Chapter 52.2

Everything went smoothly in the beginning, although there were some minor problems, but they were all solved. Later on, a big killer suddenly came. A sixty-year-old woman complained in front of her, crying that her life was not easy when she was young. Her husband died early, and she became a widow at a young age, raising her children. After great difficulty, she got married and had children. As she was old, she was in poor health and had to take medicine frequently. All the money in the family was spent on medical treatment, and she could not afford her grandson’s tuition.

Jiang Suihan could see clearly that the child’s clothes had no patches and his little face was round and energetic. She must have been very favored at home. It was not like what Aunt Li said, that the family was poor and could not taste meat for ten days or half a month, and the child was starving and thin. It was simply because Aunt Li was young and easy to talk to, so she wanted to avoid paying the extra tuition.

After figuring out Aunt Li’s desire to take advantage of her, Jiang Suihan responded with one strike. It was no problem if she didn’t have money to pay for tuition, she could borrow from the army leaders. She believed that the leaders of Aunt Li’s son would definitely be willing to help. If all else failed, she could help organize a charity donation in the family compound for free.

Aunt Li’s face changed, she looked droopy and raised her eyebrows. She didn’t expect that this time she would fail. She thought that Miss Jiang was tender-skinned and thin-skinned, and as long as she cried and expressed her feelings, the young female teacher would definitely soften her heart and not charge the money.

She used to do the same in the village. She was an orphan and a widow, and she was shameless. Sometimes the village chief got a headache when he saw her and was too lazy to care about her. It was just a little bit of profit, and it could buy her some peace and quiet. Occasionally, he would turn a blind eye and let her do what she wanted. She also understood the psychology of these people. She had always been successful in the past, but now she has failed and people don’t buy her tricks.

Her son had told her before that she must not make too much trouble, otherwise the leader would be angry and he would be expelled from the army and would have to return to his hometown. It was not easy to get into the army, where she had food and shelter and did not have to work every day. It was simply a god’s life. Aunt Li was reluctant to go back to her hometown and continue eating vegetable dumplings from the bottom of her heart.

In Aunt Li’s mind, her son is her top priority, her grandson comes second, and anyone who disrupts her comfortable life is an enemy who must be dealt with.

“No, you can’t go to the leader. I thought as a teacher, you’d have a bit of sympathy. With your appearance, you must not be short of a few bucks. Why don’t you just cover the tuition for me? There’s no need to bother the leader, who deals with important matters. How can you have the nerve to trouble him? Young people just don’t understand.”

This logic is unbeatable!

If I have money, I must use it to help you. Not helping is seen as lacking kindness and sympathy.

With such abilities, why not reach for the skies?

Jiang Suihan was both amused and exasperated: “Auntie, may I ask your surname?”

Aunt Li: “My last name is Li.”

Jiang Suihan, with a hint of a smile, responded, “I think that surname doesn’t suit you. You should be called ‘Li the Robber,’ as you’re so skilled at extorting money. If you don’t use that name, it’s a waste.”

Upon hearing this, Aunt Li was furious and wanted to grab Jiang Suihan by the hair—a trick she had mastered. Back in her hometown, she was known for being unbeatable in fights, at least among the top three in her village.

“This insolent girl, how dare you insult me and my grandson! I’m going to fight you!”

Jiang Suihan stayed alert, quickly stepping aside to avoid her, and taunted, “My straightforwardness is sincere. I’m just speaking the truth. You’re nobody to me, so why should I give you money? Helping you would be an act of kindness, not helping is just my right. Even if I were heartless, it would be better than you shamelessly trying to extort money. Your precious grandson is watching, and I worry he might pick up bad habits from you.”

Aunt Li’s grandson, with his round face and curious eyes, watched his grandmother with a mix of anticipation and confusion.

Children at that age are easily influenced, learning both good and bad behaviors from those around them.

Some people who haven’t faced such issues themselves are quick to criticize, thinking Jiang Suihan is being too harsh. They feel she should show more respect for the elderly. They also know that the Xu family is wealthy and doesn’t lack money for small expenses. They see Jiang Suihan’s new clothes, her watch, and the new bicycle she has, and wonder why she is so stingy.

Jiang Suihan almost rolled her eyes and responded directly: “It’s my money, and I choose how to spend it. Since you all are so sympathetic and kind, why not cover the cost yourself? Be generous. Aunt Li will remember your kindness. So, which one of you will quickly pay so I can register the child’s name?”

When it came to money, those who had been speaking up for Aunt Li fell silent. Money doesn’t come easily. A few yuan could buy two pounds of meat. They were careful with their own money and didn’t have extra to spare. They recalled Aunt Li’s reputation in the family compound—always crying poverty and trying to get a free ride. It wasn’t easy to avoid her once she had latched onto them.

Aunt Li’s son, a captain, had a decent salary, but the whole family, including an elderly mother, a wife, and two children, relied on his income. They lived modestly but not poorly, better than some families in the community. After all, they didn’t have to support extended family members as others did.

Aunt Li had been raised in hardship, developing a bad habit of seeking advantages wherever she could. As long as she didn’t have to spend her own money, she wanted to get as much as possible. For years, this approach worked for her, but she met her match with Jiang Suihan.

“You young girl, your heart is truly vicious. How dare you curse my good grandson? I’ll fight you!” Aunt Li was especially protective of her eldest grandson and couldn’t tolerate any criticism of him. She lunged at Jiang Suihan, claws out.

Here she goes again!

Jiang Suihan was quick on her feet, running behind the grandson to avoid Aunt Li. Aunt Li, rushing forward, lost her balance and tripped over her own feet.

“Ouch, my old back, it’s killing me!” Aunt Li fell to the ground, her face in the dirt, and clutched her lower back in pain.

Unable to leave her on the ground, several kind-hearted women helped her to the infirmary.

Even in her pain, Aunt Li didn’t forget Jiang Suihan. She continued to shout that Jiang Suihan should pay for her medical expenses and threatened to complain to the military leaders if she didn’t.

Jiang Suihan thought to herself how difficult it must be for military leaders, dealing with every complaint. Leadership is a tough job.

After hearing Jiang Suihan’s account, Principal Cai was somewhat surprised. Although Jiang Suihan appeared gentle and delicate, she was actually quite principled, brave, and unafraid of handling difficult situations. The Xu family’s choice of daughter-in-law was not a loss.

Principal Cai knew a bit about the Jiang family’s situation. Jiang Suihan’s father was deceased, leaving only Jiang Suihan and her younger brother. Compared to the Xu family, the Jiang family was less significant. When Xu Zhao’s mother sought a match for her son, the families considered were all better off than the Jiang family. However, it was undeniable that the Jiang family had done a favor for the Xu family, and for that, Jiang Suihan surpassed many other young women.

“No worries. In the future, when encountering unreasonable people like this, just follow the rules. Don’t be afraid to offend anyone. If anyone has complaints, just say it was my decision.”

Jiang Suihan nodded. “Got it, thank you, Principal Cai.”

With the clear directive from the principal, she felt more at ease.

Principal Cai checked the time and said, “I heard from Old Xu that Xu Zhao is away on a mission. It’s just you and your brother at home. Have lunch at Auntie’s place; she’ll cook something nice for you so you won’t have to cook for yourselves.”

It was a bit sudden, and Jiang Suihan felt uncomfortable: “It’s too much trouble for you to cook yourself. We can just eat at the cafeteria.”

Principal Cai smiled and said, “It’s no trouble at all. Xu Zhao should have mentioned it to you. I’ve known your mother-in-law for a long time. Xu Zhao often came to my house for meals when he was studying; he really liked my braised pork ribs. This morning, a neighbor brought back two pounds of ribs. You should come over and taste my cooking. Everyone who has tried it says it’s delicious.”

She had originally planned to take care of Jiang Suihan more because of her connection with Su Ying and the Xu family, but now she found that this girl had a pleasant personality and was quite to her taste.

Considering the relationship between their families, it would seem a bit deliberate to decline further. Jiang Suihan agreed and, after tidying up, went to find Jiang Leyun, who had been running around with Zhao Xiaojun and was now nowhere to be seen.

“What are you two doing crouching there?”

The two children were crouched on the ground, poking the dirt with sticks and staring intently at something unmoving.

Jiang Leyun turned his head and said, “We’re looking for earthworms. Xiaojun said he’d take me fishing.”

Jiang Suihan immediately stopped in her tracks, not daring to approach. She could feel the goosebumps rising. She was most afraid of wriggling, soft-bodied creatures. Just seeing them made her break out in sweat, and her hands and feet would tremble.

Unconsciously swallowing, her voice trembled slightly: “We’re going to visit Aunt Cai’s house later, go wash your hands quickly.”

The little boy, not realizing his sister was afraid of earthworms, picked one up by the head and dropped it into a jar.

Jiang Leyun stood up, brushed off his hands, and said to Zhao Xiaojun, “I’ll go back now. I’ll come find you to play in the afternoon.”

Today was the school registration day. Classes would officially start the next day, so they had the entire afternoon to play.

Seeing her brother casually wipe his hands, which had touched the earthworms, on his clothes, Jiang Suihan’s scalp went numb. She held her breath and called out to him.

“Stop, don’t come over. Quickly go wash your hands thoroughly—inside and out, and make sure to clean between your fingers and under your nails. Hurry up.”

Jiang Leyun looked at his sister’s clearly disdainful expression and felt hurt: “What’s wrong, sister?”

At that moment, Zhao Xiaojun came over holding the jar. Jiang Suihan retreated further and nearly fainted.

Zhao Xiaojun glanced at the earthworms in the jar and suddenly realized, “I think your sister might be afraid of earthworms.”

Jiang Leyun also figured it out—his sister wasn’t disgusted with him.

The child, still having some sibling affection, tried to comfort his sister: “Don’t be afraid, earthworms don’t bite. If you don’t believe me, I can pick one up and show you?”

Jiang Suihan shook her head in terror: “I don’t want to see. Let’s go quickly.”

These two little troublemakers had been playing with ants a few days ago and now had moved on to earthworms. They would probably find something new to play with in a few days.

As they walked, Jiang Leyun tried to hold his sister’s hand. Jiang Suihan immediately pulled her hand away.

Jiang Leyun pouted: “I’ve washed my hands. Look, they’re clean.”

Jiang Suihan took a cursory glance and said, “Yes, they’re clean. Go home and change clothes first, then we’ll head over.”

She just couldn’t get past the mental block. The thought of her brother’s hand having touched earthworms triggered a strong physiological reaction.

Jiang Leyun sulkily muttered that he should have let Xiaojun catch the earthworms.

Back home, Jiang Suihan sent Jiang Leyun upstairs to change clothes while she went to the storage room. It wouldn’t be right to visit someone’s house empty-handed.