Chapter 78: The Flowers at Home Bloom and Wither Only for You

After the rush subsided, the proprietress, having some leisure, overheard snippets of their conversation. Seeing Jiang Fan preparing to help Zhang Xiaoye, she immediately took out ten yuan and handed it to Zhang Xiaoye, saying, “Everyone’s having a hard time. Keep this money with you for safety. If you ever have nothing to eat, come to me.”

Zhang Xiaoye gently pushed the proprietress’s hand away, bowed deeply to her, and replied, “Thank you, Madam. Brother Fan can help me with food and lodging, so I don’t usually spend any money.”

The two then went to the dumpling shop. Jiang Fan handed his last ninety-six yuan to Huang Guihua, asking her to take Zhang Xiaoye to buy two sets of clothes and then help her take a shower.

Jiang Fan stayed at the dumpling shop, concealing the fact that Zhang Xiaoye had been humiliated, and instead told Uncle Qiu and Aunt Qiu about her other experiences. He hoped the couple could temporarily take her in and provide her with meals, while he figured out how to arrange for her to work at Dafeng.

Kind-hearted Uncle Qiu replied, “If she helps out, it’s not right if we don’t pay her. How about this: I’ll give her three yuan for every day she helps, just count the days she works.”

The dumpling shop didn’t earn much. The old couple had always taken turns working late without hiring anyone for this reason. Now, with Huang Guihua already arranged, Jiang Fan didn’t want to trouble them further. “Once I return to Dafeng, I’ll arrange a job for her. No need to pay her now, just take care of her daily needs.”

As the three chatted, Huang Guihua returned to the shop with Zhang Xiaoye, now fresh from a shower.

Huang Guihua handed the remaining fifty-plus yuan to Jiang Fan. “Brother, Yezi only bought discounted clothes. Two sets cost forty yuan, this is what’s left.”

Jiang Fan took the money and teased Huang Guihua, “Having you, the thrifty one, buy clothes was the right choice. Xiaoye can’t bear to spend, and you help me save money too, don’t you?”

Huang Guihua smiled, “I agree with Yezi. As long as the clothes are wearable, that’s enough. We children from poor families don’t fuss over such things.”

Jiang Fan flicked Huang Guihua lightly on the forehead, “You’re getting better at talking now.”

He then handed the money to Zhang Xiaoye. “Keep it with you. Buy whatever you need. There are bad people outside, so stay here and don’t wander. Don’t worry about work, in a couple of days you’ll be arranged into the factory.”

Having washed away the dirt and changed into new clothes, Zhang Xiaoye looked entirely different. Though not strikingly beautiful, she at least deserved to be called “pretty.”

With a temporary place to stay and less fear, her cheeks had gained some color, and her large eyes sparkled with vitality.

Hearing Jiang Fan wanted her to keep all the money, she quickly refused, “Brother Fan, I have food and a place to stay here, I don’t need money. You’ve helped me so much already, how could I take your money?”

Jiang Fan feigned seriousness, “Now that you call me brother like Xiaohua does, you’re not allowed to be polite. You must accept the money, or you can’t call me brother. Girls always need a little money for themselves.”

Thinking Jiang Fan was truly angry, Zhang Xiaoye finally accepted the money. “Thank you, brother.”

To help Zhang Xiaoye feel less like an outsider, Jiang Fan joked, “That’s right. Speak with confidence, don’t be like when we first met, quieter than a mosquito. How are Uncle and Aunt supposed to hear you?”

Uncle Qiu interjected, “Xiao Jiang, you haven’t been here long and you’re already up to mischief, teasing your old uncle now!”

Jiang Fan quickly waved his hands in explanation, “Uncle, I didn’t mean it that way.”

The hundred yuan left by Wang Wenyu before leaving was now gone, but Jiang Fan didn’t feel regret for the money. Instead, he felt the joy of giving, like the lingering fragrance after offering a rose.

There were only a few tables in the shop, with two young girls serving. Jiang Fan’s presence felt a bit out of place.

Before lunch, Jiang Fan left the dumpling shop and returned to his rented place, just as Xiao Yuxin was opening her stall.

As he helped move fruit crates, he asked Xiao Yuxin, “Sister Xin, at breakfast today, someone called my name. Did you tell the neighboring shops about me?”

Xiao Yuxin was busy arranging the fruit Jiang Fan brought out onto the shelves, and admitted, “They all asked, so I told them. Names are meant to be called, what’s there to hide?”

Jiang Fan pointed at Xiao Yuxin, smiling, “Evasive! Did you only tell them my name, or something else? The breakfast stall lady who didn’t know me said things she couldn’t have come up with herself. My wife says you’re not simple. I seriously suspect the things she said this morning were all coached by you.”

Xiao Yuxin pursed her lips and smiled, “I did coach her. Do you want to hit Sister Xin too? All these shops are small businesses, and the rent isn’t cheap. The ruffians collect plenty every month, but they spend it like water, and when they run out, they start trouble, demanding money over and over. These small businesses can’t handle their harassment. Since I know you, I thought I could help out the neighbors. If you want to blame someone, blame me, don’t blame them.”

Jiang Fan pretended to be helpless, “You’re my wife’s Sister Xin. If I blame you, she’ll deal with me. Do you think I dare?”

Xiao Yuxin pouted, “Don’t make yourself sound so pitiful. Who believes you’ll get scolded? I’m your wife’s Sister Xin, but am I not yours too?”

Jiang Fan quickly nodded, “Yes, yes, you’re Sister Xin to both of us.”

They worked together and finished arranging the fruit quickly. After washing her hands in the kitchen, Xiao Yuxin said, “Don’t blame me, helping these people is a good deed.”

Jiang Fan replied, “I was just joking. How could I blame you for this? Those thugs collecting protection money are big and burly, but unwilling to work, always scheming for easy gains and disturbing others. They deserve to be dealt with.”

If I’d known how much evil they’d done, yesterday when I stood up to that thug, I should have gone further and made him lose his manhood, so he’d never reproduce.”

As he spoke, Jiang Fan lifted his leg in a mock kneeing motion.

One hand shielding his chest, single-legged and single-handed, he looked especially comical.

Xiao Yuxin bent over, laughing, “The words are crude, the gesture ugly, but I like hearing it, and I like seeing it too.”

Hearing her say she “likes to see,” Jiang Fan couldn’t help glancing at her collar.

Under her open thin jacket, she wore a silk blouse. Having given birth just a year ago, she had fully regained her curvaceous figure, and her already full upper body was even more prominent due to her nursing period.

Jiang Fan was momentarily dazed, his body reacting.

Over the past couple of days, he’d shared a bed with Wang Wenyu, and the ambiguous remarks she made often included the phrase “like to see.”

Jiang Fan’s little gesture didn’t escape Xiao Yuxin’s sharp gaze. She noticed his reaction and quietly reproached herself, “No man is a good one.”

Though she scolded him, she didn’t feel any aversion. Xiao Yuxin pretended to head into the shop, turned her back to Jiang Fan, bent over and stuck out her hips, adjusting the laces of her sneakers, showing off her proud curves.

Just as Jiang Fan was entranced, Xiao Yuxin straightened up and turned to him, hinting, “Everyone appreciates beauty. For a responsible man, admiring other women’s beauty requires the restraint of having desire but not the nerve—a true hero.”

“Ahem, ahem,” Jiang Fan coughed awkwardly, “Sorry, Sister Xin, it’s just that you’re so beautiful—I got distracted.”

“Admiring the beauty of the opposite sex is human nature. But when you’re in a relationship, while you appreciate wildflowers, don’t forget the flower at home blooms and withers only for you. Xiaoyu is devoted to you, don’t let her down.”

Jiang Fan was moved, “Sister Xin, I never expected you’d use your beauty to test me.”

Xiao Yuxin shook her head, speaking earnestly, “This isn’t a test, just seeing how much self-control you have. Remember, being together, Xiaoyu bears much more pressure than you. Treasure her well.”