Knowing He Junqing’s fatal flaw, Xu Ying shared her cunning plan with Gu Fuying. “Is this really possible?” Gu Fuying asked, her voice laced with doubt.
“Why not? We won’t spend his money. Just try the quilt. I think it’ll work,” Xu Qiuye interjected, her eyes sparkling with anticipation of He Junqing’s reaction.
The three friends retreated, their mission set.
The very next day, as expected, He Junqing appeared at the stroke of noon, seeking out Gu Fuying after work. Gu Fuying, her face etched with feigned anger, confronted him. “I’ve told you already, I don’t like you, so stop bothering me. You’re too old, older than my eldest brother. We are not suited for each other.”
He Junqing, ever the picture of earnest simplicity, offered his usual smile. “Fuying, I truly like you. I might be a little older, but I promise I’ll treat you well.”
Gu Fuying raised an eyebrow, a calculated glint in her eye. “You’ll treat me well? How good, exactly? Do you intend to give me all the money you earn?”
At these words, He Junqing’s honest smile faltered, a hint of embarrassment coloring his features. Seeing her trick take effect, Gu Fuying pressed on. “If you give me all your money, I might consider it. But you know my family’s well-off. I eat out every day, breakfast and lunch, and that alone costs two or three yuan. If you can manage that, I’ll think about dating you.”
“You charge ten yuan for a meal a day?” He Junqing’s eyes widened, his mouth agape, a deflated look replacing his earlier composure.
Gu Fuying lifted her chin defiantly. “Yes, my monthly salary isn’t enough for me, but my parents support me. I heard my aunt say your monthly salary is fifty or sixty yuan. Will you give it all to me?”
He Junqing hesitated, a fierce internal struggle playing out on his face. But then, remembering his grandfather’s words, he steeled himself. “As long as you’re in a relationship with me, my salary will be yours.”
This time, it was Gu Fuying’s turn to be stunned. Xu Qiuye quickly tugged at her sleeve. “If you ask him for it, he’ll definitely be reluctant.”
“Okay, then give me your salary,” Gu Fuying declared, extending her hand.
He Junqing wavered, struggling inwardly. Slowly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out five dollars. “I only have this much on me right now. You take it first.”
Gu Fuying’s outstretched hand hung awkwardly in the air. She stared at the money, a surge of panic rising within her. Why had he actually paid? Wasn’t he supposed to be notoriously stingy? What should she do now? Sweat beaded on her forehead.
“Let’s go find Yingying first and see what she says,” Xu Qiuye suggested.
Gu Fuying nodded frantically. Yes, Xu Ying would surely have a solution. “I’m going to a restaurant now. Do you want to come with me?” she asked He Junqing, glancing at him. He nodded and followed meekly behind her.
Gu Fuying felt a growing unease. She wasn’t actually going to marry this man. As they drew closer to the restaurant, her heart pounded faster and faster.
“Give me the money, and I won’t bother you anymore.” Just as they were about to enter the restaurant, He Junqing’s face contorted in pain. In the end, his stinginess proved stronger than his desire. This woman spent too much; he wouldn’t be able to support her.
Gu Fuying, relieved beyond words, eagerly handed him the money. “It’s done!” she thought.
“Why don’t you give me money to spend if you don’t deduct it?” He Junqing grumbled. “You women are so materialistic. You just love spending money and have no idea how to live your lives.” With that, he turned and stomped off in a huff.
Gu Fuying was incandescent with rage at his words. “I’m speechless! How can such a person exist? When my older brother and sister-in-law were courting, he spent money on her every day! How can a girl be willing to marry him and have children if he doesn’t even give anything? He thinks it’s easy to get married and have children. If you’re not careful, you could lose your life! He’s not willing to spend any money on others, so why should they marry him? Because he’s stingy? Because he wants them to work for him for free, or risk their lives to bear his child?”
“Okay, why are you getting angry at this kind of person? It’s not worth it,” Xu Ying said, running over to comfort her.
But Gu Fuying continued her tirade. Bearing a child was terrifying for a woman, especially in that era of underdeveloped medicine. Xu Ying also thought about her own experience in her previous life when her eldest sister-in-law had a difficult childbirth, which injured her body and left her with many ailments. and simultaniuosly as her eldest brother passed away , she couldn’t hold on for long. The more Xu Ying thought about it, the angrier she became. Gu Fuying aunt had given her such a huge “surprise”; did’nt she fear that they can return the favor?
Xu Ying immediately thought of Dong Wenqiang, another troublesome man who constantly blocked her path after work. It seemed men often pursued women this way, pretending to be devoted but offering nothing, feigning infatuation in the most disgusting manner. Dong Wenqiang came every other day. He hadn’t appeared yesterday, but he would definitely come today.
“Fuying, is your cousin still unmarried? Let me introduce her to a partner!” Xu Ying said, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Gu Fuying gave her a disgusted look. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, she’s given you such a big gift; you’re not allowed not to give her a bigger one in return,” Xu Ying said, raising an eyebrow, her clear eyes sparkling with amusement.
Gu Fuying instantly understood her meaning and became intrigued. “Okay, what do you want me to do?”
“Yoou just bring your cousin here for a meal tomorrow.”
Xu Qiuye listened to their exchange and sighed. These two were truly vindictive. Who could possibly bully Xu Ying with her cunning mind? Her own partner had nothing to worry about.
After lunch, Xu Qiuye and Gu Fuying hurried back to work. By coincidence, Dong Wenqiang came to the store. This time, Xu Ying’s attitude towards him was surprisingly cordial; the usual disgust was absent. Dong Wenqiang, believing his persistence was finally paying off, grinned, his eyes narrowing in a smile.
“Yingying, have you had lunch?” he asked.
“Dong Wenqiang,” Xu Ying said, rapping her knuckles on the table, “you were ordered by Chen Yanran to chase me, weren’t you? Let me guess why! You don’t want to endure hardship, right? Chen Yanran told you I’m very rich, and she asked you to chase me. As my dad is still the team leader, so he might be able to help you get a place to return to the city.”
“Go back, go back to the city!” Dong Wenqiang stammered, shocked. He had never even considered such a possibility. But Xu Ying’s words ignited a sudden hope within him, and he looked at her as if she were a precious treasure.
Xu Ying had sparked the flame in his heart, only to extinguish it. “Actually, I have a partner, and he’s very good. Just stop thinking about it.”
Dong Wenqiang looked incredulous. “Impossible! I asked around. You’ve been fond of my cousin for years, chasing after him. You only broke up this year. You found a partner in such a short time? Who are you kidding?”
Seeing his disbelief, Xu Ying sighed. “Believe it or not, I originally wanted to introduce you to a girl from the city who could help you find a way back to the city. Since you don’t want to, just pretend I didn’t say it.” With that, Xu Ying turned and left.
Dong Wenqiang remained suspicious. He wasn’t a fool. If Xu Ying knew he was pursuing her with an ulterior motive, why would she be so kind as to introduce him to someone? But a flicker of hope remained. He called out, “Xu Ying, what do you want me to do for you?”
“Smart,” Xu Ying praised. “Talking to people like you alway fruitful as you can understand the big picture Easily .” Dong Wenqiang’s vanity swelled, and he couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride.