She twisted open the fountain pen.
Dark blue ink spread across the paper.
Su Ci’s pen moved like a dragon and a snake—swift and powerful.
Within minutes,
a table full of the “copper stench of capitalism” was born.
…
Breakfast time.
On the table sat a pot of rice porridge so thin it could reflect a person’s face,
and a plate of dark, unappetizing pickles.
The only bright spot—
was the fried egg in Su Ci’s bowl.
Golden, glistening with oil.
Its aroma was irresistible.
Gulp.
Someone swallowed.
Lu Xiangbei lowered his head and gulped down porridge furiously,
as if trying to drink through the bottom of the bowl.
He told himself not to look.
That was the bad woman’s breakfast.
It had nothing to do with him.
But that rich, oily fragrance—
was too overbearing.
Su Ci slowly bit into the egg white.
Chewed.
Carefully, deliberately chewed.
She seemed to enjoy being watched
by three pairs of longing eyes.
Only after finishing the last bite of yolk
did she elegantly wipe her mouth and stand up.
In her hand,
she waved the sheet of paper she had just written.
“Finished eating?”
Her tone was lazy, indifferent.
The three children immediately put down their bowls.
Sat up straight.
Like new recruits awaiting inspection—
or prisoners awaiting judgment.
Su Ci walked to the most visible wall in the main room.
It was the only wall that had been whitewashed.
She took out four golden thumbtacks.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
The paper, filled with writing,
was pinned squarely in the center of the wall.
It stood out sharply in the dim room.
“Come here.”
She beckoned.
Three heads immediately crowded around.
Lu Xiangbei stood in front.
He could read.
Not fluently, but enough.
He narrowed his eyes and read the title:
“Su Family… Internal… Points Management… Trial Regulations?”
His brows knotted.
He recognized every word—
but together, it sounded suspicious.
Su Ci crossed her arms and leaned against the table,
like a boss inspecting work.
“Read.”
Short and direct.
Lu Xiangbei clenched his teeth and continued.
“1. Ways to earn points:”
“Sweep the whole house: 1 point.”
“Wash dishes and scrub pots: 1 point.”
“Chop one load of firewood: 2 points.”
“Hand-wash Sister-in-law’s outer clothes: 3 points.”
At that, his face darkened.
Wash her clothes?
In her dreams.
He kept reading.
“2. Study tasks:”
“Recognize ten characters: 2 points.”
“Recite one ancient poem: 3 points.”
“Score full marks on school exams: 10 points!”
Lu Xiangbei snorted.
This woman was really troublesome.
Whoever wants to study can do it—he won’t.
His gaze moved to the last section.
“3. Points Redemption Store:”
At a single glance—
his pupils shrank to pinpoints.
His breathing—
fell into chaos.
What did he just see?
Those words seemed to burn, scorching his eyes.
“One White Rabbit milk candy: 1 point.”
“Three assorted fruit candies: 1 point.”
“One bowl of braised pork (with sauce): 10 points.”
“One cup of malted milk drink: 5 points.”
“One Hero-brand fountain pen: 20 points.”
If those already made his heart race—
the next lines
were like detonating a bomb in his head.
“One pair of Warrior-brand white sneakers: 50 points!”
“Dacron floral fabric (enough for a dress): 40 points!”
“Complete set of Little Soldier Zhang Ga comic books: 30 points!”
Lu Xiangbei’s mouth fell open.
A wheezing sound escaped his throat,
like a rusty bellows.
Warrior shoes?
White canvas, red curved stripe, springy soles?
Those were the ultimate symbol of status in the compound!
Only Fat Tiger, the regiment commander’s son, had a pair.
Whenever he wore them out,
all the kids followed behind him—
afraid of dirtying his shoes.
Lu Xiangbei looked down at his own shoes—
worn Liberation shoes with his big toe nearly poking out.
The soles were so thin he could feel every pebble.
They were his only pair.
Patched over and over.
“Is… is this real?”
He looked up suddenly.
The fierceness in his eyes was gone—
replaced by near-mad desire.
The look of a starving wolf spotting meat on a trap.
He knew it might be a trap—
but it was meat.
Su Ci smiled.
This was exactly the look she wanted.
With a flick of her wrist—
as if performing a magic trick—
a cylindrical candy appeared in her palm.
Blue-and-white wrapper.
The most valuable currency of the era—
White Rabbit milk candy.
Rustle.
The wrapper was peeled open.
The sound echoed like thunder in the quiet room.
Lu Xiangdong’s little nose twitched wildly.
Milk!
Such a rich milk smell!
Su Ci held the creamy white candy between two fingers.
Waved it in front of Lu Xiangbei.
Then—
right in front of him—
put it into her mouth.
Her lips closed lightly.
“Mmm…”
A satisfied hum.
“The flavor is pure.”
“Of course it’s real.”
She spoke while chewing, her cheek slightly puffed.
Her tone was casual—
but unquestionable.
“I, Su Ci, don’t make empty promises.”
“The goods are in my bag.”
“As long as you have points, you can redeem them anytime.”
“Fair trade.”
The moment her words fell—
the air ignited.
Whoosh—!
A blur shot forward.
Lu Xiangbei went mad.
Like a cheetah, he lunged toward the corner—
snatched up the broom Lu Xiangnan had just set down—
and clutched it tightly.
His knuckles turned white.
“I’ll sweep!”
he roared, voice cracking.
“The floor today is mine! No one else touch it!”
1 point!
That’s 1 point!
Sweep fifty times—he could get those sneakers!
That was dignity!
That was pride!
That was something he didn’t even dare dream of!
Lu Xiangnan froze for a second—
then burst out crying.
“No! I want points too!”
“I want a new dress! I want candy!”
“Let go! I grabbed it first!”
“You’re stronger—go chop wood! This point is mine!”
The two of them wrestled over the broken broom,
kicking up dust, chaos everywhere.
Meanwhile,
Lu Xiangdong’s eyes darted.
He looked at his fighting siblings.
That was physical work.
He couldn’t win.
He looked down at his thin arms—
then back at the chart.
His gaze fixed on the second section.
Recite poetry?
3 points?
That’s 2 more than sweeping—
and no effort!
A sharp glint flashed in his dark eyes.
He ran over to Su Ci—
wrapped his arms around her leg.
All his aloofness vanished.
“Sister-in-law!”
This time—
his voice was sweet, bright, sincere.
Even more heartfelt than yesterday.
Su Ci looked down at the little “accessory” clinging to her leg.
“What is it?”
He sniffed and said in a soft voice:
“I heard it on the radio yesterday!”
“Before my bed, the bright moonlight—I think it’s frost upon the ground.I raise my head to view the moon—Then lower it, thinking of home!”
He recited quickly, afraid to forget a word.
After finishing,
he held out his small palm eagerly.
“Sister-in-law, that’s a poem, right?”
“That’s 3 points, right?”
“Can I exchange for three candies?”
Lu Xiangbei froze.
Lu Xiangnan froze.
They stared at their youngest brother.
What just happened?
Was this… knowledge changing fate?
He just moved his mouth—
and earned more than three rounds of sweeping?!
Su Ci laughed.
She bent down and pinched his cheek.
“Smart.”
“Since you recited it, you get 3 points.”
She took out a small notebook.
Opened to the first page.
And solemnly wrote:
[Lu Xiangdong: +3 points.]
Then she took out three candies
and placed them in his palm.
“Here.”
“This is the reward for mental labor.”
Lu Xiangdong trembled with excitement.
He unwrapped one and popped it into his mouth.
Sweet.
So sweet.
Sweet enough to make his eyes squint shut.
He turned and gave his stunned siblings
a smug grin.
A victory of intelligence over strength.
Lu Xiangbei looked at the bulging candy in his brother’s cheek—
then at the broken broom in his own hands.
His mindset collapsed.
“I want to recite too!”
He threw down the broom and rushed over.
“Goose goose goose!Curved neck singing to the sky!”
“I recited! Give me candy!”
Su Ci stepped back in disgust, avoiding his spit.
“Line up.”
She sat down,
crossed her legs,
like a queen on her throne.
Watching the wolf cubs fight over a few candies—
the smile on her lips deepened.
What troublesome brats?
They were just a bunch of inexperienced little cuties.
As long as the bait was good enough—
no wolf cub couldn’t be tamed.
From now on,
this household—
belonged to Su.
Entirely.