Chapter 78: Before the New Year

The newly built house was ready for occupancy, so Jiang Lihai and Feng Yi moved in.

Previously, they had been living at Jiang Youwen’s house, which was inconvenient.

However, the others didn’t move and continued to live in the old house.

Jiang Liping had originally wanted to move, but considering that she would soon be getting married and wouldn’t be able to stay for long, she decided not to bother.

However, she informed Jiang Lame and his wife that she would be getting married in the new house.

No one in the family objected to this.

Everyone lived on this side of the old house, so the television was placed there.

Sun Jinshan didn’t rush home but came to Jiang’s house first. His family had already bought a television, and he had experience with setting it up, so he began adjusting the antenna and tuning the channels.

Initially, the black-and-white television was showing only black and white dots, but as Sun Jinshan adjusted the antenna, pictures appeared.

“That’s it! Uncle, auntie, you can try changing channels yourselves,” Sun Jinshan said.

“No, no, we don’t know anything. We might accidentally damage the television,” Wu Xiaochun said.

“Televisions aren’t that easy to break. Auntie, you give it a try,” Sun Jinshan urged Wu Xiaochun.

But Wu Xiaochun still didn’t dare, and Jiang Liping became impatient, saying, “Let me do it. I want to watch something else.”

Sun Jinshan couldn’t wait and handed the television over to Jiang Liping.

He wanted to eat!

Sometimes they would depart from Shanghai at midnight and arrive back at the brick and tile factory in the morning. But this time, they departed from Shanghai in the morning and arrived here at five in the evening, and now it was already dark.

He had eaten a bite on the boat at noon, but now he was starving and just wanted to eat.

For the past few days, Jiang Liping and Jiang Liyu had been eating the food brought back from the shop, as Jiang Lame and his wife sold pan-fried dumplings in the morning and fried chicken in the afternoon, returning home late in the evening and naturally not having time to cook at home.

When Jiang Liyun and Feng Yi suddenly returned, there was no food to eat, so they had to cook for themselves.

Cooking rice from scratch was troublesome, but fortunately, there were noodles at home.

Jiang Liyun fried three eggs, cut some preserved pork into the pan, boiled water, added vegetables picked from the doorstep to make noodle soup, and then added the boiled noodles from another pot. It became a delicious egg, salted pork, and vegetable noodle soup.

Sun Jinshan couldn’t wait to serve himself a bowl and enjoyed it heartily.

Jiang Liyun and Feng Yi also ate very satisfactorily.

In Shanghai, they hadn’t eaten very well.

After eating their fill and giving the gifts they bought in Shanghai to Jiang Liping, Sun Jinshan finally left Jiang’s house and rode his bicycle home.

In winter evenings, people in the village didn’t like to visit each other, but the news of Jiang’s family buying a television spread the next day.

When the elderly were sunning themselves at their doorsteps, they couldn’t help but chat about Jiang’s family: “The Jiang family’s life is getting better and better!”

“They just built a house and bought a television.”

“Look at Jiang Liyu; the new clothes she’s wearing don’t look cheap at all.”

“Jiang Liping, a divorced woman, managed to marry Sun Jinshan.”

Jiang Liping’s experiences, with their ups and downs, were quite sensational in the eyes of the rural folks. She had always been a topic of gossip.

When she suddenly moved back to her parents’ home, rumours circulated that the Li family had rejected her and sent her back. However, with Jiang Liping quickly finding a new partner in Sun Jinshan, these rumours didn’t last long.

So, it wasn’t that the Li family didn’t want her; she just chose Sun Jinshan over Li Xuyang!

The villagers couldn’t help but talk about her.

Women spoke with envy and harsh words, but deep down, they were secretly jealous.

Men genuinely thought Jiang Liping’s choices were not right, but since there was no animosity between them and the Jiang family, they didn’t express their opinions openly.

People who came to visit Jiang’s house that day were mostly asking Jiang Liyun when they could get the money from selling chickens.

“You can get it now. Let me calculate it for you,” Jiang Liyun smiled and said.

Earning money was not easy for the common people, and with Chinese New Year falling on the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth month this year and today being the twenty-sixth, they needed to settle their accounts before the day after tomorrow, which was New Year’s Eve.

Jiang Liyun kept her accounts meticulously, paying each person according to her records. She also reminded them to inform others to come and collect their money.

In addition, when encountering those who hadn’t signed chicken-raising contracts with her, she inquired about their interest in signing.

Some people felt that raising chickens was tiring, and considering the losses, they decided not to continue. However, many people signed contracts, intending to continue.

Jiang Liyun recorded everything meticulously.

On the other side, in the Sun family, Sun Jinshan slept until noon.

Sun’s mother felt annoyed when she saw him: “Other people rush back home from a long distance, and some people go straight to their partner’s house!”

Sun Jinshan chuckled, “Mum, wait until I’m married; I promise to come home right away!”

Sun’s mother angrily said, “Get lost!”

“I’ll leave after I’m full!” Sun Jinshan entered the kitchen, lifted the pot lid, and saw a pot of white rice and preserved pork with pickled vegetables.

After eating, he went to Jiang’s house again and saw Jiang Liyun and Jiang Lihai calculating accounts.

Sun Jinshan glanced at it and immediately turned to leave, afraid that Jiang Liyun would call him and ask for help.

He really couldn’t help with accounting!

“Sun Jinshan!” Jiang Liyun finally called out to him.

Reluctantly, Sun Jinshan stopped in his tracks and asked, “What’s the matter?”

Jiang Liyun said, “You can chat with everyone about the prospects of our cooperative farming. Paint a bright future for the villagers.”

Letting Sun Jinshan help with accounting might do more harm than good, but letting him leverage his strengths to create rosy pictures for the villagers was a better idea.

This was acceptable! Sun Jinshan grabbed a chair, sat near the door of Jiang’s living room, and started bragging.

On the other side, the commotion was noticed by Jiang’s second uncle and second aunt. Jiang’s second aunt felt a bit bitter and complained to her second uncle, “You always want to assist others. Look at this, they don’t need your help at all!”

Jiang’s second uncle, annoyed with his second aunt, came to his brother’s house to give some “guidance” to his brother’s new son-in-law.

Although he found many things Jiang Liping did somewhat unscrupulous, she was still his niece, and he couldn’t let outsiders mistreat her!

“Sun Jinshan…”

“Second Uncle, want a cigarette?” Sun Jinshan handed a cigarette to Jiang’s second uncle, continuing to talk about things in Shanghai. “The person in charge of purchasing at that restaurant, as soon as he saw us, had an unfriendly expression. In a roundabout way, he implied that our chicken wasn’t good. Can you believe that?”

Several chicken farmers chimed in, “Believe it!”

“Yeah, it’s really annoying. Fortunately, I quickly figured out what he was thinking. He just felt we didn’t please him enough, so I handed him two hundred yuan, and his attitude immediately changed.” Sun Jinshan spoke, glancing at Jiang Liyun.

Although he provided the money, the idea was Jiang Liyun’s.

Seeing Jiang Liyun’s lack of reaction, Sun Jinshan continued with his exaggerations.

Jiang Liyun didn’t mind Sun Jinshan overstating her achievements and capabilities. Being low-key was better; she didn’t want the limelight, just the real power.

She wished Sun Jinshan would focus on bragging and not get involved in accounting.

Sun Jinshan was indeed a talker, and Jiang’s second uncle couldn’t compete.

Jiang’s second uncle liked to lecture others condescendingly, but he was an old, rural man with limited knowledge. Now, facing Sun Jinshan…

Sun Jinshan talked about business and things Jiang’s second uncle didn’t understand. How could he give advice to Sun Jinshan? After a long time, he awkwardly said, “Business should be conducted with integrity.”

Sun Jinshan immediately continued, “We are the most trustworthy in business. Back in Shanghai…”

Jiang’s second uncle sat helplessly, unable to interrupt, looking somewhat pitiful.

Today, Sun Jinshan and Jiang Lihai had a day off, and by tomorrow, the entire brick factory would be off. At this time, most of the chicken farmers in Hongxing Township had received their money from Jiang Liyun.

Everyone was happy and made plans to go shopping in town. Some even invited Mrs. Xie to join them.

“It’s almost New Year; we have to buy new clothes and try some delicious food in town.”

“Yeah, I heard that the Northeastern fried dumplings and foreign fried chicken in town are really good. I haven’t tried them yet; I must taste them tomorrow.”

“I heard those things are expensive. We can share the cost.”

…

Mr. Xie was an accountant at the brick factory, and the Xie family was well-off. However, Mrs. Xie was thrifty.

She worked on household and farm chores every day and rarely went to town throughout the year.

But now, at the end of the year, she also wanted to go shopping.

However, while she could go shopping, she wouldn’t eat the fried dumplings or fried chicken.

Jiang Liyun had looked down on her son. Mrs. Xie wouldn’t spend money on Jiang Liyun!

That night, Mrs. Xie told Mr. Xie about her plans to go to town: “We need to buy couplets, the character ‘Fu,’ fireworks, candles, and incense. Also, buy some cakes; we’ll need them for worshipping Buddha during the New Year.”

Mr. Xie asked, “How much do you need?”

Mrs. Xie said, “Twenty yuan should be enough.”

Mr. Xie gave her fifty: “Buy some peanuts, melon seeds, and candy. When guests come during the New Year, offer them as treats.”

Mrs. Xie happily took the money.

Seeing this, Xie Zugen said to his father, “Dad, it’s New Year, and I also want to go shopping. Can you give me some money?”

“Isn’t that your salary?” Mr. Xie frowned. Since Mr. Xie wasn’t short of money, he didn’t require Xie Zugen to contribute to the household. Before the brick factory went on holiday, they not only received their regular salaries but also some additional bonuses.

Xie Zugen said, “I want to save my money.”

Mr. Xie questioned, “Save it? Don’t tell me you spent it all.”

Feeling somewhat guilty, Xie Zugen replied, “The matter is still up in the air.”

“Once it’s confirmed, let me know, and I’ll help you check. My judgement is quite good. That Jiang Liyun seems quite promising,” Mr. Xie said.

Although Mr. Xie was initially upset about Jiang Liyun not considering his son, he didn’t stay angry for long. Despite his son being good, he was well aware of his many flaws. Jiang Liyun was capable, and it wasn’t necessary for her to marry his son just because their family had money.

“It doesn’t matter if she’s promising or not. She went to Shanghai with a man, stayed overnight, and they aren’t even married yet,” Mrs. Xie sneered.

Mr. Xie commented, “Your niece’s situation is even more surprising—pregnant without being married.”

Mrs. Xie fell silent. Mr. Xie continued, “Jiang Liyun is really good; her fried dumpling shop is making good money. When she and Sun Jinshan went to Shanghai to sell chicken, they earned several thousand yuan.”

Mr. Xie admired Jiang Liyun. However, Xie Zugen, hearing this, became increasingly annoyed.

Why didn’t Jiang Liyun marry him? If she had agreed, he wouldn’t be worrying about repaying his debts now. Jiang Liyun could have helped him.

She was so good at making money!

That day, Xie Zugen finally managed to get fifty yuan from Mr. Xie. But after losing all his savings and the money his father entrusted to him, and with an additional five to six thousand in debt, the fifty yuan was like a drop in the ocean.

However, if he could turn things around with this money, he could pay off his debts.

That night, Xie Zugen went out again.

Initially, he did win a bit, but he wanted more and ended up losing all the money he had. Desperate to recover, he borrowed another five hundred but still lost.

“I’ll borrow another five hundred!” Xie Zugen said.

A person in the gambling den who specialised in lending money was named Zhou. Everyone called him Old Zhou.

He presented a loan agreement for Xie Zugen to write and said, “Xiao Xie, you owe me over ten thousand now. Make sure to pay it back before the New Year. Otherwise, I’ll come to your house.”

Xie Zugen was stunned. “I didn’t borrow that much, did I?”

“With interest, yes.” Old Zhou chuckled gently. “You know our business; we will come to collect debts before the New Year. If I think you can’t repay, we’ll visit your house tomorrow.”

“This won’t do! My dad will kill me! Give me some more time!” Xie Zugen pleaded desperately. Old Zhou didn’t budge.

“If you need money, go ask Jiang Liyun and Feng Yi; they have money,” Xie Zugen suddenly said.

Old Zhou asked, “Who are they to you?”

Xie Zugen replied, “Jiang Liyun once considered dating me!”

Old Zhou: “…”

Old Zhou felt quite speechless but clarified the situation with the Jiang family. Finally, he said, “The money you owe, we will definitely come to collect from your family. However, considering your situation, we can give you some more time.”

Considering the wealth of the Xie family, which was likely more than just over ten thousand, giving some more time seemed reasonable.

As for Jiang Liyun, who Xie Zugen mentioned had a shop and sold chicken… They couldn’t directly demand money from her. But they could think about developing relationships with people around her and inviting them to gamble here.

After some enquiries, Old Zhou learned that Jiang Liyun indeed had a shop but probably hadn’t earned much yet, and her trip to Shanghai to sell chicken was said to be assisting Sun Jinshan.

Sun Jinshan must have money!

Among Sun Jinshan’s friends were those who gambled here, though not as big as Xie Zugen and hadn’t been targeted by them, so they lost less.

In that case, they could have one of those friends invite Sun Jinshan to play.

Sun Jinshan was unaware that he had attracted someone’s attention.

He was particularly broke lately.

This time selling chicken in Shanghai, Jiang Liyun didn’t share any money with him, meaning he hadn’t earned a single penny.

That wasn’t all; he was also discussing marriage with Jiang Liping. After a trip to Shanghai, he had to buy gifts for Jiang Liping!

Sun Jinshan bought a watch for Jiang Liping, and after returning, he promised to buy her a bicycle.

He didn’t even have money for cigarettes!