Jiang Zhiyuan coughed outside the door.

Only then did Jiang’s mother suppress her anger and not throw the cosmetics set on the floor.

“Come out here!” she shouted, coaxing Jiang Siru out the door, then stopped at the entrance, turning back to glare fiercely at Jiang Yichu.

“I have something to ask you.”

The three of them sat neatly on the couch.

Jiang Yichu came downstairs, and Jiang’s mother was holding Jiang Siru in her arms.

Looking over at Jiang Yichu, she asked, “What’s with these gifts?”

“They were given by Mrs. Liang.”

“You just accept them? Haven’t you seen any nice things before?”

Jiang’s mother was still angry and spoke without thinking.

But after saying that, she saw Jiang Yichu staring at her with a faint smile at the corner of her lips, and her throat tightened.

“Have I never seen nice things?”

Jiang Yichu returned the question to her mother.

She raised an eyebrow lightly, “I remember earlier today when Mrs. Liang said she would compensate you, you happily agreed.”

“Didn’t you teach me how to behave? Have I done anything wrong?”

“You!”

Jiang’s mother was choked up and couldn’t find a response.

Uncultured people always had sharp tongues!

Jiang Zhiyuan’s expression darkened too, but at least he wasn’t as harsh as Jiang’s mother.

“Alright.”

“Chuchu, just this once. Don’t go around accepting things from others next time.”

Jiang Zhiyuan took a few bills out of his pocket and placed them on the coffee table. “Use this for now, and if it’s not enough, I’ll give you more.”

Jiang Yichu glanced at the money on the table — ten hundred-yuan bills.

Such generosity!

Jiang Siru’s watch alone probably cost over seven or eight hundred yuan, right?

But money… why not take it?

Jiang Yichu said, “Alright, I’ll go shopping tomorrow and check out the prices in the capital. If it’s not enough, I’ll come back for more.”

Jiang Zhiyuan frowned.

“Don’t go out shopping these next few days.”

“Why?” Jiang Yichu looked up.

Jiang Zhiyuan replied, “Siru’s marriage has been settled, so stay home and help out. Don’t go out too much.”

“Help at home and don’t go out?”

Wasn’t it just that they were worried she’d embarrass them in front of the neighbors or the Ying family?

But… her marriage was settled?!

Jiang Yichu looked over at him. “Marriage? With the Ying family?”

Mentioning the engagement, Jiang’s mother’s anger seemed to subside, and a smile appeared on her face. “Yes, with Colonel Ying’s family.”

When it came to this engagement, the pride in Jiang’s mother’s eyes couldn’t be hidden.

“It’s been set for next weekend at Hongbin Hall. The timing is a bit tight, but the Ying family has shown enough sincerity, so it’s not a bad deal for  ​​Rou Rou “

Jiang’s mother said this as she took a passbook out of her pocket, seemingly unable to stop looking at it.

She muttered, “This 6,600 yuan in bride price is not much compared to our family, but I checked, and in the military compound, they usually give around 5,000.”

“It shows that the Ying family really values our  ​​Rou Rou !”

“Yes.” Jiang Zhiyuan nodded.

Jiang Sirou, blushing and fidgeting beside them, said, “Mom, stop talking.”

The three of them were happy together, but Jiang Yichu remained silent.

She lowered her head and said nothing, her mind filled with the wedding date and the bride price mentioned by Jiang’s mother…

If she remembered correctly, Jiang Siru and her mother had talked about eating with the Ying family the other night, probably for the two kids to meet first, right?

Which family sets a wedding date before even a first meeting?

Considering the Ying family’s background and Ying Zheng’s application with the “No Spouse” section blank, Jiang Yichu quickly pieced everything together—

Ying Zheng was clearly not involved in this engagement. The rush to finalize everything must have been orchestrated by Ying Zheng’s stepmother.

Just like the Jiang family, they planned everything first and informed him later. When Ying Zheng returned, he’d be forced into a marriage!

What a perfect collaboration between the two families!

Jiang Yichu was now curious—if the Ying family found out that Ying Zheng was married, how would they handle the wedding?

Who would win in this battle of schemes between Mrs. Ying and Jiang’s mother?

Jiang Yichu didn’t speak for a while.

Jiang’s mother found it strange, lifting her chin and looking over at her.

Seeing that Jiang Yichu was still looking down, she assumed her daughter was feeling self-conscious or jealous of Jiang Sirou marrying into a rich family.

Rolling her eyes, Jiang’s mother sneered and said, “Chuchu, don’t blame Mom for favoring your sister.”

“I had arranged a good marriage for you, too.”

“Who told you not to listen and go ahead and get married on your own?”

Now Jiang Yichu understood where Jiang Sirou’s arrogance came from. She had learned it from her mother.

She didn’t feel like arguing with someone so unreasonable.

Jiang Yichu shook her head.

Before leaving, the phone rang.

Jiang’s mother answered.

After saying a simple “Hello,” her tone immediately shifted, becoming excessively flattering.

“Of course, of course.”

“How about 5 PM tomorrow?”

“Everyone? Of course. Alright, no problem.”

The phone call ended.

Jiang Zhiyuan asked, “The Ying family?”

Jiang’s mother shook her head. “No, it’s the Liang family!”

“I told you on the way back, Mrs. Liang said that they were wrong to break off the engagement and promised to make up for it!”

“Make up for what?” Jiang Zhiyuan asked.

Jiang’s mother patted him and said. “What else? Rou Rou’s job!”

“Don’t forget, Mrs. Liang is from the arts troupe. Getting Rou Rou into singing and dancing there would be easy.”

Jiang Zhiyuan frowned. ” Rou Rou is doing fine with her job at the publishing house. Why not give the opportunity to Chuchu? She has no education, no connections, and she’s unfamiliar with everything. She really needs a job.”

Jiang’s mother’s face immediately soured. “Give her what?”

“Can she sing or dance?”

“If we get her in there to do something shameful, it’ll not only embarrass the Jiang family but also tarnish Rou Rou’s reputation with the Ying family.”

“And I’ve thought about it! Mrs. Liang will retire in two years. When that happens, the Ying family will help Rou Rou with her career, and by the time Rou Rou is thirty, she might even become the head of the arts troupe.”

Jiang Zhiyuan still hadn’t said anything.

In a man’s mind, blood relations always trump emotions.

Jiang Yichu was his biological daughter—there was no reason to let an adopted daughter take all the good opportunities.

After twenty years of marriage, Jiang’s mother naturally knew what Jiang Zhiyuan was thinking.

She lowered her voice and reminded him, “Don’t forget, your biological daughter doesn’t even know what kind of family she married into.”

“This marriage with Colonel Ying is a clear opportunity.”

“Only once  Rou Rou is well established with the Ying family, will your son’s promotion be easier to secure.”

When Jiang Junchi joined the military, because the Jiang family lacked connections in the capital’s military circles, he was assigned to a southern province.

It had already been three years, and there was no sign of him being transferred back.

A daughter is water spilled, but a son is the continuation of the family.

Jiang Zhiyuan was awakened by his wife’s words.

“Alright, we’ll do it your way.”

“We’ll bring it up tomorrow during the meal. Remember, be subtle, but firm! It’s best to get Rou Rou transferred before the wedding.”

Jiang’s mother patted her chest in assurance. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”