I couldn't take it anymore; when I went home for Chinese New Year, the family genealogy book ha

"I won't...I won't..."

Er Gou was clutching the bright green "Winter Vacation Homework" book, his lips trembling, and he looked like he was about to cry.

He looked at the book in his hand, which was thicker than a brick.

Then look at the five bright red banknotes in Jiang Xiaohu's hand next to him.

An emotion called "collapse" instantly overwhelmed his pitiful IQ.

"What? You don't like it?"

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, his smile unchanged, but his eyes had turned cold.

He didn't look at Er Gou anymore, but instead raised his voice and shouted at Uncle Shunzi in the yard.

"Uncle Shunzi, I need your help with something!"

"Call Er Gou's dad and tell him that as his older brother, I saw how hard he was studying, so I specially gave him the best study guide in the county."

"It turned out the child didn't really want it and was about to throw it on the ground."

"Ask his father if this child needs some discipline."

Upon hearing this, Er Gou was nearly scared out of his wits!

Er Gou's father, Wang Er Mazi, was known in the village for his violent temper. He believed in the saying "spare the rod and spoil the child," and Er Gou would always get a beating for making even the smallest mistake.

Er Gou was so startled that he forgot all about being embarrassed and quickly hugged the "Winter Vacation Homework" book tightly to his chest, as if he were hugging his own father.

With a sob in his voice, he forced a smile that looked even more like a grimace towards Jiang Chen.

"Thank you, Brother Chen! I...I love it! I love it so much!"

After saying that, he turned and ran, faster than the village's big yellow dog chasing a rabbit, disappearing into the crowd in the blink of an eye.

"Hahahaha!"

After a brief silence, the entire audience erupted in a deafening burst of laughter!

"My goodness! This is hilarious! Giving a workbook as New Year's money! How is Chen'er's brain made?!"

"To kill someone is to destroy their spirit! That's a really vicious move! I reckon Er Gou won't have a good New Year!"

"Serves him right! He used to bully other kids and act like a tyrant in the village! Now he's met his match!"

Parents who had originally planned to bring their unruly children to take advantage of the situation were terrified when they saw this scene.

They quickly pulled their mischievous monkey behind them and whispered a warning.

"See that?! Behave yourself when you go in! If you dare to try anything funny like Er Gou, forget about the red envelope, I'll make you take all the books on that table home!"

The kids had never seen anything like this before, and they were so frightened that their faces turned pale. They nodded frantically.

After this battle, Jiang Chen's image in the hearts of all the children in Jiangjia Village instantly became incredibly complex.

He is the living god of wealth who gives out super-sized red envelopes of 500 yuan.

He's also the ultimate demon king who always has a kind smile on his face, but might pull out a "Five-Year College Entrance Examination, Three-Year Simulation" book from behind his back at any moment!

The legend of "Brother Chen" thus became both sacred and terrifying among the third generation of Jiangjia Village.

The crowds of people who came to offer New Year's greetings gradually dispersed around noon.

The threshold of the Jiang family compound was almost worn down by the crowds that morning.

Jiang Chen handed out a thick stack of red envelopes.

And the daunting stack of exercise books on his desk was successfully "given away" five or six of them, precisely targeting the village's most notorious troublemakers.

Jiang Jianjun looked at the empty courtyard, then at his son, his face showing a mixture of confusion and sigh.

"Chen'er, you must have posted at least fifty or sixty thousand messages this morning, right?"

He smacked his lips, still feeling a bit of pain.

"Dad has no problem giving it to the sensible kids. But for naughty boys like Er Gou, it's fine not to give it to them, but why insist on throwing in a book as well? That book isn't cheap, is it?"

Jiang Chen was holding a cup of hot tea to soothe his throat when he heard this and smiled.

He put down his teacup, looked at his father, and explained earnestly.

"Dad, this money is nothing."

"But rules are a big deal."

"Now that our family is rich, the whole village is watching. If we give this money away indiscriminately, good people and bad people will all be treated the same. Who will be truly good to us in the future? Those bad boys will only think that our family is easy to bully and that we are easy targets, and they will try every means to take advantage of us."

"We will not only give money to those who are sensible and kind, but we will also help them out in the future if there is an opportunity."

"As for those with wicked intentions who want to exploit our family like Tang Sanzang's flesh? No way!"

A sharp glint, beyond his years, flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes.

"As for sending books, it's for their own good."

A playful smile curved his lips.

"What if one day they really do get it and start studying hard? That would be a good deed for our family."

Wang Xiuying, who was picking up sunflower seed shells nearby, burst out laughing when she heard her son's words.

She gave Jiang Chen a reproachful look.

"You're full of tricks! You've got a ton of fallacies!"

"When Er Gou ran out, his face turned green. He's probably not having a peaceful New Year. From now on, he'll avoid you like the plague!"

The family was chatting and laughing happily, enjoying this rare moment of peace and tranquility.

Suddenly, Jiang Chen's phone, which was on the table, started to vibrate.

He picked it up and saw a familiar number flashing on the screen—his grandmother.

Jiang Chen's gaze softened instantly.

He pressed the answer button.

"Hey? Happy New Year, Grandma!"

An elderly yet kind voice, filled with joy, immediately came from the other end of the phone.

"Oh! My dear grandson! Happy New Year! Happy New Year!"

"Chen'er, have you told your parents yet? Tomorrow is the second day of the Lunar New Year, you're going to your grandma's house for dinner! I asked your mom to tell you, she didn't forget, did she?"

"Grandma slaughtered a big, fat pig today and saved the best pork belly for you. She made your favorite steamed pork with rice flour!"

Upon hearing the words "steamed pork with rice flour," Jiang Chen's mouth watered.

When he was a child, his favorite dish was this one made by his grandmother.

"I haven't forgotten! I haven't forgotten!"

Jiang Chen quickly smiled and assured him.

"Grandma, don't worry, we'll be there first thing tomorrow morning! Make sure you save me enough steamed pork!"

"Enough! Plenty! Hahaha!"

Grandma's happy laughter came from the other end of the phone.

After chatting for a few more minutes about everyday matters and reminding the elderly couple to take care of their health, Jiang Chen hung up the phone.

As Jiang Chen put down his phone, the warm smile on his face had not yet faded, but a subtle, almost imperceptible coldness flashed deep in his eyes.

Going back to my maternal grandmother's house.

The second day of the new year.

These two words were like two keys, unlocking a less-than-pleasant memory from his long-buried past.

He clearly remembered that on the second day of the Lunar New Year in his previous life, he was also at the same dinner table at his maternal grandmother's house.

Jiang Jianjun, the father, suffered a great deal of injustice.

My aunt's husband, Zhao Youcai, who worked as a contractor and made a little money, became arrogant and domineering at the dinner table because he drove a Toyota Prado.

From beginning to end, he was openly and secretly undermining his honest father who only knew how to farm.

"Jianjun, I'm not trying to be mean, but what kind of future is there in clinging to those few acres of land these days? It's just a waste of time!"

What kind of attitude is this, "Look at me, even though the market isn't good this year, I still have dozens of people to feed!"

Jiang Chen remembered that smug, petty face until his death.

My father sat awkwardly at the table, his face flushed red. He didn't dare to pick up a single bite of food and could only keep drinking in silence.

That scene was like a needle, deeply etched into Jiang Chen's heart.

"Uncle... Zhao Youcai..."

Jiang Chen stroked his chin, a cold smile slowly curving his lips.

"Looks like bringing back New Year's goods won't be enough when I go back tomorrow."

"We also need to prepare some 'special programs' to properly entertain him."