Chapter 61: The Little Money-Grubber

Su Qingyue's eyes were red-rimmed. She cupped Pei Huaiye's face in her small hands and said softly, "There is a very obvious scar on your abdomen; was that left from a fight back then?"

Pei Huaiye used his fingers to pull the skin on either side of her red lips upward. "Don't pout. It's all in the past, it doesn't hurt."

Su Qingyue's clear, moist eyes shimmered with water. She pursed her lips and kissed Pei Huaiye's thin lips, her small hands occasionally pinching Pei Huaiye's bulging arm, then checking his pectoral muscles.

"It seems Qiu Lu has been bad since she was a child. Just like you said, she's likely hiding this fake marriage from your master again this time. We should still take a trip to Beijing to see."

Pei Huaiye nodded, holding Su Qingyue's small hand to keep her from fidgeting.

"After joining the army, I never went back to the Qiu Family. I always met my master in the military, just because I was afraid she would do something to wrong my master."

The two discussed it for a while, deciding to first check the progress of the house construction and then communicate with the Su Family elders before setting off for Beijing together tomorrow.

"Alright, then let's go see how the house is coming along now."

"Mm."

Pei Huaiye held her hand, and the two went together to the private plot by the field.

The foundation had already been laid, covering quite a large area, with materials like timber, roof tiles, and bricks all piled to one side.

"A Ye, isn't this house being built too big?" This must cost so much money.

The members of the Construction Team greeted Pei Huaiye and Su Qingyue one after another.

Pei Huaiye pinched Su Qingyue's smooth, soft wrist. He leaned into her ear and whispered, "I have money. My salary isn't twenty-eight, but one hundred and eighty-eight. I got this much in bonuses from my last business trip."

Pei Huaiye smiled and gestured a number; Su Qingyue was so shocked that her eyes and mouth rounded.

Pei Huaiye had spent a lot of money to get married, and she had originally been quite worried about their financial situation, wanting him to save a bit so they could live a steady life in the future.

She hadn't expected him to be so wealthy.

Pei Huaiye looked at her sparkling eyes and felt a sudden, immense sense of accomplishment. "The bankbook is at the Base. Once the house is built, I'll take it back and let you keep it."

Su Qingyue nodded, looking like a satisfied little money-grubber.

"A Ye, how about we plant flowers and fruit trees in the front yard, and vegetables in the back yard?"

Pei Huaiye smiled indulgently. "Alright. Persimmons are abundant here, so we'll transplant a few persimmon trees, and another day we'll go to the neighboring village to dig up a jujube tree. I'll make you a swing then."

Su Qingyue clapped her hands. "And build a grape trellis. It'll provide shade and be cool on summer evenings, and we can eat grapes too."

"Whatever you wish. You love cleanliness, so I plan to build a Bathroom here to make bathing convenient." Pei Huaiye pointed to an empty space as he spoke.

Su Qingyue's eyes suddenly burst with surprise. "How did you know? It's not very convenient for me to bathe at home right now, every time I have to..."

The more Su Qingyue spoke, the deeper Pei Huaiye's gaze became. His throat rolled slightly. "Once the new house is built, you can wash however you like in the future."

Su Qingyue felt both sweet and moved; her beautiful eyes immediately turned into crescent moons.

Pei Huaiye discussed some details with the master builder and then sent Su Qingyue back to the Su Family Courtyard.

"Go on back. I'm going to buy some materials; shall I bring you some Canned Fruit when I return?"

"Okay, I want orange flavor."

Su Qianqian and Qiao Wang got married, and only two tables were set.

Out of respect for Shen Xunbao, the boys from the Educated Youth Courtyard all came, but Dai Xiaohong and Li Yun didn't like Su Qianqian and didn't go at all.

Li Cuiyan had not associated with her since the incident with Pei Huaiye blew up. Wang Juqin hated her even more for causing her daughter to be afraid to go out.

Su Qianqian had been leaving word everywhere for days that she was getting married today. She had hoped to take the opportunity to earn some gift money, but she hadn't expected fewer than twenty people to show up in total.

Four or five of those were aunts she had specifically invited to help cook, and as a result, a whole spread of food was prepared but no one came to eat it.

Qiu Lu was riding her bicycle toward the village entrance when she saw Su Qianqian also riding a bicycle, inviting people everywhere to eat.

She had been angry all morning, and her stomach was growling with hunger. It didn't matter if she was hungry, but she was afraid the baby in her belly would go hungry.

Qiu Lu took out a box of Friendship vanishing cream. "Comrade, are you getting married today? Can I go to your house for a drink of water? Wishing you a happy marriage, this is for you."

Seeing that the other woman was dressed quite well, Su Qianqian thought of what Shen Xunbao had said and guessed that this was likely the woman who had come looking for Pei Huaiye yesterday.

"Welcome, welcome. Come, let's go to my house and share in the joy."

There were two banquet tables in the courtyard. Su Qianqian invited Qiu Lu inside. "Sit wherever you like, don't be a stranger."

Qiu Lu looked at the banquet spread, which wasn't bad, with four or five meat dishes mixed with vegetables. "Why did you only set two tables for your wedding?"

Su Qianqian gave a bitter smile. "It's a long story; I've been wronged and have a bad reputation."

Qiu Lu became gossipy and poured wine for Su Qianqian. "What happened? Tell me slowly."

Su Qianqian felt stifled inside. She picked up her wine glass, wanting to pour it into her mouth, but remembered she was pregnant and put the wine down, letting out a long sigh.

It was one thing that her parents didn't come to her wedding, but her two older brothers didn't even come to see her. Her family hadn't even given her a dowry.

Wasn't she the true daughter of the Su Family?

Why had her life turned out like this?

There were no Three Rounds and One Sound for her wedding, no friends or guests to celebrate, and she and Shen Xunbao were almost out of money themselves.

"I suppose you've already met Su Qingyue? The state I'm in now is all her doing!"

Su Qianqian's eyes turned red, and she spoke through gritted teeth.

Qiu Lu had only asked casually, intending to fill her stomach and head to the County, but she hadn't expected this miserable-looking woman to say she hated Su Qingyue.

The enemy of an enemy is a friend.

Qiu Lu's mind raced, and she touched her belly, thinking that perhaps there might still be a turning point.

So she said bitterly, "I have met Su Qingyue. She has the look of a vixen!"

Su Qianqian and Qiu Lu hit it off immediately.

The two spoke enthusiastically about the bad things, spittle flying in the air, as they cursed Su Qingyue and Pei Huaiye back and forth, inside and out.

"That Pei Huaiye is truly not a decent person! He even fought with his parents when he was a child, and now he doesn't care whether his benefactor lives or dies. He's truly an ungrateful wolf!"

Qiu Lu nodded. "And to think my father raised him for so many years! He is truly heartless and ungrateful!"

Su Qianqian stood up for justice. "Su Qingyue is also truly narrow-minded, cold, and heartless. Human life is at stake; what would it have cost her to help you?"

"Exactly! A fake marriage isn't a real marriage. She wouldn't even help with such a small favor; she's truly selfish!"

After cursing their common enemy, the two immediately became sisters-in-arms sharing a common hatred.

Qiu Lu offered Su Qianqian advice, "Qianqian, you must be patient and act humble; there is no need to confront her openly, or you will suffer for it."

"Think about it, the villagers now rely on selling vegetables to the Production Team to make money, and this business was brokered by Su Qingyue."

"You and Su Qingyue are mortal enemies, which is why everyone is unwilling to come to your wedding banquet."

"Therefore, instead of wasting effort dealing with Su Qingyue, you should repair your relationship with your parents in Beijing and mend your popularity in the village."

"Once you return to Beijing in two years, you will still be the high and mighty Miss Su; by then, with money and power, disposing of a wild country girl will be as easy as turning over your hand!"

Su Qianqian's eyes lit up, and she poured wine for Qiu Lu, "Lulu, why did I only just get to know you today?"

Qiu Lu smiled and leaned into Su Qianqian's ear, "Then you must also do me a small favor..."

Su Qianqian's eyes turned fierce, "Fine, then we will go to the County tomorrow..."