After a hearty meal at Uncle Li's, Cheng You even felt like a bandit for taking fifty cents from him.
But Uncle Li was kind and insisted she take the money.
Old Mrs. Li said, "Nizi, why don't you come cook for me every day, and Grandma will pay you."
"Cook?" Cheng You was stunned. Could this earn money?
"Yes, just make dinner. I need to eat well to sleep soundly."
It was too hot at noon, and even the most delicious food might not be digestible.
Uncle Li thought for a moment, and it seemed like a good idea.
If someone could help around the house, he would have much less to worry about.
"What do you say, are you willing?"
Cheng You came to her senses and nodded repeatedly, "Of course, I'm willing."
Uncle Li chuckled, "But in that case, we can't just give you fifty cents each time."
Otherwise, fifteen yuan a month would be too much for him to bear.
"Uncle Li, what are you saying? I don't need wages, just let me have dinner."
Uncle Li's smile faded, and he put on a serious face, "If you don't want wages, then I won't hire you."
Old Mrs. Li also said, "That's right. Who doesn't want wages? We have to calculate work points even when we work in the fields."
With no way to refuse their kindness, Cheng You finally said, "Then how about three yuan a month?"
Uncle Li pondered for a moment, then shook his head, "No, three yuan is too little. How about five yuan?"
Cheng You gave a wry smile, afraid he would increase it further, and quickly agreed.
"Okay, then it's five yuan a month."
She was now someone who could earn money, and she felt happy just thinking about it.
"Then Uncle Li, Grandma, we'll head home now."
Seeing the sky gradually darkening, Cheng You was afraid that if she returned late, Cheng Tianhua wouldn't even leave the door open for her.
"Go back!"
As Cheng You and San Leng turned to leave, they saw Qi ChengYan walking in.
Even though the courtyard was spacious, the man's tall figure walking in exuded an oppressive aura, making Cheng You feel a sense of confinement.
"Qing Zhiqing, what a coincidence. Are you here for a check-up?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them.
She really didn't know how to speak!
Qi ChengYan nodded slightly, his long legs striding forward.
Uncle Li saw him and asked, "Does your leg hurt?"
Cheng You turned her head. From this angle, she could see his Adam's apple and the smooth line of his jaw.
Even his profile was so handsome, full of masculine charm.
Cheng You was a little dazed. This man truly fit her aesthetic perfectly.
"My leg hurts," he said, his voice deep, like a gentle tap on her eardrums, sending a tingle through her.
Uncle Li seemed surprised and stood up, "Your leg hurts?"
He asked again.
"Yes."
Qi ChengYan sat down and lifted his trouser leg to show him.
Cheng You's gaze followed downwards. Her lips parted slightly. The muscles in his slender calf bulged, looking strong and powerful.
She then looked at her own small arms and legs. Comparing people really made one angry.
"When did it start hurting? Tell me specifically?" Uncle Li's tone was a little excited.
He had been treating Qi ChengYan's leg for months with no improvement.
This was the only change in recent times.
"It started yesterday at noon."
Cheng You was stunned. That was when they were eating the wild chicken...
Could it be because of the Ningzhu?
She had heard that Qi ChengYan had an old leg injury that couldn't be healed, which was why he left the army.
San Leng urged, "Sis, let's go."
Cheng You snapped back to reality, realizing she had been staring. She quickened her pace to leave.
Back home, night had fallen, with a few streaks of red sunset in the sky.
As soon as she entered the door, she heard Song Yulian's sarcastic voice, "So late, anyone who didn't know would think you were out fooling around. We didn't save any dinner for you."
Cheng You smiled, "No need, I've already eaten at Uncle Li's."
Song Yulian was even more displeased upon hearing this.
Uncle Li was a person that everyone in Wujing Village, and even the Yangshu Brigade, wanted to curry favor with.
No matter who had a headache or a fever, they had to ask for his help.
Furthermore, he had never taken apprentices, and there were many people who wanted to help him with his work.
If one were chosen as an apprentice, since he had no children, all his possessions would eventually belong to that apprentice.
Song Yulian had originally considered this, but Cheng Tao was unwilling, finding it too tiring to run up the mountain all the time.
"You've really changed. You have someone backing you now, and your wings have hardened."
Cheng You paused, "Aunt Lian, if you treated me well, why would I need anyone to back me up?"
Cheng Tianhua walked out of the room, a look of anger on his face.
"How can you talk to your Aunt Lian like that? She's your elder!"
Cheng You sneered, "When my mother was alive, she never scolded me over half a bag of candy."
Song Yulian's face fell, and she complained to Cheng Tianhua, "I told you being a stepmother is difficult. Because of this, Cheng You hates me."
"If you knew being a stepmother was difficult, why did you rush into it?" Cheng You retorted sarcastically.
Cheng Tianhua felt that arguing at home late at night was not a good look, so he waved his hand, "That's enough! Your Aunt Lian isn't like your mother; she doesn't understand the hardships of life and spends money carelessly. She's always been thrifty, so of course, she'd be anxious seeing half a bag of candy gone."
Cheng You chuckled, "I suppose so."
Cheng Tianhua's words, instead of placating, made Song Yulian feel that something was amiss.
Coupled with Cheng You's sarcastic expression, a blatant mockery.
What did he mean by saying she was thrifty and anxious over half a bag of candy?
Wasn't he implying she was stingy?
Since it was too dark, bathing in the dark was not a wise choice.
Cheng You simply wiped herself clean, changed her clothes, and went back to her room.
Shortly after entering, she heard Cheng Wenyu's voice.
Cheng You raised an eyebrow and walked out.
"Why are you back so late?"
By the light of the kerosene lamp, she also noticed his brand-new military boots.
A pair of military boots cost several yuan, and Cheng Wenyu was clearly not someone who could afford that much.
"I told you to follow Zhao Yunlin, did you?"
Cheng Wenyu's face was clearly guilty, and he didn't dare to meet Cheng You's gaze.
"I... I followed him. He didn't watch a movie with anyone, and since you didn't go, he... he didn't watch one."
Cheng You's expression turned sarcastic, "Is that so? If he didn't watch a movie, why did he stay in the county town for the entire afternoon? Cheng Tao also went to the county town, and she took a box of face cream. Did you see her?"
"No!"
His denial was too quick, making Cheng You's heart turn cold.
"Cheng Wenyu, you're not lying to me, are you?" Cheng You asked.
Cheng Wenyu fell silent and shook his head.
Cheng You scoffed. She shouldn't have had any hope for this younger brother.
In his heart, even Cheng Tao was much more important than her.
"Zhao Yunlin cursed me today, saying I was shameless, that I was saved by a male educated youth from the educated youth point."
Anger flashed across Cheng Wenyu's childish face, "If he didn't save you, you would have died! That bastard Zhao Yunlin, I'll settle the score with him."
Cheng You stopped him. Cheng Wenyu was impulsive and didn't think things through; he might actually go to Old Zhao's house to beat someone up.
"If you hit him, the Zhao family will really break off the engagement with me."
"Let them break it off then! He's not worthy of you!"
Cheng You gave a wry smile, "Breaking off the engagement doesn't matter, but I'm afraid the Zhao family will blame me, saying my brother beat someone up, and I was carried by a male educated youth, so I deserved to have the engagement broken off."
"He dares!" Cheng Wenyu's face contorted in rage.
Cheng You: "He certainly dares. Alright, go back to sleep. I'm tired too."
Cheng Wenyu grunted in response.
Cheng You looked at him intently. Before closing the door, she said, "Your new shoes look nice."
Cheng Wenyu froze in place. The shoes on his feet felt as if they were burning him.
He stood at the doorstep for a long time, sweating coldly despite the summer heat.