You Sanmei had secretly stashed away some money of her own too.
It wasn’t much – only a dozen or so yuan – but it was more than enough for what she needed to do.
Because Ge Zhaodi had meant well but messed things up, Xu Linghua had given her a stern talking‑to and ordered that the eldest sister‑in‑law’s turn at household duties end early. Starting today, for more than a week after that, Ge Zhaodi would be the one doing all the chores.
But You Sanmei knew better. No matter what was said, the eldest sister‑in‑law would never just stand back and let her do it all alone.
Outwardly, both were hot‑tempered, quick to argue, and hated to lose an argument. Yet after ten years of bickering and squabbling, neither could get through a day without the other – and neither ever truly took offence.
Whenever one was on duty, the other would inevitably drift over to chat. Before long, she’d be lending a hand anyway.
There was never a time when one person really had to bear the whole burden alone.
As Ge Zhaodi finished yelling, Yang Cuilian called out sharply through the window: “Stop all that shouting! If you’re going to work, just get on with it! You’re keeping everyone else awake!”
Ge Zhaodi shot back straight away: “Easy for you to say, lying there comfortable! Why don’t you just enjoy your good fortune!”
Yang Cuilian let out a cold huff: “And why don’t you stop being so jealous!”
Ge Zhaodi: “…Yang Cuilian, if you’ve got the guts, come out here! Just you wait till I yank every last hair off your head!”
Chen Zongming, the second brother, could take it no longer and cut in: “Haobei and Haonan are doing their homework! Can’t you two grown‑ups behave yourselves?”
…You Sanmei silently offered a moment’s sympathy for her second brother in her heart.
Sure enough, as soon as he spoke, all the fire was turned on him.
In an instant, the eldest and second sister‑in‑law were united against him.
They launched a barrage of complaints at Chen Zongming, and before long even the eldest brother was dragged into it.
You Sanmei rolled her eyes and stretched her arms and legs.
Good – still light on her feet.
Perfect for slipping out quietly for a little “walk”.
While the commotion was at its height, she crouched low and scurried back into her room. She pulled out the small bundle she’d brought with her when she married, took some money, then crept along the wall to the back of Haobei and Haonan’s room and tapped gently on the window.
The two boys had long lost interest in their lessons. They sat side by side at the table, one chewing on his pencil, the other staring blankly at the same page for half an hour.
Tap tap tap—
Their mothers were shouting so loudly they didn’t hear. You Sanmei knocked a little harder.
This time they noticed.
Chen Haonan jumped and quickly pulled back the curtain.
“Little—” His eyes went wide with surprise, leaving him gawping.
“Shh!”
You Sanmei lowered her voice. “Come on – shall the three of us go out for a bit?”
Chen Haobei also leaned over, utterly bewildered. “Little auntie… when did you get here?”
“If Mum or the others see you, they’ll tell you off for sure!”
You Sanmei winked. “It’s fine. I’m just going for a short stroll – no running around. Are you two brave enough to come?”
“I promise – if anyone finds out and scolds you, I’ll take all the blame. What do you say?”
“Brave enough?”
“Of course we are!” Chen Haonan rose to the bait straight away. He dropped his pencil and started scrambling out the window.
Seeing his brother already moving, Chen Haobei could barely contain his excitement. He clambered onto the table, but still managed to call out: “Haonan, the wall’s not high – climb down slowly! Don’t make little auntie catch you!”
“She’s not strong enough!”
“Pfft – who needs her to catch me?”
Chen Haonan moved nimbly as a little monkey and slid down safely. Chen Haobei followed right behind him.
Guided by You Sanmei, the three of them crept low along the back wall, round to the gate, and slipped out unnoticed.
A little way from the house, You Sanmei asked: “Do either of you know where Yuanyuan is?”
Chen Haonan replied: “Probably gone to the woods with that girl next door. There’s a stream there – it’s nice and cool.”
“We were going there too!”
In summer, most of the village children liked to play by the water. Nearly everyone here knew how to swim, so the grown‑ups didn’t worry too much.
You Sanmei checked the time. “You two go on ahead. I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”
Apart from what she had to do herself, she also wanted to treat the boys to a little something special.
Children were easy to please at this age – all you really needed was to be kind and buy them a few treats.
Chen Haobei frowned. “Little auntie… where exactly are you going?”
“It’s so hot out – what if you faint on the way?”
“I won’t, don’t worry.” You Sanmei patted the top of his head. “I’m not silly – I’ll stay out of the sun.”
Chen Haobei stiffened, stammering: “O‑okay then!”
He felt oddly flustered as he felt her soft hand on his hair and pressed his lips together.
Chen Haonan watched them, feeling a strange twinge in his chest. He huffed and turned away first. “Why are you fretting over an adult?”
“She said herself – if they yell at us when we get back, she’ll take responsibility!”
With that, he hurried ahead.
Chen Haobei quickly followed, but not before waving back at You Sanmei.
She waved back. Once they were out of sight, her smile faded. She turned down a narrow alleyway, pulled out a silk scarf she’d prepared earlier, wrapped it around her head and face, and set off for the edge of the village, timing her arrival just right.
Sure enough, a small truck loaded with chickens, ducks and geese was parked there, driven by a weather‑beaten man in his sixties.
Having a truck back then was rare – a sign he was no ordinary villager.
He’d been a long‑distance driver for years, but as his legs grew weaker he’d decided to retire. The company he’d worked with for decades had given him the truck – his old faithful – as a parting gift.
“Need a ride, miss?” The old man’s face was tanned and honest, a cigarette clamped between his teeth.
It was common for villagers to hitch a lift with him. Some gave him a few cents, others a pack of cigarettes – he was happy to help whenever he could.
You Sanmei quickly pulled out a handful of small notes, stood on tiptoe and held them through the window. “Yes please! West Four Lane on the outskirts of town – that’s where I need to get off!”
“…West Four Lane?” The old man paused, his smile faltering. “What’s a young girl like you doing going to a place like that?”
“Things have opened up everywhere these days – that place is even more chaotic now! All sorts of shady characters hang around there!”
You Sanmei made up a story on the spot: “It’s alright, sir. I’ve got a friend there – she’s expecting me. I’ll go straight to her place.”
“Alright then.” Hearing she was meeting someone he didn’t press further.
After all, it was right next to Han Province. It was rough, sure – but plenty of people passed through there to make an honest living.
Like him – he was heading past West Four Lane to deliver his poultry to a roadside inn on the highway into Han Province.