Chapter 46: Writing an IOU
Meanwhile, Jiang's mother returned to her study, lay down fully clothed, stared at the ceiling, and her husband's smile appeared in her mind, causing her a pang of sorrow.
Her daughter has found a home here. Lu Ye is a good man, so she's not worried that he'll mistreat her. But she can't help but think about her son. If he stays in Qingshui Village his whole life, tending to his small plot of land, he won't go hungry, but he won't amount to much either. He'll spend his whole life toiling in the fields, and that'll be his life.
Although she didn't expect her son to bring honor to the family or achieve great things, getting a factory job was something many young men and women in the village dreamed of. Her son-in-law was capable; with a little help, he might actually be able to find her son a good job. If her son could make a name for himself here and marry a nice wife, what would she, an old woman, have to regret? Did she really want to ruin her son's happiness for the rest of his life just to stay in the old house?
But she couldn't bear to leave her homeland; it was a sentiment etched into her very bones. Jiang's mother was torn and didn't mention the matter for several days. The idea of leaving the island and returning to Qingshui Village was temporarily put on hold.
These past two days, Jiang Fengnian has been preoccupied with something. His decision to stay on the island is like a burning fire, making him restless and uneasy.
He privately brought it up again with his younger sister, Jiang Suining. Jiang Suining could see her brother's eagerness, but she also understood her mother's predicament. She could only comfort her, "Brother, Mother has always been cautious. For such a big matter, you have to give her some time to consider it."
Jiang Fengnian knew this all too well, but he had no other choice but to wait.
That evening, when Lu Ye returned home from get off work, his mother-in-law called him into the study.
Jiang Suining had told Lu Ye about her elder brother Jiang Fengnian's desire to settle on the island, and he naturally supported it. Now that his mother-in-law had called him in, he guessed that it was most likely about this matter.
Jiang's mother closed the study door and got straight to the point: "Xiao Lu, Da Nian told me he wants to stay on the island, and I'm really worried about him." She sighed, looked up at her son-in-law, her eyes filled with complete trust and inquiry, "Xiao Lu, tell me the truth, can Da Nian really make a living on this island? He's from out of town, without any connections or background, what kind of legitimate business can he find?"
Lu Ye naturally understood his mother-in-law's implied meaning. A smile appeared on his usually indifferent face, and his tone was steady and certain: "Mother, Sui Sui told me about this a few days ago." He explained to Jiang's mother in detail, "Actually, since last year, farmers from all over the country have been using their off-season to work in the city. This shows that the country supports it. The island is developing now. For example, the seaweed farm that Sui Sui is temporarily assigned to needs a lot of workers. The machinery factory is also expanding. Let me tell you another piece of news: this year or next year, a power plant will be built on the island. All of these require strong and reliable young men like you, my brother. Moreover, as long as you pass the assessment, it won't be a problem for you to become a formal worker in the factory. Not to mention, there's also Sui Sui and me."
"A formal worker?" Jiang's mother's eyes lit up. That meant a secure job, urban residency, a stable salary and social security—a change in status that many rural youths dreamed of.
“Yes, a formal worker.” Lu Ye nodded firmly. “Even if you can’t get into the factory right away, our military logistics department needs manpower for infrastructure construction and building. The wages aren’t low either. Brother, you’re strong and hardworking. You can definitely support yourself and me. Besides.”
He paused, his voice softening, "My parents are gone, and I have no other relatives. If Sui Sui and I have children in the future, we'll inevitably have to trouble you. It'll be a dilemma to have a grandson on one side and a granddaughter on the other. Besides, it's better for us to be together as a family, taking care of each other, than to be separated. Sui Sui can also see you and your brother more often. Don't you think that makes sense?"
As Jiang's mother listened, her fingers unconsciously rubbed together, her mind racing with calculations.
Her son-in-law's words were like a reassuring pill. She wasn't afraid of her son suffering, but she was afraid he would have no future. If he could really become a regular worker as Lu Ye said, it would be so much better than toiling in the fields back home! Those few acres of land back home wouldn't yield much money even after a year of hard work. Besides, her son was probably set on Liu Hong. The girls she had introduced him to in the village were indeed not as good as Liu Hong. If he could really establish himself on the island, the resistance from his in-laws would be much less…
She remained silent for a long time, and Lu Ye did not urge her, waiting quietly.
Finally, Jiang's mother let out a long sigh of relief, a sigh that carried the relief of having a heavy burden lifted, as well as a resolute decision about the unknown future.
She looked at Lu Ye, her eyes becoming clear and firm: "Little Lu, you're a reliable child. If you say it's okay, then your mother believes you." She paused, her voice not loud, but every word clear, "Then... let's do as Qiangzi and Suisui say. My daughter and I will stay! In the future, we'll inevitably cause you a lot of trouble."
"Mother, what are you saying! We're family!" Lu Ye smiled. "It's great that you've come to your senses. My older brother will be so happy to hear that!"
Jiang's mother smiled, a smile that held a hint of melancholy for her hometown, but more so, it held anticipation for her son's future and the comfort of family reunion.
That evening, when Jiang Fengnian and Jiang Suining heard from Jiang's mother that "I've discussed it with Lu Ye, so let's stay," Jiang Fengnian was so excited he almost jumped up. He looked at his brother-in-law, all the resentment he felt due to his male pride vanished, and his eyes were full of gratitude.
He knew that he had completely passed Jiang's mother's test. His new life on the island and Liu Hong's hazy but beautiful future had become clear and within reach because of his mother's well-thought-out decision.
Jiang's mother's words, "Let's stay," were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples in the Jiang family. These ripples quickly translated into concrete and subtle actions.
After the initial joy, the first stark reality was laid bare: where to stay?
Jiang Fengnian couldn't keep living in his son-in-law Lu Ye's not-so-spacious military family room. He was a grown man, and it was neither convenient nor a long-term solution for him to live with his mother, sister, and brother-in-law.
After dinner, the family sat together again, the atmosphere more pragmatic and solemn than last time.
“Mom, brother, I’ve been inquiring about accommodations these past few days.” Lu Ye spoke first, taking out a small notebook with some information written on it. “The military doesn’t have any spare family housing available for allocation right now. However, there are a few options on the island.”
He analyzed the options one by one: "First, let's see if there are any houses for rent in town. But there are few suitable ones, and the prices are not cheap. Second, let's see if we can find a fellow villager in a nearby village to rent an empty house, or buy a plot of land so we can build our own house."
"Build it yourself?" Jiang's mother and Jiang Fengnian were both taken aback. Buying a plot of land to build a house would be a considerable expense, which they could not afford.
“Yes,” Lu Ye nodded. “I asked my local comrades, and some of them are willing to transfer their homesteads. The price is negotiable. We can buy the materials ourselves, hire people to help us, and build two or three tiled houses. Although the expenses are not small, the advantage is that it is our own home. In the long run, it is the most reassuring. It’s just that we have to invest in the early stage and go through the procedures, which is quite troublesome.”
Building his own house would be the real way to settle down! A new house would be perfect for preparing for his wedding. Jiang Fengnian preferred this option, but he was short of money. He considered borrowing from his sister, but he was afraid of putting her in a difficult position and also worried that his brother-in-law would look down on him. He hesitated and ultimately didn't ask.
Jiang's mother thought further ahead. She pondered, "Building a house is a big deal, and we need to be careful with our money. Our old house back home..." She paused. It was the home she and her husband had built brick by brick, full of memories. But for her son's future, she hardened her heart and gritted her teeth, saying, "Let's sell it."
The atmosphere fell silent again when the old house was mentioned. It was more than just a few houses; it was a root, a memory.
“Mom, we definitely won’t sell the old house.” Jiang Suining could see her mother’s reluctance. She held her mother’s hand and said softly, “That’s the result of Dad and your hard work. It’s our root. We have to entrust it to someone we can trust to take care of it.”
“Yes, we won’t sell.” Jiang Fengnian said firmly. “Don’t worry, Mother. I’ve thought it through. We’ll rent a place to live first, and then build a house when I’ve earned some money.”
"We'll talk about this when we get back. Even if we don't sell it, we still need to get rid of the chickens and ducks at home." Jiang's mother didn't say anything, but she had already made up her mind to sell the ancestral home.
With the general direction set, returning home became urgent. Lu Ye helped book tickets and, together with Jiang Suining, saw Jiang's mother and son off to the dock. Along the way, Jiang Suining kept reminding her mother to sell any unwanted items and pack up and send over anything they needed, emphasizing that they shouldn't bring large bags and small packages, as the journey would be too tiring.
If it weren't for the fact that it was just after the New Year and difficult to take leave, Jiang Suining would have really wanted to go back with them.
First, there was the issue of accommodation. Although Lu Ye was also looking for a place to live, his unit had heavy duties, so he mainly had to rely on Jiang Suining. She used her time after get off work and on her days off to ride her bicycle around looking for a suitable house.
The women in the family compound knew she wanted to rent a room and provided her with information: there was an old tile-roofed house at the end of the old street in town. The landlord had built a new house and wanted to rent out the old house to make some money.
Jiang Suining went to see it with great excitement. The house was in a decent location, but it had been in disrepair for years. The walls were peeling, weeds were growing on the roof tiles, the house smelled musty, and it was dimly lit. The landlord was also asking for a high price.
Repairing such a house is more troublesome than building a new one, and Jiang's mother is old, so living in such a damp old house is not good for her health. Therefore, she had to politely decline.
Arriving full of hope but leaving disappointed, it certainly affected her mood. But isn't that how renting a place is? She inquired about several more places, but they were either too remote and inconvenient to get to, or the rooms were too small, or the rent was far beyond their budget. Jiang Suining then deeply realized how difficult it was to find a suitable place to stay in an unfamiliar place.
Before returning to her hometown, Jiang Fengnian met with Liu Hong. No one knows what they talked about, but Liu Hong has been helping her inquire a lot these days, and she would search with Jiang Fengnian in her spare time.
Later, Jiang Suining simply bought a seaweed map and, based on the distance from the military region, inquired about each area one by one, from near to far. She actually found out about a few places, and took advantage of the weekend to go and look at houses together.
But the process was still not smooth. Some of the empty houses were too dilapidated; some of the land plots were in poor locations, deep in the mountains, making them inconvenient to access; and some owners asked for too high a price or were hesitant. Several times, they went full of hope only to return disappointed. When they rode their bicycles back to their family compound, Jiang Suining was often too tired to even speak.
Undeterred, she continued her search.
At the same time, the search for a job for her brother was also underway.
Lu Ye contacted Director Song of the labor protection factory in advance. Although there were no positions available at the moment, he made a prior contact so that the factory could consider hiring if any vacancies arose.
He contacted his close comrades in the army and asked those with connections to keep in mind that any factories with openings would let him know as soon as possible. But now everyone knows that factory work is good, and the number of permanent positions is really tight, so he had to wait for the right opportunity.
Jiang Suining, however, set her sights on a broader range of opportunities. She kept an eye out for various temporary and contract jobs, especially temporary ones, which were highly mobile. She figured she could ask around when her brother arrived, and maybe he was hiring. She could start as a temporary worker, then keep an eye out for permanent positions. If all else failed, she could start her own business. It was already 1979, and she estimated that the government would soon introduce policies for the individual economy, and she was also interested in giving it a try.
As a women's federation cadre, Liu Hong would come into contact with some employment information arranged by the street office or commune. She told Jiang Suining that she heard that after the New Year, the commune might organize a "side business team", mainly engaged in marine aquaculture or tropical crop planting. Although it was not a secure job, it was still a way to make a living.
Persistence pays off. After nearly half a month of running around, the situation regarding the house finally took a turn for the better.
Liu Hong excitedly came to find Jiang Suining: "Suining, I've got some information! In that village called 'Coconut Grove Village' to the west, there's a family whose son has settled down in Zhancheng and wants to bring his elderly mother there. They're willing to transfer their homestead along with three fairly tidy tile-roofed houses, and the price is reasonable! I asked the village officials, and they're genuinely willing to sell!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Suining immediately took leave and rushed over with Liu Hong.
The house was situated under a grove of coconut trees. Although it was an old house, it was noticeably better maintained than the ones I had seen before. The walls were sturdy, the roof was leak-proof, and there was a small courtyard where you could grow vegetables and raise chickens. The location wasn't too far from the military family compound; it was about a half-hour bike ride away, maintaining a suitable distance while still being able to look out for each other.
Jiang Suining looked at the place inside and out several times, becoming more and more satisfied. It was practically tailor-made for her mother and brother! She suppressed her excitement and had a preliminary discussion with the homeowner to learn about the specific price and transfer procedures.
That evening, she talked to Lu Ye about the house.
“I think this house in Coconut Grove Village is the best.” Jiang Suining’s eyes sparkled. “The house is sturdy and the yard is big. I’m sure Mom will like it. It’s just that the price is a bit outrageous. Mom left me two hundred yuan before she left. We can cover five hundred yuan, which should be enough.”
Her own salary wasn't even enough for 500, so she had to use Lu Ye's allowances and bonuses to cover the bulk of the cost. Although Lu Ye's money was all deposited with her, she still had to discuss it with him in advance before using it.
“I think it sounds good too,” Lu Ye was well aware of Jiang Suining’s concerns. “Don’t touch the money your mother left you. You can return it to them when they come back. We’ll pay for the house.”
Jiang Suining was very touched, but she couldn't do that: "No, my brother is keeping this house to get married. What kind of situation would it be if we paid for it? Even if it's just the 500 we paid, he has to pay me back."
Lu Ye affectionately pinched Jiang Suining's cheek: "We're all family, what's there to say?"
"No way, if we pay, my brother will lose face. Do you think he's incompetent and can't earn that much money?" Jiang Suining, after all, has a modern mindset and hates getting entangled in money matters. Many relatives never speak to each other again because of unresolved financial issues.
Lu Ye meant well, and when he heard Jiang Suining say that, he just smiled and let her have her way.
The next morning, Jiang Suining went to the post office and sent a telegram to her mother informing her that she had found a house.
***
A month later, Jiang's mother and Jiang Fengnian returned to the island. This time, both of them had a look of anticipation for the future mixed with a hint of uncertainty on their faces.
After picking up Jiang's mother and Jiang Fengnian at the dock, Jiang Suining and Lu Ye went directly to Coconut Grove Village.
The island is full of coconut trees, hence the name of this coconut grove village. The closer you get to the village, the denser the coconut trees become on both sides of the road. The sea breeze rustles through the leaves, bringing a unique plant fragrance.
"It's just ahead, just around that corner." Jiang Suining pointed ahead. After buying the house, she had someone do some simple renovations, thoroughly cleaning the inside and outside, even removing the roof tiles.
Lu Ye parked his bicycle in front of a tiled house with a low courtyard wall. The courtyard had no gate, only a simple wooden fence that was slightly ajar.
Jiang Suining stepped forward, pushed open the fence, and stepped aside to let her mother and brother Jiang Fengnian go in first.
When the view suddenly opened up, the mother and son stood in the courtyard and were stunned by what they saw. They were speechless for a moment.
The courtyard wasn't very big, but it was kept clean and tidy. The ground was solidly covered with soil. In the corner of the courtyard stood a papaya tree in its prime, and next to the tree was an old well covered with a stone slab.
The three main rooms face south and are constructed with walls made of coral stone mixed with plaster, a common material on islands, giving them a solid and cool appearance.
The roof is covered with dark red tiles, which are quite old but not damaged. The windows are wooden lattice windows with transparent glass on top. Originally, the windows were covered with paper, but Jiang Suining had someone install glass after buying the house.
Jiang's mother unconsciously moved forward. First, she walked to the well, lifted the stone slab, and looked inside. The well water was clear and cold, reflecting her excited face. Then she walked to the papaya tree, reached out and touched the rough trunk, looked up at the green branches and leaves, and couldn't help but smile.
"This yard... is so nice, so nice..." she murmured to herself, her voice slightly choked. It had vegetables to grow, a well, and a fruit-bearing tree. It almost fulfilled all her expectations of a home, and even made her feel more comfortable than the yard in her hometown.
Jiang Fengnian, however, was more focused on the house itself. He strode to the front of the house, reached out and touched the coral stone walls, feeling their roughness and solidity. He then pushed open the somewhat old wooden door of the main room, which creaked softly.
The windows were fitted with glass, making the room exceptionally bright. The floor was compacted earth, swept clean, and the roof rafters were exposed, revealing the sturdy wooden structure.
The space wasn't spacious, but it was reasonably divided into three rooms, just enough for him and his mother to live in. In the future... Liu Hong's image flashed through his mind, his face flushed slightly, but his heart burned even hotter.
He looked here and touched there, checking if the doors and windows were secure and if there were any gaps in the roof that let in light. The more he checked, the brighter his eyes became.
"Mom! Come in and take a look!" Jiang Fengnian excitedly turned around and called out, "This house is very sturdy! It's even more solid than the mud-brick house back home! It's warm in winter and cool in summer!"
Jiang's mother snapped out of her daze in the courtyard and hurried into the house, carefully examining each room. She ran her hand across the windowsill, finding no dust on her fingertips. She imagined setting up the elm table she had brought from her hometown, placing her mother's dowry chest against the wall, and pasting paper-cut window decorations on the windows... The outline of a home instantly became clear and full in her mind.
"Not bad...not bad at all." Jiang's mother was full of satisfaction. She walked to the back door, pushed it open, and there was a small open space behind it, overgrown with weeds.
"We could build a chicken coop here," Jiang Suining suggested as she came over.
“Yes, build a chicken coop,” Jiang’s mother agreed. “You can have your brother build it later.”
"Brother, Mother, what do you think? Are you satisfied?" Jiang Suining asked with a smile.
Jiang's mother came out of the house, her eyes a little moist, but her smile was incredibly relaxed. She took Jiang Suining's hand and nodded heavily, "Satisfied! So satisfied! Suining, Xiao Lu, you've really gone to great lengths! This house is wonderful! This is our home!"
Jiang Fengnian also came out and stood beside his mother. He looked at the yard and the house, then at his sister and brother-in-law, his chest heaving powerfully, and said resolutely, "Sui Sui, brother-in-law! I will definitely work hard and pay back the money as soon as possible! I will also make sure this yard is tidy and neat, so that Mother can live comfortably!"
Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves of the papaya tree, casting dappled shadows in the yard and warming the family of four.
The sea breeze carries the faint sound of the tide from afar, as if playing a gentle accompaniment for the start of a new life. From this day forward, this small courtyard nestled in Coconut Grove Village officially becomes the starting point for the Jiang family to settle down on the island, filled with the hope of everyday life.
Jiang Suining had bought and delivered all the pots, pans, food, toiletries, and other necessities for the house in advance. She also had Lu Ye deliver and put away the things that her mother had sent. The beds were also made in advance. In modern terms, the house was so spacious that you could move in with just your bags.
Jiang Suining took her mother to buy groceries so they could familiarize themselves with the area. Along the way, her mother mentioned the money for buying a house.
Upon learning that the house cost eight hundred yuan, Jiang's mother felt a pang of heartache, but considering that the house was indeed quite nice, she eventually let it go. "I see that the house has been renovated, and you've added quite a few things to the house. How much did it cost?"
"I didn't buy anything big, it wasn't expensive, and I can't remember exactly what it was." Jiang Suining bought some small items and daily necessities. When she bought the house, the price included the furniture. Besides, she saw that although the furniture was old, it was still in good condition and very clean, so she didn't buy any more furniture.
“When we get back, I’ll have your brother write you an IOU,” Jiang’s mother said, holding Jiang Suining’s hand. “I can give you some money first, but I’m thinking that your brother hasn’t found a job yet, so we should keep that money for now. Once he finds a job, I’ll have him pay you back half of his salary.”
Jiang Suining was somewhat surprised. After all, she was a modern person and had a strong sense of boundaries when it came to money. Even with her own brother, she had to be clear about the details. Originally, she was worried about how to ask her brother for the money, but she didn't expect her mother to speak first. Just as she was thinking about whether she should be more polite, she heard her mother say again, "This money must be returned to you. Firstly, it is to encourage your brother to be more ambitious. Secondly, this money is not a small amount. It was paid by Lu Ye, right? But because of this money, your marriage has become estranged."
"Lu Ye offered to pay for it." Although she felt that her brother should give her the money, she was still afraid that Jiang's mother would misunderstand Lu Ye.
“It’s a favor when someone offers something voluntarily, and it’s our duty to give in return. One cannot lose sight of one’s duty or sense of propriety,” Jiang’s mother said earnestly.
“Okay, then let my brother give me the money.” Jiang Suining sighed, admiring her mother’s values, and took her arm. “Don’t worry about my brother’s job. I’m thinking of finding a temporary job first, and then waiting for a chance to get into a factory. Lu Ye and I have been keeping an eye out for him.”
"With you, Xiao Lu, taking care of things, I'm at ease." Jiang's mother patted her daughter's hand.
After returning from grocery shopping, Jiang's mother immediately had Jiang Fengnian write an IOU, put his fingerprint on it, and handed it to Jiang Suining.
Jiang Fengnian rested for two days, and Lu Ye found him a temporary job, personally taking him to report for duty. It was a construction company under the Logistics Department that was short-handed and had a barracks repair project. The work was tiring but the pay was high, one yuan a day, almost as much as a regular factory worker's salary, and lunch was provided.
With a job, Jiang Fengnian felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. He immediately felt much more upright. That afternoon, after work, he took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and went to Liu Hong's house.
When he returned, he couldn't stop smiling. Seeing her son like that, Jiang's mother was both angry and amused. She knew in her heart that Liu Hongcheng was almost certainly her daughter-in-law.
That's true. Ever since they learned that Jiang Fengnian was willing to stay on the island for Liu Hong, Liu Hong's parents have softened their stance. After waiting for a month, they learned that he had bought a house on the island and found a job. They were even more satisfied with him. If they didn't think that temporary work was not as stable as being a regular worker in the factory, they would probably have urged him to have his family come and propose marriage.
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