Chapter 112 Did the eldest daughter drop out of school?

The peaceful days passed slowly like this. During holidays, Jinran would ask Old Man Mo to change the dishes and occasionally improve the family's meals.

When she had some free time, she went back to the village to visit her grandparents. Every time Grandma Chen saw Jinran, she would happily ask, "Are you getting used to life in the county? How are your studies? You must study hard!"

Later, Jinran learned that her eldest sister had dropped out of school. She said that graduating from junior high school was already good enough, and there was no point in continuing her studies. She would just find a good family to marry into and then she would never have to worry about anything in her life.

Jinran tried to persuade her, but the eldest daughter looked puzzled and said, "Nini, you have to study hard, you know? I've already achieved what I have in my life thanks to my grandparents. You can't be greedy. If I continue studying, the expenses for the second and third daughters will all fall on my grandparents' shoulders. That won't do."

Jinran impulsively said, "Sister, I have money, I can support you."

The eldest sister laughed and said, "I know, but why should others be responsible for my life? No one should owe anyone anything."

Jinran remained silent for a long time.

She has plenty of money, but how can she justify it?

Unexpectedly, it was the second uncle who made the final, forceful decision, insisting that the eldest sister go to school.

"Dad knows you have good grades. If you study for two more years, you can graduate, find a good job, and our family will be set for life. Dad will support you."

My second aunt was somewhat reluctant, but she didn't say much.

Jinran finally came up with a solution that was hardly a solution at all.

He said to his eldest sister, "Sister, how about this? I'll provide the capital to buy the piglets and the feed. You, my second sister, and my third sister just need to help me feed them. When we sell them, I'll give you half."

The eldest sister knew that this was a bargain, but she was still very touched and didn't know what to say. Jinran said, "Sister, let's support each other and get through this together. Don't think that I'm getting a big advantage. You've also contributed a lot."

Ernan and Sannan kept saying, "Big sister, please agree. Just focus on your studies. We're doing okay with our studies right now. We can do this job. Sister, you love studying so much, don't give up."

That was settled. In the end, they decided to keep the pig at Jinran's house, and she gave the key to her eldest sister.

Then he asked Grandma Shen to keep an eye on the piglets. Grandma Shen was very happy and said, "Your grandfather and I will pay for the piglets. When the time comes, we old folks can have some meat."

This matter was resolved perfectly.

Jinran grinned happily, as if she had finally fulfilled a deep-seated regret.

She thought of her past life, where there was an older sister in the orphanage who was an excellent student, unlike her, who was incredibly slow at studying. It didn't matter if she didn't go to school. At that time, the orphanage had been without sponsorship for a long time, and the children were struggling to survive, let alone go to school.

But Jinran will always remember it. It was snowing lightly that day. The older girl walked outside for a long time, then came back and said that she was dropping out of school and then went to work in a factory.

There was no further news, only the monthly remittances from her and a few brief words of reassurance.

Jinran will always remember that look in her eyes—anger at the injustice of fate, helplessness, and resignation.

The reason she impulsively offered to help Da Nan Jie this time was because she saw the look in Da Nan Jie's eyes that the older sister had back then.

When Jinran's second uncle and aunt found out about this, they gratefully said to her, "Nini, your second uncle and aunt will remember your kindness. Leave the pig feeding to us; it's what we as parents should do."

Afterwards, Jinran transported a lot of bran and soybean dregs home. She didn't know why these things were in her space, but in the end, they benefited Jinran.

She told her family that someone she knew gave it to her, but she couldn't say who that person was.

Grandpa Shen gave Jinran a deep look, and Jinran stuck out her tongue and smiled, saying nothing more.

When the eldest uncle's family heard that the second and third branches of the family were going to raise pigs together, the eldest aunt couldn't sit still and rushed to the old house to find out the truth.

Grandma Shen explained, "It's the children who need to be raised, not the second and third wives. Why are you still arguing with the children about these things?"

Auntie was still unhappy and said, "I've heard about it. The money for the piglets came from you and Dad. You can't be so biased. Our family can raise pigs too."

"Where are you going to raise it? In your bed at night? Always trying to take advantage of every little thing, what kind of person are you!"

Auntie knew that her family didn't have room, but she still wouldn't give up. With a quick thought, she said, "Then I can raise chickens, Mom. You have to get me a few chicks."

Grandma Shen reluctantly agreed.

Only then did my aunt leave, satisfied.

When Jinran returned to the county and saw her parents, she told them what she had done, then straightened her back, ready to receive praise.

But the expected praise didn't come. Wang Cuifen said seriously to Jinran, "Are you stupid? What's it to you? How do you know their parents can't pay? You're just pretending to be a good person. They appreciate it now, but when it comes time to sell the pigs, if you give them everything, they'll still think it's not enough. Human hearts are the most greedy."

Jinran was silent for a while, then said, "Mother, I know, but we haven't lost much. It's just some feed. Although Uncle and Aunt are doing things reasonably well now, who knows what will happen in the future?"

If my eldest sister, second sister, and third sister work a little harder and use less of their money, they'll have more leverage when they get married and choose partners. Besides, girls already have it tough enough; once my eldest sister graduates high school, she'll find a good job, and her life will be completely changed. Mom, thinking about it this way, don't you think I'm really smart?"

Wang Cuifen still muttered, "I can't argue with you, do whatever you want!"

Father Shen whispered to Jinran, "I think you did a great job!"