Chapter 318: Falling Out
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Jiang Gui was stunned. He was aiming at Jiang Xia, so how did his slap land on his son’s face?
Rubbing his eyes in disbelief, he stared at Jiang Lai, who had suddenly appeared in front of him. “Why did you move in front?”
With a pitiful look, tears started to form in Jiang Lai’s eyes. “Dad, why did you hit me?”
Jiang Gui quickly comforted his son, blowing on the swollen spot with concern.
Zhou Lan watched the two of them with a hint of cold amusement. If she hadn’t quickly moved Jiang Lai in front of Jiang Xia, that slap would have landed on her beloved daughter’s face. If he had dared to hit Jiang Xia, Zhou Lan was ready to make sure Jiang Gui wouldn’t get up today.
Thankfully, Jiang Gui and Jiang Lai were too busy tending to the injuries to notice how Zhou Lan had managed to move the hefty Jiang Lai so swiftly.
Jiang Chuan also lost his temper. He was willing to tolerate Jiang Gui’s arrogance, but daring to raise a hand against his daughter? Did he think Jiang Chuan was a pushover?
Jiang Chuan stared them down. “Big Brother, if you feel wronged, go talk to the Captain. The documents were approved by him. Or are you suggesting he took bribes? Everyone in Pushan Village knows he doesn’t accept gifts. Are you questioning the captain’s integrity?”
Jiang Gui was taken aback, struggling to find a counterargument.
Confronting the captain was a line he didn’t dare cross. But he quickly pivoted, “Stop with the nonsense. You hurt my son, so you need to compensate for that!”
Jiang Gui was already prepared to extort Jiang Chuan Jiang Chuan. He had heard that Jiang Chuan’s family had become wealthy, dining on meaty dishes with every meal, a luxury even the old Jiang family couldn’t afford.
Zhou Lan wasn’t going to put up with his antics. “Big brother-in-law, always quick to play the victim. Compare the handprints. Look at your son’s face and tell me whose hand left that mark. Jiang Chuan doesn’t have such thick hands.”
Jiang Gui, enraged, rolled up his sleeves, preparing to fight. However, Zhou Lan quickly smacked him with her rolling pin, hitting his arm and wrist. He grimaced in pain, retreating several steps.
Zhou Lan stood at the doorway, hands on her hips, “Our home welcomes only kind-hearted individuals. Those looking for trouble? I’ll deal with each and every one of them. Now, leave!”
With that, she slammed the door shut.
Jiang Gui and Jiang Lai were left embarrassed outside, with a couple of villagers occasionally glancing their way, clearly entertained by the scene.
The laughter echoing from the house added to Jiang Gui’s humiliation.
Once the laughter died down inside, Jiang Gu addressed her parents and elder sister with a stern expression, “You all went overboard!”
The trio looked at her, puzzled, expecting a moral lecture. Jiang Xia even prepared herself for a debate with Jiang Gu. However, Jiang Gu’s next words sent them into another fit of laughter.
“Mom, you started hitting people without waiting for me! Next time, let me throw a few punches too before chasing them out! If anyone dares to bully my family, I’ll fight back!” She declared, waving her tiny, delicate fists.
It was evident Jiang Gu had fully adopted Zhou Lan’s spirit. Anyone attempting to bully her in the future would have a tough time.
In the following days, Jiang Gui steered clear of any trouble. Rumors spread that he was fixing up a dilapidated house in a more desolate area of the village for Jiang Hong.
No matter how he renovated it, it would undoubtedly pale in comparison to the beautiful house Jiang Chuan’s family was building.
Jiang Chuan also used this time to organize school admissions for Jiang Xia and Jiang Gu. He bought textbooks and workbooks for them, with Jiang Xia teaching Jiang Gu in advance at home.
Once that was sorted, Jiang Chuan mobilized the villagers to help construct a new house on their land, ensuring there would be a place for Jiang Qing’s family and Third Brother Zhang when they relocated from Grand Cloud Mountain.
Following recent rains, Pushan Village’s mountain was abundant with mushrooms. The village chief’s wife even organized a mushroom-picking event, attended by almost all the women in the village, including the aloof beauty, Zhao Xin.
Zhou Lan had a favorable impression of Zhao Xin. Before their trip to Grand Cloud Mountain, Zhao Xin had gifted Zhou Lan a pair of cloth shoes. Thus, during the mushroom-picking trip, Zhou Lan took special care of Zhao Xin.
Feeling empathetic towards Zhao Xin’s tough life, Zhou Lan secretly slipped a fish into her basket while she wasn’t looking..