Chapter 107: Jiang Jiaojiao Has a Situation?

"Later… when everyone started heckling you about taking them to do business, she added a line…" Jiang Ran paused, frowned, "It seems she was the one who brought it up first, saying you should take everyone along."

Su Ruan's eyes grew a shade deeper.

Lin Wei brought it up voluntarily… This seemingly conventional remark, coming from someone who had once had a feud with Su Ruan, felt somewhat subtle.

"So how did everyone later bring up our buying a car and a house?" Su Ruan asked, her tone still relaxed, as if casual chat.

"Just… as we were chatting, it came up, you know."

Jiang Ran scratched his head; he had been tipsy then, and his memory of who initiated it first was hazy.

"It seems Da Zhuang first envied that I was about to get a car, and then Gangzi followed up saying I also bought a house waiting for demolition… everyone then joined in the heckling."

Da Zhuang? Gangzi?

Su Ruan ran the two people through her mind.

Both were Jiang Ran's childhood friends, of modest background, working in a factory, so logically the news shouldn't have been so readily known.

Moreover, they spoke with absolute certainty, as if they'd seen the car and the house deed with their own eyes.

Behind this, someone must have supplied solid information.

And that person could very well be the seemingly low‑key yet precisely steering Lin Wei.

As they talked, they arrived at the Car Trading Market.

The market was crowded, cars of all makes displayed dazzlingly, and the air was filled with the distinctive leather and oil scent of new vehicles.

Jiang Ran's eyes immediately couldn't get enough; excited, he tugged Su Ruan from booth to booth.

Su Ruan temporarily set aside her doubts, focusing on helping Jiang Ran pick.

Although she wasn't versed in mechanics, she had her own views on aesthetics and practicality.

In the end, they settled on a silver‑gray Shanghai brand sedan, its design generous, space ample, and price within their budget.

After some haggling, Jiang Ran cheerfully paid the deposit and arranged to pick up the car in two days.

Having completed the paperwork and leaving the market, Jiang Ran remained immersed in the joy of owning his first car, arm‑around Su Ruan's waist, full of vigor.

"Wife, when we bring the car home, I'll be the first to give you a ride! From now on, wherever you go, I'll drive you!"

Su Ruan saw his happy demeanor and smiled, but the lingering doubt in her heart did not fade.

She looped her arm through Jiang Ran's, and, seemingly casually, said, "Ranran, let's keep our car purchase quiet for now; once the car actually drives home, we'll surprise Mom, Dad, and sister, okay?"

"Sure!" Jiang Ran answered in one breath, thinking it was his wife's little romance.

"And about the house purchase," Su Ruan continued, her tone gentle yet firm, "that must stay secret too. After all, it's still not official; if word gets out and something goes wrong, people will just laugh at us."

"Got it! I'll do whatever my wife says!" Jiang Ran now almost obeyed Su Ruan's words without question.

Leaving the Car Trading Market, seeing the sun still high and it still early before lunch, Jiang Ran and Su Ruan decided to stroll to the department store.

On one hand Su Ruan wanted to see what styles were trending in the market; on the other, it was a rare leisurely walk.

The department store remained bustling, crowds weaving like fabric, lively beyond measure.

The two ascended floor by floor, from the fabric counters to the Ready-made Clothing area.

Su Ruan examined the hanging garments closely; most were conventional linen suits and work trousers.

Or some old‑fashioned patterned dresses, or occasionally a few slightly trendier shirts, which to her still lacked novelty.

"Seems our 'Chongsu' approach is right," Su Ruan whispered to Jiang Ran, "the styles here really can't keep up with demand."

Jiang Ran nodded, somewhat proud, "Of course, my wife's taste—who can match it?"

Finding nothing else worth seeing, the two prepared to go down.

Just as they headed toward the stairwell, Su Ruan's peripheral vision caught a familiar figure standing at a nearby counter selling Snowflake Ointment and Hair Oil.

Tall, with sleek short hair, wearing a dark‑blue cinched coat Su Ruan had previously made for her—who could it be if not Jiang Jiaojiao?

She quickly tugged Jiang Ran's hand, tiptoed close to his ear, and whispered in a breathy voice, "Jiang Ran, do you think that's your sister?"

Jiang Ran looked where she pointed; his thick brows lifted instantly, "Hey! It really is my sister! Didn't she say she was going to the Library with a friend today? How did she end up here?"

His gaze shifted to the young man beside Jiang Jiaojiao, dressed in a gray Zhongshan suit, glasses on, looking scholarly; his brows furrowed even tighter.

"Wait… who's that guy next to her? I've never seen him before. No, I have to go ask!"

Saying that, he rolled up his sleeve and lunged forward, as if ready to 'interrogate' his own sister.

Su Ruan quickly grabbed his arm, yanked him behind a nearby Thermos Kettle counter to hide, and rolled her eyes irritably, "What are you doing up there? So reckless!"

"They seem to get along fine, just standing and chatting; probably haven't officially defined their relationship yet… If you rush out like that, you might spoil your sister's good thing, and she'll be upset with you!"

Jiang Ran was choked by her words, yet remained uneasy, stretching his neck to look, "So… what do we do? We can't just ignore it, can we? Who knows if that man is good or bad?"

"Who said we should ignore it?" Su Ruan smiled slyly, lowering her voice, "We follow them secretly, watch the situation. That's… gathering intel! Better than you charging in and startling the snake."

Jiang Ran found it reasonable, instantly perked up, "Right! Tail them! That's my specialty!"

When he used to roam without restraint, he hadn't lacked experience in such tailing work.

Thus, the young couple, using the counter as cover, quietly followed Jiang Jiaojiao and the stranger.

They saw the man apparently helping Jiang Jiaojiao pick Snowflake Ointment, picking up different bottles and handing them to her to smell.

The two talked softly; Jiang Jiaojiao wore a relaxed, happy smile, occasionally nodding.

The man seemed similar in age to Jiang Jiaojiao, behaved genteel, his tone respectful, not the sort of shady person.

After a while, the two finished buying and walked together toward the stationery counter.

The man seemed interested in Fountain Pens, picking one up to test‑write on paper; Jiang Jiaojiao leaned over to watch, the two sitting close, whispering about something, the atmosphere amicable.

"It looks… pretty much like that."

Jiang Ran stroked his chin, muttering softly; his hostility eased a bit, yet his scrutinizing gaze stayed fixed on the man.

Su Ruan observed carefully, also feeling the man gave a good impression, not a frivolous type.

She tugged Jiang Ran's sleeve, "Let's go, we've seen enough here. If we follow any further, we'll be spotted."