Chapter 6 Village Chief's Conversation

"Intervene? People have come here to complain; how can we not intervene? It's just that..." Zhao Xianlai sighed with a troubled face, "At most, I can only talk about the issue of hitting the child. But as for the schooling, if both of them really don't let Mianmian attend school, it's indeed difficult for me to get involved. Her dad has recently become unemployed. Supporting two kids in school is genuinely difficult, and Mianmian doesn't perform as well in her studies as Siyu does."

Put in anyone else's shoes, they would make sure the child who does well in school continues their education, and he would not be an exception.

"Being beaten like this, how could she have the peace of mind to study properly?"

Thinking about those tearful, shining eyes, He Nan's gaze darkened.

Noticing He Nan's expression, Li Chunhua defended Zhao Xianlai, "This issue, ah! You can't blame your uncle. If Siyu was stopped from going to school and Mianmian was sent instead, I reckon even the teachers at school would come to the house. After all, nobody else cares about why Mianmian isn't doing well in her studies."

That's just how people are, focusing on outcomes without considering the reasons.

He Nan didn't respond, falling silent for a moment before saying, "She probably hasn't had lunch. Auntie, could you please make her a bowl of noodles?"

"Sure."

Li Chunhua's heart was kind and she was generous by nature. Upon hearing that Shen Mianmian hadn't eaten, she immediately went to the kitchen.

When a steaming bowl of noodles was placed before Shen Mianmian, her chilled heart felt as though it had collided with a furnace, slowly warming up, and her eyes couldn't help but redden.

Wiping away tears, "Thank you, Auntie Li."

In those days, the living standards of the people had not fully improved. Most households normally ate coarse grains and wouldn't touch wheat noodles unless they had guests—it was considered too extravagant. Yet, Li Chunhua had made her such a large bowl, even adding an egg...

Li Chunhua patted Shen Mianmian's hair, feeling a surge of pity, "Good child, don't cry. Eat while it's warm!"

Having been beaten the day before and not having eaten until now, Shen Mianmian was genuinely hungry. She began eating from the bowl, her stomach warming up, and inadvertently, a tear fell into it, making Li Chunhua's heart clench.

After Shen Mianmian finished eating, Li Chunhua took away the bowl. As she turned around, she spotted a familiar figure on the road and hurried back to the main room, "Xianlai, Jianhua is back."

How could he be back already? Wasn't he supposed to return tonight? Zhao Xianlai stood up and said to He Nan, "Wait here for a while. I'll go and sort out Mianmian's issue first."

He Nan nodded, "Hmm." He glanced at the frail figure in the car and his brows furrowed slightly.

Shen Mianmian followed Zhao Xianlai back home. Just as they arrived at the doorway, they heard Zhou Lanfang scolding loudly, "That damned girl, sleeping in and not going to school in the morning, pretending to be sick. Siyu was going to wake her up for school, but she lost her temper and ran off. Who knows where she's gone off to play now."

Shen Jianhua knew Zhou Lanfang didn't like Shen Mianmian and always spoke ill of her. However, he still believed that there was some truth to Zhou Lanfang's words and thought that Shen Mianmian probably did skip school.

Observing his expression, Zhou Lanfang moderated her tone, tentatively negotiating, "Jianhua, you're out of work now, and the cost of two children's education isn't small. Our family definitely can't afford it. Between the two kids, only one can continue their schooling."

The labor in the household depended on Shen Jianhua. Although Zhou Lanfang liked to lose her temper and be dramatic, she wouldn't dare to decide on significant matters by herself; she always discussed with Shen Jianhua. This was also one of the reasons why Shen Jianhua could tolerate her.

Zhou Lanfang made scenes but never dared to outright step over Shen Jianhua's bottom line.