Su Lan did not bother at all about Su Man and Su Yuan’s affairs. She was doing housework while spacing out, no one knew what she was thinking.
After leaving the house, Su Man first went to the Post Office and sent an anonymous report letter.
The Li Family was very proactive. After hearing about Su Man’s situation, they hurriedly borrowed money everywhere overnight and went early in the morning to wait at Aunt Liu’s house.
When Su Man entered, she saw Uncle Li and the two Li Family brothers. The woman surrounded by them had a sallow, haggard face. She was completely different from the lively and smiling Li Family elder sister in the Original Owner’s memory. She indeed looked like she had suffered greatly.
Su Man said nothing, followed behind Aunt Liu, and politely greeted them with a smile.
The Li Family members were all kind-hearted, but their family was not wealthy. Seeing that Su Man was eager to sell, they repeatedly tried to lower the price. “We really can’t gather that much money at once. Can it be a bit cheaper?”
Although Su Man had already decided to settle everything today, there was not a trace of urgency on her face. She smiled politely and calmly. “Uncle Li, you know how in-demand my job and house are, and they’re very suitable for Sister Cui. Once this opportunity passes, even having money won’t buy them. If it weren’t for my special family situation, I wouldn’t even want to sell.”
Su Man’s job was as a female worker at the Textile Factory, and it was indeed very sought after. It also suited Li Cui very well, as it was not exhausting and allowed her to take care of her children. Su Dacheng’s house was also good, and the price was not set high.
Li Cui had returned with three children, and their household was too crowded with no place to live.
Although Li Cui’s five brothers all doted on her, living together for a long time would inevitably lead to conflicts. Uncle Li was also worried that his daughter would be wronged in the future, so it was better for her to live separately early. Thus, buying a house was urgent.
The Li Family understood from her attitude that Su Man had no intention of giving in, and their expressions became somewhat conflicted as they tried to plead again.
Su Man took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. “On the way here just now, someone else already asked about it. I only rejected them because I trust that Uncle Li’s family are honest people. If you really can’t manage it, then I’ll have to consider others.”
Aunt Liu immediately caught Su Man’s signal and quickly said, “Yes, yes, yes, it’s very抢手—very in demand.”
“Old Li, what are you hesitating for? Think about how when Xiao Man’s father was still around, he helped your family a lot. You can’t take advantage of this child now.”
Hearing this, Uncle Li wiped his face and finally made up his mind. He took out the money he had on him. “Sigh, Old Su was a good man, it’s a pity he left early. If I weren’t truly short on money, I wouldn’t have the face to take advantage of this situation.”
Uncle Li gave Su Man an embarrassed smile. Su Man calmly expressed understanding. It was all because of poverty—who would want to spend more money if they could avoid it?
In the end, they settled the deal at 800 yuan. Uncle Li used all his savings plus borrowed money from relatives, and even wrote a temporary 100-yuan IOU to Aunt Liu.
After the property transfer contract was signed, Su Man took Li Cui to the Textile Factory to complete the job transfer procedures. She also reminded the Li Family to keep it secret. By next Monday, Li Cui would be able to start work directly. By then, even if Su Ercheng’s family discovered it, Su Man would already be gone, and if they caused trouble, they would not be able to win against the Li Family—they would only have to accept defeat.
Then she went to the Street Office to find Aunt Liu. She took out the Qi Family’s reply letter from her space and used it as proof to apply for an introduction letter.
“Xiao Man has turned into a grown young lady in the blink of an eye. Seeing you handle selling the job and house today, I can finally rest assured. Your father will bless you from heaven. You must live well in the future. I’m here on your uncle’s side—you don’t need to fear them coming after you.” Aunt Liu said emotionally as she patted Su Man’s face.
Su Man could feel the sincere care, completely different from the scheming of Su Ercheng and Xia Hongxia. She suppressed the sourness in her nose and hugged Aunt Liu.
After leaving the office, Su Man turned and went to the Educated Youth Office. She took out the household registration book that Xia Hongxia had given her and registered Su Yuan and Su Lan for going down to the countryside.
The Educated Youth Office had already come several times to urge registrations, so they were very happy to hear Su Man’s request. At this time, many people were indeed registered by their families together. Since Su Man’s father had died, she was considered part of Su Ercheng’s family, and she also had their household registration book.
“My uncle said that young people should go to the countryside to experience hardship and struggle, as a response to the Party’s call, so he hopes the two of them can be assigned to the most difficult areas.”
Hearing this, the Educated Youth Office staff happily agreed again and again. They did not expect Su Ercheng’s family to have such high awareness, sending two children to the countryside at once.
Other families tried to send gifts to arrange easier places, afraid their children would suffer, but they instead actively chose the harshest places. Tomorrow, when promoting the movement, they would definitely use Su Ercheng’s family as an example!
After finishing the procedures, Su Man went to the train station and bought the earliest train to Hei Province. She would leave at dawn the next day.
When she returned to the Su Family home, Su Yuan was already impatiently waiting. “Why are you so slow? My mom is almost back. If she finds out, she’ll start nagging again.”
Su Yuan never once thought Su Man would dare to do anything. His mother had long said that Su Man was just an orphan girl relying on their family and was easy to control.
Su Man nodded and returned the household registration book. Her own copy had already been placed in her space.
Soon after, Xia Hongxia returned. As soon as she arrived, she repeatedly confirmed with Su Yuan about the job transfer. Only after Su Yuan got annoyed and guaranteed there was no problem did she finally feel relieved.
“Give me some money. I’m going out to eat dinner,” Su Yuan said, holding out his hand.
Xia Hongxia was furious. After being blackmailed by Su Man for so much money, how could there still be any money left at home!
Seeing that she refused, Su Yuan started acting up. “I’m starting work the day after tomorrow. I need to treat my friends to a meal. If you don’t give me money, I won’t go to work on Monday. Do whatever you want!”
Xia Hongxia was so angry she cursed Su Man again in her heart, while also worrying her son might really refuse to work. In the end, she could only agree to give him money the next day and would have to borrow some tonight, then repay it after Su Ercheng received his salary.
At dinner, when Su Ercheng heard that the job transfer had been successfully completed, he was very pleased. Hearing Xia Hongxia complain that their son wanted money for a dinner treat, he unusually agreed generously.
After all, once Su Man married, they would become in-laws with Factory Director Zhang. Would they still worry about money then? He knew very well that Factory Director Zhang often used his authority to help out his relatives in private.
Su Lan paid no attention to the conversation at the table. After eating a few bites, she disappeared again. Xia Hongxia scolded her back, “That wretched girl, who knows what she’s been doing these past few days—completely distracted.”
Su Man raised her eyebrows but said nothing. After finishing her meal, she returned to her room early.
She packed all necessary belongings into her space. After thinking for a moment, she also put two sets of spare clothes into a small lightweight bundle. Then she lay on the bed to rest.
When everyone had fallen silent, she quietly got up in the dark and left the house.