Chapter 81: It’s Like I Stole from You

Chapter 81: It's Like I Stole from You

Jiang Yu didn’t insist on getting an answer from Jiang Ting. She simply gave her a steady look before turning around and walking out of the house.

Her mind was in turmoil, the ideas too outlandish to believe.

How could anyone live two lives? It’s crazy.

Yet she couldn’t help but think of the dream she had earlier.

It felt like her entire life had been compressed into a movie, replaying in her mind.

In the dream, she felt the pain of the "Jiang Yu" who married Fu Xiangyang.

She wasn’t happy but couldn’t leave the mudpit that was the Fu family.

After waking up, Matchmaker Yao came to the door, proposing a marriage for Fu Xiangyang, which indeed matched the beginning of the dream.

The only variable was her and Jiang Ting.

She had rejected Fu Xiangyang, while Jiang Ting, on the contrary, had taken the initiative to marry into the Fu family.

Could that dream have been her previous life?

If so, then the idea of Jiang Ting living two lifetimes wouldn’t be so hard to accept.

"Sis Jiang Yu."

Jiang Yu snapped back to reality. It was Jiang Ye.

"What is it? Are you feeling better?"

Jiang Ye was startled for a moment, his mind going blank as he forgot what he was about to say.

He shook his head. "It doesn’t hurt anymore."

Jiang Yu’s concerned gaze made him feel as if she really saw him as her younger brother.

He looked down, trying not to get his hopes up.

"My sister asked me to return this fare to you."

He had asked Jiang Yongguo for it and came to return it to Jiang Yu personally.

Jiang Yu took the money. "Thank you. Is your mom... still hitting you?"

Jiang Ye shook his head. "Not anymore."

But they all resented him. Especially Yang Cuilan, who seemed to wish she could strangle him.

The beatings had stopped, but the scolding hadn’t. Fortunately, he had learned to let it go in one ear and out the other.

"Sis Jiang Yu, about the money for the medical visit to Old Man Zhang’s house yesterday, I’ll pay you back when I can."

Jiang Yu’s eyes welled up with tears, and she quickly turned away, blinking them back.

"No need to repay." She took a ten-yuan note from her pocket and stuffed it into his hand.

"Keep this money, and don’t let Aunt discover it."

Jiang Ye stood stunned, staring at the money in his hand, unable to say a word. His chest tightened with a mix of pain and frustration, emotions swirling inside him.

When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse.

"Why..."

Jiang Yu looked at him, their similar eyes meeting, each able to see their own reflection in the other's eyes.

"Because you're my brother."

Jiang Ye's throat tightened as he held back his tears.

"But I'm not..."

He wasn't Jiang Yu's real brother, just a cousin, wasn't he?

Even his own parents treated him like this, so Jiang Ye didn't dare to hope for anything from anyone else.

Jiang Yu didn’t press further; it wasn’t the right time to reveal the truth, as she herself wasn’t even sure if Jiang Ye really was her brother.

The next day was the day Wang Yunshan was getting married.

Jiang Yu went over early in the morning with a newly bought thermos, with Jiang Ting closely following behind.

She wanted to see if this Lin Chenghui was the same man she had married in her past life.

"Jiang Yu, why are you here so early? Have you eaten?"

Even though Du Da Niang disapproved of her rebellious daughter, she put on a happy face.

Jiang Yu was successful, and maybe the family could use their daughter to build a connection with her.

"Auntie, where's Yunshan?"

"Zhaodi is changing clothes inside. Later, Grandma Yu will come over to thread her face."

Du Da Niang’s lips curled downward involuntarily. What's wrong with the name Zhaodi? Zhaodi sounded so much better.

She believed that Wang Yunshan’s rebelliousness, and her dislike for the name ‘Zhaodi,’ was why she couldn’t have a son.

Jiang Yu, holding the thermos, was about to go inside when Jiang Ting kindly said, "Big sister, isn't this thermos meant for Zhaodi? Let Auntie hold it."

A flash of excitement appeared in Du Da Niang's eyes. A thermos, what a rare item!

She had wanted to buy one but couldn't get the industrial coupons, so she failed to purchase it.

"Jiang Yu, this is heavy; let me hold it for you."

Jiang Yu stepped back, avoiding her hand.

"Auntie, this thermos is a gift for Yunshan. I want to give it to her myself."

Du Da Niang's expression froze, and she awkwardly pulled her hand back.

"Alright, then give it to Zhaodi."

Later, she would personally tell her daughter to keep the thermos at home.

Jiang Yu walked into the room, where Wang Yunshan had already finished getting dressed.

The scarlet wedding dress, along with the red paper-cut decorations in the room, brought a touch of festivity.

"Jiang Yu! You came just in time. Braid my hair into a plait and wrap it up for me."

Jiang Yu’s braids were always more intricate and beautiful than anyone else’s.

Seeing Yunshan’s happiness as she prepared for her wedding, tears welled up in Jiang Yu's eyes.

"This is my gift to you. Take it to your in-laws' home, and don't let your parents take it away."

Wang Yunshan was gesturing in front of the mirror when she noticed the hot water bottle Jiang Yu was holding, and she froze in surprise.

"This must be very expensive, right? You need industrial coupons for a hot water bottle!"

Jiang Yu laughed and pushed the hot water bottle into her hands. "It does require industrial coupons, but I exchanged for one. Winter is coming, so with this, you can wash your face with hot water in the morning and your hands won't freeze."

Jiang Ting, watching from the side, was so envious that she was practically tearing at her clothes.

She was Jiang Yu's real sister, yet Jiang Yu hadn't given her a hot water bottle when she got married.

Having this as part of her dowry would make her look so well-off.

Wang Yunshan was moved to tears and hugged Jiang Yu tightly.

"Jiang Yu, I really like you so much."

Jiang Yu patted her head. "I just want you to live well and be happy. Yunshan, we grew up together. I'll say it again, if he treats you badly, just divorce him and come to me."

Wang Yunshan held back her tears and nodded vigorously.

"Okay!"

Jiang Ting sneered from the side. "How could someone like that be any good? Big sister, she's just getting married, how can you encourage her to divorce? She made her own choice, and she has to live with it."

Jiang Yu gave her a cold glance. Jiang Ting always had her own logic and never listened to others.

She didn’t say more and turned to braid Wang Yunshan's hair.

After braiding the plait and wrapping it up, she secured it with small clips.

No one knew where Jiang Yu had found a red silk scarf, which she tied around Wang Yunshan's braid like a hairband.

It looked beautiful and festive, just like a blooming flower.

Yunshan’s face lit up with surprise and delight as she admired herself in the mirror.

"Jiang Yu, does it look good?"

"It looks good!"

Jiang Yu slightly pulled up her sleeves, revealing the silver bracelet.

"Let them know you're marrying well, and only good days will await you!"

When the silver bracelet came into view, Jiang Ting’s eyes nearly bulged out of her head.

"Where did that bracelet come from!" she demanded shrilly.

Yunshan’s smile froze, and she looked at her in confusion.

"My mother-in-law gave it to me, what's your deal? Why are you looking at me like I stole something from you?!"

Realizing she was losing her cool, Jiang Ting quickly looked away, fuming with frustration inside.

She knew exactly what that silver bracelet meant. In her past life, her in-laws had died in a series of tragic accidents, leaving her without enough money to even cover the funeral costs.

Her mother-in-law had given her this silver bracelet on her deathbed, pleading with her to sell it to cover the funeral expenses.

Jiang Ting felt a deep sense of resentment and bitterness, wondering why she was being singled out. Why should she be treated any differently? It wasn’t fair!