Chapter 16

Sang Ran’s father looked slightly uncomfortable. "You know the family’s situation. Your dad was hoping you could help your older brother and your two younger brothers. Isn’t that why I brought them along? Eldest, third, and fourth, come over here!"
"Yes!" The three hurried forward, looking at Sang Ran with hopeful eyes.
Sang Ran smiled, her gaze sweeping over each of them one by one. Only when the three began to look uneasy did she speak calmly, without a hint of sarcasm: "Of course, I can tell you. It’s simple, just go to Shenzhen to source goods and sell them here. You can do it yourselves."
Sang Ran’s mother, having regained her composure, quickly interjected, "Your brothers have never traveled far, how could they manage that? Sang Ran, aren’t you selling clothes? Let your older brother help you. You can just give him a share of the earnings later."
In truth, everyone understood the logic.
Scarce goods from the city, when sold in the town, would always fetch a slightly higher price.
Some people traveled from south to north, reselling goods wherever they went.
But in the past, this was called "speculation and profiteering", a crime that could get you arrested.
Although private entrepreneurship was now permitted, few dared to take the risk. Since Sang Ran had already shouldered the main risks, her parents, older brother, and younger brothers, as her closest family, felt it was only natural to share in her success.
Yet, while they spoke this way, they seemed to have forgotten their past actions. Not to mention, their current request was utterly laughable.
Sang Ran deliberately feigned surprise and asked, "Had I ever traveled far from home before this?"
"Well, you’ve already gone once now" her mother muttered, growing anxious when Sang Ran didn’t respond directly and turning to her sister-in-law for help.
The eldest aunt, who had been chatting with Zhang Cuixia, immediately stepped in and said with an air of earnest concern, "Sang Ran, you know the family’s situation. Now that you’ve made something of yourself, of course you should look after your brothers. After all, we’re family."
Such matters were considered normal in any family, so they spoke openly without avoiding the Zhu family.
Zhu Chang’an stood to the side, silently curling his lip but saying nothing.
Sang Ran smiled cheerfully. "You’re right, but that’s on the condition that you didn’t sell me off like a piece of merchandise. So, sorry, but I don’t need any help selling clothes."
"You can’t do this!" her mother hissed, growing frantic and reaching out to grab Sang Ran again.
The eldest aunt’s face darkened, her heart sinking. This girl was indeed much harder to deal with than before. Her eyes shifted as an idea occurred to her, but she held her tongue.
The grandfather was still in their care, and with the family’s financial struggles, supporting him was already difficult.
But it was clear Sang Ran still held a grudge over the dowry issue, so she decided not to push further, lest she earn Sang Ran’s resentment as well.
Sang Ran's smile widened, but her eyes grew colder, and her voice rose sharply. "Of course I can! Why couldn’t I? You never treated me as your daughter, so why should I treat you as my parents? Am I that desperate for punishment?"
Her sudden outburst startled Sang's parents, who stumbled back two steps in embarrassment, avoiding her gaze.
But Sang Ran didn't stop. She had held back before, thinking they all had some self-awareness, once she married, they could simply go their separate ways.
Back then, the Sang family had wanted to squeeze every last bit of usefulness out of her, trading her for money. If her life had turned out miserable, they wouldn't have bothered to ask about her even once.
Yet, here she was, living well, not struggling in her in-laws' home due to incompetence as they had imagined. She didn't need to beg them; instead, they were the ones coveting her profitable business, hoping to get a share.
Since when did things work so conveniently?
Seeing them retreat, Sang Ran stepped forward with a cold expression, her voice firm and resolute. "You gave birth to me and raised me for a few years. The bride price, the 'three rounds and one sound', all of it adds up to far more than what you ever spent on me. I've repaid my debt. When you're old and unable to move, I'll provide for you. But let me make this clear today: do you expect me to help your precious son make money? Not a chance!"
She wasn't an ATM. The original host, by the most generous estimate, hadn't cost the family more than a hundred yuan. She had repaid what was owed and was even willing to support them in their old age, that was already going above and beyond.
Sang Ran had no desire to be entangled with such people.
After all, she wasn't the original host and couldn't bring herself to return kindness for malice.
"You ungrateful wretch!" Father Sang was so furious he nearly passed out, raising his hand to strike her.
Zhu Chang'an jolted, his hair standing on end as rage surged through him. He scrambled to his feet to intervene, only to see Sang Ran firmly catch the man's wrist. He shouted urgently, "If you dare hit her, I'll kill you!"
Sang Ran gave him a reassuring glance, then pushed Father Sang back with both hands. Seeing his face turn ashen, she said coldly, "Take your things and get out. I've shown you the way. If you want to make money, work for it yourselves. If you expect to lie back and collect money, I'm sorry, I'm not that self-sacrificing."
"Don't you regret this!" Mother Sang yelled, her face livid as she turned and stormed off.
Father Sang glared at her viciously, panting heavily, his eyes shadowed with resentment and a hint of fear.
With things having reached this point, any further argument would only humiliate them further.
No one had expected Sang Ran to be so ruthless. The rest of the Sang family looked equally displeased, but there was nothing they could do, especially since they couldn't win in a fight.
Where did this girl get such terrifying strength? It was downright frightening.
The Sang family left, and they truly took all the gifts they had brought with them.
Zhang Cuixia watched the group, who had arrived with such force and departed with such anger, her expression complex. She sighed and said, "Child, they always say to leave some room for reconciliation in the future."
They were all young people, full of youthful vigor and impulsiveness.
Sang Ran smiled faintly. "That depends on who it is."
If the Sang family had treated her even a little better, she might have considered their feelings, but unfortunately, they hadn't.
Zhang Cuixia shook her head, though it really had little to do with her. It was a good thing for a daughter-in-law to side with her husband's family. At least from their month of interaction, she knew that Sang Ran wasn't ungrateful, she generously repaid any kindness shown to her.
It must have been the Sang parents who had hurt her deeply.
But some things were hard to judge; parents often held a natural moral high ground.
Sang Ran was indeed like that. Forcing herself to get along with the Sang family would only leave her feeling stifled and wronged. It was better to be straightforward, free-spirited, and let it all go.
However, she didn't dwell on it. Instead, she turned to Zhu Chang'an with a smile. "Hurry and tell your brothers? We'll treat them to dinner tonight and discuss how to collaborate."
"Alright," Zhu Chang'an nodded, though without much enthusiasm. He walked over and patted Sang Ran's head gently. "Wife, don't be sad. From now on, we're family."
Though he seemed childish at times, he was tall, and Sang Ran had to look up to meet his eyes. She took a step forward, wrapped her arms around his slender waist, and said cheerfully, "I know, but if you ever bully me, I won't be nice to you either. I hold grudges."
"I definitely won't!" Zhu Chang'an quickly shook his head, almost raising his hand to swear an oath.
Sang Ran chuckled. "I'll allow you to get a jug of wine. You can drink tonight."
"On it! Wife, give me a kiss!" Zhu Chang'an immediately brightened up, puckering his lips for a kiss.
Suddenly, a loud "smack" echoed as he was slapped on the back of his head. He clutched his head in grievance and saw his mother scowling with impatience. "What are you doing in the main hall? Hurry up and get to work!"
Zhu Chang'an: "Oh."
Sang Ran covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.

Zhu Chang'an had three brothers, all young and strong men capable of carrying heavy loads.
They didn't need to invest any capital, just contribute their labor, so Sang Ran offered each of them a hundred yuan as a service fee.
Initially, the three thought they were just helping out and were surprised to receive payment. They declined repeatedly, eventually bargaining the fee down to sixty yuan.
After all, in the countryside, earning a hundred yuan in a year was rare, especially for idle folks like them. Taking a hundred for just a few days of work would have made them feel guilty.
Sang Ran relented. "Sixty for the first time. If I ask for your help again in the future, don't be shy about it."
Once they realized how profitable this business was, they'd understand that a few dozen yuan wasn't a big deal.
The three nodded eagerly. "Sister-in-law is right."
"Sister-in-law, when do we start?"
"The day after tomorrow. Hurry and get your permits to buy the train tickets," Sang Ran reminded them.
"Absolutely, absolutely!" one of them, a fair-skinned young man, agreed. After settling the matter, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes. "Brother, here."
Zhu Chang'an instinctively reached for the cigarette but paused, glanced at the sky, and shook his head. "Forget it, not smoking."
It had been days since he last smoked, he'd almost forgotten about it.
"What's up, bro? You quit smoking?" The three of them teased in surprise.
Sang Ran smiled gently. "Yes, Chang'an has quit. Smoking isn't good, you all should smoke less too."
Seeing her pretty, non-threatening smile, the three brothers were reminded of certain incidents and silently felt immense sympathy for Zhu Chang'an. They nodded and said, "Sis-in-law is right!"
Then they stuffed their cigarettes back into the pack.
Zhu Chang'an caught their meaningful looks and scoffed disdainfully. Bunch of idiots.
He quit smoking so his wife would kiss him!
It definitely wasn't because he was intimidated by her strength!

Ten days later.
By the river between Su Village and Zhu Village, a few middle-aged women were chatting while doing laundry.
"Hey, have you heard? Old Man Sang collapsed in the fields again. What a tragedy."
"I remember last time his granddaughter came back and gave him money for his living expenses. Didn't he get it? We were all so envious back then, whose family gets to enjoy their granddaughter's support so early? Most girls don't even cause trouble for their birth families, and that's considered good enough."
"She definitely gave him the money, but you know how it is, the Sang family's situation isn't as good as the Zhu family's. Old Man Sang can't hold on to that money."
"Honestly, raising so many sons and not a single good one among them Having one capable daughter is a blessing too. I heard Sang Ran's selling clothes now, sourcing them from the south. Business is booming."
Su Ya, who had been washing clothes by the river, overheard this and perked up. Hesitating for a moment, she asked, "Aunties, which family are you talking about?"
Since they were all from neighboring villages, some just a ten-minute walk apart, and often worked together with little entertainment, gossip traveled fast. Everyone knew each other and kept up with local news.
Hearing Su Ya's question, the chatting aunties eagerly explained, "It's the Sang family from Zhu Village. You know, the one whose daughter married that little hooligan from the Zhu family?"
"Now she's doing business and living well, so she takes care of her grandfather. But we haven't seen her helping her birth family. Her grandfather collapsed in the fields the day before yesterday, was taken to the hospital, and brought back yesterday. Rumor has it, it'll cost a fortune to care for him now."
"Doing business?" Su Ya was surprised, focusing only on what she wanted to know, and pressed further.
"Yeah, you haven't heard? Girls and young wives from all around have been buying new clothes from her. Ten yuan per piece, so expensive! And yet, many people still couldn't get one!"
"The clothes are genuinely nice. I wanted to buy one too, but I just couldn't bring myself to spend the money. I only bought one for my daughter."
Su Ya's smile, which she had maintained while asking questions earlier, suddenly faltered.
Sang Ran was doing business?
Right, it was the 1980s, if you gritted your teeth and dove into the business world, you could basically make money.
But this wasn't part of her plan!
She had never even considered going into business and being pointed at by others. She had only ever thought about how being with Song Jianguo would make her rich in the future!
And now she was being told that Sang Ran was doing business and couldn't even keep up with demand?
Su Ya's hands, which had been busy moments ago, now clutched the hem of her clothes tightly, her expression shifting unpredictably.
Lately, Su Ya had been embroiled in a lawsuit with the Song family. A while ago, she even went to the military base, hoping to get Song Jianguo to come back and divide the family assets, but she was refused.
The only benefit was that she managed to get most of his allowance, leaving only a small portion for him to send back to his family.
Even so, the remaining money wasn't much, enough to live comfortably, but to live as lavishly as she remembered in her past life, Song Jianguo would have to become a high-ranking official!
Even the idea of helping her own family financially was out of the question. Coming from a later era, she was used to spending freely, and on top of that, Song Jianguo truly hadn't saved much money.
All his earnings had been swallowed up by those leeches in the Song family!
The money she had brought back from the military base was now down to fifty yuan, and she felt it wasn't enough for herself.
How could Sang Ran, married to a good-for-nothing, still have the means to support her own family?
Su Ya, convinced of her rebirth advantage, had believed she had found a golden goose. For the sake of a better future, she had endured the Song family's disgusting behavior.
Yet now, Sang Ran, married to a layabout, was living much better than she was?
Su Ya's mind was in turmoil, and she bit her lip in frustration.
Zhu Chang’an was supposed to be a cripple, supposed to end up in jail!
She took a slow, deep breath, hurriedly put away the clothes, and quickly headed toward Zhu Village. She needed to find out what was really going on.
The Song family had a bicycle, part of her dowry, which she had brought with her. But on the wedding day, the old lady of the Song family had hidden it and refused to let her use it, no matter how much she argued.
Later, Song Jianguo had also advised her to drop the matter.
Thinking of his future success, she had swallowed her anger.
Now, the bicycle was only used by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law when they went out. To get to Zhu Village and investigate, she had to walk.
On the road, Su Ya hadn't taken more than a few steps before feeling overwhelmingly wronged, tears falling in big drops.
She wiped her tears and quickened her pace.
Suddenly, the sound of a bicycle bell came from behind.
Su Ya instinctively glanced back and saw two familiar figures riding toward her. The man was handsome, with long legs that seemed almost too long for the bike, making it appear a bit small. Dressed in a shirt, trousers, and leather shoes, he looked like a college student.
The girl sitting on the back was even more striking, a beautiful young woman with a pretty face, trendy clothes, and flowing long hair. They passed by her like a gust of wind.
The girl had her hands resting on the man's waist, her head leaning against his back, an intimate harmony rarely seen these days.
Was that,
Sang Ran and Zhu Chang'an?
Su Ya’s footsteps had unknowingly stilled as she stared blankly at the figure that grew smaller and smaller before disappearing into the distance.