Chapter 3: Driving Away the Evil Grandmother

Manman suddenly felt a wave of panic—was Mom planning to divorce Dad and leave him and his sister behind?

Although Mom was weak and always allowed Grandma to bully them, deep down, he still wanted to stay with her, just a little bit. He didn’t want to end up like the kid next door, Tiezhu, who was constantly teased and called an orphan by the other children.

No matter how smart and mature Manman was, he was still just a four-year-old child, and his eyes quickly filled with tears.

He clenched his teeth tightly, afraid to make a sound and risk Mom rejecting him.

“What? You dare to report me?” Tian Cuifen was furious, shoving Aunt Zhu aside and charging toward them, her arm raised high.

Jiang Ningning, quick as lightning, shoved the two children behind her and raised her own arm to block the slap.

The force of the slap landed painfully, and tears instantly sprang to Jiang Ningning’s eyes.

This body was much more fragile than she had imagined.

The two kids were stunned.

Mom… she just protected them!

Manman’s amber-colored eyes filled with rage as he glared at his grandmother.

Tian Cuifen was infuriated by his gaze and yelled, “What are you looking at, you little brat? Just like your mother, ungrateful. My eldest son’s allowances go to me and your father, and that’s the natural order. Even if you go to the capital to report me, I’m in the right!”

Jiang Ningning gritted her teeth and, despite the pain, forced a troubled expression. “Donglin sent a letter last month saying that the organization is reviewing the family allowance details. How about we check the ration coupons from the past years?”

Tian Cuifen was completely stunned.

“Ah, I’m getting old, my memory isn’t as good anymore.” She turned pale and took a step back, but tripped, tumbling to the ground in a heap.

Rolling away from her were a few glass marbles, which had mysteriously appeared.

The neighbors burst into laughter.

“Everyone has a heart, and you, old hypocrite, are so heartless. You take the allowance meant for your eldest son and give it to your youngest. Don’t you fear the heavens will punish you?”

“Back when Ningning hadn’t even finished her confinement, your Ho family kicked her out. On New Year’s Eve, there wasn’t even coal for heating, and the twins had a high fever that night. Ningning had to carry one of them to the hospital. If her parents were still around, would you dare to be so arrogant?”

“The textile factory doesn’t welcome you, so leave now! If you don’t, I’ll call the police!”

Smack!

A dustpan was thrown at Tian Cuifen’s face, and coal dust scattered all over her, making her cough so hard that she nearly choked.

Aunt Zhu raised her arm, shouting, “Let’s all work together and drive this greedy old witch out!”

The crowd, enraged, began to pick up whatever they had—brooms, rakes, and sticks—to drive Tian Cuifen away. The old woman fled in panic, even abandoning her bamboo basket without daring to pick it up.

“Spit!” Aunt Zhu spat on the ground. “Don’t you dare show your face around here again. If I see you again, I’ll hit you again!”

Tian Cuifen’s voice faded as she ran faster.

The twins watched in awe, their eyes sparkling as they looked at Aunt Zhu. Their grandmother had actually been scared off.

“Aunt Zhu is so awesome.”

“Aunt Zhu is even stronger than Daddy! She can drive away the bad grandma.”

In the eyes of the twins, their father—whom they had only heard of in passing, a hero protecting the country—was now rivaled by Aunt Zhu’s powerful image.

At that moment, Aunt Zhu seemed just as heroic as their father.

The two little dumplings, full of admiration, spoke in unison, earning chuckles from the neighbors.

Aunt Zhu proudly patted her chest, sharing her wisdom: “When dealing with bad people, you need to be stronger than they are.”

Xiaxia and Manman nodded vigorously, their serious expressions melting the hearts of everyone around.

With the new year approaching, every household had stored up supplies. The neighbors, feeling extra generous, handed out sweets and sunflower seeds to the children, filling their pockets to the brim.

Manman, acting like a little adult, shook his head seriously and rejected: “Mom said that uncles and aunts are having a hard time these days, we can’t just take things for free.”

Xiaxia also covered her pocket with her hands and frowned in distress: “I don’t want it, Grandma Wang, Aunt Liu, I really don’t want it.”

Jiang Ningning couldn’t help but laugh. Though the original owner had made the children suffer materially, their character had been taught well.

She quickly pulled the two children into her arms and deeply bowed to the neighbors, before speaking: “I truly appreciate everyone’s kindness, and I’m very grateful to you all. If it wasn’t for you, my mother-in-law wouldn’t have so easily let things go.”

The little ones’ ears turned red, and they awkwardly shifted.

Since they could remember, Mom had always cried all day, rarely hugging them, and later even complained that they smelled bad.

Thinking of this, Manman clenched his fists and hardened his heart.

“Ningning, for the sake of the children, you must stand up for yourself from now on,” Aunt Zhu said earnestly, “Neighbors are always outsiders. There will be times when they can’t take care of you, so it’s better to rely on yourself. Keep a firm grip on your husband’s allowances, first make sure you and the children are taken care of.”

There was nothing more Aunt Zhu could say, as an outsider.

“Thank you, Aunt Zhu.” Jiang Ningning bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears. “After this, I’ve realized a lot, and raising these two children well is more important than anything.”

In the future, when she made changes, she could attribute it to “realizing” things.

Jiang Ningning had finally “awakened,” and in that instant, the neighbors looked at her with a slightly friendlier gaze.

Aunt Zhu casually picked up the bamboo basket from the ground, peeked inside, and immediately raised her eyebrows: “You three can have a good New Year now.”

Jiang Ningning reached out to take it, but suddenly felt the weight beneath her hands. The bamboo basket immediately dropped to the ground.

Inside the basket, there was a piece of pork that weighed just over a pound and two large potatoes the size of fists.

The two little ones, as well as the neighbors, were accustomed to seeing her delicate and weak.

In the end, it was Manman who lifted the basket. It was slightly difficult, but his steps towards home were steady and firm.

Jiang Ningning’s cheeks turned red as she covered her face. She was no better than a four-year-old child.

At this moment, her sleeve was gently tugged twice.

Jiang Ningning moved her fingers aside and discovered that Xiaxia was trying to pull her into the house. Xiaxia’s little face was serious, and her cheeks puffed out, making her look so cute that you’d want to pinch them.

Actually, Xiaxia had indeed extended her hand, but the little one suddenly turned her head in shock and looked at her warily.

Jiang Ningning thought about the original owner’s actions and temporarily gave up on the idea of getting closer to the little ones. She allowed Xiaxia to pull her sleeve as they walked back into the house.

The wooden door closed, blocking the curious gazes from the outside, and the little hand that had been tugging on her sleeve was decisively let go.

Xiaxia quickly ran to her brother’s side.

The siblings looked at the pork in the bamboo basket, swallowing their saliva.

“Manman, I want to eat meat.” Xiaxia could hardly remember the last time they ate meat.

As soon as the craving hit, her stomach let out a loud growl.

Her delicate little face immediately turned bright red.

Manman also craved meat, but the problem was, he couldn’t cook. He only knew how to boil potatoes in water and roast sweet potatoes.

His brows furrowed so tightly that it looked like they could tie a knot. “Forget it, it doesn’t matter. Just boil it in water.”

Suddenly, the bamboo basket was lifted into the air.

It was Mom!

The two little ones felt an overwhelming sense of disappointment in their hearts. Why hadn’t Mom changed? Was she still going to use that piece of meat to “show filial piety” to Grandpa and Grandma?

Manman angrily tiptoed and grabbed one side of the basket. “Jiang comrade, Aunt Zhu said we could eat this piece of meat.”

Xiaxia nodded while tears rolled down her face.

It seemed as though Jiang Ningning was some kind of villain who bullied children!