Jiang Chengdong let out a sigh, the corner of his mouth tugging into a bitter smile.
“Chengbei, sister-in-law, I’ll apologize to you on Hongmei’s behalf.”
He was not even thirty yet, but at that moment he looked several years older, a trace of weariness settling over him.
“Big brother, don’t say that. There’s no need for formalities between brothers,” Jiang Chengbei replied.
Jiang Chengbei didn’t blame his own elder brother.
If anyone was at fault, it was Zhang Hongmei greedy and lacking restraint. A man should marry a virtuous wife, and clearly, Zhang Hongmei did not qualify.
Ning Xi thought the same. Jiang Chengdong was an honest, simple country man, but unfortunately, a good man saddled with a bad wife.
Nearby, Tian Guilan was anxiously pacing in circles.
It wasn’t that she was particularly fond of Zhang Hongmei as a daughter-in-law she simply didn’t want the eldest son and his wife to divorce. Zhang Hongmei was the type who meant what she said, and if they truly divorced, the village gossip alone would be enough to drown a person.
She urged Jiang Chengdong to give in first.
“Eldest son, go bring Hongmei back.”
Jiang Chengdong frowned deeply and said in a rough voice, “I’m not going. Once she cools off, she’ll come back on her own. She’s just talking big she doesn’t really dare to divorce. Besides, she was the one making a scene this time. If I lower my head first, it’ll only make her more arrogant.”
He could endure small, trivial matters.
But on issues of principle, he could not back down otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to hold his head up in front of his brothers or family.
“You—”
Tian Guilan was at a loss. Every one of these men was stubborn as a mule.
From the side, Zhou Qinglian of the second branch, who had been enjoying the spectacle, felt utterly refreshed inside, though she put on a hypocritical face as she spoke.
“If you ask me, today’s mess isn’t entirely Hongmei’s fault. It’s poverty stirring trouble. If we were all like Chengbei working for the state, drawing an allowance why would anyone bother scheming over a few coins?”
Then she changed her tone.
“Chengbei, listen to your second aunt. You and Chengdong are full brothers same mother, same blood. Break the bones and the tendons are still connected. Your money is his money. Drawing such a clear line hurts brotherly harmony, doesn’t it?”
“You’re absolutely right, Second Aunt.”
Jiang Chengbei cast a light glance at her.
“My second uncle and my father are also full brothers. That means Second Uncle’s money is my father’s money. I happen to need money for my wedding Second Aunt, why don’t you give me a hundred yuan first? If that’s not enough, I’ll ask you for more.”
What?
A hundred yuan?!
Zhou Qinglian froze, then exploded like a firecracker.
“Why should I?! You’re getting married why should I give you money?!”
Jiang Chengbei smiled faintly. “You’re the one who said real brothers don’t draw lines.”
Zhou Qinglian choked.
“When did I ever say that?! Your brothers’ business is none of mine. Jiang Youcai, why are you still standing here? Are you hoping they’ll give you money too? Come on, go back inside!”
She dragged Jiang Youcai away. As he was pulled along, he turned back to look at Jiang Chengbei.
“Your second aunt isn’t right in the head. Don’t take it to heart, Chengbei.”
Zhou Qinglian: “……”
She was furious.
After the two returned to their room, Old Master Jiang also shook his head and went back inside. He could see it clearly the eldest grandson’s days ahead would not be easy.
The rest of the Jiang family gradually dispersed.
Ning Xi returned to her room, intending to organize the things she had bought. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Jiang Chengbei walked in on his long legs, holding a small wooden box.
“I have something for you.”
“What is it?” Ning Xi asked, smiling teasingly. “Don’t tell me it’s some Jiang family heirloom.”
Her smiling, crescent-shaped eyes made one’s heart tremble. Jiang Chengbei hurriedly averted his gaze, afraid that if he looked too long, he’d end up needing to wash the bedsheets in the middle of the night an experience he did not want to repeat.
He handed her the wooden box.
“Open it and see.”
So mysterious. Ning Xi chuckled softly and opened the clasp.
Inside was a small red booklet with the words “Hardworking and Frugal” printed on the cover. Below it were the words “Savings Passbook.” Alongside it were several ration coupons.
“This is for me?” she asked.
“Yes.”
Jiang Chengbei responded quietly. “I told you after we’re married, both my money and I will be under your care.”
He gestured for her to open the passbook.
Ning Xi flipped it open and saw several deposits. Adding them up, the total exceeded seven thousand yuan an enormous sum in the 1970s.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
“So much? Battalion Commander Jiang, I didn’t expect you to be such a money-saver.”
The army covered Jiang Chengbei’s food, clothing, and housing, and he spent very little himself. Aside from sending ten yuan home each month, he had saved the rest.
Lowering his eyes, he looked at the young woman’s fair face, his voice gentle.
“This is all my salary and mission allowances from these years. It’s all here. From now on, you’ll be the pillar of our little family. Buy whatever you want, spend it however you like it’s all up to you.”
At that moment, a saying suddenly came to Ning Xi’s mind:
Where a man’s love is, his money is.
She looked down at the heavy passbook in her palm, her heart feeling full to the brim. After a pause, she smiled softly.
“You’re not afraid I’ll take your money and run away?”
“Not afraid. You’re not that kind of person.”
Jiang Chengbei’s tone was firm.
Even if she really did, he would accept it.
Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, along with a hint of caution and uncertainty, Ning Xi took his hand. Her pale fingers traced lightly over the thin calluses on his warm palm.
Her voice softened.
“Jiang Chengbei, I’ll take the money. Don’t worry I won’t run. I wouldn’t bear to give such a good man to someone else, and I definitely won’t betray your trust. I’ll make sure our little life thrives.”
In later times, people’s hearts grew restless.
Everyone chased money.
Even the closest pillow companion guarded against each other with calculations.
But this man someone she had known for only a little over ten days was different. This person, this affection, was filled with sincerity. He placed his whole heart before her, and she had no reason not to cherish it.
Listening to her promise, warmth surged through Jiang Chengbei’s chest.
“I believe you.”
With the atmosphere like this, it felt wrong not to do something.
They looked at each other, leaned closer, their breaths intertwining…
Outside the door.
Jiang Yanyan returned to her room flushed red, plopping down on the bed.
Her second brother was insane!
They weren’t even married yet, and he had already handed over all his savings to Ning Xi. Wasn’t he afraid she’d take the money and disappear?
And that fox-like Ning Xi so money-hungry. The moment she got the money, she even took the initiative to pull her second brother in for a kiss, and… and made those shameless little humming sounds.
Just thinking about what she had seen earlier made Jiang Yanyan’s legs go weak.
Her mind couldn’t help but conjure up Qiao An’s handsome, clear-featured face.
Once they were married, she’d kiss Qiao An like that too.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yanyan began to worry again. In three days, she would be meeting Qiao An’s parents. She couldn’t possibly show up empty-handed.
With her rural background, she was already likely to be looked down on.
If she didn’t bring some present impressive enough to save face, she definitely wouldn’t win over her future in-laws.
But where was she supposed to get the money?