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

"Rotten guts? I think some people's hearts and eyes are rotten; that's why they can't stand seeing others do well!"

Before Wang Xiuying could speak, an aunt who usually disliked Liu Cuifen carefully spat the cherry pit into her palm and retorted sarcastically.

"Exactly! Jiang Chen is capable and filial to his parents, what's it to you? Your son is so capable, why haven't we seen him bring back a truckload of New Year's goods to show his respect?"

"Sour grapes!"

A few words were enough to make Liu Cuifen's face turn pale and then red.

She looked at the group of people in the courtyard; not one of them spoke up for her. They were all surrounding Wang Xiuying, like stars around the moon.

Wang Xiuying simply smiled and handed a handful of freshly opened macadamia nuts to the child next to her. Her composure and confidence were something Liu Cuifen had never seen in her before.

Liu Cuifen was so angry that her chest ached. She spat out a harsh "Pah!" and turned to leave.

She knew that she no longer had a say in this courtyard or this village.

For the next two days, the Jiang family's old house became the most popular "tourist attraction" in the entire village.

Every day, someone would put their hands in their pockets, pretend to be passing by, and loiter around the Jiang family's doorstep a couple of times.

The purpose, of course, is obvious: to see what new tricks the Jiang family has up their sleeve today.

Jiang Jianjun, on the other hand, completely let himself go.

He changed into the black Arc'teryx jacket that Jiang Chen had bought for him. Although he didn't know what brand "Arc'teryx" was, the silky fabric felt really good to wear; it was light and warm.

A young man who had just returned from the city saw his clothes and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"Uncle Jiang! Holy crap! This...this is an Archaeopteryx! It has a hard shell, right? It must cost several thousand yuan apiece!"

Jiang Jianjun merely glanced at him indifferently, took out a pack of unopened Zhonghua cigarettes from his pocket, pulled one out and handed it over, imitating the demeanor of a big boss on TV, and said casually.

"Hey, what's with all this nonsense? I don't understand it either."

"My son bought it. I don't want him to waste money, but he insisted on buying it, saying it's comfortable to wear."

The young man took the cigarette, his hand trembling slightly. Looking at the ornamental column pattern on the cigarette pack, he stammered, "Uncle... this... this Hua Zi..."

Jiang Jianjun slowly lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled a beautiful smoke ring.

"Go ahead and smoke them. My son bought them too. We still have several more at home, and they're almost getting moldy."

This Versailles-esque dialogue instantly brought the young man's admiration for Jiang Jianjun to its peak.

Wang Xiuying, on the other hand, was radiant with joy.

Wearing a gold bracelet almost as thick as her wrist and the Canada Goose down jacket Jiang Chen bought her, she looked as if she were going to Milan Fashion Week, even just picking a cabbage from her own garden.

Back in the village, when people met, they would at most nod.

Now, people greet you warmly from a distance.

"Sister-in-law Xiuying, going to pick vegetables? Your bracelet is so shiny in the sun!"

"Brother Jianjun, out for a stroll again? Your son, Achen, really makes you proud!"

Even the village chief made a special trip to stop his old bicycle in front of the Jiang family's house, cleared his throat, and shouted to Jiang Jianjun, who was sunbathing in the yard.

"Old Jiang, come out for a smoke!"

Jiang Jianjun was flattered and immediately ran out with cigarettes and a lighter.

The village chief took the Zhonghua cigarettes offered to him, gave Jiang Jianjun a deep look, patted him on the shoulder, and said earnestly.

"I heard Ah Chen made a fortune in Shanghai? That's great news! Our village has finally produced a decent talent!"

"If the village ever needs any help in the future, you have to make sure Ah-Chen lends a hand!"

The feeling of being respected and envied by the entire village, even the village chief, was something the elderly couple had never experienced before in their lives.

They realized with a deep understanding that their son was truly different.

It truly made the two of them straighten their backs, which they had never been able to stand up straight in their entire lives!

Jiang Chen, far away in Shanghai, watched all of this quietly through a video call.

Watching my father's smug, pretentious expression as he distributed cigarettes in the village.

Watching my mother wearing a gold bracelet, beaming from ear to ear amidst the neighbors' compliments.

He felt even sweeter and more satisfied inside than if he had millions more in his account.

This is exactly the effect he wanted!

Just then!

【Ding! 】

A crisp system notification sounded in my mind.

[Detected a significant increase in the host's family reputation in a specific region (hometown/township)!]

[The mental state, social status, and happiness index of family members (father and mother) have all reached new heights!]

[Congratulations, host! You have unlocked a special achievement – ​​"Harmonious Neighborhood"!]

[Achievement Reward: Minor adjustments and optimizations to the health status of the entire family!]

Jiang Chen's eyes suddenly lit up!

Is this an unexpected bonus?

He immediately pointed the video camera intently at his parents' faces.

really!

He saw that his father's face, which had been sallow from years of smoking and overwork, now had a healthy rosy glow.

The fine wrinkles around my mother's eyes seemed to have smoothed out a lot, and her overall energy and spirit were incredibly good.

Jiang Chen's heart was enveloped by a tremendous warm current.

He knew that this reward was more valuable than any rebate!

However, just as he was feeling happy for his parents, his gaze inadvertently swept over the background of the video.

The peeling, mottled paint on the walls, the uneven cement floor, and the wooden door whose paint was almost completely gone.

In this festive and lively atmosphere, it seemed so out of place and incredibly jarring.

Jiang Chen's brows furrowed instantly.

I've saved face.

It's time for this place to catch up!