Volume 1, Chapter 6: Causing a Disturbance at the Door

Ever since Lin Wenxiu and Jiang Yu arrived, they had never been accepted by the brothers of the Huo family.

This was especially true during meals. The atmosphere at the dinner table was often suffocating. Lin Wenxiu sat in discomfort, wanting to ease the tension several times, only to be rebuffed by the cold, stern profiles of the Huo sons. Jiang Yu, however, seemed completely unaffected, eating her meal quietly with a composed demeanor.

Just then, the phone in the guardhouse at the gate rang; it was for Jiang Yu.

"Comrade Lin Wenxiu, Comrade Xiao Yu, there are three relatives at the gate claiming to be from your mother's side. They want to see you."

Lin Wenxiu’s face turned deathly pale, and she nearly dropped her chopsticks. She looked at Jiang Yu instinctively, her eyes filled with panic and fear, terrified that those people would storm in and make the already strained atmosphere even more awkward.

Jiang Yu set down her bowl and chopsticks, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and said to her mother in a calm voice, "Mom, don't be afraid. I’ll go out and see. I won't let them in."

She stood up, swept a calm gaze over the three step-brothers with their varied expressions, nodded slightly, and walked straight toward the main gate.

At the entrance of the military compound, the three Jiang brothers were peering in impatiently, their faces full of scrutiny and mockery. Seeing Jiang Yu emerge, the third brother, Jiang Baoguo, was the first to rush up, sneering, "Oh, look who it is—our top student! Heard you got first place? What, have your wings grown strong enough that you don't even come home anymore? You’ve made Father so angry he’s practically bedridden!"

The eldest brother, Jiang Zhenguo, adjusted his glasses and assumed the posture of the head of the family, lecturing with a pained expression, "Xiao Yu, how can you be so selfish? You’re enjoying life in the Huo household now, but you should think about us. Yuehua is our own flesh and blood; that opportunity for an education should have been hers to begin with! We’ve discussed it—you will go tell Division Commander Huo tomorrow that you’re dropping out and letting Yuehua take your place!"

The second brother, Jiang Chengzhi, rolled his eyes, calculating more shrewdly, "Big brother is right, but it wouldn't be appropriate for you to quit entirely. Tell you what: ask Division Commander Huo if he can get Yuehua in too. Or, if not, since you’re eating and dressing on the Huo family’s dime, you should be sending money home every month. Don't forget your roots!"

"Besides, you’re smart enough to get first place anyway, so it doesn't matter if you drop out!"

The three of them sang in harmony.

How could people be so shameless? Truly, the shameless are invincible. How could they say such things with such peace of mind? They still thought Jiang Yu was the soft persimmon they could squeeze at will.

Jiang Yu listened quietly, her long lashes drooping to cast a shadow over her eyelids, making her look aggrieved and helpless. After a long while, she spoke in a soft, nasal tone, tinged with tears, "Three brothers, I understand everything you’ve said... I want to be filial to Father, and I want to help the family... but..."

Seeing her soften, the three brothers wore triumphant expressions. *Ha, Jiang Yu is still as easy to manipulate as ever.*

Jiang Yu looked up, her eyes shimmering with tears, and cast a massive bait in an innocent and troubled tone:

"Huo Father... he was happy to see I got first place. He said he shouldn't treat my birth family poorly, and to show his regard for the Jiang family, he’s willing to help arrange a job for one of my brothers. It’s a permanent position at the steel mill—an iron rice bowl!"

The words "iron rice bowl" hit the three brothers like a thunderclap. Jiang Yu, as if she didn't notice their eyes instantly light up with greed, tilted her head in an apparently naive, distressed manner:

"But, Huo Father said he can only help one... I have three brothers, and I... I don't know who I should give this opportunity to?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the three brothers, who had been united against a common enemy, instantly changed their attitudes.

"I am the eldest! The eldest brother is like a father! This opportunity belongs to me!" Jiang Zhenguo spoke first, his tone brooking no argument.

Jiang Baoguo jumped up immediately, "Why you? You’re just a poor teacher; what could you possibly do at a factory? I’m strong and sturdy—this job should be mine!"

The second brother, Jiang Chengzhi, sneered and pushed up his glasses, "When it comes to brains, which of you can compare to me? A good thing like this should go to the person who knows how to handle things best so they can secure the greatest benefit for the family! It would be a waste if you two went!"

"Bullshit! You're just being selfish!"

"You're the idiot!"

The three immediately devolved into a chaotic argument, turning red in the face over the intangible iron rice bowl, completely forgetting their original purpose of confronting Jiang Yu.

They left bickering, not forgetting to warn Jiang Yu on their way out to "make sure to save the spot for me."

Watching their ugly backs as they bickered, the fragility in Jiang Yu's eyes faded instantly, leaving only cold mockery. Just as she was about to turn around, she caught sight of a straight figure standing under a large tree not far away.

The eldest brother, Huo Chenyuan, was leaning against the trunk with his arms crossed, the brim of his military cap obscuring half his face. It was unclear how long he had been standing there.

Huo Chenyuan walked over slowly, the dim streetlights stretching his shadow long. He stopped in front of Jiang Yu, observing her with interest—his gaze was sharp and vigilant.

He chuckled softly, a low sound that felt like a feather—indescribably dangerous, lightly scratching at Jiang Yu’s nerves.

"Well played," he said slowly, his tone sounding like praise, though there was no warmth in his eyes. "However, don't make such wild promises next time. A permanent position at the steel mill isn't something my father can arrange with just a word."

Jiang Yu’s hands, hanging at her sides, clenched tightly for a moment before she smiled, adopting a coquettish tone:

"Since Big Brother already said it was a wild promise, it doesn't matter if it’s true or false, does it?"