Chapter 32: Planning to Make Some Extra Cash

After a day of rest, the couple took Ren Daiyun to the train station early the next morning.

"Mom, please take care on your way. I've already called Dad and told him the train's arrival time, so he’ll be there to pick you up."

"Alright, I know. You’re married now, so it’s time to take on your responsibilities. Yao is a good girl; treat her well."

"I know, Mom. I will."

"Yao, Mom is leaving. Write to us often, and don't pick up that stinking boy's bad habits."

"I will, Mom. Don't worry."

Mu Xingjue saw Ren Daiyun onto the train and made sure she was settled before getting off. Once the train pulled away, the two of them left the station. Besides seeing her off, they also had errands to run—specifically, obtaining their marriage certificate.

Walking out of the registration office holding the certificate, which looked much like an award, they were now officially a married couple.

Su Yao took a bag filled with apples, green dates, and oranges to find Ma Chunyu. "Sister Ma, I’ve come to visit you."

"Oh, look at the bride! My, you’re positively glowing," Ma Chunyu teased.

Su Yao wasn't embarrassed. She could handle a bit of teasing as long as there weren't too many people around, though she and Mu Xingjue hadn't actually done anything yet—after all, her mother-in-law was staying next door, and she wasn't about to lose face.

"Here, Sister Ma," Su Yao said, handing over the bag.

Ma Chunyu hadn't expected much, but she was surprised by the contents. Green dates were common enough, but apples and oranges were rare. "Are these oranges? And apples, too? Where did you get these?"

Su Yao checked to make sure no one was nearby and whispered, "I have my ways. This is just a token of my appreciation."

Hearing that Su Yao had a source, Ma Chunyu quickly found someone to watch her counter, pulled Su Yao aside, and asked, "Sister, do you really have a way? You know how precious fruit is right now. If this is legitimate, there’s money to be made."

"That’s exactly why I came to you. You know my situation; it’s not convenient for me to go out often. I thought of you—it just depends on whether you have the guts for it."

"Guts? What’s there to be afraid of? You might not know this, but the deputy director of the Revolutionary Committee is my brother-in-law."

"Sister, my dear sister, from now on, just tell me what you want. Aside from anything that flies or the big game in the mountains, I can get you anything else."

"Really?"

"Yes. But since I don't get out much, your brother-in-law will usually be the one delivering the goods to you."

"Fine. I’ll write down an address for you. Just deliver whatever I need there, and we can settle the payment on the spot."

"Deal. Just leave a note there with your order, and I’ll have the goods delivered once I see it."

"Good. For now, get me fifty jin of rice, fifty jin of flour, thirty jin of apples, and the same for the oranges."

"Understood. I’ll have them delivered in the next two days, though the fruit will be priced a bit higher."

"Don't worry, I understand."

On the way back, Su Yao told Mu Xingjue about Ma Chunyu’s brother-in-law. Mu Xingjue thought for a moment and said, "Let’s leave her brother-in-law out of it for now. Let’s see if we can manage this area on our own first. If it really doesn't work out, then we can involve him."

"That’s what I was thinking. But we have to keep her on our side. Here’s the address she gave; when you go, check if there’s a note, and then make the delivery."

"Okay."

"She’s just playing around with small amounts, so it won’t make much money. Keep her happy for now. If you’re busy later, I’ll handle it myself."

"No need, it’s on my way."

The two had a meal at the state-run restaurant and caught a movie in the afternoon, sipping soda and cracking melon seeds—it was pure bliss.

That night, just as Su Yao finished washing up, Mu Xingjue was restless. "Wife, I’ve been holding back for days. I can’t take it anymore."

Su Yao giggled. "How did you manage before, then?"

"That was before I knew what it was like! Now that I know, how can I be patient? Wife, I want meat... I want meat..."

Su Yao had a headache from his pestering. She dried her hair and climbed onto the kang. To be fair, she wanted it too.

With the wedding over and no reason to take more leave, they were both exhausted by the end of the day.

At dinner, Zeng Yue came by. Seeing them eating, she hesitated to enter.

"Educated Youth Zeng, come in! Have you eaten? If not, join us."

"I’ve already eaten, thank you. You all go ahead, I’ll wait," Zeng Yue said, waving her hand.

"Come in and sit, don't just stand there," Su Yao said, offering her a stool.

After dinner, Xu Xingyu and Ye Simin cleaned up. Su Yao told Mu Xingjue about Zeng Yue’s request to rent a room.

"Educated Youth Su, Educated Youth Mu, please, help me. I really can't stand living there anymore," Zeng Yue pleaded, tears falling.

"What’s wrong? What happened?"

"It’s... it’s Tian Zhixue. He’s a horrible person. He had a falling out with Educated Youth Yu and the older educated youths, so they started cooking separately. I kept cooking with the older ones. Life was hard for them after they split up, and Yu is always trying to take advantage of people, so they fought constantly."

"Since I stopped helping him and started ignoring him, his life became even worse. He started harassing me. Back then, when Educated Youth Yang was around, he didn't dare do anything. But after she got married, he started again. He almost... if Educated Youth Yang hadn't walked in, I don't know what would have happened. I know you just got married, and I shouldn't bother you, but I’m terrified. Please, help me."

"Wife, it's your decision," Mu Xingjue said.

"Fine. You can have your old room, Zeng. We weren't going to rent it out after the end of the year anyway. If a stranger moved in, we wouldn't know if they were good or bad. At least with you, we know who you are."

"Thank you, Educated Youth Su, thank you so much!"

"We won't move the cabinet; can you just pay us for it instead?"

"Yes, I’ll give you twenty yuan. Is that enough for the rent for the second half of the year and the cabinet?"

"That works. Move in tomorrow."

Zeng Yue paid and left. With just the four of them left, they discussed the living arrangements and decided that Xu Xingyu would move to the room next door. Once he and Ye Simin married, they would live on that side, and Zeng Yue would have her own space, ensuring better sound privacy.

That night, Xu Xingyu moved his things. The next day, after work, Zeng Yue excitedly moved her belongings to the back. Educated Youth Yang saw her and asked, "Where are you moving to, Zeng?"

"I’m moving to the back. I rented the room that used to belong to Educated Youth Mu. I won't be living here anymore."

After a few trips, Zeng Yue was finally settled. When Su Yao cooked dinner, she made a portion for Zeng, and from that night on, their table grew from four to five.