“What benefits?” Jiang Fan’s eyes lit up, and thoughts of romance began stirring once more.
He was already 27 years old. His parents and sisters nagged him daily to go on blind dates. With six sisters each introducing one candidate, plus those his mother arranged, his week was packed with almost daily matchmaking sessions.
He didn’t dare refuse—otherwise, his parents and sisters would cut off his allowance.
If Shen Jiaojiao were willing to be his girlfriend, he wouldn’t have to endure those annoying blind dates anymore.
Even though Shen Jiaojiao was from out of town, a widow, and had a daughter in tow, she was beautiful. Taking her out would be impressive. Besides, his mother had long said that as long as he was willing to marry, any female would do.
Shen Jiaojiao wasn’t just female—she was stunningly beautiful and so skilled at killing fish. She was practically born to be part of the Jiang family. His parents and sisters would surely be delighted.
Seeing the lecherous grin on his face, Shen Jiaojiao knew he was up to no good. She slapped him, leaving a bloody handprint on his white T-shirt.
“Ah… what’s wrong with you?”
Jiang Fan jumped as if he’d stepped on a snake, staring heartbrokenly at his white T-shirt. He’d spent 150 yuan on it and had just put it on.
“If you keep thinking such nonsense, next time I’ll slap you with the knife!”
Shen Jiaojiao raised the knife, her voice cold and threatening.
On her very first day killing fish, this guy had confessed, saying he wanted to run a husband-and-wife stall with her and treat Xiao Yueyue as his own daughter. She had kicked him straight into the fish basin.
In this life, she had foresight of eleven years. All she wanted was to make money and become a wealthy woman. What use did she have for a man?
Men only hindered her money-making!
Jiang Fan pouted, his interest in Shen Jiaojiao fading considerably. This fierce woman was beyond his control. If she really became his wife, he might not even survive. Better to just stay as her boss.
“So, what benefits will you give me?” Jiang Fan asked resentfully.
“Didn’t your parents say you were useless? Once Xiao Yueyue’s school situation is settled, I’ll give you a chance to make big money,” Shen Jiaojiao said temptingly.
“How do I make big money?”
Jiang Fan was half-convinced, half-skeptical, suspecting Shen Jiaojiao was tricking him.
If this woman really had the ability to make big money, why was she still working at his shabby fish stall?
“Start a company. This little stall of yours is just small-time. To make real money, you need to open a company. We can partner up then.”
“What kind of company?” Jiang Fan grew interested.
He had actually thought about starting a company too, but he knew nothing about it. The fish stall was the only thing he was familiar with, and even that had nearly bankrupted him.
“I can’t say now. You can’t keep a secret. But I promise you’ll make big money. First, go find out about Principal Meng’s family.”
Shen Jiaojiao did want to start a company, but she hadn’t figured out the specifics yet. For now, she would keep this guy on the hook. Besides, his family owned several shops near the neighborhood where she lived. When the time came, she could have him contribute the shops as his share.
Seeing Jiang Fan still wasn’t fully convinced, Shen Jiaojiao added, “What doubts do you have about my abilities? If it weren’t for me, would your stall have such good business? Look at the Boss Lady next door—her face is so long with jealousy.”
Jiang Fan glanced over at the neighboring fish stall, meeting the Boss Lady’s envious and resentful gaze. He shuddered and quickly looked away, feeling a bit more convinced.
“Fine, I’ll go ask around, but I can’t promise I’ll find out anything!” Jiang Fan agreed, though he made no guarantees.His father said that when you promise someone something, never speak in absolutes before it’s done. Just say you’ll do your best, and you can’t make it seem too easy either. Even if it can be done in a day, you have to drag it out for a week. That way, the other person will feel they owe you a huge favor.
“You have so many connections, how could you possibly not find out? Get it done quickly, so we can start the company and make big money sooner. Don’t you want to hold your head high in front of your parents?”
Shen Jiaojiao saw right through his little scheme and cut off his escape route.
Principal Meng probably didn’t have many spots left, so she had to act fast. There was no time to delay.
“Of course I do.”
Jiang Fan blurted it out. He dreamed of it.
He had even fantasized about one day making a lot of money, driving a luxury car, holding a mobile phone in his left hand and a beautiful woman on his right arm, returning home triumphantly and in glory.
But here he was, 27 years old, still asking his grandparents, parents, and sisters for pocket money.
Sigh!
“Then do as I say, and I guarantee you’ll hold your head high in the future, return home in glory, and make all those relatives who looked down on you treat you with newfound respect and fawn over you!” Shen Jiaojiao coaxed.
“Alright!”
Even as they packed up the stall, Jiang Fan was still lost in the bright future Shen Jiaojiao had painted for him, and he went off to make inquiries without a second thought.
“Mom, actually, I could go to Nan Er Primary School too.”
On the way home, Xiao Yueyue spoke her mind. She didn’t want to make things difficult for her mother.
Besides, she found studying easy. She could learn just by reading books herself, so there was no need to go through all the trouble of getting into Chunhui Primary School.
“Do you know why Mom wants you to go to Chunhui Primary School?”
“Because the teachers at Chunhui are good,” Xiao Yueyue answered.
Shen Jiaojiao smiled. “That’s only one of the reasons.”
“Mom, what other reasons are there?” Xiao Yueyue widened her eyes, her curiosity burning.
“The children who can attend Chunhui Primary School are mostly locals, and their families are quite well-off—either powerful or wealthy. These are all connections, and Mom can make use of them.”
Shen Jiaojiao didn’t give any lofty reasons about studying hard. Besides the teaching quality, her main goal in getting Xiao Yueyue into Chunhui was for the connections.
If Xiao Yueyue grew up as classmates with those children, they would become her connections in the future.
And by interacting with the parents, Shen Jiaojiao would build her own network.
If you want to make big money, connections are crucial.
She didn’t think she was teaching Xiao Yueyue to be snobbish. Water flows downhill, and people strive for higher ground. As long as you don’t hurt others, trying to climb up in life is called ambition.
Not snobbery.
Xiao Yueyue’s big eyes looked a bit confused at first, but they soon cleared up. After thinking for a long time, she said solemnly, “Mom, I’ll work hard to get first place from now on.”
Mom doesn’t have power or much money right now, so the other parents might look down on her. Then she would just have to work hard to be first.
That way, the teachers would like her, and the other parents would be friendly with Mom too.
“Are you planning to settle for second place?”
Shen Jiaojiao retorted, her expression slightly disdainful.
Xiao Yueyue immediately felt ashamed and promised, “I’ll definitely be first.”
She didn’t want to be second best.
“Mhm, Mom believes you. My Yueyue is the best.”
Xiao Yueyue straightened her back, her little face filled with newfound confidence. She thought she was pretty great too—the teachers even praised her as a genius.Shen Jiaojiao did not believe she was putting pressure on the child. Xiao Yueyue was no ordinary child—she was intelligent, yet sensitive and insecure. This child did not need soft, powerless sympathy, nor did she need to be told that it was enough to just try her best in studies and not worry too much about rankings.
She wanted Xiao Yueyue to come first in the exams, because only then would the child grow more confident.
And she believed Xiao Yueyue could do it.