You Sanmei hitched a ride with the old man as promised.
The ride back was far more relaxed than the trip over. All the chickens, ducks, and geese had been delivered, their cages stacked off to one side, leaving You Sanmei plenty of space to lean back and rest in the truck bed.
She gazed up at the bright blue sky, let the warm summer breeze wash over her, and took a deep breath…
Ah, it smelled like chicken and duck droppings.
But that didn’t matter!
What mattered was how elated she felt right now—even the stench couldn’t dampen her joy!
Being given a second chance at life wasn’t the best part. Getting to take revenge on her enemies with her own two hands—that was true satisfaction!
And knowing that from now on, she’d watch those people fall further and further, step by step into ruin? That was sweeter still!
Now that his load was lighter, the old man stepped on the gas and sped all the way back to the village.
Pulling up right where he’d picked her up, he slammed on the brakes and laughed heartily. “Well now, girlie! You’re small in stature, but you’ve got guts!”
“Not many would dare go to a place like that!”
“I figured if you got scared, I’d slow down. But you never made a peep—so I went ahead and picked up speed!”
“Well then… was it thrilling?”
You Sanmei stumbled and slid down from the truck, then hurried over to the weeds by the roadside—
“Ugh—!”
“Ugh!!”
The old man fell silent. “……”
“Girlie… you weren’t just too scared to say anything, were you?”
You Sanmei went pale and waved her hand weakly. “Ugh… no!”
“I thought closing my eyes might help, so I didn’t bother you.”
“Ugh!!”
Truth be told, she’d also just wanted to get back quickly.
She couldn’t wait to give her three little ones a proper “feast.”
“Thank you so much, sir.”
She pulled out a scrap of paper to wipe her mouth, then fished out a few cents and held it out to him.
“Nah, nah—keep it this time.” The old man looked guilty. “You’re already feeling this sick; I couldn’t possibly take your money.”
“Next time you ride with me, speak up right away if you don’t feel well! I’ve always been a fast driver—would hate for you to pass out on me!”
You Sanmei tried to insist, but he was stubborn. Before she could say more, he revved the engine and drove off.
She stood there for a moment, then let out a helpless sigh.
Guess it’ll have to wait for next time!
If she rides with him again, she’ll have to bring him a pack of cigarettes as thanks.
Oh right—she can’t waste any more time.
She’d better find a proper general store and pick up what she needs.
Even before markets were allowed to open up, folks in the village quietly ran small businesses.
Some mended clothes and soles, others pickled vegetables or fish to sell.
Just ten years ago, life had been far harder than it was now.
So everyone had to make do with what they could—even earning a few cents here and there helped make ends meet.
They were all neighbors, so very few would report them to the commune.
Especially since many of these little trades made things easier for everyone.
Now that markets were permitted, things were even more free.
Life in Xiawa Village was generally better than in Xiaogou Village, and the people here were more open-minded, too.
Two or three families had already turned part of their homes into small shops—what folks called “general stores.”
They stocked school supplies for the children, daily necessities like soy sauce, vinegar, and cooking oil, plus beer, soft drinks, cigarettes, and popsicles.
You Sanmei headed for the one with the widest selection.
Counting her money, she had enough to get something for everyone in her family.
For the three kids, she’d buy a mix of snacks to share. For the adults, something special for each of them.
Stepping inside, she first picked out treats for the children.
Looking at all the colorful bags, little bottles, and candies, she couldn’t help but feel emotional.
Truly, times had changed.
When she was little, there were hardly any snacks—dried fig strips, those tiny candies… no, those were too small and easy to choke on!
She grabbed nearly every kind of snack they had—about seven or eight varieties in total.
Then she turned to the shopkeeper. “Excuse me—do you have face cream for women?”
The woman nodded toward a shelf behind her. “Most folks here use clam oil—that’s what we call it. Would that do?”
You Sanmei had used clam oil before; it was simple and plain. “Is there anything that smells nice?”
She’d heard that girls in the city liked to use something fragrant—something called vanishing cream, maybe?
“You mean vanishing cream?” the woman asked.
“Yes! Exactly!” You Sanmei nodded eagerly.
The woman’s eyes lit up, and she pulled open a drawer. “You’re such a pretty, neat young lady—you seem like someone who likes nice things.”
“This is new stock from the city! It’s called Pechoin! Would you like to take a look?”
She pulled out a small, round tin, twisted off the lid, and held it out. “Go on—smell it!”
“It smells wonderful!” You Sanmei’s eyes went wide. “So that’s what they mean by ‘fragrance’… it really is lovely!”
“And I barely even breathed it in… how much is it?”
“Two cents and two mills apiece. If you take two, I’ll give you a deal—four cents and two mills for both.”
“What about three?”
“Three? …Six cents even!”
“Perfect. Oh—and do you have insoles for men? Size thirty-nine, both pairs.”
“Sure do! It’s hot out—would you like thin ones?”
Chirp… chirp…—
A sudden sound rang out close by. You Sanmei paused. “Ma’am—do you keep a cricket?”
The woman sighed. “Me? No woman I know cares for those things.”
“My son keeps it. At first it was fun, but now it’s just a chore. He makes me hunt for dried bugs to feed it every day!”
“Ugh—sounds gross! Feeding a bug… bugs!”
You Sanmei’s eyes sparkled, and she grinned. “Ma’am—do you have any extra of those dried bugs?”
“I’ll pay you—please sell some to me!”
“……”
When she finally reached the woods, You Sanmei had the insoles and dried bugs in her left pocket, three tins of Pechoin in her right, and her arms full of snacks.
She knew the “little river” Chen Haobei and Chen Haonan had spoken of was barely more than a stream.
Its water came from a larger river in Han Province, and it was never very deep.
Chen Haobei, Chen Haonan, and Chen Yuanyuan had already met up with a few other village children, playing happily by the water.
Chen Haonan’s shirt was soaked through, so he’d taken it off, squatting bare-chested by the bank and splashing water at a chubby boy nearby.
Chen Yuanyuan turned around and spotted You Sanmei, letting out a cry. “Auntie!!”
“Auntie’s here!”
“Auntie, Auntie—Chen Haonan messed up my hair! Please fix it for me again!”