Chapter 41

  The next morning, Ai Zi Qing and her family had a meal in the restaurant downstairs of the hotel, eating Sichuan cuisine that her grandparents loved, and everyone was laughing and chatting.

  "Zi Qing has really grown up! This child, I haven't seen her for two years, and she's already this tall?" Grandma Jiang Lao Tai said with affectionate gaze at her granddaughter.

  "Yes, they've all grown up! The kids have grown up and we're old now!" Grandpa Jiang Hongxing nodded in agreement, sighing.

  "Dad! What are you talking about? You'll all live to be a hundred years old! This time we came, it's just to take you to Yang City to enjoy your good fortune." Jiang Qin said with a smile to the two elderly people.

  "We're all at this age, what kind of blessing can we still enjoy? This time it's all thanks to Guohua's endurance, otherwise we wouldn't know how to get past this hurdle." Jiang Hongxing shook his head and sighed. He knew that Aiguo Hua had stabilized her job and also had some interpersonal relationships, but he also knew that Ziqing's family mainly relied on Aiguo Hua's income to maintain their living, even if the conditions were better now, it was impossible to say they were rich, it was all quite difficult. At his age, how could he go find trouble for his children?

  "Dad and mom, don't think too much about it, just move in! The house is already bought, we'll be living next to each other, and it will be convenient for Xiaoxin to take care of you both!" As Aiguo Hua said this, he turned his head and smiled at his daughter who was quietly listening beside him, feeling proud beyond words.

  "Has the house been bought? Oh dear, I heard that houses in Yang City are not cheap now. After you've bought the house, will your life be okay? Your father and I still have some savings, if it's not enough, just take it first! What's this about taking care of us or not? We're both healthy and don't need to move together."

  "Don't worry, Mom, it's all thanks to your granddaughter! She's probably tired now!" Jiang Qin said, looking at her daughter Ai Zi Qing, who nodded in agreement.

  "Oh? What merits does Ai Ziqing have?" The two elders looked at Ai Ziqing with puzzlement.

  "Hehe, now we're all grown up, and look at you, starting your own company while still in school, now you're a young millionaire!" Ai Guohua said with a hint of pride.

  "Oh? Zi Qing started her own company? And bought a house! Ah, I knew it, my granddaughter is really something!" Jiang Lao Tai exclaimed in surprise and admiration, her eyebrows filled with delight at the prosperity of her children's lives.

  "So, you two elders shouldn't disappoint Zi Qing's good intentions, move over and let's all live together!" Ai Guohua said with a smile.

  "But... Xiaomei is taking the child herself, and we're not around, it's really worrisome!" Old Lady Jiang hesitated as she looked at Jiang Hongxing.

  Jiang Hongxing also nodded upon hearing this, and the dinner table fell silent for a moment.

  Xiao Mei in grandma's mouth is actually Jiang Mei, the younger sister of Jiang Qin. In earlier years, gentle and kind-hearted Jiang Mei was abandoned by her husband, then she brought up her son on her own, living in a small house at her parents-in-law's home, supporting the whole family by working hard. Xiao Yi is also a strong but pitiful person!

  "Grandpa, grandma, don't worry about this matter. When the time comes, we'll take little aunt and uncle together. You can live together too, it's good to have someone to rely on. After all, the conditions in Yang City are better than those in Ning County. For the sake of the children, they won't refuse." Ai Zi Qing smiled and held her grandma's hand, speaking softly.

  "Shall we go together?" Jiang Lao Tai hesitated and grasped Ai Zi Qing's small hand, through this action, Ai Zi Qing clearly felt the old man's kind heart and his hesitation about this matter.

  Yes, Old Lady Jiang indeed felt that this was somewhat improper. After all, her daughter had already gotten married and started a family of her own; would her husband's family be unhappy if she brought her whole household over?

  "Grandma, the house has been bought, it's a villa! If you don't go, the house will be empty all the time, and Zi Qing's efforts would have been in vain." Ai Zi Qing said with a soft voice, but her heart was actually very embarrassed.

  "Villa? Bring your little brother over too?" Jiang Lao Tai stared with wide eyes, the events of the past two days had already exceeded her understanding, so she looked at her daughter in confusion.

  "Mom, Zi Qing is right. Da Bing never said to find a partner either. He went to the city to find a good one and got married quickly!" Jiang Qin looked at her parents with expectation on her face. Da Bing was Jiang Qin's youngest brother, Ai Zi Qing's younger brother-in-law.

  "Alright, since both our daughter and son-in-law have said so, what's the point of us two old folks being stubborn? Let's move together, it's also for the sake of our future grandchildren." With Jiang Hongxing making the final decision, the matter was settled!

  A small public bathhouse in Ning County.

  Jiang Mei emerged from behind the curtain and shouted "Towel for customer number 37."

  "Alright!" Manager Xiao, from behind the counter, took out a towel and walked over to hand it to Jiang Mei, asking "Jiang, have you been working hard lately?"

  "Not bad, boss." Jiang Mei smiled shyly and nodded.

  "Oh, I heard you have a young son who's already in 3rd grade? How is he doing? Has he thought about taking the entrance exam for a good high school?" Manager Xiao smiled and rubbed his hands together, sizing up Jiang Mei who had just joined the company over a month ago.

  "Yes, it's already the third year of junior high school. Now it's up to his own grades which high school he can attend. As parents, we can't say much about it now." Mentioning her son's tuition fees, worry fills Jiang Mei's face.

  "Hehe, I have some connections with Principal Ning of that high school, so waiving some tuition fees is no big deal!" Manager Xiao said with a wave of his hand, exuding an air of confidence.

  "Is it Ning High?" Jiang Mei's eyes widened with excitement, "If that's the case, you'll have to put in a lot of effort. If this works out, I'll be grateful to you for my whole life!" Ning High was the best high school in Ning County, comparable to those in the city, but its entrance threshold was also very high, and if one had to pay tuition fees, it would certainly not be cheap.

  "What's the big deal! Do I need to explain this to you? Alright, Little Mei, let's go out for dinner tonight and have some fun." Manager Xiao revealed a knowing expression and chuckled lightly.

  "This... tonight won't do, the past few nights I've been on night shift and haven't gone home, my son..." Jiang Mei said with difficulty, handing the towel to the service staff behind her.

  "Oh, just tonight then. My son can't see me like this every day! Tonight, accompany me properly, such a good opportunity isn't available every day." Manager Xiao waved his hand impatiently, while his gaze at Jiang Mei began to be somewhat lustful.

  Jiang Mei was not an inexperienced girl, so she naturally heard the inappropriateness of the words. Seeing the manager's gaze again, her heart suddenly skipped a beat, and she hurriedly said, "Manager Xiao, don't misunderstand me, I...I...can't accompany you out tonight."

  Manager Nuo cursed in his heart: Is this woman stupid? Who speaks like that?!

  He shot Jiang Mei a somewhat displeased glance, lowered his voice and said "Don't think you can just toast without drinking the penalty wine, or I'll make sure your son can't even get into Ning County High School!" After that, he sauntered off towards the main hall. He had been eyeing this woman for over a month now, and couldn't help but feel infatuated with her, besides, he also had a good grasp of her temperament, so he didn't believe she wouldn't fall into his trap!

  Jiang Mei was a simple and honest woman, she couldn't stand this kind of intimidation, so she hurriedly followed him out. At this time, there was no one else in the bathroom hall. Jiang Mei pursed her lips, lowered her head, and said softly, "Manager Xiao, I don't quite understand what you mean, you..."

  "Haha, you're not a young girl anymore, what's there to not understand? You let me have fun and I'll let your son attend a good high school. In the future, he can take care of you in old age too. We're all adults, it's very normal!" Manager Xiao cut her off, feeling that this woman was really unreasonable and that he had wasted his breath on her.

  Jiang Mei's face turned pale, not knowing how to refuse, and fearing that he would really use his connections to harm her own son. She was anxious in her heart, but her words became even more clumsy: "Xiao Manager, I...I am a clean person, what are you doing? This isn't slandering me, is it?"

  "A decent family? Ha! Let me tell you something unpleasant, you're a widow with a burden, and now you can barely afford to eat. Do you still care about these things? The hostesses we wash and dress, which one of them didn't come from a decent family? Nowadays, isn't everyone just trying to make a living? You're only here because of me, if it were somewhere else, what decency would you have?" Manager Xiao said impatiently, then walked back to the front desk.

  At this time, the door opened and Manager Xiao saw that it was a little girl who came in, and he didn't pay attention to her. He said to Jiang Mei again, "Think about what I said yourself, and give me an answer later." After finishing speaking, he started smoking by himself and stopped talking.

  Jiang Mei's eyes were slightly moist as she stood there at a loss, when suddenly a familiar voice sounded in her ear "Little Aunt? What's wrong?"

  Raising her head to take a look, it was none other than her niece whom she hadn't seen for two years. Hurriedly wiping away her tears, she smiled at Ai Zi Qing and said "Zi Qing? How did you come here? Where are your parents?"

  "They are at the hotel, let me come and pick you up." Ai Zi Qing saw Jiang Mei's appearance, plus the manager's words, had already guessed eight or nine out of ten in her heart, frowned and asked "Auntie, why are you crying?"

  "It's okay, it's okay. Look at you, kid, you've really grown up and now know how to care for your auntie. Two years ago when I saw you, you were still a little girl, but now you're a big girl!" Jiang Mei hastily shook her head, sizing up Ai Zi Qing with a delighted smile.

  "Pack up your things and come with me." Aizi Qing said succinctly.

  Jiang Mei looked up at Xiao Manager, who was waiting for her response, bit her lip and said "You wait a little while, I'll go with you after work!" She had already thought it through, if all else fails, she could just change jobs. She didn't think Xiao Manager would actually use his connections to cause trouble for her son, at worst, she'd lose her job, but even washing dishes wouldn't make things easy for him.

  Upon hearing this, Manager Xiao suddenly became restless and said in a low voice, "Xiao Mei, before doing something, you should consider the consequences."

  "Manager Xiao, don't say anything more. What you said... I won't agree to it." Jiang Mei said as she pulled Ai Zi Qing to sit on the sofa and then turned around to head towards the bathroom.

  "Auntie." Ai Zi Qing pulled Jiang Mei's hand and continued, "This time I've come to take you and Xiao Feng to Yang City. The house has already been bought, and Grandpa and Grandma have agreed. You don't need to work here anymore."

  "Going to Yang City?" Jiang Mei was stunned, then laughed and said "This child is just teasing you, Auntie. What can I do in Yang City? Xiaofeng doesn't even have a city residence permit, how can he attend school."

  "Don't worry about this, there's a way. Later, we'll get Xiaofeng a household registration in Yang City, so he can focus on his studies and become a city resident." Aizi Qing stood up and smiled at Jiang Qin.

  Jiang Mei thinks Ai Zi Qing is still a child, and her way of thinking is somewhat naive. In Yang City, household registration is not something that can be done with just a few words, it's not like you can just say you want to do it and it's done. Even if you have the money, it's not something that can be easily accomplished. Usually, children follow their mother's household registration, but if Xiao Feng wants to go to school in the city, he needs to first transfer his own household registration, which costs at least over 10,000 yuan.

  Jiang Mei just smiled and nodded, saying "This matter will be discussed with your mother later."

  Ai Zi Qing saw Xiao Yi's expression and knew she still didn't believe in herself, but she couldn't let her continue working at the bathhouse either. Just as she was about to continue speaking, Manager Xiao interrupted with a cold laugh: "Little girl, what do you know? At your young age, standing up for someone doesn't hurt your waist, does it? Do you think Yang City is your family's property? Can you just get a household registration done by saying so? Your aunt has no education and no skills, what can she do in Yang City? At most, she'll still be serving others and washing dishes. Is this really for her good?"

  Ziying frowned, glanced at the manager, and didn't want to bother with him. She smiled lightly and continued talking to Xiaoyi, "It's not worth working in a place like this. You come with me first, then go pick up Xiaofeng. This is what Grandma and Grandpa agreed on. If you don't believe me, call them." With that, she took out her phone and handed it to Jiangmei.

  Manager Nuo's eyes widened instantly, he had only seen this kind of phone in the boss's hand before. What kind of background does this little girl have? So spoiled at such a young age? And even equipped with a mobile phone? Suddenly felt some regret for offending Jiang Mei, originally thought it was just a poor and powerless woman, who would have thought there were such wealthy relatives?

  Jiang Mei was also shocked in her heart, when did her sister and brother-in-law become so rich? She wasn't even aware of it herself. Dazedly nodding, under Ai Zi Qing's guidance she dialed the phone, walked to one side and said a few words, finally walking back with a surprised look on her face.

  Without waiting for her to speak, Ai Ziying urged her to hurry up and pack, Jiang Mei had no choice but to swallow a belly full of questions and said to Xiao Manager "Manager you also heard, my sister is looking for me with something, I'll go first." After finishing speaking, she didn't wait for Xiao Manager's response, immediately lowered her head and went upstairs to get things, making Ziying look at her with some amusement, this little aunt's temperament was really very simple...

  Under Xiao's astonished gaze, Ai Zi Qing pulled Jiang Mei into the business car and herself calmly opened the door to get into the driver's seat, emitting a string of exhaust gas as she drove away from the parking lot.

  "Zi Qing, you can even drive a car?" Jiang Mei asked in surprise from beside him.

  "Uh, I've learned it when I had time, and I'm already very familiar with it, don't worry, Auntie, I'll be driving all the way to Ning County." Ai Zi Qing saw her slightly surprised, and smiled reassuringly.

  "Wei Zhen, you're really capable! I just heard your dad say that you're now studying and earning some money on your own. Among all the kids in our family, only Xiaoyi knows that you have the most potential!" Jiang Mei excitedly started asking questions left and right as the car drove steadily towards her cousin Li Feng's school...