Old Chiang Family’s preference for boys over girls was quite severe, and Chiang Xiao knew it wasn’t the first time she had been aware of it. She did feel a bit of sympathy for Chiang Caijiao, but it really wasn’t her place to intervene.
And what could she do about such matters? Speak up? Who in the Old Chiang Family would listen to her?
"Caijiao, I can’t help you with this. You do the chores at home, can I possibly go to your house and help you out? If I dared to show up, your grandma and your uncle would tear me apart."
"Sister Xiao, I know you can’t come to my house," Chiang Caijiao quickly said, "I mean, my brother-in-law is amazing, very capable, and very rich, right?"
Her eyes were still red from crying, but her gaze was bright, almost shining, as she looked at Chiang Xiao with great expectation.
She called him "brother-in-law" so smoothly and naturally that it made Chiang Xiao feel uncomfortable.
Who told her that Meng Xinian was so capable and wealthy?
She had only just gotten a fiance—whose legitimacy she wasn’t even sure of—and already a relative was looking for him, hoping he could help? And such a young girl, not even ten years old?
Chiang Xiao always felt there was something ludicrous about it.
When Chiang Caijiao was questioned , her gaze flickered. "It’s just, everyone in the village says so! It was just that I wasn’t home that day; otherwise, I would have liked to see my brother-in-law, too."
"Oh? And what do you want him to do for you?"
"Could he... could he come back and talk to my grandma?"
"Have him come talk to your grandma? Say what?"
"My grandma used to hit and scold you all the time, and now she doesn’t dare to do that anymore. Isn’t it because your brother-in-law spoke to her for you?"
"So you think your grandma listens to your... brother-in-law?"
"Definitely! Sister Xiao, when will brother-in-law be back? Could you please telegraph him? I’ve heard that telegrams are very fast, and once you send one, brother-in-law could come."
Heard, heard, she sure had heard a lot, hadn’t she?
Chiang Xiao shook her head, "You were not wrong just now, he serves as a Supervisor Guard, and the alliance’s discipline is strict; he can’t just leave as he pleases. Besides," she blinked, adding, "Let me tell you a secret, my grandma doesn’t dare to hit and scold me anymore, not because of your brother-in-law, but because I’ve made her afraid of me!"
As she said this, her heart suddenly skipped a beat, and she narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked at Chiang Caijiao.
The day she beat up Ho Laidi, Ho Laidi surely must have told Chiang Songtao when she got home, and the people of the Old Chiang Family would definitely know that Ho Laidi was beaten by her.
So, could Chiang Caijiao be unaware? Why then would she say that Ho Laidi was afraid of Meng Xinian?
This little girl likely had a real purpose that she had not yet revealed.
And so, her heart chilled slightly.
Could the Old Chiang Family’s upbringing truly produce fine shoots from a poor stump?
Chiang Caijiao instantly became even more timorous, looking at her pitifully and in a small voice, she said, "Sister Xiao, why have you suddenly become so strong? You used to be so weak."
Chiang Xiao smiled and said, "I was just pretending before, I used to not dare to fight back against your grandma. But how could I bear it when she incessantly provoked me? So, I didn’t hold back."
"Really? But, Sister Xiao, you used to be as thin as me. How could you have had the strength? And now, you’ve become so pretty, could it be that your family has meat to eat every day? My great-uncle and great-aunt always go to town; are they doing some kind of business?"
"Caijiao, why do you ask so many questions? Alright, go back, before your grandma starts worrying about you not being there. If you’re afraid of getting beaten, keep away from your second uncle. If he tries to hit you, just run. He can’t catch up with you now." After saying a few words, Chiang Xiao saw her out.