Dongdong had assumed his mother didn't have much money on her. Seeing that she truly did, his eyes instantly lit up.
Jiang Tang was amused by his expression.
"Dongdong, how are we supposed to eat?" Jiang Tang asked gently.
Dongdong replied adorably, "We have to eat slowly."
Jiang Tang smiled, "That’s right, Dongdong is so smart."
Dongdong was young, but he had a very good memory.
Once they were both full, they returned to the hostel. Before bed, they had to wash up; Jiang Tang used a towel to wipe Dongdong down, then wiped herself off. That was enough for the night.
Both of them were rather thin, so there was still space left on the bed.
Dongdong had never slept on such a soft mattress before. He rubbed his face against the quilt, and seeing his mother looking at him with smiling eyes, he suddenly bared his pearly white teeth, flashing a big grin at Jiang Tang.
Jiang Tang planted a loving kiss on his face.
Shyly, Dongdong hid himself under the covers.
Afraid he might suffocate, Jiang Tang pulled the quilt down a little. "Dongdong, do you know how much money Mommy has?"
Jiang Tang hadn’t told him earlier because she was afraid of being overheard by outsiders.
Dongdong’s eyes sparkled as he looked at his mother. Was Mommy really wealthy now?
Jiang Tang pulled a thick stack of bills and ration coupons from her pocket, beaming as she said, "From now on, whatever Dongdong wants to eat, Mommy has the money to buy it for you."
Jiang Tang had taken this money from Mother Shen’s hiding spot while no one was home.
If she hadn't had a vague recollection of the plot, she never would have found Mother Shen’s secret stash, even if she had dug three feet into the ground.
"There is over a thousand yuan here," Jiang Tang explained to Dongdong. "The money Mommy has now means Dongdong can eat wontons every single day, and be completely full, too."
Dongdong understood immediately; his mother really was rich.
"So, Dongdong, don't worry, okay? Our lives are only going to get better," Jiang Tang promised.
Dongdong nodded obediently.
"Now, let's go to sleep. Mommy will tell you a story."
"Okay."
Jiang Tang’s voice flowed like a gentle spring, soft and soothing. The story she told was incredibly novel—something Dongdong had never heard before. Cradled in her soft embrace, he slowly drifted off to sleep.
Once Dongdong was asleep, Jiang Tang kissed his forehead.
She began to think about what to do next.
Being able to stay here for a few days was all thanks to the help of the Brigade Leader.
He had written the introduction letter for Jiang Tang, primarily for two reasons: first, out of respect for Shen Chuan, and second, because Jiang Tang and Dongdong were truly pitiful, and he had simply lent a helping hand.
Jiang Tang already had a plan. First, she had to get her hands on the money Shen Chuan sent home. Shen Chuan sent money to the family every month—thirty yuan specifically for Jiang Tang, and twenty for Mother Shen.
At first, things were fine, but later, Mother Shen suddenly claimed that Shen Chuan had told her to manage the money herself, and even showed Jiang Tang a letter to prove it. Jiang Tang assumed Shen Chuan felt thirty yuan was too much for her. Later, Mother Shen would toss Jiang Tang one yuan a month like she was giving alms—and even that pittance was snatched away by her own family.
Jiang Tang wasn't the original owner of this body, but based on the descriptions in the book, Shen Chuan wasn't a stingy man. On the contrary, he was a man of loyalty and responsibility. If he had wanted to, he could have sent her nothing from the start; why would he bother sending money every month? It could only have been Mother Shen stirring up trouble in the middle.
Thirty yuan a month, over these years, added up to at least fifteen hundred yuan.
As Jiang Tang pondered this, she drifted off to sleep.
"Dongdong." Jiang Tang woke up and instinctively reached out to the side. Her arm felt empty, and fearing Dongdong had disappeared, she opened her eyes in a panic.
"Mommy, I'm right here," Dongdong said.
He immediately grabbed his mother’s hand.
Relieved, Jiang Tang patted her chest. "Dongdong, why are you up so early?"
Dongdong’s eyes were bright and clear. "Mommy, I couldn't sleep."
Usually, by this time, they would have already finished washing the dishes and laundry for the entire Shen family.
"Alright then," Jiang Tang said, getting out of bed. "Let’s brush our teeth and wash our faces, then we'll go out to eat. After breakfast, you can come with me to the post office."
"Okay," Dongdong agreed.
They had steamed buns for breakfast, then headed straight to the post office.
The sun was getting strong, so Jiang Tang put the hat she had just bought on Dongdong’s head. There was a long line at the post office; standing in it, they couldn't even see the end.
Nearby, a boy who looked slightly older than Dongdong was throwing a tantrum on the ground, screaming that he wanted ice water.
In this era, ice water was a rare luxury; most families wouldn't dream of spending money on it. The boy's parents initially refused, but they couldn't withstand his constant wailing and eventually gave in.
At that moment, Jiang Tang felt exceptionally lucky to have such a wonderful treasure as Dongdong.
He was so obedient, so sensible—she couldn't love him enough.
"Dongdong, open your mouth," Jiang Tang said, leaning down.
Dongdong didn't understand why his mother wanted him to open his mouth, but it didn't matter—he just followed her lead.
As soon as he opened his mouth, Jiang Tang popped something milky-white inside.
It was sweet.
"It's a milk candy," Jiang Tang said, taking two more from her pocket. "Little kids shouldn't eat too many sweets. When you finish the one in your hand, Mommy will buy you another."
Dongdong blissfully savored the milky taste.
An hour later, Jiang Tang finally received the money Shen Chuan had sent.
She also sent an urgent telegram to Shen Chuan, which was charged by the word.
"Shen Chuan, I am Jiang Tang. Your son and I miss you very much. Please come home as soon as possible."
After leaving the post office, Jiang Tang bought Dongdong an ice popsicle. His stomach was a bit delicate, so she didn't dare let him eat much, but a little taste wouldn't hurt.
In the past, let alone an ice popsicle, if she wanted a cold milk tea, she could have had it in a heartbeat. But times were different now; being able to have this was already quite good.
"Hey, comrade, are you here to buy something?"
Jiang Tang was busy calculating how long it would take for Shen Chuan to get home. Yes, she was certain that once Shen Chuan saw the letter, he would definitely return.
A man’s noisy voice cut through her thoughts.
She glanced at the ordinary-looking man, feeling nothing.
The man had noticed Jiang Tang a while ago. Her clothes were plain, but that face was anything but ordinary. The moment she smiled, the man had been hooked.
He had hesitated for a long time before working up the courage to come over and speak to her.
It was an era of free love, so surely she wouldn't find him too intrusive?
Jiang Tang looked at him calmly. "I don't know you."