I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel

Chapter 366: Chapter 316: Shadowy Figure, Running an Errand for Second Brother (Part 3)

But ever since Gu Jinhong was detained last time, you’ve had no source of pocket money, and your own job was dismissed. Without Brother Xie’s mother, you naturally can’t even afford toothpaste. You’re the real beggar, aren’t you?

"You..." Zhang Lanlan was furious, as Jiang Mingyue had exposed everything.

"Not me, the man who doesn’t get love from his own mother is the real beggar."

Suddenly, a voice sounded from behind.

"Who are you calling a beggar? If you have guts, say it again."

Xie Yunhai had his hands in his pockets, leaning against the courtyard wall. The creeping vine’s shadow happened to cover half of his face, making him appear wild and violent, scaring Zhang Lanlan almost to the point of running away.

The terrifying childhood memory came back, but she couldn’t run.

Gu Jinhong’s two-week detention was lifted, and her father took her home yesterday. Gu Jinhong wanted to find her son, but didn’t know where he was. Coincidentally, she saw Xie Yunhai enter this courtyard and not come out. She didn’t tell Gu Jinhong, intending to see Xie Yunhai’s attitude before deciding whether to inform Gu Jinhong.

"Xie Huazi... no, Xie Yunhai, I heard you’re no longer a loafer and got a department head job at a food factory. Since you’re doing so well now, could you help me get into the food factory? If you help me this time, I promise never to target you again and will praise you in front of Gu Jinhong to change her opinion of you?"

"Are you hiding here to spook me with this nonsense? Scram!"

The sudden pressure scared Zhang Lanlan, leaving her momentarily stunned, then she burst into tears and ran off. Jiang Mingyue thought the scene was entertaining, not getting enough of it; her gaze followed for fifty meters until she spotted a familiar man comforting Zhang Lanlan.

Gu Xiaoxiao, who lived in the same courtyard, immediately provided commentary, "That’s Zhang Lanlan’s man. I forgot to tell you, Zhang Lanlan moved into our big courtyard a few days ago. The two just got their marriage certificates. Old Man Tian said the young couple got the certificates behind their family’s back.

Zhang Lanlan used to work as a temporary ticket seller for the transport team. Rumor has it she embezzled two yuan in public funds. The manager over there was kind and didn’t expose her, just asked her to fill the gap and resign. That Zhuang Xuechi also isn’t working, the couple lives off the money Zhuang Xuechi brought from home. We all stay in the same courtyard, and they seem loving. Zhang Lanlan ignores me, and I treat her like she’s invisible, so we get along fine."

"Zhuang Xuechi? No wonder he looked familiar!"

"You know him?"

"Xiaoxiao, don’t you find this uncommon surname familiar?"

"Zhuang? Manager Zhuang? Rumor has it that Manager Zhuang has two sons. The eldest has been married for years, could this be his younger son?"

"Exactly! I visited their home upon his mother’s invitation and happened to meet him."

Gu Xiaoxiao made a sound, "This guy must be blind, huh?"

Jiang Mingyue thought the same. Previously, he mistook Jiang Zhenzhu for Bai Yuanguang. What kind of people are they encountering? Anyway, seeing them harmonious, it was none of her business.

Xie Yunhai helped pick up the basket from the ground, Jiang Mingyue gave Gu Xiaoxiao two apples.

Under the eaves, Xiao Ran was already studying. Jiang Mingyue held back the words she originally wanted to say.

Thinking Zhang Lanlan knew Brother Xie lived here, Gu Jinhong would too. With Gu Jinhong’s nature of sabotaging her son, Brother Xie might face future trouble. Although there’s the breakup letter, it might be less effective against a rogue.

As if understanding her worries, Xie Yunhai said, "No need." The breakup letter wasn’t to make Gu Jinhong avoid him but so that acquaintances would have that impression. In the future, if she dared to act rashly in front of him, he’d cripple her leg. With prior setup, at least society wouldn’t entirely blame him.

"By the way, your brother called; he’ll be back tomorrow night."

Jiang Mingyue froze, staring sullenly at Xie Yunhai, "Why didn’t my brother call me?" Only you?

Xie Yunhai felt helpless, "You’re not like me, sitting every day."

"Alright then!" Jiang Mingyue reluctantly accepted the explanation.

Thinking of something, she secretly looked at Xiao Ran. As expected, the kid quickly retracted his pricked-up ears, sat straight, and continued reading and writing.

Jiang Mingyue couldn’t stop thinking about it, so she rode to the education department in the afternoon.

Rong Hua at the gate guard was caught by surprise upon seeing her.

Jiang Mingyue greeted with a smile, "Hello, Manager Rong! Is Cui Mingshi in? I have something to ask him."

Rong Hua paused, shaking his head, "Unfortunately, he’s on a rural trip and hasn’t come back. If it’s urgent, leave an address, and I’ll let him come to you."

Admittedly, his attitude towards her had improved significantly, though his face remained expressionless.

"Then, no problem, I’ll come another day. Do you know when he might be in?"

Rong Hua kept observing her, his eyes were clear and not discomforting, but Jiang Mingyue still found it odd.

However, the odd feeling was fleeting. After all, they’re not familiar, and the original character hadn’t met him often.

Rong Hua seemed to have finished scrutinizing her, withdrew his gaze, and pulled out a large box from under the table.

"My cousin left this here. He said it’s from your cousin for you. Rong Hua has limited time and doesn’t know your address, so it’s temporarily here. I planned to take it to the department store to find your cousin tonight, but since you’re here, take it."

Jiang Mingyue was surprised. In this era of rudimentary communication, if not for this, she would’ve almost forgotten she had a cousin.

"Thank you!"

"Cui Mingshi will be back tonight, come tomorrow morning."

"Alright! Thank you!"

After thanking, Jiang Mingyue placed the box on her bike’s back seat, though only upright. Without securing it, it might fall off when she rides up front, apart from thieves.

"Mr. Rong, do you have any ropes? Could you lend me some? I’ll return it tomorrow."

Rong Hua: "..." Her tone was too familiar; they weren’t that close, although he was internally complaining, he went out.

Jiang Mingyue saw him whisper to an old janitor who swiftly retrieved a twine from the storeroom, looking sturdy.

"Thanks..." Jiang Mingyue intended to handle it herself, but the enthusiastic man efficiently helped her tie it.

People today have such warm hearts!

"Thank you!"

"No problem!"

When the long-haired girl’s figure disappeared, Rong Hua retracted his thoughtful gaze.

This girl was much more cheerful. He’d seen her a few times before when she came for Cui Mingshi. Rumors said she relentlessly pursued Cui Mingshi, shamelessly clinging on. Honestly, that wasn’t true. Though she didn’t hide her feelings for Cui Mingshi in her gaze.

However, she conducted herself with restraint. Speaking of reasons, he knew a bit, like when she braved the rain to give Cui Mingshi an umbrella, ending up soaked. Rumors twisted into:

"That Jiang daughter is getting more shameless, with clothes sticking to her body, she shamelessly approached the Cui son—what else but seduction, learning bad traits at a young age. This kind is better off without."

Truthfully, Jiang Mingyue delivered the umbrella to Cui Mingshi because Cui Xiaoxiao relayed a message.

"Ming Yue, you like my brother, right? Now he wants you to deliver an umbrella; you won’t refuse, right?"

Naturally, Jiang Mingyue wouldn’t refuse. She liked Cui Mingshi but wouldn’t approach without reason, except for such requests.