Jiang Yuyan nodded, reached into her small bag, and pulled out a stack of bills she had taken from Lin Yue, handing them to him.
“Look, isn’t this your money? She shouldn’t have had the chance to spend it.”
Lin Yue had been too preoccupied causing trouble for her to spend the money.
Jiang Muxuan gripped the bills so tightly his fingertips turned white, refusing to let go.
A heavy silence fell, lasting for several long moments.
Just as Jiang Yuyan thought he wouldn’t speak, Jiang Muxuan finally said,
“Keep this money… and thank you for what you did outside just now.”
If she hadn’t defended him, letting the bald foreman pin all the blame on him, even if his legs healed, he would have been ruined.
For him, Muyi had already taken risks, and he didn’t want his family to suffer any more because of him.
“You…” Jiang Yuyan had expected him to keep the money himself.
“Also… could you do one more thing? Help me get discharged. My legs are useless. I know spending more money won’t help—better to save it for Muyi.”
Jiang Yuyan saw the gloom in his eyes, full of frustration yet free of resentment—just a helplessness toward his own body.
For a 25th-century herbalist like Jiang Yuyan, his legs would be simple to fix… if she had the tools and herbs.
But she had neither at the moment. No tools, no herbs—nothing she could do right now.
No rush, though. Herbs can be found, tools can be procured.
Nothing can crush a person; if conditions don’t exist, create them.
“Big brother, don’t worry. Even if we head home, there’s no rush. The house isn’t ready, so there’s no way to settle you in just yet,” Jiang Yuyan teased.
“What? Something happened at home?” Jiang Muxuan asked anxiously.
“Yes… something happened. Today, father and mother went to the Lao Jiang family for money, and they took the opportunity to drive them out, leaving them with nothing.”
Jiang Muxuan’s eyes widened. “!!!!”
“Ahem…” He tried to sit upright but pain forced him back. “Father… Mother… are they okay?”
Jiang Yuyan patted his back, calming him, and said,
“They’re fine. Didn’t you hear outside? We’ve severed ties with the Lao Jiang family. No more dealings, no more contact—life and death no longer matters.”
Jiang Muxuan was shocked but impressed by his new biological sister’s courage—bold and decisive, just like him.
Once his mood lightened, Jiang Yuyan discussed the coal mine accident.
“Big brother, you heard what the foreman said. What do you think now?”
Jiang Muxuan’s face darkened. “What do I think? Of course… they owe us. They have to compensate, not a single yuan less.”
Jiang Yuyan admired those who refused to be taken advantage of.
“This matter’s blown up. The site is trying to shirk responsibility. It won’t be easy to get everything. Do you have anything that could make them back down?”
Jiang Muxuan met her gaze. From their eyes, it was easy to see—an old fox and a young fox, smiling in the same way.
Less than half an hour later,
Jiang’s mother and Jiang Muren returned. Their mother’s eyes were red from crying, making the siblings anxious.
“What happened? Mother, were you mistreated? Or did someone insult you on the way?” Jiang Yuyan asked.
Jiang Muxuan stayed silent, eyes locked on her and the youngest brother.
Jiang’s mother shook her head, struggling to speak. Jiang Muren stepped in to explain.
“Mother—when we went to see Second Brother, he wasn’t doing well. He lost a lot of weight, and his face and body were full of injuries.”
Hearing this, Jiang Muren’s mood sank.
Second Brother Jiang Muyi, usually cheerful, had turned silent and gaunt in just a few days.
Jiang Yuyan had never met Muyi but knew he was the cleverest of the three brothers, with the best speech, and always loved taking chances.
“Don’t worry, Mother. We’ll see about Second Brother. Once the police finish their investigation, we’ll cooperate. It won’t take long; he’ll be back soon.”
It was 1978. Law enforcement wasn’t as strict or sensitive about black market activities as before.
Muyi had been arrested not just for profiteering, but because the black market was right across from a police stakeout. They got caught as associates.
Jiang Yuyan remembered the story—previously, the gang’s leader had escaped, and the police had wasted huge efforts with no results.
By the afternoon, Jiang Yuyan took her mother home, leaving Jiang Muren at the hospital to stay with Jiang Muxuan.
Back at the brigade headquarters, before reaching their new home, they saw a crowd gathered again at their doorstep.
Jiang’s mother, worried, hurried with Jiang Yuyan.
Upon closer look, it was only curious onlookers.
Jiang Yuyan entered to see her father cleaning with three young men; the yard had been cleared of weeds.
“Yuyan, you’re back! How’s Muxuan?” her father asked anxiously.
Her mother smiled. “It’s thanks to Yuyan. You wouldn’t believe how urgent things were… blah blah…”
Jiang Yuyan didn’t crowd them but helped with the cleaning. When she noticed the yard was mostly done, she decided to bring the luggage inside.
Outside, she overheard sarcastic chatter.
“Oh my, such a grim house… living here, you won’t last till tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I’m just afraid the Jiang family might anger the spirits here… what if they want to harm us?”
“Tsk, I told you not—”
Swish! A sharp sickle landed near the two gossiping old women’s feet, making them stagger back.
“You… you…”
Jiang Yuyan picked up the sickle, her gaze cold.
“Ladies, watch your words. If you’re afraid of angering the spirits, then tell me—did your reckless chatter just now not upset them?”
The two gossiping women froze.
“Imagine if they’re unhappy… tonight they might wreak havoc at your home, leaving blood—”
“Ahhhh! It’s not my fault, I won’t say it anymore!”
“Not my fault, I…”
The two ran off, terrified, scrambling and tumbling.
The courtyard fell silent.
The crowd of onlookers scattered instantly.
Terrifying… this new daughter of Jiang Godan seemed scarier than any ghost.
Hearing what she said… was that even human speech?
Jiang’s mother couldn’t help but laugh. “You child… come in. Don’t mind these silly old women. They’re just idle chatterers who can’t keep their mouths shut.”