Chapter 3

“Mom, while I was in the hospital, I yelled as you instructed that Gu Qingchuan was being a lecher. I even spent 500 yuan to have the Jiang family solidify that boy’s charges.”

Gu Qingchuan’s aunt was reporting the situation to her mother-in-law inside the house. “Do you think Gu Qingchuan’s grandmother would agree to let us adopt a grandson from our family to carry on the family line?”

Gong Liping was actually quite reluctant to let one of her family’s sons go.

But her mother-in-law, Dong Hua, said that the old lady had once been the daughter of a wealthy landlord, holding onto mountains of gold and silver. As long as Gu Qingchuan was out of the picture, the son they adopted could inherit all that wealth.

“That blind old woman won’t allow the main branch to die out; she’ll definitely agree.”

Dong Hua knew a bit about her older sister-in-law; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been willing to spend 500 yuan to send her son’s wife to find the Jiang family and manage to get Gu Qingchuan, that “wolf cub,” imprisoned in one go.

“But Mom, are you really sure that old lady has hidden treasures?”

Gong Liping asked, “I’ve seen her family eat nothing but plain rice and vegetables for the past ten years, and they had a truckload of valuables confiscated that year. What if she hasn’t hidden any gold or silver? By letting your grandson be adopted by her, wouldn’t you just be sending your own grandson to suffer?”

Dong Hua looked down on this eldest daughter-in-law; with her limited vision, she still dreamed of striking it rich.

“You don’t understand anything. Before that old woman got married, her family was the richest in Jin. My father worked as a long-term laborer for her family.”

Dong Hua recalled the grand wedding of that old woman, saying, “The bride price wasn’t something a truckload could carry away. The calligraphy, paintings, gold, and jewels that were confiscated that year were less than half of her dowry.”

“Could it be that it’s even less than half?”

Gong Liping could hardly believe it. That year, she had witnessed with her own eyes the gold bars that had been confiscated—there had been a whole box of them. The clothes and jewelry, which she had never seen before, filled several large boxes.

People said that these were not even the most valuable items. Those seemingly unremarkable teapots, porcelain vases, bowls, and scrolls of calligraphy and paintings—any one of them could be worth a fortune.

The world had become much more lenient that year compared to previous years, and Dong Huahua dared to discuss these matters with her daughter-in-law.

“Look at you, acting like you’ve never seen the world,” Dong Hua said. Although she had never enjoyed such riches, she had seen them.

She gestured with her finger, making a circle in the air.

“Our area’s courtyard, with its blue bricks and four walls, belonged to the old lady back then. The nearby hundreds of acres of farmland were also hers. I still remember one year during the New Year, the accountant paid the household workers their wages. The copper coins filled the entire room! That kind of wealth—you all wouldn’t have had the chance to see it.”

Dong Hua seemed to remember the young lady, who was not much older than her, returning home from the girls’ school, sitting elegantly in the Huanghuali chair in the main hall.

At that moment, she felt a surge of jealousy; she wished the person sitting there was herself.

Later, their family came to Qin Province along with the young lady’s dowry. After the liberation, she seized the opportunity to marry the young lady’s useless brother, becoming sister-in-law with the young lady.

Later on, she seized the opportunity to report the young lady as a landlord, personally leading the team that confiscated the young lady’s belongings. Because of this, she became a street official and enjoyed several years of glory.

However, Dong Hua knew that the old lady had caught wind of the situation early on and had hidden most of the valuable items. What was confiscated were the things that had already seen the light of day; the treasures stashed away were anyone’s guess as to where they had been buried.

This was the first time Gong Liping heard her mother-in-law mention the dowry of the main household. If the old lady really had hidden away some valuables, it would still be worth it to adopt a son and pass them on.

“Mom, where do you think the old lady has hidden the stuff? Over the years, we’ve visited her plenty of times to pry for information, but she wouldn’t budge an inch. She would rather starve with her grandchildren than reveal anything, even with her eyes closed.”

“There are so many mountains and rivers around here; who knows which hill she buried her treasures in?” Dong Hua replied. “Alright, but you should keep these words to yourself. If someone hears about it and goes treasure hunting, digging up those valuables, after waiting for so many years, we’ll have waited for nothing.”

It almost seemed as if those treasures already belonged to her family.

Gong Liping nodded repeatedly. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m not foolish; I won’t go blabbering about it.”

What a joke! Those treasures would belong to her son in the future. She hadn’t let a single word slip to even her third brother and his wife.

Thinking about how the old lady’s most cherished grandson would never return, Dong Hua felt a sense of satisfaction. “I’ll go talk to the old lady about the adoption.”

—o—o—o—

“Eldest sister-in-law, Brother Chuan, has been caught for being a hooligan. He probably won’t be coming back.”

Dong Hua barged into Miao Xiulan’s courtyard, forcing out a few tears. She figured that since the old lady was nearly blind and wouldn’t see her, she might as well drop the pretense.

“Whether he comes back or not is none of your business. Get out of my house!”

Miao Xiulan had seen her fair share of storms. Dong Hua had been a thorn in the side of the main household for a long time. Even if Brother Chuan never returned, she wouldn’t shed a single tear in front of Dong Hua.

If she had any tears left to shed, that is.

A foe had been nurtured through a meager kindness.

“Eldest sister-in-law, you can’t say that. If Brother Chuan doesn’t come back, the main household won’t have a man to support it. Brother Chuan has two younger sisters who are left helpless; you’ll need someone to care for you in your old age, won’t you?”

For the hundred and eighth time, she proposed, “How about I adopt one of my grandsons to you? After all, I have seven or eight grandsons; you can just pick one you like.”

Dong Hua tried to sound more amiable, but no matter how she phrased it, her words felt like a sharp blade stabbing at the old lady’s heart.

The second household had seven or eight grandsons, while the main household had only Gu Qingchuan left.

Miao Xiulan felt a deep-seated resentment, her heart bleeding with hate, while Grandma glared at Dong Hua with her murky eyes, making her uneasy.

“Dong Hua, your father was my servant when I was married. When you were young, you especially loved to sneak into my storeroom, coveting my fine treasures, didn’t you?”

Dong Hua swallowed hard. That underground storeroom was as large as three rooms, filled with countless treasures, most of which she couldn’t even name. When they led the confiscation, half of the storeroom had been empty.

The old lady of the landlord’s family was too cunning; she must have moved the other half somewhere else.

If she could just pry out a little bit, it would bring unimaginable wealth.

Soon, these treasures would see the light of day again, and she needed to figure out where the old lady had hidden them.

Otherwise, she would never willingly give a grandson to this blind old woman.

“Eldest sister-in-law, the treasures are worthless; you can’t neglect the two unmarried granddaughters in our family, nor your eldest daughter, who is living like a slave in her husband’s household. If you could spare even a little for her dowry, she could hold her head high among her in-laws,” Dong Hua insisted.

“It’s your stubbornness and stinginess that have harmed your eldest daughter.”

Miao Xiulan had lost three sons and two grandsons to early death. Ten years ago, when their home was confiscated, her eldest daughter had watched the family near starvation and, in desperation, married a worthless man, bringing back only two hundred catties of millet.

That year, Gu Qingchuan was only ten years old. Thanks to the millet porridge, his younger siblings had survived.

The second household had not offered a single grain of rice during that time.

Miao Xiulan stored all her resentment in her heart. “What can be done? They are the wolf cubs of the landlord’s family. It’s their fate. Dong Hua, you have your own fate, and it won’t be any better than mine.”

Grandma Miao continued: “I’ll tell you the truth: I have treasures, but my grandchildren can’t enjoy them. I’ll take them to the grave with me and won’t give them to you.”

The old lady had finally admitted that she had hidden valuable items! Dong Hua felt a surge of excitement.

The men of the main household were all dead, keeping those dead possessions without taking them out—what was she trying to prove?

“Eldest sister-in-law, for the sake of the Gu family, you can’t be so selfish. How about this? Just tell me where those things are hidden, and I’ll get Brother Chuan out. You know I still have some connections.”

“Old woman Dong, don’t you feel tired coming to my house over and over again? Why not wait until I die before you come?”

Gu Qingchuan pushed open the dilapidated fence gate, knowing he was about to get beaten. He was tall and feared his grandmother wouldn’t be able to reach him, so he half-kneeled in front of her. “Grandma, your grandson is back.”

Miao Xiulan released a breath of relief, and with a shaky hand, she slapped her grandson on the head.

“Fool! Didn’t Grandma tell you? There are more than one or two people out there who want you dead. When you’re walking on the street, you need to steer clear of any cat or dog that looks like it’s about to die. And especially stay far away from young ladies and married women!”

Grandma felt both worried and relieved; her eldest grandson had finally returned. “Are you trying to get yourself killed by ignoring Grandma’s words? Have you been led astray by others?”

Gu Qingchuan forced a bitter smile. His grandmother had warned him, but today, the person in danger and injured was Jiang Ci…

How could he possibly not save her?

“Grandma, I’ll be more careful next time.”

“Next time? Do you still want a next time? Grandma only has you as a grandson!”

Miao Xiulan said fiercely, “You’re not allowed to see that young girl again. Sooner or later, you’ll end up dead because of her.”

It was all due to those three steamed buns that had caused this misfortune.

The year their home was confiscated, the neighbors avoided her family like they were the plague. There wasn’t a single grain of rice left in the jar. Because of their family background, the eldest daughter couldn’t find a job when she reached working age, and the younger ones cried out in hunger.

Seven-year-old Jiang Ci had stolen three white buns from her house and secretly stuffed them into Gu Qingchuan’s pocket.

Her eldest grandson was good at everything, but whenever he encountered that girl, he lost his senses. She couldn’t let him see her again.

As for the kindness behind those three buns, Grandma thought today’s events could be considered evened out.

Dong Hua was speechless.

Was this how the old lady usually taught her grandson?

But wait, how had Gu Qingchuan come back?

“Gu Qingchuan, who let you come back?”

Gu Qingchuan said coldly, “Of course, it’s the police station, Grandma Dong. Are you very disappointed?”

Dong Huahua felt a secret resentment. This Wolf Cub spoke in a way that pierced her heart, just like the old lady Miao. She had spent 500 yuan after all!

How could the Jiang family accept the money and still let this little Wolf Cub come back?

Miao Xiulan found a big broom in the corner and swung it at Dong Hua, “My grandson is back. You can keep your stupid grandsons for yourself; hurry up and get lost!”

After driving Dong Hua away, Miao Xiulan poked her eldest grandson’s forehead, “You’re not allowed to go out for these next few days. Do you hear me?”

“Yeah, got it.” But he still wanted to go outside.

Gu Qingchuan had his hands in his pockets and felt two hard, oil-paper-wrapped packages. He pulled them out to take a look; they were two oil cakes.

He paused for a moment, realizing that in his haste to return home, he hadn’t noticed that his coat pocket had two more oil cakes in it.

Was this put in by Jiang Ci? She even specifically instructed the female police officer to tell him to wear them when he came out.

That girl… was still the same as before. Always liked to stuff food into his pockets.

Just now, when Dong Hua was there, the little sister had stayed hidden in the house and didn’t dare to come out. Now she ran out, surrounding her brother, tugging at her heart, fearing that this only brother might not return.

Gu Qingchuan handed one of the oil cakes to his grandmother, “Grandma, have a cake.”

The golden oil cakes, crispy on both sides, were filled with dried plums and pork cracklings. Even when cold, they were fragrant—these were the signature oil cakes from the state-run restaurant.

The sesame cakes only cost three cents each, but this meaty oil cake was eight cents. Two of them cost sixteen cents, which her family couldn’t afford.

“Is it that girl who gave this to you again?” Grandma didn’t want to eat it, but the oil cakes smelled too good. She took a bite and said, “Make sure to pay her back later.”

“Okay.” Gu Qingchuan replied, giving the other oil cake to his little sister.

“What will you eat, Brother?”

“I ate on the way.” Gu Qingchuan turned to leave and said: “Grandma, I’m stepping out for a bit.”

That girl still didn’t know who had pushed her; he needed to go talk to her and warn her to be careful of that person.

“Brother, come back early.”

Gu Tingxiang couldn’t bear to eat the half-oil cake. Her brother was lying; he hadn’t eaten on the way. She broke the oil cake in half and stored one piece in the cupboard while she started cooking some wild vegetable porridge.

—o—o—o—

“Huihui, what’s wrong with Mom and Dad? Why are you cooking today? Can you even cook?”

“If you think it’s unappetizing, then don’t eat it!”

Zhong Huihui shot her husband an annoyed glance and threw the spatula down onto the stove, declaring a strike.

Jiang Honghai noticed that his wife was angry, and with a good-natured smile, he picked up the spatula. “You go start the fire under the pot; I’ll handle the cooking.”

Jiang Honghai, the second son of the Jiang family, had been working as a chef at the state-run restaurant for ten years. His cooking skills were undeniably top-notch, but he had hardly ever cooked at home.

Mealtime was the busiest time at the restaurant, and he usually returned home after nine in the evening. Grandma Xu didn’t even allow her son to enter the kitchen during holidays.

Grandma Xu was concerned for her son. According to her, there was no need for men to cook if there were women in the house.

With several sons’ wives around, it was a waste not to utilize them, but unfortunately, the second and third wives couldn’t cook well, which meant that the eldest wife handled all the dinners.

Jiang Laoer had come home early today because Jiang Laoshan, who worked at the machinery factory, had run over to the state-run restaurant after work, telling him to return home right away.

As soon as he stepped through the door, he sensed that the atmosphere at home was clearly off.

Grandpa Jiang sat in the main room, lost in thought as he smoked his pipe, while Grandma Xu lay in the east room on the first floor, complaining about feeling unwell, her shouting giving everyone a headache.

Normally, the eldest sister-in-law cooked dinner, but today, she was nowhere to be seen.

“Where’s the eldest sister-in-law? Not at home?” Jiang Laoer asked his wife.

Zhong Huihui gestured toward the second floor and whispered to her husband, “The eldest sister-in-law is upstairs. Dad assigned me to the kitchen to cook as soon as I got home. I didn’t dare to ask what was going on. You should go ask Dad.”

“You know how Dad is. No matter how big the issue is, he insists on waiting until after dinner to discuss it.”

Jiang Honghai felt uneasy, but with his father keeping silent, he didn’t dare to provoke him.

In any case, it was either his mother or his sister; it could only be one of those two who had upset his father.

The skilled chef had quickly prepared dinner just as the third sister-in-law and several children walked through the door.

“Let’s eat.” Grandpa Jiang put down his pipe. “Third sister-in-law, go call your eldest sister-in-law and Xiao Ci down for dinner.”

Jiang Laoshan’s wife thought to herself: This is really something rare. How could her mother-in-law allow the second brother to cook? And with the eldest sister-in-law resting upstairs, Grandma didn’t even jump up to scold anyone.

The atmosphere today felt very off.

She didn’t dare to ask.

Grandpa Jiang sat in the main room, immersed in his thoughts as he smoked his pipe, while Grandma Xu lay in the east room on the first floor, complaining loudly about feeling unwell, her cries giving everyone a headache.

Normally, the eldest sister-in-law prepared dinner, but today, she was nowhere to be found.

“Where’s the eldest sister-in-law? Is she not home?” Jiang Laoer asked his wife.

Zhong Huihui gestured toward the second floor and whispered to her husband, “The eldest sister-in-law is upstairs. Dad assigned me to the kitchen to cook as soon as I got home. I didn’t dare ask what was happening; you should ask Dad.”

“You know how Dad is; he insists that even the biggest issues wait until after dinner to be discussed.”

Jiang Honghai felt uneasy as well, but with his father remaining silent, he didn’t dare provoke him.

It had to be either his mother or his sister—one of them must have angered his father.

The skilled chef quickly finished preparing dinner just as the third sister-in-law and several children walked in.

“Let’s eat.” Grandpa Jiang set down his pipe. “Third sister-in-law, go call your eldest sister-in-law and Xiao Ci down for dinner.”

Jiang Laoshan’s wife thought to herself: This is really unusual. How could her mother-in-law allow the second brother to cook? And with the eldest sister-in-law resting upstairs, Grandma didn’t even jump up to scold anyone.

The atmosphere today felt very strange.

She didn’t dare to ask.

The impact was quite strong, leaving a red mark on her forehead.

She didn’t bother with the Shitou that had rolled onto the floor; instead, she leaned out the window and shouted, “Which debt collector threw a Shitou into my house?”

Jiang Ci hurriedly picked up the paper-wrapped Shitou from the ground, clenched it in her hand, and ran to the window. Just in time, she caught a glimpse of a tall, thin figure who quickly darted behind the big locust tree.

It had to be him, right? It was definitely Gu Qingchuan.

Jiang Ci quickly provided cover for Gu Qingchuan, saying, “Third Aunt, he’s already run away! Let’s go downstairs for dinner.”

She walked to the back of the group and secretly unfolded the paper around the Shitou. The writing inside was Gu Qingchuan’s—just a few brief words.

So, Gu Qingchuan had seen the person who pushed her and came to warn her to be cautious.

Jiang Ci felt a shiver run through her. Just as she had suspected, it really was that person who had pushed her.