Chapter 14
Longing to Pull Her Into My Arms
The black market was monitored by specialized personnel; otherwise, if caught by someone wearing an armband, it would be classified as “profiteering,” which was a punishable offense. Paying an entry fee at the gate acted as a codeâthose who understood, understood.
Once inside, Jiang Ning swaggered through, observing what goods people held and what prices they were asking. Rice was graded, and the best could sell for sixty cents a jin. The state-run grain and oil store only sold it for eighteen cents, but supplies were limitedâyou could buy at most fifty jin at a time, and you had to register your name. White flour was even more expensive, with top-grade flour fetching up to one yuan and twenty cents; it was practically like robbery. It wasn’t surprising, thoughâwhite flour was scarce in the south, and much of it was smuggled in by long-haul truck drivers from the north, so the costs were naturally high.
Watches were the most valuable items; a Plum watch could sell for one hundred and twenty yuan. Relying on her memory, Jiang Ning found “Scarface,” the black market boss, in a dilapidated mud-brick building and negotiated directly with him. In her past life, Lin Chen had worked with Scarface to supplement their household income.
“I have a friend who brought in fifty Plum watches from Guangzhou. Are you interested?” Jiang Ning held her cigarette mid-air, striking the signature pose of a tough guy, her eyes filled with a condescending, world-dominating aura.
Scarface was secretly shocked. Who was this guy? He was wearing a floral shirt only available in Hong Kong, and sunglasses that were rare finds even in Guangzhouâa pair alone cost fifty yuan, and few were willing to spend that much. “Which side are you from, brother?” Scarface asked with a forced smile, his eyes full of caution. He couldn’t be blamed for his wariness; the environment didn’t allow for casual business, and the consequences of being caught were terrifying.
Jiang Ning remained calm. “Go to the county and ask around. Anyone in this trade knows the name ‘Biao Ye.’ Iâm currently developing downstream operations, which is why Iâm traveling to various townships. If youâre not interested, thatâs fine; Iâll just go to the next township.” She made a move to leave.
Thinking of the profit from fifty watches, Scarface gritted his teeth and stopped her. “Don’t be in such a hurry to leave. I was just calculating if I had enough capital on hand.”
“The wholesale price for one watch is sixty. You don’t mean to tell me you don’t even have three thousand yuan?” Jiang Ning feigned surprise. How could Scarface let himself be looked down upon? Even if he didn’t have it, heâd find a way! A sixty-yuan profit per watchâwhere else could he find such a good deal? He quickly agreed.
“Fine. Ten days from now, meet me in the back alley behind the county movie theater.” Jiang Ning left him time to pool the money.
…
Jiang Ning drove a car back from her space; it took only fifteen minutes to reach the edge of the village. After emerging from a hidden spot, she brought out all the items she intended to take home, only to realize she couldn’t move them by herself.
Just then, the woman who had shared the ride walked over, swinging her small handbag and swaying her hips in her dress. She brushed a stray hair behind her ear, looking triumphant, like a peacock spreading its tail. “Hahaha! Itâs at least a mile from here to your houseâletâs see how you get all this back!” Her dress was the newest style, which had cost her eight yuanâfar prettier than anything Jiang Ning was wearing. If it were me carrying all that, any man would surely help, she thought.
Just as she was feeling pleased with herself, a tall figure walked past her without even a glance, heading straight for Jiang Ning. “You went to get money and buy things, why didn’t you tell me?” Lin Chen asked, affectionately ruffling her hair.
Jiang Ning was wearing a beige floral dress, her hair in two loose braids, her face free of makeup yet naturally rosy, as fresh and natural as a summer daisy. Lin Chen longed to pull her into his arms and kiss her.
Since no one is around…
He wrapped one arm around her waist, used his other hand to tilt her chin up, and leaned down…
“Someone’s watching!” Jiang Ning blinked, pointing at the woman from earlier.
The woman was about to complain to Lin Chen when she saw the scene not suitable for children. She covered her eyes with her hands, though her fingers were spread wide apart.
Yu Meili: “…” Do they really think I’m invisible?!
“Xiao Chen, are you talking about your wife? I am Luo Tiegangâs wife, after allâwhy doesn’t she know how to show a little respect?” She proceeded to rant about how Jiang Ning had called her a “haggard old woman.”
Hearing her announce her name, Jiang Ning realized this woman was Luo Guangmingâs sister-in-law, Yu Meili. Luo Auntie had two sons, Luo Guangming and Luo Tiegang; the latter was much older, married, and had an eight-year-old son. Sigh, if I had been nicer earlier, I might have shared my umbrella with her.
Lin Chen watched his wife playfully stick out her tongue. He turned and looked Yu Meili up and down, then said with an innocent face, “Sister-in-law, my apologies! My wife just likes to tell the truth!” Her face is indeed yellow! Still, his wifeâs face was betterâfair and delicate, like a freshly peeled egg. He wanted to take a bite.
Yu Meili felt a tightness in her chest, nearly coughing up blood. Who talks to people like that?! Given that his father died young and he lacked upbringing, she couldn’t be bothered to argue with him. She was about to say she was leaving when she saw the couple only had eyes for each other, ignoring her completely, as they drank soda through a straw! Watching the cool, yellow liquid level drop, she couldn’t help but swallow. Oh no, I promised my son I’d buy him soda, but I was so busy buying a dress that I forgot all about it.
…
Lin Chen carried the packages home, immediately drawing a crowd. Zhao Ergou came running over, wielding a mud-covered trowel, his mouth wide open. They had bought so muchârice, flour, meat, kitchenware, clothes, and shoes. How much money did this cost?!
“I heard I got married, so my mom sent me five hundred yuan; sheâll send more things later,” Jiang Ning explained with a smile.
“Five hundred yuan?” Zhao Ergou immediately blurted out, “Sister-in-law, does your family have any more sisters?”
Luo Guangming was puzzled. “Why are you asking that?”
“Stupid, if her family is this rich, I should obviously be their son-in-law!” Zhao Ergou’s joke drew a round of laughter from the crowd.
Next door, Lin Tao, who had spent the day acting like a lazybones, curled his lip. A bear like him wants to be a son-in-law? Jiang Ningâs looks are decent; her sister should be about the same. Only a handsome and dashing man like me would be worthy of her! Lin Tao was nothing if not confident. He had always believed that Jiang Ning married Lin Chen only out of gratitude.
As he mused, Yu Xiaofeng walked over, sighed, and lectured him, “Don’t get any crazy ideas. Marrying a wasteful woman like thatâhow much money would it take to support her shopping? Sooner or later, theyâll be back to being dirt poor!”
Lin Tao wasn’t convinced. To be wasteful, you first need money to waste! Right now, the money was all held in his grandmother’s hands; they couldn’t eat anything good, couldn’t buy anything, and he didn’t even have the capital to gamble. He could only watch helplessly as the neighbors ate and drank like royalty.
Next door, the group was still dividing the goods. Upon receiving their gifts from Jiang Ning, Wang Xiufen and Lin Qiao broke into beaming smiles. While they complained that it was too extravagant, they quickly slipped on the new white shoes and asked if they looked good.
Just as everyone was enjoying the festive atmosphere, Yu Meili came running over, grabbing Luo Guangmingâs arm and asking him in terror if he had seen her son, Huzi. He had gone missing along with a pile of pumpkin seeds mixed with rat poison…
