Jiang Tang walked through the door of the Jiang Family home, holding Dongdong’s hand, only to discover that the house was empty.
It wasn't until she opened the front door of the main house that a disheveled man looked blankly at the figure who had suddenly appeared on the doorstep. He didn’t recognize the beautiful girl standing before him at first, not until his eyes fell upon Dongdong. He then looked Jiang Tang up and down, sizing her up with suspicion. "Jiang Tang?"
Jiang Hong had been pampered since he was a child; Father Jiang and Mother Jiang had always given him the best the family had to offer. His sisters had performed far better than him in school, yet none of them were given the chance to continue their education. Instead, it was Jiang Hong—who cared nothing for his studies and preferred to go out and play every day—on whom they had spent every last penny, even scraping together their savings to put him through school.
Clearly, Jiang Hong lacked the aptitude for academics. No matter how much money they threw at him, he didn’t even make a ripple. While others spent money to learn, he spent it to play.
Jiang Tang lifted her eyes. "Yes."
It was no wonder Jiang Hong hadn't recognized her; her transformation was simply too vast. Her complexion was much fairer, she carried herself with a newfound energy, and most importantly, her entire presence had shifted. She used to look at people with a timid, small-minded air, but now she was capable of meeting his gaze directly. Furthermore, since when did she own such fine clothes?
Before Jiang Hong could ask, Jiang Tang ordered him, "Go and call Father and Mother back."
In this household, no one had ever dared to make him do chores, let alone order him around. This daughter who had been married off—like spilled water—was certainly putting on quite the airs.
He had been on the verge of lashing out at her, but when his peripheral vision caught the pork in Jiang Tang’s hand, his eyes shifted. "Fine, you wait here. I’ll go bring them back right now."
Father Jiang and Mother Jiang were working in the fields under the scorching sun, their clothes soaked through with sweat. Exhausted, they were taking a moment to catch their breath and drink some water when they suddenly heard someone calling for them. Mother Jiang turned her gaze toward the sound and saw Jiang Hong running toward them."Ah Hong, why are you here?" Mother Jiang wiped the sweat from her face with a rag that was already falling apart around her neck.
Jiang Hong did not move much, nor did he help with the work. His throat felt dry, so he picked up a ceramic mug nearby and took a large gulp of water.
Mother Jiang looked at him with concern. "You child, drink slowly. No one is going to snatch it from you."
In Mother Jiang’s eyes, Jiang Hong was just a child who had never grown up.
Jiang Hong wiped the sweat from his face and panted, "Jiang Tang is back."
"What is that wretched girl coming back for?" Mother Jiang glanced at Jiang Hong’s frame, a wave of anger rising within her. "Did she bully you?"
A daughter married off is like spilled water; she is no longer part of the Jiang Family. Aside from bringing gifts during holidays, Mother Jiang had no desire for her daughter to return home.
Jiang Hong knew what Mother Jiang was thinking, but today was different from the past. Just thinking about the meat Jiang Tang had bought, and all that food, made his mouth water.These days, getting a chance to eat meat is very difficult; people usually only get to eat meat dumplings during festivals.
"How could that be? With her pushover personality, could she possibly bully me? That girl brought back a lot of good things this time. She sent me to tell you both to go home."
"I reckon she must have quite a bit of money in her pocket. Not only did she buy things, but she also changed into new clothes."
He licked his lips. "And another thing, her son Dongdong came along too. The clothes he's wearing are things I've only ever seen at the department store. Just think, is that somewhere an ordinary person can walk into?"
Hearing this, Mother Jiang said, "Then what are we waiting around here for? Let's hurry back."
Father Jiang, who had been silent until now, spoke up, "What about this land we haven't finished turning over yet?"
Father Jiang was an honest, hardworking farmer. In his mind, nothing was more important than the land.
If they delayed now, it would affect the subsequent harvest.Looking at the stubborn Father Jiang, Mother Jiang was speechless. "What time do you think it is? You're still thinking about chores? Didn't you hear our son say that girl brought back a lot of good things?"
"Anything bought in town is better than working out here."
Jiang Hong could not wait any longer. He urged them on, terrified that the food would be gone if they were late. "Hurry up!"
The three of them hurried home under the scorching sun.
At that moment, Jiang Tang and Dongdong were sitting comfortably at home. She was feeding Dongdong the snacks she had bought.
As soon as Mother Jiang stepped into the house, she saw Dongdong eating, and a piece of high-quality pork belly sitting on the table. Her triangular eyes crinkled into a sycophantic smile.
"Tangtang, you’re back! Why didn't you let us know in advance?" Mother Jiang’s tone was kinder than ever before. She had always referred to the original owner of the body as a "cheap brat" and had never once called her by her nickname. It was as if the sun had truly risen in the west.
No, it was the allure of money.
"Oh my, so this is Dongdong? He’s grown so much in the blink of an eye. How adorable." Mother Jiang reached out to hug Dongdong, but he hid behind Jiang Tang.
Jiang Tang held Dongdong’s small hand, gave him a reassuring look, and said to the overly affectionate Mother Jiang, "Mother, Dongdong is wearing new clothes."
Mother Jiang froze at these words. The brat was implying she smelled.
For the sake of the good things, she endured it. "Ah, I was just so happy to see you back that I forgot I’d just come from the fields and was covered in dirt."
"I'll go change my clothes before I give you a hug."
Jiang Hong’s eyes were locked on the food on the table. At home, he ate nothing but thin porridge or greens every day; he was sick of it.
He picked up a cookie from the table and began to eat. He finished one and immediately grabbed another.
"Father, Mother. I came back this time because I want to stay at home for a few days," Jiang Tang said calmly, holding Dongdong.
No sooner had she spoken than Mother Jiang’s voice exploded in their ears. "How can that be?"
"You’re already married; you certainly can't stay at your maiden home. Besides, there isn't an extra room for you here."
If she stayed, that would mean two more mouths to feed—that meant money.
But Jiang Tang’s next sentence made her change her tune.
"I probably won’t be able to come home to see you for several years after this," Jiang Tang said, looking them in the eye. "Shen Chuan will be back soon, and he’ll be taking me and Dongdong to live with him at his military post."
"I was thinking that since you raised me, I wanted to stay here with Dongdong for a while. Once Shen Chuan returns, perhaps he could find a job for my brother."
Mother Jiang hadn't heard a word of what came before, but that last sentence struck a chord deep in her heart.
She didn't worry about anything else, only Jiang Hong.
Jiang Tang lifted her eyelids and said sincerely, "Brother is no longer young; he should get married and start a family. Once a man has a family, he can truly establish himself."
"If Shen Chuan knows that you have treated me well, he will surely treat you well in return."
This hit the mark for Mother Jiang again.
She thought about it day and night; she was desperate for Jiang Hong to get married immediately. Without a good job, it was hard for him to find a decent girl. Mother Jiang had no interest in girls who lacked both looks and prospects. After all, in her mind, Jiang Hong was a catch for anyone.
Jiang Tang’s words had Jiang Hong’s blood boiling. He could already see a wonderful life waving at him.
"Sister, we’re family—why are you talking like a stranger? If you want to stay, just stay. Stay as long as you like."
"Forget it," Jiang Tang sighed. "There’s no room for us to stay here, and it would be too inconvenient. I’ll just go back home. I’ll come by to see you when I have time."