1979: My fiancée is a goddess

The sun at 9:30 a.m. was already intensely hot.

Dong Yi, leading two staff members from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, had just come out of the Wutong Courtyard and were walking on the wide alleyway of Xiaowei Hutong.

"Sister Dong, what exactly did Comrade Cheng Kaiyan mean just now? Why do you want us to help seal up this foreign exchange?"

"Yes! Sister Dong, why did Teacher Cheng say the reason lies with the Children and Youth Foundation? Sister Dong, do you know something about it?"

"Tell us about it. I don't think we'll ever imagine what it could be used for, to spend such a large sum of money as $250,000."

Despite the scorching sun, the two young officers, Xiao Wang and Xiao Hu, tirelessly followed behind Dong Yi, who was walking quickly ahead, curiously asking about the real reason behind the matter.

"call……"

Faced with repeated questioning from her two colleagues, Dong Yi took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

When she heard the foundation say that, she immediately thought of the charity gala that the Children and Youth Foundation was about to hold, which she had heard from her superiors.

There is a high probability that Teacher Cheng Kaiyan will attend the charity gala, and this sum of US dollars will likely be donated to children and children.

Such a momentous event is bound to attract tremendous attention!
Therefore, even though Teacher Cheng Kaiyan had instructed her to try not to let the news leak out.

But she could no longer suppress her overwhelming urge to confide in others.

If she doesn't find a few people to confide in and share the burden, Dong Yi is afraid she'll go crazy from holding it all in!
"I can tell you, but don't go spreading it around! These are just my guesses."

Dong Yi turned to look at her two colleagues, her face flushed, whether from the sun, excitement, or holding back her emotions, it was hard to tell.

"Yes, Sister Dong, don't worry! Are we that kind of people?"

"That's right, that's right, a promise is a promise, I absolutely don't talk nonsense!"

Xiao Wang and Xiao Hu nodded emphatically, patting their chests as they made their promises.

"Two hundred and fifty thousand US dollars, if we use the black market exchange rate, it would be about one million five hundred thousand. Even if he spends it extravagantly every month, he would only spend a hundred dollars at most. He could live on this money for a thousand years without running out of it."

With deep respect in her eyes and a suppressed excitement in her voice, Dong Yi explained, "But Teacher Cheng Kaiyan didn't use this money for her own eating, drinking, and enjoyment at all!"

"Extravagant! Spending a hundred a month could last for a thousand years!"

Xiao Wang's small eyes were full of envy. Spending a hundred yuan a month was considered extravagant. It would be enough for him to eat out every day, smoke good cigarettes, wear nice clothes, and drink soda.

This is simply a heavenly life!
People could live on this kind of money for a thousand years and still not run out.

Indeed, the difference between people is greater than the difference between people and dogs.

Xiao Hu's focus wasn't on that. She was a very smart woman, and upon hearing Dong Yi's words, she immediately understood. Her eyes widened, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "Sister Dong, do you mean that Teacher Cheng Kaiyan is planning to donate it?!"

"Donate it?! Are you crazy?!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wang immediately felt sorry for Cheng Kaiyan.

Then he was met with glares from Xiao Hu and Dong Yi.

"Really? Teacher Cheng Kaiyan is really going to donate it?"

Xiao Wang said awkwardly.

"Xiao Wang, don't judge Teacher Cheng by your own standards. Teacher Cheng's level of thinking is beyond our reach."

Dong Yi glanced at Xiao Wang and explained, "The Children and Youth Foundation is a newly established organization this year, a nationwide social group dedicated to serving the education and welfare of children and youth."

At the end of this month, they will be holding their first charity gala since the company was founded. I heard from the leaders that this gala will be a large-scale event, with many social celebrities and patriotic overseas Chinese in attendance!

Teacher Cheng Kaiyan has definitely been invited to the party; this money will certainly be used for donations.

"I see!"

"Teacher Cheng Kaiyan truly deserves to be called a leader among young writers, with her heart set on the cause of the nation!"

Xiao Wang and Xiao Hu nodded repeatedly, both expressing their feelings.

I finally understand why Teacher Cheng Kaiyan wanted to freeze this money. Individual accounts cannot hold US dollar foreign exchange, but national entities like the Children and Teenagers Foundation can hold large amounts of it.

Moreover, the reason for not exchanging it for RMB is that the US dollar has stronger purchasing power and wider applications.

"Teacher Cheng Kaiyan has really put a lot of thought into this. We were just now having some doubts about him. We are so ashamed."

At this moment, Xiao Hu, a female comrade, was even more excited. She held her hands to her chest, twisted her collar excitedly, and her face was full of blush and admiration.

She was already a fan of Cheng Kaiyan's books, and upon hearing this news, she was overwhelmed with excitement.

I ask you, which young writer in the entire country could go to such lengths? To donate their own money to others?
"I just don't know how much Teacher Cheng Kaiyan plans to donate. Two hundred and fifty thousand US dollars! Even a small amount of it is not a small sum."

Comrade Xiao Wang suddenly asked this question out of curiosity.

"I don't know, but Teacher Cheng Kaiyan is definitely not a stingy person. She should donate twenty or thirty thousand, right?"

Xiao Hu shook his head and guessed.

Twenty or thirty thousand US dollars is not a small amount; an ordinary family could not save that much in a lifetime!

"probably."

Upon hearing Xiao Hu's words, Dong Yi casually remarked.

But in her mind, every detail of Cheng Kaiyan's words flashed through her mind.

If it were a donation of twenty or thirty thousand, Teacher Cheng Kaiyan's tone wouldn't have been like that...

She had a sudden, inexplicable intuition that Teacher Cheng Kaiyan might...

Thinking of this, even Dong Yi couldn't help but feel a shiver in her heart, thinking to herself, "So much money, surely no one would be so generous?"

"Meow wow!"

The three of them stood under the shade of a tree at the edge of the alley, enjoying the cool breeze and watching the pedestrians coming and going in the alley.

Occasionally, two or three kittens would leap over the wall, leaving behind nimble and agile shadows and tender meows.

After a while, the three of them, each with their own thoughts, calmed down their turbulent emotions, though their faces still had a slight blush, telling of their excitement just now.

"Let's go back quickly, it's so hot."

Dong Yi wiped her sweat, waved, and turned to walk ahead.

"Okay, Sister Dong, let's go buy some soda later."

Xiao Hu followed and made a suggestion.

"Yeah yeah."

The three of them walked briskly and quickly away.

At this moment, beside him.

Wearing a light-colored floral dress, with her long, black hair styled in a bun and a straw hat to shield her eyes from the sun, Xu Yuxiu was carrying a basket full of groceries as she passed by Dong Yi and the other two.

In these alleyways, there is naturally no soundproofing.

Even as Xu Yuxiu walked over from a short distance, she overheard a great deal of conversation between Dong Yi and the other two.

The reason for this high level of attention is, of course, because the names frequently mentioned by these three officers dressed in government uniforms—

Cheng Kaiyan, this is her son.

Judging from the few words the three people spoke and their excited and respectful tone, Xu Yuxiu naturally assumed that it was probably not a bad thing.

"What trouble has Kaiyan gotten himself into this time?"

Xu Yuxiu's bright, peach-blossom eyes gazed silently at the figure disappearing into the alleyway, and she murmured helplessly.

But the pride and joy in her eyes for her son were impossible to hide.

So he quickened his pace and headed towards the Wutong Courtyard.

As soon as I entered the house, the courtyard was bustling with activity.

Old Zhao from the west wing was holding a wooden stick thicker than his thigh, his eyes red, panting heavily, as he frantically chased after an old man in a white coat.

Through the open window of the east wing, a large, fat head was perched on it, watching the spectacle with amusement.

In the west wing, Sister Zhao sat on the threshold sewing shoe soles, oblivious to everything. At the entrance to the main house, her son, Cheng Kaiyan, sat on a small stool, a bottle of iced soda in his hand, watching the play and enjoying the breeze.

Xu Yuxiu looked at her son waving to her and a gentle smile appeared on her face.

Just then, noticing Grandpa Yi rushing towards him, he subtly slipped to the side, passing by the east wing, and casually asked Wang Cuihua, "What's going on? Why is it so lively?"

"That scoundrel Lao Yi actually came to our courtyard to act like a hooligan. At first, he talked nonsense to me, and then he even tried to grab Sister Zhao's hand to read her palm, saying that her hand was so small, so white, and so fragrant."

This old pervert!
Tsk tsk, and as a result, Brother Zhao saw it.

"Isn't it a coincidence? That old bastard didn't even know he was keeping something from anyone! Now he's been caught red-handed! He'll be lucky to escape with his life!"

Wang Cuihua explained with a cheerful smile, her eyes practically disappearing from her gaze.

She was involved in the conversation, but now she was watching the show as if it had nothing to do with her.

"Really?"

Xu Yuxiu felt a chill run down her spine and nodded in astonishment.

"Yes... It's been a bit hot lately, Yuxiu. I heard you recently installed a new refrigerator?"

Wang Cuihua changed the subject and asked with a friendly smile.

"Yes! I don't want it, but Kaiyan insists on buying it. If I hadn't stopped him, he was planning to buy a washing machine too. What a spendthrift! Who uses a machine to wash clothes? He's just being lazy!"

Xu Yuxiu smiled faintly and said with a helpless tone, "Cuihua, don't be fooled by how good the refrigerator is at cooling. That thing uses up a lot of electricity. This month's electricity bill alone cost more than ten yuan! And the space is small. It's full as soon as you put some vegetables in it."

"Hi... I just wanted to..."

Wang Cuihua wanted to say something more.

Xu Yuxiu turned and left without looking back, saying, "Oh, I can't talk anymore, I have to entertain my daughter-in-law at home."

"This……"

Wang Cuihua looked embarrassed. She was about to ask if she could put the pork in the refrigerator, but she didn't say it.

"What are you showing off for!"

He muttered a few words, then slunk back to his room, no longer wanting to watch the commotion.

……

The door was tightly closed, but bright light shone into the room through the crack in the door.

"So that's the gist of it? Earned half a million in a month? In US dollars?!"

Xu Yuxiu sat on the sofa, with Cheng Kaiyan and Liu Xiaoli sitting beside her, each with their arms around her.

After hearing the young couple's explanation, Xu Yuxiu was a little confused.

It's only been a few days since I last saw my son!
How did you make such a large sum of money all at once?

Five hundred thousand US dollars!
Xu Yuxiu came from a scholarly family. Her family had run a factory when she was young, so they were quite wealthy and experienced.

But I've never seen so much money before, and my son earned so much in just one month.

It took Xu Yuxiu a while to process her shock and surprise before she smiled and said, "As expected of my son, not bad, keep up the good work."

"I'm afraid it won't be long before your net worth surpasses your grandfather's. If he were still alive, he'd be overjoyed."

"You deserve all the credit! Without you, I wouldn't exist!"

Cheng Kaiyan affectionately put her arm around her mother's shoulder and said with a smile.

He didn't respond to his grandfather's words, so as not to upset his mother.

My maternal grandfather's factory was well-known in Beijing and had considerable assets.

However, he passed away during that upheaval, choosing to exchange his life for time, space, and the safety of his people.

I just never expected that some greedy bastards would run away with their family property and valuables without taking their mother and aunt with them.

Liu Xiaoli was also on the other side, holding her mother's arm, looking at the mother and son with a gentle smile on her face.

Even before their engagement, Xiaoli and her Aunt Xiu had a mother-daughter relationship, and after the engagement, she quickly started calling her "Mom."

Their relationship has become incredibly intimate.

"Mom, this is the bank card. Kaiyan has divided the 500,000 yuan into two cards. Please take it."

She thought for a moment, then took out the bank card that Cheng Kaiyan had just given her from her pocket, handed it over, and said gently.

“Mom doesn’t need this money. Mom’s salary is quite good. You and Kaiyan give me money every month, and you buy a lot of groceries every time you come home. We can’t even use it all!”

Xu Yuxiu gently shook her head and said softly.

Even so, she was still quite pleased with herself.

“Xiaoli, I feel more at ease knowing you're in charge of the money. You probably know what kind of person Kaiyan is.”

As she spoke, Xu Yuxiu glared at her son.

"Hehe, of course, Kaiyan is a spendthrift!"

Liu Xiaoli chuckled and teased, then suddenly remembered that Cheng Kaiyan was planning to donate a large sum of money to the Children and Youth Foundation.

That's a lot of money! My mother would probably be heartbroken to hear that.

However, it's impossible to hide it forever, so it's better to let people know as soon as possible.

"Kaiyan? Didn't you have something to tell Mom?"

Liu Xiaoli looked at Cheng Kaiyan and blinked.

"That's it..."

Cheng Kaiyan told her mother what had happened.

“You’re all grown up now. There are some things Mom can only offer advice on. You have to make the final decision yourself. No matter what, Mom will support you.”

Xu Yuxiu remained silent for a while, but ultimately said nothing.

After all, Xu Yuxiu had previously supported his donations, but she never expected him to donate so much.

At noon, Xu Yuxiu took her son and daughter into the kitchen to cook.

When Liu Xiaoli is with her mother, she is always extra diligent, so she is in charge of cooking again today.

Cheng Kaiyan started the fire, while his mother chopped and washed the vegetables.

Because of the happy occasion today, Cheng Kaiyan even went out and bought a few bottles of beer to chill.

We had four dishes and a soup for lunch.

"Hey! Mom, it's summer now, do they sell shrimp at the market?"

Cheng Kaiyan felt too hot while eating, so she took off her shirt and went shirtless. She took a bite of food and then drank some ice-cold beer, which was extremely refreshing.

I miss that summer so much, with its crayfish, barbecue, and beer.

Unfortunately, lobsters are now considered pests that the Ministry of Agriculture has explicitly prohibited from killing, so they are rarely sold in the north and no one eats them.

"They sell freshwater shrimp caught in Yuyuantan Park. They're quite expensive, but they're great deep-fried and have with drinks. Your dad used to love them."

Xu Yuxiu said with a smile.

"Let's go out to eat at a restaurant tonight."

Cheng Kaiyan suggested.

“Great! Let’s invite Auntie over to celebrate. She’s been staying home a lot lately, she must be so bored. Let’s bring her to stay at our house tomorrow.”

Liu Xiaoli muttered to herself.

"There's also a charity gala tomorrow night. Let's all go together. I heard it's at the Great Hall of the People. Let's just treat it as a fun event."

"That's a good idea!" (End of Chapter)