Jiang Hong signaled Mother Jiang frantically, terrified that she might let Jiang Tang leave.
Mother Jiang, not wanting to miss such a golden opportunity, smiled and said, "I remembered wrong just now; isn't there a room on the west side? You and Dongdong can stay here as long as you like."
The room on the west side was tiny and poorly lit.
Jiang Tang shook her head. "Forget it. It doesn't matter where I stay, but Dongdong is still young and needs a better place. If he gets sick, Shen Chuan will just say I didn't take good care of him."
"These groceries and the clothes we're wearing were bought with money Shen Chuan sent back. Now that I’ve delivered the items, I’ll be heading back."
Only then did Mother Jiang notice the quality of the fabric Jiang Tang was wearing.
She had always assumed Jiang Tang was living a miserable life. After all, they had only met a few times over the years, and each time Jiang Tang had been timid and servile, never even standing up straight.
Seeing her today, however, her features looked far more beautiful than before, and her entire demeanor had transformed. She was no longer the downtrodden Jiang Tang.
The only person who could have caused such a massive change in her was likely Shen Chuan.
For the sake of her son’s job and his future wife, she suppressed her temper.
"You're right; it was my oversight. Look at this room—how about this? You can stay in your younger brother's room."
Jiang Hong chimed in from the side, "That's right, Sis. My room is big; you should stay in there."
Having achieved her desired result, Jiang Tang lowered her head, the corners of her lips curling upward. When she looked up, however, her expression was indifferent. "Fine."
"I’m going to rest for a while, so call me when it’s time to eat. This brown sugar is for you to build up your strength, Mother. Make sure to cook this meat for lunch."
The Jiang family’s largest, best-ventilated room was now occupied by Jiang Tang and Dongdong.
The room was bright, and the bedding was comfortable. Since Jiang Hong wouldn't dream of doing housework, Mother Jiang took care of it all.
"Mom, are you thirsty?" Dongdong asked with great docility. "I’ll go get you some water."
Jiang Tang hooked her finger around Dongdong’s hand. "That would be lovely."
Seeing that his mother needed him, Dongdong ran off happily to fetch the water. "Mom, drink up."
Jiang Tang drank a little and patted his head. "Dongdong, you need to drink some too. Drinking plenty of water is good for your health."
Dongdong nodded obediently and drank some water on his own without needing her help. When Jiang Tang praised him, he smiled shyly.
With nothing to do in the room, Jiang Tang sat on a chair with Dongdong and decided to teach him a few things. She took some money from her pocket, and Dongdong watched her with his big, dark eyes.
"Dongdong, today Mom is going to teach you how to recognize money and the vouchers needed to buy things."
Everything Dongdong knew, he had only heard from others. He had never touched money himself and knew very little. Jiang Tang decided to teach him how to use it so that if any emergency ever arose, he would be able to protect himself.
"This is one jiao, this is two jiao, this is five jiao..."
Jiang Tang taught him bit by bit. She pulled out a "Big Unity" note. "And this one is the largest denomination: ten yuan. One ten-yuan note is equal to ten one-yuan notes."
Watching Dongdong listen with such focused intensity, Jiang Tang smiled and asked, "Mom is going to test you now: how many one-jiao notes make one yuan?"
Dongdong answered immediately, "Ten."
He didn't even use his fingers to count. Jiang Tang gained an even deeper appreciation for his clever little mind.
Outside, a pair of dark eyes watched the money on the table through a gap in the window. A second later, the space by the window was empty.
"We’re rich! We’re rich!" Jiang Hong’s voice was high with excitement before he lowered it, unable to hide his joy. "Mother, we are really going to be rich."
"What’s wrong?" Mother Jiang asked, bewildered. Why was he so happy about giving his room to Jiang Tang?
Jiang Hong whispered the scene he had just witnessed. In his mind, he had already claimed the money as his own.
Mother Jiang gasped. "That much money?"
"Are you sure you didn't see wrong? Does that girl really have that much?"
Jiang Hong was adamant. "It's absolutely true; I saw it clearly. No wonder she looks so healthy—she doesn't look like a country bumpkin at all. If our family had that kind of money..."
By the end, Jiang Hong’s eyes were gleaming with greed. Since he had seen it, the money had to be his.
"Mother, you must make her hand that money over," Jiang Hong said. "With that money, I’ll definitely be able to marry a good wife."
Mother Jiang nodded. "Fine, we’ll put up with her for now. In a few days, we’ll trick the money out of her, and then we’ll find you a good wife."
Father Jiang, who had been sighing repeatedly, finally spoke up. "Tang has finally come home after such a long time and even brought us these things. Why are you acting like this? Besides, she said she would find a job for Ah Hong."
His words ignited Mother Jiang’s fury. She snapped, "Didn't you hear what our son said? She has a lot of money on her. Just look at the things she bought—are they even worth much? You're letting such a measly gift sway you?"
"Besides, she’s a daughter. We raised her all these years; isn't it only right for her to contribute to this family? Otherwise, why did we raise her?"
"Giving Ah Hong money and finding him a job is the least she can do. If she really had this family in her heart, she would have handed the money over to us directly."
No matter how much their daughter did, it could never compare to a single casual word from their son.
...
"Mom, why did you put the money with me?" Dongdong asked, seeing his mother sewing the money into the inner pockets of his clothes and even his trousers.
Jiang Tang glanced at the empty window. "Because Mom is afraid that some people might have their eyes on it."
"Dongdong, you keep this money safe for Mom for now. Don't let anyone touch it."
Dongdong nodded firmly. "I will. I'll keep it safe for you, Mom."
To ensure Jiang Tang would hand over the money, Mother Jiang used half of the meat Jiang Tang had brought to make pork belly, and even cooked white rice and fish—luxuries she usually couldn't bear to eat.
Had she known Jiang Tang had so much money earlier, she would have gone straight up and demanded it, or even just taken it. But she couldn't do that now; Shen Chuan would be back soon. She had to find a way to make Jiang Tang hand over the money of her own free will.
Once the meal was ready, Mother Jiang came to call Jiang Tang personally, putting on the mask of a loving mother. "Tang, the food is ready. Come on out with Dongdong and eat."
"Understood," Jiang Tang replied.
When she arrived, the family was already seated, and they had saved a good spot for her.
Jiang Caixia, who had just returned home and learned that Jiang Tang was staying for a few days, almost didn't recognize her when she first saw her. Was this really the Jiang Tang she remembered?
Recalling Mother Jiang's claim that Jiang Tang’s transformation was due to her wealth, she became even more determined to find a man from town—one who knew how to make money, so that her own future would be secure.