Chapter 42: An'an, An'an

"What? Cheating on exams? Skipping class? And being disobedient?" In this private school called Mingde Hall, Jiang Wang was both surprised and angry.

He had been uneasy ever since An'an told him yesterday that her teacher wanted to see him, her guardian. It was easy to connect it to Fang Zehou's threat.

If the Fang family used some petty tricks, such as using their connections to get An'an expelled from the private school she was attending, he really wouldn't have any good solutions.

He even prepared himself to pay for a private tutor for An'an.

But he never imagined that Jiang An'an's teacher wanted to see him simply because Jiang An'an was behaving badly.

Jiang Wang felt a great sense of absurdity.

It was common for teachers to use punishments like hitting palms with rulers, making students stand in the corner, or making them copy texts. It was unheard of for a teacher to be unable to handle a student. Even he, Jiang Wang, had joined the inner sect of the Daoist academy and was still being watched by Xiao Tiemian as he copied Daoist scriptures!

How bad and disobedient must a student be to warrant the teacher asking to speak with their guardian?

"Take a look at this." The old teacher of Mingde Hall threw over a stack of notebooks. "I told her to copy the Thousand Character Classic, look at what she copied!"

Jiang Wang took it with both hands and looked at it, thinking of saying that there was no problem, the content was indeed the Thousand Character Classic. But he quickly realized that while the content was correct, there were as many as seven or eight different handwritings.

In other words, Jiang An'an had even cheated on the copying assignment the teacher had given her.

Jiang Wang just wanted to cover his eyes, he couldn't bear to look. When Xiao Tiemian made him copy the Daoist scriptures a hundred times, he didn't even think of asking someone to help him, but diligently copied it word by word, enduring many sleepless nights!

How could Jiang An'an be so lively in her thinking?

"She cheats on exams too?" Jiang Wang asked, trembling.

"During a small test, she was helping someone else write their answers and I caught her red-handed." The old teacher's voice suddenly rose. "She doesn't even pass her own exams! What right does she have to do that!"

Jiang An'an was next to him, her little head drooping, looking pitiful as if she was ready to be beaten and scolded, but her big eyes were secretly glancing at Jiang Wang's expression. Whenever Jiang Wang looked over, she would immediately turn her gaze away.

There was also a little girl in the room, who was sprawled carelessly in an armchair, playing with her fingers. She was probably the classmate who asked Jiang An'an to help her cheat... Her attitude was too arrogant!

She was beautiful, with skin as smooth as jade and delicate features. Although she hadn't fully matured, it was clear that she would be a beauty. Only her little nose was upturned, making her seem too proud. The things she wore were all expensive, making her look like a little devil.

Well... what kind of studious child could you expect from someone who asks the failing Jiang An'an to help her cheat?

Jiang Wang told himself to calm down, his sister was introverted, quiet, well-behaved and lovely, there must be some misunderstanding... Misunderstanding my foot! The evidence was irrefutable!

Jiang Wang grabbed Jiang An'an and turned to leave. "Come home with me!"

As the eldest brother, he was like a father, and it was the father's fault if the child was not taught well. He decided that today was the time to show the authority of a guardian. How did that timid little girl become like this in just a few months? He decided to give her a good beating, at least ten slaps on the palm. It was too embarrassing to be beaten at school, so he would take her home to beat her.

Hmm... maybe three slaps, three would be pretty harsh, painful enough for a long time.

At this time, the little devil jumped up and waved. "Goodbye, An'an!"

Jiang An'an was being led out by Jiang Wang, having realized that something was wrong long ago, and had been lowering her eyes obediently for a while. Hearing her friend's greeting, she tentatively raised her other hand to respond...

Jiang Wang pulled her hand forcefully, interrupting this farewell to friendship.

A few steps out of Mingde Hall, walking south along Xuanwu Street, you would pass Cai Ji's mutton shop.

Smelling the aroma of mutton, Jiang An'an deliberately coughed. In the past, as long as she gave him a look, or even just sniffed, Jiang Wang would stop and take her in.

But today, Jiang Wang pulled her along, walking past without looking.

Jiang An'an then understood that her brother was really angry.

Turning left ahead, entering Qingmu Avenue, and walking east along Qingmu Avenue to the end, was Feima Lane. In Feima Lane was their home.

"Brother..." Jiang An'an called out.

But Jiang Wang didn't say anything.

"Brother..." Jiang An'an gently shook Jiang Wang's hand.

Jiang Wang snorted through his nose to show his cold attitude.

At this time, they happened to be at the door of their house. Jiang An'an eagerly said, "Brother, let me open the door, I have the key!"

Jiang Wang opened the lock himself, pushed open the courtyard, and let go of An'an's hand that he had been holding. His voice was deliberately cold. "Go in."

He couldn't let Jiang An'an think that this could be easily glossed over. Children of four or five years old were at the stage of forming their character, and he had to give her a lesson.

Jiang An'an's little hand rubbed against Jiang Wang's hand, and seeing that Jiang Wang really didn't intend to hold her hand anymore, she dropped it dejectedly.

But she immediately remembered something and perked up, running ahead all of a sudden.

Jiang Wang followed her into the bedroom, where Jiang An'an went straight to her little bed.

Jiang Wang was about to stop her.

Whenever Jiang An'an didn't want to do something, she would lie on the bed and say something like, "Oh, I'm so sleepy, I'm going to sleep." and easily get away with it.

But Jiang An'an suddenly squatted down, and her small body crawled under the bed.

You think I can't hit you if you hide under the bed? Jiang Wang almost laughed in anger, grabbed the broom by the door, and blocked it in front of Jiang An'an's little bed.

But An'an quickly crawled out, holding a small wooden box. Her face was covered in dust after rubbing around under the bed.

She raised the old wooden box high with both hands and said happily, "This is for you!"

Jiang Wang leaned the broom against the nearby cabinet and took the small wooden box suspiciously. "What is it?"

He opened the small wooden box and saw the pile of silver, red gold, pearls, etc., all shimmering with light.

Jiang Wang's heart clenched suddenly. He held the wooden box with one hand, his voice more stern than ever before. "Where did this come from?"

Jiang An'an had never seen her brother with such an expression and panicked immediately. She pursed her lips and whimpered, "I... I earned it!"

"Earned it?" Jiang Wang's hand trembled. "Where did you earn it? How did you earn it!"

He slammed the wooden box on the ground, making a loud noise. "Speak!"

Gold, silver, and pearls scattered all over the floor.

Jiang An'an was frightened and burst into tears. "Helping classmates with exams..."

"Helping classmates with exams can get you this much money?"

Jiang An'an sobbed, "Qingzhi... Qingzhi is very rich. I help her with exams and she gives me money."

Jiang Wang felt his heart, which had been hanging high, slowly descend.

He began to regret that he had been too fierce just now.

He squatted down, held Jiang An'an's little shoulders with both hands. She was like a delicate porcelain doll, as if she would shatter if he wasn't careful enough.

"When did the family need you to earn money?" Jiang Wang looked at her, reaching out to wipe her tears. "Your brother has money, a lot of money, do you understand?"

Jiang An'an sobbed, "Didn't you borrow money from that pretty boy to buy the house? You have to pay back the loan..."

Jiang Wang suddenly remembered that he had taken An'an with him when he asked Zhao Rucheng for money and a house that day.

Poor little An'an, her little box, the heart she carefully brought out, how sad was she when it was smashed on the ground?

Jiang Wang looked at her, tears streaming down her dusty face, washing out a snow-like complexion.

Jiang Wang's nose tingled.

His heart suddenly became infinitely soft and infinitely shattered.

...

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(Thanks to book friend Xi Zichu for the helmsman. Thanks to book friend Shen Ayue, book friend Loser Azhan, and book friend Yan Ergou for the rewards. And... quickly give Jiang An'an recommendation votes!!!)