Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s-Chapter 445 - 430 Kunling

Since Ye Binyi was discharged from the hospital again, she had been focusing on recuperating.

Once her health improved, she headed straight to Tian Sangsang’s shop, intending to figure out a way to take Meng Shuyan away.

However, Tian Sangsang wasn’t in the shop; instead, a strange young woman was standing there.

"Hello," Guan Kunling said politely. "Is there anything you need?"

The young woman’s face came clearly into focus before her. Ye Binyi froze as if rooted to the spot, staring at her in shock. "Jiaqi... my Jiaqi." Tears quickly filled her face.

She reached out, wanting to embrace her.

Guan Kunling sidestepped her and frowned slightly. "Madam, you’ve mistaken me for someone else." There were always people calling her Jiang Jiaqi.

Her demeanor was distant, entirely at odds with Ye Binyi’s memory of her daughter. In an instant, Ye Binyi understood that she wasn’t Jiang Jiaqi—their differences were too glaring.

Her daughter would never treat her with such coldness.

But she looked so alike.

Ye Binyi harbored a faint hope and scrutinized her features carefully.

What would her daughter look like when grown up? Had she straightened her hair? Had her personality turned indifferent? Were her eyes no longer as big and expressive as before?

No matter how she looked at her, this young woman resembled her daughter.

"Madam, are you here to buy something?" Guan Kunling didn’t like being stared at and asked indifferently.

Ye Binyi wiped away her tears. "Miss, what is your name?"

"Guan Kunling."

Ye Binyi was slightly disappointed but still fixed her gaze on her face. "I’m not here to shop. I’m looking for Tian Sangsang."

"Sangsang is my friend. I’m helping her mind the shop," Guan Kunling responded. "If you need something from her, you can tell me."

"She’s not in the shop?" Ye Binyi asked suspiciously. "Why?"

"Personal reasons. I can’t disclose."

"Can you at least tell me when she’ll be here?"

"I can’t."

Ye Binyi: "..."

The sly fox must’ve planned it all out and disappeared with her grandson. Still, as long as her shop remained open, Ye Binyi refused to believe she couldn’t track her down. Glancing at Guan Kunling again, she couldn’t comprehend how someone this pure-looking could be friends with someone as coquettish as Tian Sangsang. Harboring such thoughts, she felt conflicted and contradictory.

"Where does she live? I need to find her for something."

Guan Kunling kept her composure and professionally replied, "Sorry, I can’t disclose her address."

Looking at the face resembling her daughter’s, Ye Binyi found it impossible to muster anger. In the end, she stood there for a while, failed to find Tian Sangsang, and left disappointed.

During the time Guan Kunling lived alone in the East Sea, she learned to cook for herself. So after Tian Sangsang brought her food once, she refused further offers and started preparing her own meals daily.

Today, Tian Sangsang had some free time and came to take over Guan Kunling’s shift.

Kunling, in turn, went upstairs to prepare medicinal food.

Not long after, a familiar customer entered the shop.

Li Aihua smiled and asked, "Sangsang, why haven’t you been around lately?"

"Just had some things to deal with," Tian Sangsang replied briefly. "I got my friend to help out."

"Miss Guan is just as pretty as you!"

Speaking of Guan Kunling, Li Aihua had interacted with her a bit over the past few days. Glancing around the store, she added, "But your friend—she’s wonderful in every way except she doesn’t talk much. She won’t discuss anything unrelated to the products."

Tian Sangsang smiled without commenting.

Li Aihua leaned in closer. "Does Miss Guan have a boyfriend?"

Tian Sangsang laughed. "Aunt Li, Kunling is still single. She’s used to being easygoing and distant with everyone—even me. Honestly, being single is better. Getting attached doesn’t guarantee lasting results."

Li Aihua thought about it and found it reasonable. She had many prominent young men she wanted to introduce, but Kunling’s temperament truly didn’t seem suited for marriage.

Ever since using Tian Sangsang’s essential oil to care for her skin, Li Aihua’s complexion had visibly improved—the spots on her face had disappeared. Although her skin couldn’t compare to the collagen-filled faces of sixteen-year-old girls, in her peer circle, it was noteworthy.

Once her blemishes were gone, she felt quite satisfied and grew closer to Tian Sangsang. She was practically an old customer at the shop and viewed Tian Sangsang as a near-goddess figure. Moreover, Tian Sangsang was polite to everyone and never pretentious, which naturally made Li Aihua treat her like a younger relative.

"Sangsang, have you seen the shop across the street?" Li Aihua brought it up casually.

Tian Sangsang squinted her eyes and looked out the door.

The shop across the street was being renovated, with several workers bustling around.

Renovations at this time were kept simple—a fresh coat of paint on the walls and minor updates sufficed.

Sensing that Li Aihua wouldn’t mention it without reason, Tian Sangsang asked, "Aunt Li, is a new shop opening across the street?"

"Yes, apparently it’ll be selling cosmetics too, much like yours."

Cosmetics didn’t matter much, but opening a shop across the street—whether it was coincidence or intentional—remained unclear.

Deep down, Tian Sangsang felt a slight pang of unease, but outwardly, she maintained her composure.

She chuckled lightly. "Looks like I’ll have a competitor. Pressure brings motivation—I’m actually looking forward to it."

Whether it’s strong or weak, she’d soon know after observing it closely.

Of course, the discomfort lingered. It’s inevitable in the same industry—competition is natural, and rivals would always surface. She trusted her products’ quality and integrity and wasn’t worried about losing business. Usually, only the unfit ones would have their customers snatched away.

If people don’t mess with her, she won’t mess with them. But if someone provoked her, they shouldn’t expect hospitality.

Li Aihua smiled at her. "I just love your calm and collected attitude."

Tian Sangsang smiled without responding. Calm and collected? She didn’t seem to know about the moments she used to fight and lose her temper!

To Li Aihua and other customers, the impression Tian Sangsang left was indeed that of a beautiful, elegant, and approachable figure—someone always poised and mildly detached, as if she had everything under control.

"The other shop has a strong backing." Li Aihua leaned closer and whispered before leaving soon after. Tian Sangsang walked her to the door.

Tian Sangsang knew she was intentionally giving her a heads-up. Strong backing? In Beijing, wasn’t everyone supposed to have one? It’s just a matter of whose backing was stronger. Although she currently felt like an abandoned woman with little influence, she wasn’t easily bullied.

Most people would prefer to live in harmony if given the chance—peace could lead to prosperity, after all. That is, when interests didn’t clash.

After a while, Guan Kunling came downstairs, holding a small bowl of steaming hot food in her hands.

"I made white fungus soup. Sangsang, have some—it’s great for pregnant women’s beauty and blood circulation."

Tian Sangsang felt touched. "Thank you." She had been feeling extra emotional lately. Being a new mom, she often felt terrified. Thankfully, with friends around her, she felt grateful and comforted.