Jiang Feng couldn't bear to see his parents so heartbroken, so he said, "Don't worry, I will definitely get into college. There's still a few months left, and I have confidence."
Jiang Feng's firm tone brought some comfort to Jiang Jianjun.
"As long as you have this confidence, I'm satisfied. No matter the outcome, always stay true to yourself. Going to school isn't the only path in life. With hard work, you can still live a good life," Jiang Jianjun said.
"Your dad's right. We shouldn't rush. We must stay true to ourselves and never do anything illegal," Zhang Mei added.
It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from bit.ly/3iBfjkV.
"Got it, Mom and Dad. I'll remember your words," Jiang Feng said. "In the future, just wait and enjoy life. I'll take care of everything."
"Good, my son has really grown up," Jiang Jianjun said, deeply gratified.
"Yes, Little Feng has grown up," Zhang Mei nodded.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you something. I've moved out from Aunt's place and won't be living there anymore," Jiang Feng added.
"What? Moved out? Why?" Zhang Mei exclaimed.
"Yes, why? Did something happen?" Jiang Jianjun was equally surprised.
It seemed Aunt hadn't called to inform them about yesterday's events, probably feeling guilty and unable to face them.
Since that was the case, Jiang Feng didn't want to add more pressure on his aunt and decided not to say anything bad.
"No, it was my decision. I wanted to live alone to focus on my final preparations for the college entrance exam," Jiang Feng said, hiding the truth to avoid escalating the situation.
"But that's not right. You don't have a place to stay on your own. This will only make us worry more," Zhang Mei said.
"Mom, don't worry. I've already found a place to stay, at... uh, a classmate's house," Jiang Feng smiled.
"But suddenly staying at someone else's house might be inappropriate," Zhang Mei was still concerned.
Jiang Feng smiled slightly and said, "Mom, you might not know, but this classmate is very loyal and lives alone. I'll be keeping him company, and he's happy about it."
He didn't dare to say he was staying with a girl, so he had to describe Cheng Shaoqing as a male classmate.
Hearing this, Zhang Mei visibly relaxed and said, "That's good. When staying at someone else's house, be diligent and get along well with others. Remember that?"
"Yes, I remember," Jiang Feng replied.
Jiang Jianjun, however, kept staring at Jiang Feng without speaking. His eyes were complex and misty, as if he had seen through something.
But Jiang Jianjun didn't say anything more. He just patted Jiang Feng's shoulder and said, "Little Feng, I believe in you. No matter what choices you make, as long as you stick to them, you'll eventually succeed."
"Yes, I understand, Dad," Jiang Feng nodded heavily.
"Alright, let's eat. The food will get cold," Zhang Mei urged.
"Yes, come on, let's eat," Jiang Jianjun said.
...
After dinner, Jiang Feng chatted with his father in the yard while his mother was busy washing the dishes.
Jiang Feng took out the fifty thousand yuan and handed it to his father.
"Dad, this is your wage. I got it back for you," Jiang Feng said nonchalantly.
Jiang Jianjun was stunned, looking at the money Jiang Feng handed over and then at Jiang Feng. "You weren't just out for a walk tonight, were you? You went to get the money from Cai Xiaoqiang?"
"Yes, I went to get the money," Jiang Feng admitted openly.
"That's reckless! Cai Xiaoqiang is a notorious scoundrel. How could you just go there on your own? What if something happened?" Jiang Jianjun scolded, worried for Jiang Feng.
He knew Cai Xiaoqiang's character all too well. Anyone who crossed him would face relentless revenge.
"Dad, it's fine. I got the money back, didn't I?" Jiang Feng said.
Jiang Jianjun looked down at the money again and said, "Wait, wasn't it only twenty thousand yuan? Why is it fifty thousand now?"
"Hehe, the extra thirty thousand is interest," Jiang Feng laughed.
"Interest?" Jiang Jianjun was taken aback.
He doubted his ears. Cai Xiaoqiang giving them interest? Impossible. Cai Xiaoqiang was known for being greedy and ruthless, squeezing workers dry. How could he be so generous?
"Really, he felt guilty for his actions and gave the extra money as an apology," Jiang Feng said.
Holding so much money, Jiang Jianjun still felt uneasy. "No, even if he apologized, we can't take this money. Getting back what belongs to us is enough. The rest should be returned."
Jiang Feng felt helpless. His father was too soft-hearted, unwilling to do anything bold, which was why he had achieved nothing significant in life.
Jiang Feng knew that his mother's past had deeply affected his father, leaving him unable to forget.
Sigh, a man's tragedy isn't in being ordinary, but in being looked down upon.
His father had endured countless scorn and ridicule, which had worn away all his edges, leaving him utterly ordinary.
"Dad, this money is rightfully ours. Cai Xiaoqiang heartlessly exploits workers, caring only for his own pleasure. Taking this money is justified. Just keep it," Jiang Feng said.
"But..." Jiang Jianjun hesitated, then fell silent, staring blankly at the fifty thousand yuan.
For countless nights, he had wanted to get this money back to save for Jiang Feng's college expenses. Now that he finally had it, he felt strangely calm.
As Jiang Feng said, this money belonged to them.
Jiang Jianjun said, "Little Feng, I'll save this money for your college expenses."
"Dad, you don't need to worry about my college expenses. You and Mom should keep this money. I have my own plans," Jiang Feng said.
He knew his father had always believed he could get into college, never doubting him.
Jiang Jianjun suddenly felt his son had matured a lot, becoming a different person.
As a father, he could sense it.
But Jiang Feng's change made him very gratified, as it was a positive growth.
"Alright, I'll keep this money. No matter what it's used for, it's better than letting that scoundrel Cai Xiaoqiang keep it," Jiang Jianjun said.
"Yes," Jiang Feng agreed.
Night fell.
Everyone went back to their rooms to sleep.
Jiang Jianjun and Zhang Mei sat on the bed, chatting intermittently.
"Jianjun, how do you think Little Feng got that fifty thousand yuan back?" Zhang Mei asked.
Jiang Jianjun shook his head, "I don't know."
"Little Feng didn't do anything bad, did he?" Zhang Mei suddenly got nervous.
"No, Little Feng wouldn't do that," Jiang Jianjun shook his head firmly.
No one knew their son better than they did. He understood Jiang Feng.
Zhang Mei sighed in relief, then asked, "Did you notice how much Little Feng has changed this time?"
"Yes, he's changed a lot. I felt it too," Jiang Jianjun said.
"I just hope our son lives a safe life and doesn't follow in our footsteps," Zhang Mei said sadly.
Jiang Jianjun gently held Zhang Mei's hand, "He will. I believe in Little Feng."
"Yes," Zhang Mei nodded lightly, then rested her head on Jiang Jianjun's shoulder.
The once spirited couple had now reached middle age. Their youthful vigor was gone, leaving only withered bodies.
Meanwhile, Jiang Feng was busy in his room.
He took out the herbs he had found today and gathered some bottles and jars, preparing to make medicine for heart disease.
The process was akin to the early stages of alchemy but far from true alchemy.
Jiang Feng couldn't perform alchemy yet, so he had to use this method to make medicine.
Alchemy required a special kind of spiritual fire, which he didn't have. He could only use a makeshift method.
Once he had spiritual fire, he could start his path in alchemy.
In the Immortal Realm, he had possessed a blazing celestial fire, but it was gone now.
Jiang Feng found a small stove, lit a small fire, placed a clay pot on it, added water, and put the herbs in to simmer.
The process was complex and lengthy, requiring patience and precision.
As the water in the pot boiled, the herbs softened, releasing their essence.
After half the night, only a layer of black, sticky substance remained in the pot. This was the essence of the herbs.
Once the substance cooled slightly, Jiang Feng quickly scraped it up and rolled it into a pill in his palm.
The pill was black but shiny, emitting a strong medicinal fragrance.
This was the primitive form of a pill. With spiritual fire, it could be refined into a true pill.
At that point, its efficacy would increase dozens or even hundreds of times.
But for now, this pill was enough to cure Xia Qinghe's illness.
Today's effort was fruitful, yielding two pills, making the herb collection worthwhile.
Jiang Feng put the two pills in a small bottle and placed it in his pocket, planning to give it to Xia Qinghe at school the day after tomorrow.
After cleaning up, Jiang Feng was about to lie down when he heard a noise outside.
He sat up, got out of bed, and peeked out the window, seeing a shadow flash by outside the yard.
Jiang Feng's eyes narrowed. Something was wrong. Someone was outside.
After observing for a while, Jiang Feng quietly left his room, sneaking to the gate. He heard voices.
"You guys go in and rush into the house. Don't care who it is, just beat them up. Don't kill anyone, just cripple them."
"Got it, boss."
"Alright, once it's done, each of you gets five thousand yuan and a night of fun at 'Sleepless Night.' Brother Qiang has already arranged it. All expenses are on him."
"Hehe, Brother Qiang is so generous."
"Hurry up, the sooner we finish, the sooner we leave."
"Guys, let's go, climb over."