Chapter 8, Good Girl

Feathers fell in a circle around him, and Chi Yiming, carrying his backpack, asked in confusion: "Brother, why didn't you wait for me after school and just went home?"

Chi Yiming stumbled slightly, gritting his teeth: "You let me read, I won't study anymore! I'll go earn money, is that alright!"

Jiang Xue is now in her first year of high school and has become as round as a ball. Upon seeing Jiang Sui, Jiang Xue's eyes lit up, and she giggled, "Little Sui Sui, come let your sister give you a hug"

Jiang Xuexin has a very kind heart: "Xiao Sui Sui, why are you being so polite? Just take it. Anyway, it’s of no use to me, and I can't even sell it for a few coins as scrap."

The Zhao family's courtyard displayed a faded couplet, and there was only a trash bin at the entrance. Jiang Sui looked up and, finding no other option, placed the book into the trash bin

Chi Yiming's eyes were red, and he gritted his teeth as he rushed into the main room: "Aunt! Aunt!"

Chi Yan neither responded nor opposed

Zhao Nan returned a little later and was currently watching the excitement with great interest

A younger child followed behind the boy, and the two of them went home together

Although he is not very old, he possesses a keen mind. When he left home in the morning, he was busy with the weariness of a holiday, yet his eyes carried a lightness. It is absolutely impossible for Chi Yan to have dropped out of school on his own; the only possibility is that Deng Yulian did not allow him to continue his studies.

She carefully cleaned the bottom layer of trash, fearing that it would dirty the textbooks

The moon of September has already transformed into a waning crescent.

Jiang Sui nodded and reported: "Aunt Chen said that he does not have the surname Zhao, so it is of no use to educate him; he will not be filial."

Jiang Sui felt a sigh of relief in her heart, as she truly feared that her father would marry Chen Caiqiong in this lifetime, leading to a chaotic household

In the evening, Chi Yan opened the pile of textbooks he had collected.

Jiang Suixin's heart raced

Chi Yiming was about to step into the courtyard when his eyes suddenly brightened, and he dashed in front of the trash bin

He is very tall and seems to possess an inexhaustible amount of strength

Deng Yulian felt fear for the first time in his cold gaze. Even a rabbit will bite when it is frightened, let alone this taciturn youth at home who is no rabbit.

The horseman in the yard finally got up, he put down the chicken he had just killed and walked into the main room

He casually flipped through the book and discovered a piece of paper tucked inside the physics textbook for the third year of junior high school

Chi Yiming's expression gradually stiffened, and after a long while, his face turned bright red: "Why aren't you studying? Mom said that studying hard will lead to a good future!"

Chi Yan calmly tucked the note back in, remaining silent for a long time: "It's nothing"

Life is like a ball of cotton soaked in water, suffocating him in the chest, making breathing increasingly difficult. He gazed at the moon outside the window and the watery night, his eyes gradually welling up with tears

You may go to it! She can no longer maintain her indifference and turn a blind eye.

Chi Yan picked up the boning knife and skillfully dissected the chicken breast. Throughout this process, he remained calm, as if not being able to study was not a significant matter.

After all, the surname Jiang is quite rare. Jiang Xue and Jiang Sui, one can tell they are sisters just by their names. If she covers the names, then he won't know that this is her cousin Jiang Xue's book

At that time, Jiang Shuisheng felt quite embarrassed, but on the way back, he couldn't help but think more.

No matter what life looks like, no matter how difficult it may be, one must continue to live

That night, Jiang Sui pondered for a long time about what she could do for the esteemed Mr. Chi in the future. However, as Jiang Shuisheng had said, raising a child is not the same as raising a kitten or a puppy; if one is not a family member, there is very little one can do for him

The eyes are filled with a cold and chilling light

Miss Jiang Sui remembers kindness and forgets minor grievances

With blood on his hands, he stared at the half-closed eyes of the dead rooster and calmly said: "Starting tomorrow, I will not go to school anymore. You can go to school by yourself in the morning; I have other matters to attend to"

Jiang Suixin thought, Chi Yiming is truly a clever little rascal

Aren't you going to finish high school? Aren't you going to attend university?

Chi Yiming asked eagerly, "Brother, what are you looking at?"

The book was given, but they all do not know how it relates to themselves

Jiang Sui, carrying a heavy bag of books on her back, walked for quite a while with her short legs before reaching the vicinity of Zhao Nan's home

Deng Yulian was about to lose her temper, but the next moment, upon seeing Chi Yan, she fell silent.

Deng Yulian said: "What are you shouting about, calling for souls!"

Chi Yan remained silent, leaving Jiang Sui feeling increasingly anxious.

Someone said: "Oh dear, the Zhao family is truly outrageous, saying they won't let their child study and are forcing him to find a job. My Fang Du was still wasting time all day long at that age."

Truly excellent

Deng Yulian took a step back: "I was just saying it casually, I didn't really mean to stop Chi Yiming from studying. The tuition has already been paid, it would be a waste not to get it back."

Jiang Sui carefully packed the textbooks that Jiang Xue could find into her small backpack

Chi Yiming said: "Is this method not feasible?"

She has gone too far, she is too malicious

In the evening, when Chi Yiming returned, Chi Yan was plucking feathers from a chicken in the yard

Chi Yiming looked around and said: "Brother, this is a middle school textbook, most likely it is something that others do not want. Let's put it away!"

This book must be given, but it cannot be revealed to Chi Yan that it is from oneself

Jiang Xuenahan: "What grade are you in? What do you need that for?"

After Jiang Shuisheng returned home in the evening, Jiang Sui had a serious expression and said in a childish voice: "Dad, I heard that Zhao Nan's family is not allowing Chi Yan to study anymore"

Despite having done things that made himself sad, it was ultimately he who found a liver source when his father had cirrhosis

She spent an afternoon, her small hand gripping a fountain pen, meticulously crossing out Jiang Xue's name with ink, one book at a time

After a commotion over there, it settled down. Jiang Sui peeked over and saw that they had already taken the books away. She let out a sigh of relief, her eyes curving into a crescent shape.

Jiang Sui was afraid of being picked up by others and sold as trash, so she quietly hid under the elm tree to observe

Deng Yulian was also infuriated; she picked up a feather duster and said, "So you all have some backbone, do you? Then none of you should continue your studies."

Her cousin is quite peculiar, having liked to pinch her since childhood. Jiang Xue insists that Sui Sui's delicate and soft body is perfect for pinching, but isn't Jiang Xue's fleshier body even more so!

Jiang Sui does not want his gratitude or affection; in fact, she does not wish to have any relationship with the Chi family brothers. She even feels that because Chi Yan later favored Liang Qian'er instead of herself, Chi Yan appears more pleasing to her than Chi Yiming.

After all, in this day and age, the Zhao family in the courtyard is the only one openly preventing children from attending school. These days, Zhao Songshi feels as if he is being pointed at and whispered about while walking down the street, but Deng Yulian seems to have no psychological burden.

Only those who survive can welcome the dawn of tomorrow

Only then did she slowly make her way home, the setting sun casting a gentle light upon her petite figure

Chi Yiming suddenly fell silent

The young boy's voice was filled with resentment: "Why can't my brother go to school! The tuition fees are all earned by us, what right do you have to stop him from studying?"

Jiang Sui's heart is the gentlest water in March, and it will never change no matter how many times it is revisited

Jiang Xue insisted on not taking it, but in the end, Jiang Sui still left the money behind

Sui Sui has grown year by year. When she was a little girl, it didn't matter, but what if she grows up and has scars on her face from falls? Moreover, as a father, he often feels inadequate in his care for her. He has always felt guilty for not being able to provide her with a complete family. If Chen Caiqiong and she can truly get along well, then... getting married seems like a good idea.

Chi Yiming looked at him with suspicion, just now ...? ... Did his brother smile for a moment?

When he returned home tonight, several people who were gathering herbs with him teased him: "That Chen Caiqiong seems to have some feelings for you. She not only brings you endless buns but also takes care of your daughter. She hasn't been married and doesn't have children. If you two get together, wouldn't your daughter have someone to look after her? Since she has no children, she would treat your daughter as her own."

Chi Yan said: "Chi Yiming, living is the most important thing"

Chi Yan also arrived in front of the trash can

Jiang Sui only learned after school on Friday that Chi Yan had dropped out, and this news was spreading throughout the courtyard.

Chi Yan's lips twitched slightly: "... ..."

How could a woman who lacks even compassion truly care for someone else's child

Jiang Xue's laughter is quite enchanting, and Jiang Sui said: "Sister Xue, may I buy your textbooks from the second and third year of junior high?"

Chi Yan did not speak

Instead, Chi Yiming gritted his teeth, his face full of tears

However, now that Sui Sui innocently repeats Chen Caiqiong's words, the idea that Jiang Shuisheng had just begun to develop in his heart is immediately stifled.

Jiang Shuisheng sighed and said, "That child has no father or mother, it is quite difficult for him."

It was only when dawn was approaching that Jiang Sui finally dozed off in a daze

Chi Yan's gaze swept over a basket of books: "It's not that no one wants them; the textbooks are very clean"

Chi Yiming flipped through and said: "I wonder whose book this is?"

Under the magnificent sunset, the weather in September is cool

Chi Yiming followed behind him, his head lowered as he wept incessantly.

Chih Yan tilted his head, his hands covered in blood

Deng Yulian was taken aback; two years ago, the eleven-year-old Chi Yan brought Chi Yiming to the Zhao family and had been calling her "Aunt" ever since. This was the first time he had called her by her name.

Jiang Shuisheng's expression suddenly turned somewhat unpleasant

Brother! What do you see this as!

Surely they cannot be lost? These books would fetch several yuan even as scrap for recycling

Chi Yiming whispered, "Who cares, no one is watching. Look, there are no names on it, what we see is ours."

Jiang Sui is anxious, will it really not be needed?

In her heart, there is a faint fire that is now burning increasingly brighter

More than ten years later, Mr. Chi Yan donated and sponsored many schools and impoverished mountainous areas. Although this person is cold and weary of himself, undoubtedly, he is a person worthy of respect

Chi Yan let out a light scoff, closing his eyes: "I am going to sleep, do not disturb me, I have to look for a job tomorrow"

When the moon climbed up the sky, Chi Yiming whispered in Chi Yan's ear: "Brother, let's report to Aunt. With the nine-year compulsory education now, families that do not allow children to attend school will be taken away."

Chiyan spread out, writing on the paper -

Jiang Xue, I have received your love letter, but I do not have feelings for you. Please do not confess to me again; I only wish to focus on my studies. -- Gao Jun

Chi Yan said: "You have reported her for half a year, but during that time, she did not provide food. If we are all at school and no one is earning money, we will starve together." Chi Yan's voice was calm and indifferent, "Even if she has been managed for half a year, she says she forgot to register and was released again. What about the next half year? What about next year? What will happen after the nine-year compulsory education is completed?"

Jiang Sui carried a fully packed backpack, a faint dimple appearing on her cheek, and her eyes sparkled with countless twinkling lights

Chi Yan only glanced at Chi Yi Ming and said: "Chi Yi Ming, the tears have been wiped away, come out"

Jiang Sui hesitated for a moment: "I have a friend who needs them"

Chen Caiqiong dismissively remarked: "There is no point in letting him study; that Chi Yan is not even surnamed Zhao. In my opinion, Deng Yulian is right. It is impossible for that Chi Yan to support Deng Yulian and her husband in their old age."

She sincerely said, "Thank you, Sister Xue, this is the money I saved to buy books." Jiang Sui took out a red envelope from her small pocket, which contained all the New Year money she had kept under her pillow.

In recent days, there have been occasional discussions in the courtyard about Chiyan looking for work. Nowadays, most small business owners are reluctant to hire "child laborers." As the weather has turned cooler, the grocery store owner, Zheng Chun, no longer needs help. He goes out early every day, returning empty-handed.

Such a person should not have had such a sorrowful childhood

"Deng Yulian." The youth spoke coldly.

Jiang Sui, dressed in light purple long sleeves and long pants, inexplicably felt a surge of anger upon hearing these words

The next day, Jiang Suiyang went to her cousin Jiang Xue's house with Jiang Shuisheng.

Chen Caiqiong is chatting with several women

Deng Yulian pushed Chi Yiming aside and said: "What do you want? Are you going to threaten your aunt for that little wild child? Do you think I am afraid of you, you little brat? Do you think raising so many children is easy?"

Jiang Sui stood pitifully by the door, refusing to move forward no matter what.