RYEY – Chapter 113 Search

Cheng Liguo got a slip of approval, went to collect some daily necessities and rations, then headed to the coal supply point to fetch coal. He borrowed a handcart and had to make five trips before hauling back all the briquettes.

“Brother Yuan, here’s the coal for you, and also these sausages—my daughter sent them. Have a taste.”

Cheng Liguo dragged the last two cartloads of coal to Yuan Guangming’s place. After eating half a month’s worth of his rations and sleeping on his heated brick bed for the same time, it was only right to repay. Times were hard for everyone.

Yuan Guangming noticed how freely Cheng Liguo was spending. He even received two large parcels today, probably sent by his daughter or a friend.

“Xiao Cheng, your daughter sent parcels, eh?”

“Yes, Brother Yuan. Here, this is what my daughter tucked into the padded jacket she sent. Just two packs—we’ll each take one.”

Cheng Liguo handed over a pack of “Pegasus” brand cigarettes. Yuan Guangming’s eyes lit up as soon as he saw them. He quickly accepted, carefully opened the pack, and pulled out a cigarette.

He couldn’t bring himself to smoke it immediately. Instead, he held it under his nose and inhaled the aroma for a long while before finally lighting it. He drew deeply, then slowly exhaled, letting the smoke drift upward in curling rings.

By the time the cigarette had burned down to his fingers, he reluctantly tossed it aside. Then he handed the rest of the pack back to Cheng Liguo. Cigarettes were in short supply here—precious goods indeed.

“You keep it. I still have a pack left. I don’t smoke much anyway, only when I’m really troubled.”

Cheng Liguo shook his head. His addiction was actually strong, but his daughter had written in her letters that smoking hurt the lungs the most, so he had to gradually cut back. Besides, she sent a parcel every month.

Yuan Guangming nodded, slipping the cigarettes into his coat pocket, patting it cautiously as though guarding treasure. The sight made Cheng Liguo feel a pang of sorrow.

This Yuan Guangming had once come from a wealthy capitalist family, living in luxury most of his life. Now, in his old age, he was sent here to suffer. It was a harsh blow both mentally and physically.

To make matters worse, his wife and children had fled with money during his darkest time—rumor had it they went overseas. That only worsened his plight.

“Xiao Cheng, don’t worry about me. I believe light will eventually come—just like my name.”

Cheng Liguo nodded, and the two men began preparing dinner. Cheng Liguo brought out white rice, while Yuan Guangming quickly added a large scoop of sorghum to stretch it out. After all, their daily labor was heavy, and their appetites enormous.

“What matters now is eating our fill, not eating well.”

Cheng Liguo agreed. His years as deputy factory director had nearly made him forget the hardships of the past. He silently reminded himself to reflect.

“Tell me about your daughter. To send you so many things in such a short time—that’s no small feat.”

Seeing Cheng Liguo toss a sausage into the pot to steam with the rice, Yuan Guangming couldn’t help but ask curiously.

“My daughter grew up spoiled, a bit naïve about the world. She got tricked by a fake stepmother I found for her. Now the tables have turned on me.”

Having grown up in a powerful clan, Yuan Guangming immediately understood the hidden twists. He shook his head. “Women… you either treat them well or stay away, otherwise you’ll end up paying for it.”

“My daughter went to the countryside and married a local man. These supplies must be from him, though of course the money was provided by her.”

“Oh? To manage such good things in times like these—your son-in-law seems capable too.”

“Hmph. As long as he treats my daughter well, I’ll acknowledge him. If not, once I’m free, I’ll settle the score myself.”

Just then, Li Huan’s ears began to itch. He had to pull off his gloves and scratch, but they were perfectly clean—nothing inside.

“Li Huan, what’s wrong?”

Inside the county house, while packing things, Cheng Qiao noticed him freeze and asked curiously.

“Qiao, my ear itched, but nothing’s in it.”

“That must mean someone’s thinking of you.”

Li Huan shook his head. Aside from his mother, sister, and Qiao, who else would think of him? He shook it off and went back to recording.

“Qiao, this batch of goods should fetch a good price. The market’s short on meat, rice, fruit—and fish. You even managed fish, that’s amazing.”

Cheng Qiao handed him a few skewers of oden while eating some herself. Ever since she got pregnant, her stomach got hungry easily, so she needed snacks often.

“Li Huan, what else do we need?”

“Do we have cotton? Uncle Niu said he wanted to make a padded coat last time, and I forgot.”

From her space, Cheng Qiao pulled out two eight-jin quilts. She didn’t have raw cotton, but quilts could be stripped for it. As for fabric, she had none—only the quilt covers.

“Wife, each quilt could sell for over a hundred yuan in the market! Do you have more? Take some out. We can sell them and send the money to your father. He’ll surely need cash and ration tickets.”

Cheng Qiao nodded and pulled out two more quilts. But that exhausted her stock—the space only had two, and she’d have to wait for it to replenish before taking more.

In no time, both rooms of the second courtyard were piled high with supplies. Just then, the front gate was pounded violently.

Li Huan’s heart skipped. That wasn’t Skinny Monkey’s knock. Judging by the sound, there were many people outside.

“Li Huan, is it Skinny Monkey? Why so early today?”

“No, Qiao—something’s wrong. We’ve been exposed.”

Cheng Qiao’s face paled. With a thought, she swept everything in one room into her space, then ran to the other room and did the same.

Seeing the rooms now bare, Li Huan calmed down and hurried to open the door. A burly man with a face full of flesh was just about to kick it when the door suddenly swung open. Losing his balance, his leg shot straight out in a forced split.

“Ahhh!”

The man wasn’t flexible at all. Pain shot through his tendons, and he screamed in agony. Li Huan barely held back a laugh as he rushed to help him up.

“Comrade, why were you kicking my door? I don’t know you—I can’t possibly owe you money.”

The man clutched Li Huan’s hand, groaning as he rubbed his thigh. Damn, it hurt like hell. Then he squinted at Li Huan with a thuggish look—nothing like someone running a black market.

“I got a report saying you’re engaged in speculation. I’m here to search the place.”

“Comrade, you must be mistaken. I’m just a farmer. Whose chicken did I steal, whose broom did I sell?”

“Search…”

The burly man wasn’t about to waste words. He waved his hand, and his men immediately rushed in to search.