Chapter 735

Their village was large, with good local customs. Everyone knew each other.

Plus, missionaries had come, so more villagers were becoming Christians. No one knew exactly what they taught these old folks, but besides saying grace before every meal, it seemed to make these elders’ hearts calmer and more peaceful.

Except for some rascals in the eldest household who would steal, most of the village had good morals. And with the Jiang Village getting better year by year, no one worried about a few hundred yuan being stolen.

But Grandma Jiang didn’t dare say it was two thousand yuan—it would be too conspicuous. She preferred to keep it quiet, just making sure she wasn’t losing in comparisons.

Some who didn’t get red envelopes from their children would bitterly say, “You’re lucky.”

Grandma Jiang politely replied, “We’re all lucky, all lucky.”

Thinking to herself, her granddaughter cared far less about her than about the old man. She had taken care of the old man all these years—years ago, he was so thin and frail. But lately, he still had a few years left. When had her granddaughter ever cared for her like that? She called Grandpa Jiang every day, always concerned about his health. Occasionally, she’d mention her, but most times, she wouldn’t even think about her.

Still, Grandma Jiang didn’t get mad. She lived with her eldest son’s family for support, so it was their responsibility to care for her. Her granddaughter buying her clothes and giving her a red envelope during the New Year was a pleasant surprise—no need to complain. Grandpa Jiang raised her from a tiny child, so if she didn’t care for him, that would be truly unfilial.

In Sichuan Province, Jiang Song’s workers kept pestering him for wages. Jiang Song cared about his face and got along with the boss like brothers. The boss said there was no money for now and promised to pay after the New Year. Jiang Song agreed and didn’t want to ask again.

He was always big-spending, spending whatever he had without much thought. Usually, he took his workers and girlfriend out to eat and drink, bought stuff for his son, and whatever money was left on him wasn’t much. Seeing his workers constantly asking for wages, he could only give them all his remaining savings—but that little bit of money was far from enough.

Everyone working under Jiang Song was basically troublemakers from back home who didn’t study well and spent their days loitering on the streets. To say they were loyal? Not at all. They just wanted to hang out and have a good time with Jiang Song in the underworld. 

After working all year, they only wanted some cash for the New Year to go home and show off a bit. But when the money didn’t come through, some felt ashamed to face their parents, and others just wanted to quit and leave Jiang Song’s crew—why work if you don’t even get paid? 

Jiang Song had been involved with two women all year and hadn’t taken on projects properly, yet the money was still tied up with him, so they couldn’t leave. That sparked ideas about ditching Jiang Song and going solo.

Even the projects they were eyeing were basically snatched straight from under Jiang Song’s nose.

Jiang Song didn’t even know his team had turned against him. When they finally stopped complaining, he let out a sigh of relief and spent the New Year with the woman from the karaoke bar and his toddler son in Sichuan Province.

He had been away for years and had forgotten the phone number back home, never writing letters either. For the past few years, life outside was wild and free—in the local dialect, life was “piao” (carefree, flashy). He didn’t think about going home. But this year was different: first he broke up with his girlfriend, then the workers kept pestering him for wages, almost causing a fallout. On top of that, he had a secret child whose mother clung to him, making things complicated. He had work to do and a baby to care for, overwhelmed and exhausted, finally he wanted to go home.

On the third day of the New Year, he wanted to buy a train ticket home, but all the money in his pocket was already paid out as wages to the workers. His pockets were completely empty. He had to wait until the project owner paid him after the holiday before he could get money. So he stayed in Sichuan, thinking that once he had the cash, he would pay the workers their wages in full, then take his son back home and leave the child with Father Jiang and Mother Jiang to care for.

He liked kids, loved holding them, and playing with them. But after a whole year taking care of a newborn—changing diapers, dealing with all the mess—Jiang Song was worn out. 

At his age, he probably would have married and had children back home already. Since his parents liked grandchildren, bringing a ready-made grandson back would surely make them happy. Then they could take care of the child while he focused on making a career outside.

Jiang Song was dreaming big.

Because both her sons weren’t home for New Year, Mother Jiang felt low and couldn’t lift her head during the New Year’s Eve dinner, especially with Jiang Ning speaking to her so rudely. She was down and had no energy. On the second day of the New Year, she went back to her maternal home alone.

This year, both her sons were away. Mother Jiang was the only one returning to her natal home by herself. Father Jiang had to stay home to entertain Aunt Jiang (his sister), who was also coming over on the second day. Usually, both sons accompanied Mother Jiang to her home.

As for Jiang Ning, both Father Jiang and Mother Jiang had lost hope in her. The previous year, Father Jiang even persuaded Jiang Ning to accompany Mother Jiang to her home so she wouldn’t go alone—it would look bad otherwise. This year, they didn’t even bother saying anything.

Because on New Year’s Eve, Jiang Ning had already made her attitude very clear. Mother Jiang had been hard on her since childhood—she remembered all the scoldings and beatings clearly.

They treated her badly as a child, so now that they’re old, it was better not to expect her to treat them well.

At most, she’d just fulfill her duty to care for her parents in their old age.

Jiang Ning didn’t say it outright, but Father Jiang and Mother Jiang understood her meaning.

Father Jiang thought there was still room to mend things with Jiang Ning, but Mother Jiang had completely given up on her. Early that morning, she packed her things and went back to her natal home.

Jiang Ning’s maternal grandmother had passed away when she was in elementary school; her maternal grandfather was still alive but old and not in good health.

Mother Jiang brought with her a thick cotton coat with a fur collar for her father, along with sweaters, autumn clothes, and many other warm layers. After arriving in Shijian Township’s market street, she bought a lot of festive gifts, food, and drinks.

Back when the Jiang family was drowning in debt and struggling, it was her siblings who took care of her maternal grandparents. Every time Mother Jiang went back, she couldn’t bring money or good things for them. Instead, her natal family secretly helped support her.

Now that Mother Jiang was making money, despite always being stingy—even with herself—she spared no expense buying gifts for her father, getting him a full set of warm clothes.

Mother Jiang’s father had been a small team leader in the coal mountain back in his younger days, living there as well, only coming home every ten or fifteen days. Actually, the family matters were mainly managed by Mother Jiang and her eldest uncle. Her father, aside from sending his wages home on time, didn’t really involve himself much.

Mother Jiang was deeply attached to her mother —otherwise, she wouldn’t have brought her to live with the Jiang family in her final days, and she eventually passed away there.

She brought a bunch of gifts to her father, but thinking about how her mother was gone and she couldn’t honor her, Mother Jiang couldn’t help but cry bitterly.

Not long after Mother Jiang returned to her maternal home, a tricycle rumbled into Jiang Village. A young man about the same age as Jiang Bai helped an elderly woman who resembled Grandpa Jiang somewhat, and then assisted a smaller, frail old man down from the tricycle.