Fascinating, Lu Dongsheng thought. Sharp‑eyed, quick‑witted, and sharp‑tongued too she knows exactly where to strike. Life with a woman like her would never be dull. He suppressed his smile before she could catch him at it, stepping back to let her handle things herself.
Su Xiuxiu wrenched free and stumbled back. “You whore! I’ll fetch the village chief they’ll drown you in a cage for this!”
Su Ying smiled coldly. Righteousness only when it suits them. She cared nothing for opinions his included. A woman learned to stand on her own, not lean on men.
“Save your threats. You only know how to cling to others. Who’s been indiscreet? A medical check‑up at the clinic will answer that. Keep your voice down your mother still hopes to marry you off to a city‑bound Educated Youth, remember? Go fetch the chief if you dare. I saw what I saw and who gets shamed remains to be seen.”
Su Xiuxiu paled. If word got out, she would be the one disgraced. Just wait till you’re home tonight I’ll throttle you. Her eyes drifted to Lu Dongsheng strong, impressive, nothing beside Wang Liang. How unfair. But by tomorrow night, Su Ying would be gone, married to the lame man. Her peace of mind returned. “Fine. For sister’s sake, I saw nothing. You’d do well to remember your place.”
She left. Su Ying turned to Lu Dongsheng. “What was it you came for?”
“I came to ask do you want to leave this house?”
“More than anything. But without a permit, I can’t go anywhere.” Even if she could, where would she go? And she’d fallen out with the chief getting papers would be impossible.
“I have an idea,” he said. “Though you may not like it.”
“What is it?”
“Marry.”
Her light dimmed. Marry? Not unless it’s you. He cleared his throat, gathering courage when an elderly woman with bound feet hobbled into view.
“You wicked girl! Standing out here shamelessly! Flirting in broad daylight have you no shame? We do!”
Su Ying recognized Grandmother Hongye another relic of the old ways, prejudiced, stubborn, and selfish. She rolled her eyes. “I must go. Goodbye.”
Lu Dongsheng burned at the absurdity of it all. He wanted to speak, but let her go. As she passed, Hongye swung her cane Su Ying dodged easily.
At the clinic, Zhang Shengli asked, “Still here?”
“Something’s off at the Su house. Keep watch. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Again?”
“Not for you. It’s time my younger sister found someone.”
“Wait brother‑in‑law! Have a cigarette!”
“Get lost!” Lu Dongsheng laughed and rode off. He knew he could count on Zhang.
Inside the courtyard, Tian Cuifen’s voice carried. “Here’s your three hundred yuan.”
The chief replied, “Not a cent less. Keep the gifts my son was in the wrong. But I’ll stand by your family when I can.” When I’ve got my money first, he thought.
She counted the money before him. “My son and Song Min marry at month’s end come help.”
“Of course.” She seethed inwardly. Disgraceful pair shameless. May you die on your wedding night, may you never have children. Take your stinking money and go.
The chief saw Su Ying and paused. “Poor thing,” he muttered. “Don’t hold Xiaofei’s folly against you, Yingzi. I’d have been proud to have you as a daughter‑in‑law.”
“An ill‑fitting match never lasts, Uncle,” she said brightly. Good riddance. The story’s “good” girls always ended dead or broken not her. She’d rewrite her own fate.
He left. Tian Cuifen fumed but held her tongue four hundred and fifty yuan was worth swallowing pride for. Su Ying’s gaze settled on the red jacket hanging out to dry. They’ll pay four hundred and fifty for me but won’t spend twenty for decent clothes.
Tian Cuifen, Su Xiuxiu just you wait. Who leaves this house tomorrow night is far from decided.