Chapter 114: Unreasonable Request, Immediate Rejection
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A shrew is not frightening, but a shrew who talks without knowing the situation can be quite amusing.
After listening, Director Zhang had to hold back the urge to twitch his lips and said, “Madam, the Olympic Mathematics High School Competition you mentioned indeed takes place in mid-October. However, in addition to mathematics, the Academic Competition also includes physics and informatics.”
Jiang Qin looked a little confused and turned to her son, “So, there’s more?”
At this point, Liu Wei wished he could find a hole to hide in; he was so embarrassed.
Jiang Qin, “?”
Yang Jinqiu widened her eyes, unable to believe it. “So, what you’re saying is… Jiang Fuyue scored full marks in the Physics and Informatics competition and came first in the whole country?”
“Yes,” Zhang Quan nodded. “Don’t you know?”
Yang Jinqiu was at a loss for words.
Jiang Qin looked as if she had seen a ghost.
Liu Shuting exchanged a glance with her husband, showing no emotion on her face, but her heart was already sour.
Although the Old Madam didn’t quite understand what was going on, she was skilled at reading people’s expressions.
From the reactions of the people around, it was clear that the eldest daughter of the Jiang family had achieved great success. Therefore, everyone was praising her, including this Director person.
Knowing that Old Second even had to nod and bow to this Director, it was evident that he wasn’t easy to please. However, now he was very friendly to the eldest family…
“Don’t you know?” Zhang Quan found it hard to believe.
If their family had a talented girl like Jiang Fuyue, they should at least have made some mention of it in front of their relatives and friends, if not openly shared the news with the world.
Why were they so low-key?
Yang Jinqiu was the first to come back to her senses and stepped forward to affectionately take hold of Han Yunru. “Sister-in-law, you’re really something! Why didn’t you mention how well Yueyue was doing? Everyone thought she was an athlete…”
Han Yunru smiled, “We haven’t seen each other in over ten years, and suddenly getting together, I… didn’t know how to bring it up.”
Zhang Quan treated the eldest brother’s family well, and Yang Jinqiu originally intended to use this opportunity to get close to her eldest sister-in-law and possibly secure the Outstanding Teacher’s quota.
However, she never expected Han Yunru to be so tactless as to expose her intentions in public.
Zhang Quan was not a fool, and after hearing those words, he quickly developed a new understanding of the relationships within the family.
Since Jiang Fuyue’s mother had clearly expressed that she didn’t have a close relationship with Yang Jinqiu, he no longer needed to consider the latter’s face.
He smiled and said, “Thank you for your hospitality today, but it’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave.”
Yang Jinqiu’s smile froze for a moment, and she suggested, “Don’t go, Director Zhang… How about I accompany you outside?”
Zhang Quan waved his hand with a smile, “No need.”
Before leaving, Director Zhang exchanged phone numbers with Jiang Da couple, saying, “From now on, no matter what difficulties Jiang Fuyue encounters in life or finances, you can call me at any time. The department is very concerned about her education. Don’t hesitate!”
After the guests had left, only this large family remained.
Jiang Da stood up and said, “Mom, we’re leaving.”
“Big Brother,” the Old Madam hadn’t spoken yet when Yang Jinqiu eagerly intervened, “Don’t be in such a hurry. Our family has finally reunited. Can you bear to leave just like that?”
Jiang Da frowned, his eyes filled with confusion.
It seemed he didn’t understand why his sister-in-law had such a significant change in attitude.
Seemingly not comprehending, Han Yunru said, “Younger sister-in-law, just say what you want.”
Yang Jinqiu smiled, but the smile quickly faded. “Sister-in-law, you’re aware of how difficult it is to be a high school teacher nowadays. Every year, there’s fierce competition for a few ‘Exemplary Teacher’ slots, and those with connections effortlessly get ahead…”
“What are you trying to say?” Han Yunru interrupted.
Yang Jinqiu’s eyes flickered as she said, “Since you’re so straightforward, I won’t beat around the bush. Director Zhang is responsible for the ‘Exemplary Teacher’ selection every year. Can you help us with this?”
“Sister-in-law, Director Zhang is a guest you invited. When it comes to helping, it’s not my place, is it? Before this, we didn’t even know each other.”
Yang Jinqiu could tell they were her evasive words and smiled slightly, “Sister-in-law, you’re being overly modest. Zhang Quan’s attitude towards you and my big brother is different from his attitude towards me and Ah Hua. Anyone with discerning eyes can see it clearly.”
Han Yunru, “In his eyes, I’m at best just a student’s parent with no say at all. I’m afraid my sister-in-law’s request might be impossible to fulfill.”
“Sister-in-law, being so evasive is meaningless. Who’s to blame for not having a daughter who excels in both studying and exams? This is even more bitter than a jar of pickles.”
But Han Yunru remained steadfast.
Yang Jinqiu became anxious, and since Han Yunru wasn’t relenting, she turned to try and persuade Jiang Da.
Jiang Da tried to avoid getting involved, “I don’t understand this ‘outstanding evaluation’ thing. You should talk to your sister-in-law about it; she’s in charge in our family!”
Yang Jinqiu, “…”
Madam Jiang, “…”
Jiang Fuyue and Little Brother Jiang exchanged a glance, with a hint of amusement in their eyes.
“Second Sister-in-law, I think you should forget about it,” at that moment, Liu Shuting suddenly spoke up, “Big sister-in-law already said she won’t help, so why are you pushing so hard?”
Yang Jinqiu blushed and felt the heat on her cheeks.
But she didn’t blame Liu Shuting for speaking bluntly; instead, she resented Han Yunru for being so unyielding.
With a cold laugh, she said, “Sister-in-law really has such a high attitude! I’ll remember that!”
Han Yunru furrowed her brows and glanced at Liu Shuting before saying, “It’s not that I won’t help; it’s that I don’t have the ability to help.”
“Eldest daughter-in-law, no matter what, you’ve married into the old Jiang family, so you and second daughter-in-law are family.” Madam Jiang, who had been silent all along, finally regained her voice and looked at Han Yunru with a chin-up stance, as if giving a leadership talk.
“Since we’re family, you can lend a hand if you can.”
Yang Jinqiu looked at the Old Madam gratefully and said, “Mother is the best and most understanding…”
While speaking, her gaze fell on Han Yunru’s face. Now that the old Madam had stepped in, it is time for you to comply.
Jiang Fuyue frowned.
She felt that this family might have a problem with comprehension. She had clearly stated that she couldn’t help, yet they kept pressing.
Han Yunru maintained her gentle demeanor and said, “Mom, I truly don’t have the capability to help.”
The Old Madam’s face immediately fell, “I think it’s not that you can’t help, but you don’t want to! Right, all these years, you monopolized my eldest son, instigated him to reject even his own biological mother. What can’t you do?!”
“Surname Han, I should’ve known this day would come. Back when I was arguing with the eldest son for the first time and he defied me, I had a premonition that you would stir up chaos in this family. As expected, ever since you arrived, our home has been anything but peaceful! Now, I can’t even celebrate my birthday in peace!”
Han Yunru lowered her head slightly, standing quietly in her place without saying anything.
“Mom!” Jiang Da couldn’t stand it anymore, “It was me who insisted on marrying Ah Ru, and it was you who strongly disagreed. We only moved out because of that. Later, it was you who unilaterally cut off communication. We called you on every holiday, but did you ever answer the phone?”
“Don’t blame Ah Ru for everything! Yes, I may not be as successful as Old Second, and I can’t talk as well as Old Third. You can scold me and blame me, but I won’t bear false accusations! Yueyue, Chenxing, let’s go home—”
Jiang Da took Han Yunru’s hand and walked resolutely.
The siblings quickly followed.
Suddenly, “Big brother, don’t walk so fast. There’s still an account to settle…”
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