“Thirty-six yuan, five mao and two fen total — and twelve chi of cloth coupons, plus three jin of sugar coupons.”
Behind the Supply & Marketing Cooperative counter, the clerk in a blue jacket didn’t even raise her eyelids. Her abacus beads clattered rapidly, impatience written all over her face.
Su Man stood outside the counter holding several pieces of dacron fabric, two cartons of Daqianmen cigarettes, and two bottles of Moutai liquor.
The aunties nearby stretched their necks to watch, whispering like buzzing flies.
“Whose daughter-in-law is that? So wasteful — buying such expensive cigarettes and liquor!”
“She doesn’t even look rich. Showing off maybe?”
“That man is handsome though… but those eyes are scary, like he could eat people.”
Lu Zhan stood half a step behind Su Man, straight as a pine tree. Even his faded military uniform carried a fierce killing aura.
Hearing the chatter, he frowned slightly and was about to pay.
Suddenly Su Man pressed a hand onto the cloth on the counter.
“Comrade, you calculated wrong.”
Her voice was clear and calm.
The clerk stopped and rolled her eyes, slamming the abacus onto the table.
“What’s wrong with you? If you can’t afford it just say so — don’t cause trouble!”
“I’ve used an abacus for over ten years. How could I miscalculate your little purchase?”
“Move aside! Don’t delay the line!”
She waved dismissively like shooing away a beggar.
Lu Zhan’s expression darkened instantly.
He stepped forward to defend his wife.
But Su Man glanced back reassuringly, lips curling slightly.
“Dacron cloth is 1 yuan 3 mao per chi. Twelve chi makes 15.6 yuan.”
“Daqianmen cigarettes are 3.5 yuan per carton — two makes 7 yuan.”
“Moutai is 8 yuan per bottle — two makes 16 yuan.”
“And three jin of brown sugar, 0.78 yuan each — that’s 2.34 yuan.”
She spoke rapidly without using an abacus, numbers flowing smoothly.
“Total: 40 yuan, 9 mao, 4 fen.”
“You undercharged me by more than four yuan.”
“Sure, I’d benefit — but this is public money. If you record 36 yuan, you’ll have to repay the difference and get written up.”
“So actually… I’m helping you.”
Silence fell across the store.
The clerk froze mid-air with the abacus.
The aunties stared at the young woman in disbelief.
In this era, someone who could calculate like that without an abacus was rare.
“You… you’re talking nonsense!”
Her face reddened.
“You just say whatever number you want?”
“I don’t believe it!”
To prove Su Man wrong, she recalculated slowly and carefully.
“15.6… plus 7… plus 16…”
When the last bead dropped—
Her face turned pale.
40 yuan, 9 mao, 4 fen.
Exactly.
“Amazing! This girl’s incredible!”
“Her brain’s faster than an abacus!”
“Whichever family married her got lucky — life will prosper!”
The crowd’s attitude flipped instantly.
Lu Zhan watched Su Man’s confident expression with surprise in his eyes.
He knew she cooked well and was bold.
But he didn’t expect this skill.
Even in the army headquarters, that mental math would rank top-tier.
“Brother Zhan, pay.”
Su Man blinked at him like a victorious peacock.
He returned to his senses, faint smile flickering.
Pulling out a stack of bills and ration coupons, he slapped them on the counter.
“No change needed.”
The boldness shocked everyone again.
After leaving, Lu Zhan carried bags like a porter.
“Why buy so much tobacco and liquor?”
He tossed them into the jeep’s back seat.
“That stepmother of yours isn’t kind. Giving her these is feeding a dog with meat buns.”
Su Man stared at the expensive gifts in the rearview mirror, eyes cold.
“Who said they’re for her?”
“They’re my weapons.”
“Tomorrow when I return home, the whole village will see I wasn’t sold to a fool.”
“I married gloriously — an officer’s wife.”
“These are the bricks to smash their faces.”
She looked at him, ambition flashing in her eyes.
“And I’m taking back what my mother left me.”
“Without bait, those two leeches won’t lower their guard.”
Lu Zhan watched her.
No longer a soft wife — but a wolf showing fangs.
Ruthless. Decisive.
He liked it.
“Alright.”
He started the engine.
“Tomorrow I’ll go with you.”
“Smash however you want.”
“If the sky falls, I’ll hold it up.”
Warmth filled Su Man’s heart. She leaned over and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you, Brother Zhan!”
His hand jerked — the jeep swerved in an S-curve.
He steadied the wheel, ears red.
“Sit properly! I’m driving!”
Su Man laughed uncontrollably.
The living Yama was unexpectedly innocent.
At dawn, engine noise echoed through the military compound.
A brand-new military jeep stopped outside the Lu family courtyard.
Lu Zhan wore a crisp four-pocket uniform, shoes polished bright.
He loaded the last gift and opened the passenger door.
“Get in.”
Su Man had dressed carefully — a new light-blue floral dacron dress, skin glowing white, hair in twin braids tied with red ribbons.
Stylish and spirited.
As scenery retreated outside the window, her gaze darkened.
Qianshan Village.
The place that devoured people whole.
In her previous life she suffered humiliation there and died miserably.
Now she was returning.
With past hatred — and present power.
Zhao Guihua.Su Lao-San.
Are you ready?
The jeep left the compound, racing north, kicking up yellow dust—
Like a blade piercing straight into the abyss of sin.