Chapter 34 : The Origin of Work

Su Xieqiu said to the women gratefully, “Thank you for your concern. You’re truly kind people. Can I come and talk to you in the future?”  

The women, who were clearly eager for gossip, couldn’t resist her charm. She gave them a flattering remark, and they all smiled happily.  

An older woman chuckled and said, “If you don’t mind us country folks having loud voices and rough speech, come and chat with us anytime.”  

Su Xieqiu smiled and replied, “What are you talking about, Auntie? How could I look down on you? If you trace back three generations, whose ancestors weren’t from the countryside? Even the leaders say that rural people are the most simple and honest.”  

“Oh, listen to her sweet talk! It’s like her words are dipped in honey. How could Yang Lanhua be so cruel as to kick you out of the house?”  

Another woman muttered, “Don’t bring her up. That woman knows how to put on a show. She says nice things but has a heart of stone.”  

“Alas…” The women looked at the couple with a mix of pity and sympathy.  

Forcing a smile, Su Xieqiu waved to the group and said, “Auntie, I’ll be off now. Let’s chat another day.”  

“Alright, alright. You two need to stay optimistic. As long as you work hard, better days will come.”  

“That’s for sure, Auntie.”  

Even after they walked some distance away, the murmurs of the women’s conversation could still be heard.  

Han Zhenyu was amused. He had never imagined that this woman had such a sociable side. Hearing her chat so effortlessly with the women, he found it quite funny.  

He asked, half-jokingly, “What you said earlier, was it all true? Are you really going to hang out with them in the future?”  

Su Xieqiu nodded earnestly. “Even though I like peace and quiet, living in a village means we can’t avoid interacting with the people here.  

“Rather than letting these women gossip behind our backs, it’s better to build good relationships with them.  

“When you’re in a good mood, you chat with them, build some rapport. Then, if we ever need help, someone will be there to lend a hand. It’s much better than scrambling at the last minute.”  

She had grown up in the countryside in her previous life and understood the influence of rural women all too well. Building rapport with them was like earning the goodwill of their entire families, reducing the likelihood of future trouble in the village.  

With Han Zhenyu often away from home, as a woman, she knew she had to think ahead and handle things carefully.  

Han Zhenyu gave her a surprised look. He hadn’t expected her to think so far ahead.  

Since her injury, she seemed like a completely different person.  

Noticing his gaze, Su Xieqiu couldn’t help but boast with a playful grin, “I’m very smart, you know. I wouldn’t just mix with anyone.  

“Those aunts just now? They’re a little gossipy, but they’re not bad people. In the months I’ve been here, they never treated me poorly like some others did.  

“When I first arrived, I didn’t know how to do anything, and Aunt Qiuye even helped me out with the work.”  

Han Zhenyu listened as she praised her own intelligence and chuckled. “As long as you know what you’re doing.”  

Her tone became serious as she voiced her concerns. “You mentioned the other day that you wanted to build four brick houses. I can’t shake this uneasy feeling, are we being too high-profile?”  

She gave him a meaningful look. “Building four brick houses will cost a fortune. If someone asks where we got so much money, how will we explain it?”  

In her heart, she suspected that Han Zhenyu might be involved in the black market. While it was lucrative, it was also risky.  

If he were caught, she would undoubtedly be implicated as well.  

She had read books set in this era and knew that life was not as peaceful as it seemed.  

Su Xieqiu originally thought about building a few adobe houses and settling into a quiet, simple life in the countryside.  

Brick houses would indeed be comfortable and clean to live in, but taking risks just to live better didn’t seem worth it.  

Han Zhenyu understood her concerns. He had already considered all these issues before deciding to build a brick house.  

Seeing that there weren’t many people around, he thought about it and decided it was time to explain his work to her.  

This way, she wouldn’t have unnecessary worries or suspect that he was doing something shady outside.  

He had worked in the black market for a few years but had long since changed his career.  

Although he occasionally brought things home from outside, there was no need to trouble her with such details and make her worry.  

“A few years ago, a couple from Beijing drove through this area, and the man accidentally drove his car into the river.  

“I happened to be bathing nearby, so I rescued them. The man offered me money as thanks, but I declined.  

“Last year, I ran into that man and his brother-in-law again in the county. He insisted on treating me to dinner, and I couldn’t refuse, so I went with them.  

“After hearing about my situation, his brother-in-law took me out of the city and gave me a driving lesson for an afternoon.  

“When they left, the man gave me a letter of introduction and told me to go to Nanping County’s Red Star Machinery Factory to work as an apprentice driver.”  

Su Xieqiu had assumed he was a black market trader and never imagined he was an honest worker. This man was remarkably good at keeping secrets.  

“So you’re a driver at the machinery factory now?”  

“Not exactly. I’m just a temporary worker for now, but I should become a regular employee next month,” Han Zhenyu replied.  

Su Xieqiu laughed. “You’re really tight-lipped. I bet not many people in the village even know you work at a machinery factory.”  

“I didn’t want to cause any trouble, so I didn’t tell anyone. No one knows.” Han Zhenyu glanced at her. “If anyone asks in the future, just tell them that the money to build the house came from my salary.”  

Su Xieqiu teased him with a grin, “You haven’t even worked there a full year yet. I doubt your salary could cover building four brick houses.”  

Han Zhenyu raised an eyebrow at her. “Didn’t you just tell those aunties that the money was borrowed from my uncle and aunt? Since you said it was borrowed, then let’s stick with that.”  

“Hahaha… Alright, got it,” Su Xieqiu nodded, smiling.  

When they arrived at the brigade headquarters, Han Zhenyu pushed open the door of the freshly cleaned room and placed the quilts on the bed.  

Su Xieqiu glanced around the adobe house. It was about ten square meters in size, with a small bed inside, making the space feel spacious.  

Han Zhenyu said, “You tidy up here. I’ll head to the city to buy some necessities.”  

“Wait, haven’t you had breakfast yet? There are a few tortillas left over from yesterday. Eat them before you leave.”  

She untied a bag and took out a bowl containing three tortillas. Though a bit hard, they were better than nothing.  

She handed all three to Han Zhenyu. “You eat these. I’m not hungry yet.”  

Han Zhenyu looked at the dry tortillas, a wave of unhappiness washing over him.  

It pained him as a grown man to let his wife live like this.  

He pushed the bowl back toward her. “You eat them. I’ll buy food in the city later.”  

Sighing, Su Xieqiu took one tortilla and stuffed the other two into his hands. “One is enough for me.”  

Seeing him about to argue, she quickly pushed him out the door. “It’s getting late. You should go now.”  

Han Zhenyu looked at her helplessly, then took the two tortillas and headed toward the village entrance.