Jiang Xin quickly prepared dinner, and Jiang Ruzhao started nitpicking as usual, saying that the vegetables were not fresh and the braised meat did not taste good. The more Jiang Xin listened, the more guilty she felt. She was afraid that her mother-in-law would find out that the dishes she was eating tonight were all discounted food that she had bought.
After finishing dinner and tidying up the room, Jiang Xin saw the newly bought blanket on the bed as soon as she entered the bedroom.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she looked at Yanling with unease.
Contrary to her expectations, Yan Ling didn't react with the expected outburst. His expression remained calm as he gently asked, "Why did you suddenly decide to buy a bag?"
Seeing that he wasn't angry, Jiang Xin mustered her courage and said, "I told you about that female colleague who carried the fake bag last time. She bought a real bag and deliberately carried it for me to see, and even mocked me. I..."
Yanling closed her eyes. "So you went and bought one too? Knowing that we're struggling to make ends meet, you still have this inexplicable competitive spirit. Jiang Xin, poor people shouldn't have self-respect."
He didn't say these words aloud. Jiang Xin was different from him. She grew up in the Ye family, living a life of luxury. She had no idea how difficult life could be. In Jiang Xin's view, self-respect was more important than money.
"Do you think what she did was right? She carried a designer bag and went to mock a colleague who was struggling financially. Do you think that was right? Xin Xin, you are different in my eyes. You are an untainted spirit, how can you do the same thing as her? Do you want to become a vain and vulgar person?"
"I......"
“I know you’re upset. You used to never care about such trivial things; you were a proud and aloof person.”
"Just to prove a point, you're going to become a vulgar person? How could you associate with those despicable women? Xin Xin, you've disappointed me so much."
Yan Ling patiently spoke to her, not wanting Jiang Xin to realize that he disliked her using luxury goods because he couldn't afford them. What if Jiang Xin regretted it?
As he expected, Jiang Xin's joy when buying the bag vanished. She was dejected and thought about returning the bag tomorrow. She didn't want to become a vulgar person in Yan Ling's eyes.
Seeing the apology on her face, Yan Ling felt a little smug. He couldn't let her have her way. He wanted Jiang Xin to understand that she couldn't make decisions on her own. Whether it was a big or small matter, the decision-making power was in his hands.
"I'm sorry, I was so angry today that I lost my temper. How about I return the bag tomorrow?"
Yanling understood the principle of giving a slap followed by a sweet treat. He didn't answer immediately, but pondered for a while before slowly saying, "It's understandable that you want to buy a nicer bag when you go out to work, but if it's too expensive, it's beyond our means."
Hearing his words, Jiang Xin felt a moment of disappointment. Yes, she was just an ordinary office worker living in a rented apartment; she shouldn't be pursuing material things.
Lost in thought, she heard a heavenly voice again: "No need to return it, go and exchange it for a cheaper one. You work so hard every day, it's only right to treat yourself to a bag. Besides, all your colleagues have one, and you don't. That would be so unsociable. I won't allow my wife to be looked down upon."
Jiang Xin stared at him in disbelief. She hadn't expected Yan Ling to not blame her at all, and even said that she deserved it!
Her eyes seemed to be filled with honey as she gazed at him with tender affection.
Just as the temperature in the room was rising, a jarring voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Jiang Xin, the floor hasn't been mopped yet! And my clothes haven't been washed either!"
The pink bubble in the room burst, and Jiang Xin hurriedly replied, "I'm coming right away!"
After saying that, she gave Yanling a light kiss on the cheek and said shyly, "I'm going to get back to work now, wait for me."
Yan Ling smiled and watched her leave the room. The moment the door closed, his expression changed instantly. He picked up a tissue and wiped the spot Jiang Xin had just touched with a blank expression.
Just like yesterday, Jiang Ru sat on the sofa supervising Jiang Xin as she mopped the floor. Seeing Jiang Xin grinning foolishly at the floor with a smug look on her face, Jiang Ru swallowed her nitpicking words. She figured that no matter what she said to her now, Jiang Xin would just agree.
Jiang Ru's face showed an inscrutable expression. She knew Jiang Xin all too well. Women, once they fall in love, will throw their reason to the back of their minds, and their hearts and eyes will only be on that man.
Her son is hardly a good man. If anything happens in the future, she will give her a heads-up out of respect for her father.
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