To someone who has lived on meager grain and wild vegetables all her life five jin of fine grain must seem like untold wealth.
Zhao Renjie’s mother felt confident Shen Qing would agree.
Shen Qing appeared stunned. She was being offered such a precious thing. Yet inwardly she thought Your son is worth no more than this. How cheap.
Suddenly Shen Qing covered her face and her shoulders shook as she wept.
Auntie truly I love Renjie she said. I have loved him since the very first moment I heard of him.
He is my heart my dearest treasure. I want to build a new society by his side.
Zhao Renjie’s mother stiffened clutching her bag. You have met him she demanded.
I have not met him Shen Qing replied though she had seen him in her past life following Li Mengyao and aiding her cruelty. But seeing how dignified and fine you are I know he must be an exceptional man. Her cheeks flushed making her look every bit the innocent girl hopelessly in love.
Zhao Renjie’s mother scoffed inwardly. A country girl who has never even laid eyes on him and yet she is already head over heels. What a fool. Then she realized the truth. The girl simply covets their family standing. She tucked the grain coupon back into her pocket.
Shen Qing seized her hand. Mother she said earnestly rest assured. When I marry into your family I will cherish you and care for you as my own.
Zhao’s mother pulled back sharply. Who are you calling mother she snapped. How could a girl from the countryside ever be worthy of my son. Even Li Mengyao is no longer good enough for him let alone you. She smoothed her fine cotton blouse and let her disdain show plainly.
I came here to ask you to end the engagement she said. Not to indulge your fantasies.
Shen Qing’s eyes widened as if struck by a terrible blow and she burst into loud sobs.
Auntie I am so miserable I wailed. I cannot go back to a home where there is never enough to eat. I want to marry Renjie and have proper meals every day.
Zhao’s mother hesitated then produced a stack of grain coupons worth twenty jin. Here take these she said. You will not go hungry. As long as you sign the paper I will see you are fed and clothed. She had no intention of sending anything later she was merely coaxing her to sign.
Shen Qing stopped crying and looked up tearfully. But I have elderly parents and younger brothers and sisters who depend on me she said. Twenty jin will not be nearly enough to feed them all.
Zhao’s mother frowned impatiently and pulled out a thicker sheaf of coupons. Will this suffice she asked sharply. Greedy little thing.
Shen Qing wiped her eyes. But even if I have enough to eat I will not marry anyone else she said. My heart is broken. I do not know what I shall do with myself or how I can contribute to our community.
Can you come to the point Zhao’s mother sighed rubbing her temples.
Shen Qing sat up straight and began counting on her fingers. I need compensation for distress nutrition lost wages late nights emotional support and hardship to my family. And also compensation for the chickens and ducks who will go hungry because I am too sad to feed them.
Chickens and ducks Zhao’s mother stared.
If I am unhappy they will not get fed Shen Qing explained simply.
Zhao’s mother’s eye twitched. If I let her go on she will soon be asking for compensation for the rats in the walls too.
This is not a request she snapped. It is extortion.
Then thank you for letting me marry Renjie Shen Qing said brightly.
Zhao’s mother nearly choked with rage. Two hundred jin of grain coupons and five hundred yuan she said. Is that enough.
Shen Qing beamed. You are so kind Auntie.
With this our family will be well provided for some time she thought. It was a plan she had devised on her way here. Why fight Li Mengyao directly when she could strike at the very foundation of her hopes.
Shen Qing signed the paper quickly and without hesitation.
Zhao’s mother smiled in relief. With this signed document she need worry no longer about the engagement. She climbed back onto the tractor and departed satisfied.
Shen Qing walked away clutching the coupons and money.
High in the branches of the great pagoda tree a young man in a plain white shirt chewed thoughtfully on a stem of grass. His dark eyes watched her with quiet amusement.
Interesting he murmured. Most interesting. One does not expect to meet such a spirited girl in a quiet village.
That evening Shen Qing told only Shen Chang’an about the grain and the money.
Shen Chang’an stared wide eyed holding the stack of coupons and the notes. Qingqing he began.
What do you think of my plan she asked. By removing the engagement I have blocked Li Mengyao’s most desired path and secured what we need.
Shen Chang’an shook his head smiling fondly. You are a clever one he said. I expected you to confront her directly but you have turned the situation to your advantage and helped us all.
Shen Qing tucked the money and coupons beneath his pillow. Keep these safe Brother she said. They will provide for you and the family.
Shen Chang’an looked at her closely. What are you planning he asked quietly.
Shen Qing met his gaze. Has Li Wenbo been here she asked instead.
Li Wenbo was her biological father. Shen Chang’an fell silent. He had come while she was away to claim his daughter. Now that the registrations had been corrected there was no reason to keep her from them.
They offered to trade Father’s work points to keep me here Shen Qing said. Is that not so. She had heard how he had demanded she return to the Li family to labor in the fields and how Father had agreed to give up his own points to spare her.
Shen Qing clenched her hands. That is too high a price she said. I will go back. I am not afraid.
Foolish girl Shen Chang’an said gently. You are worth far more than any work points.
They will not give up so easily Shen Qing insisted. I must go.
Just then Li the third brother stepped into the courtyard.