Chapter 10

Zhang Xiyue let Li Hongmei touch her head. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m fine. I just bled a little. It’s nothing serious. I was lucky today. I found two dollars and two meat tickets at the entrance of the scrap yard. My sister Xi and I both have jobs now, so of course we have to celebrate.”

“If I don’t pick up the money that fell on the ground, I’d be a fool.” Her excuse was enough.

The original owner was pampered by Li Hongmei since childhood. Zhang Xiyue had memories and was able to quickly accept and get along with the Zhang family and the villagers. It was not difficult to get along with them.

“My daughter is so lucky. Come on, get up and eat. I made some fish soup. Your third brother caught some from the river.”

The head of the family, Li Hongmei, spoke: “Ahem, let’s talk about a few things today. First, Wenyue got a job. This was thanks to Xiyue. The price she paid was that Xiyue was kidnapped and almost drowned in the river. Wenyue, you are the older sister. This job was given to you by my younger sister. You should be content.”

Zhang Wenyue almost thought that she would have to go to the countryside or get married, so how could she not be satisfied?

Zhang Wenyue took Zhang Xiyue’s hand and said, “Xiyue, this job was supposed to be Yang Guihua’s compensation for you, but it was given to me. I’ll give you my salary every month. If you buy some good medicinal herbs to take care of your health, I’ll be happy.”

The reason why the original owner was favored in the Zhang family was, firstly, because of his blessed and dignified appearance, and secondly, when the original owner was ten years old, a wandering monk begging for food passed by the village and said that the original owner had a destiny of great wealth and honor, and could bring prosperity to his family.

In less than half a year, Zhang Tieniu became the director and Li Hongmei was promoted to team leader. Isn’t that a good thing?

Zhang Xiyue declined politely. Zhang Wenyue needed the money more than her. They were both seventeen years old and could save some money for a dowry. She could earn money, so there was no need to subsidize her.

“Sister, I’m not that weak. I have a job too. I earn thirty dollars a month, which is enough for me to spend. You can save it for your dowry.”

Zhang Tieniu decided: “In this way, Wenyue gets a great deal, but we haven’t split up the family. Why don’t Xiyue take 100 yuan and give me 10 yuan every month? Xiyue, don’t think it’s too little. Wenyue has taken care of you since you were a child and loves you very much.”

Zhang Xiyue has been in poor health since childhood, and almost all of her affairs were taken care of by Zhang Wenyue, including washing clothes and housework.

“Sister, don’t refuse.” Zhang Xiyue didn’t refuse anymore.

Zhang Wenyue’s eyes were wet and she said gratefully, “Okay, I will make clothes for you in the future.” She understood that her sister would be considerate of her and was so sensible.

“Shh, keep your noise down. Come here, Xiyue saved the three boiled eggs for nutrition. Let’s eat the roast chicken together. It’s so delicious. It’s from an old hen.” Zhang Wenxin, the lively guy, walked into the kitchen and brought in three boiled eggs and roast chicken.

Zhang Wenhai: “…”

Mom just said that we have run out of eggs at home and we need to go buy some. My third brother has no money either. His monthly salary is not enough to spend. He is an apprentice and earns 18 yuan a month. He hands over 10 yuan to the family, uses 2 yuan as pocket money, and uses 6 yuan for food. An old hen costs 3 yuan. There is only one truth.

Zhang Wenhai slammed his fist on the table, furious. “Tell the truth, Third Brother! Whose eggs and chickens did you steal? Mom and Dad, look at my Third Brother. He’s such a jerk. How can he get married if he’s like that?”

Li Hongmei rolled her eyes. “You should eat them. These chickens and eggs belong to Yang Tiantian next door. What’s wrong? Are you feeling bad? Xiyue lost so much blood. What’s wrong with me asking her for a chicken and three eggs?”

“Have you forgotten that Yang Tiantian received favors from her family? Zhang Shufen is not a good person. She often bullies her and finds excuses to withhold her food rations. Aren’t they all provided by Xiyue? Those eggs and sweet potatoes are good things, too. But Yang Tiantian turns around and plots against Xiyue for her job. This girl is quite cunning.”

As soon as she got home, the third brother sneaked into her room to present her treasure. That was a good thing he did.

Zhang Wenhai looked embarrassed. “But stealing isn’t a good idea. Doesn’t Yang Tiantian still have to work in the fields to earn work points for the family?”

Zhang Wenxin said coldly, “How can just three eggs be enough? Hey, Xiao Lanzi told me that Zhang Shufen beat Yang Tiantian with a feather duster today.”

“Uncle, you’re awesome! I’m eating meat.” Zhang Hailan clapped her hands happily.

Zhang Tieniu was happy in his heart, but he defended her: “Okay, big brother, the third brother is helping the younger sister vent her anger. Look, your daughter knows how to feel sorry for her aunt, right?”

How could his child have any problems as a human being? Of course it was Yang Tiantian’s fault. Taking three eggs and a chicken from the Yang family was not excessive. There were even more excessive things.

“Alright, eat quickly. Here are some buns. Xiyue bought them with two dollars she found. You’re in for a treat! You won’t be able to stop eating.” Li Hongmei invited everyone to eat.

Li Hongmei served Zhang Xiyue a large bowl of fish soup: “Xiyue, drink this bowl of fish soup. Mom simmered it for half an hour. It’s milky white and delicious.”

Looking at the happy family, Zhang Xiyue recalled that her parents were still alive in her previous life and the home was so lively. It was so nice to have someone who cared about her.

She was determined to protect the Zhang family. Zhang Xiyue wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her hands, lowered her head and ate with tears in her eyes.

“Thank you, Mom. I will finish it.” The original owner was in poor health, so Li Hongmei would give her a large bowl of nutritious meat and soup.

After dinner, Zhang Xiyue accompanied Zhang Wenyue to the river to wash dishes. There was no well at home, so they washed clothes and dishes by the river. The river water was clear. The water for the family was fetched from the well in the village, which was fifty meters away from home. Therefore, the Zhang family did not dig a well.

Zhang Qiaozui sighed and said, “Wenyue, you’re the one washing the dishes again. You’re only one hour older than Xiyue, why do you treat her like your own daughter? Xiyue, you’re old enough to help the Shen family with work, but you don’t care about your family.”

She had said this before, but Zhang Xiyue still hadn’t changed her bad habits. She was too much of a flatterer to men and wasn’t taken seriously. She understood this feeling, but thinking of Zhang Xiyue’s sickly body, it was normal for her to be disliked, so she wanted to make up for it in other ways.

Zhang Xiyue nodded obediently: “Auntie, I understand. I have given up on Shen He and will not try to please him anymore. Please don’t criticize me.”

This is the original owner’s fault, and it’s a heavy burden for her to bear.

“Well, I won’t say anything more. You two sisters will be eighteen years old soon, and you will graduate from high school soon. Once you have a job, you can choose a partner and get married.” Zhang Qiaozui felt that he was talking too much. Zhang Xiyue was not a stupid girl. Look how happy she made the Zhang family.

There’s no need for her to remind me.

Zhang Wenyue was a little embarrassed: “Aunt, my sister and I are still a long way from getting married. Let’s not talk about us. How is Sister Yanzi’s blind date going? Is she interested in that guy?”

Lin Yan is the eldest daughter of Zhang Qiaozui. She is going on a blind date today. She stopped studying after elementary school and works in the fields in the village.

“I just don’t understand why. Zheng Hua has such a great physique, 1.8 meters tall, but Yan Zi doesn’t like him. She thinks he’s not good-looking and says he’s too rude.”

Zhang Xiyue knew that Lin Yan liked Liu Yang, the educated youth from the village. This person was not a good person, so she gave a friendly reminder, “Auntie, Sister Yanzi seems to like Liu Yang, the educated youth. I saw her giving eggs to people.”

“What? That damn girl actually dared to lie to me. It turns out she likes scholars, the kind who are well-mannered and gentle. Don’t you see that Liu Yang can barely earn six work points a day, how can he support his wife and children? No, I’m done washing up and leaving. I’ll go home and deal with her.” Zhang Qiaozui left angrily.

Zhang Wenyue complained: “Xiyue, Yan Zi really likes Liu Yang? What kind of vision is this?”

“Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.”