Chapter 91 : Jiang Hao was put in a sack

Jiang Yu was pleasantly surprised and quickly declined.

“Aunt, I can’t accept this money. You should keep it for yourself. It’s my turn to show my respect to you.”

As for the sewing machine, she couldn’t possibly take that either.

Yao Xiangling chuckled and directly stuffed the bag into her hands.

“This is for you from Aunt. Just accept it. I’ve lived alone all these years, and the only person I’ve been concerned about is you. Think of it as a way to put my mind at ease.”

Yao Xiangling slowly stood up, she had been awake long enough and was tired.

Jiang Yu held the money in her hands, feeling a mix of bitterness and swelling in her chest, with tears welling in her eyes.

She sat alone for a while before finally returning to her room.

The next day, Jiang Yu didn’t go out, thinking she would rush to make Yao Xiangling a cotton coat at home.

With thirty pounds of cotton, she could make many coats.

This cotton was fresh from this year fluffy and soft, sure to be warm when worn.

The cotton coat she was making for Yao Xiangling resembled the cashmere coats hanging in department stores, featuring a collar that could button down to the neck and a length that covered the backside.

She chose a bright orange fabric, a rare sight on the streets.

Her design was fitted, so Yao Xiangling wouldn’t look bulky when wearing it.

She was busy until the afternoon when Jiang Ye came over.

He entered the house looking a bit uneasy, it was his first time visiting Yao Xiangling’s home.

“Big sister.”

Jiang Yu stood up and pulled him to sit down.

“Did everything go smoothly?”

Jiang Ye nodded. “Sister Yunshan said they were a bit rushed and only took one hundred and fifty pounds, Liu Zi took the rest.”

He took out the money from his pocket, totaling one hundred and twenty yuan.

Fifteen yuan was still owed by Liu Zi, who said she would send some fabric coupons over in a couple of days.

This meant the cotton effectively cost thirty cents per pound, plus some fabric coupons.

Jiang Yu counted out seventy-five yuan. “Give this to Yunshan.”

The remaining forty-five yuan was her earnings.

After all, she didn’t contribute any labor or money, yet she got forty-five yuan.

She pulled out a large bill and handed it to Jiang Ye.

“This is for you.”

Jiang Ye was flustered. “Big sister, I didn’t do anything, I can’t take this money.”

Jiang Yu shot him a look. “If you don’t take it, I won’t call you next time. I’ll go by myself.”

“That won’t do. My brother-in-law said it’s too dangerous for you to go alone,” Jiang Ye mumbled.

“Then just take it, and I’ll continue to trouble you next time.” Jiang Yu insisted, directly pushing the money into his hands.

Jiang Ye stared at the money, feeling it burn in his palm, his throat tight with emotion.

This wasn’t just about troubling him, Jiang Yu clearly wanted to help him earn money.

“Big sister, thank you.”

Jiang Yu glanced at his clothes and picked up a measuring tape.

“I’ll make you a coat too. It’s getting cold, and how can you get through winter without one?”

Jiang Ye wanted to refuse, but a glare from Jiang Yu made him behave.

“Big sister, I also heard something today.”

“What is it?”

Jiang Ye said, “Jiang Hao was put in a sack  anad got broke a leg. Mom is shouting about coming to find you, but Dad stopped her.”

With a broken leg, he surely wouldn’t be able to go into town for a banquet tomorrow.

Jiang Yu’s expression was calm. “Someone like him getting bagged isn’t surprising.”

“Alright, this coat might take some time to finish, but I’ll deliver it to you later.”

Jiang Ye still had to go deliver money to Wang Yunshan, so he didn’t stay long.

When Wang Yunshan heard they could get fabric coupons, she was overjoyed.

“Please thank Liu Zi for me, let’s continue to cooperate next time.”

After seeing Jiang Ye off, Wang Yunshan counted out her thirty yuan, the rest was for the villagers.

Divided at thirty cents a pound, each family got almost ten yuan.

“The fabric coupons will take a couple of days. Just wait a bit, once the money is in hand, the coupons will come eventually.”

Everyone was relaxed, they didn’t need Wang Yunshan to comfort them.

In the past, this cotton would either rot in the fields or be given away, but this was the first time they could sell it.

With the warm money in hand, there was nothing to worry about.

Once they had the coupons, they could buy some fabric and, before winter set in, make a couple of cotton coats for their families.

“Hey, if there are more good opportunities like this next time, don’t forget to come to us!”

Wang Yunshan eagerly agreed “Alright, I’m heading back now!”

…

On the twenty-first day of the eighth lunar month, it was an auspicious day for weddings.

On this day, Jiang Yu changed into a new outfit, allowing Yao Xiangling to braid her hair and do her makeup.

Her skin was good enough that she looked beautiful even without makeup, so Yao Xiangling just applied some lipstick to enhance her complexion.

“From now on, cherish each other with Xiao He. Marriage requires effort, and mutual investment is the key to lasting happiness.”

Once her makeup was done, Wang Meili and Jiang Yonghua arrived.

Even though it was their family marrying off a daughter, they looked like guests coming to celebrate.

“Your uncle and second uncle are here to send you off.”

They hadn’t come to the countryside banquet a few days ago, fearing they would have to give gift money.

Now that they were coming to town for the banquet, the bride’s family didn’t need to provide gift money, so they came.

This entire family from the uncle and second uncle could fill one table.

Jiang Yu pressed her lips together but didn’t say anything, feeling a bit displeased inside.

Today was her special day, and she shouldn’t let these small matters ruin her mood.

Compared to the second uncle, the uncle seemed more straightforward and uncomfortable about eating and drinking for free, so he urged his wife to give Jiang Yu some gift money.

Jiang Yu pushed it back. “Aunt, no need for that. I’m already very happy that you came to send me off.”

The uncle’s wife looked embarrassed and stole a glance at the uncle.

The uncle didn’t say anything instead, the second uncle patted his belly and laughed.

“Big brother, you’re just too rigid. We’re Jiang Yu’s family, so we should just enjoy the feast. There’s no reason for gift money.”

The second uncle’s wife was busy looking around the room, fascinated by everything.

Though it wasn’t as spacious as the countryside, this was a city apartment!

How many people wished they could live here?

Seeing her so familiar, she tried to enter the house but was stopped by Jiang Yu.

“Aunt, this isn’t my home, it’s my aunt’s house. It’s not appropriate for you to go in.”

The second uncle’s wife’s expression changed instantly as she turned to sit down.

“Living in the city really is different, you can even lecture your elders now.”

Jiang Yu spoke calmly, “It is indeed different. As for how it’s different, I won’t elaborate. When my cousin gets married, you’ll know.”

At that moment, Wang Moli was eyeing the sewing machine, which had a red wedding sticker on it. She wondered if it was part of the dowry.

It had to be said that marrying into the city was indeed beneficial.

She muttered, “Aunt, your family is really wealthy, you even prepared big items for Jiang Yu?”

Wang Meili looked over, surprised. “What big items?”

Wang Meili pointed to the sewing machine. “It has a wedding sticker on it, isn’t it part of the dowry?”

Jiang Yu had quite a few items in her dowry: two quilts, two pairs of pillows, a hot water bottle, a pair of enamel basins, plus some leftover fabric and cotton, all with red wedding stickers on them.