Chapter 596 I Beg You for a Favor

Chapter 596: One Favor to Ask

Jiang Yu had no ulterior motives—she simply wanted to see Jiao Zongyao humble himself before her.

She wanted him to personally come to her doorstep and apologize.

Call her arrogant, call her ignorant—she didn’t care. She didn't absolutely need this job.

"Sis-in-law, what if he doesn’t come? Are you really planning to quit?"

He Feiyan thought it wasn't worth it. Jiao Zongyao wasn’t worth giving up her job for.

Jiang Yu glanced at her and was silent for a moment.

She wanted to tell He Feiyan about the College Entrance Exam but hesitated, afraid she might let it slip.

"You’ll find out later."

Jiang Yu used to think she’d spend her entire life at Factory Two.

Many of the older generation did just that—working until retirement and then passing their jobs down to their children.

But that was before she heard about the "College Entrance Exam."

If the exam was really reinstated by the end of next year, she would resolutely quit her job and take the exam.

She wanted to go to university!

She'd only gone through high school and never continued further—not because she didn’t want to, but because circumstances forced her to stop.

Back then, schools were chaotic, with people causing trouble everywhere. Who could concentrate on studying?

Besides, there had been no opportunity to attend university before.

But next year would be different. She'd been given another chance to choose her path in life, and she had to seize it.

"Fei Yan, if there’s a College Entrance Exam again, would you take it?"

He Feiyan froze, seriously considering Jiang Yu’s question.

Then, she shook her head decisively.

"Sis-in-law, I don’t know if you’ll think I lack ambition, but I don’t want to take the exam."

She was perfectly happy with her life as it was—eating, drinking, and having fun as time passed.

Jiang Yu smiled. "Everyone makes different choices. What does it have to do with ambition? Even if you don’t go out to earn money, we’ll still have your back."

Worst case, He Feiyan still had the dowry her mother left her. She'd be fine.

"I want to go back to Nanhe Village tomorrow to visit Ah Ye’s chicken farm. Do you have classes?"

He Feiyan pouted. "All day. I can’t go."

Jiang Yu gave her cheek a pat. "Next time then."

He Feiyan followed her inside and asked, curious, "Sis-in-law, if Jiao Zongyao comes tomorrow, won't his trip be wasted?"

Jiang Yu laughed and tapped her on the forehead.

"You're underestimating him too much. Would he give in that easily?"

The next day, Jiang Yu and He Tingyue set off on their journey back to Nanhe Village.

It was already late autumn, and along the road from the city to Nanhe Village stretched a sea of golden leaves, a gorgeous view.

Jiang Yu pressed her face to the car window, sighing, "Too bad I don’t have a camera, or I could capture this."

He Tingyue pondered for a moment, recalling he still had some foreign exchange certificates on hand.

"What if we bought a camera?"

Buying one at the Friendship Store wouldn’t be too expensive.

Jiang Yu chided, "That’d be a waste of money. Just looking is enough for me."

He Tingyue said, "I want to take pictures of you."

"Wow! Section Chief He, why is your mouth so sweet today? Did you eat candy before leaving?" Jiang Yu giggled, leaning closer.

He Tingyue lowered his gaze to her smiling face. "I did. Wanna taste?"

Jiang Yu glared at him. "You perv!"

Not exactly the place for that.

He Tingyue refused to take the blame. "You started it."

With Jiang Yu now pregnant, he kept telling himself to hold back.

Yet she was the restless one—too rough and she’d cry in pain, too gentle and she’d pout, even needier than before she was pregnant.

Jiang Yu snorted, not taking the blame.

Upon arriving in Nanhe Village, Jiang Yu had intended to head straight for the mountains but was stopped by He Xing.

"Jiang Yu, what are you doing here?"

Jiang Yu replied, "I came to see Ah Ye’s—"

He Xing immediately covered her mouth, shaking her head nervously.

Jiang Yu got the hint right away, changing her words mid-sentence.

"I came to see you and your grandmother. How is she doing?"

He Xing pulled her toward home. "My grandmother hasn’t been well lately. She’s been stuck in bed for days."

"Did you take her to the clinic?" Jiang Yu asked with concern.

He Xing gave a bitter smile. "We did, but the clinic couldn’t find the cause. They suggested going to the city, but my grandmother refused."

The elderly woman, blind at her age, already lacked a sense of security. Leaving Nanhe Village was out of the question for her.

"Jiang Yu, could you try persuading her?"

Jiang Yu nodded. "I’ll do my best. What’s going on with Ah Ye?"

He Xing lowered her voice. "Someone found out about the chicken farm and reported it to the team leader. Luckily, Ah Ye was away from the village at the time, and I wasn’t up there either."

Thus, although someone reported it, Jiang Ye wasn't implicated.

"Jiang Ye said those chickens are gone now, so just pretend it never happened."

The loss was not insignificant—aside from the chickens, there were also rabbits.

He Xing was heartbroken, but she was helpless and had her own troubles.

"It's fine, it’s gone, and that’s that. As long as everyone's safe. But do you know who reported it?" Jiang Yu patted her shoulder.

He Xing nodded, "It was Wang Pandi's mother!"

Jiang Yu suddenly understood—just like her.

Following He Xing home, they heard her grandmother's coughing before even stepping inside.

Granny Blind was in poor health.

"Granny, I brought Jiang Yu to see you."

The room was dark, so Jiang Yu stayed outside. Soon, the sound of shuffling came from inside as Granny Blind got up from bed and walked out.

"Jiang Yu?"

Jiang Yu responded, "Granny, it's me."

She held the old woman's hand and sat down.

"He Xing said you weren't feeling well, so I came to check on you. Why haven’t you seen a doctor?"

Granny Blind waved her hand, "Just old age and sickness. I’ve been like this for years—no use worrying about it now."

He Xing quickly added, "Grandma, I can take you to the city..."

Before she could finish, Granny Blind cut her off, "I’m not worth spending money on! At my age, no doctor can give me more than a few days. Better to save the money for you."

Jiang Yu paused, then squeezed her hand.

"But He Xing values you more than money. If something happens to you, who’ll look after her? Granny, let me take you to the city for treatment. He Xing won’t have to pay—I’ll pay for it, okay?"

Granny Blind clutched her hand, tears welling up.

"Jiang Yu, I know your heart’s in the right place, but I can’t let you waste your kindness. I know my body—it’s no use. But I’ll be bold and ask you for one favor."

"Go ahead."

Granny Blind glanced at He Xing and said, "Xing Er, wait outside for a bit."

He Xing stood firm, "Why can’t I hear? I’m not leaving."

"Go. I need to talk to your sister alone."

Only after Jiang Yu nodded did He Xing reluctantly walk out.

Once the door closed, Granny Blind spoke, "Jiang Yu, I want to leave He Xing in your care. She’s capable and can take care of herself—she won’t need your money. I just worry she might marry into a bad family without knowing better. Just check on her now and then, help steer her right—that’s all I ask."

Jiang Yu’s heart sank. The old woman was already preparing for the worst, clearly believing her health was failing.

"Granny, let me take you to the hospital first."

Granny Blind still shook her head, "No need. My body’s giving out—I don’t have much time left. Trust me."

Given how much He Xing had helped Jiang Ye, Jiang Yu couldn’t possibly turn her away.

"I promise. If you pass, I’ll arrange a job for her. When she marries, I’ll provide her a dowry so she can have a proper wedding."