Volume 1, Chapter 9: Schemed Against and Meeting Song Chuanhe, Sitting on Pins and Needles

“Of course it’s true.”

Seeing that Chen Haodong didn’t seem to be joking, Jiang Weiyue believed his words and belatedly realized something important. The gentle and refined man before her appeared to be a teacher at this middle school.

“Comrade, are you a teacher here?” she asked.

“Yes, I teach physics to the senior class,” he replied.

Jiang Weiyue had an inexplicable admiration for certain professions—teachers, doctors, lawyers. Moreover, this man was handsome. This softened her gloomy mood just a little. Perhaps she had been too unlucky recently, and even heaven had taken pity on her by sending someone kind her way.

“I was wondering why your demeanor is different from others. So you’re an educator. Teacher, please try my breakfast—tell me if it tastes good.”

Though he was a good man, Jiang Weiyue didn’t want to force a sale. If this teacher comrade didn’t like her breakfast, it was okay not to buy it.

“Sure, comrade. Give me a bun to try.”

“What flavor would you like? I have carrot vegetable filling and pork with green onion.”

In this era, buns were not as varied as those in later breakfast shops. Usually, meat filling was pork with green onion year-round, while vegetable fillings changed with the seasons—carrot in winter, wild greens or chive vermicelli in summer.

“Then please give me one of each flavor.”

“Alright, here you go.”

Jiang Weiyue thoughtfully wrapped the buns in oil paper so as not to dirty Chen Haodong’s hands. This small detail warmed him.

He bit into the pork and green onion bun first. Instantly, the aroma of lard filled his mouth. It was clearly well-made, with thin dough, generous filling, juicy and flavorful beyond measure.

Although the country had opened up and living conditions were improving, and tickets for buying goods were no longer necessary, for ordinary families, eating meat was still a challenge. Buns sold outside often had little filling and thick dough, and their taste was far inferior to Jiang Weiyue’s.

Without exaggeration, these were the best pork buns Chen Haodong had ever tasted.

He finished the bun in a few bites, eating fast but with elegant manners. Then he tried the carrot-filled bun, which was also delicious and evidently made with care.

After finishing, his clear, bright eyes gleamed as he said to Jiang Weiyue, “Comrade, these are delicious—by far the best buns I’ve ever eaten.”

Jiang Weiyue was not surprised by his praise; she was confident in her cooking skills.

“If you think they’re good, you can come often. I set up my stall at the steel mill entrance.”

Chen Haodong pondered for a moment and said, “I wonder if you would be interested in a long-term collaboration with our school.”

“Collaborate how? Teacher, my name is Jiang Weiyue. Please call me by my name.”

“Hello, Jiang Weiyue. I’m Chen Haodong. You see, our school cafeteria is contracted out, but the food quality is, frankly, terrible.”

“So many students, especially day students, bring outside buns to eat. Your buns taste great, so I was thinking of a long-term partnership. This way, students won’t have to leave campus to enjoy good breakfast.”

“That sounds wonderful, Teacher Chen. I’m very willing.”

Chen Haodong was impressed by Jiang Weiyue’s enthusiasm. Initially, he had thought her to be gentle and virtuous, but she also had a charming side.

“Comrade Jiang, I need to report this to my superiors. If approved, I will notify you.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Weiyue was thrilled. Not only had she sold all the breakfast she made this morning, which she had feared might remain unsold, but she also might secure a steady contract with the largest middle school in Sansui County.

She had calculated that if Chen Haodong could coordinate with the cafeteria contractor, she wouldn’t need to set up her stall at the steel mill entrance every morning. Instead, she could simply deliver to the school, which was more stable business and left no leftovers.

Most importantly, she would no longer have to endure Song Chuanhe’s attitude.

Jiang Weiyue was in high spirits. Remembering she hadn’t been home for a while, she bought two pounds of peach crisp, her elders’ favorite snack, and a bag of soy milk powder. Then she went to the market to buy pork, flour, rice, carrots, and seasonings.

After shopping, she pulled her cart back home.

Once home, she didn’t rest but washed and cut all the ingredients to prepare for the next day.

Time flew as she busied herself, and soon evening fell.

Jiang Weiyi came home from school. Seeing Jiang Weiyue, her first question was, “Big sister, how was business today? Did the workers buy our breakfast?”

“Same as always. Because of Song Chuanhe, they won’t be buying from us anytime soon.”

Jiang Weiyi’s face instantly fell. “Ah, what should we do, sister? At this rate, our business might fail.”

She paused, then her dark, bright eyes lit up. “I remember when you and Brother Chuanhe were dating—whenever you had a fight, if you went to make up with him, he would immediately come running back to cling to you.”

“I wonder if this time, if you humble yourself, he might still be the same…”

Jiang Weiyi didn’t know that Song Chuanhe had already visited yesterday, and he was no longer the innocent boy he once was. More importantly, he no longer had feelings for the original owner—no, he definitely didn’t. After all, this was a male-oriented story; the original owner was merely a stepping stone for the male lead’s growth.

Besides, Song Chuanhe now had a gentle and lovely wealthy heiress by his side. If he were the male lead, he would know whom to choose.

“I’ve talked with a middle school in town about cooperation. If it goes well, we won’t have to set up at the steel mill entrance every morning. We’ll just supply breakfast to the school.”

“Really, sister?”

“Of course. But it’s not certain yet, so don’t get your hopes up too soon. Get ready—we’ll go back to the steel mill’s residential compound later. Grandma wants us to come home for dinner.”

Jiang Weiyi’s mood, once bright, instantly soured upon hearing this.

“Sister, I don’t want to go back. I’m afraid Grandma will scold me.”

“Don’t be afraid. I’ll be there to protect you.”

“All right then.”

Jiang Weiyi was somewhat afraid of the old lady, as she had never been treated kindly at home. Grandma didn’t want her to attend school, preferring her to stay home doing chores and handicrafts to help with expenses. Thankfully, her father, mother, older sister, and two brothers protected her, allowing her to attend school.

Jiang Weiyue carried the things she bought for Grandma into the steel mill’s residential compound.

Upon entry, neighbors who were friendly with the Jiang family exchanged glances. Recently, rumors about the new factory director and Jiang Weiyue had spread. Normally, they would talk to her, but today, everyone deliberately ignored her.

Jiang Weiyue paid no mind and headed straight toward her floor.

Grandpa Jiang had passed away long ago; Grandma Jiang was elderly now and cared for alternately by two family branches.

The eldest son, father of the original owner, took care of Grandma for the first half of the month; the second son, father of Jiang Weili, took care of her for the latter half.

It was now mid-to-late in the month, and Grandma was at Jiang Weili’s home.

Opening the door, Wang Lan was cleaning. Seeing Jiang Weiyue holding Jiang Weiyi’s hand and carrying many things, she frowned.

“Big girl, you’re still unmarried—why are you bringing so many things home?”

“Mom, these are for Grandma.”

“You’re so thoughtful—no wonder Grandma likes you.”

Jiang Weiyue pressed her lips but said nothing. She glanced at the clock on the wall—it was already past eight.

“Mom, haven’t Dad and the others finished work yet?”

“They’re done. Your father told your brother that since it’s rare for the two families to eat together, he went out to buy wine and meat. He asked me to wait here for you and your sister. They’ve probably already gone to your second uncle’s house. Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Weili’s home was upstairs.

Knocking on the door, Jiang Weili’s sweet voice came from inside, “Coming, coming.”

She opened the door and saw Jiang Weiyue. Thinking of what was about to happen, a smile crept onto her lips.

“Aunt, big sister, come in, Weiyi.”

Jiang Weiyue nodded and handed Grandma the peach crisp and soy milk powder.

“Grandma, I bought these freshly made peach crisps for you. If you don’t want to eat rice, you can have these with soy milk powder.”

This made Grandma Jiang feel a twinge of guilt. This eldest granddaughter was not only beautiful but also adept at social graces and filial duties—she was capable.

But now, it was too late. Alas, if only she had forced the Song family boy to separate from Jiang Weiyue long ago.

To protect her two sons and four grandsons’ jobs at the steel mill, Jiang Weiyue had to be dealt with properly. As long as the Song family boy was satisfied, even selling Jiang Weiyue off to a remote mountain as a wife to a lonely old man would be acceptable.

“That Weiyue girl is truly filial. She knows I love peach crisp and soy milk powder. Every time she comes, she brings some, unlike you two stinky girls.”

“Especially you, Jiang Weili. You’re grown up yet still don’t find a job. If you keep this up, just get married and leave so you don’t hold up your brothers’ marriage prospects.”

Jiang Weili inwardly rolled her eyes at the old woman’s scolding.

That old hag—eating Jiang Weiyue’s food changed her attitude. She worried the old lady might go back on her word and ruin her plans.

Moreover, Jiang Weiyue’s family didn’t know that today she had called Song Chuanhe over.

Zhang Pei, cooking in the kitchen, couldn’t stand it any longer. Holding a spatula, she said disapprovingly,

“Mom, please stop. If the factory director and the quality inspection department head hear you talk like this, it won’t look good.”

Jiang Weiyue frowned, confused by Zhang Pei’s words.

Then a knock sounded at the door.

Jiang Weili happily ran over and opened it, seeing the long-awaited Song Chuanhe and Qin Mu.

“Brother Chuanhe, Minister Qin, you’re here! Come in, let me make you some tea.”

By now, Jiang Weiyue understood everything.

She had been outwitted by Jiang Weili.

Her own mother, Wang Lan, looked at Jiang Weili in confusion.

“Weili, didn’t you say we were having a family dinner today? What’s going on?”

Hearing this, Song Chuanhe’s narrow, sly phoenix eyes turned to her.

Wang Lan’s heart skipped, recalling unpleasant memories.

She remembered that snowy night when he stood silently outside their door, staring fixedly. His eyes were cold and merciless, like a trapped beast.

As they said, like a wild wolf in the dark, watching you with terrifying intent to tear you apart alive.

Before Song Chuanhe spoke, Qin Mu voiced displeasure first.

“Looks like we’re not welcome. Chuan, let’s go.”

He shot Jiang Weiyue a fierce glare.

Though Jiang Weiyue was far more beautiful than any black-and-white photo, radiant and glowing like the sun even in the dim room, he couldn’t like her because of what she had done to Chuan.

Still, he understood why Chuan liked her—she had a bewitching charm. If he didn’t know her deeds, he might have been fooled by her appearance too.

“Oh, Chuanhe, and comrade, please don’t be angry, don’t be angry. We’re all family here—how could we not welcome you? Welcome! Welcome! Wang Lan is ignorant. I, this old lady, take the blame and apologize.”

She shot Wang Lan a sharp look. “If you don’t know how to speak properly, just keep quiet. I was the one who invited Chuanhe and this comrade here.”

Jiang Grandma ushered Song Chuanhe and Qin Mu to sit and brought out the finest tea to entertain the esteemed guests.

Song Chuanhe looked at the old lady fussing over him, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.

Jiang Weiyue was no fool. From Grandma’s reaction, she knew that Jiang Weili’s whole family was in on this. Only her own family was left in the dark.

She didn’t know why Jiang Weili had invited Song Chuanhe, but his gaze never landed on her.

This made her involuntarily breathe a sigh of relief.