Chapter 111: Whoever Gets Involved Gets Unlucky!

Jiang Ran's movements halted, a plainly visible disappointment and struggle flashed across his face, like a large dog that sees a bone but can't pounce on it immediately.

He wailed, burying his face in Su Ruan's neck hollow, rubbing back and forth, his voice pitifully helpless: "I know... I'll be gentle, I promise not to act recklessly... wife, have pity on me..."

His hair brushed Su Ruan's neck, making it itchy, and that aggrieved tone softened her heart.

In the end, Su Ruan couldn't resist the large dog's coquettish assault, and half‑pushed, half‑yielded she was pulled into his arms, sharing a long, gentle kiss.

Until both were a little breathless, Jiang Ran forced himself to stop, holding Su Ruan tightly, burying his face in her hair, calming his restless breathing.

"Sleep!"

He hoarsely commanded, not knowing whether he was ordering Su Ruan or himself.

Su Ruan adjusted a comfortable posture in his embrace, listening to the rapid heartbeat from his chest, a sweet yet helpless smile curving her lips.

The next morning, just as dawn broke.

Jiang Jiaojiao unusually got up early, fiddling in front of the wardrobe for almost half an hour.

Finally she put on a goose‑yellow sweater and a neat woolen long skirt, looked at the mirror repeatedly, her face showing uncontainable excitement and anticipation, skipping breakfast and rushing out of the house.

Li Huijuan carried a freshly boiled millet porridge out of the kitchen, only seeing her daughter's hurried silhouette, muttering, "What's wrong with this child today? So restless, skipping breakfast early in the morning and running off..."

Sitting at the dining table, Jiang Ran was peeling an egg for Su Ruan; hearing that, he paused, exchanging a tacit understanding glance with Su Ruan.

Su Ruan slightly pursed her lips in a smile, gently shook her head, indicating he should keep quiet.

Jiang Ran understood, lowered his head to continue battling the eggshell, a knowing smile curling his mouth.

Jiang Jiaojiao jogged out of the Alley entrance, and far away she saw that familiar upright figure already waiting there.

The man wore a well‑tailored dark coat, a simply styled cashmere scarf, posture erect, temperament gentle, in the thin morning mist like a carefully drawn painting.

Seeing Jiang Jiaojiao jog toward him, a warm and slightly indulgent smile blossomed on his face, and he hurriedly stepped forward to meet her.

"Jiaojiao, run slower, be careful not to fall." His voice was clear and pleasant, with concern, "I can't run anyway, why the hurry?"

Jiang Jiaojiao ran to his front, slightly panting, cheeks flushed with running and excitement, eyes sparkling: "I was afraid you'd wait too long!"

"Waiting any amount of time for you is worth it."

The man naturally took the small bag from her hands, his gaze lingered a moment on her carefully dressed face, his smile deepening.

"Let's go, I heard the pan‑fried buns and tofu pudding at a breakfast shop ahead are good, shall I take you to try?"

"Sure!"

Jiang Jiaojiao cheerfully replied, walking side by side with him on the slightly quiet morning street, feeling even the air was sweet.

Neither noticed that not far away, at a breakfast stall, Su Yanhua, carrying an aluminum lunch box to buy breakfast, stared at them intently.

Su Yanhua looked at the man beside Jiang Jiaojiao, whose distinguished bearing and obvious affluent background, then at Jiang Jiaojiao's happy little‑woman look, and jealousy grew in her heart like wild grass, almost bursting from her chest.

"Why?"

"Why can Su Ruan marry a man like Jiang Ran, who was once a slacker but is now increasingly capable, and be cherished by the whole Jiang Family?"

"Why can Jiang Jiaojiao, at her age, still find such a respectable and wealthy partner?"

"What does Su Yanhua have that they lack?"

"Yet she can only stay in the Liu Family's cramped little room, barely maintaining status with the flesh in her belly, while enduring her mother‑in‑law's harshness and her husband's indifference?"

"Resentment and bitterness twist her heart."

She watched Jiang Jiaojiao and the man walk laughing into that rather famous, not cheap breakfast shop, and a malicious thought instantly sprang up.

While Jiang Jiaojiao went to the restroom, Su Yanhua took a deep breath, composed her expression, hurried into the breakfast shop, and went straight to the table where the man sat alone.

"Comrade, hello."

Su Yanhua forced a self‑perceived friendly smile, and sat down at Jiang Jiaojiao's spot.

The man was looking down at a newspaper; hearing her, he lifted his head, saw a stranger, was a bit surprised but kept his politeness: "Hello, may I ask who you are...?"

Su Yanhua lowered her voice, pretended to be mysterious, and said: "Comrade, I'm just kindly reminding you of something. You and Jiang Jiaojiao... are... dating, right?"

The man's eyebrows twitched slightly, neither confirming nor denying, just looked at her, his eyes carrying scrutiny: "Miss Comrade, what business do you have?"

Seeing he didn't deny, Su Yanhua felt more certain, immediately followed her prepared speech, speaking rapidly: "I advise you, change the girl early!"

"You don't know, Jiang Jiaojiao may look okay, but she's actually a tigress!"

"Her temper erupts easily, a spark lights it; in our area she's notorious! Otherwise, why hasn't she married yet despite her age?"

As she spoke, she carefully observed his expression, seeing his brows furrow tighter, she felt smug and added more seasoning.

"And her brother Jiang Ran, once a notorious playboy known far and wide, fighting, unlearned!"

"Although now he runs a small shop, who knows if it's thanks to his father's connections? And his wife is also a troublemaker, causing chaos at home! Such a family, whoever gets involved is unlucky!"

She finished in one breath, hoping to see disgust or retreat on his face.

Yet the man's complexion darkened.

He set down the newspaper, his gaze sharp, the previous gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by a cold, undeniable aura.

"Miss Comrade," his voice was low but carried a clear chill, "First, I don't know you, nor do I think you have any standing to judge Jiaojiao and her family."

"Second," he paused, his eyes like ice shards scanning Su Yanhua's suddenly frozen face, "I know Jiaojiao better than you do."

"She is sincere, enthusiastic, kind, has her own opinions; to me, those are exactly her strengths, not a tigress."

"As for when she marries, that is her freedom and fate, not for outsiders to comment."

"Regarding her family," the man smirked, "I haven't been close with Jiang Ran brother, but I know he now runs a solid business with his wife, his design talent is outstanding, far surpassing those who only spread gossip."

"Finally," he leaned slightly forward, exuding pressure, "May I ask what identity and purpose you have in uttering these baseless slanders?"

"Is it out of jealousy, or some other unspeakable motive?"