Chapter Thirty-Four: The System’s Practical Lesson—If They Still Refuse to Talk, Knock Them Unconscious

Although she sensed something fishy about the old man’s situation, Jiang Hua still felt a knot of anxiety in her chest.

"How about this? I’ll have a car sent to take you all there!"

Regimental Commander Lin, well aware of the family circumstances of these two veterans, Jiang Hua and Jiang Zhuguo, saw the concern on their faces. Hearing the captain’s offer, he immediately turned serious. "If you encounter any trouble that Xiao Jing finds difficult to handle, have the driver return and tell me. I’ll send men to take care of it!"

Jiang Dalin stammered, waving his hands frantically. "No, no, that’s not necessary! That’s too much trouble. Just having Auntie back is enough!"

Commander Lin couldn't quite grasp the full nature of the situation, but he still arranged for a vehicle to take them back. Jiang Jing exchanged a few final words with Wang Lianjun before joining them.

Jiang Dalin looked uneasy. "But... I came here by ox cart!"

Jiang Jing replied, "Brother Dalin, just leave the cart at the station. Once my comrade finishes his report, he’ll drive it back for you."

Jiang Dalin immediately parked the ox cart in the station’s warehouse and gave the attendant five cents. Once he boarded the car, Jiang Xiaxia, not at all shy, peered at him. "Grandpa, what happened?"

Jiang Jing and Jiang Hua also looked at him, waiting for an answer.

Jiang Dalin glanced at the driver and spoke vaguely. "Jiang Tie and his wife, Han Dahong, had a spat with the second daughter-in-law, and it really upset your uncle. Later, when you called the commune to say you’d be late returning, Han Dahong’s brother—who hangs around the county town all day—spread some rumor that the third brother wasn't doing well. Han Dahong started running her mouth. The eldest child of the second daughter-in-law got angry, rushed over to Han Dahong’s house, and smashed the place up. Now, she’s latching onto your family for compensation."

Jiang Hua frowned, remembering the second daughter-in-law’s background, and immediately understood what kind of vile things Han Dahong must have been saying.

Jiang Xiaxia didn't fully grasp the details; she only felt that there were so many people here she didn't know, yet they seemed close to her grandma. Subconsciously, she tugged at Jiang Hua’s sleeve, her fingertips turning slightly pale. She was a little afraid. After returning to Grandma’s house, Grandma would no longer be hers alone. Would Grandma stop liking her because of these other people and send her away?

Sensing her unease, Jiang Hua patted her head. "What Uncle Dalin was talking about is your second uncle’s eldest child—your big brother, Zhien. You also have a second brother, Zhiming, and a third sister, Zhiqing! Don't be afraid, Xiaxia. They are all very good, and they will surely like you!"

Jiang Xiaxia nervously felt her pockets. She hadn't prepared any gifts in advance; how could her brother and sister like her?

Jiang Jing, lost in thought about the family situation, noticed the little girl’s gesture. He casually picked her up and sat her on his lap, his hand brushing against her pocket, only to find—it was empty. Where had she put the notebook Commander Lin had given her, and the fruit candies she had been carrying?

Jiang Jing’s eyes flickered with deep thought. Because Jiang Xiaxia was busy wondering what she could pull from her small hidden space to give as gifts, she didn't notice her uncle’s increasingly puzzled gaze.

Seeing the little girl with her head bowed, looking so wilted, Jiang Hua assumed she was frightened by the story of her eldest cousin smashing up a house. She hurried to explain, "Your eldest cousin isn't fierce; he’s actually very honest! Don't be afraid of him, Xiaxia. Your second cousin doesn't talk much, but he has the softest heart. And your third cousin—she doesn't smile often, but she’s actually the most warm-hearted of them all!"

Jiang Dalin, sitting in the front, couldn't help but look back at his aunt. Her description was truly 'accurate.' The eldest wasn't fierce—he just had a punch that could kick down a door. The second wasn't talkative—he just had a way with words that made people want to go meet their ancestors. The third didn't smile—she just had a habit of blurting out everyone’s private business the moment she did.

"What a bunch of 'good' children," Dalin thought, feeling tears welling up at the memory of all the messes he’d had to clean up for them over the years.

Wait—

Slow to catch on, Jiang Dalin suddenly turned his head, staring at Jiang Jing in shock. "Is this your daughter? You’re married?"

Jiang Jing shook his head. "No, she’s the child of a comrade. Her parents were relatives of ours, but they’ve passed away, so I’ve adopted her."

Hearing this, Jiang Xiaxia nodded repeatedly. "That’s right! They’re all gone!"

The young soldier driving the car glanced back through the rearview mirror, his eyes filled with the same pity as Jiang Dalin’s. After confirming her parents were gone, Jiang Xiaxia went quiet, her small hand tucked back into her pocket, fumbling with something. The others, assuming she was saddened by the memory of her parents, didn't know how to comfort her, and the car fell into a heavy silence.

After half an hour of bumping along, the car finally pulled up to the village entrance. The village rarely saw cars. The moment the children playing nearby caught sight of it, they screamed at the top of their lungs: "Wow, look! A car! It’s an automobile!"

Like a signal, children came running from every corner like little cannonballs, surrounding the vehicle. They showed no fear, even without adults present, boldly reaching out to touch the car. The young soldier in the driver's seat honked the horn anxiously, but the children, their faces flushed with excitement, seemed not to hear the shrill noise.

Jiang Dalin had no choice but to get out and shoo them away. "Go on, get out of here, go home!"

Seeing this, Jiang Hua looked at Jiang Jing. "Forget it, we’re at the village entrance. Let’s just walk the rest of the way. Young comrade, please wait outside the village for us!"

"That won't do!" the young soldier replied righteously. "Our commander ordered me to follow you inside. If anyone dares to bully an old revolutionary, I’m to bring them in!"

Jiang Jing and Jiang Hua exchanged a look and couldn't help but cough. It was precisely because they wanted to bully people that they didn't want the soldier coming in.

"Don't worry, I still have some standing in this village!" Jiang Hua stepped out, patted the young man who was about to follow, and said, "Besides, if you come in and these kids accidentally damage the car, it’s military property. Wouldn't you feel terrible?"

Naturally, he would. The young soldier looked at Jiang Jing, who smiled and said, "Don't worry, nothing will happen." Only then did the soldier stay put in the car.

Jiang Xiaxia followed her grandma and uncle into the village. Just as her uncle pointed to a two-room house, claiming it as their home, she saw a woman in dusty clothes sitting on the ground, wailing: "Father! Even if you beat me to death today, I have to say it—as an elder, you can't be this biased!"

Father?

Just as Jiang Xiaxia was wondering who the woman was shouting at, she heard the rest of the sentence, and her eyes lit up. She knew the answer to this!

She trotted over to the woman. Under the woman's stunned gaze, Jiang Xiaxia flashed a shy smile, and then, a tiny fist landed gently on the woman's head.

With a soft 'thud,' the entire village went silent.