me? Jiang Yu, your attitude is very problematic!"

Jiang Yu was confused by his reasoning and didn’t understand how it had turned into a discussion about "playing with feelings."

"I didn’t."

"If you didn’t, then keep this. From now on, you’re only allowed to use my money, understand?"

Jiang Yu nodded, still feeling dazed, unsure if something was off.