Chapter 22 If you can’t control your claws, chop them off

The children chatted away, each telling their names, and Ming Leyao smiled as she listened to their introductions. Some were lively, some shy, but all were cooperative. Ming Leyao felt the pure innocence and enthusiasm of the children. Next, she helped them get familiar with each other’s names, then had them write their own names several times at home to memorize them. She planned to check their writing the next morning. After that, she played some small games with the kids, and the whole morning passed quickly.

At noon, the children all went home for lunch, while Ming Leyao stayed in the grass hut, organizing the lessons for the afternoon. She nibbled on a bun slowly.

“Teacher Ming.”
Huh? It was the first time someone called her that, and Ming Leyao was a little stunned.

“Doctor Meng, I think you’re at the wrong door.”
“No, no, I’m here to find you. This is a letter Wen Cheng left when he left, for you.”
“A letter for me?? What letter?”
“Just read it yourself and you’ll know.”

Without waiting for Ming Leyao to ask any more questions, Meng Chaoqing turned and ran off.

Ming Leyao twitched her lips, put down the bun, and opened the envelope to unfold the letter.

“Leyao, by the time you read this letter, I will have boarded the train back to the army. Thank you for taking care of me during this time. My promises to you still stand…”

She thought back to when Fu Wencheng told her that if anything happened to her, she should tell him… this must be what he meant, right?

“This person… why can’t he just say it straight? Why so ambiguous?”

She patted her flushed cheeks and quickly put the letter away, tossing it into her space pocket.

So he really went back to the army — no wonder she hadn’t seen him. Hmph, if he’s leaving, why bother telling her at all?

The rest of the letter was mostly Fu Wencheng’s thanks, written carefully without any inappropriate words. Yet she could sense some restraint and endurance in it… but why?

Ming Leyao looked up, her eyes filled with confusion.

---

In the afternoon, Ming Leyao started teaching with simple numbers. After teaching ten numbers, she let the children go home to practice well.

She got home around four o’clock. In the yard, Old Master Cui was steadfastly sitting under a tree, rocking in his chair. Dogzi was lying at his feet, eyes half-closed, dozing.

Hearing her come back, Dogzi immediately perked up, wagging his tail as he ran over to her, whining and pawing at her pants with two little paws.

“All right, all right, I’ll give you extra food tonight. Someone’s home now.” She whispered this promise into Dogzi’s ear.

Dogzi understood and happily ran away… truly a pragmatic dog.

---

At dinner, Pang Jianyuan quietly came to Ming Leyao’s home carrying a big watermelon and a pound of pork belly.

“Uncle, what’s this for?”
“For my uncle. You don’t get any.”
“……”

So, love really can disappear, huh???

“Oh, little Pang, you’re too polite, too polite,” Old Master Cui said, mouth full, but his eyes nearly popped out looking at the round watermelon.

“Old man,” he said as his wife’s voice came, and Old Master Cui immediately straightened up.

It takes one to tame one — the suddenly spry old master had to be kept in check by Old Madam Cui.

“Ahem, little Pang, how’s it going with the matter?”
“Done, done. I came specially to see Uncle Cui.”
“All right, you’ve got a conscience.”

The old man couldn’t resist the watermelon anymore, grabbed it, and went to find his wife, planning to negotiate if they could eat a bit.

---

Pang Jianyuan sat next to Ming Leyao and told her what he had found out today.

“I asked Director Cui about that official. He works fairly well, but their couple’s character… can’t say they’re bad, just a bit discriminatory.”
“They discriminate against rural people so much, why did they agree to marry Ming Yuehe?”
“Ah, it’s for the kid. They think after they both pass away, the stupid son will be left here with no one to care for him. City girls are too proud and won’t marry him, so they have to look for a countryside girl.”
“Parents’ love is pitiful.”
“Yeah…”

Pang Jianyuan sighed too. He thought about how he and his wife had three sons once with strong backs, but now their backs were bent for their kids’ sake. No more pride like before—just heartbreak.

Ming Leyao thought for a moment but decided not to tell him about Ming Xiaojiang’s situation. Since Ming Xiaojiang hadn’t made up her mind, it wasn’t right to tell others. If Ming Xiaojiang refused, it would only ruin the girl’s reputation.

---

After dinner, Ming Leyao thought about Grandpa’s birthday tomorrow. It wouldn’t look good to come empty-handed, so after some consideration, she took out a few feet of indigo fabric. Hmm, enough to make a jacket.

People in the production team relied on earning work points, exchanging money and grain, unlike the city where you got commercial grain and had receipts. So, all year round they barely saved a few tickets, let alone buy cloth.

When Ming Leyao brought the cloth to the old family house, everyone inside looked like they saw gold, itching to grab it immediately.

Now that the era of extravagant birthday kowtowing was over, Ming Leyao handed the cloth to Old Master Ming and said a few auspicious words, then stood silently to the side.

When Qian Laidi saw the cloth, she couldn’t help herself and reached out to grab it, but Ming Leyao slapped her hand away.

“Ow, ow! Ming Leyao, you little brat, how dare you hit me?”
“If Great Auntie followed the rules, no one would have to hit you.”
“Hmph, now you think you’re big, don’t respect your elders?”
“Heh, Great Auntie, you’re the one not respecting elders. You dare snatch Grandpa’s things. I see you treat this family like your own, and everything has to go through you?”

Ming Leyao’s words struck the old lady’s nerve—she hated no one more than someone daring to seize her household power.

The old lady’s cloudy eyes glared fiercely at Qian Laidi and slapped her face hard.
“What nonsense! If your claws can’t be controlled, I’ll chop them off myself!”
“Mom, I didn’t, don’t listen to that little bitch’s lies.”
“I’m not blind yet.”

Qian Laidi stood aside, holding her slapped face, glaring venomously at Ming Leyao.

At this moment, Ming Yuehe stepped forward, holding the old lady’s hand and coquettishly said,
“Grandma, you know my mom’s temper, she means no harm.”

“Good girl, everything’s arranged, right?” The old lady winked at Ming Yuehe.

Ming Yuehe understood and nodded quickly, “Don’t worry, Grandma.”
“Hmm, go check why your Second Aunt hasn’t come yet.”