Chapter 10: Losing Everything to Save Life

Yang Mumu locked the door, returned to the room, and retrieved the deeds to the 600-square-meter courtyard from the secret compartment in the wardrobe, based on her memories.  Only in the scumbag’s book could there be a 600-square-meter courtyard; in reality, it would have been reported and demolished long ago.

 Yang Mumu muttered to herself as she continued to retrieve things: 800 yuan and a passbook. The 800 yuan was a condolence payment from the machinery factory after her father’s death in the line of duty.

Her father had been on a business trip when he encountered a flood. In an attempt to protect the factory’s property and save the workers, he was swept away by the water and never found. The police issued a death certificate. The factory, upon learning of this, proactively paid the money.

 Yang Mumu worked in the factory’s finance department, so the money went directly to her. Knowing her stepmother had secretly used the money for her ex-husband, she prevented her stepmother from getting it, planning to give her some money each month for household expenses.

However, her stepmother only wanted to keep it all for herself. The passbook contained a staggering amount: 99,000 yuan. This was what they coveted most. Yang Mumu’s mother’s family had been wealthy. 88,000 yuan in the passbook was her mother’s dowry, and the remaining 11,000 yuan was accumulated from her father’s monthly savings. 

Together with the house under Yang Mumu’s name, it was all intended to provide for her. After her father’s death, her stepmother had her eyes on everything. She only knew about her father’s savings and not the rest.

Even so, she came up with a plan to seize the inheritance. If she had known the total amount, Yang Mumu would likely have been dead long ago. Therefore, no one who harmed her would escape! They would all go to hell. Yang Mumu continued to collect valuable items from the house: a radio, a sewing machine, a bicycle, and everything else she deemed worthwhile, all of which she put into her space.

 She found 120 yuan and a watch in Yang Qianqian’s room.  Finally, she ransacked Li Yuhua’s room, finding a watch, 360 yuan, some cloth and meat coupons, and a fan, all of which she added to her space.

“Done!” With the valuable items mostly collected, Yang Mumu clapped her hands and prepared for the most important task. She entered her space, went to the turntable, and performed her pre-drawing ritual—a prayer.

 She took a spirit tablet from behind the turntable, placed it in front of her, and on it were written the words “God.” “God, your beloved daughter needs tools and photo paper for developing photos. Bless me to draw them.” After praying, Yang Mumu excitedly began to draw. “A plate of braised potatoes and pork?  Okay, okay, I can keep the plate.” “A serving of white rice?  Good, good, dinner is settled.”

 “A huge bunch of bananas? Wow, a huge bunch directly from the banana tree? Big and fresh, nice, nice! Post-dinner fruit is sorted, one a day for a month.” The turntable updated, and Yang Mumu immediately saw the item she needed.

  She spun the wheel. “Low-end wind-fire-wheel shoes? Travel a thousand miles a day? Comfortable, non-abrasive, and non-tiring! Oh my god, I’ve struck gold!” Another spin, “Wow, I got the photo developing kit!

 God, you’re my ancestor for ten thousand generations!” Yang Mumu was overjoyed, circling the large gift bag. The gift bag lived up to its name. Besides the enlarger, the developer and fixer were provided in buckets, and the developing tray was large, perfectly matching her height so she didn’t have to bend over.

It even included a comfortable chair.  Photo paper in various sizes from 1 to 10 inches, twenty boxes of each. Enough photo paper for a lifetime. Yang Mumu ate dinner and found a dark room in her space—a basement—to use as her darkroom.

 She moved everything there with her mind, took out the photos she had taken today, and the developing kit, and started working.  People were waiting for the gossip, and the police were waiting to boost their performance.

These photos were essential.  Thinking of what was to come, Yang Mumu worked even harder, developing the photos non-stop. While Yang Mumu worked diligently in her space, the gossipers outside were busy spreading rumors throughout the machinery factory and even half the city.  Xu Qiang and the other four spent every second in fear, plagued by nightmares.

 Upon waking, they started raising money for Yang Mumu, with only one thought in mind: raise the money and survive. Xu Qiang had written an IOU for 1800 yuan to save his life.

He had written it easily then, but now, raising the money was a struggle. He not only emptied his savings but also sold his job and valuable possessions like his radio and bicycle on the black market.  After selling everything, he only had 1642 yuan, still short.  Returning home, he looked at the remaining items in his house, his face bitter as he started packing again. “Chair, wardrobe, desk, large iron pot, coal, flour…” After selling everything, he counted the money, reaching 1801 yuan.

  He wept with joy. “I got it, I got it.”  Looking back, he only had an empty house and a worn-out mat. The house belonged to Yang Mumu; the only thing he owned was that worn-out mat. He had to beg Yang Mumu to accept the money; he didn’t even dare to think about not giving it to her. 

He was heartbroken, beating his chest and face in regret.

Zhang Cuilan and Li Yuhua stammered, their men raising their hands to agree to save themselves. “Fine. Since you’ve all decided to abandon them, let’s start the exposé. Remember to be fierce and loud.

” Yang Mumu opened the door slightly, gave them a radiant smile, then took a deep breath and screamed miserably outside.  “Ah, what are you doing? What are you doing? How can you do this? Let me go! Help! Adultery! Adultery!”  At Yang Zhong’s house… “Honey, you must be tired. Sit down.”

 Liu Guizhi cheerfully helped Yang Zhong massage his shoulders, then turned to their daughter, who was sweeping the floor, with a ferocious expression.  She kicked her daughter, “Yang Zhaodi, don’t you know how to pour your father a glass of water?  Do you have any eyes? Pour water, go cook!

Do you want to starve your mother to death? You’re so useless! Tomorrow, I’ll marry you off to Old Wu, the widower. We can get 200 yuan in bride price! Get lost!” Yang Jinbao chimed in, “That’s right, you useless girl!

 Do you want a beating? Go cook! You’re starving me to death!” Yang Zhong ignored them, sitting there, hand on his forehead, frowning and closing his eyes. Yang Zhaodi lowered her head, resentment simmering in her eyes, silently pouring water and cooking. “Honey, drink some water.”

Liu Guizhi’s expression changed instantly.  She snatched the teacup and smiled as she handed the tea to Yang Zhong, asking, “How’s that little vixen Yang Mumu doing? Did you handle it? When can we get the money and the house? Our son’s wedding is coming up, and we need to get him some things.

 It has to be a grand celebration! Oh, and we need to get Yang Mumu’s sewing machine too.  It’ll make our son look good, and I can use it too.”

“Dad, it’s settled. I’ll live in the biggest room. The three major appliances and a bicycle can’t be missing, and the seventy-two legs must be ready. Xiaohui said she won’t marry without those things.

Their family wants…” “Shut up! All of you shut up! We got nothing! It’s all because of you, you stupid son!” Yang Zhong exploded, throwing his enamel mug at Yang Jinbao and the lid at Liu Guizhi, scaring them both.

Liu Guizhi tentatively said, “Honey, you…” “Shut your mouth! Go get all the money and coupons in the house! All of it! Quickly!” Yang Zhong clutched his face, thinking about the money. The final ransom he had given Yang Mumu was 2500 yuan.

 His job at the cannery and Liu Guizhi’s job at the textile factory could fetch around 1800 yuan.  Their small house could sell for 300 yuan, and Yang Jinbao’s radio for 50 yuan.  They would get their salaries tomorrow, totaling about 3100 yuan.

 It wasn’t enough, still not enough, they were 319 yuan short. Yang Zhong tore at his hair, roaring, “Where’s the money? Bring it!”

 “Coming, coming.” Liu Guizhi ran over with an iron box, carefully handing it over, silently standing beside him, not daring to speak, afraid of being beaten again. Seeing this, Yang Jinbao had quietly retreated to his room.

 Yang Zhong eagerly opened the box, frantically grabbing the money and coupons, counting them.