Su Taohua's heart ached, but at this moment, she could only suppress her discomfort.
"He's the accountant for the brigade. It's only right for him to help the educated youths!"
After saying this, Su Taohua forced a smile.
However, her hands, hidden in her sleeves, were clenched so tightly that her fingertips turned white.
Everyone in the brigade knew Su Taohua was strong-willed and didn't want to embarrass her, so they didn't say much more.
Su Xiaotian saw all of this clearly and her satisfaction with Chen Zi'an grew.
Chen Zi'an's firm refusal of Kang Yiye was truly rare.
After all, most cats wouldn't refuse a fish that offered itself.
As for Accountant Li, who had trampled his wife's dignity and left with Kang Yiye.
Su Xiaotian felt that this man was indeed as shameless as in her previous life.
She sympathized with Su Taohua, but as a young girl, there was nothing she could say about such a matter.
However, Su Taohua was a very strong woman, and she had handled this matter well in her previous life.
The days of winter passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, it was the twelfth lunar month.
The old Su family had a good year. They received a considerable amount of grain at the end of the year and also saved some coupons and money.
The family decided to celebrate the New Year with great fanfare and buy more New Year's goods.
However, the Su family didn't want to go to the supply and marketing cooperative in town, to avoid seeing Kang Rende and feeling uncomfortable.
Grandma Su thought about it and sent Su Laosan to the county town to buy things.
"There are many things in the county town, whatever you want, you can get it. When you go, you can also see your eldest sister."
"Understood, Mother."
Su Laoda readily agreed.
"Grandma, I want to go to the county town too. I want to see Big Aunt," Su Xiaotian said immediately.
It was now 1975, and she had to go to the county town to see.
Grandma Su doted on her granddaughter and agreed.
"Grandma, we have a lot of pears this year. Shall we take some to Big Aunt?" Su Xiaotian said with a grin.
This time, she still wanted to see if Su Manxiu was doing well in the city.
After Chen Zi'an proposed marriage, the two had registered their marriage.
Since it was a second marriage, there was no grand ceremony, just a meal with the whole family.
Su Xiaotian took out the money and coupons she had saved for her brothers to get married and used them to prepare a dowry for Su Manxiu.
The "three turns and one sound" (referring to a bicycle, sewing machine, and watch, and a radio) were the traditional dowry items. The Su family provided two of the "turns," and Chen Zi'an arranged for the remaining "turn" and the "sound." A small family thus began their life together with great joy.
This made everyone in the brigade extremely envious, especially the young women preparing to get married and the young men preparing to marry.
Their envious and jealous eyes were almost as red as rabbit eyes.
Liu Xiuying, because of this, cursed the old Su family for several days in the brigade, saying that they were ungrateful and had pretended to be poor for so many years, yet they gave such a generous dowry to a divorced woman.
Fortunately, Grandma Su was happy and didn't bother with her, so they didn't get into a fight.
"Alright, take more. Your Big Aunt has always liked to eat frozen fruit."
"Mother, we also have a lot of grain this year. Why don't we take some for Big Sister? Forget about the rest, but take more millet so Big Sister can make porridge," Qi Liangying said.
Grandma Su had actually had this idea for a long time, but it was difficult to say. Now that they didn't have to subsidize Su Manxiang this year, if they were to subsidize Su Manxiu again, she was afraid her daughters-in-law would have opinions.
But now that her daughter-in-law had brought it up herself, Grandma Su felt warm, but she still subconsciously glanced at the other two daughters-in-law.
"Mother, we have plenty of millet. Pack a few more bowls for Big Sister," Liang Xiu said with a smile.
Wang Xianghua said, "Take some dried mushrooms too. They're not valuable, just our token of affection."
Grandma Su smiled so much that her eyes were almost gone, and said, "Alright, your Big Sister is sensible and will surely remember your kindness."
When the father and daughter arrived at the county town, it was not yet noon.
"Xiaotian, do you think we should buy things first, or go to your Big Aunt's house first?" Su Laosan asked his daughter.
According to his idea, of course, they should go to Su Manxiu's house first, especially since they were carrying so many things.
But it wasn't even noon yet, so he was afraid his eldest sister wouldn't be off work yet.
"Dad, let's look around first, and then it will be noon!" Su Xiaotian said.
Su Laosan thought this was his daughter wanting to look around the city. Thinking that this was Su Xiaotian's first time in the city, he agreed.
Holding Su Xiaotian's hand, Su Laosan walked along, introducing her to the situation in the county town.
In fact, Su Xiaotian was more familiar with this small county town than Su Laosan, as she had lived in the county town for several years in her previous life.
But this Su Xiaotian, in this life, was visiting the county town for the first time, so she could only put on a happy expression.
"The department store is just ahead. The things inside are very good. Later, Dad will take you to see. Your Grandma said she wants to buy you a city outfit." Su Laosan said with a silly smile.
Su Xiaotian quickly said, "Dad, I don't want it. I have too many clothes at home. Let's buy a new outfit for Ninth Brother later."
As the only girl, Su Xiaotian's clothes were indeed the best in the family.
But as the youngest among the boys in the family, Ninth Brother wore hand-me-downs from his brothers, and his clothes were patched up from a young age.
Su Laosan looked at his daughter, very surprised that his little daughter would think this way.
But he didn't say no. Anyway, his mother had given him a lot of cloth coupons today, and he had already said he would buy clothes for Little Ninth.
They could buy them for both children together then.
As they walked and talked, they unknowingly reached a small alley.
It was just that neither of them was familiar with the county town. Those who were familiar with the county town knew that this small alley was the county's black market.
And recently, there had been very few people trading in this black market.
Because there were always people watching around, as soon as someone appeared to trade, they would be caught.
After several people were caught one after another, people in the county town now kept their distance from here.
But the unknowing Su Laosan and Su Xiaotian had no defenses at all.
Just as they reached the entrance of the alley, several people suddenly rushed out and surrounded them.
Su Laosan was startled.
He defensively asked, "Who are you? What do you want?"
Could these be bandits, robbing in broad daylight?
This was the county town; the public security couldn't be this bad, could it?
Su Xiaotian looked at a group of young people wearing red armbands and understood who these people were.
She gripped Su Laosan's collar and said, "Dad!"
"Don't be afraid, Tian'er. It's okay, Dad is here!" Su Laosan, though apprehensive, still tried his best to comfort his daughter.
"You bad elements! How dare you trade in the black market in broad daylight," shouted a tall, thin young man.
Su Laosan heard this, and then recalled the young people wearing red armbands who had visited his home before, and he understood.
He quickly explained, "No, no, I'm here to visit relatives in the county town!"
"Visiting relatives? Do you think we're all fools? Why would you bring so many things when visiting relatives?" a short girl with two pigtails said contemptuously.
"No matter what, let's take them away first!"
As soon as the words fell, these people immediately made a move.
Su Laosan had never encountered such a situation before and didn't know how to deal with it. He could only protect Su Xiaotian while explaining.
But these people couldn't listen to his explanation at all.
Su Xiaotian, protected by Su Laosan, inadvertently saw a familiar figure.
She was stunned. It turned out that this person was in the county town.
But now, there was no extra time for her to consider these things. Her mind raced, thinking about how to escape their clutches smoothly in this situation.
However, with so many people on the other side, Su Xiaotian and Su Laosan had no power to resist. Soon, Su Xiaotian and Su Laosan were arrested separately.
These young people wearing red armbands swaggered triumphantly at the two, especially Su Laosan, who was kicked several times.
"We are really here to visit relatives. The things in the basket are for our relatives," Su Laosan was still desperately explaining.
But it would be strange if these people listened to his explanation.
Su Xiaotian was extremely anxious. If they were really arrested, no amount of explanation would be useful.
She wondered if her Big Uncle-in-law's name would be useful.
Whether it was useful or not, she had to try.
"We are relatives of Minister Chen, and we are going to Minister Chen's house," Su Xiaotian said in a soft, urgent voice.
But this sentence was met with the unrestrained ridicule of these young people.
"Hahaha, did you hear what she said?"
"She's so young and dares to talk nonsense. As expected, she's someone who runs a black market."
"Maybe she's a repeat offender. We've caught a big fish this time!"
Several people chattered, laughing unrestrainedly.
Su Xiaotian even suspected if she had said something wrong.
"We are really relatives of Minister Chen!" Su Laosan struggled to explain.
"You are relatives of Minister Chen? I am a relative of a big leader in the province!"
The leading young man spoke while kicking Su Laosan's shinbone.
Even though Su Laosan was tough, he cried out in pain.
"Stop!"
Just then, a loud shout was heard.
Su Xiaotian heard the familiar voice and immediately looked up. The tall and mighty person before her was none other than her Big Uncle-in-law, Minister Chen Zi'an!
"What are you doing?" Chen Zi'an asked with a cold face.
"Minister Chen, we have arrested two people running a black market here and confiscated a basket of goods," the leading man said fawningly.
These people had nothing to do all day and were just messing around here.
Life was hard for everyone these days. With the New Year approaching, who didn't want to improve their diet?
But the black market had been raided by these people, and without coupons, they couldn't even buy a bit of grain, let alone sugar or meat.
He couldn't say these words directly, otherwise, he would also be in trouble.
She wondered when such a situation would improve.
"Bullshit!" Chen Zi'an cursed.
"Minister Chen, these lawbreakers must be severely punished to serve as a warning to everyone!"
The leading man clearly did not expect Chen Zi'an to curse. His fawning expression faded a little, but he still tried his best to explain.
"Later, I will arrange for someone to visit your home and see if your family is also doing illegal things," Chen Zi'an said unceremoniously.
The man was clearly taken aback by Chen Zi'an's words and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
"Minister Chen, this is the black market. Can people who come here, carrying a basket of goods, be good people?" the girl with two pigtails retorted.
She recognized Chen Zi'an and had liked him before. Who knew that Chen Zi'an would marry a divorced woman and not want her?
"We were just passing by!" Su Laosan quickly explained.
"Big Uncle-in-law!" Su Xiaotian pouted and called out.
She wanted to rush over and hug his leg, but she was held tightly and couldn't move.
The young people wearing red armbands heard Su Xiaotian's words and didn't react for a moment.
The leading man, having been rebuked by Chen Zi'an, couldn't help but kick Su Xiaotian's small body.
"You dare to talk nonsense at this time!"
However, his foot did not land on Su Xiaotian. Instead, he himself was sent flying!
Who was Su Xiaotian? She was the treasure of the old Su family!
If Su Xiaotian were kicked in front of him, his father-in-law would probably kick him and scold him for being incompetent.
The other few people were stunned, and even the people holding Su Xiaotian and Su Laosan let go in a daze.
"Captain Du!"
"Minister Chen, even if you are a leader, you can't just attack us!" the girl with pigtails shouted loudly.
Chen Zi'an looked at her with disgust and said in a cold voice, "You can attack a little girl, but I can't attack you?"
The girl opened and closed her mouth, not knowing what to say.
"Big Uncle-in-law!" Su Xiaotian, freed, immediately rushed over and hugged his leg: "My father and I were going to your house, but we were caught when we passed by!"
What? Big Uncle-in-law?
Were these two speaking the truth? Were they really relatives of Minister Chen's family?
The girl with two pigtails stared fiercely at Su Xiaotian. So this was the niece of that divorced woman!
She looked so annoying!
"They are going to my house to visit relatives. You arrested people for no reason. I will arrange for someone to talk to your director about this matter later," Chen Zi'an said with a cold smile.
The leading man had already gotten up. Hearing Chen Zi'an say this, he was terrified.
Minister Chen was a man of his word.
If the director found out that he had arrested Minister Chen's relatives, he would be in trouble!
"Minister Chen, it's all our fault. We didn't expect them to be your relatives. If we had known, we wouldn't have dared even if our legs were broken!"
They were really visiting relatives, and such a powerful relative. They were really unlucky!
At this moment, other than apologizing, he could do nothing else!
Chen Zi'an remained silent.
Su Xiaotian cried, "Big Uncle-in-law, they hit my dad and pinched my arm!"
The little girl's soft, tearful words made Chen Zi'an's heart ache.
"It's our fault, it's our fault. Little sister, can we apologize to you?" the leading man said immediately.
A wise man knows when to yield!
Apologizing is nothing!
"Big Uncle-in-law, it hurts!" Su Xiaotian ignored their apologies.
"Apologize!" Chen Zi'an said, his eyes filled with coldness. "However, mistakes must be paid for!"