Chapter 34: Chapter 34 One Set After Another
But that was not the point; the crux was that she could eat meat buns again.
Thinking of the fragrant meat buns, Jiang Mianmian couldn’t wait to ask, “Dad, when are we going to the town?”
“This afternoon, once the sun’s not so harsh, we’ll head out.” Jiang Changhai was always one for action; when he had money in hand, he was sure to spend it immediately.
Hearing this, Su Wanyu’s eyes shifted as she said with feigned consideration and love, “It’s so hot outside, Mianmian, you don’t have to suffer with us. Your dad and I will bring back all the tasty treats for you.”
“I want to go!” Jiang Mianmian immediately protested, thinking her mother wanted to eat more behind her back.
Seeing her ruse had failed, Su Wanyu coldly retorted, “Then you can walk by yourself; no one’s going to carry you.”
The town was far away; even adults had to walk for more than an hour.
“I can walk by myself.”
Jiang Mianmian puffed out her little chest with great determination, figuring that when she got tired, she could just act coy with her dad, and he would surely carry her.
The family inside the house was cheerful at the prospect of eating meat buns, but Lin Aibao in the outer room was somewhat exhausted, correcting them again, “No, that’s not how it’s pronounced.”
Even though they were sisters from the same family, how could there be such a big gap! Mianmian would remember after one lesson, but Da Ya and Er Ya had to be taught several times and still couldn’t remember, needing to be taught one by one.
Fortunately, both of them were diligently studying, so Lin Aibao was still very patient.
Er Ya, however, was a bit anxious, wanting to remember everything on the spot because their grandfather was sitting on the threshold, smoking and listening.
The more anxious she became, the less she could remember, and even Da Ya was learning faster than she was.
As Jiang Dashan listened to his granddaughters stumbling through their reading, his thoughts drifted to San Ya’s fluency and confidence when reciting poetry; that girl indeed had a talent for learning.
Not long after, seeing his eldest son emerge from the house with a radiant expression and heading out, he called to him, “Eldest, where are you going?”
Jiang Changhai responded, “I’m off to the village chief’s house to borrow some paper and a pen.”
Although he thought it wouldn’t matter if his daughter didn’t write her homework down, his daughter-in-law insisted that a good memory wasn’t as reliable as worn-out writing materials, and urged him to borrow them to start writing immediately.
“I’ll go with you,” Jiang Dashan flicked off his cigarette ash and stood up, “I’ve got something to discuss with the village chief anyway.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Changhai immediately brightened up, “Then please go ahead, I could stay behind. Just bring back the pen and paper for me.”
It was perfect; he’d save himself a trip under the sweltering sun.
“Let’s go,” Jiang Dashan shot him a glance and strode ahead.
What could Jiang Changhai do? He simply had to follow his father.
Upon arriving at the village chief’s home, before even entering, he called out loudly, “Village chief, I’ve come to borrow Aibao’s pen and exercise book.”
“Sure, take a seat and wait a moment,” the village chief said.
The village chief asked his wife to fetch the items while he sat down to chat, “How is San Ya getting on with her studies?”
“Aibao says our Mianmian is a genius who never forgets what she sees; she can memorize anything after just one read!” Jiang Changhai proclaimed with visible pride, his long legs shaking with excitement.
Hearing this, the village chief calmly asked, “Did Aibao really say that?”
It was no surprise that he doubted the credibility of this statement, as Jiang Changhai was notoriously exaggerated in the village, a man who could spin tales with ease.
Jiang Changhai wasn’t offended and said confidently, “If you don’t believe me, you can ask my dad.”
Jiang Dashan nodded, “Aibao did say that.”