“Chuxin are you truly selling your work position to me? You earned this place at the cotton mill through examination and saved so much for it. Are you really willing to give it to me?” Zhao Chunhong stared at her friend in disbelief. Getting into the cotton mill was not something money alone could buy. It required passing the examination.
Zhao Chunhong’s family was not poor. Both her parents worked yet they had a daughter who gave them no end of trouble. They could afford to buy a position but the entrance examination still stood in the way. She was hopeless whenever examinations or studying were mentioned.
Li Chuxin knew her friends had been seeking a suitable post for their daughter. In her past life Chunhong had failed to secure work in the city and left for the northwest as a sent down youth. There she had suffered harm and eventually ended up living with an older man. By the time her parents found her she had been broken completely. Chunhong had tried warning her before that the Li family treated her as nothing more than a resource to be used. She had not listened then and paid dearly. In many ways their fates had been the same.
“It is true of course.” Li Chuxin said. “The work is light and it does not tax your mind. You only need to know how to operate a sewing machine. If you do not want it I will find someone else.” Positions were scarce and in high demand. Many would pay well for the chance.
Zhao Chunhong pulled her in quickly. “No do not go to anyone else I want it. Sell it to me please.”
“I am only surprised. You have always been so devoted to your family saving every scrap and thinking of your father and brothers. Even if you could not take it yourself I thought you would keep it for one of them.” She rubbed her head sheepishly. “Please Chuxin sell it to me.”
Zhao father had been pulling strings everywhere with no success. To have this opportunity fall into their laps felt like a blessing. “Chuxin sell it to us. You have my word we will not take advantage. Whatever the going rate is we will pay it in full.”
Zhao mother brought out sweetened water and mung bean cakes. “Yes Chuxin let Chunhong have it.”
Li Chuxin said. “I bought it for five hundred yuan. Just give me five hundred and it is yours.” She had ten days before leaving for Sijiucheng and wanted everything settled. There was no reason to leave anything for the Li family. They had never seen her as anything more than a burden someone scheming and unkind. Money was certain and true. She would rather sell than give it to them.
Zhao father shook his head. “That is too little. Positions like these fetch seven hundred outside and I will not short change you. Here take eight hundred.”
Li Chuxin knew he was an honest man. “Seven hundred is quite enough Uncle Zhao.”
“It is worth every penny.” He said seriously. “But think carefully. Once it is gone what will you do? Positions are precious and scarce.” He worried she was acting out of hurt and anger.
Zhao mother added. “Work is hard to come by Chuxin.”
Zhao Chunhong held her hands. “My parents are right. Please think this through.”
“My mother has remarried and I am to join her in Sijiucheng in ten days.”
Zhao Chunhong drew closer and noticed the marks beneath the scarf around her neck. She pulled it aside and saw dark bruises. Then she rolled up Chuxin’s sleeve and found more. Her face hardened. “Did your second brother do this?”
Li Chuxin remained silent.
“He did did he not?” Chunhong pressed. “And it was because of Li Xixi was it not?”
“I knew it.” Chunhong gritted her teeth. “They are far too cruel. And your eldest brother claiming injury so you would give him a kidney did you do it?”
“I did not.” Li Chuxin said. In her past life Chunhong had tried warning her then too telling her there was no accident and nothing wrong with his kidneys. She had refused to believe it and hurt their friendship. This time she would take the money so her friend would not feel burdened.
“Thank goodness.” Chunhong said with relief. “You always give everything to them have they ever done the same for you? He is lying about his health and I would not be surprised if it is for Li Xixi all along. She is always ailing yet I wonder how much is real. It seems to me she pretends just to avoid work.”
“She knows exactly how to win everyone’s sympathy.” Zhao mother chided gently. “Chunhong watch your tongue. We have no proof so let us not speak ill.” She turned to Chuxin. “Do not take it to heart child.”
Li Chuxin said. “She means well. Five hundred is all I ask.”
Zhao father said firmly. “No we will not take advantage. Go count out eight hundred.”
Zhao mother brought the money saved with great difficulty. Li Chuxin saw how much it meant to them and settled on six hundred instead. “Six hundred will do.”
Zhao father said. “If there is ever anything we can do for you you have only to ask.”
Li Chuxin folded the money away. “I will speak to the factory manager and arrange everything. Chunhong will report for duty in ten days. I ask only that this remains private.” She did not want the Li family knowing.