RYEY – Chapter 109 Gifts

“Five hundred yuan, not a cent less.”

“Three hundred yuan, not a cent more. And also, when the day comes for me to leave, Miao Qing must go with me.”

“Then your family won’t host a wedding banquet.”

“Does your Miao Qing even have a dowry? If not, what’s the point of holding a banquet?”

Fenqiu: “……”

“Hand over the money.”

“No rush. Return my military coat first. And let me remind you, that coat is military property. You dared to seize it by force—don’t blame me if I let the Public Security Bureau arrest you.”

Fenqiu froze for a moment. So that military coat he had snatched earlier was all for nothing. Although unwilling, when he thought about being arrested, he felt a surge of fear.

“Fenqiu, you’re becoming more and more lawless. You even dared to seize military property. Hurry and return that coat!”

Chen Weidang finally found a chance to speak up, glaring furiously at Fenqiu. Fenqiu had no choice but to kick Er Gang, who resentfully ran back home.

Returning it was better anyway—he wouldn’t get a share of it, and seeing it only made him jealous. As Er Gang ran, he muttered under his breath, feet moving even faster.

“Li Bing, I didn’t expect that as soon as you came back, you’d be given a surprise—no, a shock. Come, come, today we’re slaughtering the New Year pig. Let’s go eat pork feast!”

Chen Weidang slung his arm around Li Bing’s shoulder and dragged him toward the drying yard. Li Huan and Li Le, carrying Li Bing’s luggage, returned home with dark expressions.

“Qiao, how are you? Is your stomach alright?”

Supporting Mother Li on the way home, Cheng Qiao asked. Mother Li was feeling extremely depressed but still worried enough to ask after her.

“Mother, I’m fine. Don’t worry too much. I can see Eldest Brother has everything under control—he must have a plan.”

Mother Li nodded. She never imagined Miao Qing would dare set her sights on her son Li Bing. That girl’s heart had already turned black. She could only hope her son would handle things well.

“Lele, give me those things. Go to the drying yard and stay with your brother. He hasn’t been back for years—you never know what might happen. You can keep an eye on things.”

Still uneasy, Mother Li sent Li Le off. Li Le nodded and left. Li Huan carried everything inside quickly, a storm raging in his chest with no outlet for it.

By the time Cheng Qiao and Mother Li returned home, Li Huan was already in the yard splitting firewood. From the vicious look on his face, it was as though the logs were Miao Qing and Fenqiu.

Not long after, Li Bing returned, holding the military coat in his hand and leading Li Le. The moment he saw his mother, he dropped to his knees. So many years had passed without seeing her—he was truly unfilial. But one cannot serve both loyalty and filial piety. For the country, he had left his mother in his brother’s care.

Mother Li quickly pulled him up. If her husband hadn’t died so early, leaving the family in such hardship, she would never have allowed her son to join the army.

“Mother, this is a radio I bought for you. You can listen to broadcasts during the winter.”

“A radio? Child, this thing is so precious. How could you waste money like this?”

“Mother, if your son has money, shouldn’t he spend it on being filial to you? And here are batteries too. When they run out, let my brother go to the county to buy more.”

Li Huan quickly nodded—of course errands like this were his to do.

“Brother, Sister-in-law, this is something I exchanged tickets to buy. It’s for you.”

Li Bing pulled a small box from a large package. Opening it revealed two Plum Blossom watches, one big and one small, dazzling when placed together.

“Thank you, Brother. I love this gift.”

“Thank you, Brother,” Cheng Qiao also said gratefully.

Li Huan received them with both hands. He knew those watches weren’t cheap. His brother must have saved for years to afford them.

“Brother, what about mine?”

“You’re the youngest, so you’ll get yours last, understand?”

Li Bing playfully tapped Li Le’s nose. The little girl had grown tall—up to his armpit already. Soon, she’d be old enough to marry.

“This is a schoolbag, pens, and notebooks for you. You have to study hard.”

Li Le pouted. “Second Sister-in-law already bought me these. After the New Year, I’ll be going into third grade.”

Li Bing froze for a moment, then looked at Cheng Qiao with gratitude. Even though he wasn’t home, he was well aware of their family’s situation.

His brother never worked the fields, and the village already considered him a ne’er-do-well. But Li Bing knew his brother must have his own ways of making a living. Otherwise, how could his mother and sister survive just from farming?

Besides, all the money he sent home every month—his mother hadn’t spent a cent, insisting it was saved for his future marriage. Clearly, his brother wasn’t a loafer, but someone earning money behind the scenes under the guise of being one.

Coming back this time, he saw the house had not only been repaired but another had been built. No doubt his brother had paid for it, maybe even including his sister-in-law’s dowry money.

Who would’ve thought Li Huan’s luck was this good? His wife wasn’t just pretty—she managed the household so well and cared so much for Lele too.

“Sister-in-law, thank you. If my brother ever wrongs you, I’ll straighten him out.”

Li Huan: “……”

“Thank you, Brother. Let’s eat. Lele, come help me bring out the dishes.”

Touched by Li Bing’s sincerity, Cheng Qiao felt a bit embarrassed and pulled Li Le along to the kitchen.

Li Huan hurriedly stuffed the watches into the big pocket of Cheng Qiao’s padded coat and followed to help.

The three of them brought out dish after dish. On the table were braised pork, chicken stewed with mushrooms, sweet-and-sour pork, stir-fried potatoes-eggplants-green peppers, today’s freshly butchered pork dishes, and a big basket of white steamed buns.

“Mother, these dishes…”

“Eat. Ever since Qiao’er entered this family, she’s done her utmost to support it. Of course, your brother has worked hard too. Oh, and you’re about to become an uncle.”

Li Bing’s eyes lit up—there would soon be a new addition to the family. What wonderful news. He pulled a wallet made of newspaper from his pocket. Cheng Qiao’s eyes flickered—it was definitely made by a woman.

“Mother, here’s four hundred yuan. I originally wanted to give it all to you, but now it seems I can’t. One hundred is for my future nephew or niece. The remaining three hundred will go to Miao Qing.”

“Son, do you really intend to marry Miao Qing?”

Mother Li asked in disbelief.

“Mother, I touched what I shouldn’t have. Even though it wasn’t intentional, I must take responsibility.”

“Brother, you’re taking this too seriously. She’s not a clean woman. Skinny Monkey saw a little beggar in the county who looked just like Miao Qing. Who knows…”

“Shut up.”

Li Bing shot Li Huan a sharp glare. He knew his brother meant well—if Miao Qing’s reputation was ruined, then naturally he wouldn’t have to marry her. But a woman’s reputation was as important as life itself, and he refused to bear a life on his conscience.

Besides, letting someone live a fate worse than death was the greatest punishment of all. If Miao Qing could survive this ordeal, he would treat her properly in the future.