Chapter 190

Jiang Xiao'ning trudged off, head hung low—the journey home was still dozens of li away, and the thought of it in the dead of winter made her shudder.

Li Ye chuckled, "You've got quite the authority as the eldest sister! I never realized you were this formidable."

"If I didn't stand firm, they'd crush me."

Jiang Xiaoyan first pouted, but upon seeing what Li Juan held, she flushed and said, "You didn't need to come—this is the New Year, and I'm already troubling you."

Li Ye waved his hand, "You're being too formal. If your aunt hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known your mother was hospitalized. How's your mom doing?"

Jiang Xiaoyan's face darkened instantly. "Pneumonia. The doctor says she'll need at least a week of IVs."

In the 1980s, ordinary families were lucky to afford medicine; once IVs were needed, it meant a serious illness—and so Jiang Xiaoyan had been anxious even while sleeping these past two days.

Li Ye and Li Juan entered the ward, only to find Chen Jinhua asleep. Jiang Xiaoyan moved to wake her, but Li Ye stopped her.

"Your mom's too weak right now—let her sleep. My grandma said she'll bring some millet porridge over these days. Don't be polite with me."

"I never meant to be polite," Jiang Xiaoyan said frankly. "Once my mom recovers, I want to take her to Beijing. Can you ask Jinpeng to write her an introduction letter so she can rent a place?"

Li Ye stared at Jiang Xiaoyan in surprise. "You're serious? You really want your mom to open a noodle shop in Beijing? Life away from home is hard."

Jiang Xiaoyan smiled. "It's hard at home too, and it's hard in Beijing. I'd rather see my mother suffer right before my eyes than have her lying on a bed with no one to care for her."

"Then as long as you're resolved, I'll agree," Li Ye said without hesitation. "We've got a courtyard in Beijing—let your mom pick where she wants to stay. Jinpeng, Hong Shu, Old Song—they're all there. They'll look out for her."

Jiang Xiaoyan nodded vigorously. "That's exactly what I thought. I owe you again—but I already owe you so much, a little more won't hurt."

Li Ye teased, "You don't owe me a thing—rent is one yuan fifty a month. Pay me by month's end."

Li Ye's stinginess actually lifted Jiang Xiaoyan's spirits. She gave a firm nod, accepting the terms.

In truth, she'd come to Li Ye to secure care for her mother, Chen Jinhua.

After all, a woman alone in Beijing, unfamiliar with the city, would struggle immensely—but with a group of fellow Qingshui County natives looking out for each other, she felt far more at ease.

This favor, she had to accept. She'd repay it tenfold later if she had to.

With the matter she'd worried over settled, Jiang Xiaoyan felt lighter.

Seeing her mother still asleep, she turned to Li Ye. "Can you watch over my mom for two hours? I'm going to sell my bicycle—I'll be right back."

Li Ye couldn't help laughing. "Are you cutting ties with your family completely? Haven't you even asked your mom if she wants this?"

Jiang Xiaoyan shook her head. "If our lives were thriving, they'd never cut us off. If we're struggling, even kneeling and begging won't get us a single bit of help."

Li Ye looked into Jiang Xiaoyan's stubborn eyes and nodded softly. "You're growing wiser by the day."

Jiang Xiaoyan pushed her bicycle to the western market of the county.

It was already the twenty-something of the twelfth lunar month; Qingshui County held spontaneous markets daily. She needed to sell the bicycle now to get funds for their life in Beijing.

A few others were selling bicycles too, but theirs were rusted, missing parts, or chipped—nothing compared to Jiang Xiaoyan's nearly brand-new one.

Having worked long in Beijing as a promoter, Jiang Xiaoyan knew the simple, direct method: she wrote "New Bike, 190 Yuan" on a cardboard sign and stuck it on the handlebars.

Instantly, many came to inquire.

"Miss, are you selling this bicycle?"

"Yes. 190 yuan. No haggling."

"This isn't new—it's got the serial stamp and license plate."

"Less than two months old. It's as good as new."

"New ones cost barely 160. You're asking 190—that's too much."

"Not a cent less."

Jiang Xiaoyan understood: the more someone complained about your item, the more they wanted it. The shorter your reply, the stronger your position.

If a seller bickered endlessly with a buyer, the price would never rise.

So Jiang Xiaoyan kept her head down, indifferent—her bike was locked, no one could steal it. Buy it or not, it didn't matter.

Many wanted her bike, but the price was high—yet who'd come to the market to buy a bicycle without a quota ticket?

"Jiang Xiaoyan, is this your bicycle?"

A brother and sister suddenly stood before her. The sister asked in surprise.

Jiang Xiaoyan looked up—it was Lu Jingyao and her brother Lu Zixue.

"Yes, it's mine."

Jiang Xiaoyan glanced at Lu Jingyao and answered with barely a sniff.

Lu Jingyao clearly sensed Jiang Xiaoyan's dislike and felt awkward, ready to leave—but her brother grabbed her sleeve.

In the entire market, Jiang Xiaoyan's Phoenix bicycle was the only one—and nearly brand-new. After seeing it, no other bike could compare.

Lu Jingyao sighed and turned back. "Xiaoyan, can you sell me this bicycle?"

Jiang Xiaoyan replied flatly, "It's not a daughter you're buying—you don't get to pick a good family. Whoever pays, gets it."

Lu Jingyao lost her composure and walked away.

She felt Jiang Xiaoyan was mocking her—reminding her of how she'd once "sold" herself to Li Ye to pay for her mother's treatment.

Lu Zixue saw his sister flee and hurried after her, insisting he must buy Jiang Xiaoyan's Phoenix.

The Phoenix bicycle had been a thorn in his heart. Miss this one, and who knew when the next would appear?

Lu Jingyao finally snapped. "Is your education impossible without a bicycle? Can't you live without one? We don't have that kind of money—do you want to spend every last cent?"

But Lu Zixue shouted back, "You're going to study in Britain soon—you can earn pounds with part-time work. How many bicycles can't we buy then?"

The bustling market fell silent, then erupted in noise.

"Good heavens, this girl's going abroad to study? All the way to England?"

"So she's like Xu Lingjun's father in 'The Horse Herder'? Will she become a billionaire?"

"I don't know, but my niece says foreign money's easy to make—even dishwashers drive cars."

Jiang Xiaoyan understood: Lu Zixue was showing off—he was flaunting it right at her.

Studying abroad was glorious, sure—but what's that to me?

"Selling a brand-new Phoenix bicycle—190 yuan, no haggling. First come, first served."

Jiang Xiaoyan, who'd been crouching silently for ages, suddenly raised her voice to hawk her bike.

"Miss, I've only got a hundred! Come with me—I'll get you thirty more at home. Deal?"

"I've got 180. Sell it to me, girl."

Several buyers, unable to wait, rushed forward to claim the bike.

Lu Zixue pleaded, "Sister, buy it! After you leave, if Mom gets sick, I'll need to ride back and forth to care for her."

Lu Jingyao closed her eyes, breathed deeply, and steadied herself.

After leaving Qingshui County in summer, she'd planned never to return—but once selected as a student abroad, she'd need to come back for paperwork before crossing the ocean, uncertain if she'd ever return.

So she'd come to see her parents.

But she hadn't expected to run into old acquaintances—stirring up old wounds, filling her with endless irritation.

"Why do these karmic debts cling like ghosts?"

Lu Jingyao pulled out all her cash and shoved it into Lu Zixue's hand, then walked out of the market, stumbling, lost in thought.

Lu Zixue didn't care about his sister—he rushed to Jiang Xiaoyan, counted out the money.

"190 yuan. Not a cent short."

Jiang Xiaoyan coldly took the money and tossed him the key.

Then she looked at the distant, unsteady figure and snorted, "You'll wear yourself out one day."

When Jiang Xiaoyan returned to the county hospital, Chen Jinhua was awake, chatting merrily with Li Ye and Li Juan.

Jiang Xiaoyan didn't understand—how could two people so different in age and status be so at ease together?

【Perhaps this is why Li Ye is so likable.】

Jiang Xiaoyan hesitated, then pulled Li Ye outside and told him about Lu Jingyao's plan to study in Britain.

"Li Ye, your English is better than mine. Next year you could take the TOEFL—I heard you don't need to go to Hong Kong anymore; you can take it right here in Beijing."

"Why would I take the TOEFL? I have no plans to study abroad."

Jiang Xiaoyan blinked, then said, "I thought you were better than Lu Jingyao—I thought you and Wen Leyu would consider studying abroad."

Li Ye shrugged. "Who's better doesn't depend on studying abroad. Besides, Xiaoyan, don't let illusions blind you—foreign advantages belong to foreigners. Our own land is where we're rooted."

Even after Li Ye and Li Juan left, Jiang Xiaoyan kept thinking about his words.

Now was the peak of the overseas study craze—every college student wanted to go abroad. Her classmates were fighting tooth and nail for a single spot.

Yet here was Li Ye—capable, well-connected, with access practically handed to him—who chose to stay rooted at home. It was baffling.

Especially when Jiang Xiaoyan cautiously mentioned "Lu Jingyao," Li Ye's calm indifference made her secretly admire him.

To hold on or let go—that's true strength.

But then she remembered Wen Leyu's radiant brilliance and Lu Jingyao's exhausted state—the contrast was clear.

"Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise."

"Xiao Yan, what are you muttering about? What horse? What blessing?"

"Yan'er, what are you talking about? What horse? What fortune?"

"The old man lost his horse—how do you know it's not a blessing? Mother, what this means is that though you've suffered a loss now, you may yet enjoy good fortune later. So once you're well, come with me to Jingcheng and enjoy life there."

"But what about your brother and your father?"

"You can send them money! As long as you send them money, they'll be thrilled to have you stay in Jingcheng and never come back."

"Hmm, you're right—my father really is that kind of man, but—"

"Oh, stop with the 'but' already."

Jiang Xiaoyan soothed her mother while already making up her mind inside.

Once in Jingcheng, she would take firm control—seize her mother's financial authority, and decide whether or not to send money home based on Jiang Xiaoyan's whim.

On the morning of New Year's Eve, a Jingcheng 130 truck pulled up to Li Ye's front gate.

Jin Peng, Wang Qiang, and Jiang Hong got out and began unloading item after item from the truck.

Han Chunmei opened the door at the noise and nearly jumped when she saw the mountain of New Year goods piled at the gate.

"What are you doing?"

"Auntie, we've brought New Year gifts for the Private Secretary! Tell us which room to put them in—we'll carry them in."

"No, no, we don't accept gifts! Wait a moment!"

Han Chunmei hurried inside to call Li Kaijian, and in doing so, alerted Director Li.

Li Zhongfa, seeing Jin Peng and Wang Qiang, frowned and said: "What kind of day is this to be delivering gifts? Anyone who doesn't know would think I'm taking bribes!"

"Hehe, Private Secretary, we just got back late! If anyone dares say you took gifts, I'll come right over and check which one of their eyes is broken."

Jin Peng smiled on the surface, but inside he felt deeply wronged.

We worked until yesterday afternoon just to earn money for your grandson, drove straight through the night from Jingcheng for over ten hours—and now you're complaining?

Wu Juying, watching from the side, could no longer hold back. She turned to Jin Peng: "Don't listen to your Private Secretary blabbing—he just likes to put on airs. Jin Peng, judging by your clothes, you've done well out there this year!"

"The other day I saw your future bride—wow, how stylish! Everyone said she was the boss's wife!"

"Not bad, not bad."

Jin Peng scratched his head, answering awkwardly, while internally grumbling.

Your grandson is the real boss—your family's granddaughter-in-law is way more impressive than any damn boss's wife.

But when Wu Juying saw Wang Qiang, she couldn't help frowning: "Qiangzi, have you been mistreated out there?"

Wang Qiang grinned sheepishly: "Nai, I haven't been mistreated—I'm just a driver, that's why I dress like this."

Wu Juying looked at Wang Qiang's worn-out clothes and scolded Jin Peng: "Qiangzi's honest—you should think of him when you get good things. If you leave it to him to fight for himself, how could he ever compete with those sharp-eyed, quick-handed ones?"

"Cough, cough, cough—what do you old woman know? Go make some food."

Li Zhongfa coughed several times, shooing Wu Juying off to the kitchen to prepare breakfast—thus saving Jin Peng and Wang Qiang from further embarrassment.

He was old and sharp—he could see right through Wang Qiang's deliberately shabby appearance.

Who was this meant for? Did you even need to ask?

"Little Ye, Little Ye, your fellow disciples have been here for ages—still lying in bed?"

Director Li's bellow finally dragged Li Ye out of his warm blankets.

When he saw Wang Qiang, he couldn't help laughing.

An old cotton-padded jacket with a patch, trousers of didi fabric cut too short, and only the fur-lined leather boots looked normal—this outfit was comical.

"Qiangzi, did your Peng brother dress you like this?"

"No, I did it myself. Hehe, don't laugh at me, Brother."

Li Ye shook his head and smiled, but inside, he wasn't amused.

The simple-minded Wang Qiang had learned the lesson of not flaunting wealth.

"Qiangzi, tell me—how much money are you planning to say you made this year? Don't let your mother accidentally find out the truth."

Wang Qiang held up one finger: "A hundred yuan a month salary. After food and drink, I saved a thousand."

Li Ye nodded: "And how much do you think your mother will let you keep?"

Wang Qiang lowered his head and smiled shyly, then held up three fingers.

"Three hundred? Or thirty?"

"Brother, don't pretend you don't know."

Thank you to the reader "Firefly Star" for the 500-coin tip, and thanks to the brother for your generosity.

(End of Chapter)