Chapter 21: Chess

The words "braised pork" were definitely the highest form of praise at the moment.

The pork belly, marbled with fat and lean meat, had a slightly charred surface glistening with oil, the sweet aroma of caramel mingling with the rich depth of soy sauce.

No, I can’t think about it anymore. If I keep going, this little breakfast will be wasted.

Everyone was swallowing hard. The second brother’s family was openly craving it, the third brother’s family more reserved, while the fourth brother’s family was putting on airs.

“Second brother, is this really necessary? No matter how delicious braised pork is, it’s just food to fill the stomach,” said the fourth brother, always speaking with a condescending, lecturing tone. His wife nodded beside him, clearly in agreement.

“Fourth brother, then don’t eat it. You can fill your stomach with corn cakes, and I’ll eat your share,” retorted the second brother.

“Mom, the fourth brother says he won’t eat—”

Su Li saw the fourth brother’s expression stiffen slightly. Beside him, Zhang Mingyue curled her lips and shot back, “Second brother, if you want it, crave your own portion. You don’t need to eye our food.”

“What do you say I’m the head of the family for!”

Li Meilan, the second brother’s wife, immediately rose to defend him. Zhang Mingyue raised an eyebrow gently.

“If the second brother doesn’t snatch food, I wouldn’t say anything, right?”

“Try saying that again!”

Li Meilan rolled up her sleeves, while the fourth brother’s face darkened.

“Sister-in-law, your behavior is far too harsh.”

“Get lost, fourth brother! If you’re going to talk, speak properly. If you can’t, then shut up! This is your sister-in-law you’re talking to—who the hell do you think you’re educating?”

The second brother climbed onto a stool, ready to act.

Su Li had seen enough and suddenly stood up amid the conflict.

The second brother instinctively crouched down, clutching his head, but didn’t forget to pull his wife along—he’d learned from experience how to take a beating.

The fourth brother also shrank back but, feeling embarrassed, straightened his back and sat up again.

“Finish eating and get out to work. I think you aren’t tired enough yet if you have time to quarrel. I’ll talk to the village chief later and ask for more work for the Cheng family.”

At that, the crowd reluctantly rose, none eager to do extra work.

Cheng Junguo, the fifth brother, brought up the rear, sweetly soothing the old lady.

“Mom, don’t be mad. I’ll keep an eye on them when I go out.”

After saying this, Cheng Junguo winked at Su Li as a signal. She nodded knowingly. “It’s got to be our fifth brother.”

Cheng Jundong happened to come by, not trying to compete for favor but sincerely saying, “Mom, I’m going to work. You rest well at home.”

Watching his older brother leave after speaking, Cheng Junguo’s earlier words seemed a bit insincere.

Su Li had no time to coax the fifth brother and urged him to hurry.

Soon, the large house was left with only Su Li herself.

---

Carrying the mooncakes she had prepared, she skirted around those busy working in the fields and headed to the fork in the road, where the village chief’s wife was already waiting.

“Sister-in-law, sorry to keep you waiting,” she said apologetically.

“No, little sister, can you ride a bike?” The village chief’s wife accepted two dimes without a hint of complaint, only worried that Su Li might not know how to ride and could damage the bike.

“Yes!” Su Li replied confidently, placing the basket on the rear rack and tying it securely.

She gripped the handlebars with both hands, propped one foot down a few times, then swung the other leg over the seat and settled in, riding off steadily.

The village chief’s wife watched and said, “Not bad, you ride quite well.”

She left feeling reassured.

Su Li rode all the way to the Yang family, where Old Lady Yang was waiting.

“Little sister, I contacted eight households yesterday, needing a total of fifty-six yuan. Did you bring enough?”

“Enough! I brought sixty,” Su Li said.

Both old ladies smiled in satisfaction. Old Lady Yang took the money first because everyone knew her and no one suspected her of greed.

Most importantly, money and goods were handled separately so that even if caught, they could concoct some excuse, providing good protection.

Listening to Old Lady Yang explain why money and goods were separated, Su Li admired her thoughtfulness.

“Sister, you’re so considerate. I never thought of that. I’m lucky to have you.”

“Well, it’s just okay,” Old Lady Yang replied modestly.

Sixty yuan worth of mooncakes, priced at 1.30 yuan each, totaled eighteen yuan. Old Lady Yang took a 3.60 yuan commission, leaving the rest to Su Li.

Su Li then gave ten yuan to Old Lady Yang in exchange for ration coupons to buy materials.

Although some materials from the last purchase remained, she didn’t want Old Lady Yang to think she had made too much profit.

Sure enough, seeing Su Li about to buy ten yuan more in materials, Old Lady Yang felt the earnings between them were about equal.

They agreed that next time, Cheng Jundong would deliver the message. Su Li carried her empty basket and left.

Not rushing home, Su Li still had over an hour to spare.

She rode her bike to the mining workers’ club.

By the time she arrived at the mine, many more people were riding bikes.

The supply and marketing cooperative was housed in a three-story building, with a post office, mining hospital, library, and cultural center—a miniature city.

Su Li parked her bike and looked around.

The club was mostly for employees; those without credentials couldn’t enter. It was a perk of working at the mine.

Of course, if someone accompanied them or they were family members, they could get in.

---

Inside, the club held dances, ping-pong matches, and occasionally old cadres gave lectures. It was lively.

After a quick look around and realizing she couldn’t go inside, Su Li took her time wandering outside.

Under a big tree opposite the club, a group of old men gathered, faces deep in thought. Su Li approached and saw they were playing chess.

She knew how to play—and quite well.

She had once had a difficult client who loved chess, so she had seriously learned to play.

Observing the group, all well-dressed, some called “Engineer Li” or “Director Hu,” presumably their titles before retirement.

With a flicker of thought, Su Li spoke up.

“Oh no, you’re moving the elephant!”

Everyone turned to look at her, and she looked embarrassed.

“Sorry, I was in a rush. I’ll leave now.”

“Wait, little sister, you said ‘move the elephant’?”

One player, having just lost after making that move, was regretting his choice.

“Yes, moving the elephant wins.”

“Nonsense! I was sure to win this game regardless of his moves.”

The winner was also energized. Su Li stepped up.

What followed was Su Li demonstrating that moving the elephant really could win.

After her victory, she was about to leave, but the opponents wouldn’t let her go.

“Wait, another game!”

One game after another, Su Li never lost once.

The others were sweating and ready to change players.

Checking the time, Su Li stood and waved her hands.

“I can’t play anymore—there’s still a lot to do at home.”

“Next time, next time!”

With the promise of next time, Su Li left, refusing all persuasion.

“Wait, I don’t recognize that little sister. What’s her surname?”

The circle of men looked at each other and shook their heads: no one knew.

“Oh dear, what to do now?”

Their addiction was already roused.