Jiang Murong agreed.
However, after seeing his sister’s shopping spree, he shivered in disbelief.
Cough, cough… Sister spends money like it grows on trees. As her brother, shouldn’t I work even harder?
If he wanted to spoil her in the future, the few coins he hid in the mouse hole wouldn’t even cover a small treat for her.
Jiang Murong silently vowed: he would earn big money to let his sister spend, and no matter how much she spent, he would always provide more.
What Jiang Yuyan didn’t know was that this single shopping trip would scare Third Brother into becoming a miserly, calculating merchant, all to earn extra pocket money for her.
They bought over 200 pounds of rice, 50 pounds of flour, and other essential ingredients.
Seeing sponge cakes, Jiang Yuyan picked up a few too, planning to let the family taste them.
The haul was too much for just the two of them, so they paid 50 cents to have a village cart carry it home.
When they arrived at their smelly brigade area, a group of idle villagers gathered at the entrance, curious.
“Wow, they bought so much! How much money must they have spent?”
“Isn’t this Jiang Goudan’s own daughter? Did she really use all the family’s money to buy these things?”
“I thought Jiang Goudan would spend money on Muxuan’s leg, but look, even if it heals, it might not help—what a waste of money.”
Jiang Yuyan remained calm.
Jiang Murong’s face reddened as he rushed forward to argue, but Jiang Yuyan gently held him back.
She smiled warmly at the curious villagers, knowing that if she didn’t satisfy their curiosity, within half a day, strange rumors would spread.
“Hello, elders! I am Jiang Goudan’s daughter. Last time I didn’t have the chance to greet everyone—please don’t mind.”
The villagers froze. Her gentle smile silenced even those who had prepared rude remarks.
“It seems our newly separated family has nothing except the furniture father worked day and night to make. We have to make sure no one goes hungry.”
“My mother bit her lip and used Big Brother’s emergency money to buy food, just to make sure our family doesn’t suffer before my brother.”
Jiang Murong: “……”
The villagers: “!!!!”
Jiang Goudan’s family is really in this situation? How pitiful!
Finally avoiding the gossiping villagers, they reached home. Jiang Murong looked at his sister in admiration.
“Sister, you’re amazing. You made those people too embarrassed to speak. You’re truly one of a kind.”
Jiang Yuyan rolled her eyes—she had met gossipers far worse than these.
Hearing the commotion, Jiang Mother opened the door and was stunned by the pile of goods.
“How… how did you buy so much?” she exclaimed, then hurried to call Jiang Father, “Quick, come help move these things, little one, don’t touch—”
Outside, the jealous third branch of the family glanced at all the goods with malice before turning away.
The 200 pounds of rice and 50 pounds of flour finally filled Jiang Mother’s bins, no longer needing to ration their own food.
Jiang Yuyan handed her a new bankbook.
“Mother, this is the money from selling the ginseng—10,000 coins. Take it. I also spent 500 coins buying all these things, leaving 360 coins. Take this too.”
Jiang Mother trembled, nearly dropping the bankbook.
Not only her, but Jiang Father and Jiang Murong froze, staring in disbelief.
“Third Son, didn’t you go with your sister? How come your mouth is so big?” Jiang Mother chuckled.
Jiang Murong mumbled, “Mother, I wouldn’t know what Sister would do… you’re giving me too much credit.”
“You little brat—”
Ignoring him, Jiang Mother returned the bankbook to Jiang Yuyan.
“Little one, keep the money. You dug the ginseng yourself; we didn’t do anything. How could we take your money?”
Jiang Yuyan pressed her hand gently.
“Mother, I want to use this money to take Big Brother to a big city hospital. I heard there are specialized doctors in Jing City. I want to try treating his leg.”
Jiang Mother stiffened, hesitant.
Of course she wanted to heal her eldest son’s leg. He was so smart—if it weren’t for her and Father holding him back, he would have been at university long ago, with a bright future and a loving family.
Jiang Muxuan, overhearing, clenched his hands until white, feeling confused and helpless.
Could someone really give so much for a brother they barely knew, just because of blood?
He, Jiang Muxuan, didn’t feel worthy.
Jiang Yuyan gave Third Brother a look, and he paused before speaking.
“Mother, this is Sister’s good intention. If we refuse, it would feel distant. Sister would be hurt.”
“Also, consider this money as a loan from us to Sister. After Big Brother’s leg heals and he succeeds, he must repay Sister a hundredfold.”
Jiang Yuyan raised an eyebrow.
Jiang Mother and Father exchanged glances, thinking it a good plan. They didn’t want to upset Little One.
Seeing their approval, Jiang Yuyan relaxed.
She didn’t explain further—it would be too much for someone socially anxious to handle.
After finishing breakfast, Jiang Yuyan went to Big Brother’s room to discuss going to the big city.
“…The problem is, it’s impractical for me to take you alone, but even with Third Brother, it might not be enough.”
Among Jiang’s three sons, Jiang Murong had the weakest stamina.
He hung his head, helpless.
Jiang Muxuan looked at her silently for a long time.
Jiang Yuyan blinked in confusion. “…Big Brother?”
“Let Father go. He’s strong.” Jiang Muxuan paused. “Little one, thank you.”
If not for Jiang Yuyan, the greedy old Jiang family would have left them penniless.
As the eldest, he should at least thank this sister of his.
Jiang Yuyan’s eyes curved in a smile.
“Big Brother, I believe when we return, you’ll make those gossipers eat their words.”
Jiang Muxuan curved his lips. “Yes, I believe you.”
This sister was different. He wanted to trust her once. If deceived again, he wouldn’t be so easily hurt.
At the old Jiang family house:
“What? Hundreds of pounds of grain? Are you sure you’re not mistaken?” shrieked Old Lady Jiang.
Third Son sneered, “My eyes are perfectly fine. Jiang Goudan’s family bought hundreds of pounds of grain today. That brat, all that money meant for Muxuan’s treatment—went to buying food instead.”
Third Son’s wife was resentful. “Mother, look at them! We haven’t even eaten properly, yet they’re enjoying fine grains.”