Chapter 45: Dog Bites Dog

“Reporting me for not returning the betrothal gift?”

At the commune, Secretary Yang handed the anonymous letter of complaint to Jiang Anan, looking worried: “Little Jiang, I’ve already ordered everyone to stop discussing this matter at the commune, but the rumors won’t stop. We need to deal with it as soon as possible.”

This anonymous letter was about the complaint regarding the cheap grandmother’s arranged marriage. It claimed that the Jiang family had taken the betrothal gift after breaking off the engagement but was shameless in keeping it. As for the gift money…

…half a bag of corn?!

The Qin family was too stingy, wasn’t it?

Jiang Anan was instantly amused: “The corn in my house is used to feed the chickens.”

Obviously, this anonymous letter was intended to cause trouble for her. It could be a big deal or a small deal. If she wasn’t careful, she could lose her internship position.

“This marriage was arranged by my uncle. If anyone is to be harmed, it’s his daughter’s reputation.” Jiang Anan wasn’t worried at all, she was even a little gloating.

The person behind this wanted to ruin her reputation, so she would let her aunt and the other party fight like dogs.

With this letter of complaint, Jiang Anan hummed a little tune as she went straight to her uncle’s house.

“You little vixen, what are you doing here?” Her aunt’s face was gloomy, and her tone was unpleasant.

Jiang Anan turned around and left: “Someone is spreading rumors about Jiang Zhizhi. I was kindly coming to tell you, but if you don’t appreciate it, then forget it.”

“Wait.” Her aunt called out to her, squeezing out a few words from between her teeth: “What do you mean?”

She stared at Jiang Anan warily, feeling that she was up to no good.

Jiang Anan handed her the letter of complaint: “Someone is speaking up for the Qin family, saying that Jiang Zhizhi is keeping the half bag of corn betrothal gift and refusing to return it. Now the whole commune is talking about it.”

Her aunt put her hands on her hips and spat on the ground: “What does it have to do with our Zhizhi? The Qin family originally arranged the marriage for you.” Obviously, she was very proud, forgetting that she could also take the opportunity to cheat Jiang Anan out of the betrothal gift.

Jiang Anan smiled and tilted her head: “Really? My parents didn’t agree. Anyway, whoever receives the betrothal gift is the one who marries the daughter. Even if it gets out, it’s our family who is in the right. Forget it, good intentions are met with ingratitude. It’s still early, I’ll take some melon seeds and go chat with Granny Zhu.”

Granny Zhu was known for being a gossip. The secrets she knew would definitely be spread throughout the village by the next day.

“No!”

Her aunt snatched the letter of complaint and hid it in her chest.

Jiang Anan’s smile became even brighter: “Aunt, you’re a smart person. I believe you will handle Zhizhi’s matter well.”

Her aunt was so angry that she was panting heavily, feeling extremely frustrated.

The little vixen was right. The betrothal gift was received by the eldest branch. If it gets out, others will also misunderstand that the Qin family arranged the marriage for Jiang Zhizhi.

“Bah! With the Qin family’s conditions, they want to marry her beautiful daughter?

Wait…

Could it be that the Qin family spread the rumors, trying to extort money from her family?

Jiang Anan achieved her goal and turned to leave.

She had only walked halfway when Granny Jiang came in from outside, carrying a hoe, looking at her with a complex expression. If it were any other time, the old woman would have pointed her nose and cursed at her.

“Granny…” Jiang Anan’s smile remained unchanged, but her eyes were calm. It was just a title, she always did things flawlessly.

As they passed each other, Granny Jiang said meaningfully: “You’re not like a Jiang family member at all. The eldest son won’t lose anything if he falls into your hands.”

She was practically saying that Jiang Anan was cunning and ruthless.

Jiang Anan didn’t bother to argue. She left the house and walked home. This indifferent attitude made the old woman furious.

Lion dancing, in the south, older generations prefer to call it “awakening the lion.”

During these ten years of hardship, it was banned as feudal superstition.

Uncle Lin Jiefang had always been closest to Lin Meiru. Hearing his younger sister’s request, he immediately asked the team leader for leave and came to explain the matter.

Jiang Anan was a little scared and sincerely thanked him: “Thank you, Uncle. If you hadn’t reminded me, I would have made a mistake.”

It also reminded her to think things through carefully and avoid certain taboos.

Lin Jiefang: “This is something we know among ourselves. Even your father and second uncle don’t know. You can rest assured.”

Speaking of her second uncle, Lin Meiru’s face suddenly became very ugly, suggesting that something unpleasant had happened there.

“Your mother told me you’re going to arrange programs? Lion dancing is not allowed, you can do revolutionary model operas. I happen to know someone who is an expert in this field.”

Revolutionary model operas are a special term for stage art works, mainly dramas, such as the Peking Opera “Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy” and “The Red Lantern.”

Peking Opera is a national treasure, and everyone is familiar with it. It’s not only lively but also can extend the duration.

Jiang Anan flatteringly poured him a cup of hot water: “Uncle, can you help me invite the expert? Don’t worry, I won’t let her work for free. This time, the three departments are jointly organizing the event, and we’ve specially prepared some prizes for the members who participate in the performance.”

“What prizes?” Lin Meiru pricked up her ears.

Jiang Anan smiled: “A small piece of pork. I guess each person will get a palm-sized piece. Although it’s small, it’s rare, a rare treat.”

The whole family was stunned.

Lin Meiru suddenly slapped her thigh hard: “Oh, I forgot to get some pork from my third son-in-law.” She was so regretful, she glared at Lin Jiefang: “It’s all your fault for rushing me.”

Lin Jiefang awkwardly scratched his nose and turned to Jiang Anan: “I can help you invite that expert. She’s not having a good time at her husband’s house, maybe you’ll need to help her.”

Jiang Anan looked at her uncle suspiciously. A single, unmarried young man paying extra attention to a married woman, could it be that he’s interested in her?

Lin Jiefang lowered his head and drank water slowly under her knowing gaze, his ears turning slightly red.

Jiang Anan: !!!

Her grandparents were very concerned about face, would they agree to this?

She smiled slightly: “You can tell the expert that now we advocate freedom of divorce. As long as she’s in the right, the Women’s Federation will help her.”

That’s exactly what he was waiting for. Lin Jiefang gave her a thumbs up: “You’re our most outspoken niece, so awesome!”

Night.

Lin Meiru lay in bed, the more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

“Your younger brother has been consistent for so many years. Everyone has their own fate, don’t worry about it.” Jiang Degui couldn’t help but advise.

“I’m not worried about that, I’m angry about the ‘good match’ my second sister-in-law told me about.” Lin Meiru gritted her teeth and sat up abruptly: “She actually said that Anan was defiled by a hooligan. Since her innocence is ruined, she might as well marry the widower at the end of the village, who is over forty, as his second wife.”

Jiang Degui was furious: “It’s fine if others say bad things, but why is she siding with them? That widower’s oldest son is older than Anan.”

Lin Meiru: “The most infuriating thing is that Mother also persuaded me, saying that if she misses this widower, no one will want Anan anymore. He’s willing to pay one yuan as a betrothal gift. Damn Jiang Yongsheng, he’s ruined Anan.”

Thinking about this, her eyes couldn’t help but turn red: “Her father’s death anniversary is coming up soon, how can I explain it to him?”

Jiang Degui’s brow was furrowed with worry: “We still need to find a good husband for Anan as soon as possible…”

After a long silence.

“What do you think of Zhou Yinghuai?”