Chapter 96: Clues

Chu Xuan hid behind the big tree outside Uncle Long’s shop courtyard.

She could clearly hear the conversation between Feng Chunhua and Uncle Long.

Uncle Long recognized Feng Chunhua at a glance and teased her on purpose, “Well, if it isn’t Chu Xuan’s grandma! Are you here to pay back your debt? Why didn’t you come with Chu Xuan? She just paid off this month’s installment. You just need to pay the rest, let me do the math on my abacus…”

Feng Chunhua forced a smile. “Boss Long, don’t say that! I have nothing to do with Chu Xuan. Both our village committee and the town security team can vouch for me. Chu Xuan’s father isn’t my son—there was a mix-up years ago.”

“Oh, really?”

“Really! Absolutely.”

“So what brings you here today? Don’t tell me you want to buy some jade?”

“That’s right. I want to buy a pair of dragon and phoenix jade pendants. I heard you have them, so I came to take a look.”

“Alright. I’ll get them for you right away.”

Soon, Uncle Long took out several pairs of dragon and phoenix jade pendants from a locked glass cabinet.

He introduced them enthusiastically, “These dragon and phoenix pendants are perfect for twins—a boy wears the dragon, a girl wears the phoenix. I have three sizes here, all made from the same high-quality yellow dragon jade, high-clarity and beautifully oily. The smallest pair is 2,000 yuan, the medium pair is 3,000, and the largest is 5,000. Take your pick!”

Feng Chunhua picked up the 5,000-yuan pair, turning them over in her hands, clearly reluctant to put them down.

“Can you give me a discount? How about 3,500?”

Uncle Long looked a bit annoyed—this was the first time someone had bargained so hard.

“3,500 isn’t even enough to cover my cost! The lowest I can go is 4,900.”

Reluctantly, Feng Chunhua put down the largest pair and picked up the medium ones. “How about 2,800 for this pair? If that works, I’ll take them.”

Uncle Long shook his head gently. “At least 2,900 for these. To be honest, this is from my old stock. At today’s prices, these would go for at least 3,500 in the city. I’m not exaggerating—take them to a big city and you could sell them for 4,000. If you buy them now, you’re getting a great deal! I’m actually thinking of raising the price soon. If you come back tomorrow or the day after, it won’t be today’s price.”

Feng Chunhua knew her stuff and could tell he was telling the truth, but she still tried to haggle. “2,850?”

Uncle Long refused to budge.

In the end, Feng Chunhua handed over 2,900 yuan and bought the pair of dragon and phoenix pendants.

She repeatedly reminded him to pack them securely.

Uncle Long took out a finely carved wooden box made especially for these pendants and packed them up for her.

Feng Chunhua, satisfied, put the box in a cloth bag she took from her pocket.

Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly said, “Boss Long, maybe you don’t know, but Chu Xuan is making a lot of money now. If you can get her to pay off the whole debt at once, you should.”

Uncle Long looked displeased. “Are you trying to get me to do something shady? I promised Village Chief Wang to collect the debt monthly. I’m a businessman—my word is my bond!”

Feng Chunhua sighed. “You should listen to me. Soon, Chu Xuan and her brother might go to the city to buy a house, or even move to another province to join their real mother. I’m just looking out for you.”

“You’re just trying to use me to embarrass Chu Xuan, her brother, and Village Chief Wang, aren’t you? Well, you can forget it! If Chu Xuan and her brother run off, I’ll go after Village Chief Wang for the money. Don’t worry about it. See yourself out!”

Uncle Long didn’t bother to be polite.

Feng Chunhua stomped her foot in anger. “If you weren’t the only one selling these dragon and phoenix pendants, I’d never set foot in your shop! Kindness is wasted on you!”

Uncle Long pretended to chase her out, scaring Feng Chunhua into grabbing her bag and running off.

Once Feng Chunhua was out of sight, Chu Xuan finally entered Uncle Long’s shop.

Uncle Long immediately said, “I was just about to send someone to find you. Feng Chunhua bought a pair of dragon and phoenix pendants—I suspect she’s giving them to a pair of twins.”

Chu Xuan thought of Feng Chunhua’s trip to Haishi. “Could those twins be in Haishi?”

“I’ll send someone to Haishi to check it out. Dragon and phoenix twins are rare—shouldn’t be hard to find.”

“Uncle Long, better have someone keep tailing Feng Chunhua, just in case we’re wrong.”

“I doubt we’re wrong, but don’t worry about it. Go home. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear anything.”

Chu Xuan couldn’t argue with him, so she nodded and left.

She bought some supplies in town and took a carriage back to the village.

As soon as she got off the carriage, she heard villagers talking.

“Liu Zhaodi is borrowing money everywhere!”

“I heard her mom has a brain tumor. It’s early-stage, so it can be operated on.”

“It’ll cost 5,000 yuan! Where are they going to get that kind of money?”

“I think they’re planning to sell their house to pay for the surgery.”

“That old house of theirs isn’t worth much.”

…

Chu Xuan didn’t join in and headed straight home.

She had just put her things down in the kitchen when someone knocked on the door.

As she walked toward the courtyard gate, she called out, “It’s not locked, just come in.”

But no one came in.

When she reached the door, she saw Liu Zhaodi standing by the doorframe, nervously wringing her hands, looking like she might collapse, dark circles under her eyes.

Chu Xuan said softly, “It’s only been a few days—don’t you know how to come in anymore? Hurry up and come inside!”

Liu Zhaodi looked embarrassed. “Sister Xuan, I… I’m here to borrow some money. I…”

She’d already tried borrowing from all her relatives and hadn’t gotten a cent—just ridicule for being unrealistic.

She’d managed to borrow a little from her grandmother’s family, but it was far from enough.

So she’d finally swallowed her pride and come to ask Chu Xuan.

Chu Xuan patted Liu Zhaodi on the shoulder. “We can’t count money at the gate, can we? Let’s go to my room.”

Liu Zhaodi was moved to tears. She hadn’t even managed to say anything nice or promise when she’d pay it back, but Sister Xuan was already willing to lend her money.

She silently followed Chu Xuan into the bedroom.

Chu Xuan pulled over a chair for her, then brought her two peach crisps and a glass of water. “Eat something first. I heard what happened at the village entrance. I was just about to drop off my things and bring some money to your house. Since you’re here, you’ve saved me a trip.”

Liu Zhaodi choked out a thank you.

She hadn’t eaten since last night and was truly hungry.

She ate the peach crisps in big bites and drank some water.

Chu Xuan went to get money from Chu Feng’s room.

Chu Feng had also heard about Liu Zhaodi borrowing money everywhere for Mu Xing’s treatment. After spending time with her recently, he considered her a friend and wanted to help as much as he could.

He quietly suggested to Chu Xuan that they could withdraw money from the bank, and together with the cash at home, they could lend Liu Zhaodi 4,000 yuan and still have enough left for living expenses and business.

Chu Xuan didn’t agree—she only planned to lend 1,500 yuan.

Chu Feng couldn’t understand.

Chu Xuan returned to her room with the money. When Liu Zhaodi finished eating, she handed it over. “Here’s 1,500 yuan—the most I can spare. I have to keep some for living expenses and for my grilled fish business. For the rest of the surgery fee, try asking Grandma Gao and Aunt Qin. If you ask, they’ll definitely help.”

Chu Xuan knew Gao Meijuan and Qin Mahua wouldn’t stand by and do nothing.

She did have another 2,500 yuan in savings, but she couldn’t touch it for now.

After all, Tian Xiaoyun had just had surgery and would likely need more money for follow-up treatment.

Whether her birth mother asked for help or not, she still had to do her duty as a daughter.

The moment Chu Xuan stuffed the 1,500 yuan into Liu Zhaodi’s hands, Liu Zhaodi burst into grateful tears.

This was more than two years’ wages for a worker.

It was the largest sum Liu Zhaodi had managed to borrow so far.

“Sister Xuan, thank you! My family and I will never forget your kindness.”

She made as if to kneel and kowtow.

Chu Xuan hurried to stop her. “Come on, it’s not that era anymore! No need for all that!”

Liu Zhaodi didn’t manage to kneel, but she wrote an IOU, signed it, and pressed her fingerprint on it.

After sending Liu Zhaodi off, Chu Feng came over, looking resentful. “Sis, why wouldn’t you lend Liu Zhaodi the extra 2,500 yuan? Her mom needs that money to save her life! You’re so heartless!”"