Born in the 1980s, she was remarried and became a stepmother; a cold, rough man doted on her, pinchi

Chapter 21 Stealing your sister's man, how disgusting!
"Yes, I don't have a sister who sells steamed buns at a stall. She smells terrible."

Jiang He pinched her nose and said sarcastically, "You get up earlier than the chickens every day, busy to the point of dizziness, just running this little shabby stall, how much money can you make? Look at you, all covered in the smell of cooking oil, don't you feel disgusted?"

Jiang Man was busy packing a few buns for an old man when he heard Jiang He's words and paused for a moment.

She looked up at Jiang He, intending to start cursing, but upon seeing the people around her, she immediately decided to change tactics.

She sighed softly and said in as calm a tone as possible, "Sister, we're just ordinary people, earning a living with our own hands. This breakfast stall may be small, but I've put my heart into it. I'm quite content that so many neighbors come to patronize it every day. Earning a little is better than being idle."

Jiang He snorted coldly, tilted her head, and said with a pout, "Contentment? Brother, you're so easily satisfied. Look at the world these days, everyone is trying to go out and make a fortune. But you, you're stuck with this tiny place, selling buns and steamed bread for a few cents. That's all you'll ever be. What kind of future can you have?"

Several customers waiting to buy breakfast exchanged glances upon hearing Jiang He's words, their faces showing a hint of dissatisfaction.

An older woman couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "How can this girl speak so rudely? She works so hard running her small business, getting up early and working late. How can she be so disparaging?"

Upon hearing this, a smile flashed in Jiang Man's eyes, but she continued to feign grievance, saying, "Everyone has their own way of living. I don't have such great ambitions, nor the ability to go out and make a name for myself. Running a breakfast business honestly and taking good care of my family is enough for me. Besides, I get along quite well with my neighbors. They eat my breakfasts and appreciate my skills, which makes me happy."

Jiang He, however, was like an enraged hedgehog, all her quills standing on end. She raised her voice and shouted in a shrill voice, "Hmph, you're just a good-for-nothing, always making so many excuses. Look at so-and-so from the next village, he's only been working hard for a few years and he's already built a big house with all sorts of appliances. He's living such a prosperous life. And look at you, working here in this smoke and fire every day, earning such a meager living, and you're still comforting yourself. I'm ashamed of you."

Seeing that the time was right, Jiang Man slammed the lid of the steamer she was holding onto the cutting board with a loud bang, splashing up a cloud of hot steam. Her face flushed red, and she retorted loudly, "Jiang He, how can you talk like that! I earn money with my own abilities, I haven't stolen or robbed, I'm honest and upright, what's shameful about that? You're always so ambitious but incompetent, only thinking about making big money, but have you ever taken any real action? All you do is make sarcastic remarks and look down on me as your older sister, do you have any conscience at all?"

Jiang He trembled with anger at Jiang Man's sudden rebuttal. She took a step forward, her finger almost poking Jiang Man's face, her eyes wide, and roared angrily, "You...you dare to lecture me? Let me tell you, I'm about to have a big opportunity. Once I make a lot of money, I'm leaving this wretched place to live a good life in the big city. Then you can just watch me enjoy my life. You can just stay here and fend for yourself, hmph!"

"A big opportunity? Don't get scammed and end up helping someone count their money! You're always so ambitious and unrealistic; what good will that do? Do you think making money is so easy, that you can do it just by talking?"

"It's none of your business! What do you know? You're just clinging to your old ways and you're completely out of touch with the times. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. Once I succeed, you'll regret talking to me like this today."

Jiang He's voice became somewhat shrill due to her agitation, and her chest heaved violently, clearly indicating that she was extremely angry.

The two women argued fiercely in front of the breakfast stall, neither willing to back down. More and more people gathered around, watching quietly as the sisters argued until their faces turned red. The once bustling and orderly breakfast stall was now filled with a strong sense of tension. The steam rising from the steamer seemed to be suppressed by the tense atmosphere, no longer rising joyfully but slowly dissipating, as if it too was sighing over the argument.

"You're so naive. There are so many scammers out there these days. If you believe in those so-called great opportunities so easily, you'll only end up hurting yourself. I'm just giving you this advice as your older sister, why won't you listen?"

"Hmph, kind of heart? I think you're just jealous of me, afraid that I'll be better off than you, so you're trying so hard to put me down. You're incompetent yourself, and you don't want me to succeed either. You're really malicious." Jiang He's words became increasingly harsh. She was completely blinded by anger, and all sorts of hurtful things were coming out of her mouth.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Man looked at her in disbelief: "Jiang He, how... how could you say that to me? When have I ever been jealous of you? I've always wanted you to be happy. I even swapped kisses with you when you wanted to. How can you not understand my good intentions?"

As soon as Jiang Man said this, the people around him immediately started whispering among themselves.

"What? A marriage exchange?!"

"My goodness, how can a younger sister steal her older sister's fiancé?"

"That's right, she stole my sister's rich fiancé, dressed so nicely herself, and forced my sister to set up a stall. And now she's here cursing my sister. My God, where did such a shameless person come from?"

Jiang He's face flushed red and then turned pale as she listened to the comments from those around her. She yelled at Jiang Man, "Stop pretending! I know my own business, and you don't need to interfere. I think you just can't stand to see me doing well and are deliberately trying to cause trouble."

Jiang He's eyes were filled with resentment, as if Jiang Man were truly her enemy.

Just as the two were arguing fiercely, Wang Xiu, who had been helping out from the sidelines, couldn't stand it anymore.

She gently put down the tea egg she was about to hand to a customer, quickly walked to Jiang Man's side, patted her arm, and said softly, "Sister-in-law, you go ahead and do your work, I'll take care of things here."

Jiang Man turned to look at Wang Xiu, her face full of worry. She lowered her voice and said, "Don't get involved. She's angry right now and might say anything. I'm afraid she won't treat you well either."

Wang Xiu frowned slightly, her eyes showing determination. She said, "We can't just let her make a scene here. We're family after all. Can't we talk things out? Why do we have to make such a fuss and make the neighbors laugh at us?"

As she spoke, Wang Xiu stepped forward, looked at Jiang He with a serious expression, and said, "Jiang He, you've gone a bit too far. What is your sister working so hard to run this breakfast stall every day for? Isn't it for this family, to make everyone's lives a little better? It's one thing if you don't help, but why do you come here to make sarcastic remarks and say such hurtful things?"

"And isn't your sister's current state all your fault? If you hadn't arranged the marriage, would your sister still be able to set up a stall? Now that the marriage is arranged, you're ashamed of your sister. Aren't you disgusting!"

(End of this chapter)