Chapter 347: Comparisons are Infuriating

As luck would have it, Wang Yuan also came today, and she even brought a couple of pounds of tofu.

When Wang Yuan saw Old Sir Qian, Old Madam Qian, and He Qiang, she feigned surprise and exclaimed, "Oh my, Uncle Qian, Aunt Qian, Uncle He, you’re back."

Zhao Nuanyue hadn’t expected Wang Yuan to show up and quickly shot a look at the Little Red Carp.

Upon hearing Wang Yuan’s voice, the Little Red Carp stopped playing Gomoku with He Bin and scampered over to Wang Yuan, asking in a clear, crisp voice, "Ms. Yuan, did you bring me something yummy to eat?"

"Little Red Carp, don’t be rude," Zhao Nuanyue lightly chided. What she really meant was, ’Little Red Carp, quickly check if Wang Yuan has any poison on her, if there’s anything wrong with the things she brought, and if they’re safe to eat!’

"Hee hee!" The Little Red Carp giggled and continued to run toward Wang Yuan.

"She’s still just a little girl. Besides, she likes me, so it’s fine. Nuanyue, don’t scold her," Wang Yuan said with a smile. She was especially happy that the Little Red Carp seemed close to her; it would give her more reason to visit frequently.

The Little Red Carp reached Wang Yuan’s side and carefully sensed for anything malicious. Finding nothing, she turned and smiled at her sister.

This was the secret signal they had agreed on beforehand!

"Wang Yuan, you can’t spoil her," Zhao Nuanyue said, relieved, but she didn’t forget to continue her light scolding of the Little Red Carp.

’It’s a good thing there’s no poison,’ she thought. ’Otherwise, I would have had to figure out how to dispose of what Wang Yuan brought.’

"Oh, it’s nothing fancy. My maternal grandmother gave our family half a sack of soybeans, and my mom made some tofu, so I brought some over for you," Wang Yuan said with a laugh. "I didn’t expect to run into the elders here at your house."

Seeing Old Madam Qian, Old Sir Qian, and He Qiang at Zhao Nuanyue’s house was a bit surprising, but it didn’t upset her. It was understandable. After all, Zhao Nuanyue and Hua Yusen were capable people, so it was only natural that those they helped would come to thank them.

If Li Qiong or Yang Guanghui came to Jincheng City without telling her, however, she would definitely be hurt.

"Haha, Wang Yuan, thank you for looking after us in the past," He Qiang said with a smile. Although she had only helped occasionally, it had been a rare kindness.

"Oh, don’t say that. I really didn’t do much," Wang Yuan said, feeling a little guilty and unable to accept their thanks.

Old Madam Qian looked from Wang Yuan to Zhao Nuanyue, her thoughts turning to Li Qiong back in Nianqiao Village. She said, "You three girls are all so wonderful. Li Qiong and Li Jianjun are about to tie the knot and are very happy, and Nuanyue is engaged, too. Everyone is so happy. By the way, Wang Yuan, what about you?"

Hearing Old Madam Qian’s question, Wang Yuan was displeased. ’Are we that close, you old lady? Who are you to ask me about my marital status?’

"Not yet. I haven’t found the right person," Wang Yuan replied with a bitter smile. "Maybe I’m just not good enough."

Old Madam Qian was taken aback. ’Wang Yuan seems to have a good personality, so how could she have trouble finding a husband?’

"Don’t say that, you’re a good girl," Old Madam Qian said with a smile. "It’s just that your destiny hasn’t arrived yet. Look at Li Qiong—who would have thought she’d end up with Li Jianjun? And Nuanyue and Hua Yusen were also quite a surprise. But as the old saying goes, destined lovers are connected by a thread of fate. You’ll find your happiness too."

"Thank you for your kind words, Aunt Qian," Wang Yuan said gratefully, though she felt a bit sour inside.

But this wasn’t the time to dwell on such things. She had come to get closer to Zhao Nuanyue. ’If this wasn’t Nuanyue’s home, I couldn’t be bothered to waste my breath on these people!’

Thinking of the exquisite watch she had received yesterday, a sweet warmth spread through Wang Yuan’s heart. ’It’s not that no one is pursuing me; I’m just the one who’s been unwilling.’

He Qiang noticed Wang Yuan’s mood had soured, so he changed the subject and started chatting about other things.

Zhao Nuanyue went to the kitchen to cook, and Wang Yuan followed to help.

With everyone there, both Zhao Nuanyue and Wang Yuan were in high spirits, chatting about the small things in their lives.

That evening, Zhao Nuanyue brought out a bottle of fine liquor. Hua Yusen had given it to her before to entertain guests. No one usually drank it, but today it finally came in handy.

After dinner, since everyone had been drinking, Zhang Hong drove them home one by one.

After getting out of the car and watching it drive away, the smile on her face finally vanished.

’We’re both young women, so why can’t I live as comfortably as Zhao Nuanyue?’

Ugh. Comparisons are the absolute worst.

Just then, a figure emerged from the shadows of the alley and stood behind Wang Yuan.

"I’ve been waiting for you for a long time." The man’s voice sounded by her ear, startling Wang Yuan. She whipped her head around.

But there were no streetlights nearby, so she couldn’t see clearly. The voice, however, sounded familiar.

"Who... who are you?" Wang Yuan took two steps back. "Don’t block my way."

The man seemed taken aback for a moment, then chuckled. "You really don’t recognize me? I think I need to remind you who I am."

Wang Yuan was about to struggle, but then she thought of Zhao Nuanyue’s current life and compared it to her own ant-like, working-class existence. She stopped struggling and stammered, "You... you’re Guo Donghai?"

"Heh, so you finally remember," Guo Donghai said with a low chuckle.

Wang Yuan’s heart fluttered, but she knew she couldn’t let Guo Donghai get his way so easily.

’What comes too easily is never cherished.’

"Let go of me! Let me go!" Wang Yuan struggled, which only made Guo Donghai more relentless.

Guo Donghai had clearly sensed that she was tempted just a moment ago. Why had she suddenly started struggling again?

Guo Donghai lowered his voice. "Wang Yuan, you’re so beautiful. I like you."

"But... but you... you’re already married." Wang Yuan already knew about Guo Donghai’s situation from Guo Dongmei. Even if she wanted to surrender to him, she couldn’t give in so easily.

Guo Donghai froze, then gave a bitter laugh. "Sigh, it was a marriage arranged by our families. I won’t hide that from you. As long as her family doesn’t fall, I can’t divorce her. But I have no feelings for her at all. I don’t like her. The moment I first saw you, though, I fell for you."

"We can’t. We just can’t," Wang Yuan choked out. "It’s immoral to destroy someone else’s family."

"But I love you," Guo Donghai said urgently. "I really like you. Oh, right, I already told Dongmei that you shouldn’t do anything dangerous to Zhao Nuanyue anymore. I know you’re a kind girl, and doing those things must have been sheer torment for you, causing you so much pain."

When it came to pursuing women, a silver tongue was a shortcut. Women always fell for this act, and for Guo Donghai, it worked every time.