Chapter 356 Is Your Son a Cripple?

Chapter 356: Is Your Son Bedridden?

After that, Jiang Ting didn’t come to visit again.

Jiang Yu kept an eye on her for a few days but didn’t notice any movement. She didn’t know whether Jiang Ting hadn’t found a suitable candidate yet or had temporarily set aside that absurd idea.

It was her day off, and Jiang Yu thought about going out to buy some fresh vegetables.

As soon as she stepped out, Xu Lihua caught up with her, carrying a basket.

"Jiang Yu, going to buy vegetables? Let’s go together."

Jiang Yu slowed her pace to let Xu Lihua catch up.

As soon as they arrived at the co-op, Xu Lihua immediately struck up a non-stop conversation with another woman, Auntie Sun.

They discussed Auntie Sun's desire to sell her job and asked Xu Lihua if she knew anyone suitable.

Xu Lihua glanced at Jiang Yu and said, "Does your Fei Yan want to buy it?"

Jiang Yu chuckled, "My Fei Yan is a vocational school graduate. The school assigns her a position, so she doesn’t need to buy one."

Xu Lihua tutted, "But didn’t the school assign her to the countryside? Little He only has one sister; he must be reluctant to let her go to the countryside, right?"

Jiang Yu replied offhandedly, "Who told you Fei Yan was assigned to the countryside? She was assigned to Bali Primary School, which is quite close. I’ve been considering getting another bicycle voucher to buy her a bicycle."

Xu Lihua was taken aback, "Another one? Your family already has two bicycles! You and Little He can share one, and you can give yours to her. Besides, Bali Primary School is so close; she can just walk there."

Jiang Yu shot her a look, "Aunt Xu, it’s not your money, so why are you being so stingy?"

Auntie Sun, who had been waiting nearby, interjected, "If you’re not buying, could you help me ask around? I can sell it for a lower price."

Jiang Yu turned to her and asked with curiosity, "Auntie Sun, what kind of job is it? Where is it?"

Auntie Sun answered, "It’s not my job. My daughter-in-law works at Second Factory. I figured that since she’s so absorbed in her job and neglecting her husband, selling the job would allow her to focus on the family."

Jiang Yu retorted, "...Is your son bedridden?"

Auntie Sun's eyes widened, and she huffed.

"How can you say that? My son has a proper job; he’s not bedridden."

"Oh," Jiang Yu said with a faint expression. "You want your daughter-in-law to take care of your son. I think if he were a normal person, he wouldn’t let someone give up earning money just to take care of him at home."

Auntie Sun snorted, "Women should follow the three obediences and four virtues (traditional Confucian principles for women), serving their husbands and raising children. That’s our duty! Doing this duty well is better than anything else!"

Jiang Yu countered, "Who assigned you this duty? The country is encouraging women to leave the home and become self-reliant. I don’t see you doing that duty; instead, you’re adopting old-fashioned practices. If you love serving your husband and raising children so much, isn’t it enough for you to take care of them?"

She waved her hand dismissively, not wanting to continue arguing with Auntie Sun, as there was nothing she wanted to hear.

Xu Lihua smiled and fell into step beside Jiang Yu.

"Old Sun is just like that. Why bother arguing with her? She’s a bit traditionalist and can’t change. She didn’t go by the surname Sun before she got married. After marrying, she insisted on taking her husband’s surname and now introduces herself as Sun."

Jiang Yu pursed her lips slightly, choosing not to comment.

"Who is her daughter-in-law? Let me see who in Second Factory is unlucky enough to be married to her son."

Xu Lihua said, "Her name is Wang Tong. I don’t know if you know her."

Jiang Yu: "...What a coincidence, I actually know her. Her son is Sun Xiaoping, isn't he?"

"Right, that's the one, also quite the troublemaker."

Xu Lihua had plenty to say about the Sun family, but unfortunately, Jiang Yu wasn't interested in hearing such unpleasant matters.

After a few words, she stopped the topic and asked about He Feiyan.

"I clearly heard before that she was assigned to the countryside, how did she get back to the city? Did you and Little He pull some strings?"

"No, she was originally assigned to Bali Primary School, but someone took her spot. Luckily, Lin Chenghui has connections in the education bureau and helped us get the spot back. It's just setting things right. You know Fei Yan, she wouldn't stoop to stealing someone else's spot," Jiang Yu explained briefly.

She wasn't pulling strings for personal gain, just setting things right, so there was nothing to hide.

Even if anyone should feel guilty, it shouldn't be them.

Xu Lihua suddenly remembered Jiang Ningning's recent incident, immediately understanding.

"Was it that Jiang girl who took Fei Yan's assignment? I guessed right, didn't I?"

Jiang Yu glanced at her, "Aunt Xu, I didn't say anything, don't drag me into this later."

Xu Lihua waved her hand, "You didn't say it, I figured it out myself."

But since she figured it out, she couldn't resist spreading the word.

In no time, she found Auntie Sun and said, "The daughter of Deputy Section Chief Jiang from the first plant was assigned to work in the countryside, maybe she's willing to pay for a job transfer. You should go ask."

Auntie Sun immediately thanked her.

"If it works out, lunch is on me!"

Xu Lihua brushed it off; everyone knew how tight-fisted she was.

Auntie Sun didn't delay and hurriedly went to the Jiang family to discuss selling the job.

Unfortunately, when she arrived, the Hao family was also there, discussing the marriage arrangements between the two families.

She was a stranger, and Jiang Chenghuai was taken aback.

"You're Deputy Section Chief Jiang, aren't you?"

Auntie Sun smiled, "You're Deputy Section Chief Jiang, right? I heard your daughter's job assignment isn't great, the countryside is so far away. You wouldn't want your delicate daughter to go that far. I happen to have a job opening, see if you're interested..."

Jiang Ningning's face changed dramatically, and she immediately stood up.

"Auntie, my job assignment is to Bali Primary School, right here in the city. I don't need to buy a job! Where did you hear that? You didn't even verify before coming here spouting nonsense!"

Auntie Sun was stunned, "That can't be, Xu Lihua told me, she wouldn't lie to me."

Xu Lihua was notorious in the neighborhood for being a gossip, Jiang Ningning naturally knew.

She gritted her teeth, convinced it was He Feiyan spreading rumors.

She forced a smile, "Auntie, I don't need to buy a job, so please leave."

Jiang Mingrui didn't hesitate and practically shoved Auntie Sun out.

Auntie Sun stumbled, nearly falling.

She was not one to hold back her temper, and immediately pointed at Jiang Mingrui and started scolding.

"You little brat, how dare you hit an old woman! I came here with good intentions; many people would kill for my job, but they can't get it, and you don't appreciate kindness, even hitting me!"

Auntie Sun plopped down, kicking her legs.

"I don't care, if you don't give me five yuan today, this isn't over! Not over! Oh my God, why is my life so miserable..."

Jiang Ningning's face darkened, a mix of anger and anxiety, starting to suspect if this was He Feiyan's scheme.

He Feiyan must be out to get her, making it impossible for her to get married.

The expressions on Hao's parents' faces grew even more sour; they were not very satisfied with Jiang Ningning to begin with, thinking she was not generous enough.

They had already talked Hao Zhijun into getting engaged first, not rushing into marriage.

At least there would be more choices in the future.

Out of nowhere, Jiang Ningning, who seemed so quiet, had a bag of tricks, coaxing Hao Zhijun to insist on having the wedding feast first, then getting the marriage license.

These days, once the banquet's done, everyone knows; what's the point of getting the certificate?

As Auntie Sun made a scene, Hao's mother stood up, clearly annoyed.

"I don't think today's a good day; let's talk about the marriage another time."

Jiang Ningning's face went white as a sheet, her pleading eyes looking at Hao Zhijun.

Soon, she'd have to report to Funan Commune Primary School, and then there'd be no hiding it.

Hao Zhijun couldn't say no; he pulled out two yuan, trying to shut Auntie Sun up.

"Zhijun!" Hao's mother snapped, stopping him with her eyes.

Hao Zhijun hesitated, calling out in distress, "Mom..."

Hao's mother snapped, "Let's go home!"

She grabbed Hao Zhijun's hand, brushing off Jiang Chenghuai's attempts to stop them, and dragged him out.