Chapter 10: Prospects at Work

That night, several members of the Cheng family dreamt of gnawing on big bone sticks.

Before dawn the next day, Su Li, accustomed to waking early, stretched briefly, washed up, applied a touch of fragrance, and meticulously pinned her hair at the back.

Looking into the mirror, Su Li nodded and smiled.

“Not bad.”

She changed into clean clothes, packed a few mooncakes, and stepped outside to call the eldest son, Cheng Jundong.

“Big brother, the cart’s all laid out nicely. I’ve told you before to keep a keen eye.”

“Alright, I’m going now.”

Cheng Jundong hurried to prepare the cart, while the fifth son, Cheng Junguo, grinned as he dashed over.

“Mom, let me come too. I haven’t been to town in days.”

He was reluctant to work in the fields—his shoulders still ached from carrying yellow mud the day before.

Su Li hesitated but knew she couldn’t refuse outright; the fifth son might become suspicious.

She flashed a knowing smile and patted the paper package in her hand.

“I didn’t even have to ask—you know I want you to come. See, I even packed mooncakes for you.”

Cheng Junguo looked down at the package.

He had thought his mother was teasing him, but to his surprise, she truly had brought mooncakes.

He held no grand expectations; nobody could get a job just by handing over a few mooncakes.

“Mom, it’s like we’re truly on the same wavelength.”

“You’re truly well-read, my son.”

Su Li praised him casually, and Cheng Junguo’s sweet words made him puff up with pride.

With his goal achieved and spirits high, Cheng Junguo prepared to go, while Su Li turned back to manage the household.

“Today, don’t go help the fourth brother’s family in the fields. Stay home to cook; I’ll have lunch sent to the fields. Fry some eggs for lunch—I’ve already taken them out.”

“Handle the rest of the dishes as you see fit. I’ve left all the grain in the kitchen for you.”

Old Madam Su ran the household strictly; all the grain was kept in her room, and she doled out fixed amounts daily. When she went out, she always locked her door.

The fourth daughter-in-law, Zhang Mingyue, responded gently but inwardly grumbled: The old lady must have taken the grain again, thinking she’s a treasure trove—turning a grain into a pot.

Zhang Mingyue didn’t want to take the blame and was determined to show everyone that the old lady’s portion was too small and that she hadn’t secretly pocketed any.

“Mom—why did you take—”

Zhang Mingyue’s words cut off abruptly.

“So much?”

Su Li saw through it but said nothing, shooting her a disdainful glance.

“What are you making such a fuss about? This isn’t a lot. It’s the busiest time for work, and these are all my own sons and grandchildren. How could I let them work on empty stomachs?”

Ignoring Zhang Mingyue’s glum face, Su Li turned to the others.

“Tonight, we’ll stew big bone sticks for you to replenish your strength. No slacking off on work.”

“I bought these so you could earn your work points. Anyone who slacks off will just have to watch us gnaw on these big bone sticks.”

After Su Li’s words, the other families chuckled quietly, while the second son’s family smiled bitterly.

This was clearly aimed at them!

Li Meilan, the second daughter-in-law, glanced at her husband, who whispered, “It’s fine. At worst, we won’t shirk work today. We just need to earn eight work points.”

Usually, they only managed five or six points, but if they completed eight, Old Madam Su wouldn’t scold them.

Li Meilan nodded firmly, thinking of the delicious bone stew.

Su Li noticed and smiled slightly.

That patch of corn on the west side was worth twelve work points.

With tasks arranged, Zhang Mingyue prepared breakfast while the others headed to the fields.

Su Li, Cheng Jundong, and Cheng Junguo ate first, then set off for town.

Cheng Jundong helped Su Li onto the cart, and she rarely showed such a gentle smile as she praised him.

“Big brother, you’re getting sharper all the time.”

Cheng Jundong chuckled softly, not good with words but feeling as sweet as honey inside.

Cheng Junguo, having done nothing, felt a surge of anxiety and quickly offered sweetly, “Mom, I’ll pick some mulberry leaves to shade you from the sun—it’s too hot.”

“Good.”

After about fifty minutes, the three arrived in town and headed to the meat market.

The pork belly was long sold out, but there were still some big bones and a small piece of lard. Su Li bought them all.

Afterward, they went to the Tobacco and Alcohol Bureau.

Su Li was helped down by her two sons.

“Fifth son, watch the cart here. I’ll take your big brother inside to handle the paperwork first.”

Cheng Junguo agreed, watching Su Li and Cheng Jundong enter.

Director Jiang of the cement factory had already been informed; the paperwork went smoothly, and they were to start work that very evening.

Su Li and Cheng Jundong came out and found Cheng Junguo, standing together under the shade of a tree.

“Big brother, you go home and get ready. Fifth son will push me back later.”

Cheng Junguo nodded immediately. Without his big brother around, Old Madam Su wouldn’t put on a show, and he was sure he could get money from her. He’d been wanting to buy a shirt for a long time.

“Yes, big brother, you’d better hurry home. We have work tonight.”

“Fifth son, take it slow pushing me—don’t let Mom fall.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t!”

Cheng Jundong wasn’t entirely at ease but obediently left, carrying the big bone sticks and lard back home.

Once Cheng Jundong was out of sight, Cheng Junguo eagerly approached.

“Mom—”

The drawn-out “Mom” told Su Li something was up.

“Mom, can you buy me a shirt? All my classmates have one, but I don’t. They laugh at me when we go out.”

“What? They laugh at you?”

Su Li looked at Cheng Junguo worriedly. “Son, I have to tell you—we can’t play with people like that. True friends wouldn’t behave that way.”

Cheng Junguo mumbled—was that really the point?

After another round of coaxing, Su Li suddenly understood.

“You silly child, if you want something, just ask me directly. You scared me—I thought someone was bullying you.”

“We’ll go to the cement factory first. After that, I’ll buy it for you.”

Su Li promised, and Cheng Junguo smiled sweetly. “Mom, you’re so good.”

They went to the cement factory, where Su Li told Cheng Junguo to wait nearby.

“You wait here. Mom will go in by herself.”

“Okay.”

Cheng Junguo didn’t mind and watched as Su Li went to the gate. Soon, a middle-aged man appeared.

He had been to their home at the time of Cheng Junguo’s father’s funeral; Cheng Junguo recognized him.

From Cheng Junguo’s perspective, Su Li bent her waist, visibly humble.

Though the man owed the Cheng family his life and was younger than Su Li, his back was straight, and his face bore an expression of impatience that Su Li couldn’t perceive.

Cheng Junguo watched as Su Li offered the mooncakes. The man frowned in distaste. Su Li spoke again, pointing to Cheng Junguo’s position. Begrudgingly, the man accepted.

In that moment, Cheng Junguo felt a strange, indescribable ache in his heart.

In truth, Su Li simply gave the mooncakes and quietly shared how she’d gotten by, without any fuss.

The gesture of pointing was to indicate that her son had brought her there.

Director Jiang was indeed displeased—Old Madam Su was too talkative, and the mooncakes were wrapped in newspaper so old the ink was nearly stuck to them.

“Director Jiang, I’ll be going now.”

Su Li turned and happily hurried back toward Cheng Junguo.

“Fifth son, the job is definitely secured.”

Cheng Junguo: “...”