Chapter 63 : Shen Subai’s Speculation

“What are your names and identities?”

“Shu Ruxue, from Beijing, a sent-down youth of the Hongxing Brigade this year.”

“Shen Subai, from Beijing, also a sent-down youth of the Hongxing Brigade this year.”

“Comrade Shen, Comrade Shu, can you prove the amount of money that was stolen from you?” Jiang Jizhong asked with suspicion, clearly doubting the truthfulness of their claims.

“Comrade police, we just withdrew the money from the post office. Can you have someone verify that?” Shen Subai responded, noticing the doubt in Jiang Jizhong’s eyes and feeling somewhat resentful.

One of the policemen immediately left the room. Meanwhile, Jiang Jizhong continued questioning. “When you entered the department store, were you certain the money was still on you?”

The two thought for a moment. Shen Subai shook his head. He hadn’t checked the contents of his bag after taking out the money, so he couldn’t be sure.

Shu Ruxue said, “We withdrew the money and came straight here. If it wasn’t stolen in this store, then where else could it have been?”

“Then you can’t be certain whether you lost the money on the way or if you dropped it accidentally?” Jiang Jizhong pressed.

“I’m not sure, so what? But we also can’t rule out the possibility that it was stolen here. Unless we search everyone’s money, we won’t know for sure, right?” Shu Ruxue insisted.

At that moment, the policeman who had gone out returned and reported, “Boss, they weren’t lying. The serial number of the withdrawn money is XXXXXXXX…”

“Comrades, thank you for your cooperation,” Jiang Jizhong addressed the group. “We’ve taken up your time, and now we ask for your cooperation once more in a quick search to clear everyone’s name so you may leave.”

Everyone cooperated with the search. However, no large-denomination bills matching the serial numbers were found. Altogether, the money on the dozen or so people didn’t even add up to 300 yuan.

After dismissing the group, Jiang Jizhong turned to Shu Ruxue and Shen Subai. “You two educated youths should be more careful with your money in the future. At this point, we can’t confirm whether it was lost or stolen. You’ve also disrupted other comrades’ time. If we do find your lost money, we’ll inform you right away.”

“Comrade police, have you found the money that was stolen last time?” Shu Ruxue asked skeptically, clearly doubting their capability.

“Comrades, our police force is limited,” Jiang Jizhong replied. “There were so many people on that train. We haven’t found any leads yet, and frankly, the chances are very slim. You should be mentally prepared.” With that, he and his colleagues left.

The department store staff then drove the two of them out as well. Their disruption had cost the store significant revenue for the day. Now standing helplessly in front of the store, the two no longer carried themselves with the confidence they once had.

“Brother Subai, what should we do now? I really need money to get my teeth fixed,” Shu Ruxue said anxiously, dreading the scolding she’d receive from Xu Ziying when she returned.

“You don’t have any money left?” Shen Subai asked, glancing at her. He still had two yuan on him and couldn’t understand why the thief hadn’t taken it all.

Yun Siying could’ve answered that! Of course she had left them some phone money, so they could still call home and she could keep intercepting their funds. That was her sustainable development strategy.

“I have three yuan left,” Shu Ruxue said tearfully, her voice full of frustration. Her luck lately had been truly terrible.

“I guess I have no choice but to call home for money,” Shen Subai said with resignation. But even he wasn’t sure if he’d be believed after all using this same excuse again would sound suspicious.

The two entered the post office looking dejected, but when they came out a while later, their faces were filled with joy. It seemed they had succeeded in getting money again this time.

“Brother Subai, my dad said that my mom and brother are coming to the countryside to see me,” Shu Ruxue said with a bright smile, sharing her happiness.

“Do you know what time they’ll arrive?” Shen Subai stopped walking and asked, although he still maintained some distance from Shu Ruxue.

First, he found Shu Ruxue a bit embarrassing. The more he looked at her, the more ordinary she seemed, the initial charm was fading. Second, he had a growing suspicion that being close to her brought bad luck.

To test that idea, he planned to slowly distance himself from her. But when he heard her mother and brother were coming, he thought there might be some benefits to gain. Still, he didn’t want to show his intentions too early.

“They’ll get off the train at 3:30 tomorrow afternoon,” Shu Ruxue replied, thinking they must be bringing a lot of money.

Yun Siying watched the two of them walk away before stepping out of the department store herself, replaying their conversation in her mind. So they were getting money again.

It seemed they really cared about Shu Ruxue. But Shu Ruxue was the enemy of the original owner, and thus, her enemy as well. How could she let her enemy live happily? It looked like she’d need to head into the county town tomorrow, too.

Glancing up at the sun, she made her way to the state-owned restaurant. Several educated youths were already eating there. She ordered braised eggplant, peony pork rib soup, and twice-cooked pork.

When her dishes were brought to the table, the other educated youths looked at her with envy. Yun Siying truly lived a good life.

Li Laidi, who had ordered just a bowl of plain noodles, said to her, “Comrade Yun, you ordered so much food you definitely won’t finish it. I’ll help you eat whatever you can’t.”

“No need. I brought a lunchbox. If I can’t finish it, I’ll pack it up and eat it later. And do you know how precious meat is these days? Stop asking to help others eat, it just makes you look uncultured,” Yun Siying replied with a smile, but her eyes were cold.

“How stingy! It’s just a bit of meat, and you’re clinging to it like it’s gold. You enjoy it all by yourself while the rest of us suffer. You clearly have no spirit of mutual assistance,” Li Laidi said with a sour face.

“Then tell me, Comrade Li I’ve been in the countryside for about a week. What have you done to help me?” Yun Siying stared at her as if she could see right through her.

“That’s because you don’t need help… not because I didn’t offer it,” Li Laidi muttered under her breath.

“Ha! So your idea of mutual help is when others help you, and your job is just to enjoy it. You’re really thick-skinned, thicker than the city walls,” Yun Siying retorted without mercy. She was never one to show kindness to people like that or let herself be taken advantage of.

“Pfft!” Wang Panpan couldn’t help laughing. This Comrade Yun really didn’t take anything lying down. If someone made her uncomfortable, she’d make them even more uncomfortable. She didn’t care what others thought and just focused on living freely.

Several female comrades from the Youth Corps were envious, jealous, and disliked her. They often badmouthed her behind her back and sometimes even confronted her directly.

Guo Dongming looked fondly and said, “Panpan, eat slowly don’t choke.”

“I know, Brother Ming,” Wang Panpan said, stifling her laughter as she resumed eating.

Yun Siying ate with full attention, her cheeks puffed like a cute little fox.