Chapter 013: I Can Overturn His Wheelchair

“…”

Shen Zhiling was furious for a moment.

She recalled that during Jiang Fan and Liu Ruyan’s wedding speech, Jiang Fan had said in front of all their family and friends: “Throughout this journey, my wife and I have encountered many hardships. Now, I’d like to invite this very hardship herself to say a few words.”

Then, the microphone was handed to her...

“Jiang Fan, stop fooling around. Tell me, you haven’t worked for a year and a half—where did the money come from?”

Jiang Fan looked at the haughty Shen Zhiling and replied, “From fishing.”

“Fishing can’t possibly bring in that much money. Do you take me for a fool?” Shen Zhiling refused to believe it under any circumstances.

“I’ve been fishing for a year and a half. Earning ten thousand is no problem, right?”

“Hmph, let me see your account. Are you up to something shady?”

“Do you want my household registration book too? What’s it to you? Why do you have to pry so much?”

“You…” Shen Zhiling was dumbfounded, unable to come up with a second word for a long while.

She really shouldn’t have meddled so much with Jiang Fan.

But she and Liu Ruyan had been friends since childhood; their families lived close by, and Shen Zhiling had always been like an elder sister to Liu Ruyan. Seeing Liu Ruyan marry an inept man, she naturally didn’t want to see her suffer.

As for Jiang Fan, he had never held much goodwill toward Shen Zhiling.

They say whether a couple can last often depends greatly on the woman’s best friend. With a best friend like Shen Zhiling, it was a wonder how they had lasted this long.

Shen Zhiling came from a wealthy background and had always looked down on others since university, constantly mocking Jiang Fan whenever they met.

Of course, Jiang Fan often retorted sarcastically, his face darkening.

This only made Shen Zhiling hate him more and hurl even harsher insults.

He would then respond with sarcasm, leaving Shen Zhiling utterly speechless.

Thus, they fell into a vicious cycle: she insulted, he mocked, and vice versa, until they became like fire and water, exchanging barbs at every meeting.

“Enough with the ‘you, you, you.’ This is my home, and you’re not welcome here. Please leave,” Jiang Fan said coldly, eyeing Shen Zhiling’s sullen face as he tried to shoo her away.

Shen Zhiling chuckled and sat down on the sofa, arms crossed. “I’m not leaving. What are you going to do about it?”

Jiang Fan shrugged helplessly. “I’ve never seen anyone this shameless.”

With that, he took Liu Ruyan’s hand and went to eat.

“Wife, let’s eat. Let her sit there and watch—she’ll be starving soon!”

At the dining table, looking at the sumptuous dishes, Liu Ruyan was thrilled. “Husband, did you make all this? Steamed fish head with chopped chili, sweet and sour ribs, pickled fish soup... all my favorites!”

They had been together for four or five years. While Jiang Fan had celebrated birthdays with Liu Ruyan during college, it was the first time she had seen him cook for her. She was deeply moved.

Last night, Jiang Fan had promised her a surprise. She didn’t say much but secretly anticipated it all day, never expecting such a grand one.

Jiang Fan nodded. “There’s also cake. We’ll eat it after dinner.”

“Oh, and there’s this!”

Jiang Fan pulled out a bag of glutinous rice balls.

“Glutinous rice balls! My favorite!”

Liu Ruyan stared at the rice balls like a foodie.

Then she planted a big kiss on Jiang Fan’s cheek.

Jiang Fan helped Liu Ruyan pull out her chair, and they sat close together.

“Wife, try these rice balls. How do they taste?”

He fed one to her.

“Mmm! Husband, delicious—soft and sticky, just like you!”

Shen Zhiling sat on the sofa, utterly bewildered.

What the hell! Are you two just going to eat like that? Don’t you see me? I’m a guest here! Not even a word for me?

Thinking this, Liu Ruyan glanced toward Shen Zhiling.

Shen Zhiling was delighted. Ha! Woman, you finally remembered your best friend!

“Zhiling, if there’s nothing else, you should head home.”

“???”

My goodness!

Shen Zhiling nearly spat out a mouthful of blood!

“Ruyan, why are you just like him?”

Grumbling, Shen Zhiling stomped over and plopped down to one side.

Jiang Fan frowned. “Hardship, didn’t you hear?”

“Cough, actually, we’re not unwelcoming. It’s just that whenever you show up, there’s always noise and quarrels.”

“Other times it’s fine, but today’s Ruyan’s birthday. It really spoils the mood.”

Shen Zhiling rolled her eyes to the heavens. “Watch out or I’ll slap your health insurance card into arrears! Who’s always starting the fights?”

Jiang Fan shrugged. “Sorry, I’m an intellectual. Good at arguing, but not at starting trouble.”

“Haha, an intellectual? Can you overthrow Hawking’s theories then?”

“No, but I can flip his wheelchair!”

“…”

“Pfft!”

Suddenly, Liu Ruyan couldn’t help but laugh, her clear eyes full of admiration and love as she looked at Jiang Fan.

Shen Zhiling was left speechless, unable to argue back, so she just grabbed her chopsticks and started showing off at the table.

Damn Jiang Fan! Just you wait! Do you think I’m the only one opposed to you being with Ruyan? When Ruyan’s father returns from abroad, let’s see how arrogant you can still be!

Hmm? Come to think of it, this loser’s cooking isn’t bad at all. The food’s really delicious!

“Hey! I made this for Ruyan. Could you eat a little less?”

“I’ll eat as much as I want! What can you do about it?”

And so, the dinner passed amid bickering, followed by cake.

Finally, Shen Zhiling couldn’t stand the lovey-dovey couple anymore and got up to leave. “Ruyan, I won’t disturb you any longer.”

“Oh, by the way, Liu Qiyan and a few university classmates are in Yuanshan Town on business these days. They arranged a get-together tomorrow at 8:30 PM. Remember to come—they rarely get the chance to visit.”

“I’m not going.”

As soon as Liu Ruyan heard the names Shen Zhiling had been pestering her about—Liu Qiyan and the others—she refused outright.

Since marrying, her life revolved around the company and home, with hardly any social contact.

Especially since Shen Zhiling kept nagging her about Liu Qiyan, she simply wouldn’t go.

Most importantly, she didn’t want to upset her husband Jiang Fan!

“Why? They’re working and came all the way to Yuanshan Town, knowing we work here, and made time to meet up. And you won’t go?”

“If I don’t want to go, I won’t. No need for a reason.”

At that moment, Jiang Fan smiled. “Wife, if you’re going, then go. It’s nothing. I’ll go with you.”

“Uh…” Liu Ruyan looked at Jiang Fan, puzzled as to why he agreed.

But knowing he’d be there too, it didn’t matter much.

Whatever her husband said was final. Only by supporting him could she prosper alongside him; only then would their family be harmonious and their relationship endure.

“Shen Zhiling, since it’s a reunion with old classmates and I’m from the same school, surely I can’t be left out?”

Shen Zhiling frowned. “Go if you want. Whatever.”

Perfect. She could see the difference between their circles, and Jiang Fan would obediently part ways with Liu Ruyan.

Thinking this, Shen Zhiling secretly smiled, left the house, and drove off in her Audi A6.

...

The next day.

Jiang Fan got up early and took Liu Ruyan to the bus stop to go to work, while he headed to Beimen River.

Last night, Shen Zhiling had so readily agreed to let him attend the reunion, simply to see the gap between him and their social circle.

In society, everything boils down to money. Without money, no one respects you.

Jiang Fan naturally wouldn’t let others look down on him, especially not Shen Zhiling and the others.

So early in the morning, he went back to Beimen River to fish and earn money.

But when he arrived, the favorite fishing spots from yesterday were already occupied by a crowd of anglers, taking up nearly every spot. The dense array of fishing rods looked as if the fish had committed a grave crime and were being trapped in a massive netting operation!