Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s-Chapter 457 - 442 coveting

Tian Sangsang was somewhat surprised. "Mr. Hua, what brings you here?"

Hua Zifeng placed the basket on the counter and crossed his arms. "I heard from my sister that you’re pregnant, got kicked out, and became the infamous abandoned woman. Well, since we’re business partners, I decided to come by to see if you’re doing okay."

He stared at her for a few seconds and remarked, "Your complexion looks great. You don’t look anything like a pregnant abandoned woman. Looks like my sister is doomed to be disappointed."

This guy always spoke in such a flippant manner and loved to tease his sister. Tian Sangsang found it amusing. So, this is how people saw her now—as an abandoned woman. Especially with Hua Jun’s predatory glare still aimed at her.

"Is there something you need, Mr. Hua?"

"Can’t I just come to see you without a reason?"

Tian Sangsang: "..."

"Ms. Tian, last time you helped me out big time. I’ve made tons and tons of money recently selling instant noodles, and I’ve found myself a bunch of pretty ladies to date." He grinned mischievously. "This is just a tiny token of my gratitude, nothing fancy."

Such blunt words...

Tian Sangsang glanced inside the basket. It was filled with loquats.

Hua Zifeng explained, "These loquats were shipped in from the south, fresh as can be. I hope Ms. Tian won’t find them unworthy."

"Why would I find them unworthy?" Tian Sangsang replied politely. "This gift is far too extravagant, I can’t possibly accept it. You should take them to those pretty ladies of yours instead."

"I wouldn’t dare. My mother would scold me if she found out." He added, "They’re not from me. They’re a gesture from my mother to you."

Now Tian Sangsang was puzzled. Last time, Hua’s mother had arranged a doctor for her, and now she was sending loquats. What was the meaning of this? Was it just pure goodwill? Somehow, it didn’t look like that.

As they were talking, Li Qiong’er walked in with another person, composed and elegant.

"Sangsang," Li Qiong’er greeted with a faint smile, her gaze lingering ambiguously between Tian Sangsang and Hua Zifeng. "You have company? Who would’ve thought Young Master Hua also enjoys visiting women’s shops?"

"Just meeting a friend," Hua Zifeng replied with a hint of flirtation.

"Oh my, these are loquats, aren’t they? So well-preserved. Loquats are ridiculously pricey on the market right now," Li Qiong’er remarked. It was evident to everyone that the loquats were a gift from Hua Zifeng. Who would’ve guessed Tian Sangsang and Hua Zifeng had such a tight connection?

Tian Sangsang remained silent, her focus shifting to the woman standing behind Li Qiong’er.

This woman was tall and curvy, her figure voluptuous. The scent of perfume lingered around her, her wavy hair perfectly styled in big curls, and her light makeup elevated her slightly average looks to an attractive seven out of ten. At least she looked a tad better than Li Qiong’er. Her outfit, however, was daring—a black low-cut dress.

Ji Qin had previously been forced into a corner by Tian Sangsang, unable to stay in the East Sea any longer, so she had fled to Dongzhen City. There, she had studied how to make skincare and cosmetic products, even borrowing ideas from one of Tian Sangsang’s earlier rose skincare lotion formulations. Now, her primary product was rose skincare lotion. Since most of the people she had interacted with in Dongzhen belonged to the lower-middle class, her products were not positioned as high-end. This time, she was opening a store in Beijing and had enlisted Li Qiong’er for help.

Ji Qin had heard that Tian Sangsang had opened a shop on this very street in Beijing, so she had deliberately chosen to set up shop right across from her. She also heard from Li Qiong’er that Tian Sangsang wasn’t welcome in her husband’s family anymore, that she had been kicked out. Ji Qin had imagined Tian Sangsang as a downtrodden woman—heavily pregnant and unwanted. But much to her frustration, the more she observed Tian Sangsang, the more envious she became.

Even after being kicked out, there were still people giving her gifts. All she could do was be good in bed to charm men.

A trace of mockery flickered in Ji Qin’s eyes.

"Sangsang, long time no see," she said with a radiant smile, extending her hand proactively.

Tian Sangsang showed no intention of shaking it.

"Long time no see, Ms. Ji. I didn’t expect your business to expand all the way to Beijing."

Ji Qin withdrew her hand with no trace of embarrassment. "I’m just learning from you." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Oh, so you two know each other." Li Qiong’er chuckled lightly. "Then I don’t need to introduce you. Ji Qin is the owner of ’Floral Elegance’ across the street. Not only do you know each other, but you’re in the same line of business. What a coincidence."

"Yes, quite the coincidence," Tian Sangsang said dryly.

"And who might this be?" Ji Qin, perceptive as ever, turned to Hua Zifeng with a smile.

Li Qiong’er seized the moment. "This is Young Master Hua."

"Mr. Hua, pleased to meet you." Ji Qin extended her hand again, bending forward slightly, revealing a tantalizing hint of her fair skin.

Hua Zifeng smirked with mild intrigue. "Ms. Ji, nice to meet you. Since you’re a friend of Ms. Tian, then you’re a friend of mine as well. You seem so multi-faceted and charming—it’s no wonder you’re in the fashion business, just like Ms. Tian."

"Oh, you’re too kind. I’m nowhere near as accomplished as Sangsang. I’ve been learning everything from her," Ji Qin responded graciously, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Tian Sangsang interjected, "Not at all, Ms. Ji. I’m younger than you, so I should be learning from you instead. Don’t be modest. Both Mr. Hua and I are your juniors, technically."

Ji Qin froze for a moment—age was her Achilles’ heel.

She sighed. "Ah, speaking of which, we do share the same predicament. I went through an unhappy marriage back in the day, and now, Sangsang, you’re in a similar boat. We women are truly at a disadvantage, especially when carrying children. Make sure you don’t end up like me. At least I didn’t have kids, but you have two. Take good care of yourself."

Hua Zifeng leaned in with interest. "Ms. Ji, you’ve been married before?"

Ji Qin nodded awkwardly. "Yes, I’ve been divorced for quite a while."

Hua Zifeng remarked, "No wonder you have such an air of allure. Every age brings its own unique charm."

Ji Qin didn’t detect any disdain in his words, and hope suddenly rekindled in her. "I have matters to attend to in my shop, so I’ll head back now. Mr. Hua, why don’t you stop by sometime? I feel a certain connection with you and would love to hear your advice."

Hua Zifeng said nothing but followed her outside.

"Where’s Guan Kunling? Why isn’t she here?" Li Qiong’er asked while glancing upstairs.

"She probably doesn’t want to see you," Tian Sangsang replied flatly. She was already plenty annoyed. Ji Qin’s attitude was clearly antagonistic. Peaceful days were so rare, and now this. To top it off, Ji Qin had been brought here by Li Qiong’er.

Li Qiong’er was momentarily stunned, then let out a cold laugh. "Well, I don’t care to see her either. Tian Sangsang, you’re truly living a carefree life, huh? Do you know what people are saying about you? They say you were thrown out with nothing. Right now, you’re just a discarded shoe, dragging along two deadweights."

"And Hua Zifeng? He’s completely unreliable, such a flirt. Didn’t he just leave with Ji Qin? If you want to latch onto his family, you’d better think twice. Someone like you looks decent now, but give it a few more months and you’ll be far from presentable. After two kids, a woman’s value just plummets."

Tian Sangsang rolled her eyes. "Still better than being unable to have any kids."

Li Qiong’er was livid. She huffed, "Well, Jiang Jinghuai doesn’t seem to be all that into you."

Tian Sangsang couldn’t be bothered. "I don’t think Lu Chi is particularly into you either."

"Madam Lu, looking for anything specific to buy?" An indirect way of asking her to leave.