When word spread that Shu-shu had earned her very own money, Chen Zhen-ye carved her a money box in the shape of a plump little pig. He fashioned it entirely from wood. Shu-shu loved it dearly. She carried it proudly wandering all about the village showing it to everyone she met. Before long every soul in Fengyang Village knew she possessed a piggy bank.
“Look, our little Shu-shu has a money box now. Is there money inside it then.” Villagers resting beneath the shade of trees after a long morning transplanting rice spotted the little wooden pig tucked in her arms and teased her gently.
“Yes there is money. One jiao and six fen. Shu-shu earned it herself.” Shu-shu held the box high up for all to see.
“We cannot see inside. Are you certain there truly is money in there.” One uncle leaned forward pretending to peer through the top then asked in mock doubt. The box had only a narrow slit at the top through which coins could be dropped. It was impossible to see what lay within. Shu-shu lowered the box, turned it about and peered closely at herself. She too could see nothing inside. Just as the onlookers prepared to comfort her thinking she had been stumped, the little girl seized the box firmly and shook it vigorously up and down. Coins rattled against the wooden sides producing a clear crisp clinking sound.
“Listen. There is money inside.” Shu-shu announced earnestly presenting her proof.
“How wonderfully clever our little treasure is.”
“So there truly is money inside.”
“Our Shu-shu earns her keep at such a tender age. What a capable little one.”
“And how much did you say you have in there.” The same uncle who had teased her asked again, smiling warmly.
“One jiao and six fen.” She answered with perfect seriousness.
“Well now look. That makes two jiao and six fen.” With a soft clink another coin slipped through the slot.
Shu-shu blinked in wide-eyed surprise standing quite still.
Laughter rippled warmly around her. Recovering from her astonishment Shu-shu looked up and piped in her sweetest voice. “Thank you Auntie.” She understood perfectly well this was a loving gift.
Not every villager yet certainly held Shu-shu close to heart and had long wished to give her small tokens of pocket money. Only the village chief had advised against it saying she was too young and might be tricked or misled.
So everyone had waited holding back. Now that her uncle had given her earnings and another uncle had carved her a box it seemed the signal had arrived.
Following the first kind donor others reached into their pockets and pressed coins through the slit wishing her treasure chest might one day brim full. No one competed or compared gifts.
They gave whatever they happened to carry. Some gave one jiao, others two fen. Those who carried nothing simply waited, promising to give another time or when Shu-shu came to stay in their home. Shu-shu understood every gift sprang from affection.
She accepted nothing but gratitude repeating thank you over and over again. Each time a coin dropped in she said thank you in her sweet baby voice. It was utterly charming. By the end the box had grown noticeably heavier.
“So much.” Shu-shu breathed in wonder. She could not see inside but the weight in her arms told plainly how much had been given.
“Keep your money box safe and hidden dear.” Ke Xiao-hua cautioned her earnestly concerned for her friend’s welfare. She feared outsiders might come seeking to take advantage of a child and cheat her away from her earnings. Villagers could be trusted of course but strangers did pass through and one never knew what intentions they carried.
“I shall.” Shu-shu answered. Then clutching her box she trotted straight to the village chief and held the wooden pig out to him.
“For Grandfather.”
“You wish for me to keep it safe on your behalf.” The village chief understood at once.
“Mmm yes yes yes.” She nodded earnestly.
“Very well then. Grandfather shall keep it for you. Whenever you wish to add to it or draw it away you need only come and ask.”
The village chief accepted her charge solemnly. In truth he had already begun saving for her from the very day he found her. Her account now stood at a full twenty yuan. It was not a vast sum yet it grew steadily.
He intended to set it aside entirely for her university education. In her past life Shu-shu had struggled grievously lacking funds for tuition working every holiday at odd jobs to make ends meet. Her hands, young as they were, had grown worn and rough from toil. Even so she could not gather enough.
Only when the whole village learned of her need did they come together contributing coin by coin so she might pursue her studies. In this life he meant to spare her every hardship building her future security long before the need arose.
Beside this private fund the village held a second account in her name overseen collectively by all. That too grew under public watch separate from his own.
Relieved of her burden Shu-shu felt light and carefree. She took Ke Xiao-hua’s hand and hurried off to play.
There were so many delights awaiting them now. They could swing upon the swing set, skip rope or ride the seesaw.
Chen Zhen-xing had fashioned the seesaw for her with the same skill he used carving her money box. It was simple and sturdy, a long plank balanced upon a central trestle with seats and handholds at either end. He set it up at the edge of the threshing ground for everyone to share. Beside it stood parallel bars made of bamboo and rows of simple benches all added in recent years. Villagers gathered there in idle moments to exercise or dance upon the open ground though without music their movements appeared almost like silent mime. Watching them someone sighed aloud lamenting how poor they remained, not even one radio could the whole village.
“Shu-shu shall buy one. Shu-shu has money.” Hearing their lament Shu-shu stepped forward boldly offering her entire savings to purchase a radio for the village. She had no idea whether her small fund could suffice yet she could not bear seeing them saddened by what they lacked.
“O what a dear precious child we have among us.” Overcome with warmth the women crowded round kissing her and pressing her cheeks with affection while the men stood about praising her generosity. When their delight had settled one young woman explained gently.
“It is not that we lack money, little one. It is simply that we lack the necessary purchase coupon. Even with coins such goods cannot be bought without a ticket.” In those days every manufactured item required ration coupons especially in the countryside where such luxuries were exceedingly hard to come by.
The woman did not explain further that many families still struggled for daily bread and no one wished to expend precious coupons merely for music. She let Shu-shu remember only that it was the lack of coupons which stood in their way.
As summer planting got underway the village grew busier by the day. To ensure a bountiful autumn harvest every able soul turned to the fields.
Only those truly unable to work remained behind. Shu-shu and her little water bearers team resumed their duties adding a new service delivering meals as well. With the village’s approval the chief arranged for capable cooks to prepare great vats of food over fires set before the village offices.
Midday meals were thus provided for all labourers drawing grain from the collective stores harvested but not yet distributed rightfully returned to serve the common good. Those living nearby brought their own bowls.
Those farther afield sent messengers to collect rations. Beside the food vats great pots of cooling herbal tea steamed freely provided at public expense. Shu-shu and her companions drew their water from there.
Since they walked the paths anyway the chief added meals to their rounds loading their little cart with containers. They were but one of many such teams formed from children of similar age. None could manage heavy field work yet they were perfectly suited to this gentle service.
Through shared labour the planting drew near completion. Weariness abated somewhat though true rest must wait until the coming harvest.
Amidst the rush the chief bade the village accountant tally every grain collected and distributed. Distribution day dawned fair and bright. Villagers gathered early upon the threshing ground washed and in their best clothes.
Shu-shu had spent the previous night at Team Leader Wang’s home. She had been wrapped snugly in a quilt and carried over half asleep.
She lay dozing peacefully in the woman’s arms, waking only momentarily before settling back undisturbed by the gathering crowd. Out of respect all spoke softly or fell silent altogether unwilling to rouse her.
It was barely six in the morning, far too early for one so young. Even Ke Xiao-hua had not yet appeared. Yet Shu-shu must be present. Her name stood upon the village register as an independent household head in her own right.
Every household must send a representative and she was no exception. Her share belonged to her alone. The notice had declared distribution to begin at seven. Though everyone arrived early the chief held firm and waited until the appointed hour before stepping forward to begin.