Chapter 8: The Eldest Daughter’s Divorce

The little daughter’s caring words made Lin Meiru feel very appreciated: “Mom, you’re getting old and don’t need anything fancy; instead, you can make a couple more outfits. Don’t look for a tailor. Don’t you remember? Your elder sister’s skills are the best in the area; that talent has helped her save up a nice dowry.”

Jiang An’an exclaimed, “Elder sister is really impressive.”

“Unfortunately, after she got married, your brother-in-law doesn’t allow her to take outside work anymore,” Lin Meiru said with some regret. “Fortunately, your brother-in-law is capable, and their family is well off, so they’re not short on money.”

Jiang An’an frowned slightly.

“…Wait! You can get two eggs if you spend ten bucks in total?” Lin Meiru exclaimed in surprise as she suddenly noticed the promotional slogan on the wall.

Seeing that the line for collecting eggs had grown quite long, worried that the eggs would run out, she hurriedly dragged her little daughter over to the cosmetics area.

“Snow Cream is thirty-eight yuan a box, no tickets needed.”

The indifferent tone of the salesperson felt like a bucket of cold water poured over Lin Meiru, leaving her speechless: “So expensive?”

“If you don’t have money, hurry up and leave; don’t block others from buying,” the salesperson replied, her attitude quite harsh, considering the scarcity of goods at the time, and that Snow Cream was a luxury item coming from Shanghai.

In that instant, it seemed like countless eyes were focused on the mother and daughter, and Lin Meiru felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, unusually reluctant to retort.

Jiang An’an smiled sweetly, clinging to her arm and acting cute: “Mom, I was born beautiful and don’t need Snow Cream at all.”

If someone else had said this, the salesperson would have shot back immediately, even thinking the phrase “born beautiful” was too modest. Suddenly, the salesperson grabbed a handful of milk candies and handed them to Jiang An’an, asking with a smile, “Comrade, how do you usually lighten your skin?”

Upon hearing about skincare, several women around perked up their ears.

Dabaitou milk candies were in high demand, and the salesperson had clearly invested, so Jiang An’an smiled even more sincerely: “Physical sun protection is very important; drink more milk and lemon water…”

The salesperson quickly took notes, and after their conversation, she gained a lot of insights: “Selling the whole bottle of Snow Cream is not cost-effective; it can be sold in bulk by weight.”

She rummaged under the counter and pulled out an empty bottle with a mysterious expression: “If you want, the bottles can also be sold at a low price.”

This method was a good deal; you could get the best effects for little money.

Lin Meiru initially hesitated to spend the money, but seeing the salesperson’s look of “I’m just secretly telling you two,” she calculated in her head that they were indeed saving a lot, and felt she’d be missing out if she didn’t buy. She quickly said, “I’ll take ten yuan worth.” That would also allow her to get two eggs.

Yesterday, the twenty yuan gifted by her son-in-law was still half left, and after they went to the supply and marketing cooperative to get some fabric and frostbite ointment, they could save quite a bit more, gradually saving up for An’an’s dowry in the future.

The Snow Cream had a soft texture, was white in color, and had a faint fragrance. The salesperson scooped a large spoonful with a long, flat wooden stick and carefully weighed it before kindly wiping off the excess: “Next time you come, just look for me. My last name is Liu.”

“Liu Jie!” Jiang An’an readily agreed, picking a handful of fresh vegetables from her basket and handing them to her. “These are freshly grown from our garden. I’m giving them to you because I feel a connection with you, so don’t refuse.”

Even after collecting ten eggs and walking out of the building, Lin Meiru was still in a daze. Hearing that the mother and daughter were still getting eggs, the salesperson directly took them to cut in line and even gave them eight more.

One egg cost three cents, so eight eggs were twenty-four cents!!

Who would have thought city people could be so easy to please… Ah, no, I mean so warm-hearted!

Suddenly, she slapped her thigh: “Oh, I should ask the salesperson if the store is hiring!” Working as a salesperson in the store had decent pay and was perfect for her An’an!

Jiang An’an quickly changed the subject: “Mom, the vegetable leaves seem to be wilting; let’s hurry and take them to Second Sister.”

Despite the good treatment and high status of the salespeople, in ten years, they would end up at the bottom. Compared to that, Jiang An’an still preferred her previous job as a mediator. Dealing with family matters, in-laws, and neighbors… Every day was filled with fun and gossip, and she even got paid for it!!

It was now 1972, and there were still five years until the college entrance exams would resume. During this time, she would prepare well and strive to get into university, rejoining the Women’s Federation for a stable job.

Lin Meiru looked down and said, “Oh, you’re right; if the vegetables are wilted, it won’t look good when we deliver them… Wait! An’an, isn’t that your fourth cousin? Where did he get that bicycle?”

Suddenly, Lin Meiru’s gossip radar activated, and she dashed out. Even with a large basket of vegetables, her legs seemed to almost leave a blur behind.

Jiang An’an couldn’t help but laugh at the scene.

By the time she caught up, Lin Meiru was already gripping the back of the bicycle tightly, continuously probing, “Yongrong, bicycles aren’t cheap; how much did you buy it for?”

Uncle Jiang named his six children according to the phrase “the country is prosperous and strong,” following the order of the Yong character generation.

Jiang Yongrong’s eyes flickered slightly: “I borrowed it.”

“Is that so?” Lin Meiru looked the bicycle up and down and suddenly began to boast: “My son-in-law also has a Phoenix brand bicycle; at first glance, it really looks like this one.”

Jiang Yongrong felt his body stiffen as if he had been pricked by needles, and his forehead was covered in fine sweat. “Bicycles are all pretty much the same, Second Aunt, I have something urgent to attend to and need to leave quickly.”

“Why are you in such a hurry?” Lin Meiru noticed her nephew’s guilty expression, her curiosity growing stronger, making it even less likely for her to let him go.

With a serious expression, she threatened, “Is the bicycle stolen? Well, I’ll take you to the police station to confess.”

Jiang Yongrong was nearly scared to tears and confessed, “I didn’t steal it; it was given to me by Zhou Kang!”

Lin Meiru was stunned for a moment, completely disbelieving: “What nonsense are you talking? A bicycle costs several hundred yuan; my son-in-law must have gone crazy to give it to you.”

She abruptly grabbed Jiang Yongrong’s arm: “You little thief, come on, let’s go to the police station and clear this up.”

Catch a thief?

Many people gathered around upon hearing this.

“It really was given by Zhou Kang!” Jiang Yongrong trembled in fear, spilling everything: “Zhou Kang is getting a divorce from Sister Shulan today; he specifically invited my parents and my grandma as witnesses, and this bicycle is the thank-you gift.”

The air suddenly fell silent.

Divorce!

This was a sensational piece of news in Hongqi Commune!!

Jiang An’an suddenly realized: “No wonder Zhou Kang suddenly gave tickets and money yesterday; it turns out it was all premeditated.”

Clearly thinking of this as well, Lin Meiru’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot, and she nearly crumpled the two industrial tickets she was holding.

“Help your auntie deliver this basket of vegetables to the supply and marketing cooperative.”

She snatched the bicycle without waiting for a response, forcefully shoved the basket into Jiang Yongrong’s hands, and warned sternly: “Keep your mouth shut; don’t tell Mei Zi’s family what happened. An’an, hurry up and get on the bike.”

It wasn’t easy to take leave from the supply and marketing cooperative; if she did it too often, the leaders would have opinions. All three daughters were important, and Lin Meiru knew how to prioritize.

Jiang Yongrong watched helplessly as the mother and daughter disappeared from sight, worrying incessantly: This is a disaster; I hope it doesn’t lead to anything serious!