Volume One, Chapter Four: Earning Money Is Paramount

What? She was being forced to apologize to a foolish child in front of everyone? Wasn’t that just humiliating her and allowing people to trample all over her?

Chen Ruyun finally understood—Su Wanyue was determined to pick a fight with her today and wouldn’t let it go until she apologized.

“Yunfei’s wife, you’ve beaten little Xing more than once before. Since he’s still willing to give you a way out, hurry up and apologize!”

A voice from the crowd cut through, causing Chen Ruyun’s face to flush with shame.

With the men away from home and everyone blaming her, Chen Ruyun frowned but forced a smile and said, “Uncle, I’m already grown up—apologizing to a child like this is really embarrassing. How about I apologize properly to you, as an elder instead?”

“I was just impulsive when I hit little Xing. Please don’t take it to heart. I promise it won’t happen again. You’re a generous person, so let’s not make a fuss.”

Chen Ruyun’s mind worked quickly.

Since she had achieved her goal, Su Wanyue didn’t press further. She placed a one-yuan coin on the stone table in the courtyard. “This is to pay for your vegetables. I’ll give you the rest later.”

Su Wanyue took little Xing’s grimy hand in one and linked arms with her father as they left Chen Ruyun’s house.

Money really was the root of all trouble!

The Su family was so poor that even finding a single yuan was a struggle. It truly troubled Su Junye.

“Dad, don’t worry. I’ll figure something out.”

After dinner, Su Wanyue set out, wandering through the village looking for ways to earn money.

As she walked, she suddenly noticed many spiky little balls scattered on the ground.

Bending down, she picked one up and examined it carefully—it was wild chestnuts!

She had a plan!

Adults and children in the county town rarely saw this kind of snack, so it should be profitable.

Su Wanyue was always decisive and efficient. Early the next morning, she carried a basket and a long bamboo pole up the back mountain. By noon, she had filled her basket to the brim with wild chestnuts. She carried them home, cooked and processed them with her stepmother, and then took them to the county town to sell.

“Fresh wild chestnuts! Sweet and delicious! Free samples!” Su Wanyue held a small bowl filled with peeled chestnuts, calling out to the passersby on the street.

She was naturally pretty and tall, catching everyone’s eye as she stood on the street. Now, boldly calling out to sell her goods, she attracted even more attention.

“Little sister, what if your wild chestnuts don’t taste good?”

Su Wanyue smiled brightly. “Big brother, you can try as much as you like. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to buy.”

With just that “big brother,” the man didn’t hesitate and bought two jin of wild chestnuts on the spot.

City folks hadn’t eaten wild chestnuts before, and with Su Wanyue’s polite and skillful salesmanship, business was booming.

In less than three hours, all her wild chestnuts sold out, and she made a good profit.

Mother and daughter happily packed up and returned to the village, but as they reached the village entrance, they heard a commotion.

Looking over, they saw Su Junye and little Xing being driven out, thrown to the ground, surrounded by villagers laughing at them.

Su Wanyue rushed into the crowd and helped her father and brother up. “Dad, what happened?”

“Your dad took your foolish brother around to borrow money. They didn’t get any, and people even beat them out.”

When you’re poor, even dogs dare to bully you!

“Dad, I told you, I’ll figure out the money.”

No sooner had Su Wanyue spoken than a woman sneered, “You’ll figure it out? Don’t make me laugh! If you could get money, your dad wouldn’t be shamelessly dragging your foolish brother around borrowing! What a nuisance!”

Su Wanyue ignored the woman and quickly spotted Chen Ruyun in the crowd. Without hesitation, she walked over and pulled out a wad of cash from her pocket—several ten-yuan notes!

“This is the rest of the money, here you go.”

She counted out some change and handed it to Chen Ruyun.

Not only was Chen Ruyun stunned, but everyone else there was speechless.

Where did Su Wanyue get so much money?!

They only ever saw ten-yuan bills when they received their monthly wages.

Rumor had it she sold wild chestnuts in the county town.

Wild chestnuts were everywhere on the ground in Caixia Village—could they really make that much money?

The villagers planned to keep an eye on her and follow her the next time she went to the county town to sell.

The next day, Su Wanyue gathered plenty of fresh wild chestnuts again, cooked and processed them, then carried her basket to the county town to sell.

This time, Liu Zilan stayed home to look after her foolish son, but several envious women secretly followed Su Wanyue.

There were only two prime spots in the county town: near the department store and near the county hospital.

Last time, Su Wanyue and her stepmother sold near the department store, so this time she set up near the county hospital.

After all, wild chestnuts could be cloying if eaten too much—it was best to try a little at a time.

“Come take a look, try a sample! Sweet and soft wild chestnuts, free tasting! Loved by old and young!”

Today Su Wanyue wore a pale purple shirt dress and had woven a colorful headband into a slanting braid using modern styling—a breathtaking sight.

Especially when she smiled, the corners of her mouth curved like peach blossoms blooming in spring, utterly enchanting.

Passersby were captivated by the beautiful young girl and stopped to watch.

Su Wanyue immediately spotted Lu Zetao standing out in the crowd. She had to admit, whether in looks, stature, or presence, Lu Zetao was top-notch and impossible to ignore.

Beside him stood another male doctor in a white coat, chatting quietly.

Doctor Bi Shen saw Su Wanyue and approached, then turned to Lu Zetao, saying, “Doctor Lu, isn’t that your wife?”

“Sis-in-law, selling wild chestnuts now? Give me a jin!”

Since it was a colleague’s wife, he had to show support.

Lu Zetao’s face darkened instantly, but he had no words to say.

“This doctor, Lu Zetao and I are divorced. Don’t call me sis-in-law anymore.”

Su Wanyue didn’t even glance at Lu Zetao, smiling as she spoke to the doctor buying chestnuts.

“Su Wanyue, stop with these fancy antics! You keep coming to the county hospital causing trouble—what’s the point?”

“I’m selling my chestnuts. None of your business!” Su Wanyue rolled her eyes with disdain. “You jerk, shut up!”

Such a beautiful new bride, yet her first words were a curse—truly feisty!

Bi Shen glanced at Lu Zetao, then at Su Wanyue, and chuckled. “You two must be fighting, huh?”

Before he could finish, Su Wanyue interrupted, “Fighting? We’re divorced!”

Onlookers were baffled, and several female doctors and nurses gossiped in surprise, “Doctor Lu is the good man many of us want to marry. You really divorced him? Why?”