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Li Jianjian’s mother was named Zhao Juanhua. She was forty-eight this year.
For the past three years, she had celebrated her birthday every single year, with one clear goal—to make Sheng Chunxiang pay up.
Their whole family would go to a state-owned restaurant for a feast. A table of good food cost at least fifty yuan, not to mention the ration tickets.
Sheng Chunxiang also had to give Zhao Juanhua a fifty-yuan red envelope as a birthday gift.
It was only during these occasions that Sheng Chunxiang could get a few bites of decent food—but even then, she never got to eat her fill.
Li Jianjian grinned. “Meili, if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would’ve forgotten all about it.”
“No wonder Sheng Chunxiang went back to her hometown—she must have realized she messed up! If she came to apologize alone, I definitely wouldn’t forgive her.”
“But if she brings her whole family to celebrate my mother’s birthday, then that’s a different story.”
Lapdog.
She really thought she could play hard to get?
If she brought her whole family, then each of them would have to give a fifty-yuan red envelope.
And as for the meal?
They could go back to the countryside to eat.
If they insisted on staying, that was fine too. They could live in the tiny side room of his house.
Then they could work for him, and he would generously pay them five yuan a month.
He was already being kind by offering them that.
Hearing Li Jianjian’s words, Qian Meili thought for a moment and finally let out a long sigh of relief.
“Jianjian, you really think ahead. I wouldn’t have thought of this at all.”
“Sheng Chunxiang was way out of line this time. When her whole family comes, you must give her a good talking-to.”
“Because of her, you’ve already missed work for several days. This could affect your end-of-year evaluation for excellence and promotions.”
Li Jiancheng’s expression darkened at the mention of work.
His older brother had set his sights on his job, and there was a good chance that before he was even discharged, his position would have already been taken.
Although his parents favored him, times had changed.
The more he thought about it, the more he blamed Sheng Chunxiang for everything.
If she hadn’t suddenly gone mad and caused his family to empty their savings for compensation, they wouldn’t be in this mess!
The more he dwelled on it, the angrier he became, his whole body aching from frustration.
Yet, he refused to acknowledge that their previous comfortable life had been built entirely on draining Sheng Chunxiang dry.
Without her willing sacrifices, his family was nothing.
Qian Meili noticed his sour mood and quickly asked, “Jiancheng, do you think Chunxiang is trying to take the job back? That playboy Pei Qingyuan doesn’t have a job either. If he’s deliberately getting close to her, he must be after something.”
Li Jiancheng, however, remained unfazed. “Impossible.”
“Pei Qingyuan’s family can easily arrange a job for him, but he refuses to work, says it’s too tiring.”
“My job is as a machinist—hard labor. Even if Sheng Chunxiang gets it back, she wouldn’t be able to do it.”
“For so many years, all she’s ever been is a maid, only knowing how to wash clothes and cook.”
Qian Meili hesitated. “But what if she gives it to someone else, like her parents, now that she’s back home?”
Li Jiancheng reached out and patted her head. “Meili, you’re overthinking it. Her whole family practically worships me. The moment they see me, they’d probably kneel and beg for forgiveness. There’s no way they’d dare ask for the job back.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got everything under control.”
Qian Meili nodded. She actually shared his thoughts but just needed to hear him say it.
Pei Guokang tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. His whole body ached unbearably.
Since his physical condition wouldn’t allow it, and he didn’t want to be laughed at, he took a day off work.
He had spent most of his life in the limelight—even when he was sent to the countryside as an educated youth, he had never suffered like this before.
“A bunch of fools! They believe whatever Pei Qingyuan says. Do they not have brains?!”
The humiliation at the police station kept replaying in his mind, making it impossible to sleep.
“What the hell is wrong with Sheng Chunxiang?!”
“Why did she suddenly go crazy?!”
“And that brainless Li Jiancheng—he should’ve married that mutt ages ago! He could’ve reaped all the benefits!”
“Now look what happened—the cooked duck flew away!”
Hearing Zhao Qingya’s account of Sheng Chunxiang’s so-called madness, Pei Guokang angrily punched the wall, cursing everyone.
But after thinking it over, he calmed down.
It didn’t matter. He had already signed Pei Qingyuan up for a rural work placement.
Judging by the timeline, it should happen in the next few days.
He had even made sure the Youth Office would keep the news under wraps, catching that brat off guard.
At the crack of dawn, Sheng Chunxiang’s family disembarked from the train.
Standing on the platform, the four members of the Sheng family—Sheng Fugui, his wife Min Yuanyang, and their two children—felt as if they had been reborn.
For so many years, this was their first time leaving home, their first time riding in a car, and their first time taking a train.
They finally realized that life could be different—that they didn’t have to be beasts of burden for others.
At the shopping mall, Sheng Chunxiang bought six more bottles of Lingquan Spring Water for a discounted price of fifty yuan.
The Daoist sect, Wendaomen, was truly a treasure trove. Their products were top-notch and fairly priced.
“Dad, Mom, Big Brother, Big Sister, let’s grab some breakfast first. There’s a great restaurant nearby.”
“I have plenty of money and ration tickets—eat to your heart’s content.”
As a top-tier playboy of the capital, Pei Qingyuan knew all the best food spots better than the local strays.
Sheng Chunxiang gave him an approving look. “Qingyuan is right. Let’s eat something warm first.”
“Then we’ll go on a shopping spree, followed by a good scrubbing at the bathhouse. We must return looking brand new—can’t let them have the last laugh.”
Sheng Fugui’s family initially wanted to refuse, but at the mention of neighborhood gossips, they obediently complied.
In Xiba Village, they had been laughed at for years.
Now that they were in a new place, they didn’t want to live like before.
During breakfast, Sheng Chunxiang gave each of them a bottle of Lingquan Spring Water to strengthen the effects.
And it worked wonders.
While shopping, she noticed that everyone was brimming with energy—especially her mother, Min Yuanyang, who had changed the most.
The once timid pushover now spoke with confidence, standing tall like a victorious rooster.
Their shopping spree was even more thorough than Sheng Chunxiang’s last one—bed linens, toiletries, toilet paper—nothing was left out.
Pei Qingyuan footed the bill without hesitation, spending money and tickets like an eager servant, his dedication shining through.
Seeing him throw money around so freely, Sheng Chunxiang felt unexpectedly touched.
She wasn’t very experienced in love and wasn’t particularly emotional.
But she understood one fundamental truth:
A man spending money on you doesn’t necessarily mean he loves you. But if he refuses to spend money on you, he definitely doesn’t love you.
Just like back in Li Jiancheng’s house—Sheng Chunxiang had poured her heart, soul, money, and ration tickets into them, only to be treated like a servant.
Heh.
By the time they finished shopping, it wasn’t even 9 AM. Sheng Chunxiang decided to go for a bath and a haircut.
After an eventful morning, they enjoyed a lavish lunch before taking the bus back to the courtyard.
It was now the early afternoon, the peak of nap time. Most of the courtyard residents—mainly women, children, and the elderly—were already fast asleep.
Sheng Chunxiang unlocked the door, letting her family inside, while Pei Qingyuan and Sheng Yongkang carried in their purchases.
Min Yuanyang and Sheng Fugui whispered to each other for a moment before turning to their daughter.
“Chunxiang, I think Qingyuan is a good kid. If you’re willing, you should marry him,” Sheng Fugui said.
Min Yuanyang added, “Qingyuan, we’re satisfied with you. But it’s the new era now, and free love is encouraged. Your marriage should be based on Chunxiang’s feelings.”
After a whole morning of thought, they had come to a decision—Chunxiang’s marriage should be on her terms, ensuring her happiness.
Pei Qingyuan didn’t expect his future in-laws to be so open-minded.
“Thank you, Dad! Thank you, Mom!”
“Xiangxiang, marry me! My money is your money, and your money is still your money.”
He immediately dropped to one knee and held up all the money and ration tickets left in his pocket.
Sheng Yongkang and Sheng Chunxia burst into laughter—where had they ever seen such a scene before?
Sheng Chunxiang chuckled. “Where did you learn this from?”
Pei Qingyuan grinned sheepishly. “Saw it in a movie once, a foreigner’s trick. Thought it was pretty good.”
“If you don’t like it, I can kowtow to you a few times instead?”
Sheng Chunxiang smirked. “That works too, save it for later.”
Everyone turned to look at her. She stood there, smiling, and then calmly said something that took them all by surprise.
“Alright, get up. I agree.”
In her past life, she had only focused on living like a pampered flower, never experiencing the ups and downs of love.
Now that she had the chance—and with someone she actually liked, someone who shared her wicked sense of humor—why not give it a try?
Life was just an experience, after all.
Pei Qingyuan was so thrilled that his face turned red. He suddenly turned and ran out.
Sheng Chunxiang called after him, “Where are you going?”
Pei Qingyuan shouted back, “Today is a good day! I’m getting the household registration book—we’re going to get our marriage certificate right now!”
Sheng Chunxiang: ???
So urgent?
