Chapter 144: She will just mine a tonne, leave it for her descendants, and never worry about food or drink

In the blink of an eye, more than half a month has passed since Jiang Ye and the others left.

On Sea Island, a heat wave arrived; people took off their heavy clothes and put on light spring outfits.

Pei Yan Ting goes out early and returns late; recently the hospital workload has increased, and when she gets busy she does several surgeries in a row, leaving her worn thin.

Shen Man saw it, kept it in mind, and in the evenings she would simmer some coconut milk stewed peach gum, adding a drop of Spiritual Liquid.

When her sister-in-law came home, she would call her to eat together.

With her baking skills becoming ever more proficient, things like egg rolls, egg cakes, Suzhou-style pastries often sent tempting aromas wafting from the courtyard.

Not only were the military spouses in Jiashuyuan happy to exchange coupons for snacks, but some children would also pester their parents, bringing home fruit and such to trade for snacks.

Shen Man did not object to this; given the premise of equivalent exchange, she was happy to trade with others.

Occasionally, when she ran into children of acquaintances, she would also give them some scraps.

Thus, during this period, Shen Man's reputation in Jiashuyuan was exceptionally good.

Besides, in about ten days it will be May Day Labor Festival; Ji Political Commissar arranged for the Publicity Department staff to organize a cultural performance for the military spouses.

Once this notice was posted, the military spouses were in an uproar.

Because, according to the vote results, the top three most popular will receive substantial prizes!

First place: a reward of fifty dollars and two thermoses!

Second place: a reward of thirty dollars and two ceramic cups!

Third place: a reward of ten dollars and two towels!

Those who did not place, each participant receives two eggs!

Any military spouse can sign up!

Performance programs include saxophone, flute, harp, singing, dancing, skits and crosstalk......

There is no restriction on category; as long as it is suitable for the competition, one can enthusiastically sign up.

"Manman, do you have any performance you'd like to do? First place comes with a reward of fifty dollars!"

Ye Qinghong came over to deliver the seafood she'd gathered from foraging, and meanwhile gave Shen Man a rundown.

In her view, Shen Man just needs to stand on stage and casually sing a couple of lines, and first place is a sure thing!

"Nope, I don't have any particular talent, so I'm not entering. Qinghong sis, if you join, I'll be down below waving flags and cheering you on."

Shen Man shook her head; she's been hitting the books lately, and this is a crucial moment—she really doesn't have time to get distracted.

Besides, one specializes in one's field; she has little interest in performance and no talent, so it's better not to waste time.

"That's really a shame."

Ye Qinghong muttered, but quickly brushed off the regret and half-jokingly said:

"If you don't join, our odds of winning improve a bit—fine, then I'll rely on you to wave flags and cheer me on when the time comes."

"Okay, okay, I'll follow Qinghong sis's lead."

Shen Man nodded; having a performance to watch, she wouldn't miss it for the world.

The two chatted a while longer; Ye Qinghong had other matters, so she didn't stay long.

Shen Man packed a bag of red date cake for her, smiling as she saw her to the door.

"Qinghong sis, in a couple days once your rehearsals are about done, I'll come by to check on your results~"

"Sure, we'll definitely rehearse well."

Ye Qinghong gave an embarrassed smile; they don't have any great talent—just Cui Cui, who's from Hubei and knows how to sing a Huangmei opera piece.

They get along well; practicing together, even if they can't win first place, they can still earn two eggs.

If they happen to place, that's perfect—they'll strike it rich!

Shen Man closed the door and bolted it.

As for performances, she has no interest.

As for prizes, she isn't lacking any.

She is now truly a petite wealthy lady!

Her worry is how to spend the money and grain coupons she has on hand.

With monetary inflation, when something ought to be bought, you must act now; otherwise later the money will become worth less and less.

As for things that hold value, it's basically gold and famous liquors like Moutai.

Now gold seems to be ten to fifteen dollars per gram; fifty years later, it reaches a new peak, with a gram of gold worth thirteen or fourteen hundred!

"Tangyuan, do you say there's a gold mine on the island?"

"Meow~"

"Yes, though it's a bit far, deep in the earth's veins; with my current ability I can't carry out excavation."

Tangyuan nodded; there really is one, and it can sense the gold mine's location, but its ability is limited, so it still can't excavate.

"There really is one."

Shen Man startled for a moment, a gleam of greed flashing in her eyes; she nervously rubbed her hands and forced out:

"We're not in a rush; when Brother Jiang Ye returns, you can eagerly drink his purple qi, train hard, and once your ability improves we'll go on a zero‑purchase spree……

She isn't that greedy; a tonne is enough for her, and the rest should be left for the state to extract later on its own.

She will just mine a tonne, leave it for her descendants, and never worry about food or drink.

"Meow~"

Tangyuan let out a whimper, turned over on the roof—its owner always utters strange, odd remarks.

Although it doesn't understand, that doesn't stop it from sensing its owner's currently very happy mood!

Today's sun bathes it so comfortably~

The May Day cultural performance is not only an entertainment item for the military spouses, but also a chance for the cultural work troupe to showcase itself.

If the cultural troupe cannot pull out its bottom-of-the-box program to satisfy the military region up and down this time, then Political Commissar Ji is preparing to file a report, applying to the Central to transfer the cultural troupe away.

Being sent back to the Central would be so embarrassing!

They all take pride in having gotten into the cultural troupe; if they were sent back, they would lose all face, and their records would look bad too.

For a moment, everyone in the cultural troupe, from top to bottom, felt uneasy.

Because of her previous actions against Regiment Commander Jiang Ye's beloved, Li Yumei has almost become everyone's enemy.

Not knowing what the higher-ups meant, she could only guess, and returned to the troupe feeling uneasy.

Inevitably, she heard a few gossipy remarks——

「It's all Regiment Commander Li's fault; if she hadn't targeted the military wives, the upper brass wouldn't be dissatisfied with our cultural troupe! 」

「Shh, keep it down, you're not afraid she'll sabotage you? 」

「What's there to fear! Anyway, she lets Li Jiaojiao take all the good opportunities; no matter how well we dance, we won't get promoted! 」

「Yeah, who made them aunt and niece? 」

「Having a backer is really nice. 」

「Exactly, exactly~」

Li Jiaojiao's face flushed red with anger upon hearing that, but her aunt pulled her, signaling her to stay silent, and followed her aunt into the office.

「Aunt! 」

Upon entering the office, Li Jiaojiao's tears spilled out.

She merely took a liking to a man, but that man didn't like her back, so she let it go and didn't continue to pester him!

Is it wrong to like someone?

The man she liked already likes someone else; she doesn't pester, she lets go silently—is that wrong?

Although Li Yumei felt uneasy inside, she still comforted her niece:

「Look at this little promise of yours—just hearing some gossip and you lose your composure; are you still the successor I, Li Yumei, have trained? 」

「Aunt, I was wrong; I shouldn't have liked Jiang Ye, and I shouldn't have put you in a difficult position. 」

Li Jiaojiao regretted it; compared to a man who doesn't like her and doesn't even give her a proper look, her aunt—the best aunt in the world—is the most important person to her!

「Knowing you're wrong, just change it; the matter of Jiang Ye isn't entirely your fault—I also had my own one-sided wish. In any case, let's move on. 」

From now on, prepare well for the May 1 literary and artistic gala's program; use your ability to prove yourself and prove our cultural troupe!

Li Yumei fondly pulled her niece into her embrace; in a sense, she was indulging her niece—the fault was hers, and the arrogance was also hers.

No matter what, from now on she will lead the cultural troupe with all her effort!