Chapter Fifteen: Truly a Mother

“Liang, do you think if I go see Yang Liu, I could get close to her?” All the way home, Cao Kui pestered Chen Liang with the same question, over and over again.

“Can you stop yapping? Women like Yang Liu are out of your league—try chasing after her and you’ll only be asking for trouble!” Chen Liang, finally annoyed beyond endurance, gave Cao Kui a swift kick.

Cao Kui stumbled but wasn’t angry. On the contrary, he grinned, still lost in his daydreams about being with Yang Liu, his face alight with vivid fantasies.

“Enough already, Big Five, stop acting lovesick. If you really can’t control yourself, ask your mom to find you a bride. Nobody cares about your crush on her!”

Snapped from his reverie by Chen Liang’s words, Cao Kui’s enthusiasm wilted. “Forget it. With my family’s situation, only a blind girl would marry me.”

Cao Kui had four older sisters. In these days, people could barely feed themselves, let alone spare anything for a younger brother. Every month, his parents had to scrape together something to send to his sisters, leaving the family stretched to the limit.

As for the so-called “sister-supporters,” they were rare in these times. If anything, it was more common for a family to support their daughters. Otherwise, if a girl married off without her parents’ backing, her in-laws would look down on her, treating her like a servant girl, destined for a life of endless hardship.

Thinking of this, Chen Liang’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Big Five, do you want to make money?”

Cao Kui shot him a puzzled look. “Of course I do! I dream of buying myself a set of the ‘three rounds and one ring’ just to make it easier to get married!”

“Is that so? Then I can rest assured. Big Five, I’ve got a way to make a fortune. Want in?”

At those words, Cao Da Wu perked up instantly. “Really? Liang, you’re willing to take me with you if you strike it rich?”

“Why would I even ask otherwise?” Chen Liang paused a moment. “But listen, it’s a little risky. We might end up in jail if things go south.”

Now Cao Kui was truly excited. “For real, Liang? You’ve actually found a way?”

Doing time was called “eating government rice” in their slang. Back then, as in later eras, most ways to get rich quick were spelled out in the criminal code—it was just a matter of who dared to try.

So when Cao Kui heard there was a chance they’d “eat government rice,” he got even more fired up—this was a big deal!

“Alright, why do you get so worked up so easily?” Chen Liang glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then lowered his voice to whisper to Cao Da Wu.

“Big Five, go check out the biggest pigeon market around here. I have connections—I can get grain! When the time comes…”

The so-called pigeon market wasn’t for trading pigeons, but a spontaneous black market that, as it grew, became known by that name.

After explaining everything, Chen Liang patted Cao Da Wu on the back. “Don’t say a word about this for now. Let’s wait until we’ve figured out how things work in the pigeon market.”

“Don’t worry, Liang. Leave it to me—no one else will ever hear about this!” Cao Kui said determinedly. If this plan succeeded, ‘three rounds and one ring’ would be nothing—he’d buy ten sets!

“Alright, first find out the going rate for grain. We’ll be rolling in money soon enough!”

Cao Kui was Chen Er Leng’s best childhood friend. They’d grown up together, as thick as thieves, and Cao Kui was absolutely trustworthy.

If he couldn’t trust Cao Kui, then Chen Liang might as well believe only his parents were reliable in this world.

“Just wait for my good news, Liang!” Cao Kui ran off, excited beyond measure. It felt fantastic to have a big shot leading the way.

That afternoon, Chen Liang had spent extra time negotiating at the overpass, so by the time he got home, it was nearly time for kindergarten to let out.

Hurrying all the way to the school, Chen Liang’s heart beat faster at the thought of seeing Teacher Xiaoyu again. His spirits soared.

But reality was harsh. When he saw Xiao Chen Hong being led out by an elderly aunt, he was dumbfounded.

Where was his Teacher Xiaoyu? Chen Hong, you little liar! Unforgivable!

With a loud crunch, he took a big bite of the apple in his hand.

Meanwhile, Chen Hong, coming toward him, felt nothing but despair. My apple! That was my apple!

She glared furiously at Chen Liang. Uncle, you—you—you! I’ll never play with you again!

As she raced over on her little legs, Chen Liang had nearly finished the apple in three bites. Ha! Little liar, can you taste the despair? Your apple is already gone!

Chen Hong, with her small bag slung over her shoulder, grabbed Chen Liang’s leg and, teary-eyed, wailed, Uncle, you’re a liar! I completed your task, so why did you eat my apple?

Snorting, Chen Liang took the last bites, leaving only the core, before saying goodbye to the teacher.

The bewildered old teacher and the gruff doorman could only shake their heads. What sort of uncle eats an apple in front of a child, making her cry, and looks so pleased about it? The world had truly gone downhill.

Oblivious to their judgment, Chen Hong stubbornly clung to Chen Liang’s leg. Forget it, she thought. This is too much—let’s perish together. My brief childhood is over!

Chen Liang, unable to walk, looked down to find Chen Hong’s eyes burning with resentment.

You have the nerve to be angry? And why wasn’t Teacher Xiaoyu here to pick you up today?

Hmph! Teacher Xiaoyu had to leave early this afternoon. What was I supposed to do? I’m just as upset as you!

What? That’s how it is? Why didn’t you say so?

Did you ask me? Hmph! Men are all pigs!

So, did you complete today’s task? Did you manage to give the snacks to Teacher Xiaoyu?

Hmph! I’m too mad to talk to you. And I’m rolling my eyes at you, too!

Well then, I was going to reward you with this apple, but if you’re going to roll your eyes, forget it.

“What?” In a flash, Chen Hong snatched the apple, her face breaking into a delighted grin.

Clambering dutifully onto the special seat behind his bike, the uncle and niece launched into a lively exchange about the art of giving treats.

“So, you’re saying Teacher Xiaoyu likes sweets?”

“That’s right! The snacks you gave me—Teacher Xiaoyu only ate the sweet ones!”

“What happened to the rest?”

“Uncle, what a silly question. Didn’t I eat them?”

He almost laughed—he’d forgotten that Chen Hong was quite the little foodie herself.

Joking and bickering, the two made their way home, where they found Chen Liang’s mother waiting with an armful of things. “Hurry and get ready. I’m taking you to meet Teacher Xiaoyu for a matchmaking date!”