Su Qingyue lifted her gaze, her eyes filled with delight. “Director Zhang, I’m willing to come work at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.”
Before Zhang Dongfeng could even ask, Su Qingyue began introducing herself like beans spilling from a jar. “My name is Su Qingyue. I’m a high school graduate, proficient in arithmetic and drawing, and I’ve even published articles in a newspaper in the capital. Of course, I can work as a sales clerk too—I’m not afraid of hard work!”
Director Zhang burst into hearty laughter. He had truly found a treasure.
He invited Su Qingyue into his office, and the two discussed her duties and responsibilities.
She would start as a junior sales clerk, with a monthly salary of twenty-five yuan.
“Director Zhang, I may need to settle things at home first. Today is Thursday—would it be all right if I report for work next Monday?”
“Of course. Come as early as you can!”
Su Qingyue was especially happy. Today, she had spent twenty-three yuan and fifty-five cents on purchases, thirteen yuan on medicine, and still had a bit over a hundred yuan left from her savings. Adding the money her second brother had given her, she now had a total of two hundred and thirty yuan in her pocket.
Her father’s back needed hospital treatment. If her little sister and Zhuangzhuang wanted to continue studying, that would cost money too.
There were many expenses if she wanted to improve her family’s living conditions.
She needed to establish herself in the county town as soon as possible and let her family live a better life.
The waitress at the state-run restaurant finally saw Su Qingyue again. “Since you didn’t come back, we didn’t dare pack the food. Let’s pack it now and head to the station.”
“Thank you so much.”
With so many things to carry, Su Qingyue paid another ten cents and asked a server to help move everything onto the vehicle.
When they returned to Shuangshui Brigade, it was just lunchtime. Su Qingwu stood at the village entrance, hoe slung over his shoulder, looking around anxiously.
Su Qingyue had been worrying about how to carry all the things. Seeing her elder brother and younger sister, her eyes lit up. “Big brother, Qingxi!”
“Why did you buy so much stuff?” Su Qingwu frowned, worried that his foolish little sister had spent all her money without thinking of herself.
Su Qingyue lifted the corners of her lips. “Big brother, it’s all household necessities. I didn’t waste money.”
Su Qingwu hoisted two bundles onto his shoulder and carried the rice, flour, and oil in his hands, while Su Qingxi held the smaller items. “Sis, your hands are swollen. If I’d known, I would’ve gone to the county with you.”
“I’ve already applied medicine—it’s fine. Come on, let’s go home. I have good news to announce!”
The three siblings walked back smiling. Along the way, many villagers eyed the bags they carried with envy—of course, there were also those who felt jealous.
“The Su family’s girl is really pretty. I heard that just days after coming back, people already came to propose.”
“Not just from our village—even neighboring villages. One family even offered the Three Turns and One Sound, but Su Mingqiang refused them all and let Su Qingyue decide for herself.”
“Hmph! Such a vixen. On her first day back, she went looking for Pei Huaiye to ride his ox cart. He told her to get lost—everyone heard it.”
“Hahaha, Pei Huaiye looks fierce but strong. Maybe vixens like that type.”
“A fake rich daughter really thinks she’s something? Back in the countryside, she’ll still have to work the fields. After some sun and wind, she’ll be just like us!”
Zhou Wenfang and Su Qianqian happened to be coming back from work and felt quite satisfied hearing all this.
Su Qianqian sneered inwardly. Her parents had said she would get one hundred yuan every month from now on—Su Qingyue wouldn’t.
Once Su Qingyue spent all her money, let’s see what she’d still have to be proud of!
Zhou Wenfang, however, was thinking of something else. “Qianqian, you’re familiar with the team leader. Go talk to him and see if you can get us lighter work.”
“Otherwise, we’ll really turn into rough village women!”
Su Qianqian’s eyes flicked as she lowered her voice. “I’ll try tonight. Might need to give a gift.”
Without hesitation, Zhou Wenfang handed her twenty yuan. “Buy whatever you think is appropriate. I can’t stand one more day of hoeing and digging!”
Su Qingyue tucked the money away. “Let’s go back and eat first.”
……
Su Zhuangzhuang stared at the table full of delicious food, practically drooling.
“Wow! Auntie, is it New Year again today?!”
Su Qingyue pinched his chubby little cheek. “Dad, big brother, sister-in-law—I found a job today! Starting next Monday, I’ll work as a sales clerk at the county Supply and Marketing Cooperative, earning twenty-five yuan a month.
“So I bought some dishes for us to celebrate!”
She didn’t dare mention Pei Huaiye. There were still many things about that man she hadn’t figured out.
“Sister-in-law, the rice, flour, and oil are in the kitchen. Don’t be so stingy with the soap anymore—use it when you need to.”
“Big brother, sister-in-law, these are the national grain coupons and sugar-and-oil coupons I’ve saved. From now on, you can manage the household food.
“We don’t need to live so harshly. Zhuangzhuang and Qingxi are still young, you three have to work in the fields, and Dad’s health isn’t good. Food is important.”
Li Zilan covered her mouth, her voice choking. “Qingyue, you’re such a fool!
“When Su Qianqian found out she was a rich daughter from the capital, she stripped the family of all its money. If it weren’t for that, we wouldn’t be living so tightly.”
Thankfully, you’re capable enough to find a job.
“When you start earning wages, save some dowry for yourself first. Don’t spend recklessly. After the autumn harvest, life at home will ease up.”
Su Qingyue put an arm around her sister-in-law’s shoulders. “Sister-in-law, you’re the one holding this family together—working in the fields and cooking when you come back. You’ve worked so hard.
“Please take all the coupons. Once I’m established in the county, our family will definitely live better and better.”
Su Zhuangzhuang stuffed a pig trotter into Li Zilan’s mouth. “Mama, chew on a pig trotter and you won’t feel sad anymore.”
Everyone burst into laughter, and the family enjoyed a hearty, plentiful lunch together.
At the end, Su Qingxi used a steamed bun to mop up all the oil at the bottom of the plate and popped it into her mouth.
After the meal, Su Qingyue handed the medicated plaster to Su Mingqiang. “Dad, stick this on your lower back and try it.”
Su Qingwu helped apply it. Su Mingqiang stroked his beard and chuckled, and Su Qingyue forbade him from going out to earn work points.
That afternoon, Su Mingqiang took Zhuangzhuang to the vegetable patch to remove pests and weeds. He couldn’t sit idle anyway.
Su Qingyue unpacked her belongings and had her brother send the rest to the educated youth compound. She waited at the gate for Su Qianqian.
Su Qianqian had just been scolded by Team Leader Xiang. Carrying a bag of side foods, she slunk back to the dormitory.
She had tried to bribe the team leader, saying she was the daughter of a chief of staff from the capital and wanted lighter work.
Instead, Team Leader Xiang accused her of being lazy and unambitious—and kicked her out!
“Su Qianqian, these are the winter quilts and clothes Mom and Dad sent.”
Su Qianqian snatched the bundle and rummaged through it. “Su Qingyue, you didn’t pocket any of my things, did you?!”
Su Qingyue rolled her eyes. “Good intentions wasted on a donkey’s liver and lungs. Go help me call Shen Xunbao.”
With no one around, Su Qianqian snorted, took the bundle, and went back to the dormitory.
She knew Shen Xunbao was in the men’s dorm, but deliberately told Su Qingyue, “Shen Xunbao isn’t here!”
Then she slammed the door shut.
Su Qingyue confirmed what she had suspected—Su Qianqian really did have her eye on Shen Xunbao.
There were still three steaming meat buns in Su Qingyue’s canvas bag. She planned to take them to Pei Huaiye.
Just as she turned around, she bumped into a hard chest. Catching that familiar scent, Su Qingyue’s face instantly flushed red.
She rubbed her nose, her voice soft and sweet. “That hurt so much.”
Pei Huaiye’s whole body jolted. He stepped back half a pace, putting distance between them. “Is your face okay?”
He had just finished a mission and rushed back in an ox cart. He was still slightly out of breath, his chest rising and falling strongly.
Moonlight flowed like water as the two stood facing each other at the entrance of the educated youth compound.
Pei Huaiye’s eyes were deep as the sea, as if they could pull Su Qingyue straight in.
She was still wearing the same dress from the daytime, cinched at the waist so slender it could be encircled with one hand. She tilted her head slightly upward, red lips parted, glossy and moist. Her fair, translucent skin looked like congealed jade under the moonlight, her nose tip and chin tinged with faint pink. She looked alluring, sweet, and irresistibly captivating.
Pei Huaiye couldn’t suppress the pounding of his heart.
He seemed to remember that there were many things he hadn’t explained clearly—but the moment he saw her, he forgot them all.
“Take this jar of canned oranges and eat it.”
“These buns are for you.”
After a long moment of gazing at each other, they spoke at the same time—then each looked away.
The moon blushed shyly and quietly hid behind the clouds.