Chapter 78: Plans
“You three little brats have occupied the household’s house for so long, where is it that you don’t need to compensate for the rent or pay for the house damage?”
“You’re still getting fierce? Still your home? How did the house end up taking your surname just from living in it?”
“The owner herself hasn’t said anything yet, and you’re the first to start clamoring—behave yourselves, don’t shout nonsense!”
Director Liu’s series of scoldings seemed fierce on the surface, but weren’t they actually another form of explanation, with a touch of compassion inside?
Among the three, the oldest Xiao Qiao immediately caught the hint, raised his head to look at the house owner who was only a few years older than him, “We’ll make up the money!”
As long as she didn’t sue them or have them arrested, no matter how much money… they would make it up…
He touched the only possessions this home had in his pants pocket—eighty fen and five—bitterness filled Xiao Qiao’s eyes: this amount probably wasn’t even enough for the interest.
“Bro! We…” Where did they have money to make up?
Seeing him shake his head at him with a warning look in his eyes, Tang Feng silently swallowed the second half of his words, while pulling back Xiao Tong who had darted out behind him, not the least bit obedient.
The three brothers: the oldest was sixteen, the youngest had just turned ten.
In the most difficult year, it was because of this home’s existence that they all managed to survive smoothly.
Compensation was due, but how many paper boxes would they have to paste to make enough!
They originally thought Bridge Bro had found a good path, that their days were about to improve and they were finally getting through, who would have thought… life gave them another head-on blow.
“Comrade Su.”
Su Ning, who was deep in thought, raised her eyes and followed his gesture to walk aside with him at the same time.
The window on the second floor was quite large; standing here looking out offered a broad view, not only taking in the entire yard but also clearly seeing the alleys on both sides.
“This Xiao Qiao…”
Director Liu only started and couldn’t help but let out a long sigh; probably everyone in their area knew about the Xiao family matters.
It had just been a few years since they last saw him, and he never expected this kid to have come over here, bringing two even younger children with him to make a living.
How old was he himself that year they lost sight of him? Full count, not even nine years old, and who knows how he got through these years.
Back then, the Xiao family daughter-in-law accidentally killed her husband, and the Xiao family old couple made a huge fuss because they were dissatisfied she wasn’t sentenced to peanuts but sent down for reform through labor.
From grandparents down to uncles, aunts, not one was willing to take him in, even though little Bridge was their Xiao family blood, the only son of the deceased Xiao Yong.
The Xiao family’s hearts were truly ruthless!
Such a young child, how much ration could he produce each day; even pasting together a bowl of thin rice soup could raise a person!
“No one on his grandpa and granny’s side to take care of him?”
Director Liu shook his head, thinking of that woman, his eyes full of sympathy and pity, “Little Bridge’s mom was a child bride raised by the Xiao family, picked up as a child, she doesn’t even know where her own family is.”
Not enough that she was bullied by the whole family while working like an ox and horse, she also had to suffer constant domestic violence from her alcoholic husband—wasn’t it just bullying her for having no maternal family to rely on or back her up?
Silently despising the Xiao family’s inhuman behavior, Director Liu glanced at the several half-grown boys over there who were hanging their heads discussing something, “Comrade Su, you see this situation is indeed special… could you…”
He only got this far and found it hard to continue.
Calculated, it wasn’t one or two bucks or even dozens, it was several hundred bucks—who’s money blew in with the wind? Even he himself, wanting to help, had to first consider his own family’s situation, whether he could take out a hundred or so bucks!
His verbal good intentions, how could he morally bind a little girl like that?
His old face reddened, Director Liu looked at her apologetically, “Sorry, Comrade Su, pretend I didn’t say anything.”
She gently waved her hand; Su Ning knew what he wanted to say but didn’t finish, and understood why he was going back on his words like this.
Human nature at birth is inherently good.
Even the worst beast might have a soft spot deep down that others don’t know about, let alone ordinary folks like them.
Everyone has their own conscience and kindness; it’s just reality forces most to choose to look the other way coldly.
……
At her request, Director Liu left the small Western-style building first, taking Ma Teng with him, looking back every few steps.
Bewildered Ma Teng scratched his chin, puzzledly followed and looked back once, then leaned close to ask, “Director, what did Comrade Su mean? No need for us to help mediate and assist?”
“That house is taken back, do you think Comrade Su will consider renting or selling it?”
“Mind your own business everywhere, why meddle so much! Have you finished the population census registration over at Fengwei? Filled out the forms uniformly? Or don’t you want your marriage leave approved?”
This barrage of bombardment made Ma Teng instantly shrink back his head, stashing away all those little thoughts cleanly.
……
The two men’s voices gradually faded, their figures soon disappearing around the corner.
Su Ning, standing by the window and withdrawing her gaze, turned back to the three who were standing silently, “What are your names and how old are you?”
“I’m Xiao Qiao, sixteen; he’s Tang Feng, fourteen; the youngest Yan Tong just turned ten.”
Taking a small step forward, Xiao Qiao’s face and eyes bore weathering not fitting his age.
The youthful innocence and sharpness a teenager should have were forcibly matured into steadiness and restraint.
“Comrade Su, just say it—how much compensation exactly do you need?”
“Do you have money?”
“……”
Somewhat embarrassed and troubled, he pinched the seam of his pants, took a deep breath, and Xiao Qiao tentatively said, “One month—could we owe for one month first? I can find someone to guarantee and sign an IOU; definitely pay it off after one month!”
“Oh? What job can let you pay off such a large amount in one month?”
“You woman, why are you so nagging? My Bridge Bro never lies; he said one month and it’s one month— we’ll pay back the money, and you still care where it comes from? Aren’t you meddling too much!”
Such a hot temper, ignites at a touch, like a little firecracker.
Amused, she lowered her head looking at Yan Tong with eyes full of wariness, who had treated her as an invader since coming in, “Don’t you know talking like that makes you unpopular?”
“Of course I have to ask clearly about this money; what if it’s from some improper means…”
“You’re talking nonsense! You’re a bad person!”
Though teasing the child, it was also probing; Su Ning didn’t miss the flash of panic in Xiao Qiao’s eyes the moment she spoke.
“Unpopular then unpopular, I don’t care—who needs them to like me! I wuwu…”
Like a cat whose tail was stepped on and bristling, Yan Tong’s round eyes instantly turned red; before he finished his long string of words, Tang Feng directly blocked his mouth with his hand.
“Xiao Tong, listen to big bro; shut your mouth obediently when it’s time to!”
“Wuwu~ mmph~”
Little brat not big in age but big in temper.
“Sorry, Comrade Su, Xiao Tong he…”
“It’s fine.”
Tang Feng gave her an awkward smile; hearing she didn’t seem angry or holding a grudge, he dragged and pulled the person behind himself.
“Xiao Qiao, have you been to school?”
“Attended primary school for three years.”
Back then he was young, and mom wanted him to study…
Xiao Qiao’s mouth curved into a cold smile, scrambling the images that involuntarily surfaced in his mind, steadying himself before continuing, “Later followed an old man and learned some; I recognize all the characters.”
He didn’t know her intention in asking, but now they were the ones begging, so answer whatever was asked.
“I have a job here; do you want to do it?”
“Hm?”
What did that mean?
Looking at her puzzled, Xiao Qiao was somewhat surprised, “Comrade Su, I don’t quite understand what you mean…”
“Simply put, I have something that needs you to do long-term; the salary will offset the rent for this small Western-style building.”
“You mean as long as I agree, we can continue living here, work in lieu of rent?”
Seeing her nod, and his two younger brothers beaming with joy, Xiao Qiao didn’t agree right away but carefully pondered in his heart.
According to what Director Liu said, and the info they gathered before, renting such a big small Western-style building would cost at least five or six bucks a month.
Not to mention house compensation, just the rent over these years added up to quite a bit.
Just like she asked before, what job or work could exchange for so much money?
He had originally planned to agree and go to the black market with Brother Leopard; if lucky, what he could get in a month would be enough to pay back.
He had hesitated before only because his two younger brothers were still small; if something happened to him, what about them?
But now…
Su Ning’s arrival was like adding another path to his life.
“Can I ask what job it is? What work do I need to do?”
“You know the black market, right?”
As expected, all heading down the dark path.
Xiao Qiao couldn’t say what thoughts or feelings stirred, but deep down he knew in this world, the fastest way to make money was inevitably reselling.
