Chapter 39.2

In the following days, Jiang Rou waited at home for news.

During the junior high school holiday, Jiang Rou took Li Xin to visit the county middle schools. The county had two middle schools: No. 3 Middle School and No. 4 Middle School.

Each school had its own strengths. No. 3 Middle School boasted a long history and a strong teaching staff, while No. 4 Middle School, which had been in operation for only a few years, was a private institution with newer teaching equipment. .

Some parents worried that their children’s grades might not stand out in No. 3 Middle School and that their children might not receive sufficient attention from teachers, so they preferred to send them to No. 4 Middle School.

No. 4 had shown impressive results recently, with some average students achieving high scores in the entrance exams, though they were the minority and most were still average.

Jiang Rou was unsure which school to choose, so she decided to visit both with Li Xin.

—o—o—o—

In the end, Li Xin chose No. 4 Middle School.

It wasn’t that No. 3 Middle School was a poor choice, but Li Xin had a one-year dropout experience. To enroll there, she would need to start in the second year of junior high and navigate through various complicated procedures.

No. 4 Middle School, on the other hand, was more straightforward. They focused solely on academic performance. Knowing that Li Xin had good grades previously, they asked her to take a monthly math test for the second year of junior high on the spot. Li Xin spent over an hour and a half completing it and scored 82 out of 100. This score was quite impressive, considering the test’s difficulty. Few students in the school had achieved more than 80 points previously, and this was the result of her own effort in learning without a teacher.

The teacher immediately promised that there would be no need for complicated procedures; the school would handle everything. Furthermore, if Li Xin performed excellently in the high school entrance examination the following year, the school would offer her a scholarship.

Upon hearing about the scholarship, Li Xin’s eyes lit up.

However, the teacher then added, “Have you heard of Jin Dayou? He graduated from our school. When he first joined, he scored zero in two subjects. Yet, when attending the college entrance examination, he ranked second and was admitted to the provincial capital medical university last year. If you work hard, the teacher will be optimistic about you.”

“…”

Li Xin couldn’t help but feel disheartened. She seemed to hear about Jin Dayou everywhere.

Jiang Rou wanted to laugh. She was familiar with Jin Dayou’s story, which she had learned during a dinner at their house during the Chinese New Year.

She recounted that on the day of his final elementary school exam, Li Xiao had invited him out for lunch. Jin Dayou, in high spirits, had stolen some wine hidden by his grandfather and brought it along. They ended up drinking and sleeping the entire afternoon, missing the exam.

As a result, No. 3 Middle School did not take him, so he had to attend No. 4 Middle School.

At that time, No. 4 Middle School was new and struggling to attract students. Jin Dayou received special treatment; as long as his grades remained steady, the teachers overlooked his absences.

However, his high school years were tough, as he was closely monitored by his homeroom teacher every day.

As they left No. 4 Middle School, Li Xin’s expression remained indifferent.

Jiang Rou noticed Li Xin’s hesitation and said, “If you don’t like No. 4 Middle School, we can consider No. 3 Middle School. The teachers there are better, and even if the procedures are a bit complicated, what matters most is your performance.”

Li Xin quickly shook her head. “No, No. 4 Middle School is good enough. Starting from the second year at No. 3 Middle School would delay me by a year. Plus, if my brother-in-law can settle down in the south next year, I want to attend high school there, so we can all be together again.”

“Don’t worry, if there’s anything I don’t understand, I will ask the teachers.”

Jiang Rou agreed. “Yes, be proactive. The teachers seem to like you.”

Li Xin smiled.

The two rode the rented tricycle back home. The sun was quite strong, so Jiang Rou bought a straw hat for An An.

The straw hat was fastened on An An’s little head, concealing her whole face.

Li Xin squatted behind the tricycle, holding An An with one hand and an umbrella with the other to shield them from the sun.

From a distance, they looked both awkward and amusing.

—o—o—o—

By the time they got home, it was already noon. As soon as the tricycle stopped, Aunt Wang from next door came out.

Since Zhou Jian had left, their business had ceased. Recently, Aunt Wang had told Jiang Rou that she wanted to open a small shop in the vegetable market, selling inexpensive cigarettes and alcohol.

This business suited her and Uncle Wang, as they could manage it from home and earn some income.

Aunt Wang was the type to act on her ideas immediately. As soon as she mentioned it to Jiang Rou, she began preparations the very next day. She changed spots and rented a new piece of land, and she had been busy setting everything up for the past two days.

Jiang Rou was a little surprised to see her already busy with the new venture.

Aunt Wang had come out after hearing the noise from the tricycle. Seeing Jiang Rou, she couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve never seen a woman driving one of these before. You’re really brave.”

Jiang Rou got off the tricycle and turned to pick up An An.

An An was reluctant to get down, patting the sides of the tricycle with her tiny hands. Since it was made of iron, it became hot immediately, and as soon as An An touched it, she pulled her hands back with a yell.

She made two whimpering sounds and, after being picked up by Jiang Rou, clung to her neck, feeling wronged.

Jiang Rou turned her head and smiled at Aunt Wang. “It’s just faster than a bicycle; it’s not difficult.”

Noticing that An An seemed to be slightly burned, Jiang Rou quickly examined her little hand and gently blew on it. “Are you burned? Don’t touch it next time.”

An An buried her face in Jiang Rou’s neck.

Jiang Rou was already feeling hot, and holding a little furnace like An An made her feel even warmer.

Li Xin jumped down from the tricycle after closing the umbrella.

Seeing Li Xin’s lively demeanor, Aunt Wang was a bit relieved. Previously, when Jiang Rou wasn’t home, Li Xin was reluctant to come over for meals. Even when she did, she was very reserved. Now, she looked like a regular little girl with a shiny hairpin and a pretty dress.

Noticing that Aunt Wang seemed to be waiting for her specifically, Jiang Rou asked, “Did Li Xiao call? ”

Aunt Wang suddenly remembered and slapped her thigh. “Oh, I almost forgot! ”

Aunt Wang quickly relayed the news she had overheard in the vegetable market that morning. “It’s about your mother-in-law. I’ve been around the market these days, and today, while chatting with someone, I realized I hadn’t seen your mother-in-law for a few days. So, I asked around and heard that she’s had a fight with her stepdaughter and son-in-law.”

“It’s become quite a big deal. Your mother-in-law has a loud voice, so almost everyone in the neighborhood has heard about it. Apparently, the stepdaughter’s son stole some money from her. She pushed him, and then they started fighting.”

After a pause, she continued, “I decided to come back and tell you because, while your mother-in-law is indeed an unpleasant person, this situation has escalated to the point where even if you don’t know, people might not believe you if you tell them. Li Xiao isn’t home, and if something happens and Li Xiao isn’t around, you’ll be blamed as his wife.”

“This is the struggle of being a daughter-in-law. Even though your mother-in-law has always treated you poorly, you still have to take care of her when she’s on her last legs. If you don’t, people will only say you’re heartless.”

Aunt Wang’s voice softened with empathy. “That’s why I remind you to be cautious. Your mother-in-law made efforts to deliver food last year, even if it wasn’t always good. To outsiders, she looked like a good mother-in-law. Both you and Li Xiao are good people. Don’t let this situation cause you undue hardship.”

Jiang Rou nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Aunt Wang. I really didn’t know about this.”

She appreciated Aunt Wang’s concern and the fact that she treated her as a family member.

Aunt Wang touched An An’s feet gently. “I know you well enough. If I had known, I would have done something sooner. Be careful with the He family. Try to find someone who can help manage the situation.”

Jiang Rou agreed. She thought of the He family as a den of wolves. With Li Xiao away, she would likely face trouble if she went there herself and needed someone reliable to handle it.

After thanking Aunt Wang, Jiang Rou took An An and headed home.

—o—o—o—