When Jiang Mian arrived home, her mother was busy in the kitchen.
Upon seeing him return, she raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why weren't you at the hospital with your dad?"
"He told me to come back because he thought I would disturb his rest."
Jiang Mian gave a casual reply and then picked up the water on the table and took a sip.
"He's asking for water even though he needs to rest. I wonder if he'll burst or just wet the bed!"
Jiang's mother's tone was harsh, but the concern in it was undeniable.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Mian merely gave a slight smile.
His mother has always had a sharp tongue but a kind heart, and it seems like I'm also part of their game...
Ignoring her question, Jiang Mian smelled the aroma of food coming from the kitchen and changed the subject: "It smells so good, Mom! What delicious food did you make? It smells so good that I'm getting hungry."
“Your dad was hospitalized, so I got him a chicken. I made chicken soup for him, and I just stir-fried the rest of the chicken for you.”
No sooner had Jiang's mother finished speaking than her aunt suddenly arrived at the door.
Before I even entered the door, I heard her calling out, "Mian's mom, are you home? I'll get it for you..."
As soon as she stepped through the door, she saw Jiang Mian and her mother staring at her intently.
"Mianmian is home too..."
Seeing that Jiang Mian was also at home, the auntie gave an embarrassed smile and immediately shut her mouth.
But Jiang Mian still saw the envelope she hadn't had time to hide.
The three of them just stared at each other, and the atmosphere became very silent for a moment.
It was Jiang's mother who spoke first, saying to Jiang Mian, "Aren't you hungry? Come in and eat, or the food will get cold."
This was an intentional attempt to get him out of the way, and Jiang Mian, not being stupid, simply went along with it.
"Auntie, you and my mom talk first. I'm hungry, so I'll eat something first."
"Alright, alright. Your great-uncle said you traveled all night to get back. Remember to eat well. If there's anything else you want to eat, you can get it from your great-aunt's house."
Under the loving gaze of her aunt, Jiang Mian nodded slightly and went into the kitchen.
As soon as he entered the kitchen, Jiang's mother pulled his aunt out into the yard.
It's likely that both of them thought this would block Jiang Mian's view.
Little did they know, a corner of a kitchen window was broken, and looking through this gap, the entire view of the yard was laid out before them.
Jiang Mian filled a bowl with rice and picked up some vegetables, then stood by the window, quietly watching the scene outside.
The two seemed to deliberately lower their voices, and Jiang Mian, standing in the kitchen, couldn't hear what they were saying.
I saw the aunt trying to stuff the envelope in her hand into her mother's hand, but she refused.
The aunt looked a little anxious. When her mother refused, she frowned and said something, while gesturing towards the kitchen with her chin.
His mother, however, kept her head down, her expression indifferent, and listened silently to what the other person was saying.
Then his aunt stuffed the envelope into his hand again, and this time, his mother didn't refuse.
After accepting the envelope, she bowed deeply to the aunt, startling her so much that the aunt quickly tried to stop her.
The envelope was not sealed, and with the large movement, Jiang Mian could clearly see a hint of red peeking out.
Think of the orchard at home, and then think of Jiang's father who is currently hospitalized.
This is the best way to offer help in times of need.
Jiang Mian swallowed the food in her mouth, suppressing the sourness in her eyes.
He suddenly had a specific interpretation of the phrase "growing up overnight".
At this moment, such a scene might act as a catalyst.
Looking at Jiang's mother's lonely and thin figure, he suddenly felt that he, standing in the kitchen, was so selfish and cowardly.
If he could stand up for his mother, would she be able to suffer less?
He couldn't blame his father for being too stubborn, after all, everyone has their own compelling reasons.
After Auntie left, Jiang's mother composed herself and returned to the kitchen. Jiang Mian had already finished eating and was washing the dishes.
"Aren't you hungry? There's still so much food left, why don't you eat more?"
Looking at the food that hadn't changed much, Jiang's mother spoke with a hint of reproach.
Jiang Mian smiled and put the washed dishes back in their place: "Something came up at school, so I have to go back now."
"You're leaving so soon after you got back? You've been on the bus all night. Take a rest first. You've already taken the day off, so there's no rush."
Upon hearing that her son was leaving, Jiang's mother's tone, which had initially been blaming her, immediately turned into one of heartache.
Jiang Mian patiently lied: "I'm graduating next year, and I'm busy with a lot of things at school right now. I was relieved after I came back and confirmed that Dad was alright."
His words only made things worse, as they revealed a change in Jiang's mother.
Touching her son's face, Jiang's mother tried to think of comforting words: "Don't put so much pressure on yourself at school. Just be a good person and do good things. You look like you've lost weight."
How could I not lose weight?
Not only was his endocrine system nearly out of balance, but he was also overwhelmed by the trivial matters of daily life.
Before leaving, Jiang Mian smiled at his mother and said, "Take good care of Dad. Once I graduate and start earning money, I'll make sure you both live a good life."
"good."
Jiang's mother smiled and said, "Mom believes in you."
The two waved goodbye.
As Jiang Mian boarded the high-speed train back home, she already had a plan in mind.
He wants to make money!
I want to make lots and lots of money!
Perhaps it was the scene of the aunt delivering money that stung Jiang Mian, causing her to unknowingly fall into a dead end.
He even went so far as to search online for posts asking what he could do to make money quickly.
Aside from the expected banter, the more serious replies were mostly based on the idea of standing on the shoulders of giants.
After a fruitless search, I did come across some posts recruiting female live streamers.
Seeing the words "recruiting attractive live streamers" stirred a few ripples in Jiang Mian's heart.
Perhaps he could use Jiang Wan's identity...?
After much thought, I realized that becoming a live streamer might be a faster way to make money.
Although this profession carries a suggestive connotation in the eyes of most people, he will definitely stick to his bottom line.
Besides, if you really encounter some perverted bastards, just suddenly turn back into a boy and scare them half to death!
Jiang Mian made jokes to herself, amusing herself in the process.
The large sum in the balance was all obtained by deceiving He Yubai before.
Remembering her family's current financial difficulties, Jiang Mian transferred several thousand yuan to her mother, lying that it was money she had earned from part-time jobs.
As Jiang Mian initiated this transfer, she seemed to have developed a certain obsession.
He felt that he had grown up and should contribute his share to the family.
The money came so easily, but it also reminded him of He Yubai.
If the lie is ever exposed, he will find a way to return the money to He Yubai.
The scenery outside the car window rushed by, and Jiang Mian felt that her heart was both chaotic and calm.
It was an indescribable feeling.
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