Chapter 109: Trust (Bonus Chapter for MoonMysteryMirror

In the cafeteria kitchen, Qin Huaiju was talking to He Yuzhu: “Sigh, can’t you help me exchange some cornmeal at the pigeon market? I’m too scared to go myself.”

Earlier that morning, Qin Huaiju had checked the grain vat and found it empty; even though she had dinner last night, what about breakfast and lunch?

She could have asked Li Xuewu, but she’d already begged him yesterday—she couldn’t bring herself to ask again.

156n.

He Yuzhu flatly refused: “Sister, don’t you know? Last month, Old Liu from the workshop got caught. Even after being investigated, his wage grade was lowered—only because the factory protected him.”

He Yuzhu drew a clear line: what he’d help with and what he wouldn’t. He’d never once gone to the pigeon market to barter, even though he had food to eat—and if Qin Huaiju had asked to borrow, he’d have lent.

But to risk himself by going to exchange for her? He wouldn’t dare.

Qin Huaiju sighed helplessly: “I truly have nothing left to cook with. I just went to my husband’s workshop to ask Old Yang for next month’s grain coupons—but what about next month? I just thought, maybe I could trade coarse grain for fine grain. Please, sister, help me.”

He Yuzhu dodged: “I can’t. I rely on this job to eat. I really can’t do this, sister.”

Qin Huaiju frowned: “Are you still mad at me because of my cousin?”

He Yuzhu grew angry. Not mentioning it would’ve been fine—but the more she brought it up, the angrier he got.

He Yuzhu could no longer endure Qin Guafu’s persistent nagging.

He wanted to stand his ground, but they were neighbors, had lived side by side for so long.

He Yuzhu whispered in protest: “Why are you pushing me like this? I know nothing about the pigeon market. You can’t get in without connections—go alone and they’ll throw you into a latrine.”

With no other options, Qin Huaiju thought of the radio she’d bought for her wedding—never used, never even turned the dial, always tuned to one station. Better to sell it for food. She could earn money later to buy another—but how would she feed her children now?

Qin Huaiju, brow furrowed, said to He Yuzhu: “He Yuzhu, do you only help me if I do something for you?”

He Yuzhu instantly perked up. How long? How long had it been since Qin Huaiju had done that for him?

He Yuzhu teased: “Let’s get serious then.”

Qin Huaiju gasped, tears welling, but began unbuttoning her coat—she had to get food for the children today, no matter what.

Qin Huaiju: “Come on.”

He Yuzhu: “Come on.”

Qin Huaiju: “Come on.”

He Yuzhu, embarrassed, stammered: “No, no, stop.”

Qin Huaiju grabbed his arm: “Take it off!”

He Yuzhu dodged, pleading: “Sister, you’re going to scare me to death!”

Qin Huaiju, eyes red, snapped: “If you don’t take it off today, you’re not a man!”

Even if he had desires, he wouldn’t dare do anything in the kitchen—he knew Qin Huaiju was deliberately tricking him.

This widow was cunning—no one would dare do such a thing in broad daylight.

“No, no, I was just joking, just teasing—why are you doing this?”

Qin Huaiju threw down her bag and wept: “Who’s joking? I’m a woman—how can I go to the black market at night? Will you help me or not?”

“If I weren’t starving, would I endure this humiliation? I went to my husband’s workshop—Guo Dapie tried to take advantage of me. I swapped coupons with Old Yang, and Xiao Lisan tried the same. I’m a widow—does that mean I deserve to be bullied?”

Outside the door, Li Xuewu thought: Is this woman made of magnet? Every piece of iron she meets sticks to her. Now that Xu Damao’s gone, here comes Xiao Lisan.

He Yuzhu asked doubtfully: “Xiao Lisan wouldn’t dare—he’s just a kid. His father’s the old workshop director.”

Qin Huaiju wept: “What do you know? Every time I go to swap coupons, he comes over—makes snide remarks, tries to take advantage, teases me with grain coupons. Dongxu works in the same workshop as his father—we used to have some ties. I didn’t want to make a fuss. You understand?”

Qin Huaiju continued crying: “Why do I even go to them to swap coupons? Isn’t it because the fine grain isn’t enough—I need coarse grain!”

Qin Huaiju now understood the hardship of self-reliance. Before, she’d eat fine grain, then rely on Old Man Li’s handouts, plus He Yuzhu’s lunchbox—mixed together, it was enough.

Now both sources cut off, fine grain gone—this half-month would be a crisis.

He Yuzhu pleaded: “Sister, don’t cry, don’t cry. Sister, I’m just a fool with my mouth—listen, listen, I’m serious now. Don’t cry, please don’t cry, sister.”

He Yuzhu slapped himself.

Qin Huaiju, buttoning her coat, wept: “Among all these people, I trusted you. I never thought you’d be like this too.”

He Yuzhu jumped up: “Oh, I was just joking! You scared me half to death—I wouldn’t dare! Don’t worry, I’ll buy you the cornmeal tonight. I’ll go find those two bastards—I won’t rest till I make them beg for mercy!”

Qin Huaiju nodded: “Fine. I’ll trade you the radio. But you can’t go to the workshop—I’ve already swapped coupons with them. If you go, his father will ruin me.”

He Yuzhu waved his hand: “No need to trade! Keep your radio. Just make me a new coat in a few days—New Year’s coming. And don’t fear those bastards—I’ll find another way. I won’t drag you into it.”

Standing at the door, Li Xuewu wondered: Is this woman really trying to stand on her own?

But her tears still flowed like before—and He Yuzhu was already planning revenge.

Li Xuewu walked in after they finished speaking. Both froze at his entrance.

He Yuzhu stood stunned. Qin Huaiju, tear-streaked like pear blossoms in rain.

Li Xuewu, hands in pockets, smiled: “What’s going on? Keep going.”

Seeing He Yuzhu silent, Qin Huaiju hurriedly said: “Comrade Li, my home truly has no food left—I asked He Yuzhu to help me exchange some grain for emergency use.”

Qin Huaiju feared Li Xuewu would misunderstand her as coming to beg for food from He Yuzhu.

Li Xuewu nodded noncommittally, then said to He Yuzhu: “Prepare four portions of meal. Deliver them to the detention room. Sign the bill with the guard at the entrance.”

He glanced at Qin Huaiju’s bag and added: “The security office has received reports of missing items from the cafeteria. Watch your food and grain storage carefully.”

Seeing Qin Huaiju’s uneasy expression, he added: “Trust is like a sheet of paper. Once crumpled, even smoothed out, it can never return to its original state. Never deceive anyone—because the ones you deceive are always those who trust you.”

He turned to leave, then paused at the door, pointing at Qin Huaiju: “Oh, by the way—the Guo Dapie and Xiao Lisan you mentioned are in detention, locked up with Xu Damao. Keep yourself in check—don’t let them drag you out. You’ve got three children. He Yuzhu—if you want to fight, go join them in detention.”

He walked off without another word, heading for his office.

If you can lend a hand, lend it.

He Yuzhu had worried all night. Today, while cooking, he was distracted. He almost called out to Li Xuewu to ask about Xu Damao—but remembered Li Xuewu’s words from last night and stayed silent.