Seeing Cui Xiufang apologize to Shen Xue, Chen Yang threw the large packet of money at her face.
He held no good feelings for this second aunt. Even though she had lent Shen Xue five yuan to help her, he had now repaid double. Chen Yang owed her nothing!
"I won't pry into how you got this ten yuan, Chen Yang," Cui Xiufang said.
"But I'll still advise you, if you've done anything illegal, quickly surrender to the public security comrades. Don't drag us down with you then."
"I'm just taking back the money you owe me. Don't expect us to be involved."
As soon as she got the money, Cui Xiufang's expression changed instantly. Even Shen Xue, known for her good temper, was a bit angry seeing her second aunt get the benefit and then mock her husband.
"Second Aunt, don't worry. Although I, Chen Yang, am not capable, I neither steal nor rob."
"Since you're so eager to sever ties with us, then let's not involve each other from now on. If my Xue'er and I become successful in the future, don't say we didn't look out for our elders."
Chen Yang held Shen Xue's small hand and gave her a look, signaling her to be at ease.
He was about to start his fish-buying business in Shenjiaba Village. At that time, everyone in the village who caught fish would surely make money. Then, he wondered, what face would Cui Xiufang have to come to him to buy fish?
"Hmph, no need."
"From now on, even if I, Cui Xiufang, starve to death, I won't beg Chen Yang for a grain of rice."
Cui Xiufang, holding the money, still glared fiercely at Chen Yang. Although she didn't know where this lazy good-for-nothing got the money, she truly didn't believe this kid could amount to anything.
"Good. Since Auntie is so spirited, then remember these words from now on."
Chen Yang smiled faintly. They say the poor are ignored in the bustling city, while the rich have distant relatives in the mountains. He was afraid that Cui Xiufang would try to get close to him after he made money. He couldn't be happier to clarify the relationship with such a mean relative in advance.
"What are you standing around for? Go home! Do you expect them to treat you to white noodles?"
Looking at Chen Yang's confident smile, Cui Xiufang inexplicably felt a sense of dread, as if she had missed out on some immense benefit.
This feeling made her so uncomfortable, like cat claws scratching her heart. She decided to leave, unable to bear it any longer, and twisted Shen Guangfu's ear as she walked out.
Watching the two leave, only the family of three remained inside. After a long silence, Shen Xue leaned into Chen Yang's arms, along with the baby.
"Chen Yang, thank you."
Shen Xue's voice was very soft, but exceptionally firm.
She knew better than anyone that if Chen Yang hadn't helped her repay the money today, Cui Xiufang would have said many more harsh words.
If she had been dragged to the old village head by Cui Xiufang, she would have lost so much face in Shenjiaba Village. She couldn't imagine what it would feel like for others to point fingers behind her back, calling her a debt-dodger.
"Silly girl."
"I'm your husband. Do we need to say thank you?"
"Besides, who did you borrow the money for? Do you really think I'm so foolish that I don't know anything?"
Before Shen Xue could speak, Chen Yang's finger touched her lips.
"You don't need to say anything. I am your husband. It is my duty to love and cherish you."
"Earning money to support the family is my responsibility. With me here, from now on, you don't need to humble yourself to anyone."
Knowing what Shen Xue wanted to say, Chen Yang didn't give her the chance. She had already suffered so much; he didn't want her to suffer anymore.
"Here is the remaining money. See if you can pay off all the household debts. If it's not enough, I'll make it up to you when I earn money in a few days."
Chen Yang took out a stack of small bills from his pocket. The seven yuan and forty-five cents left from selling mushrooms in the county town last time, and eighty-five yuan earned from selling fish today.
After deducting the forty-one yuan and two cents spent on buying things, eight mao for candied hawthorns and watermelon, and twenty-six yuan and four mao for Liu Maosheng and Zheng Weiguo, plus the ten yuan given to Cui Xiufang just now, there were fourteen yuan and five fen left.
He gave it all to Shen Xue.
He hadn't given her the seven yuan and forty-five cents before because he was afraid she would worry about him and forbid him from continuing his business. But now, knowing that the family still owed external debts, Chen Yang was afraid that someone would come to collect. He truly didn't want her to be subservient to anyone anymore.
His woman, why should she endure such humiliation!
"You don't need this much. The rest is less than ten yuan."
Looking at the large stack of banknotes, Shen Xue suddenly felt at a loss.
She had never held so much money before.
"Take it if I tell you to. Pay off the debts first, and keep the rest. If there's anything the household needs, buy it."
"From now on, the money I entrust to you will only increase. Don't be reluctant to spend it. In my heart, you are more important than anything. I don't want you to suffer any grievances."
Chen Yang held Shen Xue's pretty face and said earnestly.
Listening to his words, Shen Xue's heart trembled uncontrollably, as if a warm current flowed through her entire body.
"Mama, grapes, delicious."
Just as Chen Yang was about to give his wife a passionate kiss, the little one, who had been holding back, raised her small hand and fed Shen Xue a raisin.
"Papa, eat."
The little one didn't play favorites. After feeding Shen Xue, she fed Chen Yang a grape too. This made Chen Yang even more defenseless. Who could blame him for being interrupted during his heartfelt confession by their little troublemaker!
"Here, this candied hawthorn was saved especially for you."
"I'm going to return the donkey cart to Uncle Tu at the village entrance. You can take some time to pay off the debts, so you don't have to worry about them."
Before Shen Xue could speak, Chen Yang swiftly slipped out of the room. This woman was truly not easy to fool.
Just now, Chen Yang thought his heartfelt words had diverted Shen Xue's attention. He hadn't expected the baby's interruption to make Shen Xue focus again on where Chen Yang got his money.
How could Chen Yang not understand his woman? So before she could speak, he quickly found an opportunity to escape.
"Still saying you're not a fool!"
"You can run now, but can you not come home later? Let's see what you do then."
Shen Xue's lips parted slightly as she gently bit into a candied hawthorn. The sweet and sour taste stimulated her taste buds. Looking at Chen Yang's fleeing back, the corners of her mouth curved upwards.
...
After unloading the plastic bucket, Chen Yang quickly returned the donkey cart to Tu Tianzong's house.
"Uncle Tu, here, I happened to be going to the city today. Here are some snacks for your granddaughter."
Chen Yang grabbed a small handful of raisins. In this era, these were rare delicacies. Tu Tianzong's granddaughter, who had been playing under the table, grabbed one and put it in her mouth, her eyes immediately lighting up.
"Heh, you kid are really generous. These things are more expensive than meat. You just know how to waste money."
"I don't want to meddle too much in the affairs of you young people. Remember, as long as you don't do anything illegal, and treat Xue girl and her daughter well, if there's anything I can help with, just ask."
"I'm old now, and I don't have any other aspirations. I just want the villagers to live a better life. You, kid, have foresight. When you become capable in the future, don't forget to help the village."
Although Tu Tianzong didn't know what Chen Yang had done, with his years of life experience, seeing Chen Yang with white noodles and raisins, he could tell that Chen Yang had made money.
With Shen Xue's meager possessions, even if Chen Yang spent it all, he couldn't afford such good things.
"Uncle, don't worry."
"I, Chen Yang, am not someone who forgets his roots. When I came to the countryside, the old village head and the villagers helped me and Xue'er so much, I keep it all in my heart."
"Besides, for my business ventures, I'll still need the help of the villagers. Since you're here, Uncle, I'd like to ask for your help."
"I plan to buy some aquatic products in the village, fish from the ditches, ponds, or the big river near our village. Two mao per jin for fish over one jin, and one mao per jin for fish under one jin."
After speaking, Chen Yang felt a bit nervous. Although Tu Tianzong had offered to help, in this era, no one dared to get involved in business. It was easy to be arrested as a speculator.
Chen Yang was truly unsure if Tu Tianzong would help him.