Volume One, Chapter Six: Sending Money to My Younger Brother

Today, Su Wanyue once again set up her stall beside the county hospital. She calculated in her mind that this spot was close to the school and bustling with passersby, which would not only attract customers walking by but also draw in some students to support her business, allowing her to earn more money to help support her family.

With nimble hands, Su Wanyue swiftly assembled her stall and neatly arranged the two snacks she planned to sell—roasted chestnuts and fried potato strips—separately. As usual, she first took out some snacks, her smile radiant like the warm spring sun, enthusiastically calling out to those nearby, “Come, come, uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters, try the snacks I made! They taste wonderful!”

The aroma of the snacks gradually wafted through the air, as if an invisible hand was drawing the crowd closer.

“Little miss, what delicious things are you selling today? It smells so good!” a middle-aged woman asked curiously, stepping forward with eyes fixed on the snacks at the stall, her nostrils twitching slightly as if eager to taste them.

“Today, no boiled chestnuts,” Su Wanyue said with a beaming smile and sparkling eyes, full of enthusiasm. “I’m selling roasted chestnuts instead—more fragrant and sweeter—and fried potato strips. I made them myself; they’re clean and hygienic, and absolutely delicious!” She invited everyone warmly to try the snacks.

Many who tasted them praised the flavors highly. “This really tastes great!”

“How much are your roasted chestnuts and fried potato strips?” another person inquired.

“Roasted chestnuts are sixty cents per jin, and fried potato strips are seventy cents per jin,” Su Wanyue replied with a sincere smile, looking earnestly at the customer. “Sister, take some home to try. If there are children at home, they’ll definitely love these snacks. When kids eat happily, you’ll be happy too, won’t you?”

“All right! Give me a jin of each!” the woman said briskly, pulling out two yuan and waving her hand. “Keep the change!”

“That won’t do, sister. We must do business with integrity. The price is fixed—I can’t take advantage of you,” Su Wanyue quickly waved her hand, thinking to herself that although life was hard, she must never lose her integrity as a person and the trustworthiness of a businessperson.

Su Wanyue always upheld honesty and conscience in her business, never seeking small gains at others’ expense. She fully understood that only through such principles could her business last and her family’s life improve.

When school was out, a group of students passed by her stall. Su Wanyue’s eyes lit up immediately, and she perked up, raising her voice to call out, “Students, come quickly! Freshly made snacks, delicious and affordable!”

While speaking, she busied herself handing out samples to one student after another, answering questions here and there, thoroughly occupied, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

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When Lu Zetao finished work, he spotted Su Wanyue in the crowd at once. His brows furrowed slightly, a trace of disdain flashing across his face. He thought to himself, “That annoying girl—why is she setting up her stall here again? Hopefully, she won’t cause any trouble today.”

With that thought, he deliberately pretended not to see her and strode past quickly, his gaze cold and distant.

At the same time, Su Wanyue saw Lu Zetao among the crowd. But her mind was filled entirely with thoughts of earning money. She gave him a faint glance and then continued attending to her customers, thinking that men were less important than making money. Once she earned enough, she would give her family a better life—that was what truly mattered.

That entire afternoon, Su Wanyue was dizzyingly busy, but her efforts paid off. She earned over thirty yuan in net profit.

Holding the money, she felt overjoyed.

Afterward, she went to the market to buy some seasonings and collected some unwanted potatoes from villagers. After careful calculation, she still had more than ten yuan left.

Clutching the money tightly, she vowed silently that as long as she kept working hard, she would improve her family’s life and never have to worry about money again.

After closing up her stall, Su Wanyue planned to visit the county’s best high school, Seventh High, to see her younger brother, Su Zhiqiang, and send him some money to improve his meals.

Since their biological mother remarried and took Su Zhiqiang away, Su Wanyue hadn’t seen her brother for a long time. She missed him deeply and wondered how he was doing at school.

“Su Zhiqiang, your sister is here to see you!”

Su Zhiqiang, who was gulping water from a large bottle in the classroom, suddenly choked, his drinking action halting abruptly. He hurriedly patted his chest, eyes flashing with panic.

He didn’t want his sister to know that his stepfather didn’t give him money and that he often drank water to fill his hunger. He absolutely could not let her worry.

As soon as she entered, Su Wanyue saw her brother coughing and immediately stepped forward, concern etched on her face. She gently patted his back and asked with care, “Zhiqiang, how could you be so careless? Are you okay?”

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It was mealtime now. Su Wanyue looked around and noticed her brother wasn’t going to the cafeteria but sitting at his desk drinking water instead, causing her heart to skip a beat.

Looking at her brother’s emaciated frame and sallow complexion, it was clear he was malnourished.

Her gaze brimmed with pain and guilt as she silently blamed herself for not visiting him sooner and not taking better care of him.

“Sis, why are you here?” Su Zhiqiang asked, a trace of surprise and unease in his eyes as he tried to hide his embarrassment.

Su Wanyue understood that asking him directly wouldn’t yield much, so she decided to question his classmates later.

“Here,” she said quickly, pulling five yuan from her pocket and pressing it into his hand, her eyes soft yet resolute. “Zhiqiang, take this money. You must eat well and take care of yourself at school. Don’t be stingy with spending, okay?”

Surprised, Su Zhiqiang’s eyes widened and his mouth opened slightly, stunned for a moment before regaining composure. “Sis, where did you get so much money?”

“I earned it. I sell wild roasted chestnuts and potatoes at my stall. Business is going well—I’ve made quite a bit,” Su Wanyue said with a smile, patting his head.

Su Zhiqiang glanced at the money, hesitated, then pulled out four bills and stuffed them back into Su Wanyue’s hand, his eyes firm. “Sis, Dad’s debts aren’t paid off yet. One bill is enough for me. It’s not easy for you to earn money either.”

“You little rascal, keep it and listen to me. Now that I can make money, you need to eat better, take care of your health, and study hard, got it?” Su Wanyue feigned anger and gave him a stern look before placing the money back firmly in his hand, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Before Su Zhiqiang could reply, Su Wanyue waved her hand and turned to leave the classroom.

Outside, she asked his classmates about him.

She soon learned that her brother was often hungry, poorly clothed, and had even been bullied and gotten into fights.

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