RYEY – Chapter 24 The People at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative

Li Huan had never seen Cheng Qiao so serious before. Everyone knew her as the well-known silly, sweet girl—always smiling on her beautiful face. Even when she was wronged, at most her eyes would turn red with unshed tears.

“But…”

“There’s no ‘but.’ I just want you to know, with me here, you won’t be in danger.”

“I’d like to hear more.”

“I won’t tell you. It’s my secret. I’m waiting for the moment when you discover it yourself.”

Li Huan gazed at her, his eyes shining with expectation. He had already realized that Cheng Qiao wasn’t as simple as she appeared—certainly not just a silly, naïve girl.

“Cheng Qiao, if it’s your secret, then keep it hidden well. Don’t let me find it. Even if I do, I’ll never speak of it. You can rest assured.”

Cheng Qiao smiled. In the end, this secret couldn’t be hidden forever. She wasn’t living alone, and she wanted her future mother-in-law to enjoy a comfortable life. Without Li Huan’s help to cover for her, it wouldn’t work.

Li Huan grabbed a sack and packed in all the items Cheng Qiao pointed out. Then, after locking the door, he prepared to leave.

But Cheng Qiao held out her hand. With a sigh, Li Huan obediently handed her the key. Looked like he had to be even more careful in the future, or else he’d drag her into trouble and suffer big losses.

The two went to the state-run restaurant. On the blackboard, today’s menu was written: braised pork, radish lion’s head meatballs, scrambled eggs with green onions, stir-fried tofu, stir-fried vegetables, and three-fresh soup.

There were also plenty of staple foods—rice, noodles, stuffed flatbreads, dumplings, steamed buns. Basically everything one could want. Cheng Qiao took out money and ration tickets, ordering four to five meat dishes.

She also ordered dumplings, buns, flatbreads, and rice—one portion each. The plump waitress looked up at her with suspicion, just about to scold her, but Cheng Qiao’s next move silenced her.

She had already noticed that besides Li Huan, there wasn’t anyone else nearby. Quickly, she pulled out more than ten White Rabbit milk candies from her bag and slid them onto the counter, hidden from view.

“Big sister, the autumn harvest is coming. I want my mother and younger sister to eat better, so I’d like to buy a bit more to bring home.”

The plump waitress was a foodie. Seeing the White Rabbit candies, her throat bobbed. Her chubby hand swiftly swept the candies into her own pocket, her face breaking into a smile.

“Alright. That’ll be eight yuan and twenty cents, two jin of meat tickets, and four and a half jin of grain tickets. If you don’t have food containers, we can lend you some here. Deposit is five yuan. Want one?”

“Yes, yes, thank you, big sister. When I return the container, I’ll bring you some sponge cakes.”

“Sounds good, sounds good.”

Li Huan watched as, in just a short time, Cheng Qiao had managed to get along with the previously arrogant waitress. He couldn’t help but smile—his wife really was amazing.

After lunch, Li Huan originally wanted Cheng Qiao to sit on the bicycle’s front seat so he could take her back to the hospital. But Cheng Qiao refused—it was too eye-catching.

At her insistence, Li Huan took the things back to the village first, then returned to the hospital. As for her, she was already fine and could walk back slowly on her own.

Li Huan nodded helplessly, watching her walk steadily toward the hospital before hurrying back to the village. He needed to return quickly to accompany her.

As soon as he left, Cheng Qiao ran straight to the supply and marketing cooperative. She had to know what exactly was being sold there right now so she could find a way to gradually move things from her space into circulation.

There were fewer people than in the morning. As she entered, she saw the shelves nearly empty, and couldn’t help but be speechless. Were people’s purchasing powers really this strong?

She spotted some rubber shoes still left and hurried over to ask whether they needed ration tickets. If they did, she wouldn’t be able to buy them.

The shop assistant glanced at her, startled by the thick bandages on her head. This girl was injured, yet still came to shop—there must be something she absolutely needed.

“My mother has to go work in the fields for the autumn harvest. I want to buy her a pair of rubber shoes.”

“These ones have some defects, so no tickets required. But they’re size 35. Don’t know if your mother can wear them.”

“She can. My mother just happens to wear size 35. Thank you, big sister.”

The shop assistant was only around twenty, the youngest in her family. Being called “big sister” by an even younger girl lifted her mood. She turned, took down the shoes, boxed them, and smiled as she prepared the receipt.

“Three yuan eighty cents. Do you have the money?”

“Yes, big sister. Here’s the money—and this too.”

In her hand was a pale blue hair clip, the butterfly-shaped kind most fashionable in this era, worth about twenty cents each.

The shop assistant’s eyes lit up. She had wanted one for a long time but had always found it too expensive to buy. She never thought this little girl would so generously give her one.

“My surname is Qiu—Qiu Min. If you’ve got time, come find me.”

“Mm, Sister Qiu. My surname’s Cheng—Cheng Qiao. I’ll come play with you in the future.”

And just like that, the two established a revolutionary friendship. Humming happily, Cheng Qiao walked out of the supply and marketing cooperative with the rubber shoes, returned to the hospital, changed into her patient gown, and went straight to sleep.

When Mother Li saw Li Huan return with so many things, she looked at him anxiously, not knowing how to ask. But Li Huan smiled.

“Mom, these are dishes Cheng Qiao bought at the state-run restaurant for you and Li Le to eat. These things are her dowry. When she comes back, I’ll deliver them to the educated youth spot.”

Mother Li’s eyes lit up—the Chen family’s compensation had arrived.

“Mom, the Chen family paid three hundred yuan. I also applied for a piece of land behind our courtyard from the village head. After the autumn harvest, we’ll ask the villagers to help build a house.”

“No. That would mean using Cheng Qiao’s money. I won’t allow it.”

“Mom, how could I ever spend her money? Look at our courtyard—it’s falling apart. If I get married and my eldest brother comes back at year’s end, he’ll have nowhere to live.”

Mother Li fell silent. The family only had one main hall and two rooms. She shared one with Li Le. If Li Huan married, then eldest son Li Bing would have to sleep in the main hall.

“I still have three hundred yuan here. And you gave me another hundred. Let’s use that money to build the house. I absolutely won’t allow you to use Cheng Qiao’s money. That’s money she risked her life and her future for.”

Li Huan smiled. His mother was truly wise. Having a mother like her was his blessing.

“Mom, tomorrow Cheng Qiao will be discharged. Please ask Aunt Wang to go propose the match. The day after tomorrow, let’s bring the betrothal gifts.”

Mother Li nodded. When Li Huan returned tomorrow, she’d clean the bicycle thoroughly and prepare enough rice and flour.

The next morning, Li Huan sent Cheng Qiao back to the educated youth spot before heading home. Looking at the empty place, she was just about to enter her space when footsteps at the door startled her into stillness.

Seeing a familiar figure, she let out a silent sigh of relief—she had almost exposed herself. She really needed to be more cautious in the future.

It was Han Chunmei. As soon as she saw Cheng Qiao, she ran over.

“Aiya, how’s your head now? Does it still hurt?”