Speaking of the fuss the elder family mber made at our place, Mrs. Jiang actually had a stomach full of anger.
"It’s all about Hai Chao’s marriage."
She huffed and puffed, "Hai Chao’s partner wants to buy a house in the city. Since she’s an only child, her family is thinking that it would be convenient for the daughter to be close to her parents after marriage, so they can take care of each other. The girl’s family has taken a liking to a house in the sa neighborhood and wants your Uncle’s family to pay the down paynt, and let the young couple pay off the mortgage later. This seems quite reasonable when spoken out loud, but you also know that your Uncle has three sons, and marrying off the first two already drained all their resources. Now where can he get more money from?"
Mr. Jiang also lowered his head and said, "Your Uncle and Aunt are worried too. They can’t just provide for the first two sons’ marriages and then offer nothing for their youngest son, but they really can’t afford it. Your Aunt said sothing to your grandma, which got her to co to our place making a scene. She’s trying to push us to pay the down paynt."
"You guys didn’t agree, did you?"
Anning asked while rubbing the soles of her feet, having worn high heels for half a day and still not quite accustod to them.
"We didn’t agree, we just can’t agree to this."
Mrs. Jiang rubbed her eyes: "We could bear so losses in other things, but how can we agree to such a big matter? I said we have no money, then your grandma ntioned that she found you a match in the county, a well-known rich family. They are looking for a beautiful bride with good education and are willing to offer a dowry of five hundred thousand Qian."
Anning burst into laughter when she heard this: "That’s really not a small amount."
Mr. Jiang, with his head down, said: "Your grandma ca for that five hundred thousand dowry. She insisted that we agree to this marriage, saying that if you married into that family, you’d live a blessed life."
Anning understood everything at this point.
It was all because the Aunt from the elder branch was worried about her son’s marriage and set her sights on Anning.
She figured Anning, being beautiful and highly educated, would surely find a good match and thought to use Anning’s dowry to pay for her son’s down paynt.
"My grandma is dreaming. What era does she think this is? Is this still the old society?"
Anning got up to return to her room. Mrs. Jiang hurriedly grabbed her: "Quickly call your sister and your younger sister and tell them to co ho tonight; no staying in hotels."
Anning smiled and waved her hand: "I was just bluffing grandma. I didn’t really call them."
Hearing this, Mrs. Jiang cursed with a smile: "You crafty girl."
Anning went inside, changed into casual clothes, and ca out.
Mrs. Jiang had already gone to the kitchen to prepare lunch.
So Anning went to lend a hand.
Mrs. Jiang was picking vegetables and asked Anning, "What do you plan to do after resigning?"
Anning was washing rice and cooking: "I’m thinking of staying at ho for a few days. I studied several languages in college, and I’m considering picking them up again. I’m planning to take on so translation work from ho. If it goes well, I could earn quite a bit, perhaps even more than a regular job, and also have more flexibility. Besides, I will try to find other ways to make so extra cash."
Mrs. Jiang thought about it; she didn’t understand why there was such a big difference between her second daughter, Eldest, and Third, considering they all ca from her womb.
Eldest was not only good-looking but also extrely talented in studies, never once causing their parents any worry academically. She was always the exemplary child in other families’ eyes. Even when she caught a cold during the college entrance exams, she still managed to get into a good university. During her university years, she took on various jobs, tutored privately, taught classes during vacations, and with scholarships and the like, she managed to earn enough to pay for her college tuition and living expenses.
Eldest was no good though. She’s strong and hand-on stuff she’s pretty handy with, just no head for studying. She refused to go to high school and now she’s still waiting tables at a restaurant.
Third is just hopeless when it cos to studying. Got through community college with a lot of beating and scolding from ho, and now just idling away his days.
Besides, the second child had more ideas than Eldest and Third, had her own plans, knowing what she should and shouldn’t do.
"Alright then."
Mrs. Jiang stood up to wash the vegetables: "We don’t know much about these things. As long as you think it’s good, that’s fine. Anyway, your dad and I have so money saved up. Even if you can’t make any money, we won’t let you go hungry."
Speaking of which, Mrs. Jiang brought up Anning’s lifelong matter again.
"You’re not getting any younger; it’s ti to start dating soone. If you don’t have anyone suitable, I’ll ask the neighbors to keep an eye out for you."
Anning was frightened and quickly waved her hands: "Co on, I’m flat broke, how can I even consider dating? Let’s just wait, alright? There’s no rush, really no rush. Besides, my older sister doesn’t have soone either."
No sooner had she finished speaking than they heard Eldest’s voice: "Talking about again, am I bothering you by not having a partner? Always talking about ."
An Nan, three years older than Anning and now twenty-seven, was already considered an old maid in the eyes of the elders. Mrs. Jiang worried about her marriage prospects all day long. An Nan too had been pressured by Mrs. Jiang to go on several match-making outings, but none turned out to be reliable. Nowadays, she was almost numb to dating and almost ready to give up the idea of marriage altogether.
Anning pointed at Mrs. Jiang: "See, our mom is urging again."
An Nan, entering the house and washing her hands, said to Mrs. Jiang: "It’s fine for you to urge to get married; I want to get married too, but you have to find soone reliable. The people you introduce to, what kind of people are they? Just a few days ago, the one I t, oh my goodness, you should have seen such a weirdo. He started by disparaging my education and saying I was vulgar. He acted all pretentious, as if he was sothing special. But after a bit of digging, it turns out he only finished junior high and spends his days ssing around outside. His nickna is even Gou Dan; he’s so uncultured himself yet dares to look down on . I didn’t give him a few hard slaps right there just because I have a good temper."
An Nan was complaining, and Mrs. Jiang hastened to say: "Don’t talk about it anymore, alright? Next ti you go on a date, I’ll make sure to check thoroughly."
Anning smiled at An Nan, who walked over and hugged Anning’s arm: "Mom, with Anning’s looks, figure, and education, you have to find soone good for her. Whether our family can turn the tables and beco rich depends on her."
Mrs. Jiang slapped her hand away: "Go away, as if we’re selling our daughter."
An Nan couldn’t stay put in the kitchen and andered to the living room to find Mr. Jiang.
Mr. Jiang was busy playing chess by himself, and An Nan sat down: "Old Jiang comrade, how about we play a ga?"
Mr. Jiang looked up at her: "No need for a ga; just keep company with a couple of drinks at noon."
After lunch, Anning went out again.
She went for a run to the electronics market and ca back carrying a laptop computer.
When Anning ca back with the computer, there was nobody at ho, quite peaceful. So she went to the bedroom to tidy up, cleared a small table, placed the laptop on it, opened it, and then got connected to the internet.
Once set up, Anning began browsing forums and websites.
She found a translation-related website, registered, and began doing tasks.
Being new, Anning couldn’t access any big tasks, just very small ones. Of course, they were quite easy, but they paid very little.
Anning took a few tasks and finished them in an afternoon. She sent them over, and the paynt quickly landed in her account.
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