Chapter Five: The Surging Crowd

As the workday ended, throngs of people surged out of the factory gates, the scene truly spectacular. Those with slightly better means rode their bicycles, but Lin Jiayin could only walk.

“Jiayin!”

A deep voice called out to her.

“Big Brother?” Lin Jiayin paused in surprise; it was her elder brother, Lin Guoshan, who had called her.

“Jiayin, tomorrow is Dad’s birthday. Come home for dinner with your family,” he said.

The Lin family possessed good genes; Lin Guoshan was a handsome man. Yet at twenty-six, he still had no wife. Years ago, Lin Jiayin’s parents had wanted her to marry the son of a local official—the official had promised a generous bride price and even offered to help transfer Lin Guoshan to a better job.

At the time, Lin Guoshan worked at the match factory under the street office, earning a pittance. But Lin Jiayin had resolutely refused, even falling out with her family to marry Chen Huajiang.

Looking back on her years of marriage, it was clear Lin Jiayin had made the wrong choice. The “love” she’d pursued had not brought her happiness. Since Huanhuan’s birth, her relationship with her family had softened, though she still rarely saw her parents. In truth, she knew it was because her life was so difficult now; she was too ashamed to go home.

Now, with her brother coming to her personally, she couldn’t refuse and could only agree.

Lin Guoshan smiled awkwardly, then handed her two yuan. “Sis, I know things are tough for you. Use this to buy something nice for Huanhuan.”

Though Lin Jiayin’s stubbornness had cost Lin Guoshan the chance for a bride price, he’d never blamed her. He still doted on his little sister as he had when they were children.

“Thank you, Brother.” Lin Jiayin was deeply moved as she looked at the money. With these two yuan, she could finally pay back Ma Hongfeng and avoid being the subject of gossip.

After parting from Lin Guoshan, Lin Jiayin went to pick up Huanhuan from kindergarten, and together they headed home.

“Mama, are we having those hard corn buns again tonight? I want to eat white steamed buns.” Huanhuan pleaded pitifully.

Lin Jiayin’s nose tingled with emotion—she couldn’t even fulfill this small wish for her daughter.

“Mama, don’t be sad. I won’t ask for white steamed buns anymore,” Huanhuan said, hugging her when she saw her mother’s eyes redden.

“Huanhuan, you’re such a good girl. Mama’s sorry.” Lin Jiayin fought back tears.

When they returned home and opened the door, Huanhuan suddenly sniffed the air. “What’s that delicious smell? It smells like meat!”

Her eyes lit up with surprise. Lin Jiayin was taken aback as well. Usually, upon returning home, the place was a mess, reeking of alcohol. But tonight, the house was clean, and the air was filled with a rich aroma.

“You’re back,” Chen Huajiang called, stepping out with an apron still tied around his waist.

Lin Jiayin had hurried home, afraid that being late to cook would anger Chen Huajiang. She never expected to find him in the kitchen instead!

“Wash your hands, it’s time to eat.” Once Huanhuan and Lin Jiayin were seated at the table, Chen Huajiang brought out a large bowl of white noodles and a generous bowl of golden meat sauce.

“Meat sauce noodles! Amazing!” Huanhuan clapped her hands in delight.

Chen Huajiang served her a bowl, and she immediately began eating with gusto.

“It’s so delicious!” Huanhuan’s mouth was smeared with meat sauce on both sides, but she didn’t bother to wipe it away.

Meanwhile, Lin Jiayin’s heart was troubled. She knew there wasn’t a cent left in the house, only a pound of cornmeal. Where had the meat and white flour come from?

She held her bowl but hesitated to eat. Sensing this, Chen Huajiang took her hand and led her to the kitchen.

“You—” Lin Jiayin felt awkward with her hand in his, but she didn’t dare pull away.

Once in the kitchen, her eyes widened further. On the shelf sat a sack of white flour, easily fifty pounds. On the stove was a chunk of meat, at least three or four pounds.

“Here, take this,” Chen Huajiang said, pulling out three hundred yuan and pressing it into her hand.

“Where did you get so much money?” Lin Jiayin was startled, a terrible suspicion flashing through her mind. “Did you do something illegal? You mustn’t!”

Her heart pounded with anxiety.

“It’s compensation from Gou Zhiguo. He fired me by mistake, so he paid me off,” Chen Huajiang explained quickly. Lin Jiayin finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Still, it surprised her that Chen Huajiang would give all the money to her.

“Jiayin, I was wrong before. I’m sorry.” Chen Huajiang looked at her sincerely.

Lin Jiayin opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. A single tear slid down her cheek.

“From now on, I’ll treat you well,” Chen Huajiang promised, gripping her hand.

A sob escaped her—she felt as if she were dreaming. The Chen Huajiang she’d fallen in love with had returned.

She threw herself into his arms and closed her eyes. Even if this was a dream, she never wanted to wake.

“Daddy! I want more!” Huanhuan’s voice suddenly piped up; the little one hadn’t had enough.

Flustered, Lin Jiayin stood up, her face flushing as if she’d been caught doing something wrong.

After dinner, Chen Huajiang crouched in front of Huanhuan, his expression mysterious.

“Huanhuan, do you like Daddy?”

Huanhuan hesitated. “If Daddy doesn’t drink and makes meat sauce noodles for me every day, then… maybe a little.”

“Daddy promises!” Chen Huajiang coaxed, then told her to close her eyes.

A moment later, he emerged from the bedroom with something in his hands.

“Open your eyes.”

“Wow, a new doll!” Huanhuan squealed in delight.

“Thank you, Daddy!” She hugged the doll and planted a kiss on Chen Huajiang’s cheek, clearly having accepted him.

That night, after Lin Jiayin and Huanhuan had washed up and gone to bed early, Chen Huajiang sat in the living room, organizing his funds.

He’d collected five hundred yuan from Gou Zhiguo, and at noon, he’d won nearly four hundred from Liang Long and Monkey. After expenses and what he’d given Lin Jiayin, he still had over five hundred left—enough for his startup capital.

The advantage of a snack shop was its low investment and quick returns. Tomorrow, he could find someone to tidy up a storefront and start buying supplies.

Having settled his plans, Chen Huajiang got into bed as well.

Huanhuan was already asleep, and Lin Jiayin lay on her side. Perhaps it was a bit warm, for she hadn’t pulled up the blanket. From Chen Huajiang’s vantage point, her graceful curves were accentuated—the slender waist forming a perfect arc, her figure elegant and alluring.

Chen Huajiang was still a man; his heart couldn’t help but race. But the hard plank bed was too small, and Huanhuan lay between them. He could only lie quietly on his own side, especially since he was unsure of Lin Jiayin’s feelings.

“Huajiang,” Lin Jiayin suddenly spoke, startling him from his reverie.

“Yes?”

“Tomorrow… it’s my father’s birthday. Can we go home together?” she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper, almost pleading.

Because of their marriage, Huajiang had harbored resentment toward her parents.

“Alright,” he agreed without hesitation.

Lin Jiayin turned to look at him in surprise.

She shifted slightly, and the soft swell of her chest stretched the fabric of her nightgown. Huajiang couldn’t help but glance her way.

“Um, Huanhuan is growing up. Maybe… tomorrow we should buy another bed,” Lin Jiayin murmured, her cheeks flushing, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s hum.