Volume One, Chapter 13: A Single Move Worth Two Hundred Dollars

Song Yi and Shang Chen stood in the courtyard, naturally overhearing the conversation between Sister Wang and the others.

Had she been seventeen or eighteen, she might have been embarrassed to tears by now, but at this moment, she only found it amusing.

And that Sister Wang really had a sharp tongue—she could twist black into white. If she were in business, no one could possibly outmatch her.

Shang Chen, of course, heard the comments too. His thick black eyebrows furrowed tightly. “If it bothers you, I’ll speak to Director Ji about it tomorrow.”

Song Yi shook her head. “No need. Such trivial matters don’t warrant troubling Director Ji. Besides, I plan to go into business myself. If I can’t even handle basic interpersonal relationships, then there’s no point in pursuing any business plans.”

Might as well just go home and dig sweet potatoes.

Shang Chen did not press further. “If it really becomes unmanageable, just let me know. I’ll handle it properly.”

There was no way his woman would suffer any grievance.

Song Yi felt a warmth in her heart and gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.

In her previous life, she had lived with Xie Yu for thirty-five years, yet he had never spoken to her like this.

Sometimes, growing impatient, he would even say that his mother was always picking faults with her, implying the problem was with her, urging her to reflect on herself.

She wondered what kind of woman would be fortunate enough in the future to marry Shang Chen—a man so good to her.

Just then, Li Wan entered, holding An’an’s hand in one and a plate of watermelon in the other.

“Company Commander Shang, Comrade Song, I sliced some watermelon at home but couldn’t finish it, so I brought some for you to try.”

Song Yi accepted it with a smile. “Thank you, I won’t refuse. Please come in and have a seat. And thank you for what you said earlier.”

Having overheard Sister Wang’s remarks, she naturally heard Li Wan’s defense of her, and felt deeply grateful.

Li Wan sat on the sofa with An’an, a little embarrassed. “I was just speaking the truth. I know Company Commander Shang well—he’s a man of strong temperament. He wouldn’t do anything he didn’t want to.”

It was nothing like what Sister Wang and the others said—coercion, being enchanted, or some favor given—making it seem as if Commander Shang was a pliable dough to be kneaded at will.

Song Yi didn’t know much about Shang Chen, so she remained quiet, handing her teacup to Li Wan while eyeing An’an.

“That’s your son? He looks so well-behaved.”

An’an was six years old this year, shy by nature, with a gentle and soft expression.

When Song Yi addressed him, he shyly said, “Hello, Auntie. You’re very pretty too.”

Prettier than anyone he had ever seen, like a movie star on a calendar.

Song Yi’s heart melted. She lifted him onto her lap and gave him a milk candy.

“Thank you, An’an, for complimenting Auntie. Here, have some candy.”

An’an didn’t take it immediately but looked to Li Wan first. Seeing her nod, he accepted it softly. “Thank you, Auntie.”

Song Yi replied lightly, “You’re welcome,” holding An’an, she began chatting with Li Wan.

Hearing Song Yi say she wanted to buy reference books, Li Wan asked curiously, “Why buy reference books? Are you going back to school?”

Song Yi didn’t hide the truth, offering her a piece of watermelon. “To be precise, I’m planning to take the college entrance exam next year.”

Her education wasn’t just junior high as Zheng Hongxia claimed, but she had dropped out in the second year of high school.

The reason was simple: Song Chen’s family felt girls didn’t need education, constantly interfering in their affairs. Her mother had been driven to tears several times.

Not wanting to make things difficult for her mother, and wholly intent on marrying Xie Yu, she had voluntarily quit school.

Her homeroom teacher said she was a good student and could definitely get into college, urging her to reconsider seriously.

But she thought: Xie Yu was already a college student; why bother going to college? With Xie Yu, she wouldn’t have to suffer.

She was certain her head must have been full of bubbles back then.

“You study so well? You know, I happen to know where to find those reference books—a bookstore near Anshi University. I have some free time; I can accompany you.”

In Li Wan’s eyes, anyone preparing for the college entrance exam must be outstanding academically.

For a moment, her gaze was filled with admiration for Song Yi.

Feeling a little awkward to explain, Song Yi told Shang Chen and prepared to go out with Li Wan.

Shang Chen stopped her, pulling out two hundred-yuan bills.

“Buy whatever daily necessities you need. If you don’t like how the house is arranged, you can get some new bedding sets.”

Until now, he hadn’t thought he would marry Song Yi; the bedding was still the army issue—solid army green.

He worried she wouldn’t like it.

Song Yi tried to refuse, but Shang Chen caught her hand and pressed the money into it.

“Be careful on the way.”

She had no choice but to take the money and nodded. “Okay.”

Li Wan watched from the side, eyes tinged with envy.

Commander Shang was really good to her.

Two hundred yuan at once—consider that the current workers barely earned eighty a month.

She worked at a cotton mill, making seventy a month, and she was a senior employee.

The newcomers earned at most thirty a month.

Yet Commander Shang gave two hundred at once—that was three months’ wages for her.

Song Yi pressed her lips shyly. “He is a good person.”

At least in matters concerning her, Shang Chen had never wronged her; it was she who felt guilty.

After all... she was determined to get a divorce.

By 1988, Anshi had a bus system. Song Yi and Li Wan took An’an to Anshi University by bus.

Perhaps sensing the news, many street vendors had appeared along the roads.

The vendors sold a wide variety of goods—food, small commodities, and sundries.

Seeing them, some shrewd sellers greeted them warmly.

Song Yi’s interest was piqued. As she and Li Wan browsed, she started contemplating what kind of business to start.

In her previous life, when the economy was dire, she had tried street vending but not only failed to make money, she lost her capital.

For years afterward, Zheng Hongxia had scolded her for it; even in old age, she would grumble about it.

Looking back now, the losses were partly due to her personality—she wasn’t good at attracting customers—and partly because the goods lacked distinctiveness.

So what kind of business would be good this time?

Watching the young men and women bustling about on the street, her eyes brightened suddenly.

She could sell hair ornaments.

Though hair accessories were cheap, the profit margin was large. Back then, to make Xie Yifei the prettiest girl in class, she had personally crafted hair decorations.

Compared to that era, the hairpieces of this time were on a completely different level.

Her mind was made up, and her steps grew lighter.

After visiting the bookstore and department store, she asked Li Wan where to find a tailor’s shop.

“A tailor’s? You want to make clothes?”

Times had changed; people preferred ready-made garments because they were beautiful and well-cut, causing tailor shops to decline.

Song Yi smiled mysteriously at Li Wan. “No, I want to buy some fabric scraps. What for, I’ll tell you later.”