Chapter 6

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This person certainly had a “frank” way with words. Gu Yiren had sharp eyes; in his previous life, he was selected by military officers because of his strong physique and keen gaze—they wanted to train him. Even from a distance, he could clearly see the small, green-bean-sized blister on Su Liuhe’s palm.

“How did you get that?” he asked.

Su Liuhe hesitated and mumbled, “It’s none of your business.”

Outside the yard, Aunt Xiangcai was shouting, “It’s from cutting the big cabbages! So delicate, she couldn’t even bring home two big cabbages for free!”

Su Liuhe lowered her head and searched the ground for a broom; today, she was determined to have a fierce showdown with Aunt Xiangcai.

“Is this yours?” Gu Yiren unobtrusively blocked her way and picked up a handkerchief that had fallen on the ground.

Su Liuhe touched her neck, wondering when the handkerchief in her pocket had fallen out.

“It’s mine.”

Gu Yiren looked puzzled. “Why not keep it in your pocket?”

Su Liuhe muttered, “The fabric of my old cotton jacket is too rough; it chafes my neck.”

Gu Yiren was impressed.

Having lived two lifetimes, he had never met someone so delicate.

The phrase “hardworking and enduring” was clearly absent from her vocabulary.

Gu Yiren pulled out two large unities—currency notes—and the only national cloth coupon worth one city foot: “I’m going to chop firewood. You buy some fine cotton fabric to make a fake collar. You handle the rest of the money and buy whatever the household needs.”

At her best, Su Liuhe had only ever had three yuan.

Sudden wealth made her uncontrollably reveal a small dimple: “I’m an elder; how could I feel comfortable taking your money?”

Gu Yiren pressed his lips: “We’re family. You’re in charge.”

Su Liuhe’s small hands trembled as she accepted the large sum, excitedly promising, “I will spend it wisely.”

Gu Yiren was indifferent to money: “I’m off to chop wood.”

Just as Su Liuhe stepped out, she ran into Aunt Xiangcai.

“Why won’t you leave me alone?”

“Little sister, we’re practically neighbors, just one household apart.”

Aunt Xiangcai, as if having taken some strange medicine, softened her attitude toward Su Liuhe: “Come on, I’ll help you carry it from the supply and marketing cooperative. You couldn’t even bring home one cabbage—”

Su Liuhe, annoyed, said, “You want to help me maintain a dignified image in front of the juniors.”

Aunt Xiangcai’s lips twitched as she glanced at Su Liuhe’s petite figure and slender waist: “Alright, dignified it is.”

At the supply and marketing cooperative, Su Liuhe realized the advantage of having acquaintances.

The clerk ignored her completely—her reputation was poor and she looked dirty. Aunt Xiangcai found a friend, who even helped pick out good styles for her!

The young clerk gently said, “One city foot of fine cotton fabric; auntie, see, I even left you an extra half-inch allowance.”

“Thanks, dear,” Aunt Xiangcai thanked her several times, accompanied Su Liuhe to finish shopping, and packed the small parcels on the way home: “That girl is my daughter’s good friend. Next time, come and find her directly; it’ll be easier.”

Su Liuhe spent over seven yuan on daily necessities.

In her previous world, seven yuan was still a significant sum; now, she felt so reluctant to spend it she was nearly speechless.

She shyly said, “Big sister, you really have a warm heart. Who in the village doesn’t praise you for your good reputation?”

Aunt Xiangcai, carrying a new enamel basin and a new thermos, cursed Su Liuhe as a spendthrift in her heart but smiled and said, “That’s nothing. From now on, you, Comrade Gu, and we’re all neighbors; we have to be friendly.”

Those words hit the mark perfectly.

Su Liuhe stuffed half a jin of raw melon seeds into Aunt Xiangcai’s pocket and said mysteriously, “Big sister, could you do me a favor?”

Aunt Xiangcai was cautious: “What favor? Half a jin of melon seeds costs three cents; are you really asking?”

Su Liuhe said, “I want to find some work.”

Aunt Xiangcai relaxed: “Easy. The brigade just caught five hundred little chicks and needs people to feed the collective chickens. They’ll be sold in the city during the New Year for income. If you want to work, I’ll take you tomorrow. It’s not physically demanding, just a bit troublesome.”

Unaware of the difficulties, Su Liuhe happily said, “Great, as long as I can earn work points, I don’t mind the trouble. It’s a deal.”

Gu Yiren returned home from chopping wood in the mountains. Setting down the heavy logs, he smelled a sweet, glutinous fragrance wafting from the kitchen.

What was that smell? He’d never noticed it before.

“You’re back?” Su Liuhe pointed to an enamel basin in the corner of the kitchen. “Wash your hands, come eat.”

Gu Yiren looked at his hands, surprised at how much dirt was caked on them.

He silently washed his hands and noticed many small items had appeared in the room. The stove was stocked with oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar—so full it made his heart feel full as well.

But when he saw Su Liuhe pull out burnt, blackened chestnuts from under the mud stove, his mood grew complicated.

Su Liuhe thought he hadn’t noticed her little trick and quietly placed the burnt chestnuts among his pile, then happily said, “Let’s eat.”

Gu Yiren’s mood became even more complex.

“Are they good?” Su Liuhe asked cautiously. “I spent seven yuan and fifty cents. I bought daily necessities and was so happy I forgot to buy vegetables.”

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In truth, she knew chestnuts were good for the skin and hoped Gu Yiren would benefit from eating them.

Gu Yiren rarely showed expression. Su Liuhe noticed he was even more silent than when they first met in the mountains.

Gu Yiren was strong and peeled the chestnuts in no time. “You don’t need to tell me when you spend money,” he said, then ate one.

The rich, sweet fragrance in his mouth made him wonder if what he was eating was really chestnuts; he had never tasted anything so delicious.

He looked at Su Liuhe in confusion. Could the burnt ones be tasty? Did she deliberately prepare them for him?

Su Liuhe bit the chestnut with effort and said, “Aren’t you going to ask why I’m so happy?”

Gu Yiren had never met anyone so kind to him. He lowered his head, quietly peeling the burnt chestnuts: “Why?”

Su Liuhe stood proudly on the kang platform and said, “I’m about to get a job.”

Gu Yiren thought about how she had blisters from handling cabbages. What kind of job could that be?

Su Liuhe added, “Feeding the collective chickens!”

Gu Yiren almost choked on a chestnut.

Su Liuhe noticed his odd expression: “What’s wrong?”

Gu Yiren said, “I can support us even if you don’t work.”

Su Liuhe was angry: “Then what’s the difference between you and the Liu family?”

Gu Yiren realized he’d said the wrong thing and after a pause said, “You’re different... Anyway, if you get tired, call me. I know how to do it.”

Su Liuhe said, “That’s more like it.”

After the meal, Gu Yiren produced an old quilt from somewhere and handed it to Su Liuhe: “Use this.”

Su Liuhe cautiously sniffed it. It didn’t smell bad!

Squatting at the edge of the kang, she thought for a moment and said, “We each take one, folded up for covering and bedding will be enough.”

She figured Gu Yiren could use it too, but since the child was filial, she happily accepted.

That night, the two worked together, clanking as they repaired the kang cabinet. Only one door was missing a hinge.

Gu Yiren chopped firewood and, knowing Su Liuhe was afraid of the cold, kept the kang stove burning warmly.

After a night’s sleep, their cheeks were rosy.

They each took one end of the kang, not disturbing each other, and neither snored nor passed gas—quite pleasant.

Aunt Xiangcai arrived as promised, just as Gu Yiren was up, washing with well water, bare-chested.

Aunt Xiangcai clicked her tongue; this kid really had plenty of energy.

Gu Yiren was used to it. Suddenly, he heard Su Liuhe scream behind him and sensed something was wrong.

Su Liuhe, with her waterfall-like black hair and covering her mouth, saw the hideous whip marks on Gu Yiren’s back had faded considerably!

The wheat-colored skin on his back showed the powerful muscles beneath most clearly.

It must be the effect of the chestnuts!

Fearing discovery, Su Liuhe pretended, “I was sleepwalking, nothing else.”

Aunt Xiangcai urged, “Hurry up, or the work will be taken by others.”

Su Liuhe pocketed a few chestnuts and put on her cotton jacket: “I’ll be back at noon to cook. You find something to do yourself.”

Gu Yiren watched her leave in a rush and felt a sting in his palm. Opening his hand, he found the calluses had disappeared, replaced by tender blisters!

Was this the karma for mocking her?

He thought Su Liuhe would return at noon, but about half an hour later, his good aunt came back with chicken feathers stuck in her hair, pale-faced and retching.

Aunt Xiangcai cursed, “What’s wrong with the chicken manure? You puked so hard?”

Su Liuhe was speechless—it was a biological attack.

With no mask or protection, she was taken into the chicken coop and saw the floor covered with white chicken droppings, feeling the underworld would be better.

At least it’s cleaner there.

Gu Yiren and Aunt Xiangcai exchanged a glance, both gaining a deep understanding of this person’s delicate nature.

“Then come with me to the brigade office. Didn’t you say you can read? Ask if there’s work for you,” Aunt Xiangcai said helplessly. “I’m risking my dignity to help you.”

Gu Yiren took note and thought if his little aunt could read, maybe she could find good work.

After an hour, Su Liuhe was carried back by Aunt Xiangcai, eyes rolling.

Gu Yiren hurriedly helped her lie on the kang and pinched her soft philtrum: “What happened this time?”

Aunt Xiangcai was outraged: “They gave her work to paint big-character posters on the walls. Look, she says the paint smells strong and is poisonous!”

Su Liuhe was barely conscious: “Family... formaldehyde... causes... cancer...”

Not only nauseated, but also dizzy and nearly fainting.

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She was just thinking the underworld really couldn’t take her now.

That would be karma in this life.

Gu Yiren supported Su Liuhe and gave her a sip of cool water: “Maybe rest a bit?”

Aunt Xiangcai called her useless. Then, noticing Gu Yiren’s glance, she shivered and said, “Since you can’t work outside, stay home. Nephew, what can your aunt do?”

Gu Yiren hesitated: “She can make fake collars.”

Aunt Xiangcai slapped her thigh: “Right! She even bought a piece of fabric.”

Gu Yiren said that but had little hope for his little aunt.

Yet life is unpredictable. After three long nights, she finally finished the fake collar!

Aunt Xiangcai brought a group of old sisters to smell the scent and praised the collar that Su Liuhe had painstakingly made!

“The Chairman was right! Everyone has their strengths; we can’t look down on any comrade!”

“Everyone has their talents. Comrade Su Liuhe has made us see her in a new light.”

“The style is even prettier than those movie stars in the posters. The stitches are tight, and there’s embroidery. Why not just sew in the village?”

Su Liuhe turned her back, unmoved.

Aunt Xiangcai went over, shook her shoulders, and said, “What’s wrong? Didn’t you want recognition and to shine? Aren’t you happy to have found your calling?”

“Just so-so.”

“Hey, turn around and speak.”

“I don’t want to.”

Aunt Xiangcai tried harder: “Let me help you think?”

“Better to think myself,” Su Liuhe sighed softly and slowly turned around.

The gathered sisters gasped, seeing Su Liuhe’s large apricot-shaped eyes swollen like walnuts, barely slit open for vision.

“Your... your eyes?!”

Gu Yiren pressed his lips: “She strained them sewing.”

Aunt Xiangcai quickly left and soon threw three cents onto the kang: “I get it now. You’re meant to live comfortably. I’m limited in what work I can find for you. My daughter finished the melon seeds; here’s your money back.”

Really, three cents won’t buy a tractor. Do what you can within your means.

The other older sisters clicked tongues and left, whispering: “Born a maid, acts like a lady; can’t do anything right, but spends money like a pro.”

“Right, lazy all over.”

...

Su Liuhe’s face was ruined again, further cementing the stereotype.

She was humiliated, but dared not cry—for fear of worsening her eye condition.

That night.

Lying on the warm kang.

Su Liuhe whispered to Gu Yiren at the other end of the kang cabinet: “I think I have to use my advantage.”

“What advantage?”

“My top-tier beauty.”

“...How will that work?”

“Find someone to marry!”

Gu Yiren paused while undressing: “What kind of person?”

Su Liuhe said, “There’s more work in the city. Find someone from the city.”

Gu Yiren said, “No one will introduce you.”

Su Liuhe said, “Will you come with me to stalk someone?”

“Stalk?”

“Yes, just chat up a suitable person and ask if they want a relationship.”

“Street harassment?” Gu Yiren said, “I don’t think you really want to get married.”

Su Liuhe covered her eyes with a damp handkerchief: “What’s that?”

Gu Yiren said, “You want to go to jail.”