"No, mom and dad, I took leave to come back, and I have some huge news to tell you," Jiang Changhai said, exaggeratedly holding up the newspaper.
"What good news? Is the commune awarding Mianmian a bonus?" Zhang Guihua’s first reaction was about money.
"It’s even more important than a bonus, look, Mianmian’s essay got published in the newspaper, see, Mianmian’s name," Jiang Changhai unfolded the newspaper, pointing at Jiang Mianmian’s name for them to see.
Zhang Guihua, who was illiterate, looked where Jiang Changhai was pointing, and didn’t react for a while.
It was actually Jiang Dashan who, seeing his granddaughter’s name, became so excited that he started breathing heavily.
The villagers also stretched their necks to look at the newspaper in Jiang Changhai’s hands, and those among them who could read were flush with excitement.
"My goodness, Mianmian actually, actually made it onto the newspaper? This child, this child is just too impressive!"
"Oh my Lord, this child is only so young, and her article made it onto the newspaper. Our little mountain hole has let fly a golden phoenix!"
The villagers all looked at the Jiang family members with eyes full of envy, feeling sure that the Jiang family’s ancestral tomb was well-sited.
Zhang Guihua, listening to this, also came to a realization.
She first smacked her thigh hard, then suddenly hugged Jiang Mianmian, saying sweetly, "Oh my, my dear granddaughter, you are truly remarkable, to have made it onto the newspaper. You are the pride of the Old Jiang Family! Grandma’s darling, I always knew this small village couldn’t contain you, you were born to be a city person."
Sun Lixia was also very excited. She had long since accepted her fate, no longer deluding herself that her two sons could compare to San Ya.
She was even hoping that her niece would make a name for herself.
After all, the more accomplished San Ya became, the more she could help and support her own two sons.
Jiang Changtao, watching his older brother being praised by everyone, felt very complex emotions.
He had just beaten Zhiwen for failing his exams, yet San Ya’s essay had made it onto the newspaper.
At that moment, he finally accepted his fate and admitted that his two sons couldn’t compare to his older brother’s daughter.
He felt both dejected about himself and happy for his two sons.
Dejected that, for his entire life, he would always be overshadowed by the eldest.
Happy that his two sons had such an accomplished sister, who could help them out in the future.
Their lives would be much better than his had been.
The usually solemn Jiang Dashan was so stirred that his lips trembled, "Good, really good! Eldest brother, sister-in-law, you are the great benefactors of the Jiang family. You have given us such a wonderful child who brings glory to our ancestors! Tonight, we will prepare a grand meal, offer sacrifices to our ancestors, and inform them that our family has produced a Wenqu Star, asking them to protect San Ya and keep her healthy and safe."
This newspaper, he would have it framed, and from then on it would be displayed in the center of the main hall for all visitors to see.
Seeing him put away the newspaper, the villagers, still eager to see it, said anxiously, "Uncle, don’t put the newspaper away yet, we haven’t seen it yet."
Jiang Dashan, however, shook his head seriously, "No, what if someone isn’t careful and damages the newspaper?"
Hearing this, Su Wanyu quickly took out her own copy, "Uncles, aunts, take a look at this one; it’s the same."