CHAPTER 220: 220 HAN XIN

The two brothers hung their heads, while their wives reluctantly went home to fetch money.

Now only Wang Ailing remained inside the house, and she found an excuse to leave.

The village chief was very pleased with her perceptiveness.

"You two are worse than beasts. These are your parents. Do you know what your family was like back then? They worked like animals to raise you, build you houses, and arrange your marriages.

But look at what you’ve done! I warn you, if you don’t bring money by the fifth of each month, you don’t need to bring it anymore. I’ll deduct six yuan directly from your work points each month.

If I had sons like you, I would’ve broken their legs and driven them out long ago. Raising a dog is better; even beasts know how to wag their tails."

The village chief left them no dignity whatsoever. Both men couldn’t lift their heads.

"Your own younger brother is getting married, and you can’t even bother to show up. The Third has surely made something of himself, but haven’t you thought that if you maintain good relations, perhaps he could help find good jobs for your kids as well? That’s a steady job, but you’ve blocked your own path.

You deserve a life of poverty. You can’t rise up. Once you pay the money, you can leave. During holidays and festivals, don’t forget the pastries and alcohol for filial respect—none of it should be missing."

Mother Chen sat on the kang silently shedding tears. Bitterly disappointed, truly bitter. Although she treated the Third well, all the money for buying the house was earned by the Third. He had given her four hundred yuan the previous year, essentially supporting this family.

The two brothers still kept their heads down, saying nothing. Who knows what they were thinking.

The two wives brought the money, still very afraid of the village chief, and dared not say anything.

"I’m telling you two, if you don’t bring presents for the New Year, don’t blame me for showing no mercy, making you unable to hold your heads up in the village.

Also, don’t let your kids come over to eat with your parents. If I find out you’re trying to fool me, I’ll show you what I’m capable of.

And you two sisters-in-law, if I hear one word of disrespect towards the elders, you’ll be forced out of the village. Our village doesn’t want people worse than beasts." With that, the chief snorted and left.

Father Chen put down his tobacco pipe, "You may leave now. There’s no need to visit unless there’s a reason."

The two brothers stood up, took a final look at their parents sitting on the kang, then turned and left.

The two wives left carrying meat, but didn’t dare be disrespectful.

"Dad, Mom, don’t be upset. I’m here. No matter what happens, you’ll always have me." Chen Guoliang was truly concerned about his parents’ well-being.

Mother Chen got down from the kang to pack things for them—white flour, pumpkins, sweet potatoes—and even gave them thirty pounds of pork and four pig’s trotter feet.

She even packed spring onions and garlic.

As the couple walked along the road, Wang Ailing hugged Chen Guoliang’s waist, "Don’t worry, I will definitely treat your parents well."

"Okay, I believe you. Once you get pregnant, let’s bring Mom and Dad over."

On the twenty-eighth, it got dark early, and Wang Ailing and her husband came over, bringing Jiang Xinyu two large pumpkins, half a bag of sweet potatoes, four pig’s trotters, and a big piece of meat.

"Thanks, but take the meat back; I have more here already. Give me the pig’s trotters instead. Wait, tomorrow morning I’ll bring you pumpkin flour buns; they’ll be especially fragrant and sweet. How about sugar buns?"

"Sure, I love sugar buns."

Jiang Xinyu steamed a big pumpkin that evening; you could already smell its sweet aroma when it came off the stove. She fermented two large basins of dough and directly steamed three racks of sugar buns.

She specifically left half an hour early in the morning to deliver ten buns to Wang Ailing and her husband, ten to She Xiaoyun and her husband, and took eleven sugar buns to work.

At noon, Song Qingqing and Pan Xiulan really praised them as they ate.

"Director Jiang, my mom sent me a big can of oil-fried flour; take some home tonight." Song Qingqing felt embarrassed for always eating others’ good food for free.

"My mom sent some sesame buns with two flavors, sweet and salty. Director Jiang, take some home to eat. These two happen to make a complete meal."

Jiang Xinyu didn’t hold back, but she didn’t take much home after work, because she wasn’t particularly fond of oil-fried flour, and sesame buns aren’t as tasty as twists. However, this was their kind intention, and of course, she wouldn’t turn it down.

Entering December, it was truly getting cold. Jiang Xinyu rode to and from work with gloves on, bundled up tightly.

Work was getting busier, with particularly high demand for shipments during this time, leading to overtime work. But the workers were happy. Qian Jun mentioned during a meeting that each person would get an extra month’s salary as a year-end bonus. What did this mean?

Take Jiang Xinyu for example; her monthly salary was sixty-three, which meant she could earn one hundred and twenty-six this December.

With this, everyone worked with enthusiasm. Jiang Xinyu saw Kong Mengjie running home wrapped in an overcoat to feed her child more than once.

Indeed, it wasn’t easy for everyone. In the future, Wang Ailing might go through the same. But her home is too far from the factory, which might make it infeasible to run back and forth. However, Wang Ailing is a bit better off than Kong Mengjie; she has a mother-in-law to look after the child, while Kong Mengjie and her husband do it all themselves.

In the factory’s model worker selection, Jiang Xinyu was a sure bet. This time, it didn’t include Kong Mengjie and Huang Hongwei, despite their diligent work, because the elder sisters didn’t favor them, so they received few votes.

Both were quite affected by it. Qian Jun specially invited them over for a talk to encourage them, as their work was still good. We shouldn’t really discourage them.

It was about to turn to the Gregorian calendar year of ’62. The union still organized a party.

"Director Jiang, could you take a look at this application? Do you think Mr. Qian would approve it?" Lu Changchun handed Jiang Xinyu a piece of paper.

"This should be approved, but there’s no source of goods, right?"

"I can go to the mountainous area to collect apples; I have a relative whose village is full of apple trees. But for peanuts and seeds, Director Jiang, you need to ask the supply and marketing cooperative whether they can help."

"Wait a minute, I’ll ask now."

Jiang Xinyu dialed She Xiaoyun’s number, "Sister She, our textile factory needs peanuts and seeds, can we get them?"

"How much do you need?"

"At least two hundred pounds of seeds, two hundred pounds of peanuts, and two hundred pounds of candy."

"I’ll check, but seeds might be tricky. Wait for my call, I’ll ask now."

Lu Changchun sat across from Jiang Xinyu, both waiting for the call. If they could get the goods, then they’d look for Mr. Qian to apply.

Ten minutes later, She Xiaoyun called back.

"Mr. Huang says the city can provide seeds, but only a hundred pounds of candy, no more."

"Great. Thanks, Sister She. We’ll go to apply to the director, and once approved, I’ll confirm with you."