In the blink of an eye, Tian Tian had been working at Tian Sangsang’s little shop for a week. During this ti, Tian Tian’s beauty gave the shop’s GDP and foot traffic a noticeable boost—business was better than usual. This was sothing Tian Sangsang hadn’t expected. In other words, the business was doing fine without Tian Tian, but with her, it was even better.
Of course, Tian Tian’s flirtatious antics—intentional or not—provoked so of the won in town. They weren’t too happy about her and all wanted to co see this "little demon" for themselves. And as a result, the business beca even better.
"That little tramp is so shaless! I was eating, and she deliberately leaned near . I could totally see those two things under her clothes."
"Exactly, exactly! At first, I thought she was into , but the mont I tried to talk about that kind of stuff with her, she started pretending to be aloof."
"You don’t get it. She’s sizing people up. Girls like her have high standards. If you’re broke, you might get a look, but there’s no way she’ll let you touch her."
"True. You can look, but you can’t touch. Get your little thrill and move on—being into her won’t do you any good. Might as well go ho and hold your own wife instead."
"Man, if my wife acted like her, I swear I’d beat the crap out of her. Let’s see if she’d dare pull that nonsense again."
"Pfft, your wife? Even if she were as indecent as that one, no one would take a second look at her anyway. Chill out."
"..."
Chen Ming happened to walk by and overheard the gossip. He frowned instinctively. Since when had Tian Tian’s reputation beco the talk of the town? He had only gone out of town for a few days.
"Chen Ming, you’re back! Want so water?" Right then, with no custors around, Tian Tian approached him with a flirty smile and handed him a glass of water.
Chen Ming gave her a cold glare, sneered, and didn’t take the glass. Instead, he said, "Better save it for your custors."
Tian Tian’s face instantly turned white. What did he an by that?
She didn’t realize her flirtatious reputation had already spread far and wide.
"Chen Ming, let explain..." Tian Tian tentatively reached out, teary-eyed, wanting to grab him. She knew he still liked her and wouldn’t be able to resist her pitiful deanor.
"Let go of him! What do you think you’re doing?" Suddenly, a shadow darted over and yanked Tian Tian’s hand away.
Not only was Tian Sangsang stunned, but the other people in the shop were startled as well. Especially Chen Ying, whose jaw dropped. Yao Fangfang turned out to be Tian Tian’s natural nesis.
Chen Ming’s frown deepened when he saw the newcor. He said with undisguised disgust, "Yao Fangfang, what are you following around for again?"
Up till now, Chen Ming only knew that Yao Fangfang was a relative of his boss. At the factory, they’d crossed paths a few tis. But during his last trip away, Yao Fangfang had personally co to see him off and said a series of baffling things. This woman was out of her mind. He didn’t know her well at all! And he certainly didn’t like being followed around, like he had a tail he couldn’t shake.
"I wasn’t following you or anything. I just... ca here to eat." Feeling self-conscious under his gaze, Yao Fangfang stiffened and awkwardly asked, "Who is she?"
Tian Tian looked at Yao Fangfang, noticing how her beauty wasn’t inferior to her own and how her clothes were exquisitely made. Jealousy flashed across Tian Tian’s face. Won’s instincts were sharp—it was obvious this woman was here for Chen Ming. The sense of threat grew inside her. But judging by Chen Ming’s attitude, he seed to hate her.
Tian Tian secretly delighted in her heart and felt smug. They say comparisons are the thief of joy. Although Chen Ming’s attitude had wounded her earlier, now, by comparison, his treatnt of her seed downright gentle. That was good...
Chen Ming, utterly frustrated with the two won, stord upstairs with a darkened expression.
Tian Sangsang and Chen Ying exchanged looks, both helpless but leaning toward enjoying the show. They remained neutral and didn’t take sides.
"You—are you one of the staff here?" Yao Fangfang sneered. "I’ll have a skewer of atballs and a bottle of chrysanthemum tea. Get it for ."
Tian Tian huffed with resentnt. Once Tian Sangsang finished preparing the items, Tian Tian brought them over.
"What’s wrong with you? Why’d you put it down so hard? If water splashes on , can you afford to replace my clothes? I’m telling you, even if you sold yourself to buy this outfit, I’d still find it pathetic."
"Do you even know who you are? This outfit of mine is city-made."
"Oh, and I just rembered—I’ll have a skewer of rice cake too."
"This rice cake tastes great. Give another one with water spinach, won’t you?"
"Uh... duck wings! A skewer of duck wings for ."
"..." Tian Tian bustled around, entirely at Yao Fangfang’s beck and call. Yet Yao Fangfang was a custor now, so she couldn’t refuse. Tian Sangsang was watching from the back, after all.
Tian Sangsang and Chen Ying didn’t feel much about Yao Fangfang’s actions but grew slightly impressed. There might be so truth to the saying, "It takes a villain to deal with another villain." Yao Fangfang’s domineering nature might actually suppress Tian Tian. But who would’ve thought—just monts later, Tian Tian leaned into Yao Fangfang’s ear and whispered sothing. Yao Fangfang exploded with fury, slamd down her money, and stord off.
Chen Ying turned to Tian Tian in disdain and asked, "What did you just say to her? Why’d she get so mad?"
"She asked what my relationship with Chen Ming was. I just answered honestly," Tian Tian replied softly.
"You better not make things up! What relationship do you even have with my brother?"
"You’re misunderstanding , Yingzi." Tian Tian deliberately tried to flatter her. "I really did answer honestly. The three of us, plus Sangsang, grew up together from childhood."
Tian Sangsang saw right through her and chuckled inwardly. No wonder Yao Fangfang got so angry. Anyone would be upset to find out that the person they liked had a past entangled with another woman, especially a childhood connection. Won’s hearts are tiny, after all. Never underestimate a woman’s jealousy—especially when she’s in love.
Chen Ying snorted. "You and my brother have no chance. I can’t figure out what you’re thinking, but trust , there’s no chance between you two. My dad said there’s no way my brother’s wife will be soone like you. Absolutely not."
She wasn’t exaggerating. Her family had already dismissed Tian Tian entirely, and their stance was firm.
Tian Tian just smiled smugly to herself, unbothered. Her goal was to marry into the city—who cared about marrying Chen Ming? But he could still be useful. Who cared what his family thought anyway? Chen Ming’s circumstances were good now, but he wasn’t a long-term plan.
Yao Fangfang stord over to Shui Lian’s house, so aggrieved she was on the verge of tears.
"Fangfang, who got on your nerves this ti?" Shui Lian set down her book of essays and pushed the fruit platter on the table toward her.
Yao Fangfang picked up a tangerine, started peeling it, and fud, "Lian, you have no idea how infuriating that tramp is! Just thinking about her smug face makes my blood boil!"
She recounted everything that happened earlier.
"You’re talking about Tian Tian?"
"Wait, you know her too?" Yao Fangfang asked.
"That’s why I keep telling you to get out more and learn about people," Shui Lian teased with a laugh. "This Tian Tian has been quite the talk of the town lately. She’s drop-dead gorgeous, honestly, maybe even more than you or . Birds of a feather flock together—she’s Tian Sangsang’s cousin, after all. Her reputation isn’t great either. You said she told you about her and Chen Ming? I’d say it’s likely true—they’re from the sa village after all. If you don’t believe , we can ask around in their village."
"I believe it! Of course, I believe it! That’s exactly why I’m so furious! I don’t stand a chance anymore, Lian..." Yao Fangfang sobbed, "Chen Ming clearly likes her."
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