When Wu Wanyi brought up the matter of her going to town to earn money again, Chen Xichun simply replied, "I'm not going!"
Widow Wang said, "Chunzi, if you can earn some money in town, why don't you go? Anyway, we have a bicycle at home, so Wanyi can take you there on her bike."
"How can even his mother be like this?" Chen Xichun ignored his leg injury, sat up straight, and yelled at Widow Wang, "Why are you making me go too? She made me go to town to resell things before she got married. If I get arrested, I won't be able to come back!"
Upon hearing his words, Widow Wang was so frightened that she quickly closed the door. Returning to the bedside, she raised her hand to strike Wu Wanyi, but Wu Wanyi grabbed it.
Widow Wang whispered, "How dare you be so bold! What will happen if people find out?"
Wu Wanyi shook off her hand, "What's the big deal? Lan Hua's mother still goes to the commune to sell eggs, and she hasn't been arrested."
"What do you know? Lan Hua's mother was never arrested, but her family was poor. The old village chief went to the commune and begged everyone for help. In the end, they confiscated her things and released her. The people at the commune only turned a blind eye because of the old village chief and because her family was really in dire straits. Do you think nobody cares?" Widow Wang was furious with her daughter-in-law. She thought her daughter-in-law had some kind of power.
"Fourth Sister-in-law saves up the eggs laid by the chickens at home instead of eating them, and takes them to the commune to sell. What am I supposed to sell in town empty-handed?" Chen Xichun pointed at Wu Wanyi with a thin wooden stick used for picking teeth.
Wu Wanyi looked away in disgust. "That's why I've been telling you to go to town and take a look first. Maybe you'll find a business opportunity."
“I’m not going. I still have a leg injury. The brigade told me to stay home and rest. If you want to go, go by yourself. Who told you to borrow so much money for no reason?”
Chen Xichun put the thin wooden stick in his mouth again. He pointed at Wu Wanyi with his chin in a condescending manner and said, "Go and get me two quilts. It's not comfortable to lie in the back all the time, there's no space there."
Wu Wanyi truly couldn't stand his nonchalant attitude. She recalled his past life, sitting next to a young female host during a television interview, speaking eloquently. She also remembered how his company donated a library to the school, and how he and Chen Hong, dressed in suits and surrounded by school leaders, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Wu Wanyi told herself to endure, no matter what. She thought of what Chen Hong had said, about the days she spent with him renting a house and contracting projects in the city before he became successful. Only by accompanying him through the lowest levels could she eventually stand shoulder to shoulder with him at the top.
Wu Wanyi went to the next room to get him a blanket.
After watching her leave, Widow Wang whispered to her son, "You must not listen to her. People in the city are all daring. If something really happens, you'll be the one who suffers. She borrowed the money; let her figure out how to pay it back herself."
Just as Chen Xichun was about to reassure his mother, Wu Wanyi walked in and overheard. She couldn't take her anger out on Chen Xichun, fearing that if he became successful in the future, it would damage their relationship. As for Widow Wang, she didn't care at all.
She had heard Chen Hong say that Chen Xichun's mother had always lived in the countryside, and even though Chen Xichun was so wealthy, he hadn't bothered to bring her to the city. This suggested that Chen Xichun's feelings for Widow Wang were lukewarm.
Wu Wanyi glared at Widow Wang, "What are you saying to Xichun? Why are you always holding him back? I borrowed so much money so that he could get out. I just wanted to put some pressure on him and make him persevere. And you, Xichun is so unlucky to have a mother like you."
Hearing Wu Wanyi's rudeness towards his mother, Chen Xichun, even before Widow Wang could react, became agitated. "How dare you speak to my mother like that? Let me tell you, don't think you're so great just because you're an educated youth or from the city. You were the one who begged me to marry you. Now that you're in our family, you're one of us. Stop putting on airs."
“You…” After being scolded by Chen Xichun, Wu Wanyi was so angry that she wanted to throw the quilt onto the kang (a heated brick bed), but in the end, she put it down properly.
She couldn't go against this mother and son. No matter what, she had to get Xichun to town first. Once he was in town, he could find a way to make money, just like in her previous life. She had already come this far; she couldn't let it all go to waste. Thinking this, Wu Wanyi suppressed her displeasure.
"Believe me, the news has spread throughout the city that soon, not only will it be possible to resell goods, but the government will also encourage it. However, you can't tell anyone about this. This is a business opportunity; if others find out, you won't make any money."
"Also, I'm not lying to you. Others might get arrested for selling things, but Xichun will definitely be fine. The reason I dared to lend so much money is because I know that Xichun will make a lot of money in the future. We can not only pay off the village's debts, but also move to the city, buy a big house, and live in an apartment building. We can buy whatever we want then. We'll not only have bicycles, but also cars. We'll eat out every day, and we'll have clothes made of all kinds of fabrics. You can trust me."
Chen Xichun and Widow Wang exchanged a puzzled look.
The temptation was just too great. Widow Wang had heard Wu Wanyi talk about it again and again today, and she was gradually beginning to believe that her son might really be destined to make a lot of money. "Xizi," she said, "why don't you go to town with her first? It won't hurt to take a look."
Wu Wanyi was trying to persuade the Chen family mother and son.
It was dark when Xiao Han went to Ma Yuying's house to find Xu Keke.
Xu Keke didn't go far with him and just stood outside Ma Yuying's yard.
"Go ahead and say what you need to say, just say it here."
Xiao Han didn't care. He leaned against the courtyard wall with one hand and put the other in his pocket. "I've thought about what you said the other day. You're right. I should prove my innocence to the commune. I'll go to the commune in the next day or two to talk to the colleague in charge."
Xu Keke nodded in agreement, "You're doing this to take responsibility for yourself. Otherwise, with the punishment on your mind, people will point fingers at you wherever you go in the future."
"Yes, um, could you lend me some money? I paid back the money I borrowed from Gao Jie last time. I'm a little short on cash right now. My classmate wrote to me the other day saying she has a book..."
His words reminded Xu Keke of the saying that stealing books doesn't count as stealing, and she couldn't help but laugh. "I gave all my money to the village. Chen Hong does owe me two yuan, but unfortunately she hasn't paid me back."
Xiao Han frowned. Before, when he borrowed money from Wu Wanyi, she would always help him find a solution. Thinking about it, Bai Lu was the youngest of the female educated youth in their area. Perhaps it was true, as Chen Hong had once said, that Bai Lu never considered others' feelings and always wanted others to take care of her. That's why she couldn't understand his anxious feelings.
"If you're alright, I'll go inside first. It's a bit cold outside!" Xu Keke turned to go back into the courtyard.
"I'll help you and Chen Hong get the money tonight."
Seeing Xu Keke leave in a hurry, Xiao Han had one more thing on his mind that he didn't say. He had originally wanted to tell her to be careful of Chen Hong, as Chen Hong had recently received several urgent letters. He had overheard Gao Jie talking to her brother about it, and it seemed to be related to Bai Lu.
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