"And you, you little bitch. You reported it, didn't you? I'll rip your mouth open."
As old Mrs. Chen spoke, she walked towards Chen Liyuan. Just as she raised her hand to strike, Chen Lishu grabbed her arm and forcefully flung it backward. If Zhang Chunhua hadn't been quick enough to support her, she would have fallen flat on her backside.
"This is wickedness!" Old Mrs. Chen immediately slapped her thighs and wailed, "A granddaughter hitting her grandmother, may lightning strike you dead!"
"Grandma, if you shout any louder, you might attract everyone else to see this grain and money."
Chen Lishu's remark successfully silenced old Mrs. Chen.
Although she had threatened to report them to the commune, if everyone found out, she wouldn't gain anything. She would never do something so foolish.
Just because she wouldn't, didn't mean others wouldn't.
"I'll say this one last time. Return the grain and money to us as they were, and this matter will be over. Otherwise, I'll report you to the commune."
Chen Mancang's heart skipped a beat, "Report us for what?"
"For threatening me and my father with profiteering and speculation. This money and grain are the evidence."
Zhang Chunhua panicked, "You're talking nonsense! These things were clearly done by your family!"
"But they are with you now."
Chen Baozhu said, "What good will it do you if you report us? Everyone will be dragged out for criticism."
"I get no benefit if I don't report either. Anyway, you are the main culprits, and we're at most accomplices." Chen Lishu raised the corner of her eyebrow, her voice laced with a mocking smile, "If we die, we die together. That's what family is about."
"She's trying to anger me to death!" Old Mrs. Chen beat her chest. This time, she was genuinely angered.
"How about this? You take half of these things back, and the rest will be considered a filial offering to your grandmother. Will that do?" Chen Mancang weighed the pros and cons and quickly conceded.
However, he still maintained a haughty demeanor, as if he were bestowing a favor.
"I said I want them returned as they were. Not one grain of rice or one cent less."
Chen Mancang had lived so long, could he really be intimidated by a mere slip of a girl? "Then go ahead."
Chen Lishu didn't say another word, pulling Chen Liyuan and turning to leave the room.
"Dad, will she really report us to the commune?" Chen Baozhu felt a knot of unease in his stomach.
Chen Mancang wasn't entirely sure either. After a moment of thought, he said to his son, "Go out and watch from a distance. If they come back home, it's fine. But if they actually head towards the commune..."
If they really went to the commune, he was truly unsure what to do.
Chen Liyuan was asking Chen Lishu the same question, "Big Sister, are we really going to the commune?"
Chen Lishu tightened the scarf around her head, her footsteps unwavering, "Yes, why wouldn't we? The money I earned, even if it's confiscated, I won't let them have it."
"What if the Revolutionary Committee arrests us?" Chen Liyuan's voice trembled slightly. Just a couple of years ago, there were public parades in the village. People wearing tall hats, with broken shoes hung around their necks, followed by a crowd of onlookers, anyone could spit on them. Some even threw stones.
"Given our background, even if we're arrested, we'll at most be sent to a study class. Even if our reputation suffers, it will only be temporary. Grandma and Aunt are different. If you don't deal with it once, you'll be like Father your whole life."
Chen Liyuan thought of how her father always listened to their grandmother, and nodded, "Big Sister, I understand."
The commune was more than ten miles from Qingshan Village. The sisters walked along without speaking, and soon they could see the cluster of buildings of the commune in the distance.
"Lishu, Liyuan—"
Suddenly, Chen Baozhu's voice came from behind them. The two stopped and turned back to see him rushing towards them on a bicycle, pedaling desperately.
Upon reaching them, he finally dismounted, panting, "You two hurry back. I've already returned the things and money to Second Uncle."
Following them all the way, he had panicked completely when he saw the sisters leave the village. When he told Chen Mancang at home, his father hadn't managed to remain calm either. But facing so much grain and money, he still wanted to wait. However, the girls were walking further and further away. In the end, he had no choice but to return the items first, and then have his son borrow a bicycle to chase after them.
The roads were slippery in the snow, and Chen Baozhu was in a hurry, falling several times. The handlebars were bent, and he didn't know how he would explain it when he got back.
When Chen Liyuan heard his words, she excitedly tugged at her sister's arm.
Chen Lishu also breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. After all, no one wanted to go that far.
After stopping them, Chen Baozhu rode his bicycle back first. Chen Lishu and her sister arrived home nearly at noon.
"Ask your father to make you some food. You can't come back without eating a meal." With the money and goods recovered, Wu Chunmei now remembered to prepare a meal for her daughter.
Chen Lishu shook her head, "Although it's not far, it's not good to be back too late. There's no need to trouble my father."
As she spoke, she stopped Chen Mantun's movements, then looked up to discuss with Chen Mantun and his wife, "Since Grandma and Uncle already know about the grain trading, I think it's best to stop this business for now."
It's better to be safe than sorry. They had already offended people. If they were caught again and reported, it would be a significant loss.
"Alright. Anyway, the money and grain we have are enough. Your mother and I will listen to you, we won't do it anymore." Chen Mantun was relieved when he heard her words. He had been living in fear constantly, and this business truly wasn't suited for him.
Seeing that they agreed, Chen Lishu thought for a moment and said, "Dad, Mom, for now, let Second Sister manage the household finances."
As soon as she spoke, both of them were stunned.
Even though she knew her next words would hurt them, Chen Lishu still had to say them for the sake of the family's future.
"Dad, you listen to Grandma too easily. And Mom, just take this incident as an example, you gave away the money as soon as they intimidated you."
"Actually, it's not bad for Second Sister to manage the money. After all, you two are still the ones in charge."
"She, a child, is better than the two of us?" Chen Mantun felt a pang of discomfort.
"Dad, Mom, I will protect the family's belongings with my life." Although Chen Liyuan was only thirteen, her gaze towards her parents held a firmness unbefitting her age.
Big Sister trusted her enough to give her this important responsibility. She would absolutely not disappoint her sister.
Chen Mantun and his wife looked at the two sisters, then at the younger ones beside them. Although they felt uneasy, they eventually handed the money over to their second daughter.
Chen Lishu left the Chen family and returned to the Gu family at noon.
Seeing her return, everyone in the room looked up. Before anyone else could speak, Liu Yuemin said first, "Why is Third Brother's wife back so early? Didn't your parents' home keep you for a meal?"
In the countryside, to save grain, they only ate two meals a day, with no meal at noon.
Li Xiulan, who was sewing shoe soles, couldn't stand her sarcasm. She stopped her work and looked up to scold, "No one would think you're mute if you didn't speak."