Chapter 8: Receiving the Allowance

He Jingshu teased the child and then went to her private garden to pick vegetables. She planned to make something easy on the stomach for the little girl that night, so she could eat meat more comfortably later.

Seeing a big pumpkin in the garden, He Jingshu picked it up. She decided to cook pumpkin porridge and pancakes for dinner.

Little Zhong Ling had grown more and more fond of her mother. “Mama treats me so well. If only she could stay like this forever,” she thought. Remembering her mother saying she wouldn’t change anymore, she smiled sweetly.

Seeing little Zhong Ling smile, He Jingshu couldn’t help but smile too. The moment was full of warmth.

Three-year-old Zhong Ling could eat by herself. She had often gone hungry before, so she cherished every grain of food, eating cautiously and carefully. He Jingshu felt that life was pretty good now: money, food, a child—no husband. What a sweet life!

Stuffed and satisfied, little Zhong Ling rubbed her round belly.

“Mama, can I always play with my big brothers?” she asked, thinking of how her mother hadn’t scolded her after she spent a long time playing with them that day.

“You like your brothers that much?” He Jingshu teased, tapping her daughter’s nose.

“I do! When Tie Dan bullied me before, they were the ones who helped me,” Zhong Ling said, sneaking a glance at her mother. Last time Tie Dan hit her, her mother had scolded her instead.

“Alright then, you can play with them. But if someone bullies you, come tell Mama, and I’ll bully them back for you,” He Jingshu said with childlike mischief, laughing heartily.

Zhong Ling nodded enthusiastically.

That night, He Jingshu didn’t let Zhong Ling wash the dishes, but Zhong Ling didn’t want to accept that. He Jingshu said, “It’s too dark at night. Let Mama do it. You can wash them tomorrow.” Only then did Zhong Ling nod happily.

After washing up, the two lay in bed. Zhong Ling hesitated for a moment, then hugged her mother tightly. He Jingshu pulled her little daughter’s body close, and they played around a bit on the bed before Zhong Ling grew tired and fell asleep—still clutching her mother’s hand tightly. He Jingshu sighed, “Such a sweet burden.”

After a few laid-back days at home, He Jingshu received the allowance from Zhong Youliang. She took Zhong Ling to the county town to collect it and let the little girl experience the town for the first time—something that felt overdue, since even she had already been there.

This time, she rode Uncle Zhang’s donkey cart with Zhong Ling—one cent per person. She paid without hesitation, held Zhong Ling, and quietly sat there, ignoring curious stares.

At the county, their first stop was the post office. Using her marriage certificate, He Jingshu claimed the allowance Zhong Youliang had sent back—plus a letter. A bad feeling crept over her. “Better read it at home,” she thought. Then she took Zhong Ling to the supply store to buy some food. Zhong Ling was so happy her mouth couldn’t stop smiling.

“Mama, can I share some with my big brothers?” she asked excitedly while holding her snacks, having noticed lately that her mother had truly changed for the better.

“It’s for you. Whether you share or not is up to you. Just don’t eat too much at once, or your teeth will get cavities,” He Jingshu said with a teasing smile.

Seeing little Zhong Ling cover her mouth in horror gave He Jingshu a mischievous sense of satisfaction.

But that happiness disappeared once they returned home—someone had broken in. The house was a mess. He Jingshu was so angry she felt dizzy. Thankfully, she had hidden the food before leaving, and it hadn’t been found.

“Lingling, go to Grandpa and Grandma’s. Mama has something to do,” He Jingshu said gently, controlling her temper.

Zhong Ling obediently went to her grandparents’ house.

He Jingshu stormed straight to the village chief’s home.

“Village Chief! My house was robbed! Boohoo, how can people be so bad?” she cried dramatically.

“Outrageous!” the village chief, who knew she wasn’t a troublemaker, was furious. He called a village-wide meeting.

The villagers of Zhangjia Village gathered at the square, confused.

“Today, someone in our village committed theft—stole from Youliang’s wife. She wanted to report it to the police. I had to beg her not to. For the sake of our village, I urge the thief to come forward and be leniently dealt with. Resist, and the punishment will be harsh,” the chief said through a loudspeaker.

“What was stolen?” Zhang Xiuying asked anxiously.

“Twenty yuan and some grain,” He Jingshu said flatly—she had no intention of letting the Zhang family off easy. Even if they were poor, they could scrape up that much. Since they’d been against her before, it was only fair to return the favor.

The Zhang family looked furious. They knew they hadn’t taken anything, just picked two carrots. But now, they didn’t dare speak.

Zhang Daya was distressed. That money and food should’ve been hers! This dead girl never gave her a cent. “Serves her right!” she thought bitterly.