Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: Making Connections

Zheng Gang glanced at Sun Yaqin and smiled, but a fleeting look of disdain in his eyes was keenly caught by Sun Yaqin.
“Yaqin, Yanyan was raised by my mother. Today was just a misunderstanding. I’ll talk to my mom later. There’s no need for our families to fall out over such a trivial matter. Besides, where our parents stay when they come to the city—this house is small, and Yanyan is grown now. It’s inconvenient for the elderly couple to stay here.”
Sun Yaling squeezed her sister’s hand, signaling her to stay quiet. Although Sun Yaqin was upset, it seemed her eldest sister had other plans, so she held back out of respect.
Seeing this, Zheng Gang said no more and left directly.
Sun Yaqin stayed at her eldest sister’s house that night and was off to the market early the next morning.
She sold all the goods she had and worried that Xu Tao might return to collect the goods and find her absent. Xu Tao didn’t even know where she lived, nor was he afraid she would run off.
On the afternoon before the little New Year's Eve, both Sun Liancheng and Xu Tao returned. This time, their haul was considerable, especially for Sun Liancheng. There was so much merchandise that he couldn’t transport it alone and enlisted the help of Fourth Uncle’s son, Chen Da.
“Sun Yaqin, your idea was really good. You don’t know, the night before last when the village meeting was held, I handed that stack of brand-new ten-yuan bills to Fourth Uncle and Aunt, and the villagers’ eyes nearly popped out. That very night, quite a few neighbors brought over wild game they couldn’t finish at home,” Sun Liancheng laughed heartily.
Sun Yaqin had been in low spirits these past days because of her eldest sister’s situation, looking listless.
“Alright, big brother, hurry up and set up the goods. We’re counting on selling more these couple of days.”
Noticing her odd mood, Sun Liancheng squatted beside her. “What’s wrong? Did someone bully you?”
“Who would bully me?”
Sun Liancheng’s expression darkened. “If not you, then it must be big sister. Did Zheng Gang bully her?”
“No, big brother, don’t ask,” Sun Yaqin avoided his gaze and resumed shouting out her wares.
In recent days, Sun Yaqin had become familiar with the uncles and aunts who frequented the market. Seeing she had goods today, they immediately gathered around.
“Aunt Wang, you’re preparing for the New Year again today.”
“Oh yes, the New Year’s almost here, and the kids are all coming back. We have to prepare plenty.”
That evening, at least two-thirds of the new stock was sold.
“Yaqin, Liancheng, and little Chen Da, if you don’t mind, I’ll treat you all to a meal today. Liancheng has been helping out a lot lately. Just give me the chance,” Xu Tao said with a cheerful smile, no longer displaying the impatience he had when they first met.
“If someone’s treating us to a meal, I won’t refuse,” Sun Liancheng said.
Chen Da chimed in, “I’m with big brother Liancheng.”
Sun Yaqin naturally had no objections. She turned to Sun Liancheng. “Big brother, you guys pack up first. I’ll go tell big sister I won’t stay at her place tonight.”
“Alright, we’ll wait for you at the restaurant.”
Sun Yaqin went back to greet her eldest sister. Noticing her brother-in-law Zheng Gang was not around, she chatted a bit more with her.
“Big sister, we’re family. If you’re wronged, just tell the family. Mom and Dad aren’t the narrow-minded type. Don’t bottle things up.”
Sun Yaling smiled helplessly. “Yaqin, don’t worry. I used to think it was best to just endure whatever happened, no matter how Zheng Gang’s family treated me.
I never imagined they looked down on our parents from the bottom of their hearts. I thought our parents came to Beibin relying on the Zhengs.
But I’m going to slap Zheng Gang right across the face.”
Her words pleased Sun Yaqin. In her past life, she had always thought her eldest sister was honest and patient, but now, perhaps because some things had gone differently this time, her sister had seen the true nature of the Zheng family.
“If you have a plan, big sister, I won’t say more.”
Sun Yaling affectionately ruffled Sun Yaqin’s hair. “Our little girl has grown up and knows how to care for her big sister now.
Liancheng and the others are still waiting for you. It’ll get dark soon, so hurry back. Tell your big brother to drink less.”
“I know, big sister.” Sun Yaqin’s tone was noticeably lighter than before.
When Sun Yaqin arrived at the restaurant, the others had already ordered.
“Yaqin, here’s the price and quantity list for the stock we took this time. I just double-checked it with big brother Liancheng.”
Sun Yaqin calculated the bill. After deducting costs, each person had over three hundred yuan left.
After dividing the money, Xu Tao took out fifty yuan and handed it to Sun Liancheng. “Big brother Liancheng, this isn’t much, but it’s my token of gratitude. You’ve helped a lot these days, so don’t refuse.”
“This... this... I really can’t accept this. When you eat someone’s food, you owe them. I’ve already eaten your meals, so I definitely can’t take the money,” Sun Liancheng refused Xu Tao’s money no matter what. But Sun Yaqin had a different idea.
“Brother Xu Tao, since Chen Da is here today, the wild game business can last several more years. My Fourth Uncle—Chen Da’s father—is an expert hunter. If you want to continue, Chen Da can supply you.”
Chen Da hadn’t expected Sun Yaqin to entrust such a profitable business to him. He had only come to help.
“Yaqin, that won’t do. This is a great opportunity you found. How can I snatch it? If my dad finds out, he’d kill me.”
“Brother Chen Da, I only planned to sell during the New Year. You can ask Brother Xu Tao.
Besides... this business looks good now, but the country is implementing economic reforms. I heard that over in Shenzhen, two years ago, they stopped using ration coupons for grain and meat. I believe other places will lift restrictions soon.
When meat and eggs are widely available, and individual vendors can sell them, this business will definitely be affected.”
Xu Tao widened his eyes in disbelief. “You mean you can buy things in Shenzhen without coupons?”
“Not just Shenzhen. Many cities nationwide are piloting reforms.”
Sun Liancheng nodded in agreement. “Yaqin is right. I went on a business trip to Shenzhen in June. There, you don’t need ration coupons to buy anything. Grain, oil, food—all are openly supplied, and prices are deregulated.”
Sun Liancheng had noticed his sister’s recent changes and found them odd. He looked at Sun Yaqin suspiciously. “Since when did you start paying attention to these things?”