Hearing the voice on the other end of the line, Ning Xuan knew it was her original host's father. Though reluctant, she still called out, "Dad."
"Dad, it's me. Your biological daughter who went to the countryside with only ten yuan and two sets of clothes." Ning Xuan emphasized the words "ten yuan" and "biological daughter."
Ning Kang was shocked. "Wasn't there a subsidy of over 200 yuan for Educated Youth?"
Ning Xuan sneered. It seemed her stepmother knew how excessive her actions were and hadn't told Ning Kang the truth, betting on her timid nature not to complain.
"But I never saw the Educated Youth subsidy. When Auntie registered me, she probably collected the subsidy herself. She said buying a job for Ning Lan had emptied the family savings, and that I'd get more rations in the countryside than the urban quota. But when I arrived, I found it wasn't true—the monthly 40 jin of grain were all coarse grains, and unprocessed at that."
The food situation wasn't the worst—at least she wouldn't starve. "But Dad, we have to do manual labor in the fields here. I'm severely malnourished, and I'm not sure if the work points I earn will even provide enough food to sustain myself."
"Most importantly, I'm in a place north of Bi'an City where winters are colder. But I only brought two sets of summer clothes. Auntie said she'd mail me winter clothes later—can you send them quickly?"
"Also, I don't have enough money or ration coupons. I came here with nothing, but without coupons, ten yuan can't buy anything."
"Dad, your and Auntie's combined salaries exceed 100 yuan. Is our family really completely broke now?"
Hearing Ning Xuan's questions, Ning Kang's heart skipped a beat.
He genuinely hadn't known Ning Xuan went to the countryside with so little. Both he and his wife had been working on the day she left, so no one saw her off. He assumed his wife had made proper arrangements.
If Ning Xuan knew what Ning Kang was thinking, she'd scoff. Claiming ignorance was just an excuse—it really meant he didn't care enough. Pleading unawareness was his way of avoiding responsibility.
"I understand. I'll have your aunt send you money and coupons when I get back," Ning Kang said with a frown.
"Can't you send them yourself, Dad? There's nothing useful left of mine at home. Please send me 300 yuan and some daily living coupons so I can buy what I need. Of course, more money would be even better."
After a moment's thought, Ning Kang said he would prepare it for her.
Phone calls weren't cheap. The reason Ning Xuan said so much was mainly because trips to town were difficult—not because of the distance, but because the brigade had been busy lately and wouldn't approve leave without good reason.
So she made sure to fully plead her poverty during this call.
After hanging up, Ning Kang noticed the trade union staff member looking at him with an ambiguous expression. Feeling displeased, he began blaming Ning Xuan for calling him directly at the factory, wondering if she'd said anything unnecessary to the union staff.
Actually, Ning Xuan hadn't said anything. She planned to try polite requests first—if that didn't get her the money, then she'd make a scene.
If she started with making trouble, her scumbag dad and stepmother might decide not to give her anything at all since their reputation would already be ruined—that would leave her worse off.
Seeing the union staff member's gossipy expression, clearly wanting to ask about the family call, Ning Kang quickly excused himself by saying workshop duties were pressing and made his escape.
The several union staff members watched his somewhat fleeing figure and exchanged knowing smiles.
The Ning family's affairs had long been the talk of the factory. After all, in these times, there weren't many entertainment options, so even the slightest gossip would be passed around repeatedly.
Originally, everyone had noticed how Ning Xuan was mistreated by her stepmother and neglected by her father, but no one felt it was their place to intervene. When they learned that Ning Kang had actually sent his own daughter to the countryside while buying a job for his stepdaughter, they all looked down on him.
For now, no busybody had said anything to Ning Kang's face, so he still thought his family had a good reputation.
Returning home that evening, Ning Kang began questioning Wu Yumei, "Why did you only give Ning Xuan 10 yuan for her rural assignment? And why didn't you prepare other supplies for her?"
Wu Yumei was shocked. How dare that timid little wretch have the nerve to complain?
Though startled internally, she maintained her composure: "I was worried she wouldn't be able to carry too many things with her frail physique—you know how she is. Besides, it's a long journey, and carrying too much cash wouldn't be safe. I planned to send her more after she settled down."
Wu Yumei quickly fabricated excuses.
Ning Kang indeed didn't press further after hearing this.
"Then give her all her Educated Youth subsidies, and we'll add another 100 yuan to send together. Also prepare food stamps, cloth coupons, and any other useful ration tickets for her. Winters there are harsh, so make sure to pack winter coats and quilts too."
Suddenly remembering Ning Xuan's claim that she had nothing usable at home, Ning Kang entered his daughter's room for the first time since his first wife passed away.
Ning Xuan and Ning Lan used to share this room with a small wardrobe, but now it was clearly filled only with Ning Lan's clothes.
Watching Ning Kang's inspection, Wu Yumei broke out in a cold sweat, fearing her carefully maintained image as a good stepmother would crumble.
But being resourceful, she soon devised an explanation:
"Ning Xuan always insisted on wearing only her biological mother's clothes. Over the years, those garments became completely worn out. I packed them away while she was leaving for the countryside to prevent her from trying to wear them again."
Recalling how Ning Xuan always dressed in old clothes, Ning Kang nodded understandingly. "Then prepare several new outfits for her this time. Get everything ready—I'll take them to the post office in a couple days."
Hearing that Ning Kang intended to mail them personally, Wu Yumei panicked. How could she cut corners if he handled the shipment? Mostly, she begrudged spending so much on that wretched girl.
"But we don't have enough cloth coupons right now, and we're short on cash too…"
"Borrow cloth coupons if we're short. And how can we lack money? I originally planned to buy jobs for both daughters. If Ning Xuan hadn't foolishly volunteered for rural assignment, she wouldn't be suffering like this—I'd already lined up a job for her."
"It's just that Lanlan recently started work. I didn't want her colleagues mocking her shabby appearance, so I bought her some new clothes. At her age, she should start considering marriage prospects—dressing well helps find a better match."
Like a reed swaying in the wind, Ning Kang found Wu Yumei's reasoning persuasive.
But then he remembered Ning Xuan's phone call to the factory and the looks from the union staff, and instantly sobered up.
"Figure it out if you don't have the means. We're a dual-income family, and our daughter going to the countryside only took ten yuan and two sets of shabby clothes. If this gets out, what will become of our reputation? Later, if Ning Xuan directly calls the factory leadership to make a scene, my job might even be affected. This matter is non-negotiable. Make sure you prepare the things within the next couple of days."
Only then did Wu Yumei realize that Ning Xuan, that timid little wretch, actually dared to call her husband's factory directly. She also worried it might truly affect her husband's job. Compared to long-term interests, 300 yuan didn't seem like so much anymore.
Wu Yumei had no choice but to grit her teeth and agree. She would swallow this loss for now, but she wouldn't let that girl off easily either. This time, she'd also take the opportunity to spread the word about how generously she had prepared so many nice things for her stepdaughter.