“Hmph, our village hasn’t even produced a single college student—otherwise, it wouldn’t have gone to your Jiang family,” said Zhang Xiangui, the village chief from the neighboring village, with a hint of sourness in his tone.
“Once Jianguo succeeds in the future, don’t forget that our village also played a part.”
Jiang Tiezhu’s usually honest, plain face broke into a smile:
“Of course we won’t forget. When the time comes, please say a good word for Jianguo to the village chief. I’ve heard that intellectuals are proud and might be reluctant to teach rural kids like us.”
“We sincerely want to apprentice. As long as Professor Jiang agrees, he will be a great benefactor to our Jiang family. We’d be willing to support him for life.”
Zhang Xiangui waved his hand:
“Don’t say that. Professor Jiang isn’t that kind of person. Jianguo is a university student—he’d be happy to teach.”
“…”
As they spoke, they arrived at the entrance of the Jiang family courtyard.
Jiang Tiezhu signaled Jiang Jianguo to step forward and knock.
The Jiang couple and Jiang Li had just finished their meal when the knock came.
Ding Shichen’s leg required a lot of preparation before debridement. Ding Shijun eagerly helped, while Liu Xu entered to prepare the tools.
Jiang Ting and Jiang Li were tidying the house to make space for Ding Shichen to stay temporarily.
Hearing the knock, Jiang Li went to open the door.
Seeing Jiang Jianguo, she instinctively wanted to shut the door: “What are you doing here again? You’re not welcome.”
“Big sister, this is Professor Jiang’s home. How can you decide to chase me away for him?” Jiang Jianguo’s teeth clenched in anger.
However, restraining the words “useless girl” in front of others, he deliberately raised his voice instead.
Jiang Li came back to her senses and noticed the crowd not far off.
So many people had come—even Jiang Tiezhu himself?
Could it be that she guessed wrong again? The Jiang family was determined to apprentice with this master—even if Jiang Jianguo didn’t want to, he had no choice.
She remembered that in the previous life, after she successfully petitioned for Jiang Jianguo’s apprenticeship, he had been unhappy. It was Jiang Tiezhu who, after listening to her reasoning, forced Jiang Jianguo to study.
Given her status in the Jiang family, how could she command her younger brothers? So the later success of the Jiang brothers was largely thanks to Jiang Tiezhu “pressuring” them to study.
Jiang Tiezhu never hesitated in such matters. He knew what was good for the Jiang family and what would bring them prestige.
He often resorted to harsh methods to force his sons to study, which was why the four Jiang sons resented her later.
Without her organizing resources, the Jiang sons would have had far fewer learning opportunities.
Jiang Li crossed her arms and looked at him coldly:
“I am not deciding anything on behalf of Professor Jiang. I’m merely conveying his wishes. You should understand that and not deliberately mislead everyone.”
“Dad wants to meet Professor Jiang. You’d better step aside.” Jiang Jianguo dared not let Jiang Li continue; he quickly invoked Jiang Tiezhu’s authority.
Jiang Li, who feared Jiang Tiezhu, wouldn’t dare block the way. Once Jiang Tiezhu met Professor Jiang, the matter could be resolved.
After all, Jiang Tiezhu came bearing gifts. Professor Jiang and Dr. Liu were both educated people—they wouldn’t hold a grudge over past conflicts.
As long as Jiang Tiezhu pleaded nicely, Professor Jiang would surely agree to be his teacher.
Jiang Jianguo thought it would be easy, but Jiang Li didn’t intend to make it so. She stepped forward and said:
“Uncles, aunts, I truly did not decide anything on behalf of Professor Jiang. It’s just that Jiang Jianguo previously spoke disrespectfully to the professors, angering them, so they didn’t want to see him.”
“When I was little, these two elders took care of me. I couldn’t bear to let them be disturbed again, so I intervened to stop Jiang Jianguo.”
“What nonsense are you talking about!” Jiang Tiezhu stepped forward, his face dark. “Your brother is a university student—how could he speak disrespectfully to these elders?”
“Are you saying that because your marriage into the Ding family was unsatisfactory, you deliberately obstructed your brother?”
“Little Li, how can you be so foolish? You’re also a Jiang. Don’t you understand that only when your brother succeeds can you benefit?”
“If things really weren’t going well in the Ding family, you can come back. I won’t blame you. You’re still a daughter of the Jiang family. I can find you a good match in the future, okay?”
Jiang Tiezhu’s words quickly gained the villagers’ approval.
“The Ding family is so poor, of course she wouldn’t be happy there.”
“They don’t even have a proper house. How could she be happy?”
“I think she deliberately caused trouble. The Jiang boy is the village’s only university student. How could he possibly be disrespectful to the elders?”
“The Jiang girl is foolish too. She rushed into the Ding family, and now she offends her own family. How will she survive in the village?”
“Ruining her brother’s future like this is despicable. If I had such a daughter, I’d beat her to death.”
“The Jiang family is unlucky to have raised such an ungrateful daughter.”
“…”
Village chief Wu Changgeng’s face was stern:
“Jiang Li, step aside and don’t delay your brother’s apprenticeship. Do you think we’d believe that the elders refuse to see Jianguo?”
“Yes, Little Li, step aside. Don’t make Uncle Jiang angry, or you might never return to your family’s home again,” Wu Huani quickly echoed her father.
Jiang Li smiled: “Have you forgotten? I’ve already cut ties with the Jiang family. I never planned to return home anyway.”
“Dad, I know you don’t believe me. After all, from childhood until now, between me and my brothers, you’ve always chosen to believe them unconditionally.”
“And to all the villagers here, I also understand your thoughts. In our place, daughters have always had low status.”
“Even if we work ourselves to the bone for our family, in the end, we can’t escape being ‘sold’ with a high bride price.”
“They say it’s better for the daughter, so the family benefits. But when marriage comes, parents still only care about who offers the highest bride price.”
“It doesn’t matter if the man is good or bad, young or old, healthy or abusive—no one cares. Once a woman marries, her happiness depends entirely on luck.”
“We are all human. Why, just because I am a girl, can’t I receive the same care and love as a son, and marry someone I like?”
“This is the new society. They say love is free and arranged marriages are banned. Women can hold half the sky. I just didn’t want to marry an old man. What’s wrong with that?”
Jiang Li spoke with red-rimmed eyes, her voice trembling with emotion. Many women and girls watching also teared up in sympathy.
But it wasn’t over yet. Taking advantage of everyone’s moved hearts, Jiang Li continued:
“Uncles, aunts, I grew up under your watch. You’ve seen how I’ve treated the Jiang family, my brothers, and my parents.”
“I’ve never done anything to wrong the Jiang family, nor harmed their interests. I’ve cared for my brothers meticulously.”
“Look at my arms—they’re thinner than Jiang Jianguo’s. The Jiang family never lacked food or resources, yet I suffered malnutrition.”
“My life was almost unbearable. Should I have stubbornly endured, allowing them to sell me to a man who could be my grandfather?”
“I didn’t agree. That’s why I chose the Ding family. So what if they’re poor? They treat me well. I haven’t suffered there, and I would never jeopardize Jiang Jianguo’s future because of this!”