Chapter 99: Chapter 99 The Looks of a Good-for-Nothing
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a regret medicine in this world.
Jiang Mianmian could only swallow her tears and absorb this lesson, admonishing herself never to do such foolish things that set traps for herself again!
After school in the afternoon, as she was packing up her things, Teacher Liu came over with two thick books in her arms, “Jiang Mianmian, these are reference books I bought in town a few days ago. I was planning to use them myself, but I’m not in a hurry. You can use them first.”
“How could I, Teacher Liu? You should keep them for yourself, I’ll buy them if I need them,” Jiang Mianmian repeatedly waved her hands to refuse.
“It’s okay, just take them. I think you need these books more than I do. Take them and have a good look.”
Seeing Teacher Liu’s earnest and encouraging face, Jiang Mianmian could only reach out and accept the books, “Thank you, Teacher Liu.”
So, Jiang Changhai saw his glum little girl, “What’s the matter, daughter? Why aren’t you happy?”
Jiang Mianmian told her father about the day’s events and, after finishing, her father took her little face in his hands and gave it a gentle rub, “Oh, my daughter, you are so amazing; how you make your father proud! Let’s hurry back home and tell your grandparents the good news.”
Seeing her father so happy, Jiang Mianmian’s gloom dissipated greatly in an instant.
After all, her father was so good to her; studying a couple of extra books harder seemed worth the effort.
As soon as they got home, Jiang Changhai stood in the yard and shouted loudly, “Dad, Mom, come out quickly, I have some great news to share with you!”
Zhang Guihua came out with a stern face to scold, “You’re over thirty and still so loudly excitable. What’s the good news?”
“Where’s dad?” Jiang Changhai craned his neck to look inside the house.
Jiang Dashan, holding his old tobacco pipe, walked out, “I’m here, tell me, what is it?”
“Dad, look at the books in Mianmian’s hands, do you know where they come from?”
Jiang Changhai, who wanted to play coy, immediately changed his tune after a heavy glance from his father.
He spoke animatedly, “These were given to Mianmian by her homeroom teacher, for free! And Mianmian has now finished the fourth-grade curriculum! The principal said that from now on, the teachers will give Mianmian special attention, and she can go and ask the teachers anything whenever she needs to.”
At this news, Jiang Dashan’s gaze fell on his pale-skinned granddaughter, “Does the principal treat San Ya with such importance?”
“Absolutely, Dad, not only does the principal value her, but the school’s teachers do too! Today, just for Mianmian, they prepared a special exam, and Mianmian got full marks. The teachers were so pleased, they even gave her the new books they’d bought.”
“Each of these books costs quite a few pennies, you see? Hasn’t Mianmian earned some money for our family?” Jiang Changhai flaunted the books in Jiang Mianmian’s hands in front of his parents.
Zhang Guihua squinted at the books in Jiang Changhai’s hands, her mouth twisted into a sneer, “It’s just two books, they’re neither edible nor drinkable, are they worth your excitement? Look at your hapless expression.”
Jiang Changhai, seeing his mother’s indifferent attitude, quickly retorted, “Mom, are these ordinary books? This represents the school and the teachers’ recognition of Mianmian, which is far more important than food and drink.”
Jiang Dashan, however, looked at his promising granddaughter with a face full of satisfaction and gently advised, “San Ya, you must study hard in the future and not let down the teachers and the principal’s expectations of you, understand?”
“Yes, I understand, Grandpa,” Jiang Mianmian puffed out her little chest, her voice crisp in response.