Chapter 7

“Auntie Chuanhu, I’m not trying to make a big deal out of this, I just want Chuanhu to apologize to our Jun’an and promise never to bully him again,” Jiang Manyue said firmly.

Xu Mei knew she was in the wrong, and she didn’t dare go head-to-head with Jiang Manyue anyway—after all, Jiang had a tough, no-nonsense mother that she didn’t want to mess with.

“Alright, alright. When Chuanhu comes back, I’ll take him to the Lu family to apologize. If he ever bullies Jun’an again, I’ll beat the daylights out of him!” she said quickly.

Only then did Jiang Manyue look satisfied. She even taught Lu Jun’an how to politely say goodbye to Xu Mei before leaving the Jin family.

After bringing Lu Jun’an home and seeing no one was there, Jiang Manyue fetched some candies and white sugar cakes from her room and took Lu Jun’an to the Jiang family.

The Jiang kids were all playing in the courtyard. When they saw their little aunt holding hands with Lu Jun’an, they thought they were seeing things. How could their aunt be with that Lu family kid?

As Jiang Manyue walked closer with Lu Jun’an, she shook the treats in her hand. “Wanna eat some candy and sugar cakes?”

The kids immediately forgot all about their aunt holding Lu Jun’an’s hand—their eyes were glued to the sweets.

“If you want to eat them, you’ve got to agree to one condition. If you can do it, there will be treats like this often,” Jiang Manyue tempted.

The idea of getting treats often was too enticing. The eldest, Jiang Hong, looked up eagerly and asked, “Auntie, what’s the condition?”

Jiang Manyue gently pushed Lu Jun’an in front of them. “From now on, take him with you when you play. Don’t let anyone bully him. If you do that, I’ll keep bringing goodies. Deal?”

This didn’t seem like a big ask to the Jiang kids. Jiang Hong immediately nodded and agreed.

“Alright then, follow me to the main room. We’ll split up the goodies first, then you can all play together.”

Jiang Manyue led the group of children into the main room, where she divided up the treats, making sure Lu Jun’an got his share too.

Lu Jun’an received his portion, but after a moment’s thought, he pushed all his candy and cakes toward the others.

“Auntie bought it. You guys eat it.”

The Jiang boys were touched—what a thoughtful little brother, giving up all the tasty treats.

Jiang Hong patted his chest and promised right away, “From now on, you’re sticking with me. No one’s gonna mess with you!”

Lu Jun’an gave a shy smile. Once everyone had put their snacks away, they all started playing in the courtyard together.

There were no adults home at the Jiang house at the moment. Jiang’s father and a few older brothers were out working, while the mother and daughters-in-law were likely out gathering pigweed or firewood. Only Jiang Manyue was there, sitting and watching the children play in the yard.

A while later, Miao Xianghua (Jiang’s mother) and eldest daughter-in-law Lin Qiufang came back, each carrying a basket of firewood. They saw Jiang Manyue sunbathing in the courtyard.

“Manyue, are you staying for lunch?” Miao Xianghua asked, not even noticing that one of the kids playing in the yard was Lu Jun’an.

“No, I brought Jun’an here. I’ll take him home for lunch in a bit.”

That made Miao Xianghua pause, and Lin Qiufang was confused too. “Who? Who did you bring?”

Jiang Manyue pointed toward the children. “My little nephew. I brought him to play with Jiang Hong and the others. He’s always getting picked on by Jin Chuanhu and the others. Poor thing.”

Hearing his name, Jiang Hong looked up and called to his mother, Lin Qiufang. “Mom! Auntie brought us a ton of goodies! I hid the sugar cake under my pillow for you. I’ll give it to you later!”

Lin Qiufang was delighted. It wasn’t often the kids got treats, and one round of goodies like this would keep them happy for days.

Miao Xianghua was also pleased. Her daughter was thinking of the family—bringing treats for her nephews? She loved to see it.

“I had some ration coupons left. Since I was going into town today, I figured I’d bring something tasty for them.”

As she spoke, Jiang Manyue pulled out some fabric coupons from her pocket. “These are from my in-laws. I’ve got enough clothes, so here, Mom—you take them.”

Fabric coupons weren’t of much use to Jiang Manyue. She could always trade on the black market if she needed to. Giving them to Miao Xianghua seemed more worthwhile.

Miao Xianghua, knowing that Lu Lin sent plenty of money and ration tickets home every month, accepted them without hesitation.

Lin Qiufang, watching from the side, was happy too. Even if the coupons weren’t given to her directly, they’d likely be used to make clothes for the kids eventually—her own child included.

Looking at her sister-in-law today, Lin Qiufang found her more agreeable than ever. Smiling, she even took her mother-in-law’s firewood basket into the woodshed, leaving her to chat with Jiang Manyue.

“Manyue, how come you brought that Lu kid over? Your mother-in-law told you to?”

Jiang Manyue gave her mother a playful scolding look. “Mom, didn’t I tell you yesterday? I want to treat the Lu family better. Don’t we want Lu Lin to take care of us in the future?”

Miao Xianghua looked over at the happy Lu Jun’an, then back at her daughter, giving her a thumbs-up. “That’s my girl—smart as ever. Win over that kid, and the old folks from the Lu family will be pleased too. Who’s gonna find fault with you then?”

Jiang Manyue nodded. “Exactly. But Mom, from now on, stop calling him ‘that brat.’ Call him Jun’an. Otherwise, people might think I’m being two-faced.”

Miao Xianghua poked her forehead with mock annoyance. “Alright, alright, you and your schemes. I won’t call him that anymore, okay?”

Jiang Manyue leaned on her mother with a grin. “I know you’re smart too. Once we’ve got the Lu family wrapped around our fingers, we’ll be eating good every day.”

Tempted by her daughter’s sweet talk and still clutching the fabric coupons, Miao Xianghua beamed and nodded.

“Alright then, you rest here. I’m going to pick some vegetables from the garden.”

Jiang Manyue nodded, watching her mom leave for the backyard vegetable plot, then sat back down to watch the children play.

After a while, seeing it was nearly lunchtime, she stood up and called Lu Jun’an over.

“Jun’an, did you have fun just now?”

Lu Jun’an’s cheeks were rosy—this time from excitement.

“Yes!” he said brightly.

Jiang Manyue smiled and took him to wash his hands before getting ready to head home.

The Jiang kids were a little reluctant to let him go. Jiang Hong ran over and patted Lu Jun’an’s shoulder. “After our nap, we’ll come to your place and take you to the riverbank to catch crickets!”

Lu Jun’an happily agreed, setting up a playdate before he followed Jiang Manyue home.

When they returned to the Lu family, Li Guifen had just finished cooking. She stepped out of the kitchen and saw Jiang Manyue walking in, holding hands with a beaming Lu Jun’an.