Chapter 3: External Support
“A betrothal gift of fifteen yuan... The Li family is really generous,” the neighbors grumbled inwardly.
Life in the countryside these days was not easy.
The city bachelors who couldn’t find wives would marry the most beautiful girls from the commune, at most offering two jin of refined flour and two chi of printed cloth.
“Well, I’ve been running around for the Li family, taking care of you two for months without any pay. You’re even harsher than Huang Shiren!” Qin Huairu bit her pale lips and said, “Even working a day in the commune would earn me five work points!”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Qin Huairu regretted it, her face growing even paler.
All eyes turned sharply toward Jia Dongxu, whose face flushed hotly.
Everyone knew that after Qin Huairu got engaged to Li Aiguo, she had moved into the Li household.
The Li home had only two rooms—one for Li’s father, one for Li Aiguo.
Qin Huairu stayed in Li Aiguo’s room, separated only by a cotton curtain.
Both were young and passionate; that thin cotton curtain was hardly a barrier. If something happened between them, nobody would be surprised.
“Slap!”
The mocking, sarcastic gazes felt like knives stabbing into Jia Dongxu’s chest.
He felt utterly humiliated by Qin Huairu’s words, stood up, and swung a fierce punch.
Qin Huairu covered her face, tears welling up and trembling as she sobbed, “Dongxu, I really didn’t wrong you. Nothing ever happened between Li Aiguo and me. Didn’t you check when we got married?”
Seeing her pitiful appearance, Shazhu felt a pang of sympathy.
Though unable to stand, he still raised his head and glared at Jia Dongxu: “Jia Dongxu, what are you doing? Sister Qin is such a good person, how could you hit her!”
Jia Dongxu calmed down, recalling the night of the wedding when he saw the plum blossom and felt betrayed by Li Aiguo.
He turned around, wanting to vent his anger.
But remembering Shazhu’s pitiful state, he shrank back and sat down.
Worthless... Jia Zhangshi never cared for Qin Huairu.
But this matter involved a mere fifteen yuan.
“Li Aiguo, you heard my daughter-in-law. How do you plan to settle this debt?”
“All right, Qin Huairu served me well back then. I’ll pay her a high price—five yuan for two months, waiving the cost of cotton fabric and hot water bottles. That’s only fifteen yuan total,” Li Aiguo said, surveying the crowd. “What do you all think?”
“Served well...” Everyone stifled laughter but nodded. “Five yuan for two months isn’t too much. Work points in the commune aren’t worth much. Even if Qin Huairu worked a whole year in the fields, she wouldn’t earn five yuan.”
---
“Qin Huairu still owes me fifteen yuan. Pay me back immediately,” Li Aiguo strode into the house.
“No money! Our family doesn’t have a penny. What are you going to do?” Jia Zhangshi, finding reason useless, skillfully played the rogue.
Li Aiguo was alone now, without parents or siblings—weak and vulnerable.
The Jia family had Jia Dongxu and the support of the eldest uncle.
Li Aiguo was no match for them.
Jia Zhangshi smirked, calculating her advantage.
Suddenly, a stern voice came from outside.
“Debts must be repaid. It’s only right. This is a new society. Our neighborhood will not tolerate anyone bullying the weak.”
Everyone turned to see Director Wang of the neighborhood committee walking in, hands clasped behind her back.
Behind her were Yan Jiefang of the Yan family and an elderly man with graying hair.
Yan Jiefang looked no older than five or six. He ran up to Li Aiguo, puffed his cheeks, and held out his small hand. “Brother Aiguo, where’s the money you promised me?”
“Well done, Jiefang!” Li Aiguo fished out a dime and placed it in Yan Jiefang’s palm.
Jiefang took the money, giggling as he ran off.
Yan Bugui’s eyes gleamed with envy.
---
Seeing Director Wang enter, Yi Zhonghai tensed and stood to greet her.
“Director, I want to make a self-criticism. As the eldest uncle of the courtyard, I failed to manage it well and let you down. I am deeply ashamed.”
Hearing this, Second Uncle Liu Haizhong and Third Uncle Yan Bugui also stood with bowed heads, looking like they’d been reprimanded.
“Old Yi, when our neighborhood selected you elders as managers, it was because of your prestige and ability to unite the people and guard against enemy infiltration,” Director Wang said, frowning. “But it was never to interfere in the private affairs of residents. What wrong have you done?”
“Well...” Yi Zhonghai broke into a cold sweat.
He had known Director Wang for a long time; she had never scolded him like this.
Could it be... He glanced at the elderly man behind her.
The old man had gray hair and wore a deep blue railway uniform, a worker’s cap adorned with a five-pointed star insignia.
---
The old man entered the room and walked straight to Li Aiguo. Seeing Li’s gaunt appearance, his expression softened. “Aiguo, my boy, you have suffered so much. Why didn’t you tell your uncle? Your father and I were sworn brothers. If your father hadn’t pushed me down from the driver’s platform that day, this old bone would have long been buried in the earth.”
At that moment, Li Aiguo recalled the old man’s identity.
He was a colleague of Li’s father, named Zhou Tihu.
Back then, Li’s father was the chief driver, and Zhou Tihu was the assistant driver.
During a fierce accident, Li’s father saved Zhou Tihu’s life just as the train was about to derail.
Afterwards, Zhou Tihu was grateful and repeatedly offered money to repay Li’s father, but the stubborn man refused.
Director Wang pointed to Zhou Tihu and introduced him to Yi Zhonghai.
“This is Chief Conductor Zhou of the Shijingshan Train Section of the Beijing Railway Bureau, a close friend of Li Aiguo’s late father. Upon learning of Li Aiguo’s difficulties, he specially came to our neighborhood committee.”
Her tone grew stern as her sharp gaze pierced Jia Zhangshi.
“Li Aiguo’s father sacrificed himself to save state property.
He is a hero.
The railway department sent us a commendation letter, instructing us to take good care of Comrade Li Aiguo’s life.
Yet you people think Li Aiguo has no support and constantly make things hard for him.
Your behavior shames the courtyard and disgraces the neighborhood committee!”
Hearing this, everyone lowered their heads. Jia Zhangshi’s face turned pale, her lips trembling.
“Heh... heh...” Yi Zhonghai gave an awkward smile and glared at Jia Zhangshi. “Madam Jia, Qin Huairu owes money to the Li family. She is now your daughter-in-law. You should pay this debt.”
“You must be colluding with that little bastard Li Aiguo to bully me, a widow!” Jia Zhangshi was unwilling to give in.
“Jia Zhangshi, stop making trouble!” Yi Zhonghai’s face darkened.
The crying and yelling ceased abruptly.
Jia Zhangshi, hoping for Yi Zhonghai to side with Jia Dongxu, dared not show teeth at him now. She rummaged through the cabinet, found fifteen yuan, and handed it to Li Aiguo.
Watching Li Aiguo pocket the money, she ground her teeth in fury.
Damn Li Aiguo, daring to extort the Jia family.
This account will be settled sooner or later!