I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel

Chapter 404 - 343: The Uncomfortable Elder Cousin

At this moment, the air suddenly became quiet.

Xiao Ran looked at his sister, sister looked at big brother, big brother indicated he didn’t want to interfere.

"Bro, the weather’s changed!" Jiang Ming’an glanced at the edge of his clothes pinched by slender fingers, finding it a bit funny. It was a roundabout way of asking for his help.

Oh well, for the sake of his sister, he would put up with it this once.

"Jinlan—Jinlan," looking at the person sprawled on the bed, Jiang Ming’an got even more furious, but hearing the near-wailing sobs of this man, he felt completely uneasy.

On the leaky window, one big and one small head were leaning on it.

If you got closer, you could hear them whispering to each other.

"Sis, I really envy dad!"

Jiang Mingyue observed that although big brother looked disdainful, he rolled up his sleeves to wipe their uncle’s face with a warm towel, took off his outer clothes and shoes, and covered him with a blanket with a series of seamless actions.

But hearing Xiao Ran’s words, her feelings were mixed.

"Big brother loves you too. That time you had a fever, he stayed with you all night."

"Right! I don’t envy him after all. When I came back from playing with Meng Liqiang and the others, big brother washed my face for me too." In reality, he couldn’t reach the towel hanging on the rope. Big brother couldn’t stand it and handed it to him.

Jiang Mingyue gave Xiao Ran an approving look, "That’s right! We shouldn’t be too greedy; what’s enough is enough."

"What are you doing?"

Ah! The big and small heads whooshed to the ground.

"Ha, big brother, Xiao Ran said there’s a mouse here and asked me to catch it."

Xiao Ran looked exasperated, clearly it was his sister who brought him over to watch the fun. He noticed without brother Yan around, his sister had changed.

"Is that so?"

"Of course, it’s your fault, if you hadn’t come, we would’ve caught the mouse."

Jiang Ming’an gave a half-smile, Jiang Mingyue suddenly felt a chill down her spine. Indeed, the weather had changed!

"Are you talking about this mouse?"

"Ah—"

It’s not that she’s cowardly, but having a big-faced mouse suddenly dangle in front of you would scare just about anyone.

Seeing the girl frightened and diving headfirst into the basket, her comical act of covering her ears without hearing anything did not amuse Jiang Ming’an, only made him regret playing such a big prank. He truly had his head turned would be tonight’s mischief.

Xiao Ran saw his sister scared, he hurried to comfort her.

"Sister, it’s alright now, big brother threw the mouse into the stove hole."

Jiang Ming’an had no choice but to play along when he heard that.

Jiang Mingyue felt truly embarrassed tonight, and the culprit was her dearest family.

But just then, someone broke the situation.

"Ming Yue, are you free?" Even through the courtyard gate, you could tell it was Aunt Liu from next door.

"Is that Aunt Liu? What’s the matter?" Jiang Mingyue opened the door, outside stood Aunt Liu, and also a sister slightly older than her. Jiang Mingyue couldn’t quite grasp Aunt Liu’s intention.

"Ming Yue, have you eaten yet?"

"Already eaten."

"What about your uncle?"

Jiang Mingyue glanced at the room on the east side, "He had a drink and is already asleep."

Jiang Mingyue had an inspiration, her gaze inadvertently falling on the girl.

Could she be here to talk about a match for uncle? But the age difference is too big, right? Would the girl agree?

But she quickly dismissed her own thoughts.

Seeing the girl’s gaze sticking to her brother, it made sense—tall posture, handsome appearance, and a coveted job at the department store, her brother was indeed someone men envied and women admired.

Looking at the girl, she seemed about twenty-four or five, a tall figure, not too outstanding in appearance but still acceptable. If she had a job, she would surely be sought after by eligible bachelors.

"Aunt Liu, have some water." Xiao Ran brought over two cups of water. After setting them down, he didn’t leave but stood behind Jiang Mingyue. If observed closely, you would notice his restless hands twisting the corner of his clothes, questioning what this woman meant by constantly looking at big brother. Was she trying to steal him?

Jiang Mingyue didn’t pay attention to Xiao Ran, pushing the water towards the two of them.

"Oh dear, that’s too polite! It’s even sugar water, Cai Xia, you drink too. By the way, this is Ming Yue, that’s Ming’an, and this is Cai Xia."

"Ming’an, could you come over and chat?"

Jiang Mingyue’s guess was right! Since the subject was here, it had nothing to do with her anymore.

Jiang Ming’an, whether willing or not, wouldn’t leave such matters to his sister, all the more so since he still felt guilty inside.

"Aunt Liu, is there something?" Jiang Ming’an sat down as told, getting straight to the point.

"Ming’an, I heard from your father that you’re still single. It’s late for a man at your age to be unmarried. You should find a woman to take care of you, and in the future, when you have children, your father can help take care of them, so he won’t be so lonely. What do you think?"

Although she didn’t explicitly say she was introducing Cai Xia to Jiang Ming’an, anyone with eyes could guess her meaning.

Jiang Ming’an felt if he didn’t offer a convincing reason, such situations would continue to occur.

"Aunt Liu, I don’t plan to get married in this lifetime, sorry!" After pondering it over, he felt it was best to be honest. A fabricated excuse would eventually be uncovered, and what he said wasn’t entirely untrue.

Aunt Liu was stunned, wondering how someone could not want to get married, especially with his excellent conditions. But seeing the imposing aura from the young man across, she couldn’t ask further.

"Such a pity! Then I won’t disturb you!"

"It’s getting late, Xiao Ran, we’re leaving now. You make sure to lock the door from inside, no matter who calls don’t open it, understand?"

Xiao Ran was reluctant to part from his brother and sister, even regretting his earlier impulsiveness, but he was a man of his word.

"Alright!"

Back at home, Jiang Mingyue wanted to slip into her room to find Yan Jinzhi.

"Don’t go, I want to have wontons for breakfast tomorrow. Help me make some."

Jiang Mingyue knew this brother was up to something again, and didn’t want to indulge him.

"Make them yourself, it’s not like you’re short of hands or feet."

"Didn’t you want Yang Jinglun to become the principal of Qingshan Village’s school? I have a way."

Jiang Mingyue retracted her stepping foot, knowing her big cousin well, his phrase "I have a way" not only involved the dispatch of official documents but also Yang’s personal wishes. She indeed intended to invite Mr. Yang to oversee things there.

"Ha! Bro, I take back what I said earlier. I’ll make it for you, the way you like, and it’ll be delicious."

"Mm!" Watching her perform with two different faces, Jiang Ming’an was amused, reminding himself to know when to stop.

"I’ll chop the filling for you."

Jiang Mingyue: "...Bro, I’ve got strong arms and quick hands; you don’t need to get involved." With him around, how could she meet with Yan Lang privately?

"Oh! Then knead more dough; I want to treat my whole department to dumplings tomorrow morning."

Jiang Mingyue suddenly felt a suffocating pressure. He was doing it on purpose.

Jiang Mingyue almost quit on the spot, but the person in front was her real brother, her sole relative in her past life.

In her anger, Jiang Mingyue kneaded the dough so vigorously that the porcelain bowl clanged loudly, nearly shaking the dough table apart.

As if she bore a grudge!

Jiang Ming’an felt cheerful, the unpleasantness encountered with his cheap father dissipated.

Jiang Mingyue used her spiritual power to "see" her older cousin’s back turned to her, observing the gentle smile on that handsome face. Well! Her performance tonight was award-worthy. From the moment big brother suggested visiting their uncle, she sensed his mood was foul. Though he smiled, the smile never reached his eyes. With her profound knowledge of him over the years, she understood it had to be significant. His habit of bearing everything alone meant she couldn’t force him to speak. She had to find a way to dissipate his internal rage.

It seemed to have worked!

Jiang Ming’an felt at ease, especially after having a large bowl of wonton for a midnight snack.