RYEY – Chapter 23 Where Did So Much Money Come From

Zhaodi had originally hoped that Cheng Qiao would feel embarrassed and refuse the money, so she could take it back. After all, if Cheng Qiao didn’t want it, there’d be no problem. Unexpectedly, Cheng Qiao accepted the money and calmly began counting it.

“Cheng Qiao, I won’t hide it from you. Out of these three hundred yuan, one hundred was borrowed from the village head’s family, another hundred was from Chunhua’s bride price. If you take this money, you must promise not to report this matter to the public security bureau.

Also, you cannot transfer to another educated youth station. Otherwise, even if I divorce, I’ll still demand this money back from you.”

“Auntie, thanks to your Chunhua, I’m marrying Erlizi. Why would I still need to live at the educated youth station? I heard Erlizi’s family is very poor and shabby. Not only do they not know where their next meal is coming from, but even their house is about to collapse.”

Zhaodi looked at Cheng Qiao, whose head was wrapped in a white bandage, her tender face carrying a pitiful expression. Her heart wavered a little. Yes, a delicate and pretty young girl like a flower had been ruined by her own daughter, forced to marry a wastrel.

Not to mention whether there would even be a bride price—whether a decent bridal chamber could be set up was uncertain. Unlike her Chunhua: not only did she get a hundred yuan as a bride price, but also a bicycle. The imbalance she had felt suddenly transformed into a sense of superiority.

“Erlizi is actually not bad. In time, you’ll see. Unlike my Chunhua—she’ll be a stepmother once she marries. Fortunately, Wang Tuozi promised that once they get the marriage certificate, he’ll find Chunhua a job, and then her household registration can be moved to the county.”

Watching Zhaodi talk about her daughter’s grievances while her expression betrayed unconcealed pride, Cheng Qiao couldn’t help but feel it was pathetic. Still, this was what Chen Chunhua deserved—she was simply too malicious.

“I see. Then congratulations to Sister Chunhua. I wish her a happy marriage with Wang Tuozi, may they love each other and grow old together.”

“That’s kind of you to say. Since the money has been paid, I’ll have Chunhua apologize to you later, and this matter will be finished.”

Zhaodi was eager to get back to work, so she stood up. Cheng Qiao nodded slightly. She really couldn’t understand why Chunhua had done such a thing. Was it just because she was prettier? Jealousy could truly drive people mad.

When Li Huan came back and saw the wad of money in Cheng Qiao’s hands, he immediately grew tense. “Cheng Qiao, did the Chen family come? Did they give you trouble?”

“It was Chunhua’s mother. She said that once Chunhua apologizes, this matter will be completely over.”

“That’s good. I was only worried they’d make things hard for you.”

“They won’t. Chunhua’s getting married soon. I saw Auntie looking very happy. She even said that once Chunhua gets her certificate and finds a job, her household registration can be moved to the county.”

“Heh, wishful thinking. But Cheng Qiao, do you want a county household registration?”

“No, I like Xiangyang Village.”

Li Huan smiled. If Cheng Qiao had wanted to go to the county, he would’ve found a way to make it happen. But since she liked Xiangyang Village, all the better—after all, his mother and sister were here.

“By the way, your mother said she’d give me two hundred yuan as bride price, and she gave me this bracelet. I need to go to the county to buy some things. A girl’s dowry must be prepared.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Li Huan went to the doorway, checked to make sure no one was around, then pulled out a bag and handed Cheng Qiao a thick wad of money. Cheng Qiao froze. Where had Li Huan gotten so much money?

“There’s eight hundred yuan here. It’s what I earned over the past six months. Keep it safe.”

“So much? What have you been doing these six months? You haven’t been doing anything illegal, have you?”

“Of course not. I’ve just been taking odd jobs outside, earning hard money.”

“Then tell me—what kind of odd jobs pay this much? Or else, take me with you.”

“I’ll tell you later. First, put the money away. The doctor’s coming to check on you.”

Cheng Qiao nodded, put the money into a cloth bag, patted it a few times, and tucked it under her pillow. Only then did she feel at ease. Once she left the hospital, she would store it in her space.

The doctor arrived on time at the ward door. Seeing the two young people smiling so sweetly, he couldn’t help but smile too. Ah, youth.

After a series of checks, apart from the occasional pain in her wound, Cheng Qiao was basically fine.

“You can be discharged.”

“Doctor, let’s go tomorrow. You said two days—since I was admitted yesterday morning, tomorrow morning will make two full days.”

Today they needed to go shopping, and then travel a long way back to the educated youth station. Li Huan worried she’d be exhausted, so he shamelessly pressed to stay one more night.

The doctor touched the unopened pack of cigarettes in his pocket, smiled, and nodded. Hospitalization cost money after all—if they wanted to stay and there was no shortage of beds, why not?

As soon as the doctor left, Li Huan hurriedly took Cheng Qiao to the county’s supply and marketing cooperative. As always, it was crowded. After all, each village had different harvest dates—Xiangyang Village had finished a day early.

“Li Huan, maybe we should come back tomorrow. Let’s just take a quick look and head home.”

“Cheng Qiao, don’t you want to know how I make money? I’ll take you somewhere. But you must promise me one thing: don’t ask questions.”

Cheng Qiao’s heart skipped. She seemed to understand what Li Huan was doing. She obediently nodded and sat on the back seat of his bicycle, following him to a two-courtyard house.

“This place is so run-down.”

She glanced at the crumbling walls all around and looked suspiciously at Li Huan. But Li Huan pulled out a key, opened the main door, and beckoned her in.

Cheng Qiao stepped into the main hall. Hmm, this was okay—at least it wouldn’t leak when it rained. Following him into the left-side room, however, she immediately grew uneasy.

Inside were four or five wooden racks stacked with miscellaneous goods: bright red thermos flasks, colorful glass candy jars, various quilts, and other hard-to-find items.

“You—”

“Shh—”

“No wonder you could make so much money. So this is what you’ve been doing.”

“Cheng Qiao, this is our secret. You must keep it for me, your man.”

“I want this, this, this, and that. Add it up—how much?”

“Take whatever you want. I already said, what’s mine is yours. This home will be yours to manage.”

“But this still costs money. You need to account for the costs. Otherwise, how can this business continue?”

“So you agree, then?”

“Even if I didn’t, you’d still be doing it. But you must promise me one thing—whenever you come here, you must bring me along. Otherwise, I won’t agree. If you don’t, I won’t marry you. Even if we do marry, I’ll divorce you.”

“Cheng Qiao, it’s not that I don’t want to agree. It’s just… if anything dangerous happens, I’ll bear it alone. If you came, you’d be dragged down for nothing.”

“I don’t care. If I don’t come, you are absolutely forbidden to come here either. Otherwise, I won’t marry you. And even if I did, I’d still divorce you.”