Zhang Fulai’s expression stiffened. “Jiaojiao is right. I’ve been called in by the Red Armband people twice for questioning.”
“That means your family has already been put on someone’s radar. Things don’t happen more than three times—if they call you in again, it’ll be time to clean out your household. If you want to stay safe, I suggest you sell your job and return to your hometown in the countryside. With the family assets you have, life back home won’t be too bad.”
Zhang Fulai’s face turned grave at Shen Shujiao’s words.
But he also knew she was right.
These days, whenever he went out, neighbors would deliberately avoid him, afraid of being associated with him.
That place truly was no longer suitable for him to live in.
“Alright, Jiaojiao. I’ll go back and discuss it with your aunt and the others.”
Shen Shujiao nodded, then after a moment of thought, asked, “Uncle Zhang, do you know of any black markets nearby besides the one on Qingwan Road?”
“Jiaojiao, what are you going to the black market for? Your parents left you so much property—didn’t they leave you any money?”
“They did. But it’s better to live a bit more modestly. If people see me living frugally and carefully, it’ll be safer.”
Zhang Fulai nodded. “Ah, these times are really too hard. A delicate young lady like you, born to wealth, has to learn to live like the poor, counting every penny. It’s truly unfair to you.”
“Uncle Zhang, the situation is tense right now. You mustn’t say such things outside. The country has only just been founded, everything is still being explored. This turmoil won’t last too long. As long as we’re careful and endure these few years, things will get better.”
Zhang Fulai had originally come to comfort Shen Shujiao, but instead found himself being comforted by her. Looking at her now, he felt she was truly different.
She had become an adult who could stand on her own.
Someone who, like the master of the house back then, inspired a sense of trust and reassurance.
“I know several black markets. Which one do you want to go to? But Jiaojiao, you really shouldn’t go yourself. The black market is full of all kinds of people, and a pretty girl like you would stand out too much. Just tell me what you want to buy, and I’ll go for you.”
If she only needed a small amount, Shen Shujiao could simply buy it at an ordinary market.
It was precisely because she needed a lot that she had to go to the black market herself.
“No need, Uncle Zhang. I’m going there myself so people can see how diligently I manage my household. If you help me buy things, it would actually raise more suspicion. Just write down all the black market addresses you know, and I’ll decide where to go.”
“Alright.”
While Uncle Zhang wrote down the addresses, Shen Shujiao washed the bowls he had brought.
By the time she came out holding the food container, Uncle Zhang had finished writing.
“Uncle Zhang, I bought a few extra apples yesterday. I put some in the container—take them back for the children.”
“Thank you, Jiaojiao. These two bowls—I could’ve washed them myself. Yet you insisted on doing it. You’ve never done this kind of work before,” Zhang Fulai said, looking at her with concern.
“It’s very simple. I learned quickly. Uncle Zhang, don’t worry about me. My status is sensitive right now, and you have a big family. To avoid unnecessary trouble, you shouldn’t come looking for me anymore.”
Hearing how Shen Shujiao thought of them at every turn, Zhang Fulai’s eyes reddened.
Thinking of his lively, adorable grandchildren at home, he nodded helplessly.
He himself wasn’t afraid of death, but his son and daughter-in-law were in their prime, and his grandchildren still needed to be fed and raised. He truly couldn’t afford to have close contact with Shen Shujiao anymore.
“Jiaojiao, you must take good care of yourself. If you ever need help, come to Uncle’s house.”
Though Zhang Fulai said this, both he and Shen Shujiao knew that before the situation became clear, they would no longer keep in touch.
Shen Shujiao’s eyes also grew sore. She smiled and said, “I will. Uncle Zhang, you should head back now.”
“Alright. Jiaojiao, take good care of yourself!”
Zhang Fulai took a long look at Shen Shujiao, then left with the food container.
“Uncle Zhang, you must think carefully about what I said,” Shen Shujiao called out as he reached the living room doorway.
Zhang Fulai turned back and nodded firmly.
“Don’t worry, Jiaojiao. I’ll think it over carefully.”
Watching Zhang Fulai’s retreating figure, Shen Shujiao felt a heavy weight in her heart.
She had sent off yet another familiar person.
Life seemed to be just like this—growing through constant farewells, separations, losses, and gains.
She hoped that in this life, Uncle Zhang would have a happy old age.
…
In a lane of Shanghai, inside a tube-style apartment building.
As soon as Zhang Fulai returned home, his wife Liu Mei came to greet him. She looked past him, not seeing Shen Shujiao, feeling both disappointed and relieved.
“Jiaojiao didn’t want to come over?”
“No. The child knows her status is sensitive and didn’t want to come. She also told us not to bring her food anymore.”
“Jiaojiao has truly grown up.”
Liu Mei had started working for the Shen family even earlier than Zhang Fulai. The two met while working there, and with the matchmaking of Shen Shujiao’s mother, they became husband and wife.
The Shen family treated them very well. The couple was deeply grateful, and they loved Shen Shujiao—whom they had watched grow up—like their own daughter.
“Yes. With the current turmoil, Jiaojiao even suggested that we return to our hometown.”
“What Jiaojiao said is right. But our son and daughter-in-law both work here. Going back to farm wouldn’t earn much, and the children wouldn’t have good educational resources. They won’t agree to go back.”
Zhang Fulai nodded. “Let’s talk about it after the kids come back for lunch.”
“Alright, I’ll go wash the dishes.”
“Jiaojiao already washed them. There are apples inside too—just put them away.”
“Sigh… Jiaojiao really has grown up.”
Liu Mei sighed with a pained tenderness and went into the kitchen.
Not long after, a terrified cry came from inside.
“Old man! Old man—!”
Thinking his wife had fallen, Zhang Fulai rushed into the kitchen, only to see her staring wide-eyed at the food container.
“What’s wrong?” Zhang Fulai walked over—and when he saw what was inside, his legs went weak. He hurriedly braced himself against the stove.
Inside the container were a thick stack of large-denomination bills, ten gold bars, and a pile of grain coupons, oil coupons, and cloth coupons.
The cash alone looked to be around a thousand yuan.
“Why did Jiaojiao give us so much?” Liu Mei asked, her voice trembling.
“She must be worried that we’ll suffer if we move to the countryside. She gave us all this so we can return home without worry.”
“This is too much. You should take it back to Jiaojiao,” Liu Mei said uneasily.
“Jiaojiao already said it’s not appropriate for us to keep frequent contact. This is her goodwill—we should accept it,” Zhang Fulai said, his eyes filled with emotion.
As the Shen family’s former steward, Zhang Fulai knew, after learning what Shen Shujiao had handed over, that she had not turned in all of the Shen family’s assets.
Though he was curious where she had hidden such a large amount of property, the fact that the Red Armband people hadn’t found it meant she had hidden it well.
So Zhang Fulai didn’t ask any unnecessary questions.
“Jiaojiao is truly kind. Being able to work for the Shen family was the happiest thing in our entire lives,” Liu Mei said, nodding.
Zhang Fulai nodded in agreement. Those years working for the master were the most fulfilling time of his life.
It was just a pity that such happiness would never come again.
“Old woman, tomorrow morning make some good food for Jiaojiao. I’ll disguise myself a bit and deliver it to her door. I’ll watch from the shadows until Miss takes it inside.”
“Alright, old man. I’ll do as you say.”
End of this chapter (please click the next chapter to continue reading).