Chapter 45: The First Family Portrait

Lele’s face flushed with excitement: “Mom, Mom, the people who are giving out the red flowers are here!”

“Comrade Su, congratulations on becoming the first ten-thousand-yuan household in our town!”

“Firecrackers!”

A staff member immediately took out a string of firecrackers and lit them. The crackling sound echoed throughout the village.

This was Ji Lele’s first time seeing firecrackers. He covered his ears, hiding behind his mother in fear, while also curiously watching.

The smell of gunpowder filled his nose.

The lively scene attracted more and more onlookers.

Since Su Ai was the one who deposited the money, the red flower was only for her.

“Comrade Su, we also need to take a picture of you, and it will be in the newspaper.”

Su Ai nodded, pulled Ji Lele back, and pushed the wheelchair forward.

She pushed her husband in front of her.

The photographer didn’t say anything; he waved at the family of three: “Smile.”

“Yes, that’s it.”

“Okay!”

Click! A flash of white light. Su Ai smiled calmly, Ji Yang looked a little tense, and the child, a little scared, secretly tugged at his mother’s sleeve.

“Okay, perfect.”

The photographer gave them a thumbs-up.

The family of three was good-looking and photogenic.

“Comrade Su, can you tell us how you earned this ten thousand yuan?”

Since the photo was going to be in the newspaper, they couldn’t just include a picture; they needed to write about Su Ai’s “rags-to-riches story.”

This would also encourage others to find ways to make money.

“Of course.”

“I took my husband to the county for treatment, and then I saw that there was no food sold in front of the cinema…”

Su Ai recounted her money-making process, but only mentioned what food she sold, not the recipe.

The staff member thought the interview material was sufficient and put away his pen and paper.

“Thank you for your cooperation, Comrade Su.”

Su Ai looked at her husband and child, who were eagerly watching the camera.

“You’re welcome.”

“I just wanted to ask you a favor. You’ll develop this photo, right?  Could you develop a couple more copies? I’ll pay.”

“We want to keep a copy too.”

“Our family doesn’t have a family photo yet.”

“No problem at all, Comrade Su.”

The staff members said, looking enviously at Su Ai and her family.

A ten-thousand-yuan household!

These ordinary staff members couldn’t even imagine what ten thousand yuan looked like.

Their monthly salary was only 40 yuan; it would take twenty years to earn ten thousand yuan without eating or drinking.

Sigh.

Su Ai politely invited them to eat, but the staff members said they needed to write their article and handle their work, so they left the red flower and plaque behind and left.

Su Ai was about to go back inside.

Unexpectedly, the villagers who had been hesitant to approach earlier, now swarmed over.

“Su Ai, Su Ai, did you really deposit ten thousand yuan in the bank?”

“Did you really earn this ten thousand yuan?”

“Su Ai, how did you make those snacks? Tell me, will you?”

“Su Ai, do you need to hire someone? Do you need help with your business? I’m a quick worker, and I don’t ask for much. If you need someone, hire me.”

“Su Ai, you’re really capable.”

“Su Ai, I’m your close relative; with such a profitable business, you should prioritize family.”

“Don’t let outsiders take advantage.”

“Su Ai, now that you’re so rich, can you lend me some money? Your brothers are so poor they can’t even eat; please have pity on them.”

“Lend me a hundred or eighty yuan; I’ll pay you back as soon as I have the money.”

“Yes, Su Ai, look at my clothes and shoes; they’re all ten years old. Lend me some money! We’re really too poor to make ends meet. We’re neighbors; now that you’re rich, you won’t be so heartless, right?”

“Su Ai, I’m short two hundred yuan for building a house.”

“Su Ai, no wonder you bought so many new clothes yesterday; you’re rich now! Do you still want your old clothes? Can you give me some?”

“You can’t wear so many new clothes, Su Ai. Your cousin is getting married soon; I see you’re about the same size; lend some of your new clothes to your cousin to make a good impression?”

Everyone crowded to the door and started chattering at Su Ai.

Besides those trying to get something, there were also those trying to get close.

“Su Ai, we were best friends when we were little, remember?”

“That time you skipped class and got punished by the teacher, I helped you get away with it.”

“Su Ai, I haven’t seen you properly in two years; you’re so pretty.”

“Su Ai, my son is much better-looking than Ji Yang, and he’s good to his wife, and has a good temper. Ji Yang is crippled; why are you still with him? It’s thankless, and he wasn’t good to you before.”

“Just be with my son!”

Before Su Ai could speak, the men and women, the elders, started chattering, making Su Ai’s head spin.

Some wanted her money, some wanted to establish a relationship, some wanted the business recipe, and some directly wanted her and all her property.

No wonder Engels once said:

Once there is a sufficient profit, capital will become bold.

With 50% profit, it will take any risk; with 100% profit, it will trample all human laws underfoot; with 300% profit, it will dare to commit any crime, even risk hanging.

Su Ai herself was a capitalist; she understood the allure of money better than anyone.

If someone obtains wealth that doesn’t match their abilities, that wealth will flow back into society through various channels.

Su Ai had gone down that road.

She earned money to improve her family’s life, not to do charity.

Su Ai looked at the few people blocking the door, smiled gently, and said, “Please make way; let me out.”

Everyone immediately moved their feet and stepped back.

Then…

Then, with a bang, Su Ai slammed the door shut.

The people at the front could even feel the force of the closing door.

It almost hit their noses.

Su Ai closed the door and bolted it, all in one go, not giving anyone a chance to push the door open.

She didn’t respond to anyone.

Her action of closing the door was her attitude.

My money is mine; it has nothing to do with you.

Forget about borrowing money; I won’t even give you a piece of clothing.

Her ruthless and heartless attitude made everyone outside furious.