Jiang Yu spoke eloquently and even provided witnesses in the end. On the other hand, Li Xiuying's grandson, who couldn't speak clearly, and her supposedly beaten daughter-in-law, didn't dare leave the house. Many people pointed and whispered about the grandfather and grandson, clearly indicating they were there to extort money from the Shen Ying family.
Wang Cuihua took Dongdong to deliver food to her mother-in-law and missed the news, not knowing what had happened. Seeing a crowd gathered at her doorstep, and Li Xiuying slumped on the ground beside her, she hurried over.
She knew Zhang Xinhua wouldn't let Jiang Yu off the hook. However, the relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had always been strained, and Li Xiuying's actions in standing up for her daughter-in-law seemed like she'd been instigated.
After hearing Jiang Yu explain the situation, he immediately stepped forward:
"Yes, I can testify that Jiang Yu did not hit the child."
Wang Cuihua's words undoubtedly sealed the deal. Shen He'an looked at Jiang Yu, then at Li Xiuying.
"Auntie, why don't we go home and ask him what happened? Xiao Bo can't explain anything in this state. Instead of nagging him, we should try to talk to him and comfort him. It's not right to lie!"
Li Xiuying glared at him fiercely, then pulled Shen Bo back. She knew that lingering here was pointless, and they might even be condemned by the entire village. She not only wanted to ask, but also wanted to hear Zhang Xinhua's excuses. What was she up to, trying to trick a nearly seventy-year-old woman like her into seeking justice and making her lose face?
Besides, Zhang Xinhua has made a mess of things at home all these years, it's time to find an opportunity to clean house.
Seeing Li Xiuying leave, the onlookers dispersed. In their opinion, since making that fool of herself, Shen Ying's wife had become increasingly quick-witted, almost like a completely different person.
Shen He'an, still standing there in a daze, scratched his head, looking completely bewildered. The matter was already resolved? And so quickly? This was somewhat unexpected.
Among the crowd was a young intellectual named Sun Ming, who was Lu Yi's lover. Hearing the whole story, he went back and told Lu Yi everything.
......
Jiang Yu thanked Wang Cuihua, left Dongdong at home to play for a while, and then started processing the mung beans that had been soaked the night before.
I'll make some mung bean cakes for the kids later, so they can try my cooking. If they're good, it's a way to make money too.
The three children were playing enthusiastically inside the house, and both parents took extra care of Shen Niannian because of his injured leg.
After playing for a while, Shen Suisui and Shen Niannian began to sit on small stools and listen to Dongdong tell stories about school.
"There are lots of friends there to play with, like catching eagles and dropping handkerchiefs, it's so much fun. And the teachers give each student a red scarf, and there's a five-star red flag on the school playground. Every Monday we line up to raise the flag, salute, and sing the national anthem. See, that's how it is."
Dongdong put his right hand, fingers together, on his head and gave a Young Pioneers salute.
The two children followed suit, doing it very seriously.
"Sui Sui's posture is very good, but Niannian's arms need to be raised a little higher."
Dongdong stood with his hands behind his back, like a little teacher. Jiang Yu went to the inner room to get some red dates and was startled to see the two children standing so straight.
Shen Suisui blushed and was about to lower her hand when she heard her mother speak:
"Sui Sui did a really good job, she deserves praise. You'll be allowed to have two extra pieces of mung bean cake when it's ready. Teacher Dong Dong also worked hard, he can have two extra pieces too."
Her gaze swept over Shen Niannian, and her brows furrowed. Shen Niannian was still waiting for his mother to praise him, but it seemed unlikely. Thinking about it, he deflated like a punctured balloon and pouted.
"You're doing well every year, but you still need to practice more. Mom believes you'll do as well as your older brothers and sisters. Keep it up!"
Jiang Yu prefers praise to suppression-style education. She believes that children who receive praise develop a unique self-confidence and are unafraid to do anything.
Hearing her words, Shen Niannian became lively. He followed behind Jiang Yu like a little tail, unable to resist spinning around.
"Mommy is the best. I will study hard every year and be just like my older brother and sister."
Before long, the fragrant mung bean cakes were ready. Jiang Yu plated them and gave them to the children, specifically reminding them to wash their hands thoroughly before closing the door and going next door.
Wang Cuihua was preparing fish she had bought from the market when she saw Jiang Yu arrive. She quickly invited her to sit down. Worried that Jiang Yu was in a bad mood, she offered her words of comfort:
"Don't take what happened at noon to heart. The villagers meant no harm; they just like to gossip. Now that things are resolved, it's all in the past. I doubt that Shenbo will dare to bully Suisui Nian Nian again, or we won't let him off the hook."
Jiang Yu was stunned for a moment after hearing her story, then burst into laughter:
“Sister-in-law, I’m not the kind of person who holds grudges. Besides, it’s Zhang Xinhua’s family that’s being criticized by the villagers, it has nothing to do with us! I came here today for other things. Isn’t Sui Sui going to start first grade next fall? Is there any way to get her into a preschool class (referring to kindergarten) in the spring?”
Shen Suisui is intelligent, and early education will help her with her future studies. Jiang Yu doesn't want to bury talent and is willing to make plans for them early on.
Wang Cuihua understood her purpose and felt a little embarrassed. She thought about Dongdong's schooling situation at that time. Most of them went directly to first grade when they reached the appropriate age, and very few attended preschool classes.
"Otherwise, you can go to the village chief's house and ask. He has more detailed and clearer information about this than we do."
The two chatted for a while, then Jiang Yu decided to go to the village chief's house. Before leaving, Wang Cuihua gave her some instructions:
"Jiang Yu, let Dongdong go home later. It's not good to keep bothering you."
"Don't worry, the children are doing very well at home, so there's nothing to be concerned about."
Jiang Yu left as soon as she finished speaking, and she didn't hear a word of what Wang Cuihua said afterward. She hurriedly went home, cut two jin of pork, and carried it towards the village chief's house.
On the way, they encountered Cui Jin, the administrator of the educated youth. When Cui Jin saw that Jiang Yu was walking in the same direction as him, still carrying meat, his heart sank.
Oh no! Shen Ying just left, and his wife is already going to see Lu Yi again. Normally, it wouldn't be a big deal; a few whispers would blow it away. But now it's different. He just got back from the city and heard that Shen Ying got promoted again in the army, wielding so much power that even the mayor has to give him face. If Lu Yi continues to date her, and someone with ulterior motives reports him for breaking up a military marriage, he'll be in trouble too.
Thinking of this, Cui Jin felt a wave of fear wash over him. Seeing Jiang Yu turn the corner, he felt a sense of helplessness.
The village chief lived next to the village committee office, right next to the educated youth dormitory. Jiang Yu had to cross the courtyard to get to the village chief's house.
The educated youth were busy in the yard when they saw Jiang Yu carrying two jin of pork and walking towards them. Those who were curious ran out to see what was going on.
Even more troublesome people told Lu Yi about it.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
