Chapter 12: Date

In her past life, Jiang Liyun knew that Feng Yi treated her well, and now she is even more certain of this.

What she holds in her hands is not just money but the sincere feelings of a young person.

She feels uncertain about how to respond.

In her previous life, she was always busy chasing after money and not adept at handling emotions.

Most people of their generation are like that.

Born in a time of material scarcity, their parents loved them but were too busy to express it.

Just like Jiang Lame and Wu Xiaochun, they undoubtedly loved their children, but she can’t recall memories of them embracing her.

She can’t remember much about her early years, just vaguely recalling being left alone at home when her parents went to work in the fields.

At that time, she wished for siblings, hoping to have someone to keep her company.

But emotions were not a priority for her at that time. In her eyes, then, food was more tempting than her parents’ embrace.

Growing up with such experiences, expressing emotions is not her strong suit.

In her past life, she never told anyone, “I love you.”

Actually, Feng Yi is the same. Despite being together for twenty years, he never said “I love you” to her.

But they have always been together.

Jiang Liyun feels a desire to hug Feng Yi and give him a kiss.

However, there are quite a few people in Snail Bay. Kids are catching crabs nearby, and a few young people are strolling around.

She doesn’t mind being seen, but she doesn’t want people to gossip. Moreover, Feng Yi looks too young in her eyes now.

Jiang Liyun calms down and chooses a more fitting approach for her personality. She asks Feng Yi, “How did you manage to save up so much money? Are you eating well?”

Feng Yi only gets ten yuan a month! How did he manage to save so much?

“We get overtime pay at the brick factory, and I earn some money by helping others with tasks. I spent some buying clothes earlier; otherwise, I would have saved more,” Feng Yi explains.

The Feng family naturally doesn’t bother with providing him clothes. In the past, he used to wear hand-me-downs from Feng Lao Da and Feng Lao Er.

But when Feng Lao Da and Feng Lao Er grew up, their old clothes were taken over by Feng Lao Tou. This would have been fine, but Feng Yi kept growing taller, and those old clothes no longer fit him.

The Feng family doesn’t worry about his clothing, and he doesn’t want to owe anyone favors. So, he spends money to buy his colleagues’ old clothes.

The old clothes are cheaper than the new ones, which is suitable for him. His colleague sells old clothes to earn money, allowing him to buy new ones and making everyone happy.

Thinking about this, Feng Yi spoke up, “Sister Li Yun, I’ve been eating well. Look how tall I am now!”

Feng Yi is indeed tall, thanks to not working at the brick factory, where his family’s frugality might have stunted his growth.

Jiang Liyun praised him: “You are really tall, one of the tallest in the village.”

Feng Yi couldn’t help but smile at Li Yun’s compliment.

“How much money do you have here?” Li Yun asked.

“About 130 yuan,” Feng Yi replied.

Li Yun found a place to sit, counted the money, and chatted with Feng Yi.

In a past life, Feng Yi mentioned some things about the brick factory to her, but not much. Now she had the opportunity to ask more.

Feng Yi answered all her questions. He mentioned people in the factory buying fishing netts, catching fish at night, and getting rewarded with some for helping. They also collected snails from under the boat and secretly cooked them in the kitchen.

The transportation team returning from the city with bricks would bring back lots of miscellaneous pork, including pig skin, fatty meat from the neck, and meat with lymph nodes from the pig’s belly—all leftovers the city folks didn’t eat.

They would also bring soybeans, taro, and potatoes from home to cook with the pork. This communal meal was called “chi kang ju,” where everyone contributed something. Even if someone couldn’t contribute much, they would still be invited to eat if they helped with cooking.

Feng Yi shared, “Sister Li Yun, I learned all of this from you.” In the past, he knew nothing and couldn’t even speak.

Jiang Liyun patiently taught him to speak and shared many ways to find food when he used to follow her around, helping people find a bite to eat.

So, when he saw the transportation team enjoying their communal meal, he mustered courage, approached them, and offered to help wash dishes, asking if they could share some soybeans with him.

They generously gave him a ladle full of soybeans, including some pig skin.

Jiang Liyun’s saying, “Bold face, full belly,” turned out to be true.

Without Jiang Liyun’s guidance, he might have hesitated to talk to people in the brick factory, fearing rejection and settling for plain meals.

Now, it’s different. People in the factory know he’s growing, and with the money from the Feng family not being enough, they willingly take care of him.

Jiang Liyun learned a lot from Feng Yi’s stories and understood why he grew so tall. His meals are much better than when he was at the Feng family’s.

As for why he’s still thin… Growing at this age involves daily physical labour, and occasional meat is a luxury!

Jiang Liyun counted Feng Yi’s money, totalling 137 yuan and 83 cents—a considerable sum considering his daily expenses.

Jiang Liyun organised the money and handed it back to Feng Yi, saying, “Keep this money.”

“Sister Li Yun, use this money for your business!” Feng Yi insisted, a bit anxious that she might refuse.

Li Yun reassured him, “Feng Yi, don’t worry. I actually need your help. Doesn’t your factory’s transportation team often go to the provincial capital? Take this money and ask them to buy a large flat-bottomed iron pot.”

Jiang Liyun hadn’t found a suitable flat-bottomed iron pot in town for making pan-fried dumplings. Originally, she planned to go to the city, but travel expenses are expensive, and she’s not familiar with the city. Today, hearing Feng Yi talk about the brick factory, she had the idea to have the transportation team buy the pot for her.

As for Feng Yi’s money… Let’s use it to buy the iron pot. After all, when they earn money in the future, it will be spent together.

Jiang Liyun described the type of iron pot she wanted to Feng Yi and reminded him, “Don’t be too frugal in your daily life. Eat well; it’s important for your growth. Also, with the money, go get a haircut tomorrow.”

Their commune, which is their village’s local government office, is near the brick factory. There’s a morning market, barber shops, tailors, and general stores there.

Feng Yi probably wouldn’t spend money on haircuts regularly, and right now, his hair is long and messy. A trim would make him look neater.

“Got it,” Feng Yi nodded obediently.

Jiang Liyun couldn’t resist patting Feng Yi’s hair.

This kid is truly adorable and well-behaved.

After chatting for a long time, it was already dark. However, Luanai Bay isn’t far from her home, and walking back in the dark is no problem. Jiang Liyun bid farewell to Feng Yi and headed home.

As she walked away, she vaguely saw Feng Yi still standing in the same spot, looking at her.

She waved at him and quickened her pace.

On the other side, as soon as Feng Yi couldn’t see Jiang Liyun, he took a shortcut to catch up.

He was worried about Jiang Liyun walking alone at night.

Seeing Jiang Liyun reaching home and the lights in her house dimming, Feng Yi happily ran back to the brick factory.

The night was completely dark, and the muddy road wasn’t easy to traverse. It was a bit chilly.

However, Feng Yi’s heart was warm. He ran faster and faster, in an exceptionally good mood.

While Jiang Liyun and Feng Yi were chatting in Luanai Bay, at the Xie family’s home, Xie Zugeng, along with his parents and grandmother, were having dinner.

The leaders of the brick factory usually ate lunch at the factory, but they would return home for dinner in the evening, just like Xie’s father.

During the meal, Xie’s mother said, “The sofa factory started working today. Zhang Xiaoxing will probably come over later. After I finish eating, I’ll make some tea and bring out some melon seeds.”

Two nights ago, thanks to Zhang Xiaoxing’s matchmaking, Xie Zugeng and Jiang Liyun were sort of engaged. Yesterday, Xie Zugeng talked to Zhang Xiaoxing, expressing that they found Jiang Liyun acceptable and wanted to continue getting to know her.

Today, Zhang Xiaoxing would need to enquire about Jiang Liyun’s opinion. Once he got the answer, he would relay it to them.

“I also bought some oranges,” Xie’s father mentioned.

“Never mind, Zugen likes those oranges, so let’s save them for him,” Xie’s mother said.

Xie Zugeng immediately interjected, “Mom, those oranges are too sour for me. I don’t like them.”

Xie’s mother replied, “Not all of them are sour. If you find a sour one, give it to me, and pick the sweet ones to eat.”

“Okay,” Xie Zugeng agreed.

Xie’s mother brewed tea and couldn’t help but add, “That Jiang Liyun, her family’s situation is really poor. With her parents like that, if Zugen really marries her, she’ll definitely use our family’s resources to support her own family.”

In Xie’s mother’s eyes, her son is perfect. Previously, she had selected the daughters of factory directors or village cadres for him to marry. Unfortunately, those girls weren’t clear-headed enough and rejected Xie Zugeng.

This delay made Xie Zugeng a bit older.

Jiang Liyun was chosen by Xie’s father, who said she was hardworking and kind-hearted, making her a suitable wife.

However, Xie’s mother was very dissatisfied with Jiang Liyun.

“As long as we don’t give her money, it’s fine. What can she do to support her family?” Xie’s father said.

The private incomes of several leaders in their factory were much higher than what was officially known, but Xie hadn’t told his wife about this.

In the future, when Jiang Liyun entered the family, he naturally wouldn’t mention it either.

Jiang Liyun would at most bring in her salary to support her family, but those few dozen yuan weren’t enough in Xie’s father’s eyes.

Xie’s father chose Jiang Liyun because she was very capable. Besides her job, she could also work in the fields.

His son was too lazy, so he needed a hardworking daughter-in-law for the future.

As for Jiang Liyun’s family burdens… Once women have children, they won’t think about their own families anymore.

“Exactly, as long as we don’t give her money,” Xie Zugeng agreed.

Xie Zugeng had been on many blind dates, and just from conversing, Jiang Liyun was the one he got along with best.

Among his numerous blind date prospects, Jiang Liyun was the most beautiful.

That day, Jiang Liyun wasn’t even dressed up, but she still looked very attractive. If she dressed up, she would definitely be even more stunning.

“We haven’t even married yet, and you’re already forgetting about your mother!” Xie’s mother looked displeased as she gazed at Xie Zugeng.

The whole family chatted and laughed, completely unaware that Jiang Liyun might refuse. In their eyes, given Jiang Liyun’s family background, it was like a stroke of luck for the Jiang family to marry into theirs! They believed Jiang Liyun must be eager to marry into their family.

That day, while watching the movie together, Jiang Liyun was very enthusiastic, always going along with Xie Zugeng in their conversation.

Jiang’s mother advised, “Regardless, you must keep an eye on her in the future. Zugen, don’t be too lax with your hand, so she won’t deceive you for money. Also, don’t be too warm towards her, or she might think you’re an easy target.”

Xie Zugeng nodded in agreement.

While they were talking, Zhang Xiaoxing arrived.

Upon seeing Zhang Xiaoxing, Xie Zugeng asked, “Zhang Jie, what did Jiang Liyun say? When can we meet again?”

Xie’s mother gave her son a stern look and told Zhang Xiaoxing, “Next time, have her come to our house and cook for us. Honestly, if it weren’t for our Zugen liking her, I wouldn’t be pleased with her conditions.”

Xie’s father sat on the side, not intervening in Xie’s mother’s words. Though he chose Jiang Liyun, he also thought her conditions weren’t great. Given this, they could afford to have a higher stance.

As Zhang Xiaoxing listened, she felt increasingly awkward and whispered, “I asked Jiang Liyun. She said she doesn’t want to get married right now.”

Xie’s mother fell silent, and Xie Zugeng also closed his mouth.

His face turned bright red, and the pockmarks on his face were clearly visible.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaoxing suddenly understood why Jiang Liyun wasn’t interested.

Feng Yi was oblivious to what was happening in the Xie family.

The eggs Jiang Liyun brought to Luanai Bay were shared while chatting. The pickled vegetables and pumpkin seeds were taken back to the brick factory by Feng Yi.

On the way, Feng Yi ate a few pumpkin seeds.

He didn’t spit out the seed shells; he chewed the pumpkin seeds whole.

He really liked eating pumpkin seeds. The first time he met Jiang Liyun, she took pumpkin seeds out of a little pocket in her clothes and peeled them for him to eat.

Most of the workers at the brick factory go home in the evenings, and not many stay overnight in the dormitories.

Their living conditions aren’t great; the beds are made of bricks and wooden planks, and several people share one room.

Factories in the city have employee dormitories, but those in rural areas aren’t as well-equipped.

When Feng Yi arrived, the people in the dormitory were playing cards.

They played for small stakes; the wins and losses weren’t significant. If someone won more than ten yuan, the others would ask them to treat them.

The winner would usually take out ten yuan and ask Feng Yi to buy two packs of cigarettes from the convenience store, along with some fried peanuts or fried broad beans, which they would share.

Feng Yi helped run errands and could also get some fried peanuts out of it.

At the moment, Feng Yi hoped someone would win more money today and treat everyone. If he got some fried peanuts, he could bring them to Jiang Liyun.

They were so delicious!

“Feng Yi, why are you just coming back? Where did you go?” someone asked.

Initially, some of the factory workers were unhappy with Feng Yi because they were worried they would have to work harder when he was around.

But later, they found that Feng Yi worked very hard, so they didn’t mind him anymore.

Some of them got their jobs through connections or had been slacking off for a long time, not doing any real work!

In comparison, Feng Yi was really diligent.

Once they no longer had any issues with Feng Yi, and seeing how thin he was with his ribs visible, they were willing to help him out a bit.

Feng Yi suppressed the smile on his lips. “It’s nothing…”

He climbed onto his bed, hid the pumpkin seeds under his pillow, and placed the cup at the head of the bed.

The enamel cup was marked with “Qiaotou Village Sofa Factory,” unlike his usual enamel cup… Feng Yi covered it with a towel.

Later, he would take another look.