In Li Xue's view, Jiang Yu wasn't someone without foresight. Now that such a good opportunity was presented to her, her decisive refusal must have some hidden reason.

Remembering the rumors of discord between men and wives that had always circulated in the military, she concluded that Shen Ying had threatened her, which was why she dared not go.

"Hey sis, tell me, is it because your husband won't let you live in the family compound?"

Because she loves Shen Ying, she naturally favors her own people when it comes to issues involving Jiang Yu.

"No, Sister Xue, you've misunderstood. I just simply don't want to adapt to a new environment."

Seeing that this kind older sister seemed to want to help her, Jiang Yu quickly explained, afraid of causing any unnecessary misunderstanding. Only after Jiang Yu's repeated refusals did Li Xue give up.

After the dishes were served, the two men sat down. Holding the braised pork in her bowl, Shen Niannian frowned slightly.

Why doesn't this dish taste as good as Mom's?

The voice wasn't loud, but the waiter next to him chuckled twice, his tone full of disdain:

"Little friend, this is a state-run restaurant, not some small eatery in your village. You say the chef's cooking isn't as good as your mother's? May I ask who your mother is?"

The waitress was a new girl who had been assigned to this job by her family right after graduating from junior high school. She was incredibly arrogant. Having seen all sorts of people come to eat, she had learned how to read people's expressions and moods.

Seeing that Jiang Yu was simply dressed and had two children with her, and that the man beside her, though handsome, didn't look wealthy, she assumed they must have invited the lady and the official opposite them to dinner for business. She was filled with disdain for Shen Niannian's words.

This isn't his mother's pickle jar for cooking. Don't make judgments without having tasted it first. No one in high society would say the food here is inferior to anywhere else.

Shen Suisui held her younger brother's hand, trying to stop him from saying anything out of line. This was the city; offending someone could implicate their parents.

"Who her mother is is none of your business."

In the few times Li Xue and Jiang Yu had met, they always encountered fools who thought themselves superior and looked down on others. Having always lived in upper-class circles, she was completely unaware that so much injustice existed in the world.

That's not what I meant.

Seeing the wealthy woman speak up for the little boy, the waitress completely changed her fierce demeanor, instantly transforming into a victim. Her gaze darted between the two men; any woman could tell what she was up to.

It's nothing more than pretending to be innocent and pitiful to win a man's favor.

Unfortunately, she encountered two clueless men who completely ignored her eye contact. Jiang Yu was shoveling rice into the child's bowl when her gaze swept over Li Xue. Seeing that Li Xue's expression was not good, she picked up a chicken leg and put it in her hand.

"Sister Xue, have a chicken leg. When my clothing store opens, I'll definitely design the most fashionable clothes for you, so that all the other ladies will envy you."

Commander Zhang, sitting at the very back, didn't hear Shen Niannian's mutterings or the waiter's words. Seeing Li Xue's anger, his mind was filled with thoughts of impending doom, knowing he was going to suffer again. But the next second, his wife smiled at Jiang Yu, her tone unusually gentle. He quickly wiped the sweat from his brow, breathed a sigh of relief, and an idea began to form in his mind.

Or we could apply for an apartment for him in the family compound, so he can come and stay for a couple of days whenever he wants, which would save his wife from finding fault with him every day.

"Get out of here now."

Li Xue pointed at the waiter, her tone extremely impatient, startling Commander Li, who was holding a teacup and drinking water. He lost his grip, spilling the water and burning his hand red, but dared not utter a sound.

The meal wasn't very enjoyable, but the two children witnessed the social hierarchy and vowed to become people at the top of the pyramid.

After saying goodbye to Commander Zhang and his wife, Jiang Yu took the children to continue shopping at the department store. Now that everyone knew about their important family background, they all greeted them with smiles.

After buying two pieces of clothing, Jiang Yu went to a stationery store to buy pencils, pencil cases, notebooks, and two books. While paying, she couldn't resist taking a few books from the bookshelf and putting them on the shelves.

The 1980s, without electronic devices, were incredibly boring; it was better to read some books to pass the time. Shen Ying didn't say much, but as he was about to take out his money, the woman beat him to it.

Then I went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy vegetables. Last night, I used up almost all the stock in the vegetable cellar. I came today, and with the man as my free labor force, I had to replenish it.

From afar, Jiang Yu could see Zhang Yanfang's unpredictable face, looking quite unhappy. Jiang Yu didn't care; she'd already broken ties with her, and just wanted to finish her shopping and leave quickly.

I bought some vegetables that the kids like to eat, and some snacks, then carried my basket home with a full load.

As soon as he got home, he saw that the foundation was finished. Shen Daniu ran over, covered in sweat, and said that he had already contacted a building materials company, and the cement, bricks, and tiles for building the house would be delivered tomorrow. The only problem was that the money needed to be settled as soon as possible.

Shen Ying regretted not accepting the money from Commander Zhang and keeping it for a while. Jiang Yu had already counted the money from the box and handed it to him.

The man looked at the money handed to him, overwhelmed with mixed feelings. Seeing how lavishly she spent money in the city today, Shen Ying had worried that she wouldn't even have enough for living expenses. He never expected that this woman had learned to manage her finances.

“Take it. The money needed for the family is no less than that needed to build a house. Besides, I’ve already prepared the money for building the house, and I’m just waiting for the bank to open.”

Shen Ying glanced at the money; it was more than enough to cover tomorrow's materials, but he couldn't take it.

Jiang Yu didn't say anything, but insisted on stuffing the money into his pocket.

Looking at the woman's stubborn eyes beneath her thick eyelashes and her puffed-up little face, for a moment, he didn't even realize he was smiling.

That smile was so captivating that Jiang Yu stood frozen, momentarily at a loss. Such a beautiful face, yet it belonged to the female lead; she truly had the worst timing in life.

Jiang Yu averted her gaze, suppressing the fluttering in her heart. She coughed lightly twice, trying to ease the awkwardness.

"I'll go cook."

The feeling of her turning away was fleeting, and the man stopped his movement to take her hand. For some reason, he had a feeling that there was some inexplicable connection between this woman and him.

......

The next morning, Shen Ying went to the village chief's house to borrow a phone and called Bai Chen to tell him to send the money over as soon as possible.

Bai Chen lay in bed moaning and groaning for a long time, and seeing that the call hadn't ended, she finally couldn't help but blurt out two sentences at him:

"Shen Ying, are you sick in the head? Can't you even take a nap with your wife? If you don't like it, don't stop me from sleeping with my blanket. You're like a nagging ghost every day."

Of course, he only dared to say these things in secret.