Chapter 6

Shu Fangfang paused, and said angrily, “No need to be right, I can’t take your money, that’s all!”

“Go! Go now! I don’t want to see you.”

As she said this, Shu Fangfang pushed Shu Wan away, acting as if she was hurt by her sister.

Shu Fangfang’s performance as an elder sister who acts like a mother to everyone was so popular that someone immediately advised her, “Shu Wan, don’t hurt your sister’s feelings just for a little money.”

“Your sister is angry. Let’s go first and come back another day.”

Shu Fangfang, who was covering her face with sadness, couldn’t help but curl up the corners of her mouth. Shu Wan was too naive to fight with her.

After Shu Wan leaves here, even if she finds that the amount doesn’t match, she can push the blame on Shu Wan, saying that Shu Wan hid it herself and it has nothing to do with her.

With Shu Wan’s reputation in the compound, everyone will definitely stand on her side.

Shu Wan did not leave immediately. Instead, she raised the envelope in her hand and said loudly: “Since the eldest sister has paid back the money, I will keep my promise and return the money to you now!”

After saying this, he opened the envelope in front of everyone and took out a thick stack of banknotes from it.

Shu Wan counted them one by one, her face visibly stiffened. People far away couldn’t see clearly, and she shouted:

“What’s wrong? If you don’t have enough money, you can pay less.”

“I think it’s a thick stack, it should be enough…”

When everyone gathered around, they realized that it was all coins of a few cents. It looked very thick, but in fact it added up to no more than five dollars.

Shu Fangfang secretly cried out that it was not good and tried to sneak out, but Shu Wan had already caught her and confronted her, “Du Wendong borrowed twenty yuan from me yesterday morning…”

“Last time I came here, I borrowed eighteen dollars.”

“Last month, I borrowed eight dollars.”

“…”

Every time an account was mentioned, everyone exclaimed, and then looked at Shu Fangfang meaningfully. This is more than five dollars, it must be at least fifty dollars.

Shu Wan spoke for two full minutes before she finished. She took out a piece of paper from her small cloth bag and spread it out for Shu Fangfang to see.

“Sister, this is the bill. I have written down every single item on paper.”

Shu Fangfang’s eyes fell on the total amount, one hundred and eight yuan… gritted her teeth and asked, “Is it that much? Did you remember it wrong?”

“Sister, if you don’t believe me, you can ask Du Wendong to come over and confront me. By the way, I have an IOU written by Du Wendong himself.”

Shu Fangfang’s face changed again and again. She should not have admitted to the advance payment, which led to her being in a difficult situation now. It seems that she has to pay the money.

One hundred and eight dollars! Shu Fangfang was so heartbroken that she was bleeding!

Shu Fangfang hid her pain and smiled, “Don’t bother. I don’t believe you. Wait, I’ll go into the house and get the money.”

Shu Fangfang walked into the house with heavy steps, and Shu Wan’s voice came from behind her:

“Sister-in-law, don’t worry, I won’t delay once I get the money, and I will pay you back right away!”

When Shu Fangfang heard this, she was in a daze and tripped over the threshold, almost falling to the ground.

Shu Wan smiled and said, “There’s no IOU at all. It’s just to scare Shu Fangfang.”

Although there was no IOU, the amount was correct, neither more nor less.

In front of Shu Fangfang’s house, everyone was still reeling from the shock of the huge amount of debt owed.

One hundred and eight yuan is more than two months’ salary for my husband!

This time, the sisters-in-law in the compound looked at Shu Wan as if she were a foolish child without any brains. No wonder Shu Wan would borrow money from them. Which family can afford so much expenditure?

This kid is so naive. He actually lent out so much money. Isn’t he afraid of bad debts?

But who is Du Wendong that Shu Wan is talking about?

Everyone was grumbling, and finally someone couldn’t help but ask:

“Shu Wan, who is Du Wendong?”

It’s finally here, and now is a good opportunity to clarify.

Shu Wan answered slowly, making sure everyone could hear, “Du Wendong, that’s the male college student who came to see me yesterday morning. He’s my eldest sister’s friend, and he’s from the same hometown as us.”

“Ah? Ah! It’s him.”

“He is Shu Fangfang’s friend, why is he looking for you?”

Shu Wan scratched the back of her head. “My eldest sister said it was inconvenient for her to meet him, so she asked me to come forward. I don’t know why, but later on, he only came to me to borrow money.”

After hearing this, everyone’s expressions were indescribable, and the filter of Shu Fangfang as an elder sister and a mother was somewhat shattered.

Shu Fangfang is quite good at avoiding suspicion, but why doesn’t she think about Shu Wan and let her meet a man many times? Shu Wan is also a military family member, and her reputation cannot be damaged.

Moreover, the rumors about Shu Wan being restless were spreading wildly in the compound. Shu Fangfang knew about it, but she never clarified it!

I heard that Captain Huo went home angrily yesterday to cause trouble for Shu Wan!

The gossipers who were splashed with water were also in the crowd. After listening to Shu Wan’s explanation, their faces became red.

They were the ones who told others that Shu Wan went to see Du Wendong yesterday morning. They didn’t expect the truth to be like this.

Several people looked at each other and secretly decided that they must restore Shu Wan’s innocent reputation.

Yu Chunyan was also in the crowd, feeling both guilty and distressed. Shu Wan was young and could easily make mistakes if she wasn’t careful, so she secretly decided to take better care of Shu Wan in the future.

After Shu Wan’s explanation, the military wives became much less hostile towards her.

Someone couldn’t help but remind Shu Wan, “Don’t meet Du Wendong anymore. Don’t meet alone if you want to.”

Shu Wan could feel the kindness released by everyone and said with a smile: “Thank you for your concern, sisters-in-law. I won’t do that again in the future.”

“Also, I have done many wrong things in the past that have caused you harm or trouble. I sincerely apologize to you here.”

“I’m sorry, I won’t do that again.”

Shu Wan bowed deeply, shocking everyone.

After the shock, I suddenly realized that Shu Wan seemed to have really changed.

Not only would he call them sister-in-law, he would also apologize to them.

You know what, when Shu Wan is not crazy, she looks fair and clean, a very well-behaved girl.

“The past is the past, and people should look forward.”

“Everyone makes mistakes when they are young. It is a great honor to admit your mistakes and improve them!”

People in the 1980s were simple and honest. As soon as Shu Wan apologized, she clearly felt that everyone’s hostility towards her had disappeared, and the smile on her face became more genuine.

This time Shu Fangfang didn’t dare to play any tricks. She honestly collected the 108 yuan, didn’t put it in an envelope, and gave the money directly to Shu Wan.

One hundred and eight yuan, this is most of her pocket money!

Shu Fangfang was so heartbroken that she couldn’t breathe, and for a moment she didn’t notice the strange looks people were giving her.

After giving the money, Shu Fangfang went straight back to her room. She didn’t dare to look at it, fearing that she would vomit blood if she took one look.

As for Shu Wan’s promise to pay back the money, Shu Fangfang didn’t believe it. The money must still be in Shu Wan’s hands.

Shu Wan and her group arrived at an open place.

Shu Wan took out the account book from the cloth bag and raised her voice a few degrees, “Sister-in-law who called your name, please come over and get the money.”

“Okay!”

“You read out the names and we’ll line up ourselves.” A military wife immediately suggested spontaneously.

Shu Wan: “…”

As expected of military wives, they have already organized themselves spontaneously.

When paying back the money, Shu Wan wanted to give more as interest, but the military wives refused to do so, so in the end she had to pay back the original amount. Shu Wan secretly kept it in mind and decided to thank him when she had the chance in the future.

Helping is a favor, not helping is your duty.

In this era, there is such a group of simple people, and Shu Wan wants to build good relationships with them.

After a while, Shu Wan paid off the money and had 18 yuan left.

Including the twenty yuan he took back yesterday morning and the twenty yuan given by Huo Zhengye, his total belongings now amount to 58 yuan.

Shu Wan rejected the invitation of her enthusiastic sisters-in-law and planned to go into the city with the remaining money.

After paying off the debt, it’s time to think about making more money.

Following the guidance of her enthusiastic sister-in-law, Shu Wan took the bus to the city.

After getting off the bus, what came into view were the square buildings along the street, street stalls and shops full of hawkers, pedestrians in plain clothes, with a simplicity and innocence on their faces that was unique to that era.