Chapter 16: Winding Like a Soft Ribbon

After dinner was ready in the evening, Sang Yu hesitated about whether to call Jiang Jingming to ask if he wanted to come home for the meal. After all, he had helped her so much. But then she recalled from the original story that Jiang Jingming rarely came home, probably because the police station kept him very busy. Just as she was wavering, the front door was opened from the outside.

"Why are you back so early?" Sang Yu asked Jiang Jingming in surprise.

Jiang Jingming looked puzzled. "Why do you ask that?"

Realizing her question sounded off, Sang Yu quickly added, "I was actually going to call you to see if you wanted to come home for dinner."

"What's that smell? Captain, the smell in your home is wonderful," Lin Wen poked his head out from behind Jiang Jingming.

"Hello, sister-in-law."

"Lin Wen's here?" Sang Yu looked at Lin Wen. This Lin Wen seemed inseparable from Jiang Jingming. Could it be that they... Considering Jiang Jingming's cold attitude toward Song Jiajia in the original story, could it be...

Sang Yu's gaze at Jiang Jingming and Lin Wen gradually became strange. Lin Wen felt a chill down his back, sensing his sister-in-law's odd look. Jiang Jingming also noticed Sang Yu's gaze. He couldn’t quite pinpoint what was odd, but it definitely felt strange.

"Bring the things inside," Jiang Jingming said.

After Jiang Jingming entered, the person behind him started carrying things in. Sang Yu knew these were the items Jiang Jingming had bought—the TV, refrigerator, and sewing machine that Lin Wen mentioned.

Actually, she wanted to say she didn’t know how to use a sewing machine, so buying one was kind of pointless. But since it was already bought, maybe it could come in handy someday.

The people helping carry the items were from the store, and after finishing, they left.

Lin Wen looked at the food on the table and swallowed. "Sister-in-law, did you make all this?"

Sang Yu smiled. "Yes, just in time. Let's eat together."

Lin Wen glanced at Jiang Jingming, who said, "Let's eat together."

"Thank you, sister-in-law. Thank you, Captain."

Lin Wen eagerly sat down.

After the meal, Lin Wen’s fondness for his sister-in-law grew even more—her cooking was unbelievably delicious.

"Sister-in-law, your cooking is amazing. Our captain is really lucky to have married you."

Sang Yu smiled. "If it’s delicious, eat more."

After seeing Lin Wen off, Sang Yu mentioned to Jiang Jingming the plan to visit her family the next day.

"If you’re busy, I can go by myself," Sang Yu said nonchalantly.

Jiang Jingming paused while washing dishes. "It’s okay, I’m not busy."

Not busy? Then why did Jiang Jingming seem so busy in the original story?

But since he said he wasn’t busy, she was naturally happy—if Jiang Jingming came along, getting money tomorrow would probably be easier.

"Alright, then we’ll go together tomorrow. I’m heading upstairs now."

"Okay," Jiang Jingming replied.

They both slept well that night, except Jiang Jingming got up again to wash the bedsheets.

The next morning, Sang Yu noticed the bedsheets hanging in the yard were different from the day before, and she couldn’t help but admire Jiang Jingming’s cleanliness—washing sheets after just one use.

After breakfast, Jiang Jingming drove Sang Yu back to the apartment block.

Seeing the bicycle downstairs, Sang Yu knew Song Jiajia had returned as well.

Sang Yu and Jiang Jingming got out of the car and headed upstairs. Just at the doorstep, they heard Song Jiajia’s voice.

“Dad, Mom, I already told you, this money is to help Brother Lu start a business, and he’ll make it back quickly.”

Song Jiajia was getting impatient, especially after seeing Jiang Jingming defend Sang Yu. She couldn’t wait to see Lu Hao become a wealthy man and crush Sang Yu beneath his feet.

Last night, after returning home, she told Lu Hao about the business venture, and he agreed. Now, only the money was missing.

So this morning, Song Jiajia went straight to Song Zhenhua and Chen Jinlan to ask for money.

Lu Hao stayed silent nearby—he would take whatever money he could get, but if none was available, so be it. As long as Song Jiajia was around, he could always get some.

“Dad, Mom, isn’t there still money at home? Just give it to us. Brother Lu promises to pay double back once he makes money,” Song Jiajia urged anxiously.

Sang Yu didn’t rush inside. Jiang Jingming looked at her, puzzled.

Sang Yu grabbed Jiang Jingming’s hand and made a shushing gesture.

The people inside were unaware of their presence outside.

When Jiang Jingming felt Sang Yu’s hand grasp his arm, his whole body tensed.

The young woman’s hand was like a soft ribbon, wrapping around his arm.

His ears turned so red they seemed to bleed; his palms sweated slightly, and he clenched his fists to suppress the heat rising inside.

He dared not move and stayed frozen in that position.

Sang Yu listened carefully to the voices inside, unaware of the man’s unusual reaction.

Song Zhenhua’s voice sounded: “What kind of business are you planning?”

Song Zhenhua wasn’t addressing Song Jiajia but Lu Hao.

If you want to start a business, you need a plan—at least know what kind of business it is—not just talk vaguely.

Lu Hao couldn’t answer; how could he know? He only agreed because Song Jiajia said they could ask the family for money.

He was just a temporary worker at the factory; how would he know what to do?

Song Zhenhua’s sharp gaze fell on Lu Hao, who stammered and couldn’t answer.

Song Jiajia hurriedly said, “Dad, Brother Lu plans to go into the clothing resale business.”

She vaguely remembered that in the previous life, Lu Hao had made his fortune selling clothes.

“Selling clothes?” Song Zhenhua narrowed his shrewd eyes.

“Yes,” Lu Hao could only follow Song Jiajia’s words.

“This is no small matter. We need to think it through,” Song Zhenhua said. He felt Lu Hao was too impulsive and lacked ideas. This business might be hard to succeed.

He regretted agreeing to the marriage arrangement based solely on Song Jiajia’s few words.

Song Jiajia anxiously said, “Dad, don’t overthink it. I’m sure Brother Lu will succeed. We have to act quickly, or someone else will snatch the opportunity.”

She believed that entering the market now would definitely be more profitable than waiting.

Lu Hao didn’t know why Song Jiajia was so confident.

Seeing Song Zhenhua still hesitating, Song Jiajia suddenly whispered something into his ear.

Song Zhenhua’s expression changed sharply; his eyes glared at Song Jiajia. “Are you sure?”

Chen Jinlan and Lu Hao watched the father and daughter curiously.

Song Jiajia nodded firmly. “I’m sure!”

What she had whispered to Song Zhenhua was that once Lu Hao made money in business, he would surely become the next factory director.

She remembered that in the last life, two years later, Song Zhenhua had ridden Lu Hao’s success to become the new director.

Song Zhenhua’s hesitation lessened, and seeing this, Song Jiajia relaxed.

She let Song Zhenhua think it over properly, watching as he was about to nod.

Song Jiajia pressed harder: “Dad, even if you don’t give me the money now, Sang Yu will still trick it away later.”

Thinking of Sang Yu’s changes, Song Zhenhua no longer hesitated. “Fine. Wait for it!”

Sang Yu outside the door heard everything clearly and could only blame the poor soundproofing of the house at this hour.

Jiang Jingming despised eavesdropping, but seeing Sang Yu’s mischievous expression now, he found it utterly adorable.

Hearing the door open and close, Sang Yu knew the money had been handed over.

This moment was truly the chosen time!