Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s
Chapter 152 - 148 Jealousy

Chapter 152: 148 Jealousy

In the blink of an eye, Tian Tian had been working at Tian Sangsang’s little shop for a week. During this time, Tian Tian’s beauty gave the shop’s GDP and foot traffic a noticeable boost—business was better than usual. This was something Tian Sangsang hadn’t expected. In other words, the business was doing fine without Tian Tian, but with her, it was even better.

Of course, Tian Tian’s flirtatious antics—intentional or not—provoked some of the women in town. They weren’t too happy about her and all wanted to come see this "little demon" for themselves. And as a result, the business became even better.

"That little tramp is so shameless! I was eating, and she deliberately leaned near me. I could totally see those two things under her clothes."

"Exactly, exactly! At first, I thought she was into me, but the moment I tried to talk about that kind of stuff with her, she started pretending to be aloof."

"You don’t get it. She’s sizing people up. Girls like her have high standards. If you’re broke, you might get a look, but there’s no way she’ll let you touch her."

"True. You can look, but you can’t touch. Get your little thrill and move on—being into her won’t do you any good. Might as well go home and hold your own wife instead."

"Man, if my wife acted like her, I swear I’d beat the crap out of her. Let’s see if she’d dare pull that nonsense again."

"Pfft, your wife? Even if she were as indecent as that one, no one would take a second look at her anyway. Chill out."

"..."

Chen Ming happened to walk by and overheard the gossip. He frowned instinctively. Since when had Tian Tian’s reputation become the talk of the town? He had only gone out of town for a few days.

"Chen Ming, you’re back! Want some water?" Right then, with no customers around, Tian Tian approached him with a flirty smile and handed him a glass of water.

Chen Ming gave her a cold glare, sneered, and didn’t take the glass. Instead, he said, "Better save it for your customers."

Tian Tian’s face instantly turned white. What did he mean by that?

She didn’t realize her flirtatious reputation had already spread far and wide.

"Chen Ming, let me explain..." Tian Tian tentatively reached out, teary-eyed, wanting to grab him. She knew he still liked her and wouldn’t be able to resist her pitiful demeanor.

"Let go of him! What do you think you’re doing?" Suddenly, a shadow darted over and yanked Tian Tian’s hand away.

Not only was Tian Sangsang stunned, but the other people in the shop were startled as well. Especially Chen Ying, whose jaw dropped. Yao Fangfang turned out to be Tian Tian’s natural nemesis.

Chen Ming’s frown deepened when he saw the newcomer. He said with undisguised disgust, "Yao Fangfang, what are you following me around for again?"

Up till now, Chen Ming only knew that Yao Fangfang was a relative of his boss. At the factory, they’d crossed paths a few times. But during his last trip away, Yao Fangfang had personally come to see him off and said a series of baffling things. This woman was out of her mind. He didn’t know her well at all! And he certainly didn’t like being followed around, like he had a tail he couldn’t shake.

"I wasn’t following you or anything. I just... came here to eat." Feeling self-conscious under his gaze, Yao Fangfang stiffened and awkwardly asked, "Who is she?"

Tian Tian looked at Yao Fangfang, noticing how her beauty wasn’t inferior to her own and how her clothes were exquisitely made. Jealousy flashed across Tian Tian’s face. Women’s instincts were sharp—it was obvious this woman was here for Chen Ming. The sense of threat grew inside her. But judging by Chen Ming’s attitude, he seemed to hate her.

Tian Tian secretly delighted in her heart and felt smug. They say comparisons are the thief of joy. Although Chen Ming’s attitude had wounded her earlier, now, by comparison, his treatment of her seemed downright gentle. That was good...

Chen Ming, utterly frustrated with the two women, stormed upstairs with a darkened expression.

Tian Sangsang and Chen Ying exchanged looks, both helpless but leaning toward enjoying the show. They remained neutral and didn’t take sides.

"You—are you one of the staff here?" Yao Fangfang sneered. "I’ll have a skewer of meatballs and a bottle of chrysanthemum tea. Get it for me."

Tian Tian huffed with resentment. Once Tian Sangsang finished preparing the items, Tian Tian brought them over.

"What’s wrong with you? Why’d you put it down so hard? If water splashes on me, can you afford to replace my clothes? I’m telling you, even if you sold yourself to buy me this outfit, I’d still find it pathetic."

"Do you even know who you are? This outfit of mine is city-made."

"Oh, and I just remembered—I’ll have a skewer of rice cake too."

"This rice cake tastes great. Give me another one with water spinach, won’t you?"

"Uh... duck wings! A skewer of duck wings for me."

"..." Tian Tian bustled around, entirely at Yao Fangfang’s beck and call. Yet Yao Fangfang was a customer now, so she couldn’t refuse. Tian Sangsang was watching from the back, after all.

Tian Sangsang and Chen Ying didn’t feel much about Yao Fangfang’s actions but grew slightly impressed. There might be some truth to the saying, "It takes a villain to deal with another villain." Yao Fangfang’s domineering nature might actually suppress Tian Tian. But who would’ve thought—just moments later, Tian Tian leaned into Yao Fangfang’s ear and whispered something. Yao Fangfang exploded with fury, slammed down her money, and stormed off.

Chen Ying turned to Tian Tian in disdain and asked, "What did you just say to her? Why’d she get so mad?"

"She asked me what my relationship with Chen Ming was. I just answered honestly," Tian Tian replied softly.

"You better not make things up! What relationship do you even have with my brother?"

"You’re misunderstanding me, Yingzi." Tian Tian deliberately tried to flatter her. "I really did answer honestly. The three of us, plus Sangsang, grew up together from childhood."

Tian Sangsang saw right through her and chuckled inwardly. No wonder Yao Fangfang got so angry. Anyone would be upset to find out that the person they liked had a past entangled with another woman, especially a childhood connection. Women’s hearts are tiny, after all. Never underestimate a woman’s jealousy—especially when she’s in love.

Chen Ying snorted. "You and my brother have no chance. I can’t figure out what you’re thinking, but trust me, there’s no chance between you two. My dad said there’s no way my brother’s wife will be someone like you. Absolutely not."

She wasn’t exaggerating. Her family had already dismissed Tian Tian entirely, and their stance was firm.

Tian Tian just smiled smugly to herself, unbothered. Her goal was to marry into the city—who cared about marrying Chen Ming? But he could still be useful. Who cared what his family thought anyway? Chen Ming’s circumstances were good now, but he wasn’t a long-term plan.

Yao Fangfang stormed over to Shui Lian’s house, so aggrieved she was on the verge of tears.

"Fangfang, who got on your nerves this time?" Shui Lian set down her book of essays and pushed the fruit platter on the table toward her.

Yao Fangfang picked up a tangerine, started peeling it, and fumed, "Lian, you have no idea how infuriating that tramp is! Just thinking about her smug face makes my blood boil!"

She recounted everything that happened earlier.

"You’re talking about Tian Tian?"

"Wait, you know her too?" Yao Fangfang asked.

"That’s why I keep telling you to get out more and learn about people," Shui Lian teased with a laugh. "This Tian Tian has been quite the talk of the town lately. She’s drop-dead gorgeous, honestly, maybe even more than you or me. Birds of a feather flock together—she’s Tian Sangsang’s cousin, after all. Her reputation isn’t great either. You said she told you about her and Chen Ming? I’d say it’s likely true—they’re from the same village after all. If you don’t believe me, we can ask around in their village."

"I believe it! Of course, I believe it! That’s exactly why I’m so furious! I don’t stand a chance anymore, Lian..." Yao Fangfang sobbed, "Chen Ming clearly likes her."