She was hiding her talent, playing the part of the simple fool to avoid overwhelming the enthusiasm of other village kids for learning!
Yet Jiang Changhai's attitude was stubborn, "I don't care, I'm laying it down here today, either all three kids go to school together, or none of them will!"
As he spoke, he glared fiercely at his two nephews, scaring them into crying out, "Granny, we don't want to work the fields! We want to go to school with Mianmian!"
They had been severely disciplined by Uncle twice in their childhood for bullying their younger cousin, and the pain of their spanked bottoms was still a fresh memory.
Seeing him intimidate her two precious grandsons, Zhang Guihua was so angry she rolled her eyes and marched over, picking up a broom to hit someone, "I'll beat you to death today, you rotten troublemaker!"
"Even if you beat me to death, I'm going to make sure Mianmian goes to school," Jiang Changhai said as he swiftly jumped up and ran towards the yard.
The Jiang family members were all too familiar with this scene and no one intervened; they knew it would subside once the old lady got too tired to chase.
Jiang Dashan rolled a tobacco leaf and started smoking, his eyes downcast as if deep in thought.
Sun Lixia didn't dare interrupt at such a time, sitting anxiously instead.
It was her husband who turned his head to Su Wanyu, "Sister-in-law, please talk some sense into your husband. Even if we're sending Sanya to school, it'd be better to wait a couple more years until she's older."
Su Wanyu, however, put on a facade of a compliant and obedient wife, "I, I always listen to your brother."
Jiang Changtao's mouth twitched, wanting to say, stop pretending, Sister-in-law, I've seen you more than once scolding my brother while twisting his ear in private.
While Jiang Mianmian, watching her father being chased and beaten by Grandma, was deeply moved; her dad really did love her.
But Dad, she really didn't want to get up at six in the morning every day!
Especially in the winter, getting up early was pure torture!
Of course, she didn't want to work the fields either; maintaining the status quo was best.
The girls from the second household were filled with envy, Uncle was so good to Mianmian! Not only did he protect her from Granny's scolding, but he was also sending her to school just like the boys. Such treatment was something they didn't even dare to dream of.
Looking at her daughters' yearning and envy, Zhao Xiaojuan felt a pang of heartache.
If she had a son, she would have fought for her daughters' education, even if it meant enduring scolding. Even if they couldn't go to the city to work, a girl who had a few years of schooling would be regarded more highly by her husband's family after getting married.
But, alas, her womb was unfortunately uncooperative, unable to bear a son!
Thinking about how, because she didn't have a son, not only was she looked down upon by her in-laws, but her daughters also suffered, she couldn't help but secretly tear up.
The second son also didn't feel good; although he wanted a son, he was fond of his diligent and sensible daughters. But he couldn't act shamelessly like his older brother to make a fuss.
Moreover, he didn't just have one daughter - he definitely couldn't send all of them to school, choosing any one would be favoritism.
After a while, Zhang Guihua dropped the broom, sitting on the ground and gasping for breath, without having touched even a corner of her eldest son's clothes.
Jiang Dashan flicked away the ash from his cigarette and said, "It's getting late. Everyone should wash up and get some sleep. We can discuss this tomorrow morning."
"Alright! You and mom have worked hard all day, you should rest early too. Nothing's more important than your health," Jiang Changhai wasn't insisting on a resolution tonight and took the opportunity to step down, while also sweet-talking his parents.
Hearing this, Zhang Guihua's expression eased considerably.