Chapter 11 – That Lucky Bastard

As the future son-in-law of the Lin family, this was the first time Fang Heping was visiting his girlfriend’s family (even though technically, they were going to the hospital to visit Shu Rong’s second sister-in-law). He knew this was a major scene in his playbook—he couldn’t afford to mess it up.

This time, Shu Rong didn’t scold him for spending money recklessly. He had brought fruit, flowers, malted milk powder, assorted canned goods, luncheon meat, a pack of honey crisps, a pack of peach crisps, two jin of Yiwu brown sugar, a can of imported milk powder bought with foreign currency vouchers, and even a jar of women’s face cream. If he’d had more time, he’d have brought the bottle of Moutai liquor his father got from a business trip by plane.

Watching Fang Heping walk into the hospital room with all these items as if performing a magic trick, Lin Xiaqing’s eyes widened in disbelief. Her welcoming pose was more exaggerated than the iconic Pine Welcoming Guests statue on a cliff.

Oh my god—Fang the Big Spender really lived up to the name. Even in this small county, he had such pull. He disappeared for a short while and came back with so many great things.

Fang Heping was clever and generous—he was the very definition of “likeable and socially adept.” Even when entering the room and seeing Jin Yang in the next bed, he pulled out a cigarette and warmly tried to strike up a conversation.

Jin Yang’s eyes, however, never left Lin Xiaqing. There was a trace of grievance in them, as if asking why she was back so late. And not only that, she’d returned with all these delicious-looking sausages and didn’t offer him even a bite. He hadn’t eaten anything since lunch, and with his mobility issues, he didn’t even dare drink water for fear of needing the toilet. Heaven knew how hungry he was—his vision was practically going dark from starvation. He was barely clinging to life.

With a polite smile, Jin Yang declined Fang Heping’s cigarette and turned on his side, resting his head on one hand, watching Lin Xiaqing dart in and out of the room unloading Fang Heping’s gifts. She was practically glowing with pride—the strands of her hair were dancing with glee.

He thought about how his aunt would be flying over from Hangzhou next week to visit him. She’d surely bring him lots of gifts too. Would Lin Xiaqing be so happy she wagged her tail?

In the room, Shu Rong had already spoken with Qiao Chunjin for a while. She’d even cried from guilt and sadness. But Qiao Chunjin felt mostly relieved—after all, the girl she helped raise had finally graduated from university, gotten assigned a good job, and even found a capable boyfriend. What more could she ask for?

Only one thing puzzled Qiao Chunjin. Wasn’t Shu Rong’s boyfriend supposed to be that top student from Huada University in Beijing? The one who came from a poor family but had real talent—the science stream top scorer in their county? His surname was Chu, not Fang.

But Qiao Chunjin was a smart woman. She wouldn’t bring up the past and make her sister-in-law sad again. In her opinion, who you lived your life with didn’t matter—what mattered was whether that person could protect and love you.

Just like Shu Rong never mentioned Second Brother Lin Shushan in front of her, she would never mention that boy surnamed Chu. There was no need to talk about useless men once life was finally good.

During a casual lull in conversation, Shu Rong asked, “Xiaoxia, you were all sweaty like a steamed dumpling earlier. What were you doing?”

Feeling guilty under Jin Yang’s burning gaze, Lin Xiaqing broke off a piece of sausage Fang Heping had given her and fed it to Jin Yang, saying, “Thinking of doing a little business. Hospital costs are high, so I need to patch up the financial hole. We have a jar of fermented bean paste at home. I went to the market this afternoon to scout things out. Tomorrow I plan to buy a batch of glass jars, and the day after I’ll go back to the village, jar the paste, and sell it at the market.”

Shu Rong smiled. “Don’t worry. I haven’t received my first paycheck yet, but I’ve saved some money over the years tutoring kids in English and occasionally coaching adults preparing to go abroad. With me around, you and your mom have nothing to fear.”

Her second sister-in-law had always been the pillar of their family, handling housework and fieldwork. Now it was her turn to protect her.

But Lin Xiaqing declined her help. “Teach a man to fish, right? You know that saying. Living off others isn’t sustainable. I need to try handling things myself—start with small businesses, pay off our debts, and see what other paths open up.”

Shu Rong felt torn. She knew Fang Heping’s family had status in He County and could easily pull strings to get her niece a job. But she and Fang Heping had only been dating for two months. If things didn’t work out later, wouldn’t that be exploiting him?

Still, this wasn’t just anyone—it was her own family. Shu Rong, who had always taken pride in being independent and educated, was for the first time willing to put aside her pride for her loved ones.

She was deep in thought as the night wind blew in through the window, messing up the hair by her temples.

Fang Heping also wanted to help, but the power wasn’t his—it was his dad’s. He didn’t dare promise jobs outright in case it backfired and ruined his relationship with Shu Rong. For once, he kept his mouth in check.

Instead, he asked, “So you’re going to the glass factory tomorrow afternoon? How many jars do you need? I’ll get someone to take care of it. That factory used to make glassware for export. My grandaunt worked there. No need for you to run around—I’ll have the jars delivered to the village tomorrow afternoon.”

A small favor for him, but a huge burden lifted for Lin Xiaqing.

She had been worrying about how to transport the jars—glass was heavy and fragile. She had planned to buy a hundred jars, carry them back in two mesh sacks, and endure the heat and weight. But now that Fang Heping had taken care of that, she could use tomorrow to prepare other things and shorten her lead time.

Shu Rong was struck by Lin Xiaqing’s words—”Teach a man to fish.” Her niece was only three years younger than her, but already so wise.

She remembered one New Year’s Eve when her older brother beat Lin Xiaqing for daring to sneak a sip of pork broth from the men’s table. In Qinghe village, women weren’t allowed to eat at the same table as men. Her brother had nearly beaten the girl half to death. Shu Rong got slapped too for standing up for her niece. That slap opened her eyes—only knowledge could change a village woman’s fate.

After she got into university, the family slowly abandoned the old rules. Her voice carried more weight, and she became the pride of the Lin family.

But her niece had dropped out of school in middle school after that traumatic beating. It wasn’t just giving up on education—it was giving up the power to change her life.

Now, looking at her niece—transformed, sharp, confident—Shu Rong made a silent decision.

She didn’t know the word “tiger mom” yet, but she had the instinct.

Her niece was only nineteen. It wasn’t too late to return to school. Even a vocational diploma could open doors. If she and Fang Heping stayed together, she could help get her niece into a decent job. No one would question anything if a diploma backed it up.

She hadn’t realized she’d just had her first-ever thought about a shared future with Fang Heping—maybe they wouldn’t break up after all.

As they left the hospital, Shu Rong was distracted, already thinking of how to steer her niece back on the right path.

Fang Heping left his bike for Lin Xiaqing to use and was hoping for a romantic stroll with his girlfriend. But she was deep in thought and didn’t speak.

“Shu Rong,” he asked, dejected, “did I embarrass you tonight?”

Was the gift too cheap? Did he make her lose face?

Shu Rong snapped out of her daze. “Huh? Why would you think that?”

Fang Heping pouted. “Then why are you ignoring me again?”

Shu Rong replied, “I was thinking. I need to find my niece a cram school so she can take next year’s college entrance exam.”

Fang Heping brightened. So she wasn’t mad—just busy thinking.

The moon was thin that night, a crescent in the sky, yet it somehow looked full and joyful.

Fang Heping smiled at the moon. “You better watch out.”

Shu Rong: “?”

He squinted and smirked, “That kid in the next bed. His eyes were glued to your niece all night. She even fed him a piece of sausage! You’ve never hand-fed me sausage like that. Lucky little punk!”

Forget exams—at this rate, next year’s college banquet might just turn into a wedding feast.

Just then, Jin Yang, busy wolfing down sausages like a starving tiger, suddenly sneezed.

If he knew what Fang Heping was saying behind his back, he’d probably cry out, “I’m innocent, Your Honor!”

He only stared at Lin Xiaqing because he wanted another piece of sausage, not because he had any wild ideas. The girl just left him hanging after bringing guests. So unfair!