Make a Fortune and Become Well-off [90] - Chapter 29

As Mother Jiang recounted these events, Father Jiang sighed deeply, falling silent.

He swiftly prepared two dishes, then, standing on the doorstep, he called out, “Ning Ning, come home for dinner.”

His voice echoed three times, resonating throughout the tranquil village.

Upon hearing his call, neighbors emerged, bowls in hand. 

They smiled as they ate, inquiring, “Hasn’t Ning Ning returned yet?”

In rural communities, mealtime was often a communal affair, with individuals wandering with bowls in hand or congregating for conversation. The consumption of meat was celebrated, with some even leaving traces of grease on their faces throughout the day to proudly signal their family’s prosperity.

Such gestures were simple displays of emotion, lacking in sophistication.

“It’s likely she’s too frightened to return.”

The auntie stood anxiously at the door, scanning the surroundings before blurting out, “Ah Lian really went overboard with that beating. She charged at the child wielding such a thick broomstick. Beating a child as old as Ning Ning with such force is unacceptable.”

Though she didn’t have a daughter herself, she couldn’t help but lament the lack of appreciation others showed for their daughters.

In rural areas, spanking children was commonplace, often with bamboo switches, which stung but didn’t cause lasting harm. More serious transgressions warranted punishment with thorn sticks, used by adults to instill fear, warning the child, “If you misbehave again, I’ll whip you with thorns until your backside is covered in bloody welts.”

Worry etched Father Jiang’s face as he muttered, “I wonder where Ning Ning has wandered off to. It’s dinner time; she shouldn’t be staying elsewhere.”

Aunt Jiang added, “You should talk to Ah Lian about this more.”

Father Jiang went to the brigade secretary’s house to ask Hehua, then asked Qinqin, hoping to find Jiang Ning there.

He didn’t find her anywhere.

“Where could she have gone?” He wondered aloud.

Thinking she might be at the rice farm, he searched for Grandpa Jiang, only to discover she had already delivered food to him.

Slapping his forehead in realization, Father Jiang exclaimed, “I’ve been so preoccupied looking for Ning Ning that I forgot to eat.”

His stomach grumbled with hunger. He had only managed a leek pancake for breakfast, rushed to the market with fish and crayfish, had lunch at his sister’s house, and spent the afternoon tirelessly working without even a sip of water.

Now aware of Jiang Ning’s whereabouts, having delivered food to Grandpa Jiang, he declared, “I’ll head to the mountains to find her.”

Grandpa Jiang, sensing the situation, sighed deeply. “Your wife has beaten Ning Ning again,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion. He wiped his eyes with his calloused hand, his nose tingling. “But I can manage with Ning Ning alone. I’ll support her education, build a shelter in the mountains, and live independently. I don’t want your care in my old age. When my time comes, bury me wherever you wish.”

Tears welled in his eyes as he choked on his words. “I fear the day when Ning Ning won’t return after being beaten by your wife.”

In the village, several girls had fled at a young age, never to return, leaving their families uncertain of their fate.

“She hits her child at every turn. Is there a girl in this village better behaved than our Ning Ning? I’ve yet to see one. Ning Ning’s behavior is impeccable. How could she bear to beat her all the time? Isn’t Ning Ning her own flesh and blood?”

After Ning Ning’s birth, Father Jiang was engrossed in managing a chicken farm, with Mother Jiang assisting him. The old man carried the baby everywhere, toiling in the fields with her strapped to him, nourishing her with rice soup. As she grew, he continued to carry her, letting little Jiang Ning ride on his shoulders.

Such was the upbringing of rural children, including Jiang Song and Jiang Bai. Yet, unlike the others who nursed for at least a year, Jiang Ning was weaned after a mere two months.

Father Jiang sighed deeply. “You know her temperament all too well.”

He was burdened with an overwhelming amount of debt. Despite their joint efforts to generate income for repayment, how could she not harbor resentment? The physical exhaustion and staggering debt fueled her bitterness and stress. Her innate drive to seek profit and avert danger directed all her anger and frustration toward the vulnerable and young Jiang Ning.

Upon returning home, Father Jiang hastily ate and ascended the mountain with a flashlight.

In recent years, tiger and leopard sightings had decreased, but jackals still roamed aplenty.

These animals frequently descended from the mountains to raid the village’s poultry and livestock. Every household with pigs reinforced their farms, and at night, they would emerge to check if their livestock had fallen victim to the wolves.

The mountain path instilled fear in Father Jiang, a robust adult, let alone a young girl like Jiang Ning.

The more Father Jiang thought about it, the more worried he became. One moment he was worried about the wolves on the mountain, and the other moment he was worried about her running up the mountain alone. What would happen if she met a bad person? They were not the only village nearby.

His strides quickened with each passing moment.

Jiang Ning never anticipated Father Jiang’s arrival.

She grew accustomed to independence, often feeling like an orphan without parents.

Especially after her grandfather’s passing, she felt utterly alone in the world.

The world seemed vast, yet she had no place to call home.

Subsequently, she seldom returned, even during Chinese New Year, finding excuses to stay away.

Village gossip mocked Father Jiang and Mother Jiang, claiming, “Their efforts in raising the girl were futile.”

“You see, what’s the point of raising a girl? Your family raised a girl to become a college student. Even during Chinese New Year, she doesn’t bother to come back.”

Still unmarried at the time, Father Jiang asked her with melancholy, “How many more years will you spend New Year’s at home?” Implying that once married, she would spend the holiday elsewhere.

Soft-hearted and affectionate, Father Jiang enjoyed the company of children, making their home lively. Unfortunately, besides his second son, his eldest son and third daughter were absent, and no children were seen throughout the year.

Jiang Song’s situation was even worse. There had been no news for several years, with rumors suggesting he fell victim to a pyramid scheme. After finally making contact, they discovered he had settled in Sichuan Province, over a thousand kilometers away.

“Why are you here?” Jiang Ning switched on the light and approached the door.

Father Jiang took her arm and pleaded, “Come back with me. How can you be here alone?”