Volume 1, Chapter 8: Retaliation from Song Chuanhe and Seeking a New Path

Jiang Weiyue felt deeply dejected. Could it be that in this world, her entrepreneurial venture was facing failure just as it had started to get on the right track?

She didn't blame the workers, though. After all, they were employed under Song Chuanhe, and it was only natural for them to act according to his moods.

She hadn't been panicked yesterday morning, thinking she could handle things as they came. But the things Song Chuanhe did last night truly frightened her. This man was even more insane than the book had described. Yesterday’s actions were only the beginning; she knew clearly that things would only get more extreme from here.

What should she do? Should she apologize to him? No, that wouldn't work. Even just reading about what the original owner had done made her feel it was excessive; how much more so for the victim, Song Chuanhe? He would certainly never accept an apology.

So, what then? Should she just sit and wait for death, bracing herself for Song Chuanhe’s retaliation at any moment?

"Sister, is business still not going well today? If you ask me, you should just stop showing your face and doing this shameful business."

"How is it shameful to earn money with my own two hands? At the very least, it's better than you, a person who idles away their time without a job, right?"

"Jiang Weili, you’re almost at the age to be betrothed. If a suitor asks around and finds out you have no job and just run around playing all day, do you think your reputation will be any good?"

Jiang Weiyue usually kept to herself, but once she spoke, her mouth was like a machine gun, firing endlessly and leaving Jiang Weili unable to utter a single word. Moreover, Jiang Weiyue’s words stirred up some unpleasant memories from her previous life.

Just as Jiang Weiyue had said, in her past life, after she married an ordinary worker at the steel mill, her in-laws had made inquiries about her. When they learned she had no job and was just an idler, their attitude toward her changed completely. Although very few people had jobs in that era, diligent girls would at least do some handicraft work at home, unlike Jiang Weili, who did nothing at all.

Thinking of those painful memories from her previous life, Jiang Weili decided that once her relationship with Song Chuanhe was confirmed, she would make him arrange an easy, simple job for her at the factory. Preferably a clerical position—the kind where she could sit in an office, do no real labor, and dress up beautifully every day. That was what suited her.

Thinking of her upcoming plans, her mood, which had been soured by Jiang Weiyue, improved significantly.

Jiang Weiyue, oh Jiang Weiyue, you are just a grasshopper in late autumn; you won't be jumping around for much longer. In this life, I will make your end even more miserable than in the last.

She forced a friendly smile and said to Jiang Weiyue, "You're right, Sister. By the way, Grandmother asked you and Weiyi to come over to my house for a meal after you finish work today."

Jiang Weiyue couldn't say if she liked or disliked the old matriarch of the Jiang family. After all, in this era, the preference for sons over daughters was quite severe. Because she was the first girl born to the two Jiang brothers, she hadn't been as disliked by the grandmother, but Jiang Weili and Jiang Weiyi hadn't been so lucky. Every time the old woman saw Jiang Weiyi, it was as if she were looking at something toxic, with extreme disgust. Consequently, even though the living conditions at the steel mill family quarters were better, Jiang Weiyi preferred to stay in the old home with Jiang Weiyue rather than live there.

"Does Grandmother have something in mind?" In her memory, the two families only gathered for meals during holidays.

"It’s because Brother Chuanhe is back, isn't it? The workers at the factory are all fair-weather friends, and the people in the family are having a hard time there. Grandmother has called us all together to discuss what to do."

Jiang Weiyue gave a cold laugh, finding it utterly ridiculous. Part of the reason the original owner had done those things to Song Chuanhe had to do with the people in the Jiang family. But regardless, it had already happened, and it was useless to say anything now.

To be honest, Jiang Weiyue also wanted to see how the Jiang family planned to resolve this—whether they would hand her over alone to secure the safety of the entire family, or if the whole family would stand together against Song Chuanhe’s pressure.

In the book, although the Jiang family matriarch wanted to sell the original owner off, her parents were decent people. They had hoped to get her married off quickly so she would have the protection of her husband’s family, thinking it would be better for her. They hadn't expected that no one within dozens of miles would dare to offend Song Chuanhe for Jiang Weiyue’s sake. In the end, the original owner was driven to madness by societal judgment, the protagonist's threats, and relentless torment.

"I understand. I will go back tonight."

"Good, Sister. I will prepare a lavish dinner and wait for you at our house."

After Jiang Weili left, Jiang Weiyi realized that the breakfast wasn't selling well here. Besides, it was already past nine o'clock, well past the breakfast rush. Feeling helpless, she could only push the cart, preparing to head back.

As Jiang Weiyue passed by the gate of a middle school, she heard the clear, resonant sound of students reading and couldn't help but stop. It’s good to be in school, carefree and worry-free.

Just as Jiang Weiyue was lost in thought, a deep, refined voice came from behind her.

"Hello, Comrade. May I ask if you still have any breakfast left?"

Jiang Weiyue was stunned. She had already prepared herself to take the leftovers home to eat herself and then take a few days off. She never expected that, at this hour, someone would actually want to buy her breakfast. Although he was only buying for himself, Jiang Weiyue was quite happy.

She flashed a brilliant, dazzling smile at the man. He was as refined as his voice, with a handsome, scholarly appearance, much like a fresh bamboo shoot after the rain. "Yes, Comrade. Take a look, what would you like to have?"

As she spoke, Jiang Weiyue lifted the small quilt covering the thermal box and opened the lid. Instantly, the aroma of scallion pork buns mixed with the scent of porridge wafted out.

"This Comrade, there are buns, steamed bread, and porridge. What would you like?"

To be honest, Chen Haodong’s breakfast was secondary. He had stopped this young woman because she was too eye-catching. She was more beautiful than a movie star. He wasn't usually the type to be swayed by looks, but he found himself involuntarily drawn to her. What surprised him even more was that such a beautiful, elegant, and refined woman was pushing a cart on the street selling food. It wasn't that he looked down on food vendors, but he was simply astonished. Especially when he saw her charming, radiant smile, he was dazed, taking a long moment to collect himself.

"I'll take all these buns and the porridge. My students haven't had breakfast yet; I'll have them bring their lunchboxes over to eat."

In truth, Chen Haodong was lying. The students had already eaten long ago. Their school was the best boarding school in the entire city and had a cafeteria with all kinds of food. However, the cafeteria food wasn't particularly good, and the boarders often asked the day students to bring them breakfast.

"You... are you serious?"