Chapter 53 Jiang Ning had never met Shen Lang...

Jiang Ning had never met Shen Lang. She had only heard that he was a hoodlum, uneducated, and couldn't even write his own name. He was said to be fierce-looking, unfilial, and always fighting in the streets, and might end up in jail at any time.

Her mother said that Jiang Can had married someone unclean, and at that time she didn't let her go home, but just let her stay at school.

Later, Jiang Can did not bring her blond-haired husband back to her parents' home, and Jiang Ning never saw him again.

The short-haired girl next to Jiang Ning shouted, "Don't try to lie. Everyone knows you married a yellow-haired scoundrel who can't read a single word. Now that you've been caught cheating on him, you're still so self-righteous. You've really disgraced Jiangjia Village."

Jiang Ning tugged at the little girl: "Fangfang, don't say that about me. No matter how bad he is, he's still my brother-in-law."

Her words confirmed what the little girl had said.

The man in front of me had jet-black hair, a buzz cut, and a handsome face. Judging from his clothes, he seemed to be a young nobleman from a highly educated family.

This man is definitely not some illiterate hoodlum.

Jiang Can cheated on his wife!

A gay man next to Jiang Ning frowned: "He really has no shame!"

The others also pointed and whispered about Jiang Can, as if she were some kind of filthy trash.

Shen Lang laughed angrily: "Are you all illiterate people who can't understand human language? I am Can Can's original husband, a legally married couple who have obtained a marriage certificate."

Jiang Ning was shocked: "This is impossible."

Shen Lang: "I understand you don't want Cancan to have a good life, and you hope she marries a scumbag and her life is ruined. Unfortunately, my Cancan is too capable; she directly made me turn over a new leaf, become positive and change completely."

Since we got married, my wife Cancan has been helping me earn money to support the family and guiding my education. She's done such a wonderful job; I, a complete illiterate good-for-nothing, am now in university. My ancestors must have been incredibly lucky to marry Cancan.

He looked down at Jiang Can and smiled brightly: "Wife, thank you."

Everyone: !!!

The way they looked at Jiang Can completely changed. The more they looked down on him just now, the more they looked at him with envy, jealousy, and admiration!

How did she manage to mold a good-for-nothing into this?

Jiang Ning couldn't believe it. Was this outstanding young man really the good-for-nothing from back then? Or was he trained by Jiang Can?

Rich, refined, wise, handsome, noble...

Any beautiful word would be fitting to describe him.

How could someone like that be Jiang Can's husband?

The short-haired girl shook her head: "How could that be! Jiang Can doesn't have that ability! You're lying!"

A young girl wearing a long, light blue sweater said, "Is it so hard to admit that someone is doing well? I know Miss Jiang and Mr. Shen. The first time I met them, they were already husband and wife. Back then, Mr. Shen's hair was still blond!"

Just then, a few stylishly dressed young men walked in and greeted Jiang Can with smiles: "Boss Jiang!"

They were some of the "second-generation demolition beneficiaries" I met at the restaurant yesterday.

Jiang Can greeted people with a smile and introduced Shen Lang: "This is my husband."

Several people who had benefited from land expropriation happened to know Shen Lang and had even been beaten up by him before. They immediately dropped their joking expressions and called out together, "Brother Lang."

These guys looked like nouveau riche, yet they called Jiang Can "Boss Jiang"? And they were so respectful to Shen Lang?

Jiang Ning felt dizzy. Jiang Can had become a big boss? And was he supporting Shen Lang? And all the jewelry Jiang Can wore was real gold? She pinched her palms to calm herself down. "Sister, brother-in-law, why don't you come home to visit? Mom and Dad have been talking about you a lot lately, worried that you're not doing well."

Jiang Can: "Huh? Didn't they tell me to die out there and never come back? Okay, stop pretending to be so familiar, we're not familiar." Then he said to Jiang Fangfang: "Didn't your village chief father say that a married daughter is like water spilled from a bowl? After I got married, I had nothing to do with Jiangjia Village. So, whatever happens to me has nothing to do with Jiangjia Village."

Jiang Ning and Jiang Fangfang were at a loss for words.

All eyes were on the two of them, making them feel incredibly embarrassed. Jiang Fangfang burst into tears, "I just misunderstood! Your reputation was so bad before, seducing this person and that person. Even after you get married, I'll still be the same..."

They remain incorrigible and continue to attempt to smear Jiang Can's reputation.

Jiang Can: "Oh, you mean the school wronged me, right? Shen Jiajia from the county's No. 1 High School took my place in college. They didn't want me to repeat a year, so they ruined my reputation. Those people are in jail now. Those with serious offenses should be executed after the New Year. You can all come and watch the death row inmates being executed then."

Jiang Fangfang was stunned again. A university impersonation case? When they were studying in town, they had heard some rumors, including one about Jiang Can? So Jiang Can got into university? She shouted angrily, "You're talking nonsense! If you got into university, why aren't you going to school?"

Jiang Can: "Yu University did send me an admission notice, but I'd rather study in Beijing now and plan to repeat a year."

I am truly grateful to Jiang Fangfang for asking such insightful questions.

Jiang Ning and Jiang Fangfang were both devastated. They were junior high school students and knew very well how difficult it was to get into Yuda University, but Jiang Can actually decided not to go.

The male student who had just stepped forward blushed and said, "Senior Jiang, I'm sorry."

Several classmates around them apologized, saying, "Senior Jiang, we're sorry, we misunderstood you. We will learn from you and study hard."

Jiang Can smiled and said, "It's okay, just study hard and get into your dream university."

The ticket collector in the screening room was already calling for entry. Jiang Can and Shen Lang went in to watch the movie again. She was so happy to run into Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning must be furious right now. She has always been proud and arrogant, and has loved to compare herself with her since childhood. But she can't compare in looks or studies, and she cares more about clothes and being pampered.

She would seize any opportunity to show off the silver bracelet her grandmother gave her when she passed away, wearing it every day and never taking it off.

Jiang Can wouldn't go to the Jiang family to flaunt everything she owns, but the sudden encounter with Jiang Ning, which lets the Jiang family know how good her life is now, makes her feel particularly good.

She could almost picture Jiang Ning returning home and angrily telling her family everything. The Jiang family would be so angry they wouldn't be able to sleep at night, and they wouldn't even be able to celebrate the Lunar New Year properly.

She turned her head and kissed Shen Lang. It felt so good!

The movie had already started playing, and this time, Jiang Can watched it very attentively, carefully studying the acting. She was secretly kissed by Shen Lang several times, but she remained unmoved, her mind only on the movie.

Jiang Ning, who was outside, was insanely jealous. Her classmates looked at her and Fangfang differently, as if they were looking at some bad guys. She pouted and acted coquettishly, but she couldn't restore the normal atmosphere. Several classmates left without even watching the movie.

Jiang Ning was even angrier. Jiang Can was truly her nemesis. She inquired everywhere about Jiang Can and Shen Lang. Why was Jiang Can calling her boss? What had she done?

It turns out she opened a hot pot restaurant. She complained that Jiang Can was unambitious for going into business and not studying hard enough, saying he might not even get into university! But all she could think about was Jiang Can's gold bracelet, so big, so thick, and so dazzling.

She couldn't concentrate on the movie either. She put on her down jacket and walked out of the cinema, wanting to hurry home and tell her parents the news. She really liked the down jacket she was wearing; it was light pink with a bow on the back and a white pom-pom on the hood, making it especially cute and pretty.

But I didn't like it as much at the moment; this down jacket wasn't as stylish and pretty as Jiang Can's!

Why is Jiang Can living such a good life?

Jiang Can and Shen Lang finished watching the movie, and it was already past four o'clock. After returning home, they began preparing dinner.

Jiang Can planned to cook four hot dishes and two cold dishes. The two of them didn't like to eat leftovers, so each dish would be a little smaller.

Before they could cook, Fang Yuan and his mother arrived with some things. Fang's mother said that since it was just the two of them, meals were never lively and they couldn't cook anything special. She suggested that they celebrate the Lunar New Year together, which would be more lively and fun.

Jiang Can: "Why did you bring food again! Yuanyuan brought food yesterday, and we haven't even eaten it yet."

Fang's mother: "These are crabs and prawns, just bought from the market, they're very fresh. I also bought a carp, I'll make braised carp later."

The crabs and prawns haven't been processed yet, and then Xu Rao arrives.

She stamped her feet at the door, kicking off the snow from her boots, then wiped them on the doormat before carrying two boxes of things inside. "Can Can, I'm here."

There were two large boxes of fireworks and firecrackers; they said they were going to set them off after dinner.

Once inside, she saw Fang Yuan and his mother had also arrived. She thanked Fang Yuan's mother warmly and praised her for making the dried sausages and cured meats smell especially delicious.

Fang Yuan also sent her New Year's gifts.

Everyone was helping in the kitchen, which was almost overflowing. In the end, we made six hot dishes, four cold dishes, and a soup.

Fortunately, there was a large round table in the room, which was large enough to sit on.

Before eating, Jiang Can burned incense for the God of Wealth and burned large denominations of paper money in an iron basin, offering money to the God of Wealth so that he could eat first! After she kowtowed, Fang's mother, Fang Yuan, and Xu Rao also kowtowed, as the God of Wealth had to kneel.

She stood by the window and gestured to Shen Lang, who then lit the firecrackers.

Jiang Can covered Hu Zi's ears and watched as the long string of firecrackers outside crackled and popped for two minutes straight, creating a very lively scene.

After Shen Lang went upstairs, the paper money in the basin was almost burned out, and he kowtowed to the God of Wealth.

Everyone sat down to eat together, and the TV was turned on. We found Henan TV, which was showing Henan opera, which everyone loved to watch.

Tiger's meal was also very lavish, a big plate with all kinds of large meat bones, as well as sweet potatoes, potatoes, cabbage, and a large apple.

It's Chinese New Year today too.

However, Tiger didn't eat well; he hated the firecrackers!

After dinner, Fang Yuan carried two boxes of fireworks and set them off at the entrance of the small residential area. The fireworks burst into the air, turning the night into day.

Fireworks are so beautiful.

After the Lunar New Year, Jiang Can and Xu Rao started visiting food factories. They first went to the Liaoxian Food Factory, a relatively small factory that mainly produced bread and sold it to surrounding counties and cities; business was quite good. The Zhoushi Food Factory was larger, mainly producing instant noodles and ham sausages. In the summer, they made canned fruit, and in the winter, they made canned meat.

There are also several smaller food factories, consisting of just a few rooms, producing various spicy snacks, popsicles, and the like.

After discussing it, Jiang Can and Xu Rao felt that producing hot pot base was a very feasible idea. If they added various meatballs, people who wanted to eat hot pot at home would definitely buy it.

In addition, chili sauce, beef sauce, and mushroom sauce are also good options; these are all popular in every household.

Jiang Can and Xu Rao went to see the small warehouse in the suburbs. The yard was very large, about two acres in size, and there were two red brick houses inside, which could be used directly as warehouses.

Behind the warehouse was an orchard planted with apple trees. However, the barrenness of the mountain made the trees grow poorly, though they still bore fruit, albeit small ones.

The surrounding mountains are similar; the fruit trees don't grow well, and the soil is poor.

The farmers who were allocated this land were very annoyed, but there was nothing they could do. It was all decided by drawing lots in the old days, and no one would give you fertile land from someone else.

Shen Lang didn't spend much money when he bought this hill.

Jiang Can and Xu Rao thought this place was great and planned to start work after the New Year. They would need to do some more renovations, as hygiene is paramount in the food business, and this warehouse had to be kept clean.

During this time, Jiang Can's biological parents came to the Flaming Mountain Hot Pot Restaurant and Jiang's Restaurant, claiming to be Jiang Can's parents and demanding to see her. Jiang Can had already warned them that they could eat, but they had to pay. If they caused trouble, they could just be kicked out.

Moreover, Jiang Can's biological father was a village teacher who cared about his reputation and was unlikely to cause a scene.

The Jiang family went there several times, but never saw Jiang Can. They spent a lot of money on meals and eventually bribed the restaurant staff to find out where Jiang Can's family lived.

Those who know about Jiang Can's family won't tell them. For those who don't know about Jiang Can's family, money won't help.

Finally, the Jiang family followed the employees and found their way to the staff dormitory. The six single-story houses in the courtyard were full of employees from Jiang's Restaurant and Flame Mountain. The young men were all strong and beat up a bunch of the Jiang family members and threw them out. The young women were also quick-witted and gave the Jiang family members a good scolding.

The Jiang family didn't dare call the police; they sneaked in, and they didn't even care about being beaten.

After spending several days in the county, the Jiang family had gathered a fairly complete understanding of Jiang Can's situation. He was a restaurant owner and a recipient of land expropriation compensation. The restaurant was so expensive, yet its business was booming. He would receive at least 300,000 yuan in compensation for the expropriation! If it were a large house, he could receive 500,000 yuan!

Jiang Can has more money in her pocket than she can spend, no wonder she can wear gold bracelets, gold rings and gold earrings, she's incredibly rich.

But they couldn't find Jiang Can himself.

The Jiang family was so angry they couldn't sleep. If they couldn't find Jiang Can, they wouldn't be able to have a good New Year.

On the afternoon of the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month.

Shen Lang's best friend, Zhu Zi, is getting married, and everyone is coming to the He family's house to help. Fang Yuan is in charge of the banquet; he arrived in the morning and is leading the staff of Zhang's Restaurant in preparing the meat and vegetables.

Shen Lang drove over, and Mr. and Mrs. He greeted him with smiles, offering him and Jiang Can wedding candy.

Mother He held Jiang Can's hand: "The wedding quilt is still missing a corner that hasn't been sewn on. Can Can will sew on the last two stitches later."

There's a specific method to this.

The wedding quilt isn't something that can be sewn casually. If the host family thinks you're not lucky, they won't even let you touch it. Those who can participate in sewing the wedding quilt are usually "women of five blessings," meaning happy women who have parents, parents-in-law, spouse, and children all present.

Jiang Can's status is not suitable. She just got married, has no in-laws, no parents, and hasn't even had a child yet.

Jiang Can said, "Auntie, I'm too young to sew a wedding quilt."

Mother He couldn't stop smiling: "Of course! I'm hoping that Zhuzi and Minmin can share in your good fortune."

Jiang Canfu is so lucky! Look how much good fortune she's brought to Shen Lang since she got married!

The He family used to be dirt poor. They could only afford a couple of ounces of meat when they were really hungry, and even then, they had to eat it over several meals. How could they be like this now? Their son is successful and makes money; he's now the deputy factory director, working for hundreds of people, and the family even lives in a Western-style house!

I owe my good life to Jiang Can.

Jiang Can was pulled by He's mother to the main room to sew the wedding quilt.

The He family's house was rebuilt. The previous low mud-brick house was demolished and a two-story Western-style building was rebuilt. If they weren't afraid of attracting too much attention, they would have liked to build a three-story villa.

The main room was covered with a red sheet, on which lay a wedding quilt, only missing one corner.

Mother He brought over a plate and asked Jiang Can to stuff a hundred yuan, red dates, peanuts, and longans into the corner of the quilt before handing her the needle and thread.

The needle and thread have been mostly sewn, and there are specific techniques involved. The stitches must be completed in one continuous motion, without any breaks, joins, or lumps.

Jiang Can didn't refuse and sewed the corners of the quilt diagonally, symbolizing a harmonious relationship between the newlyweds.

Outside, Shen Lang drove the car into the yard, pasted large red double happiness characters on it, and tied large red ribbons to the front and back of the car.

It was especially festive.

This car will also be the star of the show tomorrow, serving as the wedding car to pick up the bride!

He's mother, along with several of her sisters-in-law and aunts, led Jiang Can to the bridal chamber. He's mother walked in front, carrying the newly sewn wedding quilt.

The wedding room is on the second floor, east side. It's a suite with one bedroom, one living room, fully furnished, and very spacious.

Jiang Can and several of his sisters-in-law and aunts made the bed together, with the wedding quilt placed on top.

Zhu Zi led his friends upstairs, carrying ribbons, streamers, balloons and other decorations. They all said the wedding room looked great.

One of Zhu's classmates said, "This is much more comfortable than an apartment!"

A detached house with everything you could want is much more comfortable than a commercial apartment.

After spreading out the wedding quilt, Mother He and several aunts and sisters-in-law went to busy themselves with other things. Jiang Can was not needed to help with anything else; he was allowed to stay in the room and play with the young people.

The tallest man, Shen Lang, stood on the table and hung streamers from the ceiling. A red lantern was hung in the middle of the house, and double happiness streamers were hung in the four corners.

Red double happiness symbols were also pasted on the walls and glass.

Jiang Can was blowing up balloons with several other young women and wives. Jiang Can recognized many of them; she had met them before at her wedding.

They had only met once before, but now that they were seeing each other again, it was as if they were old friends who had known each other for many years. Jiang Can was very warm towards him.

The bridal chamber was bustling with activity when He's mother called from downstairs, "Zhuzi, Liangzi and his wife are here."