She looked up at the innocent Grandma Jiang: "Auntie Jiang, you haven't eaten any, have you?"
Grandma Jiang nodded: "Not yet. My Jiang Jiu was fussing to eat some, but I was afraid they weren't clean and might upset his stomach, so I didn't let him."
Si Nian breathed a sigh of relief.
Grandma Jiang sensed something was off and asked, "What's wrong? They don't look great, but they shouldn't be spoiled."
Si Nian shook her head, "It's not that." She looked at Grandma Jiang seriously. "Auntie Jiang, this might just be my suspicion. But I advise you, it's best not to eat this fruit."
Grandma Jiang's heart skipped a beat. Then she heard Si Nian continue, "I've heard stories from the past about profiteers who would dig up items, even clothes, from graves and sell them cheaply. The people selling these things were often the old, weak, sick, or disabled, which made it easy for others to let their guard down."
Grandma Jiang's hand trembled, nearly dropping the bag.
Si Nian said, "These apples seem to have been stored for a while. There's some dust in the crevices, but what bothers me is that this isn't ordinary dust."
Grandma Jiang was bewildered. "What kind of dust is it then?"
"It's incense ash," Si Nian stated. "You were cheated."
Grandma Jiang immediately pulled an apple from the bag and held it up to look.
In the indentations at the top and bottom of the apple, a noticeable amount of dust had accumulated.
Incense ash is different from ordinary dust.
Her face instantly turned ashen, and she almost threw the apple in her hand.
"This person is too much. I need to go and demand an explanation from her."
Furious, Grandma Jiang turned around, clutching the bag of apples.
Si Nian wanted to say something, but a woman in a rage isn't likely to listen.
She hurriedly followed.
Grandma Jiang had originally thought that if the seller was truly so poor she had no choice but to steal fruit left as offerings to sell, then a sincere apology might be acceptable.
After all, the woman was so elderly; it wouldn't be right to be too harsh.
But when she got there, she saw the same old woman who had said it was the last bag, now holding another bag and calling out, "Last bag! Cheap sale! Who wants it? Selling cheap~"
Grandma Jiang: "!"
Si Nian caught up and saw the scene.
She facepalmed.
Of course.
No matter the era, the tricks are always the same.
Grandma Jiang rushed over and said loudly, "Old lady, didn't you say the one you gave me was the last bag? What's this in your hand?"
The old woman took off running.
Grandma Jiang: "...I'm so angry!"
Si Nian shook her head helplessly.
On the way back.
Grandma Jiang had someone dispose of the fruit.
She truly dared not eat something that had been used as an offering.
Grandma Jiang patted her chest, still shaken. "Nian Nian, it's all thanks to you, or I would have been in for bad luck. Eating something like that can shorten your lifespan."
If she hadn't run into Si Nian, with her habit of not wasting food, she would have definitely eaten all that fruit.
Si Nian shook her head: "Don't mention it. I only realized something might be wrong when I touched the dust and caught a faint whiff of incense ash."
She just hadn't expected that even now, there were still people running this kind of business.
Grandma Jiang looked weary. "That old woman ran so fast. Who knows how many people she's tricked."
Si Nian said, "Most people wouldn't buy fruit that looks this unappealing. Sellers like her manage to sell by preying on people's sympathy."
Hearing this made Grandma Jiang even angrier.
"No, I can't let her get away with this so brazenly!" she snorted coldly. "I'll go back and have someone keep an eye out. I don't believe she'll dare come again!"
Grandma Jiang thought that after being caught this time, the seller wouldn't dare return.
But the very next day, she was back.
Enough was enough!
Grandma Jiang immediately reported her.
Soon, several police officers arrived and took the woman away.
Although her actions were deplorable, in this era, there were already many private vendors. Doing business wasn't something one had to hide from anymore. The old woman had stolen fruit left as offerings, so at most she'd get a lecture.
But she certainly wouldn't dare come to this area again.
The Fu Residence.
On a rare day off, Fu Yang walked downstairs.
He went into the kitchen to pour a glass of water.
Opening the refrigerator.
A faint, sweet fragrance wafted to his nose.
Recognizing the familiar scent, he looked over.
He saw half a box of pastries inside.
Fu Yang frowned. These pastries looked familiar.
Right, weren't these the same pastries Grandma Jiang had let him try at the Jiang house the other day?
Why did they have them at his own home?
Fu Yang instinctively picked up a piece and put it in his mouth. Sure enough, the taste was identical.
His face immediately darkened.
Back then, Si Nian had told Grandma Jiang she made them herself.
To win Grandma Jiang's favor.
Even though his sister had said Si Nian making these had nothing to do with him, the fact that Si Nian was currying favor with the Jiang family was real!
His expression grew even more unpleasant.
Yet, the sweet flavor in his mouth made this man, who usually had little appetite for anything, eat one piece after another, unable to stop.
He simply took the whole box out and walked through the door, eating as he went.
Seeing Mrs. Zheng sitting in the living room, he even asked, "Mom, where did you buy these mung bean cakes?"
He'd buy several boxes tomorrow and take them to visit Grandma Jiang, thoroughly exposing Si Nian's hypocrisy!
Let her be so two-faced.
It was possible that all the food she used to send him in the past was secretly made by someone else, just like with Lin Sisi.
Of course, a woman like her, who never lifted a finger, how could she possibly make such things herself?
Considering this possibility, Fu Yang's face grew even darker.
Mrs. Zheng turned around, saw the nearly empty box of mung bean cakes in her son's hand, and the remote control in her own hand clattered to the floor.
Fu Yang looked at his mother, puzzled. "What's wrong?"
Mrs. Zheng opened and closed her mouth, stammering, "You... you got that from the fridge?"
Fu Yang nodded.
His frown deepened. "What do you mean? Can't I eat it?"
Mrs. Zheng swallowed hard. "Your sister brought that back a few days ago. She said it was a return gift from Si Nian to her, and she specifically told us not to eat it, especially you. She was afraid it would go bad, so she put it in the fridge, only having a small piece a day. You... you ate it all?"
Fu Yang's hand trembled, and the box also clattered to the floor.
Oh no—
...
February 13th.
There were only a few days left until school started.
Si's Father, pressured relentlessly from one side and on the verge of having the other side turn hostile, finally managed to have someone find out where Si Nian was living.
He immediately rushed over without delay.
The other party, afraid he wouldn't get the job done, even came along personally.
When the two arrived at the location, they could hardly believe their eyes.
"Brother, your Si Nian lives here now? Such a big house? Quite luxurious!"
The other man stared at the house with envy.
Although this was an old part of town, anyone who had been around here for long knew that this Old East Street was where wealthy people used to live.
Even though many houses were now aging and people were moving to the new city district,
a considerable number of residents still remained here.
Si Nian's house was especially lavish—a three-story building with a large courtyard.
Had the Si family struck it rich?
Si's Father hadn't expected this either.
He thought that no matter how well-off the Zhou family was, they'd at most rent a two-bedroom place.
He never imagined they had rented such a mansion.
The thought that his adopted daughter was living better than him, and she hadn't even told him about it, made him even more uncomfortable.
He had pulled so many strings to find them.
However, in front of an outsider now, he couldn't pretend to know nothing. He smiled modestly and said, "It's alright, this is an old house. It looks big, but it's not worth much."
The other man immediately fawned with a smile, "You're absolutely right."
Si Nian was in the kitchen making congee.
She had eaten too much rich food the past couple of days and got a bit of internal heat.
She planned to have something light today.
The kids had also been eating meat and fish every day, which wasn't good for their health.
Just as she carried the pot of congee out, the doorbell rang.
Thinking it might be the Jiang family, Si Nian went to open the door.
She saw Si's Father and a strange man standing at the entrance.
Si Nian raised an eyebrow.
She wasn't surprised.
Things with the Si family were bound to be messy; after all, they had raised her for over a decade.
Even if she didn't seek them out, they would find ways to get close.
It was unavoidable.
Once they moved into the city, this family would find out sooner or later.
So it made no difference whether they came early or late.
Si's Father was, after all, the big sucker who had given her plenty of money to spend.
Si Nian stepped forward with a smile, "Uncle Si, what brings you here?"
Hearing this distant form of address, Si's Father was displeased.
"What, I can't come?" His tone was less than friendly. "Why didn't you say anything when you moved? Afraid I'd eat you alive?"
"Nothing like that." Si Nian lowered her head, appearing meek and obedient. "It's just that I've returned to the Lin family. When you told me to leave, Uncle, you said I shouldn't come back unless necessary, so I didn't think to inform you."
Si's Father was left speechless, feeling somewhat embarrassed. "Forget it, let's not talk about that. I have something to discuss with you. Let us in first."
Si Nian thought for a moment and stepped aside.
"Is that Zhou fellow not home?" Si's Father glanced at the small building and the tidy yard. Even though he had just convinced himself it was rented, he couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.
Si Nian was somewhat displeased. "His name is Zhou Yueshen."
Si's Father snorted coldly. Although he knew Zhou Yueshen was acquainted with Director Li, the man's previous cold attitude still left a very bad taste in his mouth.
He walked into the house. It was fully furnished, and the furniture looked anything but cheap.
He opened his mouth, "This place must cost a fortune to rent."
Despite his disdain for that Zhou Yueshen, the man seemed to have made quite a bit of money.
"It's alright. Most of these things came with the place." Hearing it wasn't bought, Si's Father breathed a sigh of relief.
He then looked at the pot of congee on the table and frowned, "Is this what you usually eat?"
He felt a bit embarrassed, especially since he had brought a guest.
Si Nian feigned surprise, "Don't you usually eat things like this, Uncle?"
"Oh, right, I've been gone for half a year. I almost forgot, your family eats well, not like us."
Si's Father had initially opened his mouth to tell her to prepare something better, but hearing this, he couldn't get the words out.
Then he heard Si Nian sigh, "We spent all our money coming up here to rent this place. We're broke. We can only afford this bland stuff every day. Who knows when things will get better."
Hearing this, Si's Father felt sorry for her again.
To think she had been reduced to eating congee every day.
He had thought she was living the high life and that's why she hadn't told him.
Turns out her life was so hard she didn't dare tell him.
The resentment he had carried with him dissipated.
He coughed, "Alright, enough of that. We'll leave after we finish our business."
Si Nian also knew this family never visited without an agenda. She asked, "What is it, Uncle? Is Si Si getting out of prison soon?"
This was like twisting a knife in Si's Father's heart. His face instantly darkened several shades. "Nothing of the sort."
The man beside him hurriedly said, "Nian Nian, remember your uncle? I'm your Third Uncle."
Si Nian looked at him. Si's Father was an only child, so he shouldn't have any full brothers.
This was probably just a relative.
She withdrew her gaze. "Third Uncle, what's the matter?"
The man smiled, "I heard from your dad that you've made something of yourself. You're a teacher at the Foreign Language Elementary School now, is that right?"
A flicker passed through Si Nian's eyes. So it was about this?
Since they already knew, she didn't hide it. She nodded, "Yes, but I haven't started yet."
"If it's true, that's wonderful! Your cousin is starting elementary school this year. I heard you're teaching there. Teachers have priority slots. Do you think you could get one for your cousin?"
Si Nian clicked her tongue.
So that's what it was.
She served Yaoyao a bowl of congee and let the little girl hold it herself to eat.
The two children doing homework upstairs came down now.
They didn't expect guests.
Zhou Zehan, who had been laughing and chattering, immediately shut his mouth.
Si Nian said, "Little Dong, Little Han, come down and eat."
Seeing her reluctance to engage, the man nudged Si's Father's arm.
Si's Father had, after all, accepted gifts. He said with some displeasure, "Nian Nian, that's your cousin. Now that you're successful, you should help your own family."
Si Nian lowered her eyes. "Uncle, didn't you say I'm from the Lin family? What Si family cousin do I have?"
Si's Father's face suddenly turned ugly. "Nian Nian!"
"Why are you yelling at my mom!" Little Han ran down the stairs and glared at Si's Father.
Si's Father's expression darkened. "Adults are talking. What business does a child have interrupting?"
"Enough!" Si Nian cut him off. "Uncle, this is my son."
The terms 'son' and 'uncle' made the closeness of the relationships perfectly clear.
Ignoring Si's Father's grim expression, she said, "Little Han, go eat with your sister. Don't worry about things here."
Zhou Zehan pouted, made a face at the two men, then turned and left.
Zhou Zedong stood still for a moment, watching the two men. Without a word, he also walked over.
Si's Father was furious. "That child has no manners at all." He snorted coldly, "Country bumpkins, as expected."
Si Nian sneered, "Yes, he's from the countryside and has no manners. Yet you, Uncle, picking on a little child like that, wouldn't that make you even more ill-mannered?"
Si's Father slammed the table angrily. "What do you mean by that!"
Si Nian pursed her lips and smiled. "Just a joke. Why are you so touchy, Uncle?"
Si's Father glared at her.
The man beside them, afraid the father and daughter would fall out and ruin his chances, anxiously said, "Brother, don't argue with Nian Nian. She's not wrong. Why bother with a child?"
Then he looked at Si Nian ingratiatingly, "Nian Nian, how should we settle this matter?"
"What's there to settle?" Si's Father snorted, breathing heavily through his nostrils. "She's the teacher. A word from her should be enough to get him in. Consider it settled. You'll take care of it for your Third Uncle, understand?"
"Alright." Si Nian nodded. "No problem. Third Uncle, bring him over in a few days."
"Really?" The man immediately stood up in delight, not expecting it to be so easy.
He had originally thought that since Si Nian had been kicked out, she might hold a grudge against the Si family and refuse to help.
He never imagined she would agree so readily.
Si Nian nodded. "Of course. My Little Dong and Little Han both got in. Why would I lie to you? But there is a test to take."
"A test? What do you mean?" the other person asked, puzzled.
"It's an assessment to see if your son qualifies to enter."
The other person's expression changed. "How come there's something like that? I've never heard of it before. I thought you could just say the word and he'd get in?"
"I'm not sure either. Anyway, both my children had to pass the assessment to get in. Third Uncle, if you don't believe me, you can ask around."
Seeing his doubtful look, Si Nian added, "But don't worry, the test is very simple. My eldest boy finished it in no time, it was really easy. Surely your son isn't less capable than mine?"
