Shirley tucked the money into her bag and suddenly felt a sense of clarity in her heart. She had received her salary today, twenty-three yuan, a bit more than usual as a bonus. The money at hand was gradually increasing. At twenty-six years old, she thought about the years spent with the Xu Family; there was a ti when she even considered giving up completely, thinking that nothing could be worse, and that many won in the village lived even harder lives—they all did the sa work, what was the big deal?
But every ti in the dead of night, looking at Lai Zi’s despicable face, she thought again that she couldn’t give up, she had to stay clear-headed, especially with children to think about. Dezi was already a lost cause, part of the Xu Family’s lineage, but Daya and Xiao Ya are good kids; they are all good kids, and girls too. If she neglected to act, what would happen to those two kids’ futures?
She felt like a headless fly, without a single idea or clue. She had once considered getting close to Liu Yan; if she was lucky, Liu Yan might be able to help her leave this mire.
But it didn’t take long after they beca acquainted for her to realize that Liu Yan wasn’t as nice as she seed on the surface, with a ntality as complicated as a wasp’s nest. Shen ng was also sharp-minded, but she didn’t trouble others unless they troubled her first; she had her own principles and bottom lines.
She had never imagined she would one day escape this quagmire and start anew. All of this was given to her by Shen ng, and ever since she started living alone with her children, she had received a lot of care from everyone. No matter what, she should thank them.
"What’s that, I have a day off tomorrow and was thinking of treating everyone to a al, what do you think?"
"What al?"
Shirley put on a sincere smile and said to Shen ng, "Of course, as a gratitude al. Ever since I got divorced, everyone has been so helpful to , even now that I have moved to the county to work, neighbors often bring vegetables to my house and help with my private plot. I should express my gratitude both morally and emotionally."
Shen ng scratched her head, continuing to walk towards where Uncle Guai had parked the car. After a while, she stopped again.
"Let’s not do that. Inviting people out for a al is too showy. If you really want to show your gratitude, spend so money on a big bag of candy, then see how much pickled vegetables you have at ho, collect them all, ask Jinghao for so sun-dried spicy beans, and fry them well with so lard. Go door to door and deliver a small bowl to each household. That’s better than spending money on a al. Most people in the village are kind, but there are many who love to gossip and create trouble. If you really spend money on a al, just wait and see; in a couple of days, there will be gossip about you, followed by people coming to take advantage of your generosity. Not to ntion others, Lai Zi’s family is still around. I’ve heard from Mingyang that Daya saw Dezi crying on the roadside from hunger and secretly gave him so food. Although you have a bit of money now, it’s still better not to show it off."
Shirley naturally listened to Shen ng’s words, especially since she spoke for her own good. In fact, even if she did invite everyone for a al, she wouldn’t be able to buy anything too expensive; it was just a gathering to express thanks.
But Shen ng’s words sobered her up a bit. If she really hosted the al and soone complained that the food was not good enough, it would be very embarrassing.
"Okay, I’ll do as you say. Let’s do it tomorrow then. Daya has no class, I’ll bring Daya and Xiao Ya to the county to have so fun, and take them to a al at the State-Owned Restaurant, buy them sothing nice. Now that I have earned so money, I should spend a good ti with my two children."
"Right, that’s the spirit. Let’s put aside the matter of thanking people for the ti being. The village is now busy with the Head Flower Factory, working overti to finish orders. When I treat everyone to a al at the end of the month, you can co too, and just say a few heartfelt words then. Sotis invitations and gifts aren’t that important; what country folks like is respect and sincerity. Just live your life well, and don’t think too much."
Shirley was about to nod when she saw Shirley, who had been waiting on the other side, waving at them.
"Look at Wu Xiang Lan, she doesn’t have that burden. She has also co to terms with things. What’s so important about a man? Both her son and daughter are close to her. She has a salary and a job, and as long as the family doesn’t deduct her food, she doesn’t care about anything else. Isn’t that great?"
"Yeah, when I took Daya to your place earlier, I saw Lu Jiahe co out of Liu Suqin’s yard. These two are also considered pests of the Lu Family Village. I heard Liu Suqin wanted to go to the Head Flower Factory, but Director Guo didn’t even bother to acknowledge her."
Shen ng lowered her gaze and remained silent. Liu Suqin was on the sa side as Zhou Jiaojiao, and with Wu Xiang Lan so proud in the village and knowing she was friends with Shen ng, people were polite to her.
Shen ng was still waiting for Wu Xianglan to stir up trouble and deal with Zhou Jiaojiao at the textile factory, so there was absolutely no way she would let Liu Suqin go to the factory.
The people of Lu Family Village are all working hard with great zeal, hoping to manage the factory well and let those who previously ridiculed their village see that the villagers are not ungrateful wretches.
After washing up, still in her pajamas, Shen ng bent over the heated brick bed table, doodling and writing. When Lu Zhenping pushed the door open and ca in, he still had a towel on his head. He casually wiped his hair a few tis and draped the towel over the basin rack.
He paused for a mont and then knocked on the heated brick bed table.
"What?"
"Xiao ng, there’s sothing I need to tell you. I have to go out tomorrow and it will probably take a week for to return."
Shen ng looked at him with a gloomy face. His vacation was still a month away and since she had started working, they had spent little ti together. Now he suddenly said he had to leave for a week, which made her feel a sudden sense of sourness in her heart.
"What for? Why do you suddenly have to go away for a week? Has sothing happened?"
"Well, a few days ago soone from the county Police Station ca to see . There’s a mission they want to collaborate on with my unit. The unit’s squad leader is also on leave at ho, and he hasn’t been back for three years. His ho is very remote; after much consideration, the higher-ups decided to have join. I am a soldier, Xiao ng. When the country and the people need , I have to rush to the front line imdiately."
"Okay. Since it’s a mission, you must pay attention to your safety. You’re an experienced veteran; I won’t say much else. I just want to say one thing – at all tis, especially in dangerous monts, think of and the child. You must co back safely."
"Okay."
Lu Zhenping was leaving tomorrow, which really was quite sudden. She simply closed her notebook and started to pack his things.
She put clothes, shoes, and socks into the bag, along with so dried at and snacks, all easy to grab and carry. After thinking for a while, she went to the kitchen and brought back a large bag of chili powder from her storage space, carefully wrapped it, and placed it in the bag too.
"Zhenping, I was thinking about your mission. In case you are out for a long ti and it’s inconvenient to find food, I’ve packed so dried at and cookies that I made earlier. They’re easy to carry. And this bag contains chili powder. This white paper package is laxative, and this small yellow bag has so common dicines, like antibiotics. Rember to take them with you!"
Hmm???
"Why do you need to bring chili powder and laxatives?"
Shen ng turned around and said with a sly smile, "In case you need to engage in close combat, just throw chili powder in the enemy’s face, that will leave them burning. They’re the enemy; there’s no point in playing fair or not. And the laxatives are for when you’re in hiding. If you co across the enemy’s water source, pour it in. This is a potent drug; whoever drinks it will beco dehydrated and unable to continue."
Lu Zhenping: "....."
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