Chapter 162: What Can You Do If You’re Not Satisfied?

Chapter 162: What Can You Do If You're Not Satisfied?

When Duan Yuzhen was seething with envy, Zhang Jiahua emerged.

He stood right beside Duan Yuzhen, his gaze also fixed on the south side of the courtyard.

"A person who only finished junior high school, topping the exam—do you believe it?"

Duan Yuzhen finally gave him a proper look. This man, who was usually quiet in the courtyard, had been speaking up repeatedly in front of her. She knew exactly what he was up to.

But she couldn't help being swayed by it, her resentment growing with every passing moment.

"She’s got connections. Who wouldn’t, married to someone like He Tingyue?" Duan Yuzhen sneered.

Who is He Tingyue? Ever since he joined the security department of the Second State Cotton Mill, he had solved several theft cases involving factory property.

He even managed to oust the former deputy factory director on charges of corruption, allowing Xie Jinchan to be promoted.

At least, Factory Director Zheng and Xie Jinchan are on his side; otherwise, how could he have become a department head at such a young age?

Duan Yuzhen couldn’t believe for a second that Jiang Yu hadn't used connections.

Zhang Jiahua glanced at her, "So, are you just going to accept it?"

Duan Yuzhen scoffed, "What can I do if I’m not satisfied?"

She had once set her sights on He Tingyue, not just for his personal charm but also for his desirable circumstances.

A man with both money and power—who wouldn't like that?

Unfortunately, Jiang Yu had stepped in, rendering her years of effort futile.

Zhang Jiahua was even more unwilling than her. He was convinced that if Zhang Juxiang hadn’t taken his place, he would have outperformed Jiang Yu.

"I heard Zhang Juxiang scored zero. She must be seething with resentment too."

Duan Yuzhen shot him a look. She loathed men like him the most—men who didn't dare to act on their own, lurking around like rats in the sewers, only stirring up trouble behind the scenes.

But he had given her an idea, after all. Zhang Juxiang was a fool; a few well-placed words of provocation would be enough to set her off.

Zhang Jiahua said nothing more and turned to leave.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yu was completely unaware of Duan Yuzhen's scheming.

He Tingyue had brought back some meat, which they cooked into braised pork, stewed until it was melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Jiang Yu ate until her mouth was greasy, thinking she could never get enough of it.

"By the way, what did Master Li say?"

He Tingyue shook his head, "He hasn't agreed yet."

He had originally wanted to ask Master Li to help facilitate the purchase of ducks.

But Master Li was an honest man who didn't want to get involved in trouble. He hadn't directly refused but was still hesitating.

Jiang Yu remained calm, not feeling disappointed.

"If he really doesn't want to, then forget it. Since Liu San was caught last time, Sixie and Tie Niu have been lying low, not daring to make any big moves. Let them lay low for a while."

Liu San was made an example of, killing the chicken to scare the monkeys, and Lai Liuzi and the others active around the black market became the monkeys.

They were scared stiff and have been laying low lately.

That afternoon, Jiang Ye stopped by. He’d made a special trip to the Second State Cotton Mill. When he saw Jiang Yu had aced the written exam, he came to congratulate her, bringing a piece of meat.

Jiang Yu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, thinking her standard of living had skyrocketed—eating meat twice a day.

"You don’t have meat coupons. Where’d you get the meat?"

Jiang Ye said, "A buddy of mine—his dad’s the deputy director at the meat processing plant."

Everyone knows the meat processing plant is a sweet gig. They might not have a surplus of meat, but stuff like bones and offal are always up for grabs. And with him being the deputy director, scoring a piece of meat is no big deal.

"Sis, if you land the job at the Second State Cotton Mill, don’t tell Mom and Dad."

Otherwise, they’ll make her give up the job.

Jiang Yu shook her head, smiling. She wasn’t worried.

"If I get the job, I’ll have to move my residency back to Nanhe Village. There’s no hiding that."

Plus, Jiang Ting’s always watching in the compound.

Jiang Yu patted his shoulder, "Don’t worry, with your brother-in-law around, I’ll be fine. You staying for dinner tonight?"

"Nah, I’m meeting a buddy to help him fix his radio at his place."

This meat’s my payment for fixing the radio. Otherwise, why would he just hand it over?

Jiang Yu was shocked. "You can fix radios?"

Jiang Ye scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

"I’m just giving it a shot. No guarantees."

He loves studying, especially science, so he’s pretty lopsided. He aces math and physics, but English? He’s lucky to scrape by.

Jiang Yu felt a wave of relief. Letting him study had been the right call.

"Sis, I gotta go. My buddy’s waiting."

Jiang Yu hurriedly said, "Hold on, I’ll grab something from the house."

She turned, went inside, set the meat down, and pulled out a cotton hat and gloves.

The hat was like the one she wore, cotton-padded, with flaps to cover the ears and cheeks.

"You need to wear this in winter—your ears are frostbitten."

Jiang Ye’s eyes warmed, and he explained with a smile, "That frostbite was there before, not from this year."

"Try these gloves, wear them when you go out, otherwise your hands will freeze, how can you write."

Jiang Ye tried them on, they fit just right.

Jiang Yu had an eye for detail, sharp as a tack.

"Alright, get going now, don’t keep your classmate waiting."

Jiang Ye nodded with a smile.

He treasured the new cotton hat and gloves so much, he wouldn’t take them off, practically shouting to the world that his sister made them.

Xu Lihua, watching from the south room, saw him enter hatless but exit wearing one. She knew right away Jiang Yu had made it.

This style of hat was a staple in the He family.

Who wouldn’t want one? But it was big, gobbling up fabric and needing loads of cotton.

"Jiang Yu’s really good to her brother—making him a new cotton coat and a hat. So thoughtful."

Her words had a sharp, jealous edge.

Jiang Yu didn’t humor her, always snooping around like a nosy mouse.

"Aunt Xu, my brother brought me some meat to celebrate acing the Second State Cotton Mill’s recruitment exam. He’s good to me, so I’m good to him—simple as that."

Xu Lihua hadn’t seen the meat and was caught off guard, feeling awkward.

"Really? He gave you meat? Your brother’s a good one. But didn’t you just have meat for lunch?"

The smell of that braised pork was so rich, it made her mouth water.

"Yeah, we had it for lunch. This piece’s for tomorrow."

Xu Lihua put on a sweet smile, "Jiang Yu, it’s been ages since my family..."

"Aunt Xu, don’t even think about it. If I handed over the meat my brother gave me, what would that make me?" Jiang Yu refused without hesitation.

Meanwhile, over at the Fu family.

Lin Hongxia pinched Jiang Ting, snapping, "You’re both sisters, so why does he only give meat to Jiang Yu and never you?"

Jiang Ting winced, defending herself, "He’s good to Jiang Yu because she’s good to him—letting him study in the city and inviting him home for meals."

With the Fu family taking all her hidden savings, how could she afford to buy things for Jiang Ye?

"Oh, so you’re saying I’m not good to your brother?"

Jiang Ting swallowed hard, "Mom, I didn’t mean that. I think the priority is having a child to carry on the Fu family line, don’t you?"

At this, Lin Hongxia’s energy drained away.

She knew Fu Xiangyang’s condition all too well.

But deep down, she still defended him—after all, to outsiders, he seemed fine.

She snorted, griping, "I let Xiangyang marry you because you seemed honest and fertile, but look how long it’s been, and still no baby. Maybe you’re just barren! I’ll dig up some folk remedies, and you’ll drink them, got it?"

Jiang Ting nodded quickly, "I’ll take the medicine, no problem."