Chapter 28: Su Anxi's Troubles

Midwinter had arrived and heavy snow began to fall in Changyang County. Feather-like snowflakes drifted down, covering the county’s buildings in a layer of silver.

On such a snowy day, people in the county towns preferred to stay home all day if they had nothing to do.

The biting wind howled, the streets of the county sat empty. The few people who did appear hurried along.

Su Jianguo wore a shabby cotton hat, hands shoved into his sleeves, stomping his feet constantly to chase off the cold.

In front of him sat a basket of potatoes and two old hens. He’d arrived at a bad time — the heavy snow meant he wouldn’t sell much.

With the New Year approaching, he needed some ready cash so his family could celebrate properly.

Two black SUVs roared by, kicking up a cloud of snow.

Su Jianguo spat and stared a little enviously at the unfamiliar cars.

The cars suddenly stopped and then slowly backed up. Su Jianguo grew uneasy — surely these rich folks wouldn’t be so petty as to pick on a poor old man like him, right? Several young men in black coats jumped out of the cars. They looked vaguely familiar.

“Old Ninth Uncle, are you doing business out here in this weather? You’ll freeze to death.”

The voice sounded familiar. Upon a closer look he blurted out in surprise, “You’re Big Worm from Old Master Su’s family?”

Su Pingnan had been a wild fellow since childhood — fearless except toward the old master. Big, rough and strong, someone had nicknamed him ‘Big Worm’, and over time the other villagers got used to calling him that.

Hearing the two words “Big Worm,” a name he hadn’t heard in decades, Su Pingnan laughed uproariously.

“What’s the point in selling anything? Guys, take the stuff, let’s go home,” Su Pingnan told Su Wenwen and the others.

Su Wenwen hugged Su Jianguo tightly so he couldn’t move, teasing, “Aww, Old Ninth Uncle is so kind, he gave us two chickens when he saw us.” He signaled the others, who quickly packed up the older man’s stall and tossed his wares into the trunk of a car.

Su Jianguo was a good, kind man who’d always been warm to these youngsters. It was rare to see Su Wenwen show such a childlike side.

Su Jianguo panicked, “You rascals, those are the things your Ninth Uncle needs for the New Year — you can’t ruin them!” But being old and frail, he was held fast by Su Wenwen and couldn’t move.

Su Pingnan also gave a rare smile. “Alright, Old Ninth Uncle, I’ll pay you double for them. Why do you bother selling anything in this weather? You’ll freeze.”

Saying that, he pulled out a hundred-yuan note and shoved it into Su Jianguo’s struggling embrace.

Su Jianguo blinked and stopped resisting. Looking at the obviously expensive clothes on Su Pingnan and the others, he gave an awkward, simple smile and asked, “Big Worm, you really got rich?”

Su Pingnan laughed loudly. “Made a little money. Come on, Old Ninth Uncle, let’s go home.”

The car drove smoothly. Wang Chenguang and the others had become seasoned drivers.

Su Jianguo stroked the genuine leather seat and gazed at the luxurious interior, his body twisting awkwardly.

In high spirits, Su Pingnan suddenly cranked up the car stereo, and a song entitled “Curved Moon” drifted through the streets of Changyang County.

Lately, Su Anxi had been troubled. Her second brother had sent money to her several times, but it was so much that she felt anxious — afraid she’d lose it by mistake and be heartbroken.

She didn’t know what her second brother did now. She only knew that the man who sent her money would get into an impressive car every time he left the school.

Su Anxi couldn’t tell the difference between a sedan and an SUV — she only felt the cars were big and grand. The clothes her brother sent were beautiful and special.

The first time Su Anxi wore a pure white, pleated-hem down jacket her brother sent, all the boys at Changyang No.1 High School were left speechless. Her brother kept sending more and more clothes. She even had someone tell him she didn’t need so many. Each time the messenger promised they would pass it on, but the next time he came, there were only more clothes and money, not less.

The fashion among the Changyang County girls basically followed whatever Su Anxi wore. Whenever Su Pingnan sent things, the prettier girls from wealthier families would flock to her dorm, lovingly sifting through the items.

Unconsciously, Su Anxi’s originally shy, introverted nature became confident and poised, which drew countless boys to pursue her.

“Anxi, here’s the set of problems I’ve organized nicely for you,” a boy, his face flushing, placed it on her desk and hurried away without daring to look up.

“Anxi, this is from a male friend of mine who asked me to give it to you.”

The girl who sat next to her said this as she shoved another colorful envelope into a bag already stuffed full of colorful envelopes.

Su Anxi sighed miserably. It was all her brother’s fault — how had he become like this? And that wasn’t even the worst of it.

What troubled her most was that she had become the undisputed boss at Changyang No.1 High School.

Both street toughs and the school’s rowdy kids showed her great face. Once, when a girl from Su Anxi’s dorm was stopped at the gate by some street thugs, Su Anxi couldn’t help but step in. At the time, those rough youngsters were very rude to her.

The next day, a burly man covered in dragon and phoenix tattoos arrived with several bruised fellows to apologize. The guys had lost all their swagger from the day before, repeatedly slapping their own faces as they apologized to her.

When the matter came to light, Su Anxi began to understand why this was happening. She grew worried for Su Pingnan instead. His level of influence was not a good sign, and she guessed that his life must be full of violent storms.

The young girl made up her mind. When the school holiday started, she wouldn’t head home immediately. She would look for her second brother first and try to persuade him away from this lifestyle.