Chapter 20: Eight Hundred Yuan Exactly!

The script for "The Chess King" had finally been approved and bought outright! This news filled him with an unprecedented sense of excitement. The screenwriter had even mentioned wanting to adapt the script himself for filming, which was, without a doubt, a high honor for his work and a profound validation of his creative abilities.

Since there was no need for Lin Junsheng to revise the script, he had no further involvement in the project. Had it been otherwise, a trip to Shanghai might have earned him two yuan a day. Although that was a bit of a pity, it was something he could accept. He would focus on paying off his debts first, then save enough money to go to Shanghai for treatment for his leg.

Suddenly, Lin Junsheng saw the money order: eight hundred yuan exactly! When that striking figure on the slip caught his eye, he could hardly believe it. Eight hundred yuan! He remembered clearly that when Mo Yan sold the screenplay for "Red Sorghum," it had only fetched six hundred yuan. For him, this was an astronomical sum, a fortune he had never dared to dream of. He knew that even after working hard all year round, he could only earn two hundred yuan in wages. After daily expenses for food and drink, there was barely anything left by the end of the year. Only at the Lunar New Year could he bring himself to buy two or three jin of pork to ensure his family had a decent holiday. As for new clothes, those were a luxury; buying a pair of black-topped, white-soled cloth shoes was already considered a treat. Those shoes were comfortable and durable, his top choice.

As for the city folk, they liked to distinguish themselves. Some walked the streets with their heads held high, wearing black-topped, red-soled cloth shoes. If someone could afford a pair of Warrior sneakers, they looked even more eye-catching than Nike or Adidas do today. Lin Junsheng didn't care about such things; being poorly dressed didn't matter. What he cared about now was eating well.

Standing at the entrance of the post office, the sunlight washed over him, but it couldn't dispel his craving for meat. "So what if I'm not well-dressed? As long as I can have a good meal of meat, nothing else matters!" Lin Junsheng thought. But reality was often harsh. Without meat coupons, he couldn't buy the pork he longed for. However, now that the Reform and Opening-up policy was in effect, the private economy was becoming more active. Perhaps he could try his luck at the market and buy some chicken or duck to satisfy his appetite.

Just as he was lost in fantasies of fine food, Li Yonggang walked out of the post office after collecting his money. Lin Junsheng waved and called out, "Xiaogang, are you heading home now?"

Li Yonggang shook his head and said excitedly, "My mom said I need to buy some things to take back—some Dacron fabric, meat, and white flour."

When Lin Junsheng heard this, his eyes lit up. He patted Li Yonggang on the shoulder and laughed, "Do you have the coupons?"

Li Yonggang smiled triumphantly, pulled a stack of coupons from his pocket, and waved them in front of Lin Junsheng as if to show off. "My mom gave them to me; she borrowed quite a few for me over the last few days! Grain coupons, meat coupons, cloth coupons—I've got them all!"

Looking at the stack, Lin Junsheng laughed. "Good lad, let's head to the market and buy some good things to take back today!" Seeing the hesitant look on Li Yonggang's face, he realized the boy was worried about spending too much. He guessed these items were for his own family; after all, a bride price wasn't just about cash—these gifts had to be prepared as well. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone through the trouble of borrowing coupons to shop in town.

"Wait for me, I need to withdraw some money." Before Li Yonggang could ask, Lin Junsheng headed to the queue. Eight hundred yuan was a significant amount; the clerks at the post office had cast several glances at him. After withdrawing the money, he tucked seven hundred yuan into his pocket. The one-hundred-yuan note of the time wasn't red; its main color was darker, featuring four great leaders on the front and Jinggangshan on the back. He took out one hundred yuan, walked over to Li Yonggang, and said with pride, "Comrade Li Yonggang, I've got money too! Today, as long as we have the coupons, we'll buy whatever we want!"

"Comrade Lin Junsheng, you really are full of surprises!"

...

At dusk, a magnificent sunset hung in the sky, its afterglow like golden silk. Lin Junsheng held a red plastic basin filled with freshly heated water, steam rising from it. The water couldn't be boiling; it had to be at just the right temperature to scald a chicken for plucking.

Lin Junsheng and Li Yonggang returned from the market laden with goods. They had bought plenty: pork, chicken, duck, and fabric for clothes—each item carefully selected. Lin Junsheng knew these were for Li Yonggang’s own family. He understood that Li Yonggang had put a lot of effort into gathering these betrothal gifts and might have even incurred some debts. He couldn't let his younger sister suffer; if she married into a household burdened by debt, life would be miserable. He knew his sister, Li Aimei, would never give the bride price money to the couple; even if she were criticized for it, she would keep it for him. With his crippled leg, what would he do without some savings?

Without a word, Lin Junsheng reached into his pocket, pulled out one hundred yuan, and shoved it into Li Yonggang's hand. "Xiaogang, take this. I know how much we spent. Your family has it tough, so don't let this add to your burden."

Li Yonggang initially declined, but he couldn't resist Lin Junsheng's insistence and eventually accepted the money. Lin Junsheng simply said, "My sister is going to your house; she can't be living in hardship, can she?"

The items they bought had only cost about sixty yuan—ten jin of pork, two chickens, two ducks, and the fabric for clothes. Li Yonggang carried the bags to Lin Junsheng’s house, set them down one by one, and returned home empty-handed. The betrothal gifts had been delivered; the next step was to prepare the bride price money. The task of securing a bicycle coupon had also been left to Lin Junsheng.

Lin Junsheng looked at the chicken in the plastic basin, feeling wonderful. Finally, his hard days were coming to an end, and he would have a good meal. He planned to make a hearty plate of braised chicken that evening for his family to enjoy. He skillfully picked up the chicken he had just bled, dipped it into the hot water in the red plastic basin, and began to pluck it. His movements were practiced and swift; in no time, he held a plucked, clean chicken.

Just then, a figure poked their head over the courtyard wall. The voice arrived before the person. "Junzai! I smelled something delicious from way down the road—so it’s you, you rascal, killing a chicken!"

Lin Junsheng was busy cleaning the chicken, making sure to wash away the blood so it wouldn't taste gamey. Hearing the voice, he looked up to see Wang Guifen standing by the gate, wearing a maroon thin jacket. Her hair was neatly combed, and her face was wreathed in smiles, as friendly as a visiting relative.

"Auntie, what brings you here again?" Lin Junsheng teased with a smile.

Wang Guifen pouted in mock displeasure. "Junzai, how can you say that? I’m here out of the kindness of my heart to bring you good news! I’ve found a wonderful family for you. The girl is as lovely as can be, and her temperament is gentle—you two would be a match made in heaven!"

As she spoke, she stepped into the courtyard, continuing to praise the girl's virtues. Lin Junsheng chuckled to himself; this auntie was truly a master of flattery, making the girl sound like a fairy descending from the heavens. But based on his past life's experience, he knew this was just another attempt at a "swapped marriage" arrangement.

"My sister is already getting married," he replied. "You're too late."