Chapter 83:
Chapter 83:
“Farming? Whoever wants to can do it. I’m going to the capital to attend university. I don’t need your money.”
Jiang Feng’s tone was icy cold. “From now on, you can consider Li You as your only son. I’m not a part of this family anymore.”
He had no patience left for someone like Miao Cuihua.
Besides, this world was different from the previous ones—there was no need for him to maintain the original owner’s character.
The wish-maker in this world didn’t care about keeping ties with Miao Cuihua, and neither did Jiang Feng.
If not for the fact that he didn’t know how to deal with women, he might have stuffed her in a sack and thrown her into the river.
“Oh, I’ve raised an ungrateful wolf!” Miao Cuihua sat down on the ground, wailing. “My son, raised in hardship, wants to cut ties with me! Do you think it was easy for a widow like me to raise two children? And now, the child I struggled to raise has grown up into an ungrateful wolf!”
Jiang Feng couldn’t help but laugh at her performance.
“Mom, what do you expect me to do to not be called ungrateful? Should I stay home, earn money to pay for my brother’s tuition, and give up my spot at university to him? Is that the only way I won’t be called ungrateful?”
The people nearby, listening to this, began to shift uncomfortably.
Earning money for his brother and giving up his hard-earned university spot—how could that make him ungrateful? That was nothing short of being a doormat.
Miao Cuihua’s eyes brightened, and she quickly nodded. “Of course! Your brother has always been smart but has poor health. He’s suited for office work. But you? You’re better for hard labor!”
“Brothers shouldn’t worry about such things!” she added confidently.
Her tone infuriated the village chief. He angrily grabbed his cane and gave her a sharp thump. “Are you even speaking like a human? Isn’t Xiao Feng your son too? If you won’t pay for him, I will! What kind of mother are you?”
Wang Zhijun was outraged.
He had watched Jiang Feng grow up, so naturally, he had a deeper connection with him than most.
“Xiao Feng! Let’s go. Grandpa Wang will take you to school. I refuse to believe the school would let someone steal your admission notice!”
“Good.” Jiang Feng nodded.
The village chief snorted coldly, “You stay here tonight, and we’ll head to the capital first thing tomorrow morning!”
“Thank you, Grandpa Wang. I’ll borrow the fare from you and repay it once I start earning money.” Jiang Feng said without hesitation.
“Borrow? Nonsense! There’s no need for that kind of talk with me,” Wang Zhijun huffed, glaring at Miao Cuihua. “Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, no one will bully you.”
The villagers around them chimed in, offering their support.
“That’s right! We won’t let you suffer this injustice!”
“Xiao Feng, we’ll all be witnesses for you!”
“Jing City University is one of the best schools! Xiao Feng is bound to have a bright future!”
Everyone rallied behind Jiang Feng, their words filled with righteous anger.
Even Aunt Wang, who normally got along with Miao Cuihua, shook her head disapprovingly. “Cuihua, what you did has really hurt your child’s heart. How could you treat your son like this?”
“I… what did I do wrong?” Miao Cuihua muttered, guilt gnawing at her. She shrank back under the disapproving glares of the crowd. “Why are you all ganging up on me?”
In her heart, though, she felt a sense of pride.
By now, her son should have already enrolled at the university with the notice.
As long as she confirmed the identity at the school, surely they wouldn’t investigate any further, right?
Her mind was racing, filled with smug calculations.
…
The next day.
As the village chief’s door opened, Miao Cuihua, who had been anxiously waiting all night, woke up.
She stood there, holding a small bundle, looking haggard. As Jiang Feng and the village chief emerged, she forced a smile and said, “You’re going to the capital? Take me with you. I want to see Xiao You!”
“Hmph!” The village chief shot her a cold glance. “Why should you come along? Are you planning to cause more trouble? Let me tell you this: as long as I’m here, I’ll make sure Xiao Feng gets his admission notice back, no matter what!”
“What trouble? I just want to pick up Xiao You!” Miao Cuihua replied, worried but unable to do much.
The village chief ignored her and set off with Jiang Feng. Miao Cuihua had no choice but to follow from a distance.
…
When they arrived in the capital, thanks to Jiang Feng’s careful attention along the way, the village chief had eaten well and rested comfortably.
Although they had only bought standing tickets for the train, Jiang Feng had managed to get a seat for him.
As a result, the village chief was full of energy, in sharp contrast to the exhausted Miao Cuihua trailing behind them.
At the start of the journey, Miao Cuihua had tried a few times to talk to Jiang Feng, pleading with him, threatening him, even pretending to be on the verge of a breakdown.
But no matter what she did, Jiang Feng remained unmoved, and eventually, she gave up.
When they arrived at the gates of Jing City University, Jiang Feng confidently headed straight for the registration office.
The office was quiet, with only a few teachers sitting inside.
Jiang Feng approached a teacher with glasses and greeted him. “Hello, teacher. I’m here to enroll.”
“Enrollment?”
Zhang Min, the teacher on duty, looked up and was immediately struck by the young man standing before him.
Despite Jiang Feng’s worn-out clothes, patched up and clearly very old, and his simple cloth shoes showing signs of wear, he carried himself with a scholarly air that was unmistakable.
His calm and unhurried demeanor was refreshing. But what stood out most were his eyes—bright and filled with vitality, a strength that seemed to come from deep within.
It was as if he was a flower blooming from the cracks in the rocks, standing tall and firm despite all the challenges he had faced.
Zhang Min couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration for the boy. His tone softened. “Which major are you enrolling in? Do you have your notice? I’ll help you complete the registration process. Even though the deadline has passed, we can make an exception for you.”
Hearing this, Miao Cuihua panicked.
“What do you mean make an exception? Schools have rules, and you can’t just break them! Don’t set any precedents!”
She glared at Jiang Feng and added, “Do you hear that? Stop wasting the school’s time! It’s impossible! Come home with me!”