Chapter 6: Jiang An’an is an Illegitimate Child

Carrying two heavy persimmons, Jiang An’an returned home contentedly. It was getting late, and she used the original owner’s memory to start a fire in the stove. 

During the busy farming season, everyone consumed a lot of energy, so every household would eat plain rice at noon. In the cupboard, there was still half of last night’s stir-fried dried radish with cured meat, which could be reheated quickly. 

Jiang An’an planned to make a cold dish as well. She picked some chili peppers, two tomatoes, and an eggplant from her garden and burned them in the stove while the rice was steaming. 

Before long, the spicy aroma filled the entire kitchen. The vegetables roasted over a low flame had a unique flavor; after peeling off the burnt skin, she mashed the chili and tomatoes, tore the eggplant into strips, and mixed them in a large bowl, adding scallions, soy sauce, and salt. 

A dish of roasted chili eggplant was ready! 

In the south, chili peppers are mainly of the Erjing variety, which provide a full-bodied spiciness that stimulates the taste buds and whets the appetite. 

When Lin Meiru hurried home to cook, she found her daughter had already prepared the meal and immediately nervously grabbed her hand to check: “Did you burn or hurt yourself? If you’re hungry, just steam an egg custard for yourself; wait for me to come back to cook the main meal.” 

Despite Lin Meiru’s complaints, the joy and satisfaction in her eyes were unmistakable. 

“Mom, I was just idling at home, so I can help you cook,” Jiang An’an said somewhat helplessly. In the 70s, there were no entertainment facilities, and staying at home meant more than just lying around. 

Lin Meiru frowned and pulled a dollar from her pocket, stuffing it into Jiang An’an’s hand: “If you have nothing to do, go to the county town to wander around, visit the supply and marketing cooperative, and eat something good with your second sister.” 

“Your mother is right; we can handle these dirty and tiring jobs. Don’t you usually love reading? Buy a few more books in the county town or go to the cinema to watch a movie,” Jiang Degui said as he washed his hands in the kitchen, casually handing Jiang An’an a handful of peanuts: “These were secretly saved by your dad; enjoy them as a snack this afternoon.” 

Jiang An’an: “…” 

It truly was a stroke of luck for the old Jiang family that the original owner hadn’t been spoiled into a wasteful child! 

“Bang!” 

At that moment, the front door was forcefully slammed open. 

Aunt came storming in aggressively: “You little brat, get out here! How dare you report your own grandma and uncle to the team leader, causing your cousin to lose his scorer job? Today, I’m going to tear that foul mouth of yours apart.” 

The elderly couple exchanged glances in shock. 

In the moment of hesitation, the little girl had already stepped outside, her voice filled with mockery: “What? You think it’s only allowed for you to meddle in my marriage? I’m standing right here; if you dare touch a single hair on me today, tomorrow I’ll make sure my fourth and fifth cousins lose their jobs at the factory.” 

It was as if a pause button had been pressed; Aunt’s hand was raised high, frozen in mid-air. Her face turned from green to white, and due to her anger, her old face looked twisted and hideous: “You dare?” 

Jiang An’an leaned in closer: “Go ahead and try to hit me! Tomorrow, I’ll call the red armbands from the city to come and arrest your husband.”

Clearly, she was smiling, but Aunt felt her scalp tingle, a chill rushing from her feet to the top of her head. When did this little brat become so sharp-tongued and untouchable?

“You, you…” She awkwardly took two steps back and then plopped down on the ground, throwing a tantrum: “You ungrateful girl reporting your own uncle! What kind of sin has our old Jiang family committed to raise such a heartless child who doesn’t recognize her own kin?”

“You old hag, how dare you bully my daughter on my territory! Do you think Lin Meiru is easy to push around?” Lin Meiru, fearing she might scream, rushed forward and swung her arm to slap her mouth.

Slap! Slap! Slap!

After a dozen slaps, Aunt’s cheeks swelled up on the spot, leaving her dazed, her eyes wide in disbelief.

Jiang An’an leaned to the side.

Hearing isn’t believing; seeing is believing. Now she understood why Lin Meiru could dominate in the village and was known as the fiercest woman in the Hongqi commune!

If you can fight back, don’t just talk; reputation isn’t that important compared to being bullied. Otherwise, during the famine years when the second family was forced to split, their family of six wouldn’t have known how to survive.

“Stop it!”

“Second son, tell your wife to stop! What kind of family fight is this?”

Uncle Jiang arrived late, supporting the elderly woman. Besides the two sons who were working, all four sons from the family quickly rushed over, tall and imposing, blocking the yard’s entrance completely.

Jiang An’an smiled faintly: “Uncle, you and my grandma can just come alone; there’s no need to bring the whole family to apologize.”

Everyone from the big house: “…”

They came to fight!

Yet, Jiang An’an moved a stool from inside, sat down comfortably with her hands on her knees, looking soft and endearing: “Let’s get started.”

Look at how much hate is brewing…

“…… Ahhh, just get on with it already!!!”

The big house people were nearly infuriated to death, their cheeks puffed up like pufferfish.

Uncle Jiang’s gaze darkened as he scolded: “You little brat, at such a young age to be so ruthless and unfilial, hurry up and bow to your grandma to admit your mistake.”

Jiang Degui stood protectively in front of his daughter, standing tall: “Big brother, don’t go too far. We haven’t settled the matter of the bride exchange with you yet, and you come to my house to cause trouble first.”

Shifting his gaze, he said, “Mom, a person lives for their face, and a tree for its bark. Your precious eldest son is much more shameless than I am. Trying to show off in front of me? Hmph! It’s better to sink together.”

“Second son, that’s your own brother and nephew!” The elderly woman stared wide-eyed, unable to believe it.

Jiang Degui retorted, “I’m also your son! Mom, what exactly have I done to make you look at me with such disdain everywhere?”

“When we were younger and the family was struggling, you made sure your elder brother was well-fed. During the famine years, you knew splitting the family was a dead end, yet you sent the second family away with less than ten pounds of corn, while the old thatched house was leaking all over; now that we’ve finally started to have a bit of a good life, you want to show off your power again, insisting on the second family being torn apart before you’re satisfied?” By the end, Jiang Degui’s eyes were red.

His mother had always favored the big family, but now she wanted to step over the second family’s corpses; even a mud person would have some spirit.

Bringing up past grievances one by one, the entire courtyard fell silent.

Old Lady Jiang’s face flushed, suddenly realizing that her youngest son had deep-seated resentment against her. She felt helpless; this had been the tradition for generations, with the eldest son inheriting the family line. Everyone did it this way; what was her fault?

The elderly woman felt extremely wronged, thinking her youngest son didn’t understand her and was simply a white-eyed wolf.

And besides…

“Jiang An’an is just an illegitimate child…”

“Mom, shut up!” Jiang Degui suddenly erupted with a fierce shout, his eyes sharp and menacing as they scanned everyone present: “I’ll say it again, Jiang An’an is my daughter. If anyone dares to gossip again, don’t blame me for turning against you.”

Jiang An’an licked her lips, her beautiful apricot eyes wide with shock.

The original owner wasn’t even biological?

But Jiang Degui and his wife had cherished and pampered her as if she were their own, even more than their three elder sisters…