CHAPTER 378: 363 LOVE BETWEEN AN OLDER SISTER AND A YOUNGER BROTHER

Nothing is fine. It’s really not fine at all!

Tian Sangsang closed her eyes, letting her tears flow freely, her arms tightly wrapped around his firm waist: "I’m just scared I’ll miss you, miss you so much that I can’t help myself."

Jiang Jinghuai had never heard her confess in such a way before and was momentarily stunned: "My parents are home. If you encounter any problems, you can discuss them with them. They’re very easy to get along with."

Tian Sangsang bit her lip, unwilling to speak.

His hand rested on her shoulder, staring into her tearful eyes: "Sangsang, my mom’s health isn’t too good, so please take care of her for me. Can you do that?"

"Alright." She nodded softly. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to take care of her mother-in-law; rather, her mother-in-law had never given her the chance.

"Thank you!" He kissed her forehead, "Thank you!"

The night before departing, Jiang Jinghuai went to speak with his mother.

Ye Binyi reminded him: "I know you want to make a name for yourself. But sometimes we shouldn’t act too impulsively. Don’t always rush ahead; assess the situation, observe changes, and preserve your life. I don’t want your sister’s affairs unresolved, only for something to happen to you."

Jiang Jinghuai clasped her hand firmly, solemnly reassuring her, "Don’t worry, that day will never come."

"It’s best if that’s the case. Go with peace of mind. I’ll take care of Yanyan, and your dad and I will manage the family affairs."

Jiang Jinghuai responded softly, then looked at his mother and said, "Mom, Sangsang is several years younger than me. I hope you won’t make things too hard for her. She had Yanyan at a very young age and has had to endure a lot on her own."

Ye Binyi calmly lifted her gaze to him and sighed: "In your eyes, am I the sort of mother-in-law who would bully her own daughter-in-law? If I had the energy, I’d rather spend it on my grandson."

Jiang Jinghuai chuckled lightly and embraced his mother’s shoulder: "I know, Mom. You’ve worked so hard too. I just hope you all stay well. If she’s ever immature, I’d have to trouble you to teach her."

"Enough, you’re so protective of your wife, it’s like your heart’s been completely taken by her. But Jinghuai, the most I can promise is to not make things difficult for her. Beyond that? Dream on."

Jiang Jinghuai’s deep gaze darkened, expressing understanding.

**

After a long day at work, Hua Jun returned home exhausted. The living room was filled with the sound of records playing, decadent music that made her want to laugh coldly.

The young man on the sofa hummed along lazily, half-reclined as if glued to the couch, resembling some kind of bizarre insect.

His crossed legs were bouncing arrogantly.

"Hua Zifeng!" Hua Jun coldly shouted, "Look at yourself—no decorum! You’re practically a parasite of society! What is this awful music? It’s deafening!"

"Yo!" Hua Zifeng’s bouncing legs froze suddenly. He moved his eyes lazily, "My sister’s back! What, got pissed off again? If you’re angry, don’t take it out on me. I’m no punching bag; I’m innocent here!"

Hua Jun glared at him, fuming!

"Are you two bickering again? Can’t you just give me a couple days of peace? You’re siblings—can’t you get along?"

’Who’s his sister?!’ she thought indignantly, staring at Hua Father as he entered from the door. "Dad, it’s not that I want to argue, but look at him! What kind of behavior is this? Completely improper! Playing such low-class music at this volume—better watch out, or people will report him again! I’ve already received plenty of complaints, all saying his conduct is disgraceful!"

Hua Zifeng immediately got up, jumped off the sofa, and wore a cheerful smile that was completely different from his earlier demeanor. He turned off the record player and poured a glass of water for Hua Father: "Dad is home! Come sit and rest. Sister’s complaints are just unfair. I’m a repentant person. I’ve been behaving very responsibly lately! Just the other day, someone spilled cake all over me on the street, and I was kind enough not to demand compensation!"

Hua Jun crossed her arms and sat on the sofa: "I know your tricks too well. If you didn’t ask for compensation, I bet it’s because you found the person attractive!"

Hua Zifeng pointed a praising thumb at her: "Sister, you’ve hit the nail on the head. But don’t get too cocky—the person was much prettier than you and far more gentle!" Too bad she was already spoiled. He had experience with that. Over the years, he’d dated many women and could tell at a glance who was untouched and who wasn’t.

Hua Father finished his water: "Zifeng, Jun, you two say less. It gives me a headache." He called for the housekeeper to serve dinner.

At the dinner table, Hua Father remarked: "Jun, I heard Jiang Jinghuai has brought his wife home. Did you know about this?"

Hua Jun’s eyes dimmed momentarily and she nodded silently.

Hua Zifeng scooped up a bite of rice and raised his eyebrows curiously: "Wow, my brother-in-law has a wife—who isn’t my sister. That’s some hot news. Sister, I keep telling you not to be so arrogant, but you wouldn’t listen. Now look—your brother-in-law’s gone and married someone else!" He chuckled, as if finding this deeply amusing.

"Shut up!" Hua Jun snapped coldly.

Hua Zifeng shrugged and continued to enjoy his meal.

Hua Father mused aloud: "His mother used to favor you, didn’t she? And now a wife suddenly appears—it’s disgraceful of them, really."

Hua Jun’s gaze was icy: "Madam Ye favored me, yes. But I couldn’t compete with that vixen’s tricks. Her son is already four years old."

Hua Zifeng let out a sharp laugh: "Brother-in-law sure is something, sneaking snacks five years ago."

"Honestly, Sister, don’t be jealous. It’s not about tricks; I think that woman simply had guts. If you have guts, why don’t you produce a four-year-old boy yourself? Even if not a boy, a little girl would do. You and Brother-in-law have known each other for ages—I bet your child would be older than hers no matter who you picked to father it!"

Hua Jun scorningly laughed through her fury: "Hua Zifeng, you better mind yourself. Don’t bring shame to our Hua Family by saddling Dad with an illegitimate grandson. We couldn’t bear that disgrace!"

"Hey! I’m filial—if I marry, it’ll be someone Dad approves of, someone from the right family—to honor our name. But Sister, you’re not getting any younger; maybe you should hurry up and marry too." Hua Zifeng countered casually.

Hua Father nodded: "Zifeng is right. Jun, since the Jiang Family’s out of the picture, I’ll find you someone better. Someone fitting for your talents—you won’t have trouble finding someone."

Hua Jun spoke indifferently: "Forget it, Dad. I’m not in the mood right now."

Hua Zifeng snorted: "Sister, don’t tell me you’re still pure. At your age... that’d be rare."

Hua Jun ate furiously: "I’ll never lose to some rural woman!"

"See, you’re back to looking down on others, Sister. Rural or not, at the end of the day, you just got lucky being born into the right family." Hua Zifeng turned to their father: "Dad, wouldn’t you agree? Our ancestors were farmers, weren’t they? Our fortunes were built on their labor, yet Sister keeps flaunting her class!"

Hua Jun snorted: "You should be grateful you’re my brother and not a farmer; otherwise, I’d have you thrown in jail this instant for loitering! Who’s looking down on who here?"

Hua Zifeng, stumped, spread his hands: "Sister, that’s the most sensible thing you’ve said all day."