Seeing Uncle’s family all speaking up for her, Er Ya suddenly gained courage. She looked at the old lady with eyes that mixed hope, desire, and anxious pleading, and said, "Granny, I truly love studying, I will definitely study hard and strive for a scholarship! When I’m successful and can earn money in the future, I will definitely support the family and take good care of you and Grandpa! Please, let me go to school. When I come back from school, I will do the household chores, and during the summer and winter breaks, I will work in the fields with you. I won’t neglect the work."
Zhang Guihua’s anger somewhat subsided after being persuaded by several people one after another, but her thoughts didn’t waver at all.
After all, if Er Ya were to go to school, she would have to shell out eight yuan for just one semester, not to mention other expenses.
Zhiwen was also about to start junior high, where there would be even more expenses.
And Sun Lixia’s face turned ugly the moment she heard what Jiang Changhe said; now that the second son had a boy, his backbone was toughening.
Even the household’s daughters were growing bolder one after another.
She glared disapprovingly at the people of the second branch and said sharply, "Second Brother, before you speak, you should also look at our family’s situation. We’re barely getting by financially, scrimping and saving to send these kids to school. If we have to support another one now, is our family expected to live on Northwest wind?"
Jiang Changtao, seeing his wife lacking tact, quickly tugged at her and mouthed the word ’ginseng’ to her, indicating that she should keep her mouth shut and not fuss over a few dollars.
In a few days, he was going to follow Jiang Changhe to the mountains to dig for ginseng. It wouldn’t be good if they upset Zhaodi, the honest man.
Sun Lixia took the hint from Jiang Changtao and snorted coldly, no longer saying much.
After all, compared to the money they would get from selling ginseng, a few yuan in school fees really weren’t much.
Luckily, Jiang Changhe was an honest and simple man who didn’t squabble with her, a woman. Instead, he spoke to the old lady with a subdued voice, "Mom, we’ll cover Er Ya’s schooling expenses ourselves in our branch, there’s no need for you to contribute."
Hearing this, Sun Lixia’s knot of concern instantly unraveled. That was more like it.
But Zhang Guihua was still unwilling to relent, "In our village, no family sends their daughters to school. Your household already has Zhaodi studying; that’s enough."
Upon hearing this, the hope in Er Ya’s eyes instantly dimmed. It was indeed no use.
Jiang Changhai, seeing that Jiang Changhe had run out of arguments after his initial remarks and was now as quiet as a mute bottle gourd, stepped in himself.
"Dad, Mom, do you remember the reporters who came to interview our family a while ago? Before they left, they praised both of you, saying that your thinking was progressive, that you don’t favor boys over girls, and by allowing Mianmian to study just like the boys, otherwise, you would be burying a little genius." Jiang Changhai, in an effort to persuade his parents, started to flatter them.
"Yes, Granny, my second sister is smart and good at studying. Over the past year, she has been learning at such a fast pace. She will definitely succeed in her studies and have great prospects, I’m sure there will be a return on your decision to let her go to school," Jiang Mianmian chimed in, knowing that her Granny valued money and return on investment, so she used this to persuade her.
At this moment, the silent Jiang Dashan, who was smoking his dry pipe by the kang bed, knocked the ash out and spoke with a heavy voice, "Alright, I think what Eldest and the others said makes sense. Er Ya is indeed diligent in her studies. This school term when it starts, we should send her to school."