Being complimented by Lin Beibei was no big deal, but when Lin Zhengrong suddenly said earnestly that she looked good, Jiang Qiuyue felt a little embarrassed and put down the mirror. “Alright, alright, let’s go. We need to catch the tractor.”  

Taohua Village didn’t have passenger buses, making travel quite inconvenient.  

When they saw Wang Youren, Jiang Qiuyue immediately waved.  

“Sister Qiuyue!” Wang Youren stopped the tractor and pulled a handful of peanuts from his pocket for Jiang Qiuyue’s family. “My mom fried these this morning. Take them for the road.”  

There were others on the tractor, including Chen Meiru, Hu Haizhi’s wife, who was also heading to town. When she saw Jiang Qiuyue’s family, she pinched Lin Beibei’s chubby little face and then reached for Lin Nannan. “It’s so much better after splitting the household. You’ve raised them so well, Qiuyue. They used to be so listless, but now they’re plump and lively. I’ve heard all about the Lin family’s drama. It’s a shame I wasn’t there—the Bai family really had the nerve to impersonate the police! And as for Lin Xiao, did she really… sleep with a man?”  

Gossip always gets juicier the more it spreads.  

Jiang Qiuyue said she didn’t know. “We’ve cut ties with them. They wouldn’t tell us about such things.”  

“I bet it’s true. Otherwise, why would the Bai family take such a risk? Right?” Chen Meiru was chatty. Hearing Jiang Qiuyue say she didn’t know, she nudged Zhou Cuicui beside her. “What do you think, Cuicui?”  

Zhou Cuicui’s expression had been sour since Jiang Qiuyue and Lin Zhengrong arrived. “How would I know about such things? But if the beam is crooked, the timber will follow. It’s not like anything good could come of it.”  

“True. People really ought to live decently,” Chen Meiru sighed. After asking Jiang Qiuyue where they were going, she continued talking about herself. “Cuicui and I are planning to buy some fabric scraps from the town’s textile factory. No fabric coupons needed—we can take them home to make shorts for the kids or even socks. Qiuyue, do you want some? I can grab some for you.”  

Hearing that no coupons were required, Jiang Qiuyue immediately nodded and handed Chen Meiru some money. “Thank you so much, Sister Meiru. I’ve been worrying about what the kids will wear when it gets cold. Could you get me a bit more? Just leave it in our yard when you’re back.”  

Lin Zhengrong wanted to ask—hadn’t Jiang Qiuyue just bought fabric? Wasn’t it for the kids? Or was it for him?  

But the tractor’s roaring engine was too loud, so he swallowed his words. If it was for him, he’d just wait patiently. No need to rush.  

Once in town, the two groups went their separate ways. Zhou Cuicui grumbled, “Look at her, dressing up like some vixen. Does she think she’s the only woman in the world?”  

She didn’t name names, but Chen Meiru immediately knew who she was talking about and clicked her tongue. “Cuicui, that’s not right of you. Let me tell you something. Before, Qiuyue never dressed up. Now that Dazhu is back, the couple is all lovey-dovey. Isn’t it normal for her to want to look nice for him?”  

“I just can’t stand her flaunting herself like that,” Zhou Cuicui said, her resentment bubbling up.  

“Cuicui, that’s too much!” Chen Meiru thought Jiang Qiuyue was perfectly nice—gentle, soft-spoken, and hardworking. “Back then, it was your parents who demanded a high bride price, which is why Wang Chunhua rejected your family. If you really liked Dazhu, why didn’t you talk your parents down? It’s been years now, and it’s not like you and Dazhu were ever together. What right do you have to be jealous?”

Zhou Cuicui had her parents propose a marriage arrangement to the Lin family, but how could Wang Chunhua and Lin Fugui possibly pay extra bride price for Lin Zhengrong? The two families couldn’t agree on the bride price, and the marriage fell through.  

At the time, Lin Zhengrong was away taking exams and had no idea about this. Later, no one brought it up to him either.  

Chen Meiru spoke bluntly, and Zhou Cuicui’s expression darkened. She walked away quickly, leaving Chen Meiru behind.  

Chen Meiru didn’t bother chasing her. If it weren’t for the fact that their families were neighbors, she wouldn’t have associated with Zhou Cuicui in the first place.  

As for Zhou Cuicui, she felt deeply wronged.  

Back then, she had liked Lin Zhengrong, but her parents refused to lower the bride price. Later, she married a man who became disabled after an accident at work.  

Seeing the tall and handsome Lin Zhengrong now, and then thinking about her own useless, crippled husband—how could Zhou Cuicui possibly feel balanced?  

Meanwhile, Chen Meiru and the others went to buy fabric scraps, while Jiang Qiuyue’s family boarded a bus and were already on their way to the city.  

Once in the city, Jiang Qiuyue headed straight for the department store.  

“Comrade, I’d like some snowflake cream,” Jiang Qiuyue said, pointing to the jars on the counter.  

(Note: “Snowflake cream” (雪花膏) was a popular moisturizing cream in China during the mid-20th century, known for its smooth texture and hydrating properties.)

“Out of stock,” the salesclerk replied, glancing up at Jiang Qiuyue and her family before snorting and returning to her newspaper.  

“There are two jars right there—how is that out of stock?” Jiang Qiuyue knew that salesclerks in this era had iron rice bowls and acted high and mighty, but she held back her temper for the sake of making the purchase.  

The salesclerk said bluntly, “One jar is for me, and the other is reserved for someone else. Since you can’t afford it anyway, why are you wasting my time? Don’t disrupt my work.”  

Jiang Qiuyue had bought fabric but hadn’t yet made new clothes. Her current outfit was faded from washing and had two patches, making her look like she didn’t have much money.  

But she had already said she wanted to buy it, and the salesclerk still dismissed her. Her anger flared. “I wasn’t aware that your department store takes reservations. And who says we can’t afford it? Look at this!”  

She slammed the money on the counter. “Either give me the snowflake cream now, or call your manager. I’d like to see if this is how you’re supposed to serve the people!”  

The loud noise attracted the attention of people nearby.  

Lin Beibei’s eyes widened, and he whispered to his sister, “Nannan, Mom is so cool.”  

This was the first time Lin Zhengrong had seen Jiang Qiuyue shopping. He couldn’t help but wonder—how had she been so meek before? Why was she so assertive now?  

The salesclerk hadn’t expected Jiang Qiuyue to be so fierce. Annoyed, she snapped, “Comrade, when I say we’re out of stock, we’re out of stock. Why are you making such a fuss?”  

“Am I making a fuss, or are you abusing your position? If everyone acted like you, hoarding goods for acquaintances, how are the rest of us supposed to buy anything after traveling so far?” Jiang Qiuyue’s words resonated with the onlookers. Regular customers at the department store knew that many items were sold first to those with connections, making it hard to buy even a simple thermos without paying extra or pulling strings.  

Someone spoke up in support of Jiang Qiuyue: “This comrade is right. It’s because of salesclerks like you, chiseling away at socialism, that we struggle to buy things.”  

“Yeah, if you have it, why won’t you sell it?”  

“I’ve come several times, and every time, the thermos is ‘out of stock.’ You won’t even tell us when it’ll be back. You’re using your state-assigned positions for personal gain—we ought to report you!”  

“That’s right, report them!”  

…