Chapter 85: This is What He Meant by the Scholarship's Important Use?
Chapter 85: This is What He Meant by the Scholarship's Important Use?
The next morning, after breakfast, Zhou Chenglei and Jiang Xia were about to head back home.
Jiang Xia's mother had prepared three large bags of things for them to take back.
Jiang Dong carried two of the bags down the stairs, leaving the last one for Zhou Chenglei.
The whole family saw the couple off downstairs.
Jiang Dong had picked up Ye Xian from the guesthouse early in the morning, and she followed them down to see them off.
Seeing the three large bags, Ye Xian thought it looked like they were moving out! She suddenly understood why they had brought a single bag of things with them. One bag for three bags—obviously, it was a good deal.
Not only were there the three large bags, but after the meal, Jiang Xia's father had also given both of them a red envelope.
Ye Xian glanced at the envelope and noticed it was much thicker than the one she had received the previous day.
As Zhou Chenglei descended the stairs, he occasionally looked back at Jiang Xia. Seeing her focused on the steps, he quickly averted his gaze.
Jiang Xia's mother noticed Zhou Chenglei's attentiveness and, holding Jiang Xia's arm, deliberately kept a distance from the others. She whispered, "Your father has a good eye for people. Chenglei is definitely a good man. Look how careful he is with you. He even looked back at you several times while you were going down the stairs. It's important for a woman to marry the right person; otherwise, she'll regret it for a lifetime. Don't be foolish and keep thinking about that other person. Focus on building a life with Chenglei. Have a child soon; Lei is not young anymore. He loves you, but he must be anxious inside."
Jiang Xia thought her mother was referring to Wu Qizhi and nodded, "I understand."
It was a quick trip from the third floor to the first. After placing all the items in the car, Jiang Xia's father, Zhou Chenglei, and Jiang Xia got in.
As Jiang Xia bent to get into the car, Zhou Chenglei gently held her head to prevent her from bumping it. Once she was seated, he closed the door and went to the front passenger seat.
He didn't sit in the back to give the father and daughter some time to spend together.
After raising his daughter for twenty years, she was now married and leaving her parents. Future gatherings would be brief.
But Jiang Xia would be with Zhou Chenglei for the rest of her life, and they would have a lifetime to be together.
Jiang Dong, standing outside the car, handed Jiang Xia a red envelope, "Sis, this is my scholarship."
Ye Xian's head snapped toward Jiang Dong, her eyes wide with disbelief.
He had told his classmates that the scholarship had an important use. She thought he was preparing a surprise for her, as her birthday was right after the start of the semester.
But, the important use he mentioned was for his sister?
What was this about?
Jiang Xia saw the envelope being handed to her but didn't take it. She looked out the window and saw Ye Xian's incredulous expression. She turned to Jiang Dong and refused, "No, why would I need your scholarship?"
Jiang Dong tossed the envelope into the car, "I promised to give it to you, and now I've finally done it! Sis, I'll be heading back to school in a few days. I'll visit you and Brother-in-Law during the New Year and bring you more scholarship money."
Jiang Xia didn't know what agreement Jiang Dong had with the original owner of her body, but holding the envelope made her feel a bit heavy-hearted.
She could feel the affection that Jiang Dong, her father, and her mother had for her, this impostor. But their real daughter and sister was gone.
Jiang Xia also remembered the tragic ending of Jiang Dong and her father in the book. Her father was executed, and Jiang Dong developed a drinking problem, often drunk and unconscious. Her mother became a cleaner to support him.
The original owner was gone, but this body carried the blood of the Jiang family. Since she had taken over this body and this family's love, she at least had to ensure a better future for them, not the grim ending in the book.
Ye Xian was not a good match and was even the root cause of her father's execution. After marrying Jiang Dong, she used his father's name to do many illegal things.
The question now was how to pull Jiang Dong away before their relationship deepened?
Jiang Dong continued, "Sis, remember to write to me when you have time. If you need anything that can't be bought here, just let me know, and I'll get it for you. My shop at school is starting to make some money."
Jiang Xia smiled at him, "Sure, don't forget to get it for me!"
"How could I forget? Do you really think I'm that kind of person?"
Their mother urged, "Alright, the car won't wait. If you need to talk, call or write letters, but don't dawdle. Let's go."
Their father instructed the driver to start the car. As the vehicle moved, Jiang Xia and Jiang Dong’s mother watched until it disappeared from view.
Jiang Dong turned to his mother, "Mom, I'm going to show Ye Xian around."
His mother nodded and didn't stop him, only reminding him to come home early for dinner before heading upstairs to get ready for work.
Jiang Dong pushed his bicycle, and Ye Xian, sitting at the back, couldn't help but say, "You're really good to your sister."
Jiang Dong replied, "I only have one sister. If I'm not good to her, who else would I be good to? Besides, my sister and her husband have always been very kind to me."
A lot of the money he and his classmates made from their shop came from his brother-in-law.
When they were young, their parents were very busy, so they grew up together, naturally forming a strong bond.
His father always said that girls should be pampered and boys should be toughened up, so he gave his sister more pocket money and New Year’s money than him.
Jiang Dong was a big spender, and his money was always running out.
His sister could buy whatever she wanted, and she didn't need to spend much, so she often gave her extra money to him.
He always promised to give her his scholarship money, but he never did, because he always needed the money himself, even spending his sister's scholarship.
This time, he finally had enough money to do something nice for his sister!
Ye Xian wanted to say something but held back. They had only just started dating, and she had initiated the relationship. She decided to wait until they were closer before bringing it up.
They hadn't even held hands yet.
Jiang Dong was very kind, and when she called him about her room being taken by her older brother for his wedding, he immediately offered to bring her to the city to stay for a few days before returning to school.
He had even opened a small convenience store with his classmates in his first year of college, making a decent amount of money every day.
He and his classmates planned to save enough to start a company.
Such a kind, well-off, well-educated, and capable man was too good to pass up.
Thinking this, Ye Xian wrapped her arms around Jiang Dong's waist.
To deepen a relationship, some intimacy was necessary. Jiang Dong was generous and good at making money, but he often spent it on others.
Jiang Dong’s face turned red instantly. He looked around, afraid of being seen by the neighbors.
If this got back to his father, he would think Jiang Dong was behaving improperly before marriage and would break his legs!
His father was not gentle when it came to discipline.
And now, with his sister not around to protect him, he was even more cautious.
"Xian, please, let go of me. It doesn't look good if someone sees us."
Ye Xian: "…"
Jiang Xia and Zhou Chenglei returned to the village entrance around noon.
They saw a black car stuck in a mud pit, its wheels slipping and unable to move.
Zhou Chenglei found a firmer spot and stopped the car. He turned to Jiang Xia, "I'll go help push the car. Wait here for me?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
