CHAPTER 374: JOURNEY TO THE MAIN HOUSE #359

Tian Sangsang returned to the room somewhat disheartened, her eyes reddened. "I think Mom’s right. Everyone in your family seems to have very proper jobs. Compared to that, I feel like I’m not doing anything serious."

Jiang Jinghuai turned her around, holding her face gently so they were face to face. "They are them, and you are you. There’s no comparison to be made."

Hearing this, Tian Sangsang felt even more upset. Yes, there was indeed no comparison to be made. They were all from Beijing, while she came from a small, rural family background.

"Sangbao, don’t cry." Jiang Jinghuai wiped away her tears, grabbed her small hand, and placed it over his heart. "Whenever you cry, it makes my heart ache."

Thinking about what his mom had just said, he realized those words had really struck a nerve with his woman. However, his mom wasn’t entirely wrong in her perspective—it just boiled down to differing values between the two generations. He didn’t think too deeply into it.

"I’m the one providing for you, not my parents, right?"

"You’re amazing, actually. Not only do I provide for you, but at times, I even have to rely on you to take care of me."

"If someday you stop taking care of me, I wouldn’t even have a delicious meal to eat."

That remark finally managed to coax her into stopping her tears. "But your mom would still cook for you."

Jiang Jinghuai smiled and said, "Her cooking doesn’t taste as good as yours."

"Really?" Tian Sangsang gave him a doubtful look.

"Really." He kissed the corner of her eye and said in a deep voice, "Later, we’re going to meet my eldest uncle and the others, and now your eyes are all red. They might think I’ve done something beastly to bully you in broad daylight."

She let out a soft laugh and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face against his chest. But her heart still felt heavy, though she couldn’t say it out loud. If she did, she was afraid he’d overthink and believe she was being unreasonable, or worse, attempting to strain his relationship with his mother.

It was just a small issue—cry it out, and it would pass. It wasn’t as if they were at the end of their rope or life had become hopeless. There was no need to be so pessimistic. Facing challenges head-on was necessary; you couldn’t clash directly with the elders. Enduring a little grievance was nothing—for the sake of happiness, it was worth it. Nobody likes you without a reason. Winning someone over takes patience.

With this in mind, Tian Sangsang raised her eyes solemnly and looked at his face. "I just realized that you’re actually very patient."

Jiang Jinghuai raised an eyebrow, his tone suggestive. "Of course. As someone in the military, how could I get by without patience, endurance, and resilience?"

"Oh~" Tian Sangsang lowered her gaze, once again wanting to ask him something. Back in the day, when she used to be so impulsive, another man might have already slapped her and called her a drama queen. But he had been surprisingly patient with her. Why was that?

**

That afternoon, she went with Ye Binyi and Jiang’s father to the main house.

Ye Binyi’s main purpose for visiting today was to introduce her grandson.

That’s how Tian Sangsang got to see her own son, and the sight practically blinded her with dazzling cuteness.

His outfit was impossibly formal—like a little prince from a fairy tale. Although he wasn’t wearing a tiny suit or pants, the miniature military uniform paired with his curly hair made him irresistibly endearing.

He was just missing a little green cap to complete the look.

The Jiang Family’s main residence wasn’t far from here—less than a ten-minute drive. It resembled a courtyard house, yet radiated grandeur and solemnity.

Even though she had mentally prepared herself, Tian Sangsang was still stunned when she saw the group of people inside the house. Was it too late to back out now?

Jiang Jinghuai, already accustomed to such scenes, greeted everyone with a faint smile. During this time, all Tian Sangsang heard were phrases like "sister-in-law," "cousin’s wife," and "so-and-so’s wife." She responded politely to them all. Her impression was that the Jiang Family members were quite amicable and courteous. There were no outward expressions of disdain—but whether they truly harbored such feelings deep down, she couldn’t say.

In truth, the relatives had all heard about Jiang Jinghuai’s sudden marriage to a rural woman. None of them were particularly pleased. Families like theirs still valued social status and backgrounds. However, the marriage was already done, and a child had been born as well. Seeing them today, the child was polite and well-spoken, while the woman appeared modest and respectful. This somewhat mitigated their dissatisfaction. Especially since Jiang Jinghuai was known for being decisive in his actions. As long as his decisions didn’t negatively impact the extended family, they had no grounds to interfere too much.

Marrying a rural woman was still better than marrying a troublemaker, wasn’t it?

The household had maids preparing meals. Meanwhile, Jiang Jinghuai and a few of his cousins went off to the study to chat. Meng Shuyan followed Ye Binyi to meet some of the younger generation, leaving only a few women in the living room.

These women included Jiang Jinghuai’s aunts, the wives of his cousins, and a few of his female cousins. Sitting among them, Tian Sangsang keenly felt the stark differences. Certain environments cultivate an innate elegance that she simply couldn’t rival. But she wasn’t about to feel inferior—she just had to focus on being her best self.

"The products from Yipin Fragrance Boutique are truly excellent. A while ago, a friend of mine from East Sea Province brought me a few jars. Their winter moisturizers are amazing. But each jar costs eight yuan, though it’s worth every penny."

Tian Sangsang heard a crisp female voice. It was Jiang Jinghuai’s cousin, Jiang Jiali. She was currently examining the gift bag Sangsang had brought earlier—a bag of skincare products. The bag, custom-ordered with Yipin Fragrance Boutique’s logo, stood out.

Jiang Jiali’s sister-in-law, a Qingxiu-looking woman with fair skin and a gentle demeanor, spoke in a soft tone. "Sister-in-law, do you also use Yipin Fragrance Boutique products?"

"Yipin Fragrance Boutique is actually a small store I run myself." Tian Sangsang replied with a faint smile. "However, as for the moisturizer you mentioned, our retail price per jar is only six yuan. How did it go up to eight yuan? It must be the middlemen driving up the price along the way."

The women in the living room all stared at her in surprise upon hearing her words.

"Wait, Yipin Fragrance Boutique is something you own, Fourth Sister-in-law?" Jiang Jiali asked in astonishment.

In this generation of male members, Jiang Jinghuai was the fourth in line.

Tian Sangsang nodded. "I can’t achieve much else, so I had to find a path suitable for myself."

"I really didn’t expect the owner of Yipin Fragrance Boutique to be so young. Fourth Sister-in-law, you’re incredible!" Jiang Jiali said with a hearty laugh. "There’s brilliance in all professions! No wonder you’re so beautiful—your expertise in skincare is top-notch. Fourth Sister-in-law, we’ll definitely shop from you in the future. Promise to give us a discount, okay?"

"We’re all family. As long as you’re not picky about my products, you’re welcome anytime."

And so, they chatted further. Women always had a keen interest in skincare, and the conversation flowed naturally from there.

During dinner, Jiang Jinghuai leaned close to Tian Sangsang and whispered, "I’ll be heading out later with Jingshan and the others. Will you be okay?"

By now, Tian Sangsang had pieced things together. Among the male members of the family, they all had names starting with Jiang JingX, while the women were named Jiang JiaX. It was quite systematic and harmonious.

"If I say no, will you cancel your plans?" she murmured back with a faint tone of grievance.

Jiang Jinghuai chuckled softly and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze under the table.

"Don’t worry. They’re not exactly wild beasts." She glanced at him secretly, her eyes sparkling.