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Chapter 15 – The Locked Drawer

Big promises always have to be fulfilled somehow—where was she going to get the money? Qin Yajuan was troubled.

Today was the day for Xu Jingchu and Zhang Qiuyun to settle the household accounts. Xu Jingchu had promised to report the expenses once a week, and she stuck to the schedule strictly.

At first, Zhang Qiuyun had refused, but after a while she got used to it. Now it was second nature to them both. One week’s worth of ration tickets, meat coupons, and cash expenditures—Xu Jingchu explained everything clearly.

“Auntie Zhang, here’s this week’s accounts,” Xu Jingchu said, holding out the ledger.

“Hm? Oh, sorry, I was lost in thought.” Zhang Qiuyun smiled apologetically. The two girls had already been in the city for over two months, and their temperaments had changed since they first arrived.

Qin Yajuan had grown more and more trendy, while Xu Jingchu had become increasingly steady. For a girl who had only finished elementary school in the countryside, she didn’t seem inferior at all compared to the newly hired, educated city girls at the work unit. In fact, with her natural beauty, Xu Jingchu even outshone them a little.

Today, Xu Jingchu was wearing a sky-blue blouse she had made herself, looking fresh and clean.

“Jingchu, your outfit today is so pretty!” Zhang Qiuyun praised from the heart. “Even prettier than the ones you buy. Make me one too, I’ll give you five yuan.”

Xu Jingchu quickly waved her hand. “Auntie, I can make the clothes. It won’t cost five yuan. When you have a day off this weekend, let’s go to the department store together, and you can pick the fabric you like. I’ll sew it at home when I’m free.”

“No, sewing takes your time and effort. You already work so hard every day at home. I can’t take advantage of you like that,” Zhang Qiuyun insisted. At first, she had resisted taking the two girls in, but since she had, it wasn’t to make them repay favors, but out of a sense of gratitude.

She had once thought Xu Jingchu was just putting on a show. But to keep it up for two whole months? That wasn’t pretense—it was habit. Now she only felt guilt and gratitude toward her.

“Since you put it that way, Auntie, I’ll accept the money. But when we buy the fabric, don’t fight me on paying—I’ll cover it,” Xu Jingchu said firmly. In her past life’s business experience, she had learned one crucial rule: never get greedy over small favors.

“You child… fine.” Zhang Qiuyun relented, though she added, “But I’ll provide the ration coupons for the fabric. You mustn’t use yours. Even if you have some, keep them for yourself.”

“Alright, Auntie.”

After that, Zhang Qiuyun handed Xu Jingchu the ration and oil coupons for the following week.

Watching the money and tickets change hands, Qin Yajuan’s mind started spinning. She knew Xu Jingchu always locked these things in a drawer and only took them out when needed. The key Xu Jingchu kept on her at all times.

If the money or tickets went missing, everyone would suspect Xu Jingchu of misusing household resources. Even if suspicion fell on Qin Yajuan, so what? With no proof, she could deny everything.

And this would add one more reason why Xu Jingchu couldn’t get into the paper mill.

The only time to get the key was at night, when Xu Jingchu hung her clothes on the chair by her desk.

If she was quiet enough, no one would ever know.

That night, Qin Yajuan went to bed early, hoping to wake in the middle of the night.

But when she got up under the moonlight, she found that Xu Jingchu had washed her clothes that day—the chair back was empty.

What rotten luck…

She had no choice but to give up and lie back down.

The next day, the group of bell-bottomed friends asked again, “Yajuan, when can we get a proper feast?”

“Soon, soon!” Her eyes flickered as she avoided their gazes. She had to act fast. If she waited a few more days, the week’s meat and grain coupons would already be spent, and she’d have to wait another week.

That afternoon, she hurried home early. She’d noticed Xu Jingchu kept her key in her pocket. When changing clothes, she’d remove it and set it aside—that would be her chance.

But before the chance came, Xu Jingchu anxiously sought her out. “Yajuan, help me, please.”

She was sweating. “I need to go buy groceries, but I can’t open my drawer! What should I do?”

“Let me try.” This was perfect—she had been worrying about how to figure out which key it was, but now the opportunity had landed in her lap.

“Here.” Xu Jingchu handed her the key. “It goes halfway in, but something seems to be blocking the keyhole.”

Qin Yajuan fiddled with it, but it really wouldn’t go in. “I think we’ll have to break the lock.”

If they broke it, they’d have to replace it tomorrow. Tonight would be the perfect chance.

“What are you two doing?” Lin Tiyu happened to pass by and saw the two girls crouched by the drawer with the door wide open.

“Your sister Jingchu’s lock is broken,” Qin Yajuan said loudly, hoping everyone would hear.

“Oh, that’s easy, I’ll call my brother.” Before either girl could stop him, he ran off.

Lin Tingjun came back with a box of tools. Xu Jingchu wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, it was just a blocked keyhole, but before she could, Lin Tingjun was already at work.

He studied it for a while, then bent a thin piece of wire, twisted it inside, and in less than two minutes, pulled out a broken matchstick from the lock.

“All done. Try it.” His face was dark as he turned and left.

Only after he was gone did Qin Yajuan dare whisper to Lin Tiyu, “What’s with your brother?”

“Don’t mind him, he’s always like that. I knew he could do it—he loves this kind of work. For other things, he won’t budge even if you beg.”

But Xu Jingchu noticed the difference. Lin Tingjun had come with enthusiasm, even a bit of excitement. Yet he had left clearly angry. Could it be…

“Jingchu, hurry and buy groceries before it’s too late,” Qin Yajuan urged, eager to know how much money was in the drawer and whether it was worth the risk.

When Xu Jingchu left the house with her basket, the usually friendly aunties in the courtyard suddenly stayed silent. Even when she greeted them, they only gave cold nods.

As soon as she walked past, they gathered in little groups to whisper.

She didn’t need to listen closely to know what they were gossiping about.

It didn’t matter. Her heart was steady. As long as nothing stopped her from reaching her goals, nothing else mattered.

But Qin Yajuan… she would have to deal with.

That evening, Xu Jingchu “accidentally” splattered oil on her blouse and even her pants while cooking. When she hung them up, the chair back was empty again.

Unable to wait any longer, Qin Yajuan seized the chance while Xu Jingchu was bathing and started rummaging through the room, searching for the key.

To give her plenty of time, Xu Jingchu deliberately took her time, bathing carefully and thoroughly.

By the time she came out, everyone else was upstairs. She went out into the courtyard to hang her laundry.

The summer night breeze felt so refreshing.

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