Chapter 13: Borrowed Money

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

“Second Uncle, quickly sit down and take a break! I’ll pour you some hot water!” Fortunately, Uncle Quanzi borrowed a large tea mug and a pot of hot water.

It was 30 miles from Chaoyang Commune’s Fifth Battalion to Pingyang Town. It would take more than three hours to walk fast alone. It was winter, and they did not wear warm clothes or eat well, so it was pure torture to make the trip.

Bai Xue followed the ox-cart all the way, and the soles of her feet were still hurting. She swore that she did not want to walk anymore.

“Alright!” Second Uncle sat on the other bed. He took the hot water that Bai Xue poured for him and held the blanket to warm himself.

“Xue, is it not enough? I asked around and gathered some money. Take it! Here’s $5!” He took out a bunch of notes from his pocket and handed them to Bai Xue. “I only had $2 of spare cash at home. I went to your Uncle Quanzi’s house to borrow $2. Chuan gave me $1.85. He said that it was sent by your third aunt!”

“Did Third Aunt give money? I’m surprised she did it.” Bai Xue asked in disbelief.

“Xue, it’s inappropriate for me to make comments about some things. Whatever it is, your third aunt is still an elder. If you speak ill of her in public, it will affect your reputation and reputation is very important to girls!” Bai Dajiang whispered.

“Second Uncle, we’re about to starve to death. What’s the use of having a reputation? If they dare to snatch our food again in the future, I won’t hold back! This time, Third Uncle attacked my father, so this isn’t over yet. I’ll settle the score with them after my mother finishes her confinement!” Bai Xue said fiercely.

“The most important thing is that your father is fine!” Bai Dajiang drank a cup of hot water and felt more comfortable.

“Second Uncle, you can return this money to them later! You can also return the money Third Aunt sent over! Does she think we’ll forgive them just because of the money? We have enough for the medical fees, so you don’t have to borrow from others anymore! Second Uncle, I’ll return your money as soon as possible!”

“Is there enough for the hospital fees? That’s great! There’s no hurry to return my money. I simply used my work credits to get the money. In that case, I will go back first!”

“Second Uncle, it’s too dangerous for you to travel at night. Stay for the night! There are empty beds here! Besides, I’ve already ordered food for you from the canteen. It’ll be ready soon!” Bai Xue also stood up to stop him.

“Why did you order food for me? I can eat at home!”

“Second Uncle, it’s dangerous to travel at night and it’s so cold. It’s better to travel when the sun is out. It’s safer and warmer! Alright, sit and rest! I’ll go and see if the food is ready!”

Bai Xue pushed her uncle back onto the bed and ran out, not giving Bai Dajiang a chance to refuse.

After a while, she arrived at the canteen. The food was indeed ready. The rice was in a lunch box, and the dish was in a big bowl. Looking at the cabbage stewed with potatoes without any oil, Bai Xue complained, “It’s really cabbage stewed with potatoes and nothing else!”

“This lunch box and bowl have to be sent back later. I need a deposit of $0.10! I’ll return the money to you when it’s sent back!” It was still the young male waiter from before. His tone was still indifferent as he extended his hand to Bai Xue.

“Okay! Thank you!” Bai Xue took out a dollar and handed it to him. After he gave her back $0.90 change, she stacked the three lunch boxes together before taking them away.

It took her two trips to bring the food to the hospital ward.

“Xue, wake your father up for dinner!” Bai Dajiang looked intently at the sorghum rice.

He could not remember how long it had been since he had eaten cooked rice without water.

He was always worried about whether he had enough grain to last until the autumn harvest.

Coupled with his mother’s exploitation, the children were hungry every day.

“My father just ate not long ago.”

“Are you eating? How’s the injured man?” Before Bai Xue could finish speaking, Doctor Zhao walked in.

“Doctor Zhao, my father hasn’t woken up yet!” Bai Xue quickly went up to her and replied.

“How long has he been asleep?” Doctor Zhao walked over to check on Bai Daliang.

“Almost two hours!” Bai Xue followed behind.

“Wake him up. Sit him down and see if he gets dizzy!”

Bai Xue did as she was told and woke up Bai Daliang.

“Dad, the doctor wants you to sit up and check you! Sit up slowly! I’ll help you!” She slowly helped Bai Daliang, who was still in a daze, sit up.

“How is it? Do you feel dizzy? Are you feeling unwell in any way?” Doctor Zhao opened Bai Daliang’s eyelids and asked him.

“I’m not dizzy. It’s just that my wound hurts a little!” Bai Daliang answered Doctor Zhao honestly.

“Alright, it’s not that serious. Take anti-inflammatory medicine and painkillers after dinner tonight! I’ll check on you again tomorrow. If there’s no problem, you can go home and recuperate!” Doctor Zhao glanced at the food and did not say anything. She did not mention the medical fees again and left after giving some instructions.

“Dad, you can sit up now. I just came back from getting food from the canteen. Eat it while it’s still hot!” Bai Xue said as she held onto Bai Daliang.

“I’m good. We can go home tomorrow!” Bai Daliang was much happier after hearing Doctor Zhao’s words.

The meal ended with Bai Daliang and Bai Xue wolfing down the food.

Bai Xue really could not eat this coarse grain. Moreover, there was no oil or salt in the dishes.

“Dad, I’ll go to the state-run restaurant to return the lunch boxes!” After Bai Xue finished packing, she returned the lunch box from the canteen and said to Bai Daliang, “Second Uncle can keep an eye on you!”

“Let your second uncle accompany you to return it! I’m fine here. You’re a girl. It’s already dark. How can you go out alone?!” When Bai Daliang heard Bai Xue was going to the state-run restaurant, he immediately stopped her.

“It’s okay, Dad. It’s not far from the state-owned restaurant. I can do it alone! You need someone to keep an eye on you. What if you get dizzy and fall? I’ll be back immediately!” Bai Xue did not wait for her father to stop her and hurriedly ran away.

Bai Dajiang paused before running after her, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Bai Xue ran as fast as she could. She only slowed down after leaving the hospital for a while, afraid that her second uncle would chase after her.

Although she had been to the state-run restaurant during the day, the roads were slippery and covered in snow at night, so she still walked carefully.

When she was close to the state-owned restaurant, she turned into an alley and entered the supermarket to retrieve 25 catties of yellow millet.

This was the good thing about this era. When it was dark, there was basically no one on the road. Not many houses were lit. Even if they did not sleep, they stayed in the dark. They either did not have kerosene lamps or wanted to save the oil.

She struggled to approach the state-run restaurant with 50 catties of food on her back. She vaguely saw a person pacing back and forth. He seemed to be anxious.

Bai Xue knew that it must be Uncle Wang. She shouted softly,

“Hey!” Wang Cheng immediately looked over when he heard her voice. Seeing that she was struggling to carry the food, he hurriedly ran over to take it from her.

“Uncle Wang, there are 50 catties of yellow millet. Please check it. Also, I want to return the lunch boxes.”

“Good, good!” Wang Cheng disregarded the lunch boxes. He quickly opened it and looked at the food. He stretched his hand into the bag and sighed as he looked at the golden yellow millet.

“The grains look good. There’s no problem with the food! Let me pay you!” As he spoke, he took out $75 from his pocket and gave it to Bai Xue.

“Here’s $75! Please check it!”

Bai Xue took the money and did a rough count. In this era, the largest note was $10. Wang Cheng gave her seven $10 bills and one $5 note and they were all quite new.

“Uncle Wang, there’s no problem with the money! I’m leaving! Here are the lunch boxes!” Bai Xue placed the lunch boxes in Wang Cheng’s hand and turned to leave.

If she did not leave, it would be dangerous. She was selling food, and it was at the black market price. She would get into trouble if she got caught.