Chapter 116 Have Some Dessert

Chapter 116: Have a Snack

Lu Jingtang accompanied Lin Yixiao on a shopping spree through Central Plaza, her legs nearly giving out. She managed to keep going only after consuming a bowl of icy taro balls, two grilled sausages, and a crispy flatbread (guokui).

Lin Yixiao had suddenly gone on a shopping spree like a nouveau riche, all in preparation for her boyfriend who had been studying abroad in the United States for five years without returning. This time, he was coming back for good, finally putting an end to their long-distance relationship. She wanted to be at her best to welcome him.

Lu Jingtang found it quite surprising. Despite being separated for a full five years, her boyfriend had never once returned home, and Lin Yixiao had never visited him abroad. Judging by Lin Yixiao’s usual lifestyle—what she ate, wore, and used—it didn’t seem like she lacked the money for a plane ticket to the U.S. And since her boyfriend could afford to study abroad for so long, he probably wasn’t short on money for a ticket either.

It wasn’t like some idol drama where, once one of the main characters goes abroad, all the planes in the world suddenly break down and can no longer fly. If two people truly care for each other, they’ll find a way to meet.

Lin Yixiao claimed she didn’t want to disrupt his studies, and her boyfriend said he couldn’t bear to see her traveling back and forth, telling her not to waste the money.

Even though the two hadn’t seen each other in five years, Lin Yixiao had spent nearly 300,000 yuan on him over the years.

The moment Lu Jingtang heard the amount, she felt a prickle of discomfort. Something felt off—deceiving about feelings is one thing, but scamming money is worse. However, seeing the hopeful look in Lin Yixiao’s eyes, she didn’t want to discourage her. She could only nod vaguely and say something entirely unrelated, “Why don’t you grab a snack?”

A tempting sweet fragrance filled the air. Lu Jingtang looked up and saw a stall selling wheel pies. Eagerly, she shifted her shopping bags to her other hand and joined the queue.

“What? 13 yuan for one cake? That’s too expensive!”

A mother and daughter were also in line ahead of them. The mother seemed to think the price was too high and refused to buy one, speaking loudly in a tone that felt uncomfortably harsh toward her daughter, “If you want to eat it, buy it yourself. You’re unemployed now, and in a few days, your nephew’s tutoring sessions need to be paid for. You should know how to save.”

The strange, probing glances from those around them made Jiang Ning so uncomfortable she couldn’t lift her head. Murmurs of pity and sympathy pierced her eardrums, making her head throb with pain.

Lu Jingtang simply thought the mother and daughter looked somewhat familiar and couldn’t help but glance at them a few more times. Unexpectedly, she locked eyes with Jiang Ning.

She froze for a moment, sensing Jiang Ning’s embarrassment and that she might not want to greet her. So, she didn’t approach, merely giving a slight nod.

“I’m talking to you! Are you listening?” Even with so many people watching in public, Jiang Ning’s aunt (her mother’s sister-in-law) continued to berate her. When Jiang Ning ignored her, she grew irritated and followed her gaze, her eyes lighting up the moment she spotted Lu Jingtang.

The aunt dragged Jiang Ning over to Lu Jingtang, her smile oozing with ingratiation. “Oh, if it isn’t our Youyou! I haven’t seen you in over half a year. Here, what would you like to eat? Auntie will buy it for you.”

Lu Jingtang awkwardly pulled her hand free. “No need, Auntie. My friend and I have already placed an order on our phones. We can just pick it up.”

But the aunt refused to leave, insisting that as an elder, she ought to treat them. She even brought up Lu Jingtang’s relationship with the Fu family’s son, saying that since Lu Jingtang’s parents were no longer around, she, as the aunt, ought to visit Fu Xiaqing and Ye Xixi on behalf of her parents.

Lu Jingtang didn’t take the bait. “No need to trouble yourself, Auntie. Uncle Fu and the others said they’ll visit Grandma when they have time.”

The aunt frowned disapprovingly. “You’re too young to understand. If you have no family backing, people will look down on you.”

“It’s fine. It’s always been like this,” Lu Jingtang replied expressionlessly. When her parents passed away, Jiang Ning’s uncle and his wife had made every excuse to avoid responsibility, afraid of being burdened. Now that there was something to gain, they wanted a share of the benefits. She wasn’t foolish enough to doubt the Fu family, who had raised her as their own, just because of a few words from others.

Seeing that her ploy wasn’t working, the aunt cut to the chase. Pulling Jiang Ning forward, she said, “Youyou, you’ve made it big now. The entire Fu family might be yours someday. Your cousin’s company went under, and she’s unemployed now. You have to help your cousins out. We’re your real blood relatives—family shares everything. Why don’t you arrange a managerial role for your cousin in the Fu family’s company?”

Jiang Ning’s company went under?

Before Lu Jingtang could process this, Jiang Ning suddenly shouted, “Enough! I’ll find a job on my own. Tomorrow, I’ll buy you a ticket back to Rongcheng.” Jiang Ning, her face pale, tried to pull her mother away.

*Smack!*

Unfortunately, her aunt was shameless and had no regard for her daughter’s dignity. Instead, she slapped Jiang Ning across the face and scolded her, “What do you mean by that? Are you embarrassed by me? I’m humbling myself to beg your cousin—all for your sake! Why are you giving me that attitude?”

Jiang Ning’s cheek swelled instantly. She no longer wanted to be the dutiful daughter, no longer wanted to pretend, and no longer wanted to make excuses for anyone.

“For my sake? More like for your precious son! Since I was little, the only time you ever noticed me was when I worked hard for you. Every bit of love you gave me came with a price. You’d scrimp and save to buy your son a house, but then turn around and tell me the money you spent on my education was a loan I had to repay. You’re begging Lu Jingtang for a job not for me, but because you’re worried that if I’m unemployed and can’t earn money, I’ll become a burden to your son and upset your daughter-in-law. Even when I spend my own money on a pastry, you have to bring up your precious grandson. You’d gladly drain me dry to feed your son and his family.”