Chapter 44 : Becoming a Rich Woman

“Lizi, when I was discharged from the army, I received a retirement allowance of one thousand yuan. I spent part of the salary and bonuses I saved over the years on the wedding banquet and the betrothal gifts. I also gave Mom three hundred yuan, which left me with a bit over five hundred.” 

“Now, there’s a total of one thousand five hundred and seventy-two in this account, along with some tickets. Everything is here. From now on, whenever I get paid, most of the money will go to you. You’ll be in charge of our finances.”  

Jiang Li’s eyes widened in surprise, and she tilted her head. “You’re really giving it all to me?”  

Qi Shaoqiang couldn’t help but gently rub her head. “Of course. You’re my wife now, so you should manage the money. We agreed on this before we got married, didn’t we?”  

Without hesitation, Jiang Li accepted the passbook, her face lighting up with joy as she looked at the numbers. She felt like a wealthy woman again.  

As Jiang Li immersed herself in her happiness, Qi Shaoqiang quietly watched her. The room’s atmosphere grew warm and intimate. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.  

When Jiang Li raised her head, she was met with Qi Shaoqiang’s intense gaze. His deep eyes flashed with a dangerous yet alluring light.  

Jiang Li, who had been sitting at the edge of the bed, suddenly felt the mattress dip beside her as Qi Shaoqiang took a step forward and sat down. His long arm wrapped around her waist, and the heat of his presence engulfed her.  

Jiang Li shifted uncomfortably, but Qi Shaoqiang only held her closer.  

“Lizi, take a shower, and then let’s go to bed,” he said, his voice low and husky.  

Blushing, Jiang Li nodded softly, her voice barely audible. “Okay.”  

Outside, Chen Xianyun stood in the yard and called out, “Lizi, Shaoqiang, the old lady and I are heading over to the old house.” Without entering the wing, she helped the old lady toward the back of the property.  

The Qi family’s brick house had been built after Qi Shaoqiang joined the army, thanks to the allowance he sent home.  

Their old house, just behind the new one, was only a few steps away. However, the elderly grandmother had grown attached to the old house and refused to move.  

Chen Xianyun stayed there with her, worried that the old woman might face difficulties living alone. Usually, meals were prepared in the new house, and either the grandmother would come over to eat, or Chen Xianyun would bring food to her.  

“Why don’t Mom and Grandma live here with us?” Jiang Li asked.  

“They say that the old mud house is cooler and more comfortable during summer,” Qi Shaoqiang explained. But he didn’t mention another reason, he knew they wanted to give the newlyweds space.  

His mother, he thought, was also likely hoping for a grandson soon. But there was no need to say that out loud, he didn’t want Jiang Li to feel pressured.  

“I wasn’t around much when I was in the army, so I didn’t get to talk to them about this. Now that I’m back, I’ll work on convincing them. The older they get, the more childlike they become,” he said with a smile.  

Jiang Li nodded. “Old houses are cool in summer, but they leak during rain and are drafty in winter. It’s hard to live in them comfortably.”  

Qi Shaoqiang stroked her hair gently, reluctant to let go. “You’re right. Tomorrow, I’ll clean up the west room. It’s been vacant for too long, and the lack of use is making it fall into disrepair.”  

“Oh, and the next time you’re out, pick up two batteries from the supply and marketing cooperative. Grandma really likes listening to opera, and with batteries, she can use the radio to keep herself entertained,” Jiang Li suggested.  

“Also, let’s not keep the sewing machine in our room. We should move it to the main room so Mom can use it easily.”  

Hearing her considerate words, Qi Shaoqiang felt his heart melt. “My Lizi is so generous with her gifts!”  

Jiang Li gave him a playful side-eye. “Don’t make it sound like I’m stingy! Good things are meant to be shared. If Grandma listens to the radio, I can enjoy it too.”  

As for the sewing machine, Jiang Li felt a little guilty. She didn’t know how to sew clothes, and it seemed like a waste to let it sit unused.  

“Next time, we should ask Mom to make you a couple of cotton outfits. They’re breathable and absorb sweat, much better than Dacron,” she added thoughtfully.  

Jiang Li had been thinking along the same lines. Most of her current clothes were purchased from department stores. While fashionable and stylish, they stood out too much in the countryside.  

Her recent attention from the men in the village was likely due to her suddenly dressing too well.  

When in a new environment, it’s better to blend in and avoid drawing unnecessary attention.  

“Alright, I don’t know how to make clothes myself. Thanks to, Mom,” Jiang Li said with sincerity.  

Qi Shaoqiang grinned and playfully scratched his cheek. “You’re so good to me. I love you so much for that. I’ll go get some water for your bath.”  

Chen Xianyun had already boiled a large pot of hot water in the kitchen. Qi Shaoqiang mixed it with cool water and carried it to the room, placing soap and a newly purchased towel next to it for her.  

As for himself, he didn’t mind taking a cold shower at the well outside the house. His years in the army had made him accustomed to cold showers, even in winter.  

“Lizi, the bathwater is ready for you. It’s in the small room next to the kitchen. Hang your clean clothes on the bamboo pole and leave your dirty clothes in the basin, I’ll wash them later,” he said with a smile.  

Jiang Li nodded and went into the bathroom. She still found it a bit uncomfortable that there wasn’t a bathtub or showerhead, just three buckets of water and a gourd ladle for scooping.  

She tested the water temperature and found it warm. The other two buckets held cold and hot water, allowing her to adjust the temperature as needed.  

Using the newly bought soap, she enjoyed a refreshing bath.  

Back at the Jiang family’s old home, things were far less comfortable. With Old Mrs. Zhou keeping a tight grip on the household, they weren’t allowed to use firewood, and there was no private well.  

To fetch water, Jiang Li had to go to the public well at the village entrance. Refusing to let her family take advantage of her efforts, she fetched only enough for herself each time. During those days, she barely managed to wash properly.  

Now, wrapped in a towel, her damp black hair clung to her skin. As she prepared to dress, her cheeks flushed with warmth.  

The undergarments she’d asked Xiaolan to help her make resembled modern bras and panties. If Qi Shaoqiang saw them, would he find them suspicious?  

But she had no choice, these were her only new clothes and she was tired of wearing underwear with holes.  

When she emerged from the bathroom, Qi Shaoqiang took the wooden basin from her hands. He swiftly refilled it with water and began washing her clothes.  

“Lizi, sit down and let your hair dry. I’ll handle this,” he said, pointing to a bamboo chair in the yard.  

As night fell, a cool breeze rustled the leaves of the fruit trees. Jiang Li sat down, her long wet hair cascading over the back of the chair. A basin of smoldering moxa leaves at her feet kept the mosquitoes away.  

With a palm-leaf fan in hand, she gently fanned herself. The stars glittered above, and the sound of chirping insects filled the air. Jiang Li felt a surprising sense of comfort and peace.  

When Qi Shaoqiang finished hanging the clothes, he turned to see Jiang Li fast asleep in the chair.  

Her damp black hair framed her soft pink face, her chest rose and fell steadily, and her breathing was calm. One of her shoes had slipped off, revealing her delicate toes, small and perfectly shaped.  

Qi Shaoqiang quietly picked her up and laid her gently on the bamboo mat he had just cleaned. Her black hair spilled across the pillow as she murmured something in her sleep before settling into a deep slumber again.