Jiang Cheng guessed something, but she didn’t say a word and obediently went back to change into a nice outfit.
Grandma Shen saw Jiang Cheng change her clothes and smiled so much that her face was full of wrinkles, her textured hands holding onto Jiang Cheng.
"Looks great! Really great!"
Jiang Cheng nodded without any guilt and said, "Grandma Shen looks great too, so full of energy, at least ten years younger."
Grandma Shen glanced at Jiang Cheng with a smile, using a bit of force as she spoke, "Be a bit reserved today, talk less, okay?"
"Okay!"
Jiang Cheng agreed, and Grandma Shen’s smile grew wider.
"I believe what you say!"
Grandma Shen understood that Jiang Cheng had guessed it, but it didn’t matter.
"You don’t need to do anything; just sit inside the house. Someone should be coming soon."
Grandma Shen had barely finished speaking when someone shouted from outside.
"Are you home?"
Jiang Cheng’s eyes flashed with surprise.
Teacher Lü!!
Wasn’t she supposed to be in Beijing?
Jiang Cheng quickly ran outside, showing her biggest smile to the elderly lady standing in the yard.
"Teacher Lü!"
"What, don’t recognize me anymore?"
Teacher Lü joked deliberately, and the next second she was hugged by Jiang Cheng.
She pretended to disdain, saying, "What... it’s only been a month since we last met, and you’re doing this."
"It’s worth it!"
Jiang Cheng admitted without hesitation, making Teacher Lü smile even more, though she still spoke in a tone of disdain.
"You better let me go; your new clothes have gotten all wrinkled now."
Jiang Cheng released Teacher Lü with a laugh, holding her arm.
"Grandma Shen, this is Teacher Lü. Teacher Lü, this is Grandma Shen."
Teacher Lü immediately withdrew her arm and warmly held Grandma Shen’s hand. The two elders started chatting like the closest of friends.
Jiang Cheng was left behind, with no one paying her any attention.
Jiang Cheng shook her head and murmured to herself, "Well, gotta rely on myself."
She stepped inside, but before she even crossed the threshold, someone else arrived.
"Jiang Cheng, hurry up! Come give a hand!"
Principal Wang had arrived too.
Jiang Cheng quickly turned around, seeing Principal Wang carrying a large wooden shoulder pole, with a giant pig’s head on one side and a slab of ribs on the other.
"You came just like this? No one tried to rob you on the way?"
This was quite extravagant.
Jiang Cheng hurriedly took off the shoulder pole from Principal Wang, feeling pained yet helpless by its heavy weight.
"At least get a bicycle, considering your age. Carrying it yourself all the way, couldn’t you find a strong man at the night school?"
Principal Wang listened to Jiang Cheng’s words, stretched his shoulders, and said, "I’m not as smooth at ripping people off as you are."
Jiang Cheng looked seriously at Principal Wang and said, "True enough, skillful work should be left to the professionals."
Principal Wang: Still the same Jiang Cheng! Unchanged.
Jiang Cheng wasn’t very good at carrying a shoulder pole. She carried the two baskets separately inside while Principal Wang followed her and took a seat.
Shen Xing was pouring tea, while Shen Yue was offering snacks like melon seeds, peanuts, and dried sweet potatoes.
Grandma Shen looked at the two people opposite her and said, "Later you’ll go to Jiang Cheng’s courtyard; we’ll head over once everyone’s here."
"You don’t have to handle lunch; the Li family and Sun family will be here to help. You’re guests today, Jiang Cheng’s family."
After Grandma Shen finished speaking, Teacher Lü and Principal Wang both agreed.
Jiang Cheng cheerfully took Teacher Lü and Principal Wang next door, following Grandma Shen’s advice and locking the back gate; today, they’re only using the main entrance.
Just after arriving next door, Li Chunxiang came over.
"Jiang Cheng, I’m here to tidy things up. Don’t do anything."
"My mom gave me the order that today I’m responsible for everything in this courtyard."
Jiang Cheng didn’t argue with Li Chunxiang, as there wasn’t much to tidy up on her side.
The most she would do was set up some fruits, snacks, and candies, nothing more.
While Li Chunxiang was sweeping the floor, Teacher Lü and Principal Wang were inside chatting with Jiang Cheng.
Both of them had been invited by Shen Que to come today as Jiang Cheng’s family.


VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Rich in the 70s: I Made a Rugged Veteran a Millionaire