Chapter 190

Jiang Xiaoning left, dejected; there were still several dozen miles to go before reaching home, and just thinking about it in the dead of winter was a misery.

Li Ye said with a laugh, "You certainly know how to throw your weight around as the eldest sister in charge! I never noticed you were this formidable before."

"If I weren't formidable, I'd be bullied to death by others."

Jiang Xiaoyan first pursed her lips, but after seeing what Li Juan was holding, she said embarrassedly, "You didn't need to come over; it's the New Year, and I've added to your troubles again."

Li Ye waved his hand and said, "You're being too formal. If I hadn't heard from my little aunt, I wouldn't even have known your mother was hospitalized. Is she doing alright?"

Jiang Xiaoyan's expression dimmed instantly, and she said worriedly, "Pneumonia. The doctor said she needs at least a week of IV drips."

In the eighties, for an ordinary family to have a common illness or disaster, just taking some medicine was considered decent; once an IV drip was involved, it felt like a serious, major illness, which was why Jiang Xiaoyan had been anxious even in her sleep these past two days.

Li Ye and Li Juan entered the ward, but Chen Jinhua happened to be asleep; Jiang Xiaoyan wanted to wake her, but Li Ye stopped her.

"Your mother is too weak right now, let her sleep a while longer! My grandmother said she'll send over some millet porridge and such these next few days, so don't stand on ceremony with me."

"I really didn't intend to stand on ceremony with you," Jiang Xiaoyan said candidly. "After my mother recovers, I want to take her to the capital. See if you can talk to Brother Peng and get an introduction letter for my mother so she can rent a room."

Li Ye looked at Jiang Xiaoyan in surprise and said, "Are you for real? You really want your mother to open a noodle shop in the capital? You'll have to suffer hardships when you're away from home."

Jiang Xiaoyan smiled and said, "It's suffering at home, and it's suffering in the capital. I'd rather have my mother suffer under my own eyes than have her lying on the kang like this with no one to care for her."

"As long as you've thought it through, that's fine," Li Ye agreed without hesitation. "Anyway, we have a courtyard in the capital. When the time comes, let your mother see where she'd like to live. Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng, Uncle Hong, and Old Song are all there, so there will be someone to look after you."

Jiang Xiaoyan nodded repeatedly and said, "That's what I was thinking too. I owe you another favor, but I already owe you so much that one more doesn't matter."

Li Ye teased with a smile, "You don't owe me anything. The rent is one yuan and fifty cents a month; pay up at the end of the month!"

Li Ye's "stingy" behavior actually made Jiang Xiaoyan feel much more at ease, and she nodded vigorously to signify her agreement.

In fact, she had sought out Li Ye to find someone to look after her mother, Chen Jinhua.

After all, it is incredibly difficult for a woman to make a living in the capital when she is unfamiliar with the place, but having a group of fellow villagers from Qingshui County to look out for each other made her feel much more at ease.

This favor, she had to owe; at worst, she would just repay it double later.

Having settled the major matter weighing on her heart, Jiang Xiaoyan felt much lighter.

She looked at her mother in the ward who hadn't woken up yet and said to Li Ye, "Can you help me look after my mom for two hours? I'm going to sell my bicycle and will be right back."

Li Ye couldn't help but laugh, "Are you trying to make a clean break with your family? Won't you ask if your mother is willing?"

Jiang Xiaoyan shook her head and said, "If our mother and daughter live a prosperous life, they won't be able to cut ties even if you beat them to death. If we don't live well, even if we kneel and beg them, we won't get a single benefit."

"."

Li Ye looked at Jiang Xiaoyan's stubborn gaze, nodded, and said softly, "You're certainly becoming more clear-headed as you live."

Jiang Xiaoyan pushed her bicycle to the market on the west side of the county seat.

It was already the twenty-something of the twelfth lunar month, and there were spontaneous markets in Qingshui County every day; she needed to sell the bicycle now to exchange it for some capital for her and her mother to live in the capital.

There were several people selling bicycles at the market, but they were either covered in rust or missing parts and peeling paint; they weren't in the same league as Jiang Xiaoyan's ninety-nine-percent-new one.

Jiang Xiaoyan had worked in sales in the capital for so long that she had learned a simple and direct method: she took a piece of cardboard, wrote "New bike, 190 yuan" on it, and stuck it directly onto the handlebars.

This immediately attracted many inquiries.

"Miss, are you selling this bicycle?"

"Yes, one hundred and ninety yuan, no bargaining."

"This bike isn't new; it's already been stamped and registered."

"It's been less than two months; it's no different from a new one."

"A new bike is less than one hundred and sixty; selling this for one hundred and ninety is too expensive."

"I won't sell it if it's cheaper."

"."

Jiang Xiaoyan understood that the more others disparaged your goods, the more they actually wanted to buy them; the shorter her answers, the more powerful they were.

If a seller bickered endlessly with a buyer, they would certainly never get a good price.

So Jiang Xiaoyan just kept her head down and ignored them; anyway, the bike was locked, no one could snatch it, and they could take it or leave it.

Many people had their eyes on Jiang Xiaoyan's bicycle, but the price was indeed a bit high; however, if one had a bicycle coupon, who would come to the market to buy a bike?

"Jiang Xiaoyan, is this bicycle yours?"

A pair of siblings suddenly stood in front of Jiang Xiaoyan, and the older sister asked Jiang Xiaoyan in surprise.

Jiang Xiaoyan raised her head; it was actually Lu Jingyao and her younger brother Lu Zixue.

"Yes, it's mine."

Jiang Xiaoyan glanced at Lu Jingyao and responded to her almost entirely through her nose.

Lu Jingyao clearly felt Jiang Xiaoyan's dislike for her and wanted to leave in embarrassment, but she was held back by her brother Lu Zixue's sleeve.

In the entire market, this Phoenix bike of Jiang Xiaoyan's was the only one, and it was almost brand new; after seeing this one, how could they possibly be satisfied with any others?

Lu Jingyao turned back helplessly and asked Jiang Xiaoyan, "Xiaoyan, can you sell this bicycle to me?"

Jiang Xiaoyan said indifferently, "This isn't selling a daughter; I don't need to pick a good family. I'll sell it to whoever pays."

"."

Lu Jingyao could no longer keep a straight face and turned to leave.

She felt that Jiang Xiaoyan was implying something about her, implying that she had "sold" herself to Li Ye back then to pay for her mother's medical treatment.

Seeing his sister run off, Lu Zixue hurriedly caught up, pestering her to buy Jiang Xiaoyan's Phoenix bike.

The Phoenix bicycle was a thorn in his side; if he missed this one, who knew where the next one would be?

Lu Jingyao finally got annoyed and scolded coldly, "Can't you go to school without a bicycle? Can't you survive without a bicycle? We only have so much money at home; do you have to spend every last cent?"

But Lu Zixue shouted loudly, "You're about to go study abroad in England; just by working part-time, you'll earn some pounds. How many bicycles can't we afford then?"

"."

The noisy market went quiet for a moment, then erupted into a clamor.

"Good heavens, this girl is going abroad to study? She's actually going to that... England..."

"If she goes abroad to study, won't she be like Xu Lingjun's father in *The Herdsman*? Can she become a billionaire?"

"I don't know, but I heard from my niece that foreign money is very easy to earn; even dishwashers drive cars..."

Jiang Xiaoyan understood; Lu Zixue was showing off, this grandson was showing off right in front of her.

It's true that studying abroad is glorious, but what does that have to do with me?

"Selling a bicycle, a brand-new Phoenix bicycle, one hundred and ninety, no bargaining, first come, first served..."

Jiang Xiaoyan, who had been squatting on the ground feeling stifled for a long time, suddenly raised her voice and started hawking.

"Girl, I only brought one hundred! Come with me, I'll scrape together thirty at home, is that okay?"

"I have one hundred and eighty here, sell it to me, girl."

Several people who had their eyes on the bicycle couldn't hold back anymore and came over one after another to snatch it.

Lu Zixue urged, "Sister, let's buy it! After you leave, if Mom has a headache or fever, I can rush back and forth to take care of her."

Lu Jingyao closed her eyes, and only after breathing continuously did she stabilize her mood.

After leaving Qingshui County in the summer, she had originally intended not to return easily, but after being selected as an overseas student, she would be crossing the ocean; not to mention not knowing when she would return, some procedures also needed to be handled back here.

That was why Lu Jingyao had come back to see her father and mother.

As a result, she hadn't expected to run into an old acquaintance, stirring up her thoughts and making her feel endlessly annoyed.

"Sigh, an inescapable debt of karma; why does it haunt me like a ghost?"

Lu Jingyao took all the money out of her pocket, stuffed it into Lu Zixue's hand, and walked blankly out of the market, her steps uneven.

Lu Zixue didn't care how his sister was doing; he took the money and ran quickly to Jiang Xiaoyan, counting it out directly to her.

"One hundred and ninety yuan, not a cent less."

Jiang Xiaoyan took the money coldly and threw the keys to Lu Zixue.

Then she looked at the swaying figure in the distance and hummed coldly, "You'll be exhausted to death sooner or later!"

When Jiang Xiaoyan returned to the county hospital, Chen Jinhua had already woken up and was chatting happily with Li Ye and Li Juan.

Jiang Xiaoyan didn't quite understand how two people with a twenty-year age gap and vastly different statuses could chat so harmoniously.

【Perhaps, this is what makes Li Ye so likable!】

Jiang Xiaoyan hesitated for a moment, but ultimately called Li Ye outside and told him about Lu Jingyao's plan to study abroad in England.

"Li Ye, actually your English is better; you could also take the TOEFL next year. I heard that you don't even need to go to Hong Kong to take the TOEFL anymore; you can take it in the capital."

"Why would I want to take the TOEFL? I'm not planning to study abroad."

"."

Jiang Xiaoyan was stunned for a moment before saying, "I thought you were better than Lu Jingyao... I thought you and Watching Wen Leyu would consider studying abroad."

Li Ye said nonchalantly, "Who is better than whom doesn't depend on whether one studies abroad. Besides, Xiaoyan, don't let illusions blind your eyes.

The good things abroad belong to foreigners after all; our own country is where we should take root and grow."

Jiang Xiaoyan kept thinking about Li Ye's words until Li Ye and Li Juan left.

Now is the time for the craze of going abroad; what college student doesn't want to study abroad? Jiang Xiaoyan's classmates at school were all desperately racking their brains to compete for a spot.

Yet someone like Li Ye, who had both ability and connections, and could almost be said to have it "within reach," actually wanted to take root in the country, which was truly baffling.

Especially when Jiang Xiaoyan mentioned "Lu Jingyao" very carefully, Li Ye's indifferent and calm demeanor made Jiang Xiaoyan admire him even more.

To be able to pick it up and put it down is the mark of a true man.

However, Jiang Xiaoyan immediately thought of the radiant Watching Wen Leyu and the clearly exhausted Lu Jingyao; the difference was clear at a glance.

"When the old man lost his horse, who knew it wouldn't be a blessing!"

"Yan'er, what are you saying? What horse? What blessing?"

"When the old man lost his horse, who knew it wouldn't be a blessing? Mom, this means that even though you've suffered a loss for now, you might not necessarily be unable to enjoy blessings in the future. So after you recover, come with me to the capital to enjoy blessings..."

"But what about your brother and your dad?"

"You can send them money! As long as you send them money, they'll be wishing you'd stay in the capital and not come back."

"Hmm, you're right; your dad really is that kind of person, but..."

"Oh, stop with the 'buts'..."

Jiang Xiaoyan coaxed her mother while making up her mind.

Once they reached the capital, she would implement formal management, seize her mother's financial power; if he wanted to send money home... he'd have to look at her, Jiang Xiaoyan's, face.

On the morning of New Year's Eve, a Beijing 130 truck stopped at Li Ye's doorstep.

Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng, Wang Jianqiang, and Jiang Hong got out of the car and began to move things down one by one.

Han Chunmei, hearing the commotion, opened the door and was almost startled by the pile of New Year goods at the entrance.

"What are you all doing?"

"Auntie, we're delivering New Year goods to the Master! Tell us which room to put them in, and we'll move them inside."

"Hey, our family doesn't accept gifts; you all wait a moment!"

Han Chunmei hurriedly went inside to call Li Kaijian, which then alarmed Director Li.

Li Zhongfa, seeing it was Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng and Wang Jianqiang, said with a straight face, "What day is it for you to be delivering New Year goods? Anyone who doesn't know would think I'm taking bribes and accepting gifts!"

"Hehe, Master, we just came back late! If anyone dares to say you're taking gifts, I'll go to their door immediately and see which of their eyes has a problem..."

Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng was smiling on the outside, but he felt very aggrieved on the inside.

We were busy earning money for your grandson until yesterday afternoon before closing, and drove all night from the capital for over ten hours, yet you, old man, are still complaining.

Grandmother Wu Juying couldn't bear it either and said to Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng, "Don't listen to your Master's rambling; he just likes to put on airs. Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng, looking at how you're dressed, you must be doing quite well outside this year!

The other day I ran into that future daughter-in-law of yours; hey, that stylishness, everyone says she's the boss's wife!"

"It's alright, it's alright."

Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng scratched his head and answered sheepishly, while complaining to himself.

Your grandson is the big boss; that granddaughter-in-law of yours is much more impressive than some boss's wife.

However, when Wu Juying saw Wang Jianqiang, she couldn't help but frown: "Qiangzi, have you been wronged outside?"

Wang Jianqiang smiled honestly: "Grandma, I haven't been wronged; I'm just a driver for someone... this is just how I dress..."

Wu Juying looked at Wang Jianqiang, who was covered in old clothes, and couldn't help but complain to Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng: "Qiangzi is honest; you should think of him when you have benefits. If you wait for him to fight and snatch them himself, how can he compete with those who are quick-witted?"

"Cough, cough, cough, what does an old woman like you know? Hurry up and go make breakfast."

Li Zhongfa coughed several times to drive Wu Juying to the kitchen to make breakfast, which counted as relieving Watching Watching Watching Jin Peng and Wang Jianqiang.

He was old and shrewd; how could he not see that Wang Jianqiang had deliberately made himself look shabby?

Who was this for? Need he ask?

"Xiao Ye, Xiao Ye, your fellow apprentices have been here for half a day, and you're still lazing in bed!"

Director Li's shout finally called Li Ye out from his warm bed.

When he saw Wang Jianqiang, he couldn't help but laugh.

There was a patch on his old cotton-padded jacket, his polyester trousers were a bit short, and only his pair of suede cotton boots looked normal; this look was a bit comical.

"Qiangzi, did your Brother Peng fix you up like this?"

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

Li Ye shook his head and laughed, but he didn't laugh on the inside.

The honest Wang Jianqiang also knew the principle of not showing off one's wealth.

"Qiangzi, you have to tell me, how much money do you plan to tell your family you earned this year? Don't let your mother ask and find out the truth."

Wang Jianqiang held up a finger and said, "One hundred a month in wages; after deducting food and drink, I saved one thousand."

Li Ye nodded and said, "Then how much do you think your mother will leave you?"

Wang Jianqiang lowered his head and smiled, holding up three fingers embarrassedly.

"Three hundred? Or thirty?"

"Brother, don't ask when you already know, okay?"

Thanks to book friend "Firefly Stars" for the 500-coin tip, thanks to the brother for his generosity.

(End of chapter)