Chapter 322: Chapter 322: Needling

Jiang Moli returned home to find Lu Tingting sitting alone in the living room, watching TV.

She glanced at the wall clock. It was only 8:30.

"Are Grandma and the others asleep already?"

"They’re in Great-Grandma’s room. Where were you? It’s so late..."

Lu Tingting’s mouth opened, and the words came out like a machine gun.

Zhu Huanghua had been quiet for two days, but her old habits were back.

She complained the bed was too hard and uncomfortable, insisting they take An Hui and Lu Deyao’s quilt to pad her own mattress.

Once the bed was made, she started crying that her legs hurt and demanded a leg massage.

Lu Deyao massaged them for her, but she complained his touch was too heavy and it hurt, demanding that An Hui do it instead.

When An Hui refused, Zhu Huanghua started crying, screaming, and cursing, calling An Hui unfilial.

...

Lying in bed, Zhu Huanghua watched as An Hui and Ma Hongmei massaged her legs on her left and right. Her eyes, though half-closed, were brimming with smug satisfaction.

’The trick her old friend suggested really works.’

’That lazy woman, my sixth son’s wife, still has to obediently serve me, her mother-in-law, in the end.’

Lu Deyao stood by the bed. "Mom, how are your legs feeling now?"

Grumbling with her eyes narrowed, Zhu Huanghua nonchalantly berated An Hui, "Harder! Didn’t you eat? You can’t even take care of someone properly. Useless piece of trash..."

Before she could finish, a sharp pain, like a needle prick, shot through her calf, making her cry out, "AOW!"

She opened her eyes and was met with Jiang Moli’s beaming face.

"Grandma, how does that feel?"

Under the light, Jiang Moli’s features were as delicate as a painting, charming and lovely.

But to Zhu Huanghua, she looked as detestable as a she-devil.

"You... what do you think you’re doing?"

Jiang Moli rubbed her hands together excitedly. "I heard your legs hurt. As it happens, I’ve been teaching myself acupuncture recently. What a coincidence! Come on, let me give you a couple of jabs!"

As she spoke, she whipped out a gleaming silver needle with a flick of her wrist.

Zhu Huanghua shuddered. Her beady eyes darted to her calf, where a long, thin silver needle was already embedded, glinting coldly under the light.

She was so scared her calf almost cramped up. "Get this needle out of me right now!!"

Jiang Moli signaled for Lu Tingting to help hold down Zhu Huanghua’s thrashing legs.

"Grandma, don’t move around. What if I miss the acupoint and end up crippling you?"

Hearing Jiang Moli say this, Zhu Huanghua struggled even more fiercely.

"Get away from me! My legs don’t hurt anymore! I don’t need your help!"

Jiang Moli feigned surprise. "It worked that fast? Cured with just one needle? Do you hurt anywhere else? I’ve been studying for days and haven’t had a chance to practice. Tell me where it hurts, let me give you a couple more jabs!"

"I’m perfectly fine! Nothing hurts! I’m going to sleep now, all of you get out!"

"Alright then. If you’re hurting anywhere another day, just let me know. I’ll give you a couple of jabs. If two aren’t enough, I’ll give you a few more. I’m sure I’ll get it right eventually."

Zhu Huanghua glared at her, her expression a mixture of shifting emotions.

After leaving Zhu Huanghua’s room, Jiang Moli casually handed the acupuncture kit to An Hui.

"Mom, you take this kit. From now on, whenever Grandma isn’t feeling well, you can just give her a few jabs."

An Hui smiled knowingly. "Okay, I got it."

The mother and daughter-in-law didn’t lower their voices. Inside the room, Zhu Huanghua heard every word and trembled with rage.

’Those two black-hearted, rotten-livered dogs! How dare they stick me with needles!’

When they got to the living room, Lu Deyao gave Jiang Moli a thumbs-up. "Moli, you’re the only one who could have handled that."

Ma Hongmei nodded repeatedly.

In this family, Jiang Moli was the only one who could keep the old lady in check.

...

After chatting with her parents-in-law in the living room for a while, Jiang Moli went back to her room to get ready for bed.

Lu Tingting was sitting at the desk, her head down as she peeled chestnuts.

On the desk was a palm-sized enamel plate with over a dozen peeled chestnuts, each one golden and plump.

"Are those for me?"

Jiang Moli casually picked one up and ate it.

Lu Tingting glanced at her but, surprisingly, said nothing.

Jiang Moli paused mid-chestnut. "You didn’t poison these, did you?"

Lu Tingting shot her a harsh glare. "That’s right, they’re poisoned. With pois—MMMPH..."

Before she could finish, Jiang Moli shoved a chestnut into her mouth and held a hand over it so she couldn’t spit it out.

Jiang Moli only let go after she had swallowed the chestnut.

She went back to eating the peeled chestnuts, cackling as she did. "Even if they really are poisoned, it’s worth it if you’re coming with me."

As she spoke, she held a plump, sweet chestnut up to Lu Tingting’s lips.

Lu Tingting glared at her with puffed cheeks for a moment, then opened her mouth and ate it.

"Was it you who called my school?"

Jiang Moli patted her on the head. "And here I was, wondering why you were being so nice for no reason. Turns out you’re just returning the favor. I didn’t dote on you for nothing, huh?"

"It really was you?" Lu Tingting asked doubtfully.

Jiang Moli laughed. "You weren’t sure, but you still peeled chestnuts for me?"

Lu Tingting snorted. "If it wasn’t you, I’d just have considered it feeding the dogs!"

Jiang Moli giggled. "They say you become like the company you keep. After sharing a bed with you for so long, I’ve been assimilated. Say, doggie-sis, do you still remember your dear sister Jiaojiao from the shores of Daming Lake?"

Lu Tingting was furious.

...

After packing up her personal belongings, Jiang Moli looked up and beamed at her colleagues in the office.

"Everyone, the road ahead is long. May we meet again if fate decrees. I wish you all great success in your careers and vibrant, happy lives."

In the professional world, everyone knew how to play the game of social niceties.

Even those who had held many opinions about Jiang Moli in the past let them vanish like smoke now that she was leaving, and everyone offered pleasantries.

"Take care, Xiao Jiang."

"Come back and visit when you have time."

No sooner had Jiang Moli walked out the door than everyone gathered in a huddle to gossip.

"I don’t know what she was thinking, giving up such a good job just like that."

"Her husband got promoted to regiment commander. She could just enjoy life as the commander’s wife. Why would she need to keep slaving away for this meager salary?"

"True. She’s just so lucky."

"Talking about me?"

Seeing Jiang Moli, who had returned as suddenly as she’d left, they all looked as if they’d seen a ghost.

Jiang Moli said, "To be honest, I also think I’m pretty lucky. But for all of you who have it so rough, don’t be discouraged. If you suffer a little more while you’re young, you’ll get used to it by the time you’re old! Toodles!"

Staring at Jiang Moli’s retreating back, the entire office of women was furious.

Big deal, so she’s a commander’s wife!

Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. Just you wait and see!

When they got home and vented to their mothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and their own families, they successfully harvested over a dozen ’Disdain Points’ for Jiang Moli.

...

After leaving the Screenwriting and Directing Department, Jiang Moli went to the drama hall.

Jin Chenggong was leading the troupe members in a rehearsal for a new play reflecting current social issues.

Jiang Moli found an inconspicuous spot and watched quietly.

During a break in rehearsal, Jin Chenggong walked over to her, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Master, you must be tired. Come and sit for a bit."

Jiang Moli patted the empty seat beside her.

Jin Chenggong hitched up his trousers and sat down next to her, teasing, "It’s rare to see you not dozing off today. Did you get all your paperwork done?"

Jiang Moli smiled. "Nothing gets past you, Master. I’m leaving in a little while. I came specifically to say goodbye to you."

Jin Chenggong nodded. "We’ve been master and apprentice for a while, so don’t mind my nagging. Never lose the foundation of your craft. You’re very smart, and you have a spark. I hope you’ll achieve great things in the future."

"Please, say more. I love to hear it. Everyone else calls me ignorant and lazy, but you’re the only one who praises me."

Older people love to lecture, and it was rare to have someone like Jiang Moli play along so enthusiastically, so Jin Chenggong quite enjoyed it.

"Have you still been practicing your vocal exercises lately?"

"I practice when I have time. I’ve been practicing a poem recently. Master, have a listen."

She then began reciting on her own, her voice clear and pleasant: "Peaches and plums do not speak, yet a path is born beneath them. A teacher’s grace is like rain, nurturing things without a sound. Master, how was my recitation?"

Jin Chenggong stared at her, a look of surprise and emotion in his eyes.

"Good. Not bad. You’ve improved. With a voice like yours, you’d be more than qualified to be a broadcaster in the army."

"No wonder they say, ’A teacher for a day is a father for life.’ I haven’t even left yet, and you’re already arranging a job for me, Master. I’m truly touched."

Jiang Moli smiled and pulled two jars of pear paste from her bag. "You use your voice a lot. Mix this with water and drink it when you have a moment. It’ll soothe your lungs and throat and stop coughs."

After watching Jiang Moli leave, Jin Chenggong looked at the pear paste in his hands and a gratified smile appeared on his face.

’That little rascal... she has some conscience after all.’

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