Chapter 17: Receiving Praise from the Experts

Fan Minghui laughed from the side, “It’s not just you; we all got a share. Each of us received some.”

The police came today to express their gratitude to the group for providing crucial evidence that helped them successfully apprehend the poachers and tomb raiders.

Wang Ermazi and his accomplices were ultimately sentenced to over fifteen years in prison, and the greatest contributor to this case, Jiang Cha, received commendations.

The village committee was supposed to hold a grand ceremony to praise them all, but the village chief intervened, saying the children were still too young and couldn’t handle too much praise lest it go to their heads.

The police considered this and thought it made sense, so they just sent over a banner of commendation.

Jiang Cha sneered inwardly; she knew exactly what that old village chief was thinking—still holding a grudge over the previous incident involving Jiang Dazhu. This was clearly a case of mixing public affairs with personal vendettas.

They claimed the children couldn’t bear praise, but they had done something good—why shouldn’t they be acknowledged?

The police solemnly handed the banner to Jiang Cha. Holding the heavy banner, she couldn’t help but feel a quiet joy; she had truly done a good deed.

One of the officers stood up and said, “Since the banner has been delivered, we need to hurry and escort the prisoners back to the provincial capital.”

Then, turning around with a smile, he looked at Jiang Cha and said, “Young lady, you did very well. If anything happens again, be brave and step up. Here’s my card—if you see something like this in the future, call us immediately.”

Jiang Cha looked at the card. The name “Tao Zhiyong” was printed on it. Do police officers nowadays all carry business cards?

Scratching her head, Jiang Cha watched as the officers left the Song family’s bamboo house.

Song Yang pulled Jiang Cha to sit down at the table. He, along with Zhong Jialin and Fan Minghui, all wore broad smiles as they looked at her.

Jiang Cha was puzzled and glanced toward Song Bo, whose brow was deeply furrowed. What was going on?

“Jiang Cha, you’re very lucky. Grandpa Dong said he wants to take you as his student and personally teach you in the northern city!”

What?!

Jiang Cha’s face registered shock as she turned to Dong Zhengyu.

Dong Zhengyu stroked his beard kindly. “Yes, that’s right. I had planned to come to your home to speak with your mother, but I didn’t expect you to come here yourself. Since that’s the case, let’s discuss it.”

“Little Jiang Cha, you’re remarkable. You thought to use those ancient remedies to save the pangolins, and you succeeded in reviving them. You have a natural talent in this area. How about coming with me to the northern city to study? In the future, you might even succeed me.”

Jiang Cha was completely stunned. She hadn’t done anything extraordinary—how had this influential figure suddenly wanted to take her as a disciple? Could it be just because of that remedy?

But at the time, she had simply been doing her best with no hope left. If she hadn’t tried, the pangolins would have surely died. If they died despite the medicine, at least she would have tried her best. She never expected the pangolins would actually live.

Song Bo’s face was grim, though even he couldn’t say exactly what he was upset about.

Jiang Cha thought for a moment. The northern city—that was the place where her adoptive parents had abandoned her, wasn’t it?

She had her own plans and didn’t want to return to the northern city just yet. Besides, her mother and younger sister still needed her care here. How could she just leave for the north?

Moreover, she wasn’t mentally prepared for such a step. Though this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, she believed there would be chances to go to the northern city on her own later.

With this in mind, Jiang Cha smiled faintly. “Grandpa Dong, thank you for your kindness, but I can’t go with you to the northern city.”

The laughter in the room stopped abruptly. Song Yang looked at Jiang Cha in disbelief. “What are you doing? Such a good opportunity, and you’re turning it down?”

Song Bo furrowed his brow but then relaxed slightly, his gaze tinged with confusion. Such a good chance—why refuse it?

Before Dong Zhengyu could respond, a middle-aged man beside him exclaimed in surprise, “Young lady, you should think carefully. This is a rare opportunity. Many people outside are begging Teacher Dong to take them as disciples.”

Jiang Cha responded gracefully, “I know, but I’m very happy living here. I have my friends and family here. Besides, even relying on myself, I can go to the northern city in the future.”

Dong Zhengyu looked deeply into Jiang Cha’s eyes, then laughed heartily. “Such ambition—I really didn’t misjudge you. You’re quite the clever little girl.”

As he spoke, he rummaged through a black briefcase and pulled out something. “Alright then, I won’t force you. If you ever go to the northern city, remember to call me. Grandpa will treat you to a meal! Here’s my card—keep it safe.”

He pressed the card into Jiang Cha’s hand.

Jiang Cha’s mouth twitched. What was going on? Did everyone carry business cards these days?

After seeing the experts off, Jiang Cha unceremoniously grabbed a glass of water from the table and gulped it down.

Remembering that her visit to the Song family was to deliver the pangolins, she called everyone to accompany her back to the forest.

In the forest.

[Sister, thank you for saving my whole family!]

[If it weren’t for your help this time, my whole family might have died at the hands of those people...]

Jiang Cha waved her hand, looking a bit embarrassed. “No need to thank me. When you move back, make sure to find a good spot. Don’t let anyone find you again.”

[We understand. Goodbye, sister!]

Everyone was used to Jiang Cha talking to the pangolins as if they could understand.

On the way back, Song Bo noticed Jiang Cha’s worried expression and asked curiously, “You look so troubled. Shouldn’t you be happy the pangolins are safe?”

“I’m worried about our land,” she replied.

Song Bo looked even more puzzled. “What’s wrong with your land?”

Thinking of their tiny plot, Jiang Cha’s head ached. “We only have a small piece left now. Without land, how can we grow anything?”

Jiang Cha was deeply troubled. In this era, land couldn’t be bought or sold since it belonged to the collective.

Jiang Dazhu had used special means to exchange land for money to pay off debts.

Song Bo pondered, “Do you want to farm the land?”

Jiang Cha nodded gloomily.

Song Bo laughed wryly. Jiang Cha had never planted anything in the year she’d been here—why suddenly want to farm now?

But since he was in a good mood, he was willing to help her think of a solution.

“Speaking of land, my family has a piece that’s been unused for years. No one has taken care of it. My father is the party secretary, always busy, and I shuttle between the provincial capital and the village, so no time to farm. My younger brother is in school all day, so my mother can’t tend it either.”

Jiang Cha’s eyes brightened. “How big is your land?”

Song Bo considered, “About half an acre.”

Half an acre—since one acre is roughly six hundred square meters, half an acre would be a bit over three hundred square meters!