Tian Cuifen’s eyes darted this way and that one glance was all Su Ying needed to know exactly what she was thinking.
Su Fugui dropped the pretense too. He shot Su Ying a sharp glare and turned to Tian Cuifen: “Go fix something decent to eat right now. I’m starving.”
The couple ignored her completely. Su Ying carried the wheat flour into her room. She eyed the red dress folded neatly on her pillow, braided her hair into two neat plaits, slipped the dress on, and went to the kitchen to help.
Su Xiuxiu’s eyes nearly popped out. This little wretch always wore hand-me-downs where on earth did she get new clothes? And it was undeniably flattering: it made her face look even fairer, brightened her whole appearance, and accented a slender waist so delicate it seemed it could be spanned with one hand. Even another woman could admire it.
“Little siren,” Su Xiuxiu muttered. “Dressed like that you’re out to lead men astray.”
Su Ying paid her no mind. Tian Cuifen, however, was pleased. Let her wear it best if she’s wearing it when they come for her tonight. They won’t be able to say we’re stingy not buying her so much as one new dress for four hundred and fifty yuan. It was almost too perfect.
“Don’t speak nonsense,” Tian Cuifen chided. “Look how lovely Yingzi looks in it.”
Su Ying feigned shyness: “I do think it’s pretty too.” Then she sighed wistfully. “But what’s the use? It’s not mine. It belongs to Yanzi. She lent it to me out of pity for a little while this afternoon I have to give it back. She says it’s expensive sixty or seventy yuan!”
Tian Cuifen’s ears pricked up. She didn’t want anyone accusing them of being cheap later. “That much? Sixty or seventy yuan for a dress?”
“She says it came from the city her mother bought it for her own dowry. If only I had money… I’d love a dress like that for my wedding. Everyone would think you bought it for me, Auntie. They’d say what a kind, beautiful-hearted woman you are good to Father, good to me. Then even Xiuxiu’s in-laws would treat her better too.”
Su Ying watched Tian Cuifen turning it over in her mind. The woman had a point if she really gave Su Ying such a fine dress, surely no one could call her cruel. But parting with that much money stung.
Sensing her hesitation, Su Ying added fuel: “I know you and Father don’t have much. When I marry, I’ll tell them not to give a bride-price at all since we can’t afford a dowry anyway.”
Tian Cuifen made up her mind instantly.
“Yingzi, you’ve grown into such a sensible girl. Here take this money, go pay Yanzi this afternoon, and the dress is yours. It suits you so well wear it these few days. Let’s see who dares say I mistreat you.”
Su Ying looked touched. “Auntie truly? Won’t it be a burden? Please don’t borrow money on my account. I’ve been sharp with you lately only because I was afraid you’d sell me off. I never expected you to be so kind.”
Su Xiuxiu panicked: “Ma, have you lost your senses? That dress’s worth at most ten or fifteen yuan! She’s lying to you!”
Su Ying’s eyes welled as if hurt. “Auntie… if Sister says so, then never mind. I’ll take it off and return it right now.”
Tian Cuifen silenced Su Xiuxiu with a sharp look. “You hush you don’t understand.”
Su Xiuxiu gritted her teeth her mother had gone mad, truly mad. “Spoiling her like this… it’s not fair!” Overcome with jealousy, she stormed back to her room.
Tian Cuifen told herself everything would make sense once tomorrow came. She fetched seven crisp new bills.
“Yingzi… speak gently to Yanzi. Don’t hand over all the money at once.”
Su Ying took the money with a shy, hesitant manner, then half-returned it. “It’s too much… I shouldn’t.”
Tian Cuifen pressed it firmly into her palm. “No you will have it.”
Su Ying nodded gratefully, squeezing out a couple of tears, while inside she was beaming. Two could play at manipulation. Tian Cuifen was in a rush to marry her off, desperate to keep up appearances wanting to be seen as kind while selling her out. She couldn’t have both. Su Ying intended to settle every score, old and new.
She stepped outside, lingered at the gate for ten minutes as if concluding the transaction, and returned. Su Fugui and Tian Cuifen grumbled, but told themselves it was money well spent.
That afternoon, Su Ying planted soybeans in her bright red dress a vivid splash of colour against the dull brown fields. Villagers smiled and teased: “New dress, Yingzi? How lovely! It looks expensive who gave it to you?”
Su Ying glanced toward Tian Cuifen and smiled sweetly: “My stepmother bought it for me. She said red looks lovely on a girl my age.”
Word spread quickly. Everyone praised Tian Cuifen’s generosity. Tian Cuifen glowed yes, it was money well spent.
Su Ying walked deliberately past Wang Liang. He watched her with a broad grin, his eyes following her every move. Su Xiuxiu, watching nearby, burned with rage. That hussy parading herself in broad daylight!
Su Ying stopped and spoke to Wang Liang: “Brother Wang, your soybean rows are so neat you’re so capable.”
Wang Liang beamed. “And your red dress it’s beautiful. But the girl wearing it is even more so like a flower in bloom.”
Su Xiuxiu tore angrily at the weeds. He’d complimented her! That dress she would have it for herself.
Su Ying caught Su Xiuxiu’s gaze jealousy blazed in her eyes. A faint smile touched her lips.
The fish had taken the bait.