Chapter 218: Of Course We Should Go and Help

Chapter 218: Of Course We Should Go and Help

"Enough about that, check this out."

He Tingyue took something out of his pocket and placed it in front of Jiang Yu.

It was wrapped in a scrap of cloth and didn’t seem very big.

Jiang Yu peeled back the layers, finally uncovering a gold bracelet nestled inside.

No woman can resist jewelry, and even though she can’t wear it out now, Jiang Yu still loves it.

Just like the gold pieces she keeps with the bankbook at home, Jiang Yu takes them out every now and then to admire them.

"You bought this?"

Jiang Yu was puzzled—where did He Tingyue get that kind of money?

"You know Old Lady Ma, right?"

"Yeah, the one who cleans the public restrooms?"

Jiang Yu didn’t know Old Lady Ma well, but everyone in the neighborhood probably did.

"Her life seems so tough—how’d she end up with this? Something so valuable, why wouldn’t she keep it?"

"I gave her a hand, and this is how she thanked me."

He didn’t want to take it, but the old lady got down on her knees, pleading with him to accept it.

He had no choice but to take the bracelet home.

Seeing Jiang Yu’s face light up, he suddenly thought it was worth it.

"You really love gold, huh?" he asked.

Jiang Yu shot him a teasing look, tucked the bracelet away, and stashed it with the bankbook.

"Don’t you? Sometimes, money’s not as solid as gold."

"Sure, they’re just jewelry, but they can be turned into cash."

Jiang Yu figured she wasn’t destined to strike it rich, but slowly building up her gold stash wasn’t so bad.

He Tingyue laughed, "If you like it, I’ll get you more next time."

"No need to buy it—even if you give it to me, I can’t wear it outside."

"If you can’t wear it, just looking at it and smiling is enough."

Jiang Yu grinned, "Alright, I’ll hold you to that."

After dinner, Jiang Yu decided to tally up her money.

Lately, Sixie and Tie Niu hadn’t gone to the countryside, so the money she’d set aside as capital was still untouched.

There was now five thousand in the bankbook and over thirteen hundred in cash, thanks to their recent paychecks.

"If Sixie and Tie Niu don’t go anymore, we’ll just stash the money away."

Having so much cash on hand made Jiang Yu feel uneasy.

"Okay, I’ll ask him in a few days."

During the day, except for meals, they barely had time to see each other.

Only at night did they get to spend time together.

He Tingyue watched her, like a little penny-pincher, carefully stashing the money away before climbing onto the kang and curling up under the covers.

He turned off the light, and Jiang Yu instinctively stretched her cold feet toward him.

He grabbed them, gave them a quick rub, and placed them on his stomach.

"Starting tomorrow, let’s soak your feet. I’ll go see Elder Lian for some herbs."

Though Elder Lian could be a bit gruff, he used to be a barefoot doctor and later worked as a resident physician at Huichun Hall.

Later, during the public-private partnership, he was moved to the medical office at the Second State Cotton Mill.

He retired just two years ago, but many still come to him for help.

"Let’s skip it." Jiang Yu was too lazy to fetch water in the cold.

He Tingyue patted her back, "I’ll fetch the water for you."

Jiang Yu wrinkled her nose and snorted, "Don’t, or they’ll say you’re whipped."

He chuckled softly, playfully nuzzling her ear.

"I don’t care."

Jiang Yu felt her cold feet start to warm up, and she snuggled closer, pressing against his chest.

"Why are you always so good to me, He Tingyue?"

He gently caressed her face, "Since I’m so good, do I get a reward, huh?"

Jiang Yu teased, "What reward do you want?"

He nibbled her earlobe and whispered something that made her laugh.

"You’re such a pervert!"

He grabbed Jiang Yu’s hand, "If your man isn’t a little perverted with you, you should worry about my health."

Jiang Yu pouted, "We’ve got work tomorrow, so we can’t stay up too late."

"Just once, I promise it’ll be quick."

Jiang Yu rolled her eyes, wanting to ask when he’d ever been quick.

Fortunately, he kept his promise, saying once meant just once.

As the passion peaked, Jiang Yu was still catching her breath when she suddenly heard a noise outside the window.

Her muddled mind cleared a bit, and she dragged her sore body up, lying on the quilt, pricking up her ears to listen.

After their intimacy, lying on the kang, she didn’t feel cold even without a quilt.

He Tingyue went out to get hot water and returned, frowning at her actions.

"Aren’t you cold?"

"Shh!" Jiang Yu waved him over.

"Did you hear that commotion outside?"

He Tingyue wrung out a hot towel to clean her, following the gynecologist’s advice.

A woman’s private areas are prone to infection, so hygiene before and after intimacy is crucial.

"What commotion?"

Jiang Yu paused. The noise sounded a bit like what they’d just been up to.

But she couldn’t figure out who it could be.

A moment later, an angry shout rang out in the yard: "Lin Rui, what are you doing?"

Jiang Yu jumped up, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"That’s Aunt Xu’s voice."

He Tingyue stopped her from slipping on her shoes. "It’s freezing out there. What are you doing?"

"Of course I have to go see!" Jiang Yu blinked, putting on a righteous tone. "We’re all neighbors here. If something’s going on, we should help out."

He Tingyue: "..." Just admit you want to see the drama.

Before he could respond, He Feiyan knocked on the door.

"Sis! Sis! Come out quick, there’s drama to see!"

Jiang Yu stuck out her tongue sheepishly. "No more talking, let’s hurry out."

If you wait too long, you’ll miss the action.

Since she’d already gone out, He Tingyue had no choice but to follow.

When they opened the door, the rest of the compound had already gathered outside.

Someone shone a flashlight, and Jiang Yu could just make out two figures kneeling on the ground—Zhang Jiahua and Lin Rui.

Duan Yuzhen covered her mouth, laughing mockingly. "Aunt Xu, didn’t you say your son was single? What’s this? Your family sure keeps it in the family."

Xu Lihua was so furious she saw stars, her hand shaking as she pointed at Zhang Jiahua.

She asked, incredulous, "The divorced woman you talked about is Lin Rui?"

Lin Rui huddled in Zhang Jiahua’s arms, her face pale and body stiff from the cold.

She was humiliated, of course, but there was no other choice.

Zhang Jiahua had promised to come clean to Xu Lihua once he got the job.

But the moment he found a better option, he wanted to ditch her.

If she didn’t act now, she’d be stuck as Xu Lihua’s widow forever.

Zhang Jiahua gritted his teeth. He had indeed been less rational and cautious than usual tonight, which led to their discovery.

"Mom, Lin Rui is my girlfriend. I want to marry Lin Rui."

Slap!

Xu Lihua slapped him hard, her eyes filled with rage, wishing she could tear Lin Rui apart.

"She is your sister-in-law!"

Zhang Jiahua straightened his back, "What does it matter? My brother is already dead, she’s free to marry again. I’m unmarried, and she’s unmarried, so why can’t we be together?"