Chapter 67: He Hit Me With Money
When Su He began unwrapping the package, Teacher Yuan stared at her intently.
Su He thought to herself, If you’re going to watch like that, how am I supposed to fake anything?
So she said, “Teacher Yuan, we need to recreate the conditions from last time. You should just go about your business and let me open it alone. Otherwise, the luck won’t work.”
Teacher Yuan snorted, “Nonsense!”
Still, he turned and sat down at his desk.
Su He: “…”
She took the chance to swap out a few of the books, then said, “Teacher Yuan, I’m done. Come check if there’s anything like last time.”
Teacher Yuan dashed over eagerly and started flipping through the books.
A while later, he burst into loud laughter. “See? I told you your hands are lucky! Look, here it is—exactly the book I needed!”
A moment later, he let out another excited quack-like sound.
“Hahaha! Another one! This is like striking gold!”
…
Over an hour passed before Teacher Yuan finally calmed down.
He said seriously, “Someday, if I ever get the chance, I must find this patriotic donor and give them the recognition they deserve. Otherwise, I’ll die with regrets!”
Su He: …If you keep thinking like that, you’re going to die with your eyes wide open.
The next few days, Su He was spinning in circles, busy with everything.
That evening, just as she returned to the bungalow, Qian Huifang handed her a package.
“Xiao Su, your parcel—from the Capital.”
Su He was puzzled. She only knew one person in the capital: Gu Chiyan. Could it be from him?
Maybe he wanted her to pass something on to Old Man Ge?
But that didn’t make sense—hadn’t he said not to let the old man know they were in contact?
Carrying her questions, Su He opened the package—and froze.
Inside were a letter and a stack of sketch paper, along with a smaller bundle wrapped in newspaper.
Su He didn’t immediately unwrap the small package, instead choosing to read the letter first.
“Comrade Su He:
I hope this letter finds you well.
I received your previous correspondence. Thank you for updating me on Old Man Ge’s condition.
Regarding your mention of hair accessory styles in the Capital, I visited every supply and marketing co-op I could find.
I’ve sketched out the designs for hair flowers and clips, and included the best-selling samples for your reference.
As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, I’ve enclosed two sets of ration coupons: one for purchasing seasonal foods for Old Man Ge, and the other for Uncle Su and Auntie Cao, to thank them for taking care of Old Man Ge.
The weather in the Capital is warming, and the scenery is changing once again…
If there’s anything more I can do to help, don’t hesitate to write.
Due to the postal delays, if anything is urgent, you can call: ×××.
Looking forward to your reply.”
Su He picked up the sketch paper and found a variety of hair clip and flower designs, all annotated with prices and supply sources.
She opened the newspaper bundle next and found four hair flowers, four hair clips, a stack of ration coupons, and… a wad of Huaxia currency.
He said it was for Uncle Su and Auntie Cao, but anyone with a brain could tell—it was for her.
Su He, unable to resist, counted the money: exactly 100 yuan.
As for the ration coupons: 20 jin of oil, 50 jin of grain, 6 jin of sugar…
Su He: …So he’s literally throwing money at me!
But—being hit by money like this felt really good.
And it wasn’t just about the money. He was reliable, too.
She’d merely mentioned the idea, and he went all over the capital visiting supply co-ops, did such detailed market research, and even mailed samples.
Gu Chiyan—he’s a keeper!
Thinking about his ridiculously handsome face again, Su He felt like she’d truly struck gold.
Su He didn’t reply right away as usual. Instead, she began studying the samples he’d sent.
Say what you will, the Capital’s designs were definitely a notch above what was sold in the county.
But, considering the times, hair flowers made from scrap fabric could absolutely hold their own.
If she could improve the materials a bit, they could be even better.
Su He quickly drafted a design plan. But it wasn’t time to pitch it to the textile factory yet—she needed the first batch of hair flowers finished first.
Just as she stored everything in the Exchange Market System, Cao Hongmei came back beaming.
She was clearly in a great mood—her steps were practically floating.
“Xiao He! I managed to snag a fish at the grocery today—let’s have braised fish tonight!”
“Really? I was just craving fish!”
…
As they chatted and cooked, dinner was soon ready.
Only then did they realize that Su Jinbao hadn’t come home yet.
Cao Hongmei’s face changed immediately.
Her voice trembled. “Xiao He… could something have happened to Jinbao?”
“Second Aunt, don’t panic.
He might’ve been held back by the teacher or gone to play with classmates.
I’ll check the school, and you go look at the houses of his usual friends.”
Su He said that, but her heart sank.
Ever since she’d scared Su Jinbao last time, he’d always come straight home after school—even if he played outside, he’d let them know.
She ran next door to ask Qian Huifang and Qi Weimin to help search.
Old Man Ge joined in too after hearing the commotion.
But after searching for ages, no one could find Su Jinbao.
Cao Hongmei was crying so hard she nearly fainted.
Someone went to call Su Yongshi back, and he was beside himself with worry.
Su He forced herself to stay calm. “Uncle Qi, you know a lot of people. Ask around to help watch the train station and the bus station—one each for you and my uncle.
Aunt Qian, you take Second Aunt to report to the police.
I’ll go to the county broadcast station and ask them to make a missing child announcement.”
…
Meanwhile, young Su Jinbao was locked inside a room.
Around him were several other sleeping children, all clearly younger than him by two or three years.
Even though this era had strict rules—train travel required referral letters—there were still loopholes.
Some traffickers used fake letters and disguised children as sick or asleep to sneak them onto trains.
Su Jinbao peeked open one eye. Seeing no one around, he opened both eyes fully—and spit out a piece of candy.
His nose stung, and tears nearly fell.
Big Sis was right!
Traffickers did like to abduct clever and cute kids like him!
Jinbao had been quite alert lately, always going straight home after school.
Today was the same—he’d been skipping along on his way home when someone suddenly yanked him into a courtyard.
He wanted to yell for help—but seeing several men with weapons, he didn’t dare.
What if he screamed and just got stabbed instead?
That knife must hurt like hell!
He pretended to be terrified and shivered nonstop.
“Swallow this candy!”
Someone stuffed candy into his mouth.
Jinbao pretended to swallow, but actually hid the candy under his tongue.
That was a trick he’d perfected from being greedy at home—he often used it to con an extra piece of candy from Cao Hongmei.
Now, he tucked the candy into his pocket and started recalling the self-rescue techniques Su He had taught him. His eyes fell on the back window.
He carefully approached the door and peeked through the crack.
The men were in the courtyard, eating and drinking around a table.
They were relaxed—after all, the kids had eaten drugged candy and would be unconscious for at least two days.
And even if they woke up, they wouldn’t be able to escape.
As for the back window, it was higher than an adult’s head. No child could reach it.
Jinbao saw the problem.
The room was empty—no tools, no furniture.
Then his eyes sparkled. He remembered the story Su He had told him about the monkeys reaching for the moon—if they could form a chain, so could he!
He carefully dragged the sleeping kids to the window, stacked them up with all his strength, and climbed on top of them.
He thought to himself, At least I’m polite—I stepped on their butts, not their faces…
