Chapter 2

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“Deputy Platoon Leader, currently drawing a level 22 salary, which amounts to thirty-nine yuan and fifty cents a month. His father was also in the military years ago but has since retired, and both of them have jobs now!”

Without waiting for their reaction, Granny Wang continued, “Although the conditions are not right for following the army at the moment, the young man is capable. He can take care of his parents at home first, and when he advances two more levels, you’ll be able to join him in the army…”

Once she started, she just wouldn’t stop talking.

Her eyes and every word were full of satisfaction.

How could she not be pleased?

This match was originally arranged for her youngest daughter, but who knows why she suddenly acted foolishly—refusing such a good match outright. The past few days at home were quite a turmoil, even resorting to a hunger strike to protest.

In the end, out of concern, Granny Wang confirmed several times and finally agreed to go along with her wishes.

However, Granny Wang was also afraid that Jiang Qing would regret it and had no intention of giving this excellent marriage opportunity to Jiang Shuangshuang. The reason she brought it up now was only because Jiang Qing insisted.

There was some reluctance mixed with the need to appear generous.

Her tone even carried a hint of condescension: “If it really works out, just remember your little aunt’s kindness. If it weren’t for her humility, you wouldn’t even have a chance.”

She truly was unwilling.

So young and already a deputy platoon leader, surely destined for great things.

At least, among the relatives and friends they knew, there was no one else with such good conditions.

Not only was this young man well-qualified, but his parents both held positions too.

They lived in a block-style apartment, without a single flaw to pick.

“Mom, how do you know this person?” Xu Yingxia showed no sign of joy; instead, her gaze was tinged with anger.

Granny Wang was taken aback.

She dared not meet her eyes and casually dodged, “Someone introduced him, from that family on the front street.”

“Which family?” Xu Yingxia’s face tightened. “In these times, if someone could introduce such a good match to us, that would be a huge favor. Tell me whose family it is—I’ll thank them personally.”

Granny Wang mumbled and couldn’t say anything.

Jiang Shuangshuang could see through it clearly; anyone else would be blind not to notice.

It was rare to see Granny Wang so guilty, much to Jiang Shuangshuang’s quiet amusement.

“Fine, if you won’t say, then I will,” Xu Yingxia stared hard at her. “Is it Cheng Xingbang’s son?”

“Cheng Xingbang?” Jiang family’s Second Sister-in-Law, who had been eavesdropping nearby, recalled the name.

It sounded very familiar.

That old lady was really sly, hiding such a good match until now. Since the little aunt wanted to be modest, why should it all go to Jiang Shuangshuang?

Wasn’t their Jiang Nannan also about to be sent to the countryside?

As she pondered, Jiang Second Sister-in-Law suddenly widened her eyes.

She couldn’t help but step forward, ignoring that she was eavesdropping, “Isn’t that the soldier saved by Third Brother? Third Brother died saving him!”

It must have been about eleven years ago.

A flood hit the outskirts, and many soldiers came to aid in the rescue. The local people helped too, but no one expected that Third Brother never returned.

A man named Cheng Xingbang knelt before Third Brother’s widow and kowtowed several times.

After that, there was no more news.

Jiang Second Sister-in-Law understood Granny Wang’s guilty look immediately.

She exclaimed, “Mom, all these years, you’ve still been in contact with him?”

Now she understood why Third Brother’s widow was angry.

Why would Cheng Xingbang want his son to marry into the Jiang family? It was because of a life-saving debt. If anyone were to repay it, it should be to Third Brother’s daughter.

But Granny Wang hid it all these years.

She even planned to marry the little aunt into that family. If the little aunt hadn’t refused, Jiang Shuangshuang wouldn’t have had a chance.

It was laughable.

Clearly, it was a grab, and Granny Wang shamelessly acted as if she were doing a favor.

Catching her in the act, Jiang Second Sister-in-Law sneered sarcastically, “Such a good thing, why doesn’t our Nannan get a share? Both are Jiang family daughters, and the difference is too big.”

Granny Wang shot her a glare. “If your daughter wants it, let her father work harder. He’s idle all day and still dares to nag me.”

“So Granny knows it’s thanks to my dad,” Jiang Shuangshuang spoke bluntly, “I thought Grandpa was just being generous to his own daughter. Turns out it’s all riding on my brother’s coat-tails, and you’re stealing my niece’s chance.”

She gave a thumbs-up, “Not bad, not bad—truly a family with equally thick skin.”

“You little brat!” Granny Wang stomped angrily.

If it were another granddaughter, she would have slapped her without hesitation.

But with Jiang Shuangshuang…

She wouldn’t lay a hand on her, but she would on her precious grandsons.

“Mom, besides this marriage, how many benefits have you gotten from Cheng Xingbang?” Xu Yingxia asked grimly.

After Lao Jiang passed away, she was also struggling.

Suppressing her grief, she had to console three young children and manage the succession. The in-laws were always watching her. When she finally caught a break, Cheng Xingbang was nowhere to be found.

For so many years, she genuinely felt sorry for Lao Jiang.

It wasn’t about wanting anything from Cheng’s family, but Lao Jiang lost his life for that man. Cheng Xingbang knelt a few times and then vanished without a word or letter.

Now she realized she had been mistaken.

Given the old couple’s nature, who knows how many benefits they had squeezed from Cheng Xingbang.

“What nonsense? What good stuff could I have gotten?” Granny Wang nervously backed away as she spoke. “I was just trying to find a good match for you, and you blame me? I’m tired of talking to you…”

She beat a swift retreat.

Jiang Shuangshuang, excited, encouraged, “Should we pursue this?”

Xu Yingxia glared, “Don’t talk, I have a headache.”

This was truly unexpected.

They couldn’t just let it go. If the old couple had no limits and really took a lot from Cheng Xingbang, once it got out, it would ruin the Jiang family’s reputation and tarnish Lao Jiang’s name as well.

“Shuangshuang is right. Since Granny is feeling guilty, we should quickly ask,” Jiang Second Sister-in-Law was curious, wondering how much secret money the old couple might have. If they could fish in troubled waters, all the better.

“Second Aunt is quite proactive,” Jiang Shuangshuang smiled at her. “If they secretly took benefits, it’s for the whole family. Second Aunt should go home and check her own stash first to see if it’s enough to cover.”

“Oh, used it then want to compensate?” Jiang Second Sister-in-Law snorted. “You’re getting sharper with your tongue, girl.”

“That’s fine, that’s fine.”

“…” Jiang Second Sister-in-Law choked on the words.

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She really took it as a compliment.

But this matter reminded her that if Third Brother’s widow really caused trouble, the old couple would have to bear it themselves. After all, once their branch swallowed it, there would be no going back.

Meanwhile, Granny Wang returned home flustered.

Seeing her youngest daughter still asleep on the couch, she angrily slapped her thigh, “If it weren’t for your antics, would I have been scared into hiding by those two women?”

At heart, it was guilt.

Because she had indeed secretly taken quite a bit from Cheng Xingbang.

But she had lost a son; what was wrong with taking something?

Besides, Cheng Xingbang was well-off now. If it weren’t for her son saving his life, he wouldn’t be where he is.

Now was the time to help their family.

But Granny Wang also knew that if others found out, Xu Yingxia would surely make a fuss.

That’s why she had kept it hidden for nearly ten years.

If it weren’t for her youngest daughter’s marriage, she never would have let it slip.

“What are you afraid of as an elder?” Jiang Qing said impatiently.

“What am I afraid of?” Granny Wang snapped, “I’m afraid your sister-in-law keeps her salary and doesn’t hand it over. I’m afraid your niece will smash the house to pieces again. Our family doesn’t have that kind of money to withstand her tantrums!”

“…” Jiang Qing was speechless.

Her mother’s two concerns were indeed terrifying.

If it weren’t to appease them, she wouldn’t have introduced Cheng Jin to Jiang Shuangshuang.

But if she didn’t, Xu Yingxia would demand a family split. At first, she didn’t care much—if they wanted to split, so be it. She didn’t believe the family could not survive without Xu Yingxia.

But who would have thought they nearly couldn’t make ends meet?

There were many people in the family, but only four actually earned wages.

Those four salaries combined didn’t even reach ninety yuan. Losing Xu Yingxia’s forty yuan contribution meant the household soon couldn’t cover expenses.

Moreover, the textile mill took care of the Jiang family well.

After all, the story of Third Brother saving a soldier was a good reputation for the mill.

Before the split, care was equal. But after the split, all benefits went to Third Sister-in-Law, and Lao Jiang’s branch lost much income.

Why was she so clear about the future?

Because she was reborn.

In her previous life, she listened to her mother and tried to leverage Third Brother’s favor to connect with the Cheng family, thinking Cheng Jin was a good match and that she’d enjoy a better life.

But after marrying into the Cheng family, life was a mess.

After the marriage certificate, Cheng Jin went to the army.

She moved into the Cheng family, thinking it was a small household without much triviality.

But from the start, the Cheng family disliked her.

Over the years, her mother had gotten considerable money and tickets from the Cheng family. Even if Cheng Xingbang initially cherished the favor, he grew tired of it.

He still pretended in public, but Cheng Jin’s mother-in-law, using her status, tormented her endlessly.

If not for the hope of following the army in a year or two, she would have gone mad.

But no promotion came; instead, Cheng Jin was quietly discharged.

The family found him a job, but he caused trouble within months, lost a lot of money, and was kicked out.

Those days were the hardest of her previous life.

The in-laws were a mess; she had to serve both old and young. Her husband was useless, always asking for money.

Her own family was no better. Without Third Sister-in-Law’s salary, the large family soon drained their savings, not supporting her but expecting her to get money from the in-laws.

She drifted for years, hoping for a breakthrough.

Then, in the early 1980s, Cheng Jin wanted to start a business.

Big talk but no ability; less than two years later, the family fortune was gone. Cheng Xingbang had a stroke and was half-paralyzed. Cheng Jin’s mother-in-law ran off with someone else.

She was left to bear the whole mess.

At that time, she was so desperate she wanted to jump off a building with her son.

But life had to go on.

Struggling at the bottom, she could only watch others prosper.

Especially a local family who also started a business and quickly became the richest in their provincial capital.

This had nothing to do with her at first.

Later, she overheard that the richest family had wanted to court Jiang Shuangshuang for nearly two years, but she refused until they turned to someone else.

Everyone felt it was a pity. If that had happened, they would have been relatives of the richest family.

That night, Jiang Qing tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

She thought, if only she had that chance, she would hold on tight and live a wealthy life.

Perhaps heaven heard her plea.

The next morning, she was reborn!

Starting over, she swore never to marry Cheng Jin again.

She wanted a better life, not to struggle for money in her forties and fifties.

So, Cheng Jin should be for Jiang Shuangshuang.

Jiang Qing said patiently, “You know how much Third Sister-in-Law cares about her daughter. Believe me, if Jiang Shuangshuang can’t find a good match, Third Sister-in-Law would rather give up her job for her than let her be sent to the countryside.”

“No way…”

“Definitely,” Jiang Qing said firmly.

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Because that was how it was last life.

First, she gave up the job quota for Jiang Shuangshuang, then caused the family split.

At that time, she was secretly dating Cheng Jin and didn’t care much about the family drama. In the end, Third Sister-in-Law did split.

She added, “Third Sister-in-Law may be angry, but Cheng Jin is a very suitable match for Jiang Shuangshuang. If it works out, what does she have to be angry about?”

More importantly, Jiang Shuangshuang must marry.

That way, the person watching her will give up, and she will have a chance to get close to the future richest man.

Jiang Qing’s heart trembled.

Even though the man now has two children, marrying him means becoming a stepmother.

It didn’t seem like a good match, but better days lay ahead.

The man’s business flourished; his son married a wealthy woman from another province, a powerful alliance. His daughter was in the entertainment industry—not a superstar but well-known.

Having such impressive stepchildren, what did it matter if she was a stepmother?

If she had a son later, those strong siblings could help.

The more she thought, the more excited she became. She grabbed her mother’s hand, “Since you brought it up, get this done properly. Otherwise, Third Sister-in-Law will blame you for not speaking up. To prevent Jiang Shuangshuang from going to the countryside, she will still give up her job.”

Granny Wang hesitated, “What about you?”

Actually, she didn’t care if Third Brother’s family was angry.

They had a temper but were easy to placate; otherwise, they wouldn’t have kept quiet for so many years.

If they didn’t cause trouble before, she didn’t think they would now.

She was more worried about her youngest daughter’s marriage. “I kept in touch with Cheng Xingbang because I wanted to arrange something for you when I found out he had a son. Why don’t you like him?”

Jiang Qing was furious, “So you’ve been asking Cheng family for help all these years? They must have been cursing us behind our backs. If I married in, could I have a good life... forget it, I won’t say anymore.”

She hated the Cheng family dragging her to hell.

She resented her own family pushing her there too.

“You’re such a child, why so much resentment?” Granny Wang couldn’t understand. Most of what she got was used on her daughter. What was there to be angry about?

Before she could say more, Jiang Qing had already thrown herself back on the couch, pulling the quilt over her head.

But all that was in the past. What mattered now was how to connect with that family.

Since they only chatted casually, they didn’t know the other party’s name or address.

But Jiang Shuangshuang definitely knew.

Because just recently, that family sent a matchmaker to inquire.

While she was calculating, Jiang Shuangshuang was making plans.

She casually grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds, sat on a small stool, and asked boldly, regardless of who might overhear, “Well, are we going to bring it up or not?”

“Bring it up, why not?” Xu Yingxia also agreed the family split was a good idea.

She felt sorry for her daughter.

The debt was owed to Lao Jiang, but as his daughter, Jiang Shuangshuang got nothing. The Jiang family gave casually, and her daughter had to be grateful and say thank you.

Her daughter had been patient enough.

These ten years were her way of repaying Lao Jiang; now it was time to think for the children.

She leaned closer to Shuangshuang and whispered, “Though I don’t know why your grandmother suddenly got so kind, maybe we should hold off on the succession for now…”

Jiang Shuangshuang raised an eyebrow, “What, starting to feel tempted?”

Xu Yingxia lightly punched her, “Speak properly.”

But she was indeed a bit tempted.

Based on what Granny Wang said, the conditions were quite good.

Much better than what she found from the matchmaker.

“Then let’s see,” Jiang Shuangshuang shrugged.

In truth, she didn’t expect much.

With Granny Wang and Jiang Qing’s temper, would they really hand over a good match?

Impossible.

But meeting them wouldn’t hurt; if she went to the viewing, Xu Ma would surely give her some money to take along, and she could finally get a bowl of braised pork noodles at the state-run restaurant.

“Go ahead, set the date, and tell me. I’ll personally check out this Comrade Cheng.”

“Then we’ll see,” Xu Yingxia nodded.

Indeed, whether it’s suitable must be seen first.

If it fits, they’ll discuss; if not, just refuse. Her daughter had a fallback.

Shuangshuang was becoming more headstrong.

She consulted her, “Let’s hold off on the succession. How do you suggest I bring up the family split?”

“Isn’t that easy?” Jiang Shuangshuang gave serious advice. “If they agree, great. If Grandpa and Grandma don’t, take your job and say you’re taking Jiang Xiaozhou to remarry, even changing his surname.”

“…”

“After they’re gone, how will they explain to Dad that you gave birth to a son through so much hardship, and they lost him?”

“…”

Jiang Shuangshuang grew more enthusiastic, “Now marriage freedom is advocated. They have no right to interfere with whether you remarry. If they try to stop you, I’ll help you call the Women’s Federation to get someone. I guarantee you’ll remarry smoothly with Jiang Xiaozhou.”

“Enough, enough, stop talking,” Xu Yingxia’s face was red from embarrassment.

It was as if she really had a suitor. “You’re such a troublemaker, always making things bigger!”

Jiang Shuangshuang lifted her chin slightly, “Just tell me if it would work or not?”

“…” Xu Yingxia didn’t want to speak.

Because it might actually work.

If she took the job and remarried with Xiao Zhou, there would be trouble.

Grandpa and Grandma might not stand it.

But she couldn’t praise her; if she did, the girl would get conceited. She just snorted, “For your father, you really are a devoted daughter.”

Suggesting your birth mother remarry with your little brother—that’s what devotion means.