Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s-Chapter 144 - 140 relatives come to the door looking for a job

"Qianqian, Qianqian." Yao Fangfang hugged Xu Xixi tightly and sobbed, "I’m sorry, Qianqian. Aunt shouldn’t have left you alone at home. Aunt is sorry. Are you mad at Aunt?"

Why did she make such a mistake!?

"Aunt." Xu Xixi sniffled, her small nose twitching as she also felt like crying. "Don’t cry, Aunt. If you cry, you’ll become ugly. I forgive you."

Looking into Qianqian’s innocent and pure eyes, Yao Fangfang’s tears surged even more fiercely. At that moment, she swore she’d make it up to Qianqian, treating her a thousand times better.

"That’s what Aunt Sangsang told me—crying makes you ugly," Xu Xixi said innocently, blinking her eyes.

What? Yao Fangfang’s overwhelmed heart suddenly froze. She stopped her tears: "Do you like Aunt, or do you like Aunt Sangsang?"

"...I like both."

Yao Fangfang’s eyes dropped despondently. "Which one do you like more?"

"It’s Aunt," Xu Xixi tilted her little head, thought for a moment, and said firmly.

For little Qianqian, Aunt had been with her for a long time and was irreplaceable.

Yao Fangfang started crying tears of joy, hugging and smothering her with kisses, finally dispelling those jealous feelings.

...

As Tian Sangsang neared home, she noticed two people standing at her doorstep. Upon closer inspection, she found it was Chen Guilan and Tian Tian.

"Ah, Sangsang, Sangsang’s back!" Chen Guilan greeted warmly, "We’ve been waiting at your door for quite a while."

"Cousin." Tian Tian called softly, her voice weak and delicate.

Seeing the two of them was like encountering a pair of unwelcome nuisances—her good mood instantly vanished. At this point in her life, Tian Sangsang had no intention of building rapport with them. Even a polite exchange was enough to make her feel sick.

Tian Sangsang remained silent, bypassed the two of them, and knocked on the door, calling gently, "Yanyan, Mommy’s home."

Chen Guilan’s face turned exceptionally ugly. So the little brat was inside the whole time? They’d been shouting outside for so long, yet he didn’t answer.

Tian Tian lightly tugged her hand, shaking her head solemnly.

Chen Guilan, swallowing her anger, called out eagerly from behind, "Sangsang, oh, Sangsang..."

"Do you need something?" Tian Sangsang turned and glanced at them indifferently.

"Yeah, there’s something, something serious!" Chen Guilan spoke rapidly, almost out of breath, "We need to discuss something with you."

At that moment, the door opened, and Meng Shuyan peeked out from inside. The joy in his eyes upon seeing Tian Sangsang quickly dimmed when he noticed the two women behind her.

Fearing he might dwell on past events, Tian Sangsang picked him up, completely ignoring Chen Guilan and Tian Tian.

Chen Guilan and Tian Tian shamelessly followed her into the living room.

"Mommy, why are they here?" Meng Shuyan glared at them with righteous indignation.

"No idea." Tian Sangsang pulled out a chair, sat down, and glanced at them leisurely. "By the way, my son was asking why you came."

Chen Guilan, unaccustomed to being treated so coldly, thought of her purpose, endured her frustration, and smiled, "To discuss something."

As she spoke, her hand gripped the back of another chair, her body bending slightly, about to sit.

Tian Sangsang coughed conspicuously, her thick eyebrows furrowing deeply.

Spotting her expression, Chen Guilan froze mid-motion and quickly straightened herself.

"Here’s the thing, cousin," Tian Tian’s pale face revealed, "Grandma is sick..."

"The money at home was mostly used up paying Brother Biao last time."

"So?" Tian Sangsang’s lips curved ever so slightly.

"Cousin, don’t worry. We don’t dare ask you for money anymore. I know I’ve made mistakes before and have no face to ask for help to pay for Grandma’s treatment."

Tian Sangsang raised an eyebrow slightly in surprise.

"Sangsang, we heard your shop’s business is doing really well—selling that hot skewered food, and everyone in the village knows about it!" Chen Guilan said enthusiastically. She had smelled the aroma since entering the shop. If she opened her own store someday, she’d be able to eat as much as she wanted...

It was true—Tian Sangsang knew the skewers had gained significant popularity in the small town. Business had been thriving lately. If situated in a bigger location, the success would undoubtedly skyrocket.

"You see, your shop is growing bigger, business getting busier. Plus, you’re managing everything with a kid, right? There must be times when you’re overwhelmed." Chen Guilan coaxed slyly, her cunning eyes darting about.

"It’s manageable; I can handle it on my own." Tian Sangsang didn’t follow her lead.

Chen Guilan’s face stiffened momentarily, "Being too busy isn’t good either. Something unexpected might happen. Money doesn’t have to be excessive; enough to live is fine. What matters most is spending time with Yanyan. Yanyan grew up without a father, and you..."

"Nothing is as unexpected as bumping into you two," Tian Sangsang interrupted her bluntly.

A surge of anger rushed up her throat. Chen Guilan’s eyes reddened with rage, ready to explode!

Tian Tian timely pulled Chen Guilan’s sleeve, crying to Tian Sangsang, "Cousin, Grandma is really sick. I’m so worried about her. I know you’re very busy, but I thought I could come to your shop to help out, lend you a hand. You wouldn’t even need to pay me much; I’m willing to take a lower salary. All I ask is for you to give me a chance and help save Grandma. She... She’s really on the brink."

So, they wanted to work? Turns out, they had their eyes on her shop.

"Tian Tian, Chen Guilan, you still have the audacity to come here!" Chen Ying, who had just returned from outside, stormed in angrily, pointing vigorously at the pair.

Tian Sangsang instinctively checked on Chen Ming, who stood at the door. His expression was dangerously dark.

"Cousin!" Tian Tian’s tearful tone trembled, her body shaky, as if she’d been unjustly accused.

"You keep talking." Chen Ming’s face remained wooden and silent as he headed upstairs.

Any intention to outright refuse evaporated upon seeing Chen Ming. Tian Sangsang waved her hand at the pair: "Go back first. I’ll think about it. Come back in a day, and I’ll let you know."

"Sangsang, what’s there to consider? Tiantian’s your own cousin. Couldn’t you just give a definitive answer now?" Chen Guilan forced a hollow smile. Traveling from the village to the town wasn’t easy; the hardship was immense. She couldn’t bear seeing her daughter make the trip back and forth.

Tian Sangsang laughed. "Big companies take half a day to review resumes. After interviews, no matter how qualified you are, you still have to obediently wait for their reply. Although this is just a small shop, I still seek genuinely capable workers, even with family. All candidates are treated equally."

Inwardly biting her teeth, Tian Tian outwardly nodded softly, "We’ll follow cousin’s instructions."

"Alright, then. You can leave now. I have things to do and won’t be seeing you out." Tian Sangsang displayed her stance with the pride of a landlord.

Chen Guilan and Tian Tian glared at her arrogant demeanor, nearly grinding their teeth to dust but couldn’t retort, forcing themselves to laugh in submission. Fine! This debt would be settled eventually!