Chapter 10

Jia Zhangshi slowly came to, seeing Qin Huairu sitting on the bedside in tears, she found it an eyesore; besides, it was already noon—why hadn't she gone down to prepare the meal?

She kicked Qin Huairu off the kang and snapped, "What are you crying for? Hurry down and fix lunch, then go beg Yi Daye to get Bang Geng out quickly."

Bang Geng is the Jia family's sole hope—later they expect him to amount to something and properly support them—but now he's in the Juvenile Detention Center, and I fear he'll struggle to find work later.

Qin Huairu sat there foolishly unmoving, her heart aching, but what mattered more now was He Yuzhu's debt—if it wasn't repaid, her son might not be released.

But she had no money.

"'Mom, people on the street just said Bang Geng will only be released if we repay He Yuzhu's debt; otherwise…' Qin Huairu covered her mouth, tears falling like beads."

Hearing this, Jia Zhangshi's face flushed red with anger—she had no intention of repaying the debt; it was money she'd earned herself, why should she have to pay it back? And if she did, how would her family get by?

"'How much money do we have left? Take some and repay him, tell He Yuzhu that's all we have—if he refuses, I'll make his life unpleasant.' Jia Zhangshi snapped angrily, 'Hurry up and do it.'"

"We have no money at all—otherwise she wouldn't have lent any to Xu Damao."

Seeing her mother-in-law like that, Qin Huairu knew there was little hope—could she really stand by and watch Bang Geng suffer in the Juvenile Detention Center?

"'Mom, doesn't Dong Xu still have some compensation? Let's take that out first—getting Bang Geng out is the priority.' Qin Huairu whispered, 'I have no money on hand, and I can't borrow from anyone else.'"

Hearing this, Jia Zhangshi flared up like a lit firecracker—this money was her coffin savings, meant for when she dies; spending it now, what will she do in her old age?

Besides, producing that much money at home would reveal that she'd been pretending to be poor all along.

However, Qin Huairu was right about one thing: they need to get Bang Geng out of the Juvenile Detention Center quickly; a few days might be manageable, but if it drags on, the school won't be able to cover it up.

Jia Zhangshi refuses to hand over the money, believing there's still a way to get Bang Geng out.

"You go beg Sha Zhu—if he won't agree, you don't get up; no matter what, you must make him loosen up." Jia Zhangshi snapped, "Otherwise you don't need to come back."

After pacing the central courtyard for a long time, Qin Huairu still had no good ideas—who could come up with five hundred? Only Yi Daye or Xu Damao, but Bang Geng had just stolen his chicken.

How could they possibly help?

With stiff steps, she approached He Yuzhu's door, drew a deep breath, and Qin Huairu pushed the door open and went inside.

"'Zhuzi ah, I beg you—if you agree to forgive Bang Geng, I'll agree to any request.' Qin Huairu grabbed He Yuzhu's arm, pleading bitterly."

"'Any request can be met?' He Yuzhu gave Qin Huairu a look. 'Repay the debt.'"

Qin Huairu's words stuck in her throat.

"'Besides that, anything goes.' Qin Huairu tightened her grip on He Yuzhu's hand, slowly pulling it toward herself."

He Yuzhu jerked his hand away and said sternly, 'What are you scheming, a young widow? Trying to seduce me in broad daylight? You have not an ounce of sincerity about repaying the debt.'

"'Don't tell me your family has no money—I don't believe it.'"

"'Really, really, please save me—if you won't agree, I can't go back home.'"

"'That's your home; your mother-in-law's the outsider.' He Yuzhu laughed and told her, 'Jia Zhangshi is your mother-in-law—isn't Bang Geng your son? Which matters more, your son or the label of a filial daughter-in-law? You can't not figure that out.'"

Qin Huairu sat there, somewhat dazed.

My son is important!

Qin Huairu wasn't totally clueless; though she came from the countryside, after so many years in the city, none of the reasons Jia Zhangshi gave could possibly work out.

Before, it was just to save face—really thinking she had no fight in her.

Back at home, she glared at Jia Zhangshi and said, 'He Yuzhu needs money now—you better produce it, or you're out of this house.'

Jia Zhangshi stared at her, shocked.

"'What are you saying, a country bumpkin who gathers firewood? Believe it or not, I'll send you back to the countryside to haul manure and tend cattle.' Jia Zhangshi pointed at Qin Huairu and snapped."

If you want to drive me out, then you go first.

Qin Huairu hauled Jia Zhangshi toward the door, her mouth rattling on—years of marital resentment ready to explode. Seeing it was really coming to blows, Jia Zhangshi raised her hand to strike.

She heaved Jia Zhangshi out the door, but she clung to the door with one hand and wouldn't release it; Qin Huairu kicked her twice in the legs, and they kept shoving each other in the doorway.

The shouting and crying shook the entire courtyard; when Yi Daye finally pulled them apart, Qin Huairu's hair was a mess and a palm print marked her face, while Jia Zhangshi wasn't much better—she'd taken a hard kick to the chest.

"'Come look, look at the daughter-in-law beating the mother-in-law.' Jia Zhangshi lay on the ground rolling, 'I can't go on—hurry and let me die.'"

Yi dama hurried forward to comfort her, finally stopping her tears.

Several elders who understood the situation also felt helpless—if they got involved they'd have to cough up real money.

Qin Huairu didn't go crying to anyone; her home was as small as a mouse hole—if she put her mind to it she'd surely find the money Jia Zhangshi had hidden, and within ten minutes she emerged clutching a small square iron box.

"'This is my money, mine.' Jia Zhangshi tried to snatch it back, but several elders started taking sides, blocking her and not letting her through."

The iron box indeed held a fair amount of money; Qin Huairu counted out five hundred thirty from it and gave it to He Yuzhu, slipped the remaining few bills into her pocket, and tossed the empty box to Jia Zhangshi.

Clutching the iron box, Jia Zhangshi flew into a rage and fainted again.

"'Zhuzi, look at the mess you've made—aren't you going to rest until you've turned the courtyard upside down?' Yi Daye snapped, 'Hurry up and go fetch Bang Geng back.'"

"'No need to thank me—this is what I should do.' He Yuzhu fixed Yi Daye with a stare and said, 'This can only be counted as active compensation for losses; if it's supposed to go in, it still has to go in.'"

I had thought Yi Daye would step up to compensate Qin Huairu, and then I'd also get back what he owed me; this time he got off lucky, but when the chance comes I'll definitely let him taste Jia Zhangshi's wrath.

"'Ding, the host finally has a large sum of funds, but a man needs not only money but also power—hopefully he can boost his status next.'"

A promotion at the Steel Rolling Mill will likely be another struggle.

"'Reward: fine grain fifty jin (grain coupons), apples five jin, open industrial goods—desk lamp, snacks—biscuits.'"