This Life, I'm Raising the Right Man
Chapter 24: Attendant Student

Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Attendant Student

Zhong Lanhua stood at the Su Family entrance watching the drama, and upon returning, she mentioned it to Jiang Yihuan, saying with a sly tone, "That Su Yaoguang really has good luck."

Jiang Yihuan said while picking vegetables, "Maybe it’s not just luck."

"What do you mean?" Zhong Lanhua asked, "Daughter, are you saying Mutou didn’t fall into the dung pit by himself, but Su Yaoguang deliberately threw him in? That’s impossible! How could she have such strength?"

Xiao Yanci, who had remained silent, spoke up, "Judging by the day she killed the wild boar, this girl’s strength is greater than that of ordinary grown men."

"How could an unmarried girl have such strength? That Zhang Zhaodi’s daughter is also rough and uncouth," Zhong Lanhua said as she looked at Jiang Yihuan with a satisfied gaze, "Not like our Yihuan, gentle and kind, she wouldn’t even harm an ant."

"Mother, how can you praise your daughter like that?" Jiang Yihuan said shyly, "Brother Xiao would laugh at me if he hears."

Zhong Lanhua looked at Xiao Yanci, "Would you dare to say my daughter isn’t gentle?"

Xiao Yanci looked into Jiang Yihuan’s eyes, saying seriously, "Miss Jiang is the kindest and most gentle girl I’ve ever met."

"Listen, it’s not just me saying so."

Someone walked in from the courtyard entrance.

As the person entered the courtyard, seeing the scene of harmonious joy, he said sourly, "While I’m not here, you all look more like a family."

"Hui’er, why have you returned? Didn’t you just go back to the private school?" Zhong Lanhua exclaimed in surprise, going up to meet him. "Did something happen?"

Jiang Yihui looked at Xiao Yanci with a complex expression and said, "You come in with me."

Xiao Yanci responded with a word.

"Have you upset Hui’er again?" Zhong Lanhua glared at him, "I’ll tell you, Hui’er is the head of our family. If he can’t tolerate you, I’ll sell you off immediately. My son is aiming for academic achievements and cannot be distracted by other matters."

"Mother, it’s too early to say this. Maybe my big brother is looking for him for something important," Jiang Yihuan soothed.

"What important business does he have with a servant?" Zhong Lanhua dismissed.

Xiao Yanci lowered his gaze, walking into Jiang Yihui’s study.

Zhong Lanhua pressed her ear to the door, listening to the noise inside.

The door opened, and Jiang Yihui stood at the entrance, looking at Zhong Lanhua with displeasure in his eyes.

Zhong Lanhua felt guilty, intimidated by Jiang Yihui’s gaze.

"I wanted to ask if you’re thirsty and if you’d like some sugar water?"

"No need, I’m about to head back to the private school," Jiang Yihui said calmly, "Mother, take my sister out for a walk."

"Understood, we’ll go now," Zhong Lanhua looked towards Jiang Yihuan not far away.

Jiang Yihuan understood, following Zhong Lanhua out of the courtyard.

After a while, Zhong Lanhua and Jiang Yihuan were chatting about gossip and family matters with the village women, when they saw Jiang Yihui bringing Xiao Yanci out the door.

The mother and daughter hurried up to them.

"Mother, little sister, I’m taking Xiao Yanci to the private school,"

"Why are you taking him to the private school?" Zhong Lanhua asked.

"I lack an Attendant Student beside me, Xiao Yanci knows a few words, he’s suitable to be my Attendant Student," Jiang Yihui said, "I’m in a hurry, so I’ll go first."

Jiang Yihuan grabbed Xiao Yanci’s arm, looking at him with resentment, "Are you really going to the private school with my brother? Then what about me?"

Xiao Yanci’s heart softened, looking at her gently, "Once I have some free time, I’ll return. You’re weak, hire someone for those heavy and tough chores."

Jiang Yihuan: "..."

Ridiculous.

Did she want to do it herself?

Others aren’t her slaves, why should they help her for free?

As her family’s servant, he should work hard for her family. Now he’s leaving for the private school with her brother, so does she still need to support him?

In the past, she supported her brother as the little ancestor, working hard to fund his studies. The money she earned wasn’t spent much on herself; it was all given to him. Now, does she still have to support her brother’s Attendant Student?

Jiang Yihuan looked at Zhong Lanhua, "Mother, given our family’s situation, having my brother paired with an Attendant Student doesn’t seem very fitting, does it?"

"Oh, Yihuan, I actually think Xiao Xiao is more suitable as Hui’er’s Attendant Student. Think about it, isn’t Hui’er studying hard at the private school? If there’s an Attendant Student serving tea, doing laundry and cleaning, he can spend more time studying, increasing his chances of succeeding academically. You two have lived like this for years; even without servants, you two are better off than others in the village."

Since Zhong Lanhua bought a servant, ordering him daily to carry water, chop wood, and gather weeds in the fields, she had somewhat developed the demeanor of a wealthy family’s lady. Being women of the same village, with similar ages, why could Zhong Lanhua live so freely while she had endless chores?

With this thought, the woman speaking with her earlier kept supporting Jiang Yihui and Xiao Yanci, making Zhong Lanhua increasingly believe Jiang Yihui needed an Attendant Student. In her view, Xiao Yanci, being literate, could help Jiang Yihui, which was more useful than keeping him at home for chores.

She was still hoping that her son would earn her a title someday, helping her completely surpass that crude and useless Zhang Zhaodi.

"Xiao Yanci, you better serve Hui’er well," Zhong Lanhua instructed, "If you upset Hui’er, I’ll definitely sell you off."

Xiao Yanci said, "Rest assured, madam, I will attend to the young master well."

Jiang Yihuan watched Xiao Yanci’s figure leave longingly.

Xiao Yanci turned back, seeing Jiang Yihuan’s red-eyed gaze in his direction, seemingly about to cry any moment.

At that moment, he felt immense pity and wanted to rush back to tell her that he wouldn’t leave. But he couldn’t, as this was the chance he had fought hard for.

He didn’t want to remain in this impoverished village, facing endless chores daily, as his hands once used for playing instruments and writing became increasingly rough. He wished to leave this village and reappear under the sun.

Only when he was strong enough could he protect the ones he wished to protect.

Jiang Yihui and Xiao Yanci’s silhouettes completely disappeared.

Jiang Yihuan said, "Mother, we’ll have to fetch water, chop wood, and climb the mountains to pick wild vegetables ourselves now."

Zhong Lanhua: "..."

These chores were also done by her in the past; she didn’t feel it was odd. But lately, since Xiao Yanci took over the household chores, it had been a while since she last did any heavy work, and now being asked to do those tasks again, she felt utterly unwilling.

But with only two women left in the house, if she didn’t do it, Jiang Yihuan would have to. She was hoping Jiang Yihuan would marry into a good family, so she wouldn’t raise her coarse. Therefore, these chores ultimately fell upon her.

Zhong Lanhua suddenly regretted.

But now, regretting was of no use.