Chapter 5 Fist Warning

Jiang Li knew this was a good price and wanted to sell quickly, so she agreed.  Seeing Jiang Li’s agreement, the family buying the job position happily paid the 1600 yuan in front of Director Hu. Jiang Li put the money away; she needed to buy things before going to the countryside.  Seeing her son’s job sold by Jiang Li, Xia Meifeng sat on the ground and wailed. Jiang Li glanced at Xia Meifeng.

Oh, this wicked woman is crying too soon; there’s more crying to come. The neighbors found Xia Meifeng’s reaction absurd.  They didn’t understand why she was crying; Jiang Li had only temporarily given the job to Jiang Chengye.  Jiang Li was satisfied with the outcome. After thanking Director Hu, she went home.

 She was starving; she needed to eat. If it weren’t for the Jiang family’s shenanigans, she wouldn’t have gone without food.  With no one paying attention, Xia Meifeng was helped up by Jiang Wan, looking dejected.  Besides Jiang Li, the other four members of the Jiang family suffered significant setbacks.

  Especially Jiang Wenjun. He was a minor leader in the factory, and now he’d lost his job, and he didn’t know how he’d be ridiculed. It was all that damn Jiang Li’s fault. If it weren’t for her, he wouldn’t be in this situation. 

Returning home, Jiang Wenjun yelled at Jiang Li, “Jiang Li, are you satisfied now? I’m your father! How could you make me lose my job?” Jiang Li was almost amused by Jiang Wenjun’s shamelessness. She didn’t indulge him and retorted, “That’s a funny thing to say.  Your job loss is due to your and Xia Meifeng’s indecent behavior!  You two having an affair… If you keep talking, I’ll report you, and you’ll both be paraded through the streets and pelted with rotten eggs.” Jiang Wenjun’s face turned pale.

Although Jiang Li was telling the truth, he couldn’t stand being scolded like this by his daughter. Why did he have such a rebellious daughter?  If he had known this would happen, he would have killed her at birth. Xia Meifeng, also fueled by anger, scolded Jiang Li, “If you hadn’t caused trouble, your father wouldn’t have lost his job. You’re so cruel at such a young age; you don’t care about your father’s life or death.

” Jiang Li glanced at the shameless couple and didn’t bother arguing.  For shameless and unreasonable people, fists were the best solution. Jiang Li raised her fist at Xia Meifeng, warning, “Do you want another beating? I don’t mind giving you another one.” Remembering Jiang Li’s previous punches, Xia Meifeng felt her bones ache.  Xia Meifeng was instantly brought back to her senses.

 Not only did Xia Meifeng stop talking, but Jiang Wenjun, Jiang Chengye, and Jiang Wan were also intimidated into silence by Jiang Li’s strength. Seeing their compliance, Jiang Li sneered, “Cowards.”  Jiang Li went to the kitchen. The food was already cooked and kept warm. The food was quite plentiful: wood ear stir-fry with eggs, stir-fried potato shreds, and seaweed shrimp soup. The main course was mixed grain rice, with a few corn cakes on the side. In the 1970s, food and clothing were scarce.

For many families, having enough to eat was a blessing; good food was rare, and meat was even harder to come by. Ordinary families might only eat meat a few times a month. Conditions in the countryside were even worse; they might not eat meat for months. Jiang Wenjun was a minor leader in the factory, so his family’s food was better than that of ordinary workers; if not meat, at least eggs.

 Of course, in the past, the original owner didn’t get to eat the good food. Jiang Li served the food and ate a large bowl of rice. Seeing Jiang Li eat so many eggs, Xia Meifeng and the others were agitated. They wanted to scold Jiang Li but swallowed their words.  The girl was not to be trifled with; they’d get beaten again. Unable to speak, they quickly got their chopsticks and tried to grab some food. 

But as soon as they reached for the food, Jiang Li slapped their chopsticks away. “You can’t eat until I’m full.” Jiang Wenjun was furious. “Jiang Li, how dare you be so unreasonable? I’m your father! How can you treat me like this? You’re so heartless; aren’t you afraid of being struck by lightning?” Jiang Li scoffed, “If you’re not afraid of being struck by lightning, why should I be? If heaven has eyes, it should strike scumbags like you first.

 Stop talking, or I’ll hit you.” Jiang Li slapped the table, silencing Jiang Wenjun.  Jiang Wenjun didn’t dare to use his chopsticks, and neither did Xia Meifeng and the others. Jiang Li was crazy now; she even dared to hit her own father, let alone them. Seeing their compliance, Jiang Li happily continued eating.

 The original owner’s body was frail; she needed to eat well to recover. Jiang Li ate two large bowls of rice and all the dishes.  The main course was left, but not a single dish. Xia Meifeng was annoyed. She wanted to speak but, seeing Jiang Li’s dark expression, she didn’t dare to say anything.

After eating her fill, Jiang Li returned to her room to rest. The house, left by the original owner’s grandfather, was spacious, with four rooms, so everyone had their own room. However, the original owner’s room was the smallest, with only a desk and a small bed. Jiang Li found it too small and decided to move to Jiang Wan’s room. She carried her bedding and threw Jiang Wan’s bedding out of the room.

 Jiang Wan asked anxiously, “Jiang Li, what do you mean? Why are you taking my room?” Jiang Li coldly looked at Jiang Wan. “Your room? This house was left by my grandfather. You’re only living here because of me. I can live wherever I want. If you don’t like it, get out!” Xia Meifeng quickly pulled Jiang Wan.

 “Okay, don’t say anything. Don’t offend her. Let her live wherever she wants.”