Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Changed to a Gold Bracelet
With her hair done up in a bun and a simple Korean-style makeup that remained delicate and pretty despite the high temperature, this seemed to be the young lady from the 11th floor.
She had asked for help in the group chat before, setting up a stall by herself, selling lipsticks, facial masks, and such.
The profile picture was herself, Jhiang Yuan remembered vaguely.
Seeing that Jhiang Yuan was looking at her, she greeted warmly, "Miss, take a look and see if you like anything. All the facial masks and cosmetics I have here are from top brands, very effective."
Jhiang Yuan couldn't help but sneer inwardly; what use were these things.
Nevertheless, she approached generously.
"I don't want cosmetics; would you trade your bracelet?"
A Cartier gold bracelet, solid and valuable, both stylish and worth a lot.
"This?"
The girl touched the bracelet on her wrist, hesitating and struggling internally.
"This, it's quite expensive. What do you want to trade for it?"
Jhiang Yuan wasn't foolish; there were quite a few people set up with stalls around her, and everyone was within earshot, all ears pricked up, waiting to listen in.
"Two lollipops."
"What? That's impossible, you're dreaming. I'm not selling."
With an indifferent shrug, Jhiang Yuan said lightly, "Candy can replenish energy. If you don't want them, forget it."
Hearing it was just for two pieces of candy, the others lost interest too.
But the girl turned pale; she suffered from low blood sugar and usually ate chocolate or similar things.
Now that it was no longer available, what Jhiang Yuan offered was very tempting, but oh, that Cartier bracelet, she was in pain just thinking about it.
"Wait a moment."
Jhiang Yuan casually turned away, then came back over to her.
"I'll trade with you…"
It was evident that she had made a big decision.
Jhiang Yuan knew, these thin beauties, they usually suffer from low blood sugar.
She had pocketed two lollipops before heading out, and the girl removed her bracelet and handed it over to her.
Jhiang Yuan took it without demur, putting it straight into her pocket.
Then she took out two lollipops and gave them to her, "Miss, it's not very safe these days, and it's getting late, you should head back early."
Jhiang Yuan held onto her hand and didn't let go but instead slipped two sticks of sausage from her sleeve into the girl's.
The young lady was equally surprised, remaining quiet, and Jhiang Yuan's message was clear to her.
In times like these, it was very unsafe for her to be alone, especially since someone had knocked on her door at night for two consecutive days.
A gold bracelet was definitely worth all this stuff.
She didn't want to play the saint, but in such times, she didn't want to take too much advantage either; it didn't feel right.
Back at her house, Jhiang Xingzhi was getting ready to leave.
"Dad, where are you going?"
"My good daughter, you're back? Anything wrong?"
Qin Yue rushed over briskly, wanting to touch her immediately.
"Don't come over, Mom. Disinfect me first…"
"Ah, okay, just wait…"
Saying so, Qin Yue brought out some disinfectant at the entryway.
It was only then that Jhiang Xingzhi had the time to explain what had just happened.
"Your mom saw me returning alone and was worried about you, so she sent me to look for you.
Daughter, as long as you're okay, that's all that matters. I was too careless today; we absolutely cannot be separated again."
Jhiang Yuan felt warmed by this concern, family truly was different. If she were at the Xia family, no one would care whether she lived or died.
After disinfecting herself, they sprayed down the hallway as well.
Of course, I didn't let Song Yi's doorstep slip by either. Today could be considered our first official interaction.
No matter whether we cross paths again, dealing with this side has its benefits for us.
With Bai Mengmeng causing a ruckus over here, the mosquitoes and Green Bean Fly seem to have multiplied, making the sight particularly disgusting.
I'm not sure if these things are poisonous, but to be safe, it's better not to let them touch the skin.
When I got back home, Qin Yue went on and on with her lecturing.
In the current situation, she wasn't afraid of anything else; she just feared Bai Mengmeng's revenge in the shadows.
Being shady and unreliable, who knows if she might be acquainted with some societal figures? If they were to act against her, it would be extremely dangerous.
Jhiang Yuan patiently listened, where she might have found it nagging before, now it felt incredibly warm.
"Enough now, don't lecture the girl; she's a mother too and deserves some dignity."
"I'm also doing this for her good, and you too. You actually let the girl go by herself; it's infuriating..."
"Alright, Mom, I'm fine now, aren't I? I'll remember this for next time.
Gosh, I'm so sleepy; I'm going to sleep first."
Hearing that her daughter was sleepy, Qin Yue hurriedly brought her a box of milk.
Drinking milk before sleep can help with sleeping, and Xiao Nuan was already asleep, so she didn't have to worry about her.
Jhiang Yuan sipped the milk while turning on the surveillance of the large flat.
The house was quiet inside; everyone must have been asleep by then.
Unexpectedly, Xia Chaoyang and Bai Mengmeng had actually returned.
It seemed they really had no other recourse, or else she wouldn't have done so.
The former mother-in-law did have a sizable savings. After failing to gain advantages here, Bai Mengmeng probably schemed to target that next.
Pity though, I thought she would always be around here.
If she went back, revenge would be put off indefinitely.
In the surveillance footage, Xia Chaoyang was lying in the room, while Bai Mengmeng was washing clothes by hand.
With water and electricity limitations, being able to wash clothes was quite a luxury.
But, Bai Mengmeng clearly didn't want to, her face full of despair.
Old Lady Xia was full of vitality; she didn't seem to have gone hungry these days: "That damn Jhiang Yuan, when I see her, I must flay her skin..."
That's right, Old Lady Xia was cursing vehemently.
"Mom, Chaoyang just wanted to borrow some money from her at that time. Who knew she, relying on having more people, wouldn't give Chaoyang any respect.
Jhiang Yuan even dared to flirt with other men. It's only been a few days since their divorce. I bet she already had someone else, that's why she was so willing.
But she took all the money from our house, and now we don't even have money for food."
As Bai Mengmeng worked, she mocked her.
Flirting with men... That couldn't be referring to Song Yi, could it?
It seems like this despicable woman still hasn't had her fill of being slandered!
Their talk was either sanctimonious or downright filthy.
Jhiang Yuan actually didn't care; compared to verbal advantages, the real beneficiary was her.
In this life, having the upper hand meant there were always a bunch of people in discomfort.
Thinking this, she glanced over at Xiao Nuan beside her.
The little girl was sleeping soundly; Jhiang Yuan couldn't help but reach out and touch her small face.
In a little over ten days, it would start to rain.
Then, another trial would begin.
In her last life, she and her daughter hadn't survived it; this time, she was determined to protect herself at all costs.
Because they had enough food at home, Jhiang Yuan decided not to go out anymore.
However, she didn't miss any news from outside.
Now, there were fewer and fewer places for open purchasing, and the available products were not as many as before. The prices changed day by day, confusing everyone.