Chapter 3: The Uncle’s Family is Bullying Too Much

Suddenly, the surroundings fell into dead silence. 

Everyone turned to look, especially her grandmother, whose face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. The villain accused first: “Sneaking around and eavesdropping on adults talking, you little brat have no manners at all.” 

Jiang An’an innocently tilted her head: “I’m just worried about Grandma.” 

Old Lady Jiang: ??? 

Others: ??? 

“Arranged marriages are illegal; you might even get shot! They’re cracking down nationwide, haven’t Uncle and Aunt told you?” 

Almost immediately, the fierce old lady’s expression showed hesitation. 

“What nonsense are you talking about, you little brat?” Aunt Liu saw the situation was not in her favor and charged forward, raising her hand to deliver a slap. 

“Smack!” 

An even louder slap landed on her face first, stunning her and leaving everyone in the room with expressions like they had seen a ghost. 

“Auntie, your sudden appearance scared me to death,” Jiang An’an pretended to clutch her chest in feigned terror. 

A child raised in an orphanage was never one to wait around to be bullied. Besides, in her previous life, she had encountered many rural women who were more selfish and vicious than Aunt Liu. 

She was just one who was even more shameless! 

Aunt Liu was seething with rage: “Have you lost your mind?” 

Jiang An’an nodded seriously: “Yes, my brain got knocked around just now. It’s still all your family’s fault, and you wouldn’t hold it against a patient, would you?” 

Everyone: “…” 

Aunt Liu was left speechless. 

Crazy! 

The wretched girl is truly insane!! 

“I’m not thinking clearly right now. If I were to write an article about your family’s arranged marriage scandal and submit it to the newspaper, it would let the whole country know that my grandma, for Uncle and her two cousins working in the factory, is promoting feudal arranged marriages at home.”

Jiang An’an deliberately paused, and a small dimple appeared at the corner of her raised lips: “Once Grandma and Uncle’s family are collectively sent to the farm for re-education, as a beloved granddaughter, I will definitely come to visit you.” 

She is truly filial! 

Now that the campaign to eliminate the Four Olds is underway, arranged marriages are considered feudal remnants and are strictly prohibited. Once reported, they wouldn’t be able to get out for at least ten or eight years. 

The old lady’s chest heaved violently, feeling like she would be infuriated on the spot: “Quick, grab that little brat and lock her in the firewood room! I don’t believe that starving her for three days and nights won’t break her stubborn mouth!” 

“Great!” Jiang An’an encouraged, “Once I escape, the first thing I’ll do is report my uncle to the police!” 

Suddenly being named, Uncle Jiang: “……” Why does that little brat want to be the first to report him! 

Lacking love, he originally thought he could use filial piety to control the situation and easily settle this marriage, but he never expected a twist to occur because of Jiang An’an, this troublesome girl. 

What’s the point of a little girl reading so many books? 

Now she has grown wings and refuses to be disciplined, and she even wants to send her grandma and uncle to prison herself; she’s really gone too far with her filial piety! 

His shrewd eyes quickly flashed with resentment, and Uncle Jiang angrily reprimanded his stunned younger brother: “Er, what are you doing interrupting when adults are talking? You should discipline Jiang An’an properly, or else if she causes a scandal after marrying into the Qin family, it will disgrace the Jiang family!” 

“An’an is not well-behaved; it would be just right for Jiang Zhizhi to marry over there,” Jiang Degui retorted sarcastically: “Does the elder brother think I’m a fool? The Qin family is known as a difficult household in the Hongqi Commune; they are so poor they can’t afford a bride price, and all eight sons are still single. Let your daughter enjoy such a great fortune.” 

Even if Jiang An’an didn’t cause such a scene, Jiang Degui would never agree to the marriage exchange. Would he trade his niece for a wife for his son? He’s not that easy to bully! 

“We have already discussed it with the Qin family; it’s a done deal!” Aunt Liu proudly lifted her chin: “Anyway, Jiang An’an is not the true descendant of the Jiang family… Ah! Lin Meiru, what are you doing?” 

Suddenly, Lin Meiru, looking imposing, waved a broom and sent Uncle Jiang’s family running in all directions in a panic. 

“Bah! Want to control the daughter of your old lady? Mother, if you don’t want to live anymore, just say the word, and I’ll accompany you. We can continue our mother-daughter relationship in the underworld.” 

“Uncle, tomorrow I’ll go to the commune and ask the leaders about such ungrateful and immoral people who exchange cousins for marriage. Do they still have the right to continue working at the factory?” 

“From now on, anyone who dares to touch An’an’s marriage will be the first to report her uncle to the police.” 

“Get lost! Your whole family, get out of here!” 

… 

The courtyard was instantly thrown into chaos.

The couple was filled with burning anger as they worked together to kick Uncle Jiang’s entire family out. They leaned against the door, sitting on the steps, catching their breath. 

Jiang An’an looked at them with sparkling eyes: “Dad, Mom, you’re amazing.” 

Their little girl was soft and delicate, and her clear, beautiful eyes were full of admiration for her parents, filling them with a sense of pride. 

“An’an, you’ve been wronged. I won’t let this go,” Lin Meiru began to calculate how much she needed to take from Uncle Jiang’s family to compensate her daughter for the unwarranted disaster she faced. 

Jiang Degui lowered his head in shame: “I’m sorry for you, but don’t worry, your marriage will only happen if you agree. Your parents won’t make any decisions without your consent.” 

This was truly an unexpected joy! 

Jiang An’an smiled even more sincerely, her little mouth showering them with praise: “I must have done countless good deeds in my past life to be lucky enough to be your daughter. You are simply the greatest, most reasonable, and wisest parents in the world.” 

The two looked at each other, realizing that their daughter saw them in such a grand light. Clearly, Jiang An’an could have had a better life, yet she unexpectedly came to the old Jiang family to suffer. For over a decade, she never wallowed in self-pity but instead was very grateful. 

They hadn’t done enough for An’an in the past; they must give their all in the future! 

Jiang Degui’s gaze fell on the thick bandage on his daughter’s forehead, and he was startled: “Does your head still hurt, An’an? What did the doctor say?” 

Jiang An’an’s eyes curved with a smile: “I had some medicine at the hospital, and my head doesn’t hurt much now. The team leader even granted me a month and a half of leave.” 

Hearing this, Jiang Degui was extremely envious: “That Luo is really generous; I should have bumped my head too.” 

“Can’t you see our daughter’s face is still pale? Hurry and make her some egg and brown sugar water to replenish her blood and energy,” Lin Meiru instructed. 

Without a second thought, Jiang Degui entered the house, took an egg from the cupboard, cracked it into a big bowl, added three generous spoonfuls of brown sugar, and poured in hot water, quickly making a simple yet fragrant egg and brown sugar drink. 

Normally, Jiang Degui would have sneaked a few sips, but seeing his daughter’s weak appearance, he didn’t touch it at all and directly handed it to Jiang An’an: “I added a couple more spoonfuls of sugar, it’s sweet, so drink it while it’s hot.” 

The egg and brown sugar drink had a slightly strong fishy taste, but it was a rare nourishing delicacy in this era. Jiang An’an’s eyes suddenly turned a bit red, and she hurriedly lowered her eyelids, sipping it slowly.