Chapter 317: Jiang Manzhi Is Angry

Su Zhaozhao chose a bellflower-scented perfume. It was elegant and classy, with a wonderful fragrance that seemed perfect for Jiang Manzhi.

After making the purchase, they headed to the Jiang family’s home.

The Jiang family lived very close to Xie Huaizheng’s, so the two of them had practically grown up together.

“We used to live in the same building—they were downstairs, we were upstairs—but we’ve all moved away now,” Huang Jiqin told Su Zhaozhao.

“Jingshu and I are very close. We were even pregnant around the same time. I even passed on quite a few child-rearing tips to her.”

Hearing Huang Jiqin talk about her long-standing friendship with Zhang Jingshu, Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but feel moved. ‘Their bond really is strong,’ she thought.

‘So back then, they must have wanted to set Xie Huaizheng up with Jiang Manzhi, right?’

‘But Xie Huaizheng had no feelings for Jiang Manzhi, so the matter was eventually dropped.’

“Zhaozhao, you probably know this, but Manzhi… that child used to have feelings for Huai Zheng.”

“I know.”

“When Huai Zheng went to the West State Military District, Manzhi could have stayed in Beijing. But she chose to go there for him. I recently heard she’s applied for a transfer back here.”

‘After all, the man she liked was now married to someone else. From her perspective, there really was no reason to stay in a place like that.’

‘West State, with its endless yellow-earth plateaus, dry climate, and desolation, was definitely no place for a city girl like Jiang Manzhi.’

When Jiang Manzhi had stubbornly insisted on going, Zhang Jingshu had nearly cried her eyes out.

She had come to Huang Jiqin every day, crying and complaining. At the time, Huang Jiqin couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.

After all, Jiang Manzhi had only followed him because Xie Huaizheng had gone there to serve.

But her son, that late bloomer, was clearly not interested in Jiang Manzhi at all.

A few years went by, and even though Jiang Manzhi and Xie Huaizheng were in the same military camp, he still showed no feelings for her.

Both Huang Jiqin and Zhang Jingshu waited and watched, wondering if Xie Huaizheng and Jiang Manzhi would eventually get together.

But in the end, they never expected that Xie Huaizheng would wind up with Su Zhaozhao.

It was only then that Huang Jiqin realized her son wasn’t a late bloomer at all. He just hadn’t met the right girl.

That explained why he was always so indifferent and inconsiderate toward other women.

He turned a blind eye to Jiang Manzhi’s affection, and even when their elders anxiously pushed them together, Xie Huaizheng remained completely unmoved.

It wasn’t until she saw Xie Huaizheng with Su Zhaozhao that Huang Jiqin finally understood completely.

‘So, when Xie Huaizheng falls for someone, he can be incredibly gentle.’

The thoughtful and meticulous way he cared for Su Zhaozhao left Huang Jiqin feeling deeply moved.

Just as she finished her trip down memory lane, they arrived at the Jiang family’s front door.

Huang Jiqin turned to Su Zhaozhao. “Zhaozhao, this won’t be too awkward for you, will it? I know Xiao Jiang used to have a crush on Huai Zheng, but that’s all in the past. Since you’ve become such good friends with her mother, I’m guessing you wouldn’t mind playing mahjong with her?”

“Of course not, Mom. Don’t you worry. I can’t wait to play mahjong with them! And just so you know, I’m pretty good.”

Seeing Su Zhaozhao’s beaming face, Huang Jiqin couldn’t help but smile along with her.

“That’s good, that’s good.” Huang Jiqin’s eyes crinkled. ‘Su Zhaozhao is so adorable,’ she thought.

‘My daughter-in-law is just so poised and gracious!’

‘All I can say is, my son is a lucky man. Even if there was a mix-up, the person he ended up with is still wonderful.’

Huang Jiqin knocked. After a moment, Zhang Jingshu opened the door and was very surprised to see the three of them standing there.

“Jiqin! Zhaozhao! And Huai Zheng! What are you all doing here?”

“I heard that Manzhi was back, so we came to see her.”

“Come in, come in!” Zhang Jingshu immediately and enthusiastically welcomed them inside.

Su Zhaozhao looked around at the house’s layout, which was quite similar to the Xie family’s home. ‘Clearly, the Jiang family is also very well-off.’

‘That makes sense. People living in the same compound are likely from a similar social standing.’

Just then, Jiang Manzhi, who was sitting on the sofa watching TV, saw them enter, and her expression soured.

She glared at Su Zhaozhao. “What are you doing here?”

‘Even though I’ve given up on Xie Huaizheng, that doesn’t mean I’m going to be friends with Su Zhaozhao.’

‘This is too awkward!’

‘The man I chased for so many years was snatched away by another woman.’

‘And now she wants to be friends with me?’

‘I’m not an idiot,’ Jiang Manzhi thought.

‘But this Su Zhaozhao has already become friends with my mother!’

The thought made her furious.

‘Why did Su Zhaozhao have to become friends with Zhang Jingshu?’

‘And they’re so close, too! In the short time I’ve been back, all my mother talks about is Su Zhaozhao. She even said she hoped we could become friends and that it would make her very happy.’

Jiang Manzhi was furious.

‘Why on earth should I be friends with Su Zhaozhao?’

‘She stole my man!’

‘Who does she think she is?!’

‘Do I have no pride?’

“Jiang Manzhi, that temper of yours! Can you please keep it in check? They are our guests.” Zhang Jingshu’s gentle expression fell.

She was furious that her own daughter would say such a thing in front of guests.

Especially since she and Su Zhaozhao had become such good friends, despite their age difference.

‘Su Zhaozhao is such a wonderful girl. Why won’t my daughter even try to be friends with her?’

‘Is it all just because of a man?’

Zhang Jingshu shook her head. ‘What a shame.’

“No,” said Jiang Manzhi.

Seeing Jiang Manzhi’s dark, angry expression, Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but smile. She stepped forward and offered the gift she had brought for her.

“I picked this out especially for you. I hope you like it.”

Jiang Manzhi glanced at the bag in Su Zhaozhao’s hand and recognized a high-end perfume brand. ‘It probably wasn’t cheap.’

‘I can’t believe Su Zhaozhao would spend so much just to get on my good side.’

Still, Jiang Manzhi had no intention of accepting it.

“I don’t need it,” she said coldly.

“That’s fine. I’ve given it to you now, so you can do whatever you want with it.”

With that, Su Zhaozhao placed the bag on the table in front of Jiang Manzhi.

Jiang Manzhi was taken aback by Su Zhaozhao’s forwardness. After a moment of surprise, she snapped, “You think I won’t just throw this out right now?”

“Then go ahead and throw it out. It’s my gift to you, so it’s yours to do with as you please.”

Jiang Manzhi looked at the box of perfume, picking it up as if to toss it. But after a moment’s thought, she set it back down.

It just seemed like too much of a waste.