The Real Heiress Just Wants to Be a Lazy Fish - Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Family

Because Tao Yitong’s current condition was unsuitable for seeing outsiders, Jiang Zitan had given the household cook a long vacation. She prepared breakfast herself; fortunately, she had practiced her culinary skills recently, or else Tongtong would have had to eat takeout for every meal.

Upsetting the stomach is a small matter, but having a person “eaten” is a big deal!

Tao Yitong was very satisfied with Xiao Ran’s tact, as could be seen by the rhythmic swaying of her tail.

When leaving, Jiang Zitan reapplied her lipstick. Just as she was about to take Tao Yitong to the company, she suddenly received a message from Secretary Fang.

Jiang Hong had come to the company. When Tao Yitong came downstairs, Chen Huishu and the others had just finished eating.

Jiang Xianshun had cleared the dining table and returned to do homework, leaving Chen Huishu and Jiang Shibao alone to enjoy their intimate parent-child time.

“My precious eldest son, was class tiring today?” Chen Huishu pulled Jiang Shibao onto her lap, lifting his small hand to check carefully under the light for any dirt under his nails.

“Not tired. I want to go back and play games.” Jiang Shibao was impatient, slapping her hand away and pushing her face.

Chen Huishu wasn’t angry at all and was about to continue teasing her son when Tao Yitong ruthlessly interrupted their one-sided pleasantries.

“Old lady, good evening.” Tao Yitong leaned against the doorframe, tilting her head and crossing her arms as she watched her.

Chen Huishu hugged her son and frowned: “What do you want?”

Tao Yitong sneered inwardly, gaining a new level of understanding of Chen Huishu’s snobbery: “I have something to talk to you about.”

“What is it?” Chen Huishu patted her son’s back and let Jiang Shibao go back to his room.

Tao Yitong pulled out a stool and sat opposite Chen Huishu, getting straight to the point: “I want to talk to you about Jiang Zitan.”

Chen Huishu grew annoyed the moment she heard Jiang Zitan’s name: “What? What’s wrong with her now?”

Tao Yitong tapped her finger against her temple: “I found a summer job for Jiang Zitan.”

“Huh? A job?” Chen Huishu frowned, her expression incredulous.

“Yes, a job. She is a student and needs time to study every day. After she gets off work, I will personally tutor her in her lessons. Do you have an objection?”

Chen Huishu asked the only thing she cared about: “This job you found, how much can she make a month? Can she make two thousand?”

Tao Yitong’s gaze held a hint of cold mockery: “Mm.”

“Fine then,” Chen Huishu said. “She’s staying home anyway; she might as well go out and earn money. Otherwise, raising her is just a waste…” Noticing the contempt in Tao Yitong’s eyes, she added a nice-sounding phrase: “Going out to see the world is good too.”

Tao Yitong sneered internally and continued negotiating: “However, if Jiang Zitan is working, you can’t keep ordering her to do this and that…”

“Huh?” Chen Huishu interrupted, displeased. “Why?”

“Because Jiang Zitan is a student. As I said, I’m responsible for tutoring her after work.” Tao Yitong explained, her fingertips tapping the table. “In exchange, Jiang Zitan’s entire salary will be handed over to you. What do you think?”

Chen Huishu coveted the “sweet date” Tao Yitong had thrown out, but she didn’t bite yet: “What tutoring does she need? She doesn’t need lessons. As the eldest sister, she should help out at home after work.”

After saying this, she added suspiciously: “You aren’t trying to trick us into paying tutoring fees, are you? My family has no money! Once Jiang Zitan earns money, not a single penny of that salary can go to you!”

Tao Yitong almost laughed at her. How poor did she think Tao Yitong was that she would exploit Jiang Zitan for tutoring fees?

Tao Yitong said: “You’re overthinking it. I’m doing this out of the goodness of my heart. Jiang Zitan is a good prospect; it will only benefit your family if she studies hard and gets into university.”

Chen Huishu didn’t buy it: “Whether she gets in or not has nothing to do with me… For a girl, marrying into a good family is the real blessing.”

Tao Yitong smiled: “That just proves your vision only goes this far. Many families hope for their children to become successful, but here you are clipping your child’s wings; it’s no different from self-destruction. You’re holding back Jiang Zitan and your own family. You are Jiang Zitan’s mother; if she succeeds and moves out, she surely won’t abandon you, don’t you think?”

Chen Huishu was unhappy with the lecture but felt there was truth in it. Jiang Zitan was hers this life; if she really had the ability to succeed, it would indeed be good for the family. After all, she couldn’t ignore her own home she was Jiang Zitan’s mother!

“So you won’t charge tutoring fees?” Chen Huishu asked suspiciously.

“No. I have plenty of money and time. I’m doing this purely out of kindness.” Tao Yitong knew a person like Chen Huishu tended to think the worst of everything, so she explained patiently.

Chen Huishu choked, silenced by this subtle display of wealth. Thinking it over, she asked: “How much can she make a month?”

Tao Yitong followed the previous line of questioning and thought of a rough number: “…Three thousand.”

“Fine.” Chen Huishu agreed readily. Three thousand yuan was a lot to their family; Jiang Zitan’s father only sent back about three thousand a month from working away.

With the matter settled, Tao Yitong stood up to go upstairs.

Chen Huishu was beaming, her mood high and her face looking better: “Young Miss.”

Tao Yitong turned her head but didn’t speak.

Chen Huishu continued to herself: “What do you see in Jiang Zitan? Treating her so well. If you want a playmate, I can have my Xianshun accompany you later? Isn’t he better spoken and more likable than Jiang Zitan?”

Hearing this, Tao Yitong finally understood. She had wondered why Jiang Xianshun and Jiang Zitan’s attitudes toward her were so strange today one overly affectionate, the other overly cold. It turned out it was the doing of this old witch. Seeing Jiang Zitan doing well, she felt jealous and wanted to shove her own biological child in front of Tao Yitong to gain favor.

Tao Yitong was suddenly amused.

“He’s really not as good as Jiang Zitan.” She flashed a brilliant smile at Chen Huishu, then ignored the woman’s livid face and turned to go upstairs.

She planned to take Jiang Zitan to open a bank account tomorrow. Not a single penny of the money Jiang Zitan earned should fall into Chen Huishu’s hands. As for the “salary” Chen Huishu wanted, Tao Yitong planned to pay it out of her own pocket. Essentially, the money Tao Yitong gave was the Jiang family’s money, and the Jiang family’s money was Jiang Zitan’s money; in a roundabout way, it was still Jiang Zitan giving the money. No problem.

Originally, Tao Yitong wanted to sponsor Jiang Zitan monthly, but given Jiang Zitan’s high self-esteem, she’d probably rather jump in a river than spend a penny of Tao Yitong’s.

Upstairs, Jiang Zitan was still waiting for Tao Yitong to return. Seeing her, she stood up.

“All OK!” Tao Yitong gave her a gesture, indicating everything went smoothly. Her actions were somewhat childish as she sat down beside Jiang Zitan. “I’ll take you to open a bank account tomorrow. You have your ID card, right?”

Asked suddenly, Jiang Zitan snapped out of it: “Mm, I have it.”

“Good.” Tao Yitong smiled.

Jiang Zitan pursed her lips, looked her straight in the eye, and spoke earnestly: “Thank you.”

“In the future… I will definitely repay you.” She spoke with such gravity, it was like taking an oath.

Tao Yitong didn’t take it much to heart. After all, their future was still uncertain.

The next day, Tao Yitong got up very early. She wanted to take Jiang Zitan to open a bank account behind the Jiang family’s back.

After picking out a dress and getting ready, Tao Yitong came downstairs. Jiang Zitan was already waiting at the door. She was wearing the little white bear T-shirt Tao Yitong had given her. Seeing Tao Yitong staring at her from the stairs without moving, she spoke uncomfortably: “I’ve washed all my other clothes.”

“Oh, I see.” Tao Yitong came down. She liked Jiang Zitan in this T-shirt; it formed a sharp contrast with her cold appearance, making her feel much softer.

The two opened the door and went out. The weather was good today. Tao Yitong put on her sun hat: “You ride the bicycle and take me.”

Jiang Zitan looked at her, appearing troubled: “Can’t ride it.”

“Why?” Tao Yitong was puzzled.

“It’s too far. We have to take the bus.”

Good heavens. Tao Yitong was hearing for the first time that opening a bank account required transferring to a bus! She wouldn’t have it. What if the sun came up, it got hot, and she got a tan?

“I don’t want to take the bus.” Tao Yitong acted spoiled, retreating to the shade and taking out her phone. “I’ll call Uncle Zheng and have him pick us up.”

Jiang Zitan had no objection and stood two meters away from her. Tao Yitong watched her while making the call. Jiang Zitan stood at the boundary of light and shadow; her black hair was caught by the cool white sunlight, and her exquisite features were gilded with a hazy glow. She was accustomed to standing perfectly straight; with her thin frame, she looked like a piece of stiff, hard bamboo.

Her thick, long lashes trembled slightly, and her dark pupils swept over. Jiang Zitan’s brow furrowed slightly as she suddenly looked at her. Tao Yitong’s heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly looked away.

Fortunately, the call went through. Uncle Zheng’s voice came from the receiver: “Young Miss, good morning.”

“Mm, morning, Uncle Zheng. Drive over here; I have something to do.”

“Alright, Young Miss. I’ve gone out to buy seafood; I should arrive around ten, is that alright?”

Tao Yitong checked her watch; it was just nine o’clock. “That’s fine.”

Hanging up, Tao Yitong asked Jiang Zitan: “You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

“Mm.” Jiang Zitan nodded.

“Then let’s go out and eat.” Tao Yitong swung her handbag. “Is there anywhere selling breakfast nearby?”

“Yes, soy milk and fried dough sticks… that sort of thing.” Jiang Zitan looked at her, assuming the delicate young miss wouldn’t want to eat there.

To her surprise, Tao Yitong nodded readily: “Sure, let’s go.” She opened her parasol and turned back: “What’s wrong? Come here.”

Jiang Zitan blinked, then followed.

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang. Jiang Zitan stepped quickly out of the bathroom. That ding-dong felt like small particles in the air were jumping and crackling with excitement. Yet Jiang Zitan hesitated.

“If I open the door too quickly, will I look too eager?”

Despite saying she wasn’t eager, Jiang Zitan, who had been fussing in front of the mirror for a long time, retreated again. The beauty in the mirror wore no makeup but was dazzlingly pretty. Her long wavy hair was draped over her shoulders, making her snowy-white, slender neck look even more delicate.

“Sigh, the hair and makeup are a bit lacking, but it’s fine; it’s still me.” Jiang Zitan let out a long sigh. She tousled her hair twice in the mirror to make the waves look voluminous, purposely making the ends a bit messy.

As the doorbell rang a second time, Jiang Zitan picked up a black, flat perfume bottle from the vanity and sprayed twice into the air. A mist drifted, the air turning as sweet as a sugar-coated honey plot. As the mist slowly fell, the fragrance diffused over her head, clinging to her hair, her lashes, and her thin, level shoulders.

“Stupid kitten, you won’t escape tonight.”

Satisfied, Jiang Zitan tilted her chin at her reflection, adjusted her collar to reveal more of her exquisite collarbones, and waited. As the third bell rang, she was already standing behind the door. She waited for the sound to fade completely, counted two seconds in her mind, and then pressed the door handle.

Click.

The door opened. Jiang Zitan lowered her gaze, her slender, white fingers resting on the doorframe. She leaned to the side, showcasing her graceful curves. Then she looked up with a silken gaze: “Stupid kitten…”

Before the last syllable of “kitten” could fall, she froze…

“How did you know I picked up a kitten?”

Tao Yitong sat opposite her, her eyes clear and bright, her nose tip red from the cold. She had a youthful look, her fair skin flushed pink, perfectly matching the little kitten peeking out from the crook of her arm.

“But it shouldn’t be stupid. Even though it’s very hungry, it knows to avoid my fingers when eating…” Tao Yitong had been excited, her eyes shining, but noticing the situation, her voice grew softer and softer.

Jiang Zitan sat on the sofa, feeling like her passion had been wasted on a dog. It was so cold; she pulled her open knit cardigan tighter. She crossed her arms, smoothing over the awkwardness: “Where did you find it?”

Tao Yitong answered honestly: “Downstairs at your building.”

Jiang Zitan smelled the sweet perfume in the air and wished she could travel back a few minutes to grab the person who sprayed it by the neck and shake them, then throw that limited-edition perfume into the trash.

Cough cough…

“Heh, the feng shui downstairs at my place is certainly great.”

Tao Yitong realized belatedly, her eyes spotting the ice bucket on the dining table holding a bottle of champagne. “Um, well… the temperature dropped sharply tonight and there’s heavy snow. If I didn’t bring it somewhere warm, it might not survive… That’s what I was thinking…”

Tao Yitong’s slender white fingertips gently combed the kitten’s fur. Her fingers were long and well-proportioned; when she applied slight pressure, the tendons on the back of her hand would faintly show their lines. Currently weaving through the fur, they made her skin look like ice and her bones like jade.

Yet only Jiang Zitan knew that it was this same hand that night those long fingers roaming freely, starting fires everywhere. Jiang Zitan tilted her head, then turned back, unable to stop her gaze from landing on that beautiful hand.

She also gradually noticed the kitten in the girl’s arms. The messy-colored kitten was curled in a ball; its soft kitten fuzz mixed with coarser hairs, a disorganized blend of caramel, black, white, and grey. Its fur stood on end in a tuft, looking like a faded tortoiseshell sea urchin. Only its eyes were bright and round, holding an innocent look when it watched people. Especially now, looking at Jiang Zitan, those big eyes held not only curiosity but a hidden fear.

“It… looks quite soft?” Jiang Zitan spoke slowly.

“Yes, it’s probably only two months old. Very soft and well-behaved.” Hesitating slightly, Tao Yitong asked: “Do you… want to hold it?”

As if to prove the kitten was truly soft, Tao Yitong lifted it up, turning it into a soft, long strip. The cat was a bit uncomfortable but remained good, watching the person before it with its naive, clear eyes.

Jiang Zitan’s heart softened at the look. Someone who usually didn’t care for pets found she had no complaints and reached out immediately. As one held the cat and the other received it, their fingertips unconsciously touched.

Jiang Zitan’s fingers pressed against Tao Yitong’s.

In an instant, a tingly electric current seemed to start from the fingertips and spread all the way to the heart. Whether it was static electricity or something else, it caused both their hearts to throb. Tao Yitong’s brain seemed to lose its ability to think; she looked up, her gaze crashing directly into Jiang Zitan’s.

Their eyes met. The sound of heartbeats, faces inches apart, the sweet scent in the air, and an innocent, lifted kitten. After a brief gaze, their looks broke apart instantly, both of them blushing to the ears.

Tao Yitong pursed her lips, not daring to look up. Jiang Zitan’s gaze also wavered as she sat back, deliberately crossing her arms. “Um… is it a boy or a girl?”

“Eh?”

“Oh, right,” Tao Yitong snapped out of it, stroking the kitten’s fur. “It’s a girl. Calicos are usually girls.”

Jiang Zitan watched that hand, appearing a bit dazed: “…It’s quite good-looking.”

Actually, the dirty little cat wasn’t particularly good-looking, but the hand holding it was exceptionally so. In Jiang Zitan’s mind, white cats or carefully bred pedigree cats were the pets that fit her aesthetic; she normally wouldn’t spare a glance for this greyish little thing. But now, held by Tao Yitong, it was as if there was magic; the little thing became much more pleasing to the eye.

Jiang Zitan thought: It’s probably not that it’s bad-looking, just not prestigious. But what does that matter? Being cute is enough. Just like the idiot in front of her.

“Yes, it is quite good-looking!” Tao Yitong, not knowing what Jiang Zitan’s “good-looking” specifically referred to, smiled with her eyes curving. “I spent one yuan at the convenience store downstairs for a ham sausage and tricked it into coming out.”

If it weren’t good-looking, I wouldn’t have kidnapped it.

Jiang Zitan rested her chin on her hand and listened to her, asking patiently: “Oh, so, you’re planning to raise it?”

Tao Yitong grew a bit troubled. She slowly looked up, stealing a glance at Jiang Zitan, and found Jiang Zitan’s gaze fixed on her. She felt uncomfortable and sat up a bit more rigidly. “I’ll find an adopter. I can’t take good care of it right now; raising it impulsively would be irresponsible.”

Quite responsible.

Jiang Zitan arched an eyebrow: “Then who do you plan to have adopt it?”

Tao Yitong: “I… I don’t know yet… maybe post online or find a rescue station. But I must screen for a qualified and suitable adopter; this must be strictly controlled.”

Jiang Zitan watched Tao Yitong, a faint smile on her lips: “No need to look far. Why don’t I adopt it? But—” She paused. “I don’t know how to raise small animals; I’ll need someone to assist me constantly.”

“Ah…” Tao Yitong was completely surprised, her round eyes widening further. “Why would you want to raise a cat?”

Yes, why raise a cat? Why do you think?

Jiang Zitan was silent for several seconds. “Who knows. Maybe to catch an idiot.”

This time it was Tao Yitong’s turn to be silent. She didn’t know what kind of idiot required Jiang Zitan to catch them personally. While it sounded like nonsense, there was no reason to refute it in this situation.

Jiang Zitan sighed in defeat and waved her hand. “Have you given it a name?”

The topic shifted, and Tao Yitong hurriedly replied: “Not… not yet.”

“You said you spent one yuan on a ham sausage to trick it into coming back?”

“Yes…” Tao Yitong suggested. “So call it Ham Sausage?”

It seemed the stupid kitten was in an inquiring mood, asking for her opinion on naming the “fur child.” Naming it together this was truly a task akin to parents of a newborn, slightly ambiguous. Jiang Zitan had been holding a breath of frustration, but now it had vanished, and her mood inexplicably improved.

The corner of her mouth quirked: “That sounds terrible.”

Tao Yitong was earnest and troubled: “Well, we can’t call it ‘Tricked Back’, can we?”

Jiang Zitan’s frustration reached its peak. “Can’t we just call it ‘One Yuan’?”

“Eh?” Tao Yitong was enlightened. “That could work.”

“One Yuan… it sounds quite nice.” Once she was happy, she tended to talk more. “I originally wanted to call it Little Sea Urchin, look at its prickly fur. But then I saw it looks like a burnt chestnut, so I changed my mind to Roasted Chestnut. Then I saw its fur looks like mold, so I wanted to call it Moldy… but those names don’t seem to have any commemorative meaning. Your name is much better…”

Jiang Zitan smiled as she listened to her, her gaze lingering on that fair face. Tao Yitong was flawlessly beautiful lovely almond eyes paired with a high nose, lips naturally a healthy red. When she smiled, her eyes curved and filled with starlight; that smile was like bright afternoon sunlight hitting the heart, warming one into a daze. A gentle smile, an innocent look.

Usually, she looked easy to bully, with her slender limbs and tall frame. But most people didn’t know how powerful the muscle lines in her forearms were when she exerted force. Tao Yitong was actually very strong Jiang Zitan had experienced it deeply that night; her wrists had been left with red marks of “abuse” that took several days to fade.

This person looked as clean as a kitten, making it hard to glimpse the “wicked” side she showed in bed.

Tao Yitong spoke for a long time, only stopping when she realized it might be awkward. “Um… am I talking too much and bothering you?”

Jiang Zitan lowered her arms and brushed her long hair behind her ear. “Not at all. You can talk more, and teach me how to raise a cat while you’re at it.”

Tao Yitong finally relaxed a bit. She noticed Jiang Zitan was wearing a lotus-pink knit cardigan today with a matching camisole underneath; the neckline was a bit low… The thin fabric extended along her exquisite lines all the way to her white lounge pants and fluffy open-toe slippers. It was a relaxed look, no makeup, yet so beautiful it was dazzling. It felt as if she just sitting there, doing nothing, would earn her the world’s favor.

Such a person… she actually…

Tao Yitong was lost in thought until she heard Jiang Zitan speak to her: “What is it? Why are you staring at me?”

“!!” Tao Yitong’s ears were already pink, but now they felt like they were on fire. She hurriedly lowered her head: “No, I wasn’t staring.”

Clearly staring. Stupid cat.

Jiang Zitan didn’t continue to dwell on the small issue. After a moment, she stood up and raised her fingers: “Pspsps…”

Tao Yitong sat there holding the kitten. Hearing Jiang Zitan “pspsps” to the cat made her happy; of course, she still didn’t dare look up. “This kitten is very good and likable.” Since Jiang Zitan was going to raise the cat, it was good to build their relationship early. So she cooperated by offering the kitten forward a second time.

Jiang Zitan stopped in front of her. Her voice came from above. “It is indeed quite likable.”

Tao Yitong could see the tips of her fluffy slippers those pink toes wrapped in white fluff looked exquisite. Then, a fair, jade-like hand appeared in her view. Her chin was tilted up by a finger like a green onion stalk, and then scratched gently.

Tao Yitong, caught off guard, was forced to look up and meet Jiang Zitan’s gaze. She crashed into a pair of starry eyes.

“Good kitty. I’ll raise you from now on.”

“Is it here…?” Tao Yitong stood before the breakfast stall, her brow furrowed, her disgust plain to see.

“Yes,” Jiang Zitan said.

It was the busiest time of the morning. Many customers sat at the entrance some slurping soy milk, some spitting loudly, old men gathered to curse in the street. Every table was uncleaned, the chopsticks were blackened, and the breakfast was made in a dark, dingy little room.

Tao Yitong felt that rather than eating here, she’d rather be executed on the spot. Her “Young Miss” temper flared, and she grabbed Jiang Zitan’s sleeve: “Jiang Zitan, I don’t want to eat here. Is there anywhere else?”

Anywhere else? Fengkang Town wasn’t big, and this stall was considered one of the cleaner ones.

Jiang Zitan said: “How about we go back and I’ll make something for you? Is that okay?”

Tao Yitong nodded vigorously: “Yes, yes! I want to eat the food you make!”

Seemingly not expecting such a reaction, Jiang Zitan was stunned, feeling inexplicably shy. Her voice was muffled: “What I make… isn’t as good as what Uncle Zheng makes.”

Tao Yitong laughed: “It’s fine!”

She looked at Jiang Zitan as if she were her own daughter; her “daughter” making her a meal made her incredibly happy! Even if it tasted bad, she’d think it was super delicious!

Little did she know that this one time she let things slide, she had once again brought trouble to the household.

“Hello, is this Miss Jiang?”

Jiang Zitan suddenly received a call from an unfamiliar number.

“Yes, who is this?” she asked.

“I’m Qian Ran. We met before in Rong City!” Qian Ran said.

Jiang Zitan remembered her and asked what she needed.

“It’s like this. I heard from the Special Affairs Bureau that Tao Yitong helped you apply for ‘Informed Person’ privileges, so I don’t have to keep things from you anymore. I know a bit about Tao Yitong’s current situation. I had the Bureau send me your number; since you’re the victim, it’s the same telling you.”

“The evil books seized from the Li family aren’t complete, but I’ve roughly figured out their methods. Come to the Bureau; I’ll help you pull off those two ‘parasites’ sucking blood from you. Once they can’t drain your luck anymore, honestly, those things won’t be a threat.”

Qian Ran spoke excitedly with dark circles under her eyes. She had pulled countless all-nighters but finally found the solution! Once this was done, Tao Yitong said she’d help lift the Bureau’s ban on her; she could finally earn money and eat properly in the light!

Support