Chapter 597 - 37: The Cannon Fodder Daughter and Her Cannon Fodder Dad (Part 37)

Shen Yan was adept at playing the game of reversal.

Jiang Hai, perhaps due to his frequent exposure to conflict, was calm now, his face tinged with anger yet his demeanor steady.

He already saw through Shen Yan; no matter what she said now, Jiang Hai could respond calmly.

"I’ve said it before, we’ve separated, and you agreed back then. No matter what you say now, I’ll stick to my words: stay away from me."

"You want me to leave just because you tell me to?! Wishful thinking! I married you, so I’m yours! Unless you kill me, I’m staying here from now on!

Jiang Hai, you’re worse than a beast! Try touching me!"

Jiang Hai of course wouldn’t touch her but neither would he pay her any mind.

Shen Yan remained relentless, even actively picking fights.

"Where were you last night? Huh? You weren’t home, where did you go? Tell me! I just know you have another woman!

Filthy, shameless creature! With your wife not even dead, you’re already looking for someone else!

Jiang Hai, I really misjudged you, I—"

"Mom, I noticed you gained weight. Living apart from Dad seems to be treating you well, even managed to gain some pounds."

Jiang Lai’s breezy remark immediately shut Shen Yan up.

She swallowed hard, instinctively touched her belly, and then stared at Jiang Lai.

"What nonsense are you talking about, you’ve even forgotten what your mom looks like, how could you remember if I’m tall, short, fat, or thin?"

Jiang Lai chuckled.

"I don’t remember, but that doesn’t mean Dad doesn’t remember, and my brother and my little brother don’t remember. Mom, our family has been divided for almost half a year, why do you want to come back now?

Unfortunately, my big brother is about to get married, Dad’s room needs to be freed up for him."

Jiang Hu looked shocked upon hearing this as he stared at Jiang Lai.

He’s getting married?

When did this happen?

Jiang Lai ignored him and continued.

"If you want to come back and live, you can. Just free up the room in the backyard for my brother’s wedding."

"What nonsense are you spouting! You’re just a girl and you’re living alone in a room, why don’t you free up your room!"

Jiang Lai shrugged.

"Now the whole family is relying on me for support, I need to live in comfort otherwise how would I have the energy to stir pots at the restaurant.

Besides, you said you wanted to continue being a family, and as a family why are we talking like we’re two separate households, freeing up the room in the backyard for your son’s wedding is perfect, right?"

"Where would Ah Ping and Yao Yao live? Are you only thinking about yourself?!"

Jiang Lai laughed upon hearing this.

"Mom, aren’t you the one who doesn’t want things this way and doesn’t want them that way, are you only thinking about yourself?

If you want to come back, just free up the room in the backyard for my brother’s wedding."

Jiang Lai’s assertiveness made Shen Yan feel as if she were trapped within her grasp.

She was both angry and furious.

Eager to come back, but Jiang Lai was not someone easily manipulated.

The situation as it was, Shen Yan had no choice but to relent.

"Let’s do this, give them some time to move their things over, I’ll come and live here for now, Jiang Hai, you’re a grown man, can’t be without a woman to take care of you.

Jiang Hai, let me come back and stay for now.

Once Ah Ping and Yao Yao find a place to live, I’ll immediately have them free up the room for Ah Hu’s wedding."

Jiang Hai wanted to say something but was held back by Jiang Lai.

At night, Shen Yan began to cook on a grand scale, afraid anyone might not notice her moving back.

"Jiang Hai is good to me, it’s impossible he’d be mad at me over something so small."

One of the aunts chuckled.

"Then why did I see Jiang Hai walking out of Ah Hu’s room yesterday, what’s up, you two aren’t sleeping in the same room?"

Shen Yan’s expression froze but she quickly relaxed.

"I just got back yesterday, he wasn’t aware, I’m back now, how could he go stay in his son’s room?"

"Who knows."

That aunt laughed gleefully.

"I just saw Jiang Hai move his mattress over there, you two are still living separately."

Shen Yan heard this and stormed out.

A few people followed to join the excitement, sure enough, Jiang Hai had directly moved in with his son, not even lifting his head at Shen Yan’s presence.

"Now Jiang Hai is determined to live apart from Shen Yan."

"That’s exactly how it should be! Such a woman would only be trouble if kept around!"

"Jiang Hai’s life is good now, both his son and daughter have proper jobs, and he earns quite a bit at home by taking on apprentices.

I even saw Jiang Hai’s new apprentice bringing a big bag of goods yesterday, full of fine things, either alcohol or meat."

Everyone was gossiping, all watching Shen Yan become a laughingstock.

Back then she turned the household upside down, and now she shamelessly wants to return; who would take her back at this point?

Besides, Shen Yan’s reputation is terrible now; rumors about her and that bald director are all over the streets, Jiang Hai isn’t a fool. If there were any evidence, he would’ve long kicked Shen Yan out.

The news that Jiang Hai moved to the neighbor’s courtyard to avoid Shen Yan spread throughout the street.

No matter what Shen Yan did, the entire family treated her like air. The meals she cooked went untouched, others set up separate tables to eat and never invited her.

She attempted to stir things up twice, but failed.

Everyone continued on with their activities, Shen Yan creating trouble while Jiang Hai took apprentices to the restaurant, and Jiang Hu, Jiang Shun, and Jiang Li were often not home, leaving Shen Yan alone in the house, spiraling into madness.

Little Buding was curious, had some suspicions but wasn’t entirely sure.

"Why is Shen Yan so desperate to make Jiang Hai accept her? Is she really pregnant?"

Jiang Lai smiled.

"You’ll find out in a month."

"If that’s true, why doesn’t she just get rid of the child if she’s so scared?"

"Think it’s that easy to get rid of it? These days, taking medicine is very risky, and going to the hospital requires the husband to accompany. Would she dare?"

With Jiang Lai saying things like these, it was likely true.

"How are you so certain? Do you have pregnancy testing abilities now?"

"Flattering, really flattering."

Jiang Lai might not have the skill to test pregnancy but her ability to read people was unmatched.

After all, she’s lived a long life, with life’s experiences laid out before her.

Currently the most anxious person was Shen Yan — eager to make Jiang Hai take responsibility; but as long as Jiang Hai stayed away, Shen Yan was just a problem to be ignored.

Now she had to go visit Director Zhang’s house.

Others called him Director Zhang, but his original name was Zhang Bao.

However, feeling that name was unbefitting of a director’s status, he changed to the current name, Zhang Hanzheng.

Of course, most people still called him Director Zhang.

When Jiang Lai arrived, she saw a familiar face.

Lin Gao had come too.

The Zhang Family seemed to treat him warmly; Jiang Lai had seen Lin Gao on both her visits.

He remained as silent as ever, nodding slightly at anyone who spoke to him, his expression impassive.