"Good!"
Jiang Dingcheng shouted loudly and strode in.
"Go ahead and pursue your dreams, Uncle will manage the household well. Our old Jiang family will always be your backing!"
Cheng You was about to speak when she heard Liao Hongmei retort impatiently, "Good at what? Hurry up and catch the chickens, they're about to escape!"
Before Jiang Dingcheng could finish his bold declaration, he was interrupted and quickly ran out sheepishly.
Cheng You couldn't help but laugh, and kicked Qi Chengyan, telling him to go help catch the chickens.
These couldn't be taken to Yan Cheng, so they might as well eat them during the New Year.
"Aunt, these chickens you've raised are really good."
They looked so spirited.
Liao Hongmei walked in with a smile, "Right? We have plenty more at home. When you set off for Yan Cheng, take a few with you."
Cheng You shook her head, "We're leaving on the seventh day of the lunar new year, but it's inconvenient with so many people on the train."
She was starting from scratch in Yan Cheng and needed to go ahead to make arrangements and familiarize herself with the environment.
Furthermore, Zhao Jisheng wanted to discuss cooperation with her. Upon hearing she was going to university, he was overjoyed and said he would wait for her in Yan Cheng.
He was too old to be running around anymore.
Liao Hongmei said, "The seventh day of the lunar new year? That's too soon."
She had been planning to bring more things to Cheng You, so it seemed she needed to start preparing.
Besides bringing things, they were also there for the general store.
Although it had only been open for a few months, the year-end settlement was in order.
Cheng You still held a twenty percent share, receiving over a thousand yuan in dividends at the end of the year.
This meant that in just a few months, the general store had made several thousand yuan.
Cheng You was somewhat surprised, "Uncle, did you calculate it wrong?"
Speaking of this, Liao Hongmei beamed with joy.
If it weren't for Cheng You, her family wouldn't have earned so much money.
Cheng You held a twenty percent share, Qin Jianzhong held ten percent, and the remaining seventy percent was held by the eldest branch of the old Jiang family, with thirty percent.
They received even more money than Cheng You.
This was just the beginning; it would get better and better in the future.
"Just take it. We wouldn't mistreat ourselves, would we? Youyou, when you get to Yan Cheng and have no one to rely on, buy whatever you need to eat and wear. Don't be stingy with your money. Your uncle and aunt will look after things here, so don't worry."
Liao Hongmei was now wholeheartedly good to Cheng You. True feelings could only be exchanged for true feelings.
Her words were not untrue, because they had received an additional five hundred yuan for Cheng You's dividends.
Five hundred yuan was not a small sum; an ordinary person might not earn that much in a whole year.
Cheng You felt a warmth spread through her heart. Although her mother was gone, she still had so much family looking out for her.
"Aunt, I understand. Once I'm settled in Yan Cheng, I'll write to you."
The elder said, "Don't write letters, just call the village office directly. I'll have someone keep an eye out."
Writing letters was too slow.
"Okay, okay, I'll call."
The main reason the old Jiang family came was that they were worried about Cheng You going to Yan Cheng alone. They came to give her some advice.
After settling everything, they felt a bit more at ease.
"Grandpa, Wen Yu is in your care. When he takes the college entrance examination next year, I'll have him choose Yan Cheng as his university preference, and I'll bring him there then."
Cheng Wenyu's grades were top-notch at school. His form teacher had spoken to Cheng You several times, urging him not to slack off, and he was sure to get into university next year.
However, Cheng You herself was going to university and couldn't pay too much attention to her younger brother.
"Don't worry, Wen Yu is very sensible."
Liao Hongmei's words were not mere pleasantries.
Since the incident with Qiu Dazhi last time, Cheng Wenyu had changed a lot. He had truly become more mature from the inside out.
His past behavior was just a phase of teenage rebellion; it had passed.
Perhaps upon hearing that the old Jiang family had arrived, Jiang Wanrou shamelessly came over.
"Grandpa!"
The elder glanced at her and ignored her.
He had long given up on this granddaughter.
Jiang Wanrou smiled awkwardly and walked in.
"Grandpa, eldest uncle, eldest aunt, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
Liao Hongmei's smile faded slightly, and she felt a little melancholic.
She had watched this niece grow up. To disown her now would seem rather heartless of them.
But if they were to acknowledge her, Jiang Wanrou was too unreasonable.
No one from the old Jiang family paid her any attention, which made Jiang Wanrou feel a bit dejected.
"Grandpa, do you really not want to acknowledge me anymore? I..."
"If you have something to say, just say it. No need to play the emotional card," Jiang Dingcheng interrupted.
Jiang Wanrou bit her lip and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Yuan He has been out of contact since he returned to the city. I want to go to the city to find him."
Jiang Dingcheng waved his hand, appearing unwilling to deal with her.
"If you want to go, then go."
Jiang Wanrou said plaintively, "I want to go to university in Yan Cheng, study there, and look for him at the same time."
Liao Hongmei thought she was being unrealistic, wanting to reap without sowing.
"Do you think getting into university is that easy? We didn't stop you from studying before, but what were you doing then? Dating! After the college entrance examination was resumed, have you ever picked up a book?"
She hadn't even studied, yet she wanted to get into university. What was this if not a daydream?
"So I want Grandpa to help me," Jiang Wanrou said urgently.
The elder looked at her, "How can I help you?"
Jiang Wanrou thought he would agree and quickly said, "Grandpa, quite a few people from our village have gotten into university, right? Can you talk to them and give me their spot?"
Her intention was clear: she wanted to take someone else's place to get into university, which almost made the elder laugh in anger.
What nerve!
He was so angry his face turned red, and he was filled with indignation.
He wanted to scold her harshly, but he felt this granddaughter was beyond saving.
"Scram! Get out of here!" the elder roared.
Jiang Wanrou was not willing to give up and pleaded, "Grandpa, you are the village party secretary, you must have a way, just help me. My lifetime happiness is in your hands!"
Cheng You slowly shook her head, truly beyond saving.
Seeing the elder so angry, she felt a pang of sympathy and casually picked up a stick.
"Do you want me to kick you out, or will you leave on your own?"
"I'm talking to my grandpa, what's it to you!"
"It's none of my business, but do you see us wanting to talk to you? Jiang Wanrou, get out, don't force me to slap you!" Cheng You raised the stick, as if ready to swing it at any moment.
Jiang Wanrou took two steps back, maintaining a safe distance from Cheng You.
"Cheng You, you didn't get into university either. Don't tell me you don't want to do this!"
Cheng You scoffed, "Don't use your dirty thoughts to speculate about others. I got into university, and I don't need to take anyone's spot."
Nothing was a bigger blow to Jiang Wanrou than the news that Cheng You had gotten into university.
Jiang Wanrou froze, staring at her blankly.
"You're lying to me! How could you..."
Cheng You pulled out her admission letter, looking extremely smug.
"Why couldn't I get into university? I worked harder than you, I was more motivated than you, and I had better character than you!"
Jiang Wanrou was clearly devastated by the blow and no longer mentioned asking the elder for help, leaving in a daze.
After that, until Cheng You left Wujing Village, she never saw Jiang Wanrou again.
Some said she went to Yan Cheng to find Yuan He, but no one knew if it was true.