The two were still wrapped in tender affection when a sharp rebuke suddenly cut through the air, the booming voice shattering the warmth in an instant.
“Dongzi, stop clinging! Go tidy up those things over there!” The old man, nostrils flared arrogantly, jabbed his finger toward a pile of odds and ends not far away, showing no regard for anyone’s dignity. Yet the repair shop was empty of customers, and the tools had already been neatly arranged that morning. This was nothing more than picking a fight for the sake of it.
Shen Chengdong turned his head, a flash of cold light flickering in his eyes before he quickly masked it with calm.
Sensing the shift in his mood, Jiang Rou hurriedly whispered, afraid he might lash out: “Go on, get busy. I still need to go home and do laundry. Don’t argue with him—tonight I’ll reward you with a soft-boiled egg, all right?”
Her gentle voice was like a breeze, soothing away the hostility clinging to him.
Shen Chengdong nodded, the corner of his lips tugging into the faintest smile. “Don’t worry, I’m not that hot-tempered.”
Relieved by his promise, Jiang Rou finally left. Still, as she walked away, unease gnawed at her—what if one day Shen Chengdong refused to stay here, and instead slipped off to join Liu Er in shady dealings? If trouble came of it, what then? The thought was enough to make her fret.
Meanwhile, once she was gone, Shen Chengdong pressed his lips into a thin line and strode up to the old man. His quiet, commanding presence made the elder flinch, forcing him to bluster louder to cover his fear.
“What’s that attitude? I told you to work—what’s the big deal? You planning to hit me?”
Shen Chengdong’s gaze swept coldly over his frightened face. He reached out, picked up the aluminum lunch box beside him, and said in a low, steady voice: “I’m done here. Hand over last month’s and this month’s wages.”
“What? You’re quitting?!” The old man shot to his feet, eyes bulging, his tea forgotten.
The shop relied entirely on Shen Chengdong’s skill—especially the tricky jobs that brought in real money. Panic surged in the old man’s chest, regret prickling at his earlier harshness. But pride kept him from admitting fault.
Shen Chengdong was not the kind to waver once he’d made up his mind. All he wanted now was the pay he was owed—nine yuan for the two months. His gaze was unwavering.
Cowed by his resolve, the old man swallowed hard, his tone softening. “You walk out like this, you’re leaving me in the lurch. What repair shop will take you after this? I’ll give you another chance—take back what you said. You’re a farmhand with a rural registration; finding work in the city isn’t easy.”
Shen Chengdong’s reply was calm, almost casual: “No matter. If I can’t find work, I’ll set up my own repair shop across the street. Then we’ll be neighbors—you’ll have someone to keep you company.”
The old man was so incensed that his chest tightened, terrified that Shen Chengdong might truly find a way to carry out his threat. “How about we talk this over again? If you think the wages are too low, I’ll add two yuan a month. Would that do?”
Shen Chengdong’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he did not bend for the sake of two yuan. In the past, he might have hesitated. But now he had a wife, and all he wanted was for her to be happy every day—never to suffer humiliation or hardship because of him.
That evening, to celebrate reclaiming the house, Chen Aihe prepared several fine dishes. Chen Ailan was also invited, and the whole family gathered together in lively cheer. Only Jiang Deshan seemed less than joyful, pouring himself cup after cup of white liquor in silence.
Noticing, Chen Aihe rolled her eyes at him. “What’s the matter? Han Laosan moving out makes you unhappy? Look at you—anyone would think he was your own brother!”
“What nonsense. I’m not unhappy.” Jiang Deshan set down his cup, glanced at her, and muttered: “I’m just worried Qiuyu might take it the wrong way. After all, he’s her uncle. What if she thinks we’ve been unkind?”
He had cherished the girl for more than ten years, treating her as his own child, and her feelings mattered deeply to him.
Chen Aihe pursed her lips, unconvinced. “We’re in the right here. I don’t see anything unkind about it. Han Laosan ought to be grateful to us, not the other way around. From the way you talk, it’s as if we should be blamed instead! Besides, Xiaoyu isn’t the sort to be unreasonable—you’re overthinking.”
Before the couple could quarrel further, Chen Ailan quickly interjected to ease the mood: “Come on, let’s eat. Dongzi’s cooking is really good—if it cools down, it won’t taste the same!”
Sitting quietly, Jiang Rou was long accustomed to her parents’ way of bickering. She picked up a piece of fish and placed it in Chen Aihe’s bowl, speaking softly: “Mom, try this—it’s especially delicious.”
To Chen Aihe, her daughter’s calmness seemed almost careless, and she scolded with a touch of frustration: “Don’t just sit there eating. Remember this—about the house, we’re not in the wrong. Don’t be like your father, always feeling guilty about something! Once we tidy the place up, you and Chengdong should move in as soon as possible.”
Jiang Rou’s heart warmed at her mother’s words. She answered gently, “All right.”
Knowing full well his wife’s rebuke was aimed at him, Jiang Deshan licked his dry lips and dared not say another word.
Soon, the atmosphere settled back to normal.
Shen Chengdong sat quietly beside Jiang Rou, eating his rice without joining the chatter. Then, a flash of orange caught his eye. His chopsticks paused midair, and he turned toward her, gaze questioning.
Jiang Rou had been watching him closely. Seeing him finally taste the soft‑boiled egg she’d made, her brows curved in delight. She whispered, “Didn’t I promise you this morning? I said I’d make you a soft‑boiled egg tonight. Go on, eat—it’s handmade by me!”
Though the outside was a little burnt, the flavor should still be decent.
A smile flickered in his eyes, his lips curving upward despite himself. He used his chopsticks to lift the egg from the rice and split it in half. It was meant to be soft‑centered, but she had fried it until it was fully cooked. He picked up a piece and tasted it. To his surprise, it was better than expected. Then he placed the largest piece from his bowl into hers, gesturing for her to eat it.
“What’s wrong? Was it really that bad?” Jiang Rou drooped her shoulders, feigning dejection. She thought he would deny it, but instead he nodded seriously—actually daring to say her cooking was bad? Pressing her lips together, she picked up the egg and ate it herself. The unpleasant taste she’d imagined never came. It was just an ordinary fried egg.
Puzzled, she looked at him, ready to argue that it wasn’t bad at all. But when her eyes met his smiling ones, she instantly understood his “hidden intention.”
“I made it for you, and yet you gave me the biggest piece. You’re too mean.”
Shen Chengdong only smiled in silence, then placed another piece of meat into her bowl.
After dinner, Jiang Rou took charge of clearing the dishes, while Shi Lan washed them.
When Chen Ailan prepared to head home, Chen Aihe wanted to walk her out, but was stopped: “Your leg hasn’t healed yet—better not.”
Just as Jiang Rou finished her chores, she overheard and quickly walked over, her cheeks flushed red from the steam inside the house.
“Auntie, you’re leaving? Let me walk you out!”
“Alright! I’ve got something to tell you anyway—let’s chat on the way.”
The two stepped out one after the other. Outside, the sky was dim and gray; every household was at dinner, leaving the courtyard unusually quiet.
Once she saw no one around, Chen Ailan pulled twenty yuan from her satchel and swiftly pressed it into Jiang Rou’s hand.
“That house of yours will need money in all sorts of places. Take this—don’t be stingy if you want to buy something. If it’s not enough, I’ve got more. But don’t let your parents see it. If they know you’ve got money, they’ll give you less, and in the end your sister will benefit.”
Chen Ailan had only sons, so she had always treated Jiang Rou like her own daughter.
Jiang Rou froze, too startled to accept such a large sum. She quickly tried to push it back, but her aunt’s grip was stronger.
“Take it, be good—listen to me!”
“Auntie, I still have money. Besides, my mom promised me I could use the wedding gift money to furnish the house.”
“Tch, and you believe her? I bet whatever little she had has already been tricked away by your sister. I just don’t get it—every family’s children have gone down to the countryside, so why is your sister so pampered? Always asking for money every few days—she’s got some nerve!”
Back then, the Jiang family had only one quota for going down to the countryside. Jiang Rou had prepared herself to go, wanting to leave the city opportunity for her sister. But Jiang Qiuyu secretly signed up herself, claiming she didn’t want her younger sister to suffer. Because of that, the whole family felt indebted to her. Whenever she asked for money or things, Chen Aihe always tried to oblige.
Remembering the novel’s plot, Jiang Rou couldn’t help but doubt—was Qiuyu’s original intention really for her sake?
“My mom won’t touch the gift money,” Jiang Rou said firmly. On that point, she was confident.
Chen Ailan didn’t want to dampen her spirits, so she sighed. “Forget it, let’s not talk about her. I’ve got another favor to ask.”
“What is it? Tell me.”
“I’m too busy tomorrow to go to the hospital. Could you deliver lunch to your cousin for me?”
“Of course. I haven’t seen him in days anyway.”
“That’s my sweet Rou. Ah—if only you were my daughter.”
Laughing and chatting, the two reached the courtyard gate. After seeing Chen Ailan off, Jiang Rou tucked the twenty yuan away and returned home.
Inside, only Shen Chengdong was there; everyone else was gone. She looked around and asked, “Where are Mom and the others?”
“They’re all in Sister‑in‑law’s room.”
Jiang Rou was just about to go take a look when Shen Chengdong caught her hand. “I have something for you.”
She turned back to him, her eyes full of curiosity. He released her hand, pulled five yuan and a small cloth pouch from his jacket pocket, and handed them over with a relaxed smile. “This is last month’s wages. All for you.”
“?” Jiang Rou blinked, clearly not expecting such a pleasant surprise.
Her lips curved as she accepted them. The pouch gaped slightly, and when she glanced down, she saw it was filled with White Rabbit milk candies. Looking up from the sweets, she asked excitedly, “So many candies? Didn’t you say wages wouldn’t be paid until the fifteenth?”