Chapter 289: Chapter 289: It’s Not Like You Were Born Into the Wrong Family

"Here, your water!"

After pouring the water, Lu Tingting grudgingly handed the cup to Jiang Moli.

Jiang Moli didn’t take it. Instead, she opened a medicine bottle and shook out three pills.

"Ah, open your mouth."

"What are you do— Mmph..."

Before Lu Tingting could finish her question, Jiang Moli had stuffed the pills into her mouth.

"Drink your water. Swallow."

Hearing Jiang Moli’s words, Lu Tingting subconsciously raised the cup and drank, swallowing the pills.

Only after she’d swallowed did she realize what had happened. "Why did you make me take medicine? I’m not sick!"

"It’ll be too late if you wait until you’re actually sick. If you really catch a cold, you’ll be stuck drinking congee for the New Year."

Lu Tingting looked at her. "Why do you care so much about me?"

Jiang Moli smiled and patted her head. "My mom never let me play with idiots when I was little, but if it’s you, it’s totally fine even if you’re a moron, a dimwit, or a little stinker."

Lu Tingting angrily pushed her hand away. "You’re the moron!"

Jiang Moli checked her watch. "Alright, it’s time to go back for dinner. Let’s go, Little Miss Genius."

"I’m not eating! It would just be a waste of food anyway!"

Her voice was puffed with indignation, clearly still sulking over Fan Wenfang’s scolding.

Jiang Moli looked at her curiously. "What, did you used to get good grades on your exams?"

Lu Tingting’s face was taut as she remained silent.

While her grades had never been particularly good growing up, this was the first time she’d ever placed dead last.

Jiang Moli said, "You just got some questions wrong, you weren’t born into the wrong family. Even if you come in dead last, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re a young lady of the Lu Family. Being born well is a skill in itself. As long as you don’t break the law or go around committing murder and arson, you’ll have a good life."

"Many people struggle their entire lives and can never hope to live in this Military District Courtyard, but you were born here. Your starting line is someone else’s finish line. It’s only reasonable that you might be a bit slow. You can’t have every advantage, after all. You’ve got to give other people a chance to live, right?"

After this round of comfort (or brainwashing) from Jiang Moli, the gloom in Lu Tingting’s heart was swept away.

’That’s right! I’m young and beautiful. And as for talent? I have family connections. So what if my grades are a little poor?’

And so, she happily followed Jiang Moli out the door.

Back at the Lu Family’s home, the table was set with dishes and chopsticks, just waiting for Jiang Moli and Lu Tingting to return so dinner could begin.

Lu Haoyu had been sent to the courtyard gate to keep watch. When he saw Jiang Moli and Lu Tingting returning, he turned and ran inside.

"Grandma, Third Aunt and my sister are back together!"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the house instantly relaxed.

The adults were relieved that Lu Tingting was okay, while the children were just happy that dinner could finally start!

Today was not only the Little New Year, but also a welcome dinner for Jiang Moli and Lu Cheng. The table was laden with chicken, duck, fish, and meat of all kinds, and everyone was already drooling.

When she first walked in, Lu Tingting was still a bit awkward, but seeing that neither Fan Wenfang nor Lu Yuan said anything to her, she relaxed.

They took their seats and began to eat.

Jiang Moli was used to sitting next to An Hui, so Lu Tingting took the opportunity to sit down on her other side.

Lu Cheng, seeing no empty seats next to his wife, spoke up, gesturing for Lu Tingting to move. "Go sit somewhere else."

Lu Tingting was reluctant. "I want to sit here!"

Seeing the uncle and niece squabbling over the seat, An Hui sighed and stood up, offering her own spot.

"Third Brother, you can sit here."

Sitting down next to his wife, Lu Cheng’s delight was written all over his face.

It was all family, so there was no need for ceremony. Once everyone was seated, they dug in.

The Lu Family didn’t have a "no talking while eating" rule. With such a large family rarely gathered for the New Year, it was inevitable that they would chat about this and that.

The conversation soon turned to the exam scores of the various nieces and nephews.

Lu Haoyu was fifteen this year and in the ninth grade. Lu Chaoyang was a year younger, in the eighth grade.

Lu Nana and Lu Qianqian were in the sixth and third grades, respectively.

Lu Haoyu and his sister Lu Qianqian both had outstanding grades, much to Fan Wenfang’s envy.

Jiang Moli turned her head and asked Lu Tingting, "Your performance as a volunteer teacher in Menghai, was that counted toward your practical experience grade?"

Lu Tingting was taken aback. "That counts?"

"Of course it counts. Why wouldn’t it?"

Hearing her say this, the whole family looked over.

Ma Hongmei said, "Well, if the volunteer teaching is counted in her practical experience grade, wouldn’t Tingting’s ranking go up a bit?"

Jiang Moli said, "Definitely. Tingting did a great job teaching at the military school. She even participated in a performance to promote legal education. That’s way more meaningful than her practical experience of planting crops and feeding pigs."

With that, she turned to Lu Tingting. "For your performance in Menghai, I give you a 99. I’m holding back one point so you don’t get too proud."

Lu Tingting tried hard to keep the corners of her mouth from turning up, but she was secretly delighted.

’I’m a contributor too!’

Jiang Moli then addressed the other nieces and nephews. "Everyone has their own worth. If your grades are good, study twice as hard to serve the country in the future. If your grades are bad, just eat well, sleep well, and be extra filial to your parents when you grow up."

"Well said!" Lu Cheng and Lu Deyao exclaimed in approval at almost the same time.

Ma Hongmei smiled and gave Jiang Moli a thumbs-up. "An educated person’s words really are different. For people, being safe and healthy is the greatest blessing."

An Hui nodded repeatedly, her gaze toward Jiang Moli especially gentle.

Her third sister-in-law’s words had truly spoken to her heart.

Lu Yuan raised his teacup. "Third Sister-in-law, I’m twice your age, yet I haven’t lived with as much clarity as you. I’ll use this tea in place of wine to toast you and Third Brother. I wish you happiness and a long life together."

"Thank you, Eldest Brother."

Jiang Moli raised her own cup. "Eldest Brother, I’d also like to wish you, Eldest Sister-in-law, and your whole family a happy new year and all the best in advance."

Lu Deyao followed suit, raising his cup and chiming in, "Everyone, let’s all raise our glasses together."

"Cheers!"

"May our whole family be healthy and successful, and may all our wishes come true in the coming new year!"

Laughter and cheerful voices filled the entire home.

...

Having not seen his son in half a year, Jiang Dahai was delighted. He’d specially taken Jiang Peng out to a restaurant and ordered a whole table of food.

Jiang Peng ate like a starving dog, but Jiang Dahai didn’t mind, instead helping him to more food.

"Eat more. Look at you, you’re as skinny as a monkey. Don’t they feed you in the army?"

Jiang Peng managed to reply between bites, "Never enough to feel full, and there’s no meat."

Jiang Dahai’s gaze fell on his hand.

More than half a month had passed, but the scar was still clearly visible. The sight filled him with both heartache and a sense of pride. Just as he was about to ask what had happened, a voice came from behind him:

"Well now, Director Jiang, you’re eating here too?"

Recognizing the office director from his own work unit, Jiang Dahai quickly stood up to exchange pleasantries and told Jiang Peng to stand and greet him.

"Hello, Director Liu."

Director Liu looked Jiang Peng up and down. "Excellent, excellent. Director Jiang, your son is truly impressive. You can tell he’s a promising young man."

Jiang Dahai said modestly, "You’re too kind, Director Liu."

Director Liu chuckled and looked at Jiang Peng again. "He looks quite young. He doesn’t have a girlfriend yet, does he?"

Jiang Dahai was just wondering if the man had some intentions for his son when Jiang Peng answered for himself:

"I do have a girlfriend. She’s in the military, just like me."

"Oh, haha, not bad, not bad at all!"

After Director Liu left, Jiang Dahai sat back down and eyed his son suspiciously. "You have a girlfriend?"

Jiang Peng replied in a matter-of-fact tone, "Yeah. Her name is Tang Xiaoyue. I’ll bring her home for you to see next year."

Jiang Dahai: "..."

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