Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s

Chapter 24: 023 Tian Sangsang’s Facial Skin Thickness

"No, no, Auntie, that won’t do. I just ate at home—I’m absolutely stuffed." Tian Sangsang waved her hand and, with a serious expression, said, "I’m here for something else."

Realizing the atmosphere wasn’t quite right, Tian Guodong chimed in at the right time to ease things. "Sangsang, go ahead, what brings you here?"

"Uncle Tian, it’s like this—I made some sweet potato cakes and brought them over for you to try." Tian Sangsang glanced at them and added with a smile, "Our sweet potatoes were harvested today, and I couldn’t have managed without Auntie’s help. Plus, you all have helped me so much before, and I’m very grateful. You must accept these cakes; it’s just a little token of my appreciation."

Li Xiaoqin’s expression softened. "You made them yourself?"

"Yep." Tian Sangsang nodded and said kindly, "Sister Xiaoqin, you absolutely have to try them. And Dog Left, kids like him love these kinds of snacks. Our Yanyan already ate several."

"Thanks are enough—what’s the need to bring stuff? But since you’ve brought them, Auntie won’t be polite—I’ll try your cooking." Aunt Zhong accepted the cakes; after all, neighbors couldn’t really stand on ceremony.

"But my cooking’s not great, Auntie, so please go easy on me." Tian Sangsang playfully blinked.

Tian Guodong chuckled. "Sangsang’s getting better at talking, huh? Alright, we’ll all go easy on you."

"Alright, Uncle, Auntie, Brother, Sister, take your time and enjoy. I’ll head back home now." As Tian Sangsang spoke, she politely bowed and began walking out.

"Hey, take care on the way!" Tian Yi called after her.

"Got it!" Tian Sangsang responded cheerfully.

After what had happened previously, Aunt Zhong found Tian Sangsang’s gesture of giving gifts rather heartwarming. Li Xiaoqin, having seen Sangsang lose her temper before, wasn’t too surprised.

But Tian Guodong, on the other hand, remarked with some astonishment, "Sangsang’s becoming more sensible. No wonder Old Meng kept worrying about her before he passed."

"Dad, people changing for the better is always a good thing. But her sudden change really startled me."

Tian Yi picked up a sweet potato cake, took a few bites, and exclaimed in surprise, "I’ll be darned—not only has she changed as a person, but her cooking’s improved, too. This actually isn’t bad!"

Li Xiaoqin also tasted one, finding it quite good—on par with her own cooking. So Sangsang had known how to cook all along? She had just been too lazy to bother?

Dog Left polished one off quickly and innocently asked, "Is this still the scary aunt from before?"

"What nonsense!" Aunt Zhong tapped Dog Left’s head and scolded, "How is she not the same as before? Do you think she got possessed by a mountain demon? Dog Left, if you call her a scary aunt again, I’ll have Grandma spank you."

"Maybe she really did get possessed by a mountain demon." Li Xiaoqin muttered instinctively. The next second, met with Aunt Zhong’s stern gaze, she shrank her neck and obediently shut up.

What a kindhearted family. Tian Sangsang thought to herself that sometimes neighbors were warmer than one’s own relatives. As she left Aunt Zhong’s courtyard, she happened to see a young woman walking toward her, her shadow stretched long by the glow of the setting sun.

The woman wore a floral blouse, black homespun trousers, and a pair of plimsolls. She wasn’t slim; she had a sturdy, healthy build. Her skin wasn’t very fair, likely tanned to a wheatish tone from farm work. Her hair was parted into two braids that hung over her shoulders. Most striking were her thick, bold eyebrows that gave her a spirited, refreshing look, and her round eyes lent her an almost endearing touch.

She was a typical village girl, quite different from Tian Tian, whom Tian Sangsang had met before. Tian Tian was slim, almost bamboo-like, with long jet-black hair, fairer skin than most, and delicate features that gave off a frail impression. On top of that, Tian Tian liked to experiment with trendy clothing styles she picked up from town, which made her seem rather fashionable.

"Tian Sangsang!" Chen Ying called out in a loud voice. She walked over briskly, stretching out her hand as she approached. "Here—your medicine! And don’t you dare hustle my brother again!"

Surprised that Chen Ying had personally delivered it, Tian Sangsang took the ointment and, feeling good, didn’t want to argue. "Yingzi, thank you! I just made some sweet potato cakes—I’ll go grab a few for you. Wait here; I’ll be right back."

Chen Ying, who had been ready to leave, suddenly froze, scrunching her nose in disdain. "Spare me. If what you cook is edible, pigs might climb trees!"

"Eh?" Tian Sangsang stepped forward, shading her eyes with her hand as if searching the horizon. "Pigs climbed trees? I don’t see it! Where? Tell me, where is it?"

Chen Ying stomped her foot, her face flushing red with frustration. "How is your skin so thick? Did you build it up with mud like a wall?"

"Not that thick—just about a centimeter thinner than the Great Wall." Tian Sangsang replied leisurely. "Honestly, wait here—I can’t have you running this errand for your brother in vain. I’ll go get you some cakes."

"Stay right there!" Chen Ying yelled, scrutinizing her from head to toe before sarcastically muttering, "Forget the cakes. Maybe try figuring yourself out and taking care of your son before you worry about me."

Tian Sangsang smirked slightly. "Alright, it’s a deal. One day, when I’m well-fed, you’d better take what I give you."

Chen Ying’s round eyes widened, her face turning apple-red. She bit her lip and huffed, "Humph! Who’d want anything from you!"

Tian Sangsang’s playful grin faded as she slowly remarked, "Yingzi, Zhou Zheng and Tian Tian are really meeting in the back hills. I didn’t lie to you, nor to anyone."

"I was just starting to think you’d changed. Turns out you haven’t—you’re still the same vicious Tian Sangsang." Chen Ying sneered bitterly. "Whatever is between me and Brother Zhou is none of your business. If there’s one thing you should be thankful for in this life, it’s that the heavens gave you Ye Jiang’s son—and he’s even good-looking."

"Chen Ying..." Tian Sangsang watched her walk away and scratched the back of her head. "But his name isn’t Ye Jiang, is it?" In truth, she had forgotten the exact name of the villainous big boss but remembered that his surname was Jiang, not Ye. That guy’s paranoia was something else—faking his name even in those circumstances. The original Tian Sangsang wasn’t some secret agent, so was all that caution necessary? And to think the original owner had thrown away her reputation, even her life, for him. Moreover, she was clearly not the only woman ensnared by him. Judging by Chen Ying’s reaction earlier, she seemed to be one of his victims too.

What a calamity of a man!

With the items in hand, Tian Sangsang went inside. It was a small bag containing a tiny bottle of purple medicine, a few cotton swabs, and a bottle of ointment. Tian Sangsang’s eyes lit up, wondering where Chen Ying had managed to find something so modern-looking. She felt a spark of excitement.

By then, Meng Shuyan had already finished eating. Tian Sangsang made him drink another bowl of water before allowing him to go find Dog Left to play. She herself ate a few cakes, drank some boiled water, and washed the dishes. Only after tidying everything up did she take the ointment into her room. Slowly, she unwrapped the bandages on her hand. The inner layers of cloth stuck to the skin, so her movements were exceedingly gentle and cautious.

Once she had finished applying the ointment, she suddenly noticed something unusual.