Jiang Yuning’s face flushed slightly red as she stammered,

“But… aren’t these bedsheets and blankets yours?”

Xiao Liye gritted his teeth, his jaw tightening.

“You’ll be using them from now on too, and you still have the nerve to say you’re washing them for me?”

Jiang Yuning fell silent.

The veins at Xiao Liye’s temples throbbed. He had truly never met someone like her before.

Ever since he’d become successful, no matter their age or gender, everyone who met him tried desperately to flatter him.

But her? She kept accounts down to the smallest detail—even when it came to washing clothes.

Still annoyed, he grabbed her wrist and dragged her home. Then he dumped all his clothes into her basin without even separating socks from underwear before carrying it to the well.

“Wash the underwear and socks too. Right now.”

Even after saying that, he still didn’t seem satisfied. Standing there with his hands on his hips, his deep eyes simmered with irritation as he stared at her.

Jiang Yuning knew she was in the wrong. After all, she was eating and living in his house—it really would be unreasonable not to even wash his clothes.

She casually poured water from the bucket by the well into the basin. But when she saw the black boxer briefs mixed together with her pale yellow panties, she suddenly didn’t even know which piece to touch first.

Logically, undergarments should be washed first.

But whether she washed his or hers, it all felt unbearably awkward.

Pressing her lips together, she said softly,

“How about… you leave first? I’ll wash them slowly.”

Xiao Liye looked at her like he’d already seen through her little tricks.

“I’m watching until you finish washing my clothes. Otherwise you’ll probably just rinse them twice in water and hang them up to fool me.”

Jiang Yuning’s cheeks reddened slightly. She felt irritated, but didn’t argue.

Since he insisted, she picked up the black boxers and started scrubbing them.

Watching her soft pale hands bunch up and wash his underwear, Xiao Liye’s entire face turned the color of pig liver.

Sweat even formed at the tip of his nose. Feeling awkward beyond belief, he wanted to leave immediately—but remembering he’d just declared he’d supervise her, he could only retreat back into the room instead.

Jiang Yuning’s own face was burning hot too. She didn’t dare look up as she finished washing all of Xiao Liye’s clothes and placed them into the clean basin beside her.

Suddenly, a voice came from the alley entrance.

“Why are you acting so attentive? Sneaking over to Brother Liye’s house just to wash his clothes?”

Jiang Yuning looked up.

The newcomer had a plump round face and fashionable shoulder-length curled hair. She wore a bright red knitted dress that looked brand new, vivid and eye-catching.

Without bothering to stare further, Jiang Yuning replied,

“Do you have any brains at all? Since when does doing chores for someone count as sneaking around?”

Wang Xiangxiang immediately strode over and snatched the basin, speaking indignantly,

“If it were some other man, maybe your behavior would just be confusing. But that’s Brother Liye! Who do you think he is? You think flattering him a little will make him interested in you? I’m telling you—it won’t work.”

Jiang Yuning frowned slightly.

Was this woman so obsessed with Xiao Liye that she’d started imagining things?

She let out a cold laugh.

“Fine. Since you put it that way, then from now on, you can just wash his clothes for him.”

Wang Xiangxiang noticed the black boxer briefs in the wooden basin at Jiang Yuning’s feet.

The thought that Jiang Yuning had even washed Xiao Liye’s intimate clothes just to curry favor made her feel sick, like she’d swallowed a fly.

Afraid those clothes had been contaminated with Jiang Yuning’s scent, she immediately reached down to wash them again.

“I’ve seriously never seen someone like you, desperately trying to help a man wash his—”

Before she could finish—

Bang!

A foot in leather shoes kicked the basin flying into the distance.

Unable to hold back her temper, Wang Xiangxiang snapped,

“What are you—”

But before she could finish, she saw Xiao Liye standing in front of her.

Her expression instantly changed.

Subconsciously, she straightened her red knit sweater. Before she even had the chance to complain, Xiao Liye spoke toward Jiang Yuning instead.

“How could you let someone else wash them?”

Hearing that, Wang Xiangxiang thought he was defending her, and the corners of her lips lifted slightly.

Jiang Yuning gestured with her chin.

“She wanted to do it herself. It’s not like I forced her. Why do you care so much?”

Trying to appear gentle and virtuous, Wang Xiangxiang quickly added,

“It’s okay, Brother Liye. I don’t really have much to do every day anyway. Coming over to help you clean and wash clothes is only natur—”

Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Liye didn’t even glance at her. Irritated, he spoke directly to Jiang Yuning.

“Is she my wife, or are you my wife?”

Wang Xiangxiang’s smile froze.

Tears instantly welled up in her eyes, sharp bitterness filling her chest.

“Brother Liye… I only missed two days. How did you suddenly get married?”

Xiao Liye replied casually,

“How would I know? My dad arranged it for me yesterday.”

For a moment, Wang Xiangxiang’s mind nearly stopped working.

Her eyes brimmed with tears as she wanted to leave, yet her heart was overflowing with unwillingness.

They were childhood sweethearts. Classmates since they were young. She had liked him for so many years.

She’d watched him rise from poverty to becoming her family’s equal—then surpassing them entirely and becoming someone powerful and untouchable.

How could she willingly give up now?

But at least… this marriage was arranged by his father. It wasn’t because Xiao Liye liked Jiang Yuning himself.

That meant she still had a chance.

Suppressing her sadness, she forced out a smile.

“Brother Liye, it’s really okay. I don’t have much to do every day anyway. I can still come help wash your clothes and clean your room.”

“No need.”

After speaking, Xiao Liye turned to Jiang Yuning.

“Listen to what she’s saying. She’s not even married yet and already knows she should work harder. Then look at you.

This morning you threw away my clothes, and now even getting you to wash them comes with endless excuses. What wife doesn’t take good care of her man? You’re the only one trying to be special, huh?”

Jiang Yuning clearly wasn’t happy either.

“Don’t I get tired too? Why should I be the one serving you? Why don’t you serve me instead?”

Xiao Liye was visibly angered.

“Your man works himself to death at the factory all day, and after coming home at night he’s still supposed to serve you? With that kind of thinking, who could possibly live happily with you?”

Jiang Yuning stopped talking.

She never considered him her man in the first place. That kind of “serve your husband the second he coughs” lifestyle sounded suffocating.

Annoyed, she turned her head away and refused to look at him.

Wang Xiangxiang had originally planned to criticize Jiang Yuning alongside Xiao Liye to show off her own gentleness and virtue.

But instead, she watched helplessly as, after winning the argument, Xiao Liye’s gaze lingered over Jiang Yuning’s flushed little face.

Though traces of irritation still remained on his handsome face, his eyes practically clung to her.

Wang Xiangxiang’s heart tightened.

She had never once seen Xiao Liye look at another woman with such an expression before.

Usually, he was arrogant and aloof toward everyone. Calling him icy wouldn’t even be an exaggeration.

At best, when he didn’t dislike someone, he’d still speak sharply and coldly. If he truly disliked someone, it was already merciful if he didn’t hit them.

When had his expressions ever become this vivid?

The sour bitterness rising in her throat became overwhelming.

Unable to endure it any longer, she ran off.

But instead of going home, she headed straight to the liquor factory and sought out Wang Xiangmei alone.

“Wang Xiangmei, Brother Liye got married yesterday—how could you not stop it?”

Previously, Wang Xiangmei’s family had never associated with Wang Xiangxiang’s family.

After all, ever since Wang Xiangxiang’s father became the director of the soap factory, they had moved to the county town and cut ties with all their poor relatives.

It was only after learning Wang Xiangmei had married Xiao Liye’s eldest brother that they started reconnecting.

Over the years, Wang Xiangmei had gained plenty of benefits from them. Otherwise, why would she care so much about Xiao Liye’s marriage?

Logically speaking, Xiao Liye marrying a barren woman should’ve been a good thing—his future inheritance could all end up belonging to her sons.

But after hearing this morning that Jiang Yuning would only stay for six months before being sent away, she realized she still couldn’t afford to lose Wang Xiangxiang, their family’s “golden goose.”

So she quickly explained kindly,

“How could I stop it if I didn’t know beforehand? The key problem was that my father-in-law handled the whole thing silently without telling anyone. He even repeatedly warned everyone not to let the news spread.”

Wang Xiangxiang cried even harder.

“Then… what’s Brother Liye’s attitude?”

Wang Xiangmei gave her a reassuring look.

“What attitude could he possibly have? What kind of feelings do you think a man like him could have toward a widow?”

Wang Xiangxiang paused.

“A widow?”

Wang Xiangmei nodded.

“And she can’t even have children. This morning I heard villagers saying that when Liye came home yesterday and found out, he was so furious he practically smashed up the house.

He repeatedly warned everyone not to let the news get out. They already agreed she’ll only stay six months before being kicked out.”

Hope suddenly lit up in Wang Xiangxiang’s eyes.

Her shattered heart instantly revived.

“…With her situation, forget Brother Liye liking her. He’d probably think she was dirty if he even touched her.

The way he looked at her earlier was probably nothing more than appreciation for her appearance.”

Seeing Wang Xiangxiang calm down again, Wang Xiangmei also relaxed and immediately began offering advice.

“You still need to show up around Liye from time to time. Once he compares the two of you, he’ll naturally realize how much better you are.

And if he divorces her, technically he’ll count as second-hand goods himself.

Wouldn’t that narrow the gap between your families? Honestly, this could end up being a good thing.”

The tears at the corners of Wang Xiangxiang’s eyes hadn’t even dried yet, but she already couldn’t help smiling happily.

It was true.

Her father was only a small factory director.

Compared to ordinary families, that was already pretty good—but Xiao Liye’s factory was three times larger than the one her father managed.

Not to mention the endless stream of money pouring in every single day.