Chapter 106: Beating around the bush
Li Xiaoqin didn’t have as many reservations as her, and said regretfully, "Well, since that’s how you feel, I can’t do much about it. But you still need to take what you’re owed. He’s a city person, definitely wealthier than us villagers. Don’t hold back—if there’s anything in the world we can’t argue with, it certainly isn’t money."
Oh, come on. Xiaoqin, are you a time traveler too or something?
Tian Sangsang chuckled and changed the subject. "By the way, Sister Xiaoqin, is there any news from Dongzhen? We haven’t heard from Brother Tian for ages."
At the mention of Tian Yi, Li Xiaoqin softened completely, her face lighting up with a smile. "Our family got a letter from him a few days ago. Turns out Yi, my brother, and my uncle were wholesaling toothpaste and shampoo to sell, but business wasn’t great. Now they’ve started working in a factory refining iron. It’s tough work, but the monthly pay is 60. Yi even said he’d come home for the New Year and bring me and Gou Sheng some clothes from outside. The clothes out there are so pretty—not like the ones we stitch together ourselves here. They’re machine-made! When the time comes, I’ll show them to you."
"Refining iron?" Tian Sangsang asked with some confusion, "What kind of iron? Did you ask exactly what he’s doing, Sister Xiaoqin?"
"Eh... I don’t really know either... It takes forever for letters to go back and forth," Li Xiaoqin replied absentmindedly, waving her hand with a contented smile. "As long as I know they’re refining iron, that’s good enough... What’s the point of knowing more? I’m just a woman; it’s not like I’d understand it anyway."
Li Xiaoqin had the classic round face, fair skin, a tall figure, and large, expressive eyes. Once again, Tian Sangsang felt that Xiaoqin was too carefree, almost to the point of being heartless. This is your man we’re talking about—how could you not bother finding out what he’s doing? If you say she cares about Tian Yi, it doesn’t seem like it. But if you say she doesn’t care... actually, she kind of does. But it’s just...
Tian Sangsang had a vague sense of foreboding.