Chapter 58 Parting on Unhappily
"How dare you speak like that, Xiaomin? Apologize to your aunt right now!" Jiang Zhengyu shouted sternly.
When Jiang Min heard her father scolding her in public, she immediately protested, sitting on the ground kicking her legs wildly and shouting loudly.
"What right do you have to talk about me like that? Jiang Zhengyu, I was sent down to the countryside with you when I was eleven years old. All my best years were wasted in that poor and desolate place."
Haven't I suffered enough over the years? I've only enjoyed a few days of happiness with you, and you're already yelling at me? Jiang Ruzhen is my aunt, why wasn't she sent down to the countryside with her whole family?
Why does she get to live a life of luxury in the city? She hasn't visited her grandparents in all these years; she's utterly unfilial.
You're such a pathetic older brother, letting your sister shit on your head and you don't dare utter a sound..."
"Xiaomin, shut up." Bai Hua saw that Jiang Zhengyu's face had turned black from being scolded by his daughter, so he quickly stepped forward and covered Jiang Min's mouth.
"Look at this, look at this, this is our pampered daughter." Jiang Zhengyu looked at Bai Hua with a face full of anger.
He turned to Jiang Min and said, "I am sorry for making you suffer with us at such a young age, but in all these years, have I ever made you do any work?"
Have you ever farmed or collected horse manure? Even your grandparents and your two younger brothers did those things, but all you had to do every day was stay obediently in the cowshed and wait for us to come back and cook for you.
Ask yourself honestly, have you ever truly suffered? What more do you want from us?
Jiang Min was spoiled by her family. If it were back in the countryside, she would have thought she was living a good life. But ever since she saw the large bags of things her aunt had brought last time...
Especially after those expensive supplements and sweet nutritional drinks, her perception underwent a complete transformation.
After returning to the city and experiencing its prosperity and bustle, she felt even more jealous and resentful.
Why should she, at such a young age, have to suffer with her parents in the countryside, while her aunt, who is much older, is protected by everyone and enjoys a life of luxury in the city?
She had never seen such skyscrapers, such a bustling city, such delicious food and new clothes before.
It's all Jiang Ruzhen's fault; she owes her whole family this.
"I just don't accept it. We're both girls in the same family, so why is Jiang Ruzhen the princess you all cherish, while I'm just an unwanted weed?"
Everything Jiang Ruzhen has achieved today was obtained by stepping on our blood and tears; she must compensate us for our emotional distress.
Jiang Zhengyu was utterly shocked by his daughter's words; he had no idea when she had conceived such a terrible idea.
Bai Hua felt that her daughter was right and she fully supported her daughter. Therefore, she stood beside her daughter and looked at Jiang Ruzhen without saying a word.
She had already heard from her husband that her sister-in-law was now running a clothing business and making a lot of money.
They had just settled in and were short of money. They needed a lot of furniture, nice clothes, shoes, rice, flour, oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea—everything they needed to buy.
Now that my sister-in-law has money, she should use it to improve their quality of life.
The joyful expressions on Jiang Nian'an and Tian Rong's faces gradually faded. Seeing their family, who had just reunited, turn into such a mess, they looked very distressed.
Tian Rong walked over, took Jiang Min's hand, and advised her.
“Xiaomin, your aunt has had a hard time all these years. She doesn’t come to see us because your uncle passed away, and she had to raise four children all by herself.”
For so many years, we didn't know anything about her and didn't help her at all. She still had to save up every penny to send us money every month.
However, they were all intercepted by the bad guys in town; they just didn't reach us. Don't blame her; she did her best.
Jiang Min coldly withdrew her hand and scoffed, "Grandpa and Grandma, you're so naive. You believe everything your aunt says. I don't believe anyone these days would dare to embezzle someone else's money."
These are just excuses Jiang Ruzhen used to deceive you. She knew in advance that you were going back to the city and that you would be of use again, which is why she eagerly tried to curry favor with you.
That's human nature. My aunt wants to take advantage of us, fine, but she'll have to show some sincerity by paying us money first. Otherwise, if she tries to get something for nothing, I won't let her into this house today.
Jiang Min launched into a tirade, making Jiang Zhengyu tremble with anger, but he couldn't bring himself to raise his hand.
Bai Hua shielded her daughter behind her like a mother hen, confronting Jiang Zhengyu.
Jiang Zhengxiao glared angrily at his elder brother, furious at his lack of self-control. If it were his daughter, he would have slapped her long ago, but he was of a lower social status and couldn't discipline her.
The second sister-in-law adopted an indifferent attitude, while the two sons looked bewildered, glancing between Jiang Min and Jiang Ruzhen, caught in a dilemma.
The two brothers, Shen Zhuoli and Shen Zhuoyi, who came with them, were stunned by the shameless and arrogant attitude of their cousin whom they hadn't seen for many years.
They wanted to stand up for their mother, but Jiang Ruzhen held them down with one hand each. It was Jiang Ruzhen's first time visiting her parents' home. If she couldn't even get in the door, what would the neighbors say about her parents?
Her parents were both highly educated intellectuals who always valued their reputation.
The moment they returned home, their neighbors found out about the family discord, the children's fights, and the fact that they couldn't even have a family reunion dinner. They were all being talked about behind their backs. How heartbroken they must be.
We must eat this reunion dinner today.
In the quiet air, Jiang Ruzhen suddenly chuckled.
"I thought it was something serious, but it's just that my little princess is sad and wants to ask her aunt for candy. How could her aunt refuse her?"
"Come on, look! Your auntie prepared a big red envelope for you this morning. Get up and take it!"
Jiang Ruzhen took out a packet of money wrapped in red paper from her backpack and handed it to Jiang Min. Jiang Min's eyes lit up, and she jumped up from the ground to grab the red packet. When she opened it, she saw a thick stack of money.
She excitedly counted the money; it totaled two thousand yuan.
My God, she's struck it rich!
My aunt is indeed rich; she's very generous. These two thousand yuan are equivalent to three years of her father's salary!
"Thank you, Auntie."
When it comes to sweet talk, as long as the money is right, Jiang Min can be very charming.
Jiang Ruzhen replied with a smile, "Good girl."
Jiang Zhengyu and Bai Hua were both shocked by Jiang Ruzhen's generosity. Bai Hua happily pulled Jiang Min aside to count the money.
Jiang Zhengyu repeatedly declined, saying, "Little sister, it's not easy for you to earn money."
There are so many children in the family, and the third and fourth children still need to go to school. A few yuan in a red envelope would have been enough. What are you going to do with so much money? Take it back immediately.
He walked over to try and snatch the money back from Jiang Min, but Jiang Min hid behind him, glaring at him fiercely with her big eyes.
“This is a red envelope from my aunt, you have no right to ask about it.”
“You…” Jiang Zhengyu was completely under his daughter’s thumb, and could only stare helplessly.
Jiang Ruzhen continued walking into the house. Jiang Nian'an and Tian Rong looked very unhappy, but they still warmly invited their youngest daughter to sit on the sofa.
Second sister-in-law Zhou Qing suddenly spoke up, “Little sister, you don’t only have one niece in this family, you also have two little nephews!”
We're family; we can't favor one over the other.
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