With just a few kind words and a small incentive, Jun Ning was able to win He Manfang over completely.
However, Jun Ning also knew that even though He Manfang was just an ordinary, minor figure, she still had her own shining points. Jun Ning would never look down on anyone. As long as she used the right person for the right task, He Manfang could become a great help in her efforts to deal with scumbags and settle scores.
He Manfang glanced around discreetly before lowering her voice to speak to Jun Ning. “A’Ning, that Lin Qingqing came to talk to me just now. Everything she said implied that you have no conscience. She said you don’t know the meaning of gratitude—claiming that she and Qin Yan saved you, yet you cursed at her with foul language. She even said her heartfelt kindness was treated like dirt.”
Jun Ning let out a light laugh. Looking at He Manfang, she asked with a serious expression, “Aunt Fang, you should know what kind of person I am. Do you really believe Lin Qingqing’s nonsense?”
He Manfang replied immediately, “Of course I don’t! I don’t believe a word of it! If I did, I wouldn’t have gone out of my way to tell you about this.”
Thinking of the power of He Manfang’s “big mouth,” Jun Ning patiently explained further. “Aunt Fang, this time, while I was saving Xiao Wu, my leg suddenly cramped and I nearly drowned. It’s true that the Old Branch Secretary, Fu Jingwei, Qin Yan, and Lin Qingqing all took me to the health center together. I will definitely repay the favor of them escorting me there. I plan to buy some malted milk extract, eggs, and pastries later to give each of them a thank-you gift.”
“But during the trip to the health center, the Old Branch Secretary and Fu Jingwei did almost all the heavy lifting,” Jun Ning continued. “Lin Qingqing just walked along with us. If she wants to position herself as my great savior, I’m not going to recognize that claim.”
When He Manfang heard that Jun Ning intended to buy malted milk, eggs, and pastries to settle the debt of gratitude, she couldn’t help but swallow hard, thinking to herself how incredibly generous Jun Ning was.
As soon as Jun Ning finished speaking, He Manfang said with an air of righteousness, “Only someone as generous as you would do that, A’Ning. If it were anyone else, giving her ten eggs just for walking along would be considered a lavish gift. If you really give them that much, I’d like to see if she still has the face to go around blabbering.”
“But I don’t even have to guess what Lin Qingqing is thinking,” He Manfang added. “She definitely wants to use the title of ‘savior’ so she can demand more benefits from you in the future.”
At this point, He Manfang patted Jun Ning on the shoulder and said supportively, “Don’t you worry, A’Ning. If I hear anyone saying Lin Qingqing is your savior, I will definitely stand up and speak for you.”
This was exactly the effect Jun Ning wanted. With He Manfang on her side, Lin Qingqing could forget about crowning herself as a savior.
She gave He Manfang a sweet smile. “Aunt Fang, I knew you were the best. Thank you so much.”
With that, Jun Ning reached into her pocket and took out a handful of White Rabbit Creamy Candies—pretending she had them in her pocket while actually pulling them from her storage space—and pressed them into He Manfang’s hand. “Aunt Fang, take these candies to sweeten your children’s mouths.”
Looking at the large handful of candies that were almost spilling out of her hand, He Manfang’s eyes squinted into slits from her wide grin.
She repeatedly said to Jun Ning, “Oh, A’Ning, you’re just too polite! Well, I won’t stand on ceremony then. If you ever need help with anything in the future, just let me know. I’ll definitely help you!”
For villagers living with scarce resources, it was rare for the local children to even taste a single piece of milk candy. Since Jun Ning had given her a whole handful, He Manfang was naturally filled with immense gratitude. This made her even more determined to maintain a good relationship with Jun Ning. She felt that even if just a tiny bit of resources trickled through Jun Ning’s fingers, it would be enough for people like them to enjoy.
Jun Ning then asked He Manfang about renting a house. “Aunt Fang, do you know if there are any empty houses for rent in the village? I don’t want to live with Lin Qingqing anymore; I want to move out.”
He Manfang thought for a moment and said, “Near the cowshed, there are two old rooms sitting empty. They used to belong to an elderly bachelor named Liang Asan. He passed away a month ago, and since he had no children or nephews to inherit them, the village took the property back. If you aren’t afraid of the location, you could go ask the Old Branch Secretary and the Great Team Leader.”
Jun Ning said gratefully, “Thank you, Aunt Fang! I’ll go find them and ask about it now. I’ll come by to visit you when I’m free.”
He Manfang laughed heartily. “Good, good! You’re welcome anytime.”
After waving goodbye to He Manfang, Jun Ning headed straight for the production brigade headquarters to look for the Old Branch Secretary. As luck would have it, she ran into him halfway there.
Jun Ning quickly called out to him, “Old Branch Secretary, where are you going? I have something I wanted to talk to you about.”
The Old Branch Secretary frowned slightly when he saw her. “A’Ning, why aren’t you resting in your room? What are you doing out and about again?”
Jun Ning smiled at him, taking the opportunity to subtly complain about Lin Qingqing. “Lin Qingqing was making so much noise in the room that I couldn’t sleep. I felt like I’d recovered enough, so I decided to come out for a walk.”
Sure enough, when the Old Branch Secretary heard this, he gave a cold snort. “That Lin Qingqing is becoming more and more unreliable. Oh, by the way, A’Ning, I was just looking for you. These are some nutritional supplements the village is rewarding you with. Take them back and nourish yourself.”
After speaking, he handed her a parcel.
Knowing that the village had always been struggling, Jun Ning felt bad about taking it. She said seriously, “Old Branch Secretary, look at me, I’m perfectly fine now. You should take these back and give them to people who need them more than I do.”
The Old Branch Secretary wouldn’t hear of it and shoved the parcel into her arms. “Hold onto it. If the village says it’s a reward for you, then it’s yours. No refusing.”
Seeing Jun Ning’s helpless expression, the Old Branch Secretary chuckled. “A’Ning, for heroic deeds like saving a life, our village should not only offer praise and rewards, but I also plan to report your actions to the commune. I want everyone in the entire commune to know that our village’s Jun Ning is a fine young woman!”
Hearing the Old Branch Secretary’s forceful and encouraging words, Jun Ning was truly moved. “Old Branch Secretary, you are such a good person. I’m so touched I feel like crying. What should I do?”
“You silly child, you shouldn’t cry when you’re touched; you should smile.”
The Old Branch Secretary had always liked Jun Ning because she was well-behaved, sensible, and a hard worker. Among all the youth who had been sent to the countryside, she was the youngest. He had always looked upon her as if she were his own granddaughter.
Jun Ning deeply felt his care and affection. She felt happy for the original owner of this body. The original Jun Ning’s goodness had earned the kindness of people like the Old Branch Secretary. Though her life had been short, she had left a lasting impression on everyone.