Chapter 39: Not Going
"You... Jiang Xiaoxiao, what do you mean? If you don’t want to save him, fine! But why are you slandering our Zhiyong? No matter what, he’s still your cousin!"
Jiang Laocheng was puzzled but didn’t forget to defend his son.
"Uncle, you should go back and see for yourself. And if I remember correctly, I saw my eldest cousin with a pregnant woman shopping a few days ago at the dormitory near the machinery factory! They bought quite a lot of things, and I think the woman is a widow from the factory’s infirmary named He Saifeng. Perhaps I was mistaken, but you should definitely check it out."
Uncle and Aunt’s own family matters were already in a mess, but they still came to point fingers at others.
Jiang Xiaoxiao decided it was better to keep them occupied.
So they wouldn’t cause trouble for others all the time.
Jiang Laocheng and Feng Guihua couldn’t sit still any longer.
Even though they tried to sound reasonable, they were very aware of what kind of person their son was.
The old lady was also worried, unsure of what her grandson had done.
Without any more squabbling with Jiang Xiaoxiao, the three of them hurriedly left, as hastily as they had arrived.
Fang Xiaohui looked at Jiang Xiaoxiao with mixed feelings! Could this woman be genuinely considerate towards her parents?
Would she really rather let her own parents use her, to replace her so-called third brother in going to the countryside, rather than help her biological parents receive some tangible benefits?
Has the world changed so much?
She couldn’t tell that people could have such deep emotional bonds?
She didn’t believe it.
At least the Fang couple didn’t have such deep parent-child emotions towards her.
The Jiang Xiaoxiao in her past life wasn’t like this. Wasn’t past Jiang Xiaoxiao the one who despised her the most?
Wasn’t it Jiang Xiaoxiao who clung to the Fang parent’s legs without letting go?
The world is changing too fast.
"Xiaoxiao, hurry up and eat, today we’ll take you out to prepare bedding and necessities for going to the countryside. We must prepare them in advance, or it’ll be too rushed when the time comes."
Fan Xiuying had her own plans.
Jiang Xiaoxiao nodded, keeping her head down while eating. Their breakfast was always millet porridge, a few cornmeal buns, and some pickles, something she had gotten used to.
Usually, she’d have a boiled egg added.
But today there were two boiled eggs.
Perhaps her parents didn’t want Fang Xiaohui to feel neglected and wanted to treat both daughters equally.
Fan Xiuying placed a boiled egg in Fang Xiaohui’s bowl, "Silly child, hurry and eat. You know our living standard isn’t as good as the Fang family, but you’ll have to slowly get used to it. After all, this is your home, and it’s beneficial to adapt early since you’ll be living here from now on."
Fang Xiaohui bit into the corn bun.
In reality, the Fang family’s situation wasn’t that much better.
Fang Zhiyuan and his wife spent in many places and usually ate in the cafeteria.
The cafeteria also mainly offered corn buns.
With rations limited, they had to exchange scarce refined grains for coarse grains, or they’d run out before the month ended.
The cafeteria’s corn buns weren’t as tasty as homemade ones. At least Fan Xiuying added a bit of white flour to the corn dough.
It was less harsh on the throat.
"Xiaoxiao, are you really not going back to the Fang family?"
Fang Xiaohui was unwilling to give up.
"Not going back! To tell you the truth, I’ve already registered for the countryside youth program, and the notice is posted on the alley’s committee board. Being assigned to the countryside is guaranteed and nobody can change that name. So, you’d better tell Ye Hua and Fang Zhiyuan to stop plotting against me."
Jiang Xiaoxiao didn’t hold back, peeling a boiled egg, splitting it in half, putting one half into her mom’s mouth, and the other into her dad’s.
With a swift move, her parents couldn’t stop it, and it went straight into their mouths.
Spitting it out was impossible, and swallowing felt awkward because they had eaten their daughter’s treat. Both felt guilty.
"You child, always like this!"
Jiang Xiaoxiao had a cheeky grin that left people helpless.
Fan Xiuying was at a loss. Since when had this child suddenly become so carefree?
Yet, she was so endearing.
Fang Xiaohui held the peeled egg awkwardly.
Whether to eat or not eat, she was upset with Jiang Xiaoxiao.
Why pretend to be nice?
And in front of so many people, if she pretends, what is Fang Xiaohui supposed to do?
Food was scarce as is, and Fang Xiaohui wanted her share of nutrition.
Now it was a mess.
Fang Xiaohui split the egg and with a quick think, she handed half to Jiang Lei.
Now each had half.
"Third Brother, eat it!"
She passed it to Jiang Lei.
She doubted that he, as a grown man, would eat it.
But who knew, Jiang Lei took it eagerly.
Laughing shamelessly.
"Thanks! Jiang Xiaoxiao, you’ve never considered me your third brother, look! I, too, have an egg to eat."
He triumphantly raised his hand, waving it as if demonstrating.
Jiang Xiaoxiao glanced at him, "Third Brother, how old are you? From now on, just call yourself Jiang Three-Year-Old. I’m done eating."
Patting her back, she left.
Washing dishes was out of the question.
Someone should let the dutiful daughter show a little.
She was just a spoiled kid.
Jiang Lei, frustrated, chased after Jiang Xiaoxiao, shouting, "You’re the three-year-old, you’re the Jiang March!"
Jiang Laocheng gave him a kick. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
"Enough already, shouting at your sister. Don’t you have any ambition? I’m telling you, the director said you should hurry up and learn to drive. Don’t wander these days! Go to the fleet and learn, how else can you take over?"
Jiang Laocheng’s position replacement was coming up.
This meant his son would replace him at work.
But they were a transport team, and having no driving license wasn’t an option.
Jiang Lei perked up immediately.
He saluted.
"Yes, Dad, I’ll pack up and follow you right now. Wherever you point, I’ll go! Following leadership’s instructions."
Jiang Laocheng was both amused and annoyed.
This son of his was a never-do-well.
Jiang Laocheng took Jiang Lei out.
They couldn’t wait any longer.
Fan Xiuying hesitated, initially planning to take only Jiang Xiaoxiao to buy things, but worried Fang Xiaohui might feel left out.
After all, she was her biological daughter.
Afraid she’d overthink.
Fan Xiuying had to call both daughters out together.
"You both come with me to buy things, and see what we need."
She couldn’t completely balance it.
But she’d do what she could.
Jiang Xiaoxiao didn’t mind; in fact, she didn’t want her parents to buy things.
Except for bedding! Other things could be dealt with upon reaching the village.
It was a long journey.
She didn’t believe her small frame could carry all that stuff.
Fang Xiaohui frowned, "Mom, I won’t go. I don’t need anything."
She had plans to meet Ye Hua and them today.
Jiang Xiaoxiao had already signed up for countryside youth.
If she didn’t inform them, those two might blame her instead.
Fang Xiaohui was so worried she couldn’t sleep all night.
The urgent task was to see if there was a way, to remove Jiang Xiaoxiao’s name from the local committee’s countryside assignment list.