Chapter 17

On the way home, he stopped by a bookstore and bought several books from Su Fuzi’s list, spending thirteen taels of silver.

These days, books are too expensive; reading is overly costly, even luxurious.

Back then, his elder sister Chen Xiaolan struggled to survive in her in-laws’ home yet still insisted on sending him to private school—her bitterness and Weiqu were beyond words. He once again realized how much he owed her.

He bought another set of jewelry: gold earrings, gold bracelets, a gold necklace, and gold rings. He also bought several pounds of pork head meat and carried a jug of wine to the Su household.

He gave the wine and meat to Su Laopo.

Su Laopo’s usual long face suddenly broke into a rare smile and even invited him to stay for dinner.

He refused outright.

If he ate dinner, Su Laopo would nag for days, leaving his sister with no peace.

Chen Xiaolan disagreed.

When the siblings spoke privately, she said, “You bought the wine and food—you should’ve stayed to eat. Don’t be so formal with her. The more you bow to her, the more she’ll push her luck.”

“Sister, you know my nature—I hate socializing. Next time, next time I’ll definitely stay. Sister, don’t rush around yet—look what I’ve got for you. I’m rich now, and I bought these specially for you.”

Chen Guanlou pulled out the gold jewelry and grinned proudly.

“Good heavens!” Chen Xiaolan, seeing the pile of jewelry, grew flustered and angry. She glanced outside the door, confirmed her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law weren’t watching, then quickly shut the windows and lowered her voice, “Where did you get this money? What have you been doing? You mustn’t do anything reckless!”

“Sister, this money is earned honestly—don’t worry about me. Every month, the Tianlaomiao pays me a fixed salary plus bonuses—the bonuses are the real income. I live alone with no expenses, so after a few months I saved up a bit. I noticed you had no decent jewelry at all, so I bought you this set.”

After hearing his explanation, Chen Xiaolan finally relaxed. As long as the money was earned properly, that was enough.

Looking at the gleaming gold, she felt both joy and sorrow. She touched her bare neck and wrists and let out a bitter laugh. “You give me these, but I can’t wear them. If I put on gold and silver while my mother-in-law owns not a single decent piece, the neighbors’ gossip would drown me. These pieces won’t even stay safe in my hands.”

“Does Su Laopo dare steal jewelry given by your natal family?” Chen Guanlou glared, looking fierce.

Chen Xiaolan sighed. “She won’t steal them outright, but she’ll wear you down with her words until you’re broken.”

Chen Guanlou was furious. “If she wants to wear them, she should ask Su Dacheng. Why target her daughter-in-law’s private belongings? Sister, don’t be afraid—wear them boldly.”

“No. I won’t invite trouble for myself—or for you. Take these back. Keep them as my dowry.”

“No! These are for you—why would I take them back? If you’re worried, hide them under your trousseau. Your brother-in-law and his brother will split the household eventually. Besides, sister, you need to save some private money. You raised me for years; now it’s my turn to stand by you. Don’t be afraid.”

Chen Xiaolan smiled contentedly. “With those words, all my years of hardship weren’t in vain. Fine, I’ll listen to you—I’ll keep the jewelry under my trousseau.”

“Wait a moment!”

As Chen Xiaolan began packing away the jewelry, Chen Guanlou suddenly remembered something.

“Just in case, I’ve marked each piece with a special symbol.”

Chen Xiaolan froze. “This…” She’d wanted to say her brother was being paranoid—but then she realized he did this for her sake, to protect her from hardship in the Su household, to prevent embarrassing scenes, to prepare ahead. No matter what, she couldn’t say he was wrong.

Chen Guanlou pulled out his dagger and carefully carved a “√” on the back of each piece—slightly resembling Nike’s logo. It was a unique mark belonging solely to his sister.

“Now it’s settled. Only my sister owns jewelry with this mark. If anyone ever lies about it, this will be proof.”

Chen Xiaolan felt deeply comforted. “You think of everything.”

“Better safe than sorry.”

The siblings talked for a long time.

Before dinnertime, Chen Guanlou took his leave.

Su Laopo invited him to stay for dinner; he firmly refused and left cleanly.

Su Laopo was satisfied now—she had wine and meat, and didn’t need to add another pair of chopsticks.

Chen Xiaolan gained face, so Su Laopo turned her anger onto the eldest daughter-in-law, scolding nonstop.

…

Every three or five days, Chen Guanlou went to consult Su Fuzi. Each time, Su Fuzi patiently answered, then delivered another long lecture.

Over time, he didn’t bring gifts every visit.

Sometimes he arrived in a hurry, carrying only a few pieces of candy for Su Fuzi’s two children. The children were pleased, but Su Shima was not.

Once or twice without gifts, Su Shima could tolerate it. But after a few more times, she began to complain.

On this day, as usual, Chen Guanlou went to consult Su Fuzi and bought a few baked buns along the way.

Su Shima looked at the buns, accepted them with a cold tone, and said, “It’s thoughtful of you to remember. Now we’ve got lunch, but I worry the master will complain there’s no wine or meat. He doesn’t think—this household has so many mouths to feed. His meager tuition barely covers rice—how can he expect wine and meat every meal? He’s dreaming.”

Chen Guanlou: …

So awkward.

“It’s my fault—I rushed and missed the meat stall. I’ll go buy a few pounds right away and make sure the master eats well and drinks well.”

Su Shima’s expression changed like a face-flipping performer—she instantly beamed. “No need for you to go yourself. Send the two kids to the crossroads to She a pound back.”

“No credit. Credit would shame the master.” Chen Guanlou immediately counted out five qian of silver and handed it to Su Shima. Only then did she let him go, satisfied.

Chen Guanlou thought: he wouldn’t come here again. Every visit meant another round of being scolded by Su Shima. He wasn’t that desperate.

There are plenty of learned people in the world.

Su Shima, now with silver in hand, went to the crossroads herself and bought two pounds of meat. But she cooked only one pound, storing the other in the cupboard for dinner.

Technically, Su Fuzi earned well. Yet Su Shima was never satisfied, always living frugally, acting like a petty household.

She had one son and one daughter with her first husband. Both children were grown. The daughter was easy—simple dowry would suffice. The problem was her eldest son’s marriage: marriage required money. After marrying, he’d need funds to move out and establish himself—another sum. The house they lived in was inherited from Su Fuzi’s ancestors; it wouldn’t go to the eldest son anyway.

She and Su Fuzi also had one son and one daughter—both still young. Su Fuzi was old. What if he died one day? The children would be small, the eldest son still unestablished—what would she, a woman, do then? She couldn’t remarry again and again.

She hoarded every coin—not for herself, but for this household.