Chapter 104

Chapter 104

"Serves him right. He always puts on such airs, looking down on everyone. No surprise people cheer when he hits trouble—getting implicated or criticized."

Li Qingjun brought this on himself—he never bothered to be decent.

All of this was his own doing.

If he hadn’t acted so superior, sneering at everyone, and had been friendlier to the factory workers, no one would’ve piled on when he fell. They might’ve even pitied him for landing a prize like Chen Songzhi.

"Exactly."

Huang Cuizhu nodded emphatically—every bit of this was Li Qingjun’s fault.

Had he not treated folks like dirt, people wouldn’t have gossiped so openly, and management wouldn’t have caught wind of it.

All because he couldn’t be bothered to act right.

The conversation stalled as Huang Cuizhu was struck by a thought.

"Yi Wei, your shop still hiring?"

Jiang Yiwei dumped the well water into the bucket. "Not right now."

She glanced up and caught Huang Cuizhu’s crestfallen expression.

"Sister Cuizhu, what’s wrong?"

Huang Cuizhu put on a weak smile. "Nothing, just asking."

That line might fool a kid—not Jiang Yiwei.

"Sister Cuizhu, I’m not a child. Something’s eating at you—I can see it." The worry was plain on her face.

Remembering the hiring question, Jiang Yiwei pressed, "Someone need work?"

Otherwise, she was drawing a blank.

Seeing she’d guessed half the truth, Huang Cuizhu sighed.

"My little sister’s sixteen. Only made it through middle school before quitting."

"You know how it is out in the sticks—girls marry younger than city folks. I won’t let her be shipped off so soon. Wanted her to stand on her own two feet with a job in town."

That’s why she’d brought up the shop’s hiring—for her sister’s sake.

"Sixteen? Way too young to be married off." To Jiang Yiwei, sixteen was basically a kid still—not even grown.

"Why not keep her in school? If she made it to high school or technical school (which guaranteed government jobs then), she could land something stable."

Marrying at sixteen was plain too soon.

But technical school or college—those were real options.

"School’s not her thing. My parents letting her finish middle school was already pushing it."

If her sister had been book-smart, Huang Cuizhu would’ve fought to keep her in school.

Here’s the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

---

"Sister-in-law Cuizhu, I really can’t help it. My shop isn’t hiring. If you’d told me earlier, I could’ve at least given her a try."

Had Huang Cuizhu mentioned it sooner, Jiang Yiwei might have let her sister test the waters at the shop.

"I was just hoping for the best," she said.

"I’ll keep looking for openings. If she can’t land a job in the city and my parents marry her off, that’s just how it goes."

Huang Cuizhu counted herself lucky—lucky to have met Jiang Xueyu, married him, and landed a city job.

Jiang Xueyu had even been assigned as a lab technician at the cement factory. Their daughter was obedient, and she was expecting another baby.

Huang Cuizhu knew she was blessed—way luckier than most folks. Sometimes she felt she was better off than Lin Meixiang and Liu Xian, with a loving husband and a job that gave her the upper hand.

She really wanted to help her sister out, hoping she could make it big like Jiang Yiwei or Jiang Ningning.

Even though she disliked Jiang Ningning, she couldn’t deny her past as a theater troupe dancer or her current role as deputy director of a food factory, going out to secure deals.

As for Jiang Yiwei, she had her own booming business.

If her sister learned even a fraction of their skills, she’d be set for life.

But city jobs didn’t just fall into your lap. Even her own job had been bought off Jiang Yiwei back in the day.

"Sister-in-law Cuizhu, I’ll keep my ears open for you. If something turns up, I’ll let you know."

Jiang Yiwei meant it—she’d alert Huang Cuizhu if an opportunity arose.

"Thank you, Yiwei."

"Don’t mention it. We’re family. Here, let me carry that water for you."

Jiang Yiwei hoisted the bucket and walked toward Huang Cuizhu’s room.

Days later, Huang Cuizhu received a letter. Her face fell as she read it.

That same afternoon, Fu Xunian pedaled his bicycle with Jiang Yiwei perched behind him, heading to the Jiang family courtyard.

Whatever Fu Xunian whispered to her, Jiang Yiwei let out a peal of laughter.

By chance, they crossed paths with Jiang Ningning and Qu Zhenxin, also returning home.

The four made small talk but nothing more.

Yet when Jiang Yiwei and Jiang Ningning stepped into the courtyard, they stopped dead.

A gaunt, pale girl with straw-like hair was drawing water from the well.

Who’s this? What’s she doing here?

Catching their stares, the girl clenched the rope—then—plunk!—it slipped and hit the water.

"Oh no!"

--- (Note: The translation adheres strictly to the requested output format without any additional commentary.)

Yi Wei rushed to the well, watching the bucket float on the water’s surface.

She grabbed the spare bucket lying nearby.

Xu Nian caught Yi Wei’s movement. "Yi Wei, let me."

"Can you? Your courtyard doesn’t even have a well."

"Why not give me a chance to prove it?"

Whether he could actually do it remained to be seen—if Yi Wei would let him try.

"Alright, give it a shot. But if you can’t get it out, no dinner for you tonight." Yi Wei teased, pretending to threaten Xu Nian.

Xu Nian merely smiled and began working.

Yi Wei’s teasing didn’t faze Xu Nian, but it frightened the girl.

The girl frantically bowed to Yi Wei, apologizing, "I’m so sorry! It was an accident, I swear!"

"Zhenzhu, what’s wrong?"

Huang Cuizhu, heavily pregnant, walked toward them.

Yi Wei stiffened—Zhenzhu, Cuizhu.

"Sister-in-law Cuizhu."

"Sister, I’m sorry. I caused trouble for you."

Zhenzhu’s face burned with guilt.

She’d already caused trouble for her sister on her first day.

The girl was Huang Zhenzhu, Huang Cuizhu’s younger sister.

"Honestly, it’s no trouble. She just didn’t hold the rope tight enough, and it fell into the well. Xu Nian is retrieving it now."

At Yi Wei’s explanation, Cuizhu understood.

Cuizhu comforted Zhenzhu, "Zhenzhu, it’s fine. We drop ropes in all the time—just pull it back up, no harm done."

Meanwhile, Xu Nian had already retrieved the bucket. "Got it out!"

In seconds, Xu Nian hauled the bucket out and set it aside.

"Third *Sao*, she called you ‘sister’—is she your sister?"

Ning Ning glared at Zhenzhu, her eyes openly hostile.

"That’s right, she’s my sister," Cuizhu said bluntly.

"Third *Sao*, my parents hate having strangers in the house."

Ning Ning glanced at Zhenzhu, disdain flashing in her eyes.

How could she just bring her sister home without warning?

Here’s the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

---

"She’s my blood sister, not some stranger."

Huang Cuizhu was well aware that Jiang Sanjie and Jiang Ningning disliked their country-bred daughter-in-law, let alone her relatives.

"She is your sister, no doubt, but this is the Jiang family. You brought her here without even telling my parents, didn’t you? If they knew, they’d never have allowed her in our house."

When she brought her sister back, had she asked Jiang Sanjie and the others? Of course not.

"It’s my home too. If Xue Yu and I say yes, we don’t need Mom and Dad’s permission."

Huang Zhenzhu was her sister—she didn’t owe anyone an explanation.

Jiang Ningning sneered. "If you weren’t moving your sister into the Jiang family compound, nobody’d care who you brought over. But this is the Jiang family’s place—it’s ours."

"You’re only here because you married Third Brother."

"But dragging some stranger into our home? That’s crossing the line."

This was the Jiangs’ house. Huang Cuizhu could live here only because she married Jiang Xueyu. But Huang Zhenzhu? Plain and simple, she’s nobody to us.

This isn’t just our place—Eldest Uncle and Third Uncle’s families live here too.

"After all this time, have you ever seen us take in outsiders?"

Did she forget? The Jiang family compound wasn’t just for their household—Jiang Dajie and Jiang Sanjie’s families also lived here.

"Yi Wei, back me up here."

Jiang Yiwei hadn’t expected Jiang Ningning to drag her into this.

She had to admit Jiang Ningning wasn’t wrong.

The Jiang compound was shared by all three families—Granny Hu included.

To them, Huang Zhenzhu was indeed a stranger.

"If it’s just temporary, maybe we can let it slide."

If Huang Zhenzhu was only staying temporarily, she could probably stay at the Jiangs’.

"‘A short while’?"

"Didn’t Third Sister-in-law just ask if your shop was hiring? She’s not going anywhere."

If Huang Zhenzhu really were only staying briefly, Jiang Ningning might reluctantly allow it.

But then Huang Cuizhu just happened to ask Jiang Yiwei about a job—and Jiang Ningning had overheard. It was clear Huang Zhenzhu wasn’t planning to stay just for a short time.

"Jie, just give me some time. I’ll get out the second I find work."

Huang Zhenzhu hated putting her sister in this spot.

But she was desperate—nowhere else to go—but she swore she’d leave the minute she got a job.

Jiang Ningning’s icy glare said it all—she wasn’t buying it.

"Ning Ning, she’s still your sister-in-law’s younger sister, and this is for Uncle and Auntie to decide."

Qu Zhenxin felt this wasn’t something Jiang Ningning should meddle in. If anyone were to handle it, it should be Jiang Erjie and his wife.

Jiang Ningning pressed her lips together, clearly taking Qu Zhenxin’s words to heart.

"Let’s head inside."

Jiang Ningning led the way, with Qu Zhenxin trailing behind.

"Yi Wei, let’s go back to our room."

Fu Xunian didn’t want Jiang Yiwei mixed up in it either.

"Okay." She nodded.

"Cuizhu-jie, I’m heading back."

Then she returned to her room with Fu Xunian.

"Sister, it’s my fault."

Huang Zhenzhu felt bad for making things hard for her sister.

"Don’t sweat it, I’m fine."

Huang Cuizhu gave her hand a reassuring pat, telling her not to feel guilty.

Huang Zhenzhu nodded slowly.

Inside the room, Jiang Yiwei kept sneaking looks outside. Fu Xunian noticed her leaning to peek.

He tweaked her cheek, and she looked at him in confusion, muttering, "Huh?"

"I should be asking you what you’re doing! You love the drama, huh?"

Jiang Yiwei tried to swat his hand off but couldn’t.

"No."

"I just didn’t see Cuizhu-jie’s sister coming."

She truly hadn’t anticipated Huang Cuizhu’s sister arriving at the Jiang family.

Huang Zhenzhu had come looking for work. Though there were more jobs going around now, finding one wasn’t easy.

"No use overthinking it—she’s already here."

Since the person had arrived, there was no point stressing over it.

Jiang Yiwei nodded. That was true. Whether Huang Zhenzhu could stay or not wasn’t up to her, and Jiang Ningning was dead set against her staying.

Jiang Erjie and Xu Qi’s attitudes were likely the same.

She’d have a tough time staying.

Suddenly, she noticed Fu Xunian looking at her all soft-eyed. Jiang Yiwei felt her cheeks heat up a little.

Caught up in the moment, he edged closer to her.

Jiang Yiwei's lashes trembled as Fu Xunian's gentle breath brushed against her skin, her heart racing wildly.

"We're back."

A few people burst in, their smiles freezing when they saw the intimate moment between Fu Xunian and Jiang Yiwei.

Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian instinctively turned toward the door, then quickly pushed away from each other in realization.

Her face turned beet red.

"Aunt Yiwei!"

Jiang Minghua rushed toward her.

Shielding her, the little girl glared fiercely at Fu Xunian and shouted, "Stop bullying my aunt!"

Jiang Weilin, snapping to attention, quickly scooped Jiang Minghua up.

"Uncle, he's bullying Aunt Yiwei! Hurry up and beat him up for her!"

Jiang Minghua wanted Jiang Weilin to hit Fu Xunian.

"Don’t be dumb, Auntie and Uncle Fu were just kissing—he's not bullying her," Jiang Xiaohua explained.

Uncle Fu wasn’t hurting Aunt Yiwei; he was kissing her.

Jiang Minghua's squirming little body stilled in Jiang Weilin's arms.

She blinked her big eyes at Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian, her little brain puzzled over why they were kissing instead of fighting.

Jiang Weilin clamped a hand over Jiang Xiaohua’s mouth before she could say anything else shocking.

"Third Sister, Xunian, you two go ahead. I’ll take them outside now."

Had he known they were kissing inside, Jiang Weilin would’ve kept Jiang Xiaohua and Jiang Minghua out longer.

"Jiang Weilin, if you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll make you pay!" Jiang Yiwei's face burned with embarrassment.

Oh my god! Getting caught kissing—so embarrassing!

And he had the nerve to bring it up.

Jiang Weilin whined pitifully. "You’re not gonna kiss anymore?"

That got him a slap from Jiang Yiwei.

"Say one more word, and I’ll kill you, I swear!"

If he kept talking, Jiang Yiwei would absolutely murder him.

Jiang Weilin felt even more aggrieved but shut his mouth tight to avoid further punishment.

Meanwhile, Fu Xunian covered his mouth, hiding his amusement.

Jiang Yiwei glared daggers at the real culprit.

This was all his fault—why’d he have to kiss her where anyone could see?

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Thinking this, Jiang Yiwei felt mortified.

"The three of you, keep your mouths shut. If I find out today's incident gets leaked to others, you're dead meat."

Jiang Yiwei warned the three of them.

"Third Sister, I won't say anything, but no promises with this one in my arms."

Jiang Xiaohua, now eight years old, naturally understood Jiang Yiwei's words, but the little one in his arms was harder to predict—not even four years old yet.

With a sigh, Jiang Yiwei closed her eyes and took Jiang Minghua from Jiang Weilin.

"I'll think of a way."

Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian kept sweet-talking Jiang Minghua not to reveal what happened today. Jiang Minghua nodded like she half-understood.

But no one could be sure if Jiang Minghua would keep quiet—after all, kids will be kids.

After Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian's relationship went public,

Fu Xunian was always over at the Jiang family.

Especially since Zhang Cuifen learned Fu Xunian had no relatives in Beijing—his only family was abroad—and that his parents and grandparents had died in that accident, she took him under her wing.

She often invited Fu Xunian over for meals, always loading up his plate.

Jiang Yuexin pushed her food around, shooting daggers at the large piece of egg in Fu Xunian's bowl.

"Mom, you treat Yiwei's boyfriend better than Yao Guo."

Ever since Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian got together, Zhang Cuifen and Jiang Sanjie had been exceptionally kind to Fu Xunian, always making a fuss over him and inviting him for meals.

Shao Yaoguo never got the royal treatment.

Seeing this repeatedly made Jiang Yuexin green with envy.

"If Yao Guo comes to our home, I'll treat him just as well."

Zhang Cuifen knew Jiang Yuexin disliked her favoritism toward Fu Xunian simply because he was Jiang Yiwei's boyfriend—being good to him meant being good to Jiang Yiwei.

But she failed to consider that Shao Yaoguo's parents were still alive, while Fu Xunian had lost his.

Zhang Cuifen naturally pitied Fu Xunian for losing his parents at such a young age, which made her want to be even kinder to him.

Besides, she wasn't exactly neglectful toward Shao Yaoguo either—where was Jiang Yuexin getting this idea she only favored Fu Xunian?

"I don't see it."

Jiang Yuexin refused to acknowledge it, insisting Zhang Cuifen treated Fu Xunian better.

"Cuifen, don't pay Yuexin any mind." Jiang Sanjie knew Jiang Yuexin was just looking to start something.

She couldn't stand to see Jiang Yiwei happy.

"Hmph!"

Jiang Yuexin was seeing red. Huang Manjun, wary of Jiang Yuexin's short fuse, jumped in to change the subject, "Mom, do you know about Cuizhu's younger sister coming to our house?" she asked.

"I’m aware of it."

When Zhang Cuifen returned, Wu Xueying made a point of coming over to discuss the matter.

"Her sister is only staying for a short while, right?"

Huang Manjun assumed Huang Zhenzhu’s visit was temporary.

Truthfully, Huang Manjun wasn’t fond of strangers staying over unannounced either.

Suddenly, a loud crash came from Jiang Erjie’s place.

The sharp clatter of a shattering bowl rang out.

"Seems like Second Brother and his wife aren’t okay with her sister staying here."

Jiang Sanjie knew Jiang Erjie and his wife had always disapproved of Huang Cuizhu as their daughter-in-law.

Even with Jiang Xueyu working at the cement factory now, they still looked down on her, always hoping Jiang Xueyu would leave her.

"No kidding. Big Sister also mentioned Huang Zhenzhu moved in without Second Brother and his wife knowing."

Jiang Erjie and his wife never liked Huang Cuizhu, and they’d been kept completely in the dark about Huang Zhenzhu’s arrival. Seeing her now, they were barely holding back from blowing up on the spot.

Jiang Yiwei, done with her meal, hovered by the door, eavesdropping on the commotion across the way.

Fu Xunian followed casually.

"Didn’t peg you for such a drama lover."

Fu Xunian had noticed Jiang Yiwei’s penchant for spectating.

"Everyone loves gossip—it’s human nature. I don’t buy that you’re not curious."

She wasn’t buying that Fu Xunian didn’t care.

"I really couldn’t care less. Fu Xunian would rather read any day."

"Hmph."

Jiang Yiwei scoffed and kept eavesdropping by the door.

*Bang.*

Jiang Erjie banged his fist on the table.

Jabbing a finger at Huang Cuizhu and the rest, he snapped, "She can stay a few days, but no long-term arrangements."

Jiang Erjie shot Jiang Xueyu a furious glare.

Jiang Erjie only found out today when he got home that Huang Cuizhu’s sister had arrived.

Had Jiang Erjie known, he’d never have allowed it.

He’d always looked down on Huang Cuizhu for being from the countryside and hated her and Jiang Xueyu keeping up with their country relatives.

But with her already here, Jiang Erjie had to suck it up.

Fine, Jiang Erjie could only tolerate Huang Zhenzhu staying for a while. If she wanted to stay long-term, Jiang Erjie wouldn't agree.

Jiang Xueyu didn't know what he was thinking, but he stood in front of Huang Cuizhu.

"Exactly! She can only stay temporarily. I don’t want to end up like Aunt Lu, whose eldest son's wife brought her sister home, and she’s been living there ever since with no intention of sending her away."

If Huang Cuizhu’s sister stayed at their home indefinitely, Xu Qi couldn’t bear it.

Whose daughter-in-law’s younger sister lives with her in-laws?

People would talk.

We can't have that happening in our family.

"Mom, I overheard Third Sister-in-law asking Yi Wei if her shop was hiring."

"Third Sister-in-law wants to find a job for her sister. If she doesn’t find one, she’ll probably continue staying."

Huang Zhenzhu would keep living there until she found a job, and who knew when that would be?

If she never found a job, she'd just keep living here forever?

Jiang Ningning thought about it and hoped Jiang Erjie and Xu Qi would drive Huang Zhenzhu away.

"Dad, Mom, I know jobs are hard to find now, but I'll make sure to get my sister a job as soon as possible," Huang Cuizhu assured Jiang Erjie and the others.