I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel-Chapter 392 - 334: A Nest of Snakes Emerges

"I, I..." I stammered, as Han Shu rolled up her sleeve, revealing a crisscross of scars, some deep, some shallow, large and small, on her otherwise fair forearm.

Jiang Mingyue squinted slightly: "Did Ning Yan hit you? But what does it have to do with her? They don’t seem to be familiar with each other, do they?"

"Comrade Jiang, I know you’re capable, can you, can you help me and make Ning Yan stop hitting me?"

If her spiritual power couldn’t enter Han Shu’s mind, she might have felt a bit of sympathy, after all, they are both women, if women don’t help each other, who else would? But after seeing it, she lost the inclination. Han Shu’s true purpose wasn’t seeking help, but rather using Jiang Mingyue as a tool.

The ever-growing crowd stopping to watch the commotion confirmed it.

Han Shu just wanted to make a fuss through seeking her, letting the whole street know what kind of person Ning Yan was, not only being unclear with a remarried man but also punching and kicking his new wife, completely different from his scholarly, bookish appearance.

Moreover, she’s from the same village as Ning Yan, and it was convenient to use her mouth to spread Ning Yan’s notorious behavior throughout Qingshan Village.

Simply put, Han Shu’s goal was to ruin Ning Yan’s reputation, to widely publicize how vile he was.

This wasn’t a newlywed’s mindset, it was the mindset of striking back at an enemy.

As expected, birds of a feather flock together.

She’s ruthless, using a strategy where both sides suffer in her revenge.

Jiang Mingyue’s expression turned cold, "Comrade Han Shu, I can’t help you with that, you’d better seek the Women’s Federation at the front, I’m sure they can uphold justice for you, Han Shu."

After saying this, Jiang Mingyue pushed through the crowd and left.

In the end, she still guided Han Shu to find the Women’s Federation as Han Shu intended, not out of softness, but because their goals aligned for now. Ning Yan having a hard time was what Han Shu wanted, and also what she wanted.

Without Jiang Mingyue, Han Shu’s performance became increasingly adept, sobbing like a little white flower, evoking sympathy from several elderly women.

"Girl, don’t cry, I’ll risk these old bones of mine today to make Ning Yan pay."

"And I will too. Han Shu, right? Don’t cry, poor thing! Come, come, I’ll accompany you to the Women’s Federation, they’ll give you an explanation."

"Let’s go, I’ll go too."

...

Once the door was shut, Jiang Mingyue wasn’t in a good mood.

In the room, Xiao Ran, who was doing homework, opened the door with a creak and ran out, "Sister, you’re home early today, can we have braised pork tonight?"

Jiang Mingyue was drawn by this expectant little face, and her previous bad mood instantly vanished.

"Okay, we’ll have braised pork tonight then."

"Great! Can we have one more dish? I also want sweet and crispy pork."

Jiang Mingyue thought for a moment; the meat that her eldest cousin brought back earlier was a large piece, enough to make it.

"Sure, I’ll make crispy pork for you too."

"Yay! Sister is the best!" A child’s joy is so simple and pure, he cheered and ran around the courtyard, not expecting to bump into someone.

"Ah!" The little guy sat on the ground after the collision.

Jiang Mingyue glanced at her upright eldest cousin: "..." Couldn’t you bend down to help a bit? Xiao Ran’s heart will be broken again this time.

Oh! It’s elder brother! Xiao Ran felt his backside stop hurting!

"Brother, you’re home early today! Sister promised to make braised pork for me tonight and sweet crispy pork, brother, what would you like to eat? I can drop one dish, no, I can drop both."

"No need!" The tall figure sidestepped the little tail and headed straight for the eaves.

"Eldest cousin is back!"

"I want to eat squirrel fish and braised chestnut chicken."

Jiang Mingyue: "..." Ordering food so righteously, who gave you the courage? Well, fine, occasionally satisfying his competitive spirit.

"I also want green corn cakes."

Indeed, the desire to win never leaves men.

"Alright!"

Xiao Ran blinked once, then again, although this brother doesn’t sympathize with his sister’s cooking efforts, but he is his brother. Xiao Ran decided to take on the tasks of washing vegetables, lighting the fire, and washing dishes later.

The evening meal was sumptuous, Mrs. Jiang even brought back some white and black sesame seeds from Uncle Mute, and mother and daughter discussed making snacks after dinner.

With Mrs. Jiang at the dinner table, it’s always very lively.

"Ming’an, call your father later, we’ll have hotpot at home."

Not calling, on the tip of her tongue she changed it to "mm."

"A family should be lively and bustling. Xiao Ran, do you miss your dad?"

Jiang Mingyue was quite helpless, perhaps it’s a common trait of parents, always bringing up trivial matters, regardless of occasion, but then again, it’s quite nice, having someone ramble in your ear. It’s actually quite human, unlike her previous life, where it was just her and her brother, often keeping each other company in silence, without this kind of chatter.

"Third aunt, eat up." Jiang Ming’an served her a piece of braised pork. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Seeing his brother doing so, Xiao Ran, emulating him, also served third aunt a piece of braised pork.

Throughout the meal, the brothers seemed to compete, constantly serving Mrs. Jiang, whose bowl was perpetually piled like a small mountain, making her feel quite full.

"Cough... Next time, we’ll make these dishes in two months." Little schemer, quite a few little thoughts aimed at silencing Mrs. Jiang.

Her being able to say this meant protests were ineffective. As expected, the big one and the little one now only focused on their own bowls, Xiao Ran, out of brotherly affection, allowing the elder brother a bit, while the elder brother swept up as much as he could, brothers? Ha, in front of delicious food, they were nothing.

After dinner, the elder brother and Brother Xie cleaned up the kitchen, while Mrs. Jiang brought Jiang Mingyue and Xiao Ran into the kitchen to knead dough.

"Xiao Ran, small hands, small strength, just knead this much."

Jiang Mingyue looked; that was half a bowl, wasn’t it? But it was good for the kid to be active, as Mrs. Jiang believed boys should learn from a young age so when they can’t handle their wives, they can use culinary skills to impress in-laws, eventually conquering with good food and ability, naturally getting a wife.

Jiang Mingyue didn’t think Mrs. Jiang’s idea could motivate a child, but she agreed kids should be active from a young age.

"Yes, knead like this... Very good! Very good! See, those good at studying have sharp minds."

"Mom, what are we making?"

"First, we steam sesame buns, then make sesame candy, I checked, you have enough sugar here."

"Then mom, use less sugar."

Mrs. Jiang assumed her daughter, living independently, understood the cost of basic commodities, and thus stepped onto the path of frugality, feeling quite gratified, "Yes, yes, yes, I’ll only use a little." After all, sugar and oil are terribly expensive.

When the sesame candies came out, there was still plenty of flour left, so Mrs. Jiang made some sesame pancakes.

That night, people frequently moved in and out of the kitchen, each leaving with a piece in their mouth, a piece in their hand.

It seemed not only she noticed Mrs. Jiang’s improved candy-making skills, but others did too.

"Ming’an, take these to Uncle Mute and the others. We’re neighbors, for a long-lasting relationship, we need to reciprocate."