"Mom, I'm fine."
Anning spoke to Wang Cuixhua in a gentle and soothing tone: "Don't be too upset, from now on I'll just avoid my sister, if I don't see her, she can't harm me."
Wang Cuixhua looked at Anning.
She felt that Anning was being treated most unfairly.
Caught in a trap set by her own sister during such a crucial time as the college entrance examination, still so young to endure such a huge ordeal, yet she was able to compose herself and sit for the exams, this was truly not easy at all.
Moreover, when Anjie was caught, Anning didn't create a fuss; not only did she not blame An Jie too much, she also forgave her easily.
This child must have buried so much bitterness and grievances inside her heart.
Wang Cuixhua was gentle by nature, but she could empathize with others, if she were in the same situation, she would definitely have an endless quarrel with the one who harmed her.
She could absolutely not be as magnanimous as Anning.
The more she thought about it, the more Wang Cuixhua felt sorry for Anning.
It was all because they as parents had indulged An Jie too much that they had allowed Anning to suffer like this.
Wang Cuixhua held Anning's hand, her eyes full of pity: "Ningning, mom has thought it through, your sister is married now, she should stay at her in-laws' house and take care of the Su Family's affairs. Our family, from now on, won't let her interfere anymore."
Wang Cuixhua was truly frightened.
Lin Anjie had actually tried to harm Anning, her heart was too malicious.
If today Lin Anjie could harm Anning, what about tomorrow? Could she harm An Ping? Or could she harm her and Lin Aiguo?
Although she loved Lin Anjie, she wouldn't gamble with the futures and lives of the whole family for her.
"Mom, you don't have to disown my sister for my sake, just keep things as they are. Just, from now on, if she and I have any disagreements, you don't need to intervene, that's enough."
Anning smiled and continued to soothe Wang Cuixhua.
But Wang Cuixhua had already made up her mind, no matter what Anning said, she wouldn't relent.
In her heart, Wang Cuixhua felt even more sorry for Anning.
She felt that Anning was too sensible and too kind-hearted. This wasn't good, what if she got bullied by others when she went out?
When it was time to sleep at night, Wang Cuixhua discussed this matter with Lin Aiguo.
Lin Aiguo was also so worried about Anning that he couldn't sleep well the whole night.
He tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, making Wang Cuixhua also restless.
It wasn't until almost dawn that Lin Aiguo dozed off for a while. Early in the morning after he woke up, he said he was going to the old house, strolling around to find Lin Jiugen and Lin Hongjun, and directly shared some of his thoughts with these two.
Lin Aiguo's idea was that the family would no longer involve themselves with Lin Anjie, let her be however she wanted, and told Lin Jiugen and Lin Hongjun not to bother either.
Lin Jiugen had always favored Anning a bit more, now that he also knew about Anjie harming Anning, he was so angry he wished he could break Anjie's legs; there was no way he'd acknowledge this granddaughter anymore.
Lin Hongjun had always been the most sensible and clear-minded in the family; he had long noticed Lin Anjie's selfish nature. Now, knowing she had caused trouble and fled without returning home, and not showing any intention to explain or apologize, he was completely disappointed with Lin Anjie.
After persuading Wang Cuixhua, Anning put the incident behind her.
Having completed her college entrance exam, she now had plenty of time, and so she helped Lin Aiguo with farmwork every day.
In the fields, several aunties joked with Anning, asking her how well she did on the exams. Anning would just smile and say she did very well, showing no signs of arrogance whatsoever.
Moreover, she was exceptionally efficient at her work, not complaining of fatigue even in the fierce heat of the long hours in the field, earning her continuous praise from the villagers.
Don't assume that just because Anning comes from a rural background and is accustomed to farm work that if she does it well, she will be praised.
You should know that there are slackers in the countryside too, and people in the village also like hardworking youngsters and girls. Those who put effort into their work are often held up by the elders for constant praise.
Especially when the Lin family has a Lin Anjie.
Lin Anjie has been extraordinarily lazy from childhood to adulthood. Compared to her, Anning seems so industrious she could almost touch the sky.
Naturally, the villagers have an exceptionally good impression of Anning.
After Anning worked a few days on the farm, Lin Aiguo and Wang Cuixhua felt so sorry for her that they said everything they could to keep her from going to the fields.
Unable to persuade them otherwise, Anning went to the county to buy many books on agriculture to read.
She would read quietly in her bedroom every day while making sure the three meals were well-prepared, her obedient and delicate demeanor made Lin Aiguo and Wang Cuixhua grow even fonder.
Seeing Anning, the two of them would continually think of Lin Anjie and couldn't help sighing.
Anning knew what they were thinking.
Of course, this was also what Anning wanted.
The original host wished to protect her family, live a smooth and peaceful life, to honor her parents, without any thought of revenge against Lin Anjie.
But Anning was quite the schemer, and she didn't want to let Lin Anjie off easy.
To make Lin Anjie's life miserable, she had to let Lin Aiguo and Wang Cuixhua be utterly disappointed in her, to the extent that they wished they never had her as a daughter.
Otherwise, if Lin Anjie was having a tough time, Lin Aiguo and Wang Cuixhua would give her money, and Anning would be furious.
To drive a wedge between Lin Anjie and her parents, Anning put in a lot of effort, even willing to play the role of a pure white lotus to perfection.
Now it seems, the effect isn't bad at all.
Now not only the Lin family, but even the villagers don't have a single good word for Lin Anjie.
Especially the Su family, since Lin Anjie ran away without returning to the Su family, Su Zhiqiang had been gloomy all day, and Liu Erni and Su Shuanzi were never in a good mood either.
The Su family had been asking around for Lin Anjie's whereabouts everywhere, and Su Zhiqiang even had such hatred that he clenched his teeth. He had decided that once he caught Lin Anjie, he would beat her up and lock her at home to prevent her from bringing further shame upon them.
All this was within Anning's control.
Now Lin Anjie had a bad reputation and nowhere to go, her downfall was just a matter of time.
And Anning took this opportunity to help the Lin family become wealthy and successful.
After reading books on agriculture for a few days, she directly sought out Lin Hongjun.
In the Lin family, Lin Hongjun's words often carried more weight than Lin Aiguo's.
Lin Hongjun stubbed out his cigarette and looked at the documents in his hands and then at Anning: "This, can this really work?"
Anning smiled: "Uncle, I think it can. I'm ninety percent confident we can make money."
Lin Hongjun looked again at the thick documents: "These, these off-season vegetables—I've never heard of them..."
Anning spoke unhurriedly: "Uncle, have you noticed that people's lives are getting better day by day? It isn't very visible in our countryside, but in the county, in the city, people now have extra money, their food and drink have greatly improved from a few years ago. Moreover, our country will continue to develop for the better. When people have money, their first pursuit is good food and clothing. Eating has always been a top priority. In the past, people wanted to eat enough. Now, they want to eat well."
Lin Hongjun kept nodding: "Yes, let alone others, our family now eats more meat than we did in past years."
Anning pointed to the documents: "But our country's supplies are still not abundant enough to meet the people's needs, especially in the north during winter. In the winter, everyone's diet is limited to cabbage and radish. Eating that all winter long, who wouldn't get bored? I was thinking, if we could grow off-season vegetables, we could definitely sell them at a good price."
Anning bit her lip: "And now, the country is strongly promoting the 'vegetable basket' project. If we grow green vegetables, I believe the country would support us."
Lin Hongjun looked down, deep in thought.