Carrying a basin of steamed corn buns into the room, Chen Xiue shook her head and said, "That Widow He really is something. With He Hua about to be sent to the countryside, you'd think she'd treat her better. But she still beats and scolds her like before. Is that any way for a mother to behave?"
Su Wenshan remained as gloomy as he had been the night before. He casually picked up a corn bun and said, "Isn't He Hua going on blind dates these days too? Maybe she'll get married soon and won't have to go to the countryside."
Chen Xiue disagreed. "I think that'll be difficult. Even for our Xiaoyun, it's not easy to find a suitable family. As for her… she'll probably end up going to the countryside."
Su Baoguo, chewing on his corn bun, nodded vigorously in agreement. "Exactly! That ugly He Hua—no one would want her even if she were given away for free!"
At his words, Chen Xiue swiftly turned her chopsticks and smacked him on the forehead. "Why do you have to chime in everywhere? Is that something a child should say? Eat your food and get to school! Yesterday you kept insisting on staying home to 'screen' your second sister's suitor. I was fooled by you for a moment, and you ended up ruining a perfectly good match. Try fooling me again today and see what happens!"
"Su Baoguo, let me warn you: I'm busy with your second sister's lifelong matter right now and don't have time to deal with you. Once I have some free time, I'll definitely give you a proper beating!"
Su Baoguo shrank his neck, muttered a few words under his breath, and focused on eating, not daring to interrupt again.
After breakfast, Su Wenshan went to work, Su Baoguo went to school, and Chen Xiue stopped by Matchmaker Zhang's place before heading to work, thinking she needed to say a few more flattering words to help Xiaoyun's situation.
Su Yun washed the family's dishes at the communal water basin in the courtyard. Ignoring He Hua's dark, resentful expression beside her, she tidied up the house, locked the door, crossed the courtyard, and walked out of the compound.
Today she was heading to a promising place for treasure hunting—the recycling station.
The campaign against the "Four Olds" was still influencing people's behavior, and many valuable items had been smashed and thrown into recycling stations, especially antique furniture and porcelain. It didn't matter if they were damaged. The strange system had even accepted a broken stone from her house; surely she could make money at the recycling station.
With that thought, Su Yun walked briskly, completely unaware that He Hua was sneakily following behind her.
Clinging tightly to the pillar at the entrance of the courtyard, He Hua stared at Su Yun's slender figure as she walked away, her heart filled with resentment.
Why was it that they were both girls, yet Su Yun could live comfortably at home, while she herself was treated like a servant, ordered around and beaten at will by Widow He every day?
It wasn't fair!
Why was it that when they both went on blind dates, the matchmaker introduced such a good prospect to Su Yun, while the ones introduced to her came from families so poor they could barely afford a single pair of trousers?
Unfair!
Standing there, He Hua's features twisted with bitterness as her fingernails dug into her palms.
At that moment, she heard the sound of bicycle brakes behind her. A young man's rough voice called out, "Comrade, could you help me go in and call Su Yun?"
The moment she heard the name "Su Yun," anger flared in He Hua's chest.
Su Yun, Su Yun, Su Yun—always Su Yun!
Her face darkened as she turned around and snapped, "Don't you have a mouth of your own—"
She abruptly stopped mid-sentence.
Her expression changed instantly, and her eyes lit up.
She recognized this man.
He was the eldest son of the Jiang family, the one brought by the matchmaker yesterday to meet Su Yun. She had heard his family was quite wealthy, and that his father was the deputy director of the steel factory!
He Hua's eyes darted quickly. She ignored Jiang Guangzong's unattractive face and short stature, focusing instead on the sturdy Phoenix brand bicycle he was pushing, the watch on his wrist, and the polished leather shoes on his feet.
After estimating his family's financial status, He Hua's tone became exceedingly warm. In a deliberately gentle voice, she said, "Oh, you're looking for Su Yun? Hello, my name is He Hua. I'm Su Yun's best friend. She just went out with another man and isn't at home."
Hearing this, Jiang Guangzong frowned, immediately feeling that Su Yun might be somewhat improper.
But then he thought of Su Yun's beautiful face and decided that a little impropriety didn't matter. Once she married into his family, he could set some rules for her.
"Since Su Yun isn't home, tell her I'll come again tomorrow. Tell her not to run around and to wait for me at home!"
With that, Jiang Guangzong turned to leave with his bicycle.
How could He Hua let such a prize slip away?
She quickly stepped forward and blocked his bicycle. "Comrade, don't rush off. I saw you yesterday—you met Su Yun. You look like a good person. How about this? Let's find a quiet place, and I'll tell you about Su Yun's hobbies and preferences so you can get to know her better. What do you think?"
At those words, Jiang Guangzong was clearly tempted.
Ever since seeing Su Yun the day before, he had been unable to forget her.
He was twenty years old this year and had met several girls recently, but Su Yun was by far the prettiest—small face, big eyes, delicate features that were truly pleasing to look at. She had left his heart restless.
Unlike the girl in front of him—broad-faced, thick-lipped, with narrow eyes and dark, rough skin—hardly pleasing to the eye.
Unfortunately, yesterday's match had been disrupted by Su Yun's troublesome younger brother, and his mother had complained endlessly at home, insisting that Su Yun must never enter the Jiang family.
Jiang Guangzong had obediently agreed at home, but on his way to work today, he deliberately took a detour to Su Yun's house, hoping to see her again.
Now, hearing He Hua's proposal, he hesitated only briefly before nodding. "Fine. Let's go to the state-run restaurant and sit down. Order whatever you like—but you must tell me all of Su Yun's preferences."
At the mention of a state-run restaurant, He Hua's small eyes gleamed.
For the moment, she set aside her resentment toward Su Yun. Her mind was busy planning how to smear Su Yun's reputation and, at the same time, snatch Jiang Guangzong for herself.
When that happened, Su Yun would have no choice but to go to the countryside and become a farmer, while she would marry into the Jiang family and enjoy a life of comfort—eating well, living well, and making Su Yun furious.
Just the thought of it made her want to laugh.
—
Outside the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
Su Yun squeezed her way out through the crowd, tucked the candy she had bought safely into her pocket, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and glanced back at the noisy, crowded interior. The fresh air outside felt especially refreshing.
In 1977, the capital was still lively. All businesses were collectively or state-owned; private trade was not allowed. Although it was not yet as open as in later years, the streets were bustling with bicycles and buses, and various shops and stalls lined both sides. Customers had to queue patiently and could not argue, or the sales clerks would scold them without hesitation.
Su Yun took a deep breath, savoring the lively atmosphere. She felt unexpectedly nostalgic. This had been the most carefree time of her youth—a long-lost memory.
After a brief pause, Su Yun turned and headed toward the neighborhood recycling station.