Chapter 7: Aunt Was Taken Away by the Old Bachelor, the Disgusting Neighbor

With her worries resolved, Ming Dai was in excellent spirits. Passing by the state-run restaurant, she thought she might as well sample their cooking before she left. It was just noon, and the place was nearly empty. The servers stood arrogantly behind the counter, ignoring her presence.

Ming Dai glanced at the small blackboard displaying the menu. "Comrade, I'd like a serving of braised pork, Four Happiness meatballs, crispy fried fish, sweet and sour ribs, and a bowl of rice."

The server squinted at the plainly dressed, yellow-haired girl standing before him. "Do you even know where you are? Are you here to cause trouble?"

Ming Dai was baffled—what had she done wrong?

Other customers joined in, jeering, "What kind of person orders four meat dishes for one meal?"

The server sneered, "Four dishes, is it? We can make them—if you have the money and ration tickets!"

Ming Dai reached into her bag. "How much?"

"Six yuan sixty cents, six liang grain coupons, and two jin of meat coupons. Have you got that?"

Without a word, her small hands rummaged in her bag, and soon a stack of banknotes and ration tickets was laid on the counter.

Seeing the girl's beaming smile, the server's face darkened, but he went to place the order nonetheless.

Soon, the table was filled with meat dishes, leaving those in line looking on with envy.

Ming Dai ate with complete ease.

Mmm! The braised pork was delicious!

Mmm! The Four Happiness meatballs were delightful!

Mmm! The crispy fried fish was mouthwatering!

Mmm! The sweet and sour ribs were exquisite!

After sampling each dish, her mouth craved more, but her stomach was full. The portions were simply too large these days, and she had ordered four—there was no way she could finish.

As the crowd wondered what she would do, Ming Dai reached into her bag and pulled out a lunchbox. She packed up the leftovers, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, shouldered her bag, and left.

From that day on, a legend spread through the state-run restaurant: someone had once ordered four meat dishes in a single meal.

Satisfied and content, Ming Dai took a stroll and returned home.

Back at her house, Ming Dai took a lovely afternoon nap. She had just awakened when the thunderous pounding on the door began. Irritated, she changed back into her own clothes, emerged from her space, and went to the door.

Outside, Xing Cuiyun and Ming Yanhong were banging and cursing, "Ming Dai, you wretched girl, open the door! You disrespectful brat, deliberately avoiding me, aren’t you? Open this door!"

She’d heard from Wang Dahua next door that this girl had spent all the money Ming Changhe had left behind, buying things for herself before going to the countryside. That was unacceptable! That money was meant for her son’s wedding!

Still groggy, Ming Dai yanked open the door just as Xing Cuilan kicked out at it, missing her footing entirely and landing in an impressive vertical split.

Tsk tsk, even at her age, Aunt Xing’s flexibility was remarkable!

A howl, as mournful as a pig being slaughtered, rose from Ming Dai’s house, sending the neighboring busybodies scurrying back, startled.

Who could have imagined Ming Dai was so ruthless?

Seeing her mother in such pain, Ming Yanhong hurried to help her up, but Ming Dai slyly stretched out her foot, tripping her. Ming Yanhong staggered and fell right on top of her mother.

Another, even more miserable wail rang out, making the neighbors jump.

"Who the hell is wailing like a funeral in there?"

Li Dakan, the old bachelor who had just gotten off night shift and was trying to sleep, was awakened by the commotion. Grumbling, he stomped over.

Ming Dai’s eyes brightened and she called out, "Uncle Li, help! My aunt can’t get up from her split!"

Li Dakan stared—sure enough, there she was. To him, even though Xing Cuilan was no longer a beauty, compared to the old sows he was used to, she was as lovely as any legendary beauty.

In this era, even looking at a pretty woman could get you accused of being a hooligan. Old bachelors rarely had a chance to even touch a woman.

Presented with such an opportunity, he would be a fool to let it pass. He immediately transformed into helpful Old Li, hurried in, and, squatting down, scooped Xing Cuilan up in his arms, her legs still in a split.

Truly, he carried her as if she weighed nothing, though his hands wandered, and he pressed his body close as he carried her out.

And so, with Xing Cuilan wailing and Ming Yanhong stunned, Li Dakan strode out of the compound, drawing laughter and gossip from the neighbors.

Watching them go, Ming Dai reminded Ming Yanhong, "Your mother’s going to the hospital—aren’t you going with her?"

Snapping back to herself, Ming Yanhong shot Ming Dai a venomous glare, but, too anxious to scold her, she hurried off after her mother.

If she really let her mother be carried through the streets like that, neither she nor her brother would ever be able to marry, and her mother would be ruined.

Once they were gone, the rest of the compound gathered at the door, pointing and snickering.

After all, Old Li had gotten lucky and managed to touch a woman. Even if she was old, it was still a catch for an old bachelor.

Soon, the gossip turned back to Ming Dai.

Wang Dahua’s eyes glinted as she saw Ming Dai about to close the door. She darted forward.

"Ming Dai, since you’re leaving for the countryside, all your things will be left unused. Why not let Aunt Wang borrow them? You know how hard things are at my place—we’re short of everything!"

She tried to push past Ming Dai, determined to force her way in.

The others in the compound watched eagerly, waiting for Wang Dahua to break through so they could follow and empty Ming Dai’s house. After all, she was just an orphan; her only uncle’s family didn’t care for her—who would stop them?

Ming Dai sneered inwardly, but her hand pressed lightly on an acupoint on Wang Dahua’s arm.

Wang Dahua shrieked like a slaughtered pig, her cries echoing through the compound.

"Murder! Murder! The little wretch is killing me!"

Her wails were so pitiful that the crowd outside shrank back in fright.

Some, always eager for drama, ran off to fetch the neighborhood committee.

Wang Dahua’s husband, hearing her cries, rushed out and tried to slap Ming Dai. "You brat, how dare you bully my wife!"

Ming Dai twisted Wang Dahua’s arm and stepped back.

Crack! The heavy slap landed squarely on Wang Dahua’s face, swelling half her cheek and sending stars before her eyes as she collapsed to the ground.

Her husband glowered at Ming Dai, clearly ready for more. But just then, the neighborhood officials arrived, and the crowd parted.

He could only glare at Ming Dai before retreating.

Coincidentally, among the officials was the old lady who had once escorted Ming Dai home, mistakenly thinking she’d tried to drown herself.

Ming Dai stood meekly, head bowed and eyes brimming with tears, while Wang Dahua wailed her grievances on the ground.

"Leader, you must do something! This wretched girl tried to kill me!"

The middle-aged official in charge frowned at the handprint on her cheek. "Did she do that to your face?"

It sounded like a question, but the size of the palm print made it clear the girl couldn’t have managed it.

Wang Dahua moaned, "She hurt my arm—feels like it’s broken!" She rolled up her sleeve.

Everyone peered over.

Thick grime—and nothing else.

The official, seeing nothing but dirt and no sign of injury, was furious. "Nonsense!"

Only then did Wang Dahua notice. She touched her arm in disbelief and rubbed at the grime, rolling off bits of filth that made others queasy.

She was aggrieved—her arm had felt broken a moment ago; how could there be no injury?

At that moment, Ming Dai dabbed at her red-rimmed eyes, looking every bit the bullied, helpless orphan.

Suddenly, Wang Dahua sprang up and lunged at Ming Dai. "Did you use some witchcraft, you little wretch? My arm was nearly broken—how can it have no wound?"

Just then, the old lady with the red armband explained everything to the official: a fourteen-year-old orphan forced to the countryside, versus a filthy, quarrelsome woman who wouldn’t even bathe. The scales tipped in Ming Dai’s favor.

"Spreading superstitious nonsense! Take her away!"

The young officials moved in at once, dragging off Wang Dahua despite her struggles.

The yard fell silent; not a soul dared plead for her—not even her husband.

Ming Dai quickly closed the door, wanting nothing more to do with the farce outside.