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Shen Xiuying and her mother-in-law went straight to Wu Tianyou’s house.
Liu Shuhong had just woken up when she saw them.
Thinking about yesterday’s “good news,” Liu Shuhong looked at them with much kinder eyes than usual.
“Oh my, isn’t this Ayuan’s mother and grandmother? What’s the occasion so early in the morning? What brought you two here?”
“Tianyou’s mother, just woke up?” Grandma Cheng didn’t want to mention Ayuan’s outburst yesterday, so she went straight to the point:
“Didn’t you take our Ayuan to a matchmaking yesterday? How did it go? Did the other side agree?”
Mentioning this, Liu Shuhong’s smile almost couldn’t be hidden.
“Oh, I was just thinking of going over to your place later. That blind date yesterday—well, the man fell, broke his leg and arm, and is now in the hospital.”
“What?!” Shen Xiuying and her mother-in-law were shocked.
“How did that happen?”
“All thanks to Ayuan—she really did us a huge favor. With her constitution, no man with a weak fate can get close. I was busy yesterday, so I didn’t come back with her. I gave her 100 yuan. Did she mention it to you?”
A hundred yuan was no small sum.
“You gave her 100 yuan?” Grandma Cheng repeated.
“She helped my brother get rid of a mortal enemy. Of course, I couldn’t let her go unrewarded. What, she didn’t tell you?”
“That man—where exactly did he fall? He won’t try to make Ayuan pay compensation, will he?” A blind date almost killed, what kind of reputation would that leave? Who would dare marry her?
“What are you saying? He fell by himself, nothing to do with Ayuan. Yesterday, I also brought back some mung bean cakes from the county. Take them home and enjoy.”
That put their hearts at ease.
“For now, don’t rush to arrange any more marriages for Ayuan. From now on, her marriage is in my hands. Don’t worry—I’ll make sure you’re satisfied, and you won’t lose out.”
It was the first time Liu Shuhong had spoken so politely. Normally, relying on her elder brother being a factory director at a state-run plant, she always had her nose in the air when working in the team.
“You’d better be sure about this. That man’s injury really has nothing to do with our Ayuan—don’t come back later to cause trouble.”
“Rest assured, it won’t.”
On the way back, Shen Xiuying was still dazed.
“Mother, did you understand what she meant? She introduced that man, he broke his legs, yet she’s not angry at all—she’s actually happy? And now she says Ayuan’s marriage will be handled by her. What does that mean?”
The old woman rolled her eyes.
“Stupid! It’s clear as day. That man she introduced to Ayuan must’ve been her enemy. Now that he’s injured, of course she’s delighted. And as for Ayuan’s future matches, she wants to use Ayuan to deal with her enemies! Hah. Ayuan helped her in such a big way, and she only gave us a few boxes of mung bean cakes—what a stingy woman.”
“She also said she gave Ayuan 100 yuan.”
“That damned girl—took the money and dared hide it from us!”
“She just went to enroll Fangfang.”
“Let’s go! We need to take that money back. She can’t be allowed to spend it. Fangfang’s had enough schooling. She knows how to read and count—that’s more than enough. She doesn’t need to study anymore.”
The two of them hurried toward Xinghuo Elementary.
Teacher Chen had always thought highly of Afang’s studies. When he heard she wasn’t allowed to attend school anymore, he’d even gone to Grandma Cheng to persuade her, only to be scolded and driven out.
So when he learned Afang could return, he was overjoyed. He quickly registered her, handed her textbooks, and said warmly:
“Cheng Yuanfang is an excellent student. It would be such a waste if she couldn’t study. Thank goodness she has a sensible sister.”
Handing Afang the books, he told her to sit in the classroom—it was almost time for lessons.
Afang’s eyes sparkled. Hugging her new textbooks, she happily said goodbye to her sister and skipped into class.
“Teacher Chen, she will continue her studies from now on. If she has any difficulties, please take extra care of her. From now on, anything about her schooling, I’ll handle personally—you don’t need to ask anyone else.”
For a moment, Teacher Chen was stunned.
He’d heard of Afang’s second sister before—always described as a docile, obedient girl who listened to her family’s every word. Who would have thought she would go against them just to keep her sister in school?
Clearly, she cherished her younger sister and understood that studying was the only way out.
Just as Cheng Yuanyue left the school gates, Shen Xiuying and Grandma Wen Siying blocked her path.
“Ayuan, what are you doing here? We just saw you bring Afang over. Where is she? Why are you alone?”
Cheng Yuanyue shrugged.
“I brought her here to study, of course. What, are you two here to pay her tuition fee? It’s 52 yuan in total. Hand it over.”
“How dare you ask us for money! We just came from Wu’s place—Liu Shuhong said she gave you 100 yuan yesterday. Hand it over.” Grandma Wen stuck out her hand.
“You haven’t married yet. Every penny you have belongs to the family.”
Cheng Yuanyue narrowed her eyes at that rough, calloused hand.
“So you want money?”
“Of course. Your money is the family’s money. Shouldn’t you hand it over?”
“I already used it—to pay tuition.”
“Who agreed to let Afang study? She’s had a few years already. She can read and count—that’s enough. Your brother’s about to get married. Every cent should be saved for his bride price, not wasted on her school. Now stop talking nonsense and come home with us. Don’t embarrass the family.”
Yuanyue said coldly:
“If it’s for my big brother, then let him come ask me himself.”
Grandma Wen didn’t catch the hidden warning in her tone and just snorted.
“That’s more like it. Come on, let’s go home.”
She was satisfied enough knowing the money would eventually go to Jiafu.
Yuanyue didn’t reply. She walked silently ahead, greeting fellow villagers sweetly as usual when they passed.
When they were almost home, Wen Siying smelled something wrong—smoke billowed from the kitchen, carrying a burnt stench.
She glared at Yuanyue.
“Did you leave the stove burning when you left? What were you cooking? It reeks of burnt food.”
Before she could finish, out stumbled Cheng Jiafu—covered head to toe in soot, his forehead hair partly singed, coughing and looking utterly miserable.
Seeing her once-proud eldest brother reduced to such a sorry state, Yuanyue couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Shen Xiuying’s heart ached at the sight of her precious son.
“Jiafu! What happened to you? How did you end up like this?”
Grandma Wen’s eyes also softened immediately.
“Jiafu, why are you up so early? What happened? Look at you, child…”
Grinning through the soot, Jiafu showed two rows of white teeth.
“Mom, Grandma—I made breakfast for you. Go taste it quickly!”
The two women exchanged a look.
“Made breakfast…?”