“She has a way?”

Madam Jiang didn’t react immediately.

 

Jiang Sirou quickly began analyzing the situation.

 

“Mom, why did we bring my sister back in the first place?”

 

“Wasn’t it to use the Liang family connection to get close to the Ying family?”

 

Madam Jiang looked confused.

 

Seeing the urgency, Jiang Sirou got straight to the point.

 

“Now that we’ve already established ties with the Ying family, does it even matter whether she marries into the Liang family?”

 

“As long as the Liang family backs out themselves, wouldn’t that solve everything?”

 

That was true in theory.

 

But this was a childhood engagement.

 

The higher someone’s status, the more they valued reputation and family honor.

 

Break off the engagement?

 

If they could do that so easily, would the Liang family have even agreed to marry into theirs?

 

Madam Jiang scoffed inwardly.

 

But when she looked up and saw Jiang Sirou’s determined expression, she wavered.

 

“What’s your plan?”

 

If Jiang Sirou intended to expose Jiang Yichu’s marriage and make the Liang family reject her—

 

Absolutely not.

 

At her age, face and reputation meant everything.

 

That kind of disgrace was unacceptable.

 

Sensing her concern, Jiang Sirou patted her hand reassuringly.

 

“Don’t worry, Mom. My plan will only make the Liang family lose face—not us.”

 

“Let’s hear it.”

 

Madam Jiang was intrigued.

 

Jiang Sirou leaned closer and whispered:

 

“Liang Heng gambles.”

 

Madam Jiang was stunned.

 

“The commander’s son… gambles? Are you sure?”

 

Of course she was sure.

 

In her previous life, people thought she lived a glamorous life.

 

But in reality, Liang Heng indulged in gambling, women, and drugs—only missing the last one completely.

 

No one else knew—but she had been his wife.

 

However, she couldn’t say that outright.

 

So she blamed it on her “prophetic dream.”

 

“The dream told me. We can verify it.”

 

Verifying Liang Heng’s gambling would also verify whether her prophetic dream was real.

 

Madam Jiang was more than willing.

 

Mother and daughter were of one mind.

 

“Mom, give me five days. As long as I find proof he gambles, we can naturally break off the engagement.”

 

“No.”

 

Madam Jiang rejected it immediately.

 

“We can’t go looking for evidence.”

 

Experience showed.

 

She narrowed her eyes.

 

“The Liang family isn’t ordinary. You must not get involved directly. If it’s exposed later, our two families will completely fall out.”

 

Jiang Sirou thought about it and nodded.

 

Her mother was right.

 

The plan worked, but it was too obvious.

 

“Then…”

 

A spark flashed in her mind.

 

“What if Liang Heng gets injured and can’t attend the wedding?”

 

People at gambling tables weren’t exactly good citizens.

 

If tempers flared and a fight broke out—

 

Accidents could easily happen.

 

—

 

Next door.

 

Lying on her bed, Jiang Yichu had just heard a shocking secret.

 

She almost laughed.

 

And Madam Jiang still dared to complain that her biological daughter lacked upbringing?

 

What kind of snake had she raised herself?

 

The Liang family had nothing to do with her.

 

But preventing Madam Jiang from getting her way—that was now her main goal.

 

The bright red cloth on the dressing table was glaring.

 

Jiang Yichu sat down and looked at herself in the mirror.

 

“Don’t worry. I’ll avenge you.”

 

In truth, she didn’t even need to try that hard.

 

Following Jiang Sirou would reveal everything.

 

—

 

She trailed behind her out of the house.

 

Madam Jiang didn’t care.

 

As long as that embarrassing daughter wasn’t in front of her, she could go wherever she liked.

 

Jiang Yichu followed her all the way to the black market.

 

With the wedding date approaching, Jiang Sirou was more anxious than anyone.

 

Relying on memories from her past life, she found someone in a corner.

 

The place was noisy and crowded—Jiang Yichu couldn’t hear their conversation clearly.

 

After Jiang Sirou left, she followed the man who had taken her money.

 

The man was burly.

 

After walking a few hundred meters, he slipped into a small house at the edge of the market.

 

Entering rashly wasn’t wise.

 

So Jiang Yichu wandered around first.

 

She bought some seeds along the way.

 

In this era of shortages, even grain required ration tickets.

 

Since she had a space now, she had no intention of living poorly.

 

She didn’t have cash, so she sold the watch Madam Jiang had given her on the first day.

 

It was brand new—someone bought it quickly.

 

A Shanghai-brand watch originally cost over 100 yuan.

 

She sold it for exactly 100.

 

She spent 2 yuan on seeds:

 

Vegetables—lettuce, celery, cilantro, chives, cabbage, cucumbers, green peppers, potatoes, tomatoes…

 

Grains—wheat, rice, corn, black rice, barley…

 

Seasonings—green onions, ginger, garlic, sesame, peanuts…

 

She bought small amounts of each, planning to test them first.

 

Then she spent 5 yuan on ten chicks and ducklings—both male and female.

 

She could raise them for eggs or meat.

 

After finding a secluded spot to store them in her space, she returned to the small house.

 

An older woman was sitting outside, cracking sunflower seeds.

 

People in the black market were sharp.

 

Seeing Jiang Yichu lingering, the woman straightened and eyed her warily.

 

“Girl, your man inside?”

 

Thanks to her dull complexion, she blended in—otherwise, with her features, she would’ve stood out.

 

Jiang Yichu shook her head. “No, I want to play myself.”

 

The woman’s eyes widened. “You? Gambling?”

 

Clearly unconvinced, she snorted. “They’re playing for money in there. You got any?”

 

“I do.”

 

Jiang Yichu patted her pocket and slipped a fifty-cent note into her hand.

 

“Auntie, is this your place? Can I go in and play a few rounds?”

 

The woman didn’t respond immediately.

 

She rubbed the note, glanced at Jiang Yichu again, then finally shouted inside:

 

“Huzi!”

 

A skinny boy came out.

 

“Yeah, Ma?”

 

She jerked her chin toward Jiang Yichu. “She wants to play. Find her a table.”

 

“A woman?” he hesitated.

 

She kicked him. “Stop talking nonsense!”

 

He led Jiang Yichu inside.

 

The room was smoky and crowded.

 

Three tables were packed with players and onlookers.

 

Jiang Yichu quickly spotted the burly man—

 

And then Liang Heng.

 

The male lead of the original story stood out even at a gambling table.

 

Huzi said, “No seats right now. Just wait by a table—take over when someone leaves.”

 

Jiang Yichu stepped forward and stopped behind Liang Heng.

 

“Thanks. I’ll wait here.”