Make a Fortune and Become Well-off [90] - Chapter 200

“Hehua has always done well in school. Just look at the awards posted on the walls.”

Although Jiang Hehua’s family had built a new house, her awards from childhood were still taken from the old house and posted on the walls of the new one. The walls were covered with awards, and anyone who entered the village chief’s house would be dazzled by the golden certificates.

These awards weren’t just Hehua’s; her brother also did well in school, and every year they received awards.

Even though they were now in high school and no longer at the top of the class, they still received awards for class excellence.

Hehua’s mother, however, was observing the village chief, trying to see if he was looking at Mother Jiang. The chief was obviously proud of his children’s achievements and was laughing heartily as they praised them.

Hehua’s mother saw the chief glance at Mother Jiang, and a gentle smile crept across her lips. She said with warmth, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the money reaches Jiang Bo.” Then, as if remembering something, she asked, “By the way, Ning Ning is also studying at N0. 1 High School, right? Doesn’t she need tuition money as well?”

Seeing Mother Jiang’s face darken as she reluctantly took out another eighty yuan, Hehua’s mother cheerfully sent her off, then sat under the eaves coated with frost, still smiling softly as she chatted with everyone. “These past few years haven’t been easy for Ah Lian. That big man owes so much debt, and she’s been paying it off with him. I saw her hands just now, so cracked and rough.”

Every rural woman’s hands were rough and cracked, covered in chilblains.

But Hehua’s mother’s hands were not like that. She mostly cooked and did laundry at home. When she wasn’t doing chores, she played cards with the other women in the village, living a comfortable and relaxed life.

With a sigh, she added, “Did you see Ah Lian’s face? She used to be so fair when she was younger, but now she’s so tanned. It’s probably because life has been too hard. I even heard her arguing at home the other day.”

Mother Jiang had bold features. Even now, she was still quite attractive.

When she was younger, Hehua’s mother hadn’t been as beautiful as Mother Jiang, but now, in terms of both temperament and complexion, she could hold her own.

The village chief also thought of Mother Jiang, who had clearly aged significantly and developed deep wrinkles from her hard life.

When Mother Jiang returned from her trip, she was fuming with anger.

Father Jiang noticed her dark expression and asked what had happened.

Mother Jiang, still upset, snapped, “It’s Mei Xiang! I was trying to save a few yuan by not sending you to deliver Jiang Bo’s tuition money, thinking I’d just have the village chief’s daughter to take it for us.”

Since it was Spring Festival travel season, fares were several times higher than usual. A round trip to Wucheng would cost at least 15 yuan.

“She didn’t agree?” Father Jiang asked, confused. It didn’t seem like such a small favor would be refused between close neighbors.

“She agreed,” Mother Jiang fumed, “but then she had to ask about Ning Ning’s tuition. With so many people watching at her door, I couldn’t just say I’m only paying for Jiang Bo’s tuition and not Ning Ning’s!”

Especially since everyone knew that Jiang Ning had just scored first in the county. Even if she didn’t want to pay Ning Ning’s tuition, she couldn’t refuse in front of so many onlookers.

Father Jiang, now understanding why she was upset, laughed and said, “You’ve already paid, so why be angry? Ning Ning’s grades are so good. When she goes to college and becomes a civil servant, won’t that reflect well on you?”

Mother Jiang spat, “Me, bask in her glory? She already drives me mad. You think she’ll be filial to me in the future? I wouldn’t dare hope for that!”

She used to hope that Jiang Ning would work hard for a few years, earn some money for the family, then get married with a decent dowry, and take care of her in old age. But now, seeing Jiang Ning’s rebellious attitude, she no longer had such hopes and was relying solely on her two sons.

It wasn’t customary for daughters to take care of their elderly parents in their region, but typically, when parents were bedridden, daughters would return to help with the care, especially with the unpleasant tasks. Though daughters-in-law could do it, they weren’t as attentive as daughters.

That had been Mother Jiang’s plan.

Father Jiang laughed and said, “Alright, calm down. Mei Xiang was just being considerate. You’ve already given the money, so what’s the point in getting worked up now?” He placed his hands on her shoulders and gently nudged her toward the house. “Even if you don’t care about Ning Ning, you should think about Songzi. If Ning Ning does well, won’t she help Songzi in the future? They’re siblings, after all, connected by blood.”

Mother Jiang’s expression softened a bit. “Songzi doesn’t need her help.”

Father Jiang thought of his younger days, then compared them to now, and sighed, “You never know what life has in store for us.”

He thought of his old classmate who was now the town mayor, while he himself was hauling bricks on construction sites.

That thought led him to consider working in Shenzhen, especially since no one was available to tend the family’s land, “This year, without Dad around, no one’s here to farm. We won’t be able to plant rice.”

In the past, they waited until they’d planted the rice before going out to work, returning only during the transplanting season to help for a few days.

Recently, more young people were leaving the village to find work, and much of the farmland had been leased out, with tenants paying a few hundred kilos of grain per acre each year.

If they didn’t farm their own land and instead went south to help others plant and harvest rice. How much did they earn for one acre of rice?

“I’ll ask my eldest brother if he wants to farm. If his family is willing, we’ll give them the land. I’ll just bring back some food when I return for the New Year.”

Upon hearing this, Mother Jiang glared at him. “I’ll talk to him about it. Don’t go and give others the seeds for nothing.”

Father Jiang and Jiang Song shared the same issue: they both had a lot of pride, yet they were quite generous. A few kind words from others could easily sway them, and they might return without asking for anything in return.