Chapter 236: Visiting Guo Huan
Yesterday was the day for the foodstuff trading with the foodstuff factory. Shen Meng had placed all the required grain in the landlord’s house early in the morning. Only Yu Xueli had the key to the door. Kong Wenhui accompanied her for this first transaction.
As people checked the grain, Yu Xueli counted the money. Large stacks of banknotes, her hands trembled as she counted, her heart filled with fear.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly. After verifying the money and confirming the grain was in order with Kong Wenhui, she quickly clasped the money and hurried away.
Fearing someone might be following her, she passed through several alleys and turned into a courtyard. She stayed there for a while, changing into another set of clothes before exiting through the back.
Carrying the bundle of money back home, Yu Xueli immediately hid it in the stove’s hearth beneath the kang. There was no need to heat the kang tonight, so it wouldn’t be cold. When she went to Xie Jinghao’s house to pick up the children, Xie Jinghao had prepared a meal for her.
A few yuan a month wouldn’t buy much for children. She felt a bit guilty about accepting this price, but she had agreed to it to encourage Wu Xianglan to offer more. Xie Jinghao understood that Yu Xueli was helping her sister-in-law, Shen Meng, take advantage of Wu Xianglan.
But, returning late today, she couldn’t help but worry. Da Ya and Xiao Ya were also concerned.
“I’m fine. I still get off work at the hospital at the usual time. I just happened to talk to an elderly woman. She was seriously ill, almost dying. I ended up helping her, which is why I’m late.”
She had lied many times before, as Lazy Bones’ wife, so she casually made up an excuse. Xie Jinghao didn’t question her further.
The transaction was successful, but the large sum of money weighed heavily on her mind. She anxiously awaited Shen Meng’s return.
Because of the additional orders for head ornaments, Li Shuji, Tang Fanyi, and Guan Mishu needed to stay in the provincial capital to handle the follow-up. Shen Meng didn’t leave immediately.
After resolving the head ornament matter, Shen Meng still had the foodstuff factory’s needs to address. Her reputation in the village was built for the foodstuff factory. She had nothing else to do today, so she followed the address Jiang Huan had given her, carrying some gifts, and hired a pedicab to go to Jiang Huan’s home.
“Turn the corner, and you’ll find most of the pedicab drivers live in those houses. Ask around. That’s how the address is written. My pedicab can’t get in there.”
“Understood, Master. Thank you for your trouble. Here’s the fare.”
The pedicab driver accepted the money, smiling and nodding at Shen Meng before pedaling away. In this era, even pedicab drivers were considered skilled workers. If you were lucky, you could get good directions from them. But if you met a grumpy one, you might get thrown off the pedicab!
After asking two people, Shen Meng finally found the courtyard where Jiang Huan lived. It was a three-section courtyard house. Several elderly people were washing clothes, and children were playing in the courtyard.
Shen Meng’s arrival attracted attention. She surveyed the area and said, “Auntie, hello. Is Jiang Huan living here?”
“Oh, what a beautiful young lady! Looking for Jiang Huan? She’s here. Jiang Huan, someone is looking for you! Come out!”
“Calling out, I hear you.”
Jiang Huan had just finished dealing with her mischievous son, who nearly broke someone’s window with his slingshot. Troublemakers always cause trouble. If he broke the window, they’d have to pay for repairs and apologize. It was a real headache.
She was annoyed, but hearing someone call her name, she grumbled her way to the door. Peeking out, she was momentarily stunned, thinking she might have been mistaken.
“Hey! Xiao Meng, why are you here?”
“Jiang Jie, I’ve finished my business in the provincial capital. I came to see you. I’m leaving tomorrow.”
Jiang Huan was delighted to see Shen Meng carrying so many things. She hadn’t expected to meet such a kind young lady.
“Come in, come in! I didn’t know you were here. I was just scolding my naughty boy. He almost broke someone’s window.”
“Boys can be mischievous. My kids are the same. Are you off work today, Jiang Jie?”
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Guests arrived, and the children playing in the courtyard gathered at the entrance, their heads held high, as if a visitor’s arrival was a significant event.
“These are some candies, pastries, and fruits for the kids. This is chocolate. We got two boxes from an overseas business partner in the county. Try it sometime, Jiang Jie.”
Shen Meng didn’t bother to introduce everything. Apples, canned fruits, and malt extract were all scarce items.
“Oh, you brought so much! You’re too kind, Xiao Meng. I’ll keep the fruits and candies. Please take the rest back for your children. Wait here, I’ll go buy some vegetables. We’ll have lunch together. Try my cooking. I’ll make dumplings.”
“No, no, Jiang Jie. I have plans later. I just wanted to say goodbye before leaving tomorrow. It’s fate that we’ve met. I admire you, and I don’t want our relationship to end like this.”
Jiang Huan was touched. From Shen Meng’s words, she sensed that Shen Meng wasn’t an ordinary person. She herself was just a simple villager; she’d never seen chocolate before. She had seen foreigners on the street a few times, but never spoken to one.
This young lady was capable. That she still came to see her before leaving was truly impressive. She felt a surge of pride.
“Mom, I want candy!”
Jiang Huan’s son called out, her face slightly reddened. Shen Meng chuckled, opened a bag of fruit candies, and tossed some to the children.
“Go share them!”
The children cried out with joy and scattered. The woman who had helped Shen Meng call Jiang Huan also approached.
“Seeing the children sharing the candies, I want to thank you, Comrade. Jiang Huan, what’s the relationship between you two?”
“She’s my sister. Thank you, Cai Da Niang. Take these candies.”
Jiang Huan gave Cai Da Niang a few candies and quickly put the other items away in the inner room, for fear that Cai Da Niang might ask for more.
Shen Meng pretended not to notice.
When Jiang Huan came out, Cai Da Niang had already left.
“Sister, don’t mind her. We all live in the same courtyard. Some people just love to take advantage.”
“It’s okay. Our village is the same. Jiang Jie, your house seems a bit small. Didn’t you and your husband get housing allocation? You’re still renting?”
Jiang Huan sighed. If they could get housing allocation, who would want to cram their whole family into such a small house? It was unavoidable. The time limit had come. She had children, but they never got their turn. She had given gifts and sought help, but nothing worked. It always weighed heavy on her heart.
