Chapter 14: He's a Bit Too Short
Upon seeing Jiang Yu's face, Sun Zailiang was dumbfounded and blurted out in surprise, "Xiangyang, your wife is damn beautiful!"
Jiang Yu smiled. "I'm his sister-in-law, here to attend the banquet today."
As soon as her identity was made known, the active hopes of many present immediately died.
Since she is also Jiang Ting's sister, she must be from the countryside too.
Fu Xiangyang stood dazed in place, his eyes unable to tear away from Jiang Yu's face. He felt a twinge of regret.
Ever since he saw her last time, he had a feeling of being deceived. Why was it Jiang Ting who came for the match and not her older sister, Jiang Yu?
If it weren't for Jiang Ting, wouldn't Jiang Yu be the one marrying him today?
Fu Xiangyang gritted his teeth, and resentment surged within him.
He Tingyue, standing behind him, patted his shoulder and said gravely, "Aren't you going to fetch your wife?"
There was an inherent authority in his deep voice, commanding respect.
Having been in a high position for long, Fu Xiangyang naturally complied.
"Liangzi, could you take my sister-in-law to the state-run restaurant?"
Sun Zailiang was more than happy to comply.
He had no intention of pursuing a relationship with Jiang Yu, but everyone loves beauty and status. Having such a woman sit on his bicycle would give him a lot of face.
However, Jiang Yu refused outright, "No need, it's not far. I can walk there myself."
This rejection stirred an unbearable itch in Sun Zailiang's heart.
Jiang Ting's reputation in the compound had already spread. Having finally met someone from the city, she shamelessly clung to them, which was really not very flattering to hear.
This led people to view Jiang Yu with a hint of disdain.
But now, it seemed that she and Jiang Ting were indeed two different types of people.
Jiang Yu declined their invitation and made her way to the state-run restaurant on foot.
Fu Xiangyang, carrying Jiang Ting on his bicycle, passed by her, stirring up a gust of wind.
Very smug, Jiang Ting waved at Jiang Yu.
"Jiang Yu, we're leaving first."
Jiang Yu couldn't be bothered to respond.
Upon arriving at the state-run restaurant, Jiang Yu was seated with a group of middle-aged women.
To her surprise, Yao the matchmaker was also there and even greeted Jiang Yu first.
Given her relationship with Yao Xiangling, she was very attentive to Jiang Yu's marriage prospects and had been trying to find a match for her.
She took Jiang Yu aside and said, "Since you're here, see that fair and clean-cut young man over there? He's a very handsome and refined young man. Take this chance to talk to him for a bit."
Jiang Yu wore a smile, but inwardly she was troubled, unsure how to refuse Matchmaker Yao.
Given her enthusiasm, it wasn't appropriate to say anything negative about Sun Zailiang.
Matchmaker Yao, without giving her a chance to respond, was determined not to let this rare opportunity slip by.
She immediately took Jiang Yu by the arm and led her forward, saying with a smile, "This is Zailiang."
"Grandma Yao, what's up?"
Matchmaker Yao beamed, "This is Jiang Yu, the elder sister of today's bride. Meet each other."
Sun Zailiang arched his eyebrows and then chuckled.
"Sure thing, don't worry, I'll treat her well."
He felt some disdain. Just moments ago, she had seemed so aloof, but now she was eager to get closer.
Too bad she's Jiang Ting's sister and now related by marriage to the Fu family. It's best not to get involved.
Otherwise, she might get tangled up with me, and I wouldn't be able to get rid of her.
"Comrade Jiang Yu, please sit here."
Jiang Yu smiled and shook her head, "I'll sit over there. Grandma Yao was very enthusiastic and insisted I come over."
Sun Zailiang's eyes flickered with mischief. Still pretending to be hard to get?
"No problem, just making a new friend; it's no big deal."
Jiang Yu exchanged a few pleasantries with him before returning to her original seat.
A friend nearby teased, "Zailiang, you're quite lucky with women."
Sun Zailiang glared at them, "Don't say such things."
He then started chatting with the unmoving He Tingyue beside him, "I thought she'd be different from her sister, but she's just being pretentious. She's pretty, but my mom told me not to marry a village girl."
He Tingyue didn't respond, his face expressionless, merely listening without commenting.
Jiang Yu's beautiful appearance flashed through his mind, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up an inexplicable annoyance.
Before long, Sun Zailiang found the conversation dull and shifted the topic.
As soon as the banquet ended, Jiang Yu seized the chance to leave.
Matchmaker Yao hurriedly followed her out.
"Jiang Yu, why are you running so fast?"
Jiang Yu forced a smile—wasn't it obvious she was trying to avoid her?
Afraid that Matchmaker Yao would try to set her up with Sun Zailiang again.
"I saw that you and Zailiang didn't get to talk much, what do you think of him?"
Jiang Yu gave a dry laugh, "He's a little short."
Matchmaker Yao was taken aback, "Short? Actually, he's not short. If you count the shoes, he's a few centimeters taller than you."
For most people, when considering a partner, appearance is secondary as long as it's passable.
What they mostly care about is the family background, and the Sun family is not bad.
Especially since Jiang Yu is from the countryside and needs to find someone quickly, matching with the Sun family would already be a favorable match.
Jiang Yu gritted her teeth and decided to reject him outright this time.
"Grandma Yao, I want to find someone who is over six feet tall, with a sturdy build, not too thin." Sun Zailiang may look refined, but his frame is probably too weak to even lift me. Family background isn't the most important thing either; it's their character that matters the most."
She almost shouted that Sun Zailiang was a philanderer!
Yao matchmaker: "...Sturdy is good, alright, I'll keep an eye out for that kind of person for you!"
Muttering in discontent, she left, clearly dissatisfied.
Just as Jiang Yu was about to leave, her eyes met He Tingyue's sharp, dark eyes, deep and unfathomable.
They had only met a few times, and he always seemed impassive, as if he didn't even notice her.
But this time, his typically unreadable eyes showed a hint of mockery.
Jiang Yu quickly realized that he must have overheard her conversation with Yao matchmaker.
He seemed well-acquainted with Sun Zailiang.
"Comrade He..."
He Tingyue paused in his stride, slightly turning his face without looking back.
From this angle, Jiang Yu could only see his chiseled profile.
Feeling uneasy, she fidgeted and approached.
"You... don't misunderstand, I..."
"Misunderstand what, exactly?" The man's voice remained cold.
In Jiang Yu's memory, she had never detected any extraneous emotions from him; he was always very composed.
"About Sun Zailiang..."
He Tingyue cut her off, "Comrade Jiang, we are not acquainted."
Jiang Yu's expression stiffened, and before she could react, she saw him striding away.
Biting her lip, she understood his meaning.
They weren't familiar, so there was no need for explanations.
He was right, it made sense, but Jiang Yu still felt a little suffocated.
With a stiff face, she returned to her aunt's house, changed back into her old clothes and shoes, and did her laundry.
Even by the time she went to bed that night, her mood hadn't improved.
Who did he think he is, looking at her that way!