Chapter Thirty-Six: The Night Walk in Brocade Robes

After purchasing his car, Shen Ye first returned to the low-rent housing complex where he currently lived.

Of course, after buying a car, one must show it off a little.

The true meaning of life lies in making a splash. Even Xiang Yu, the great conqueror, once shouted, “Wearing fine clothes and not returning home is like walking in the night clad in silk.”

The car drove into the low-rent housing complex and then came to a stop. All the residents here were those from Shuimen Alley, their rent paid by the government, waiting for the new resettlement housing to be completed.

Seeing a car drive in and noticing Shen Ye getting out, the residents couldn’t help but start talking.

“Shen Ye, whose car did you borrow?” asked an aunt from next door, one who had watched him grow up. She was the talkative sort but generally well-meaning. Recently, Shen Ye had been a little wary of her, as she seemed to be conspiring with his mother about arranging a match for him—he was only twenty-two, far too young to be thinking about marriage.

“Just bought it,” Shen Ye replied.

Her eyes lit up. “Just bought it? Your mother said your shop was doing well a couple of months ago, but I didn’t quite believe it. Now I do.”

On the ground floor, many idle middle-aged and elderly women joined in the conversation.

“I heard Shen Ye is running a shop at Silver Beach, making fifty or sixty thousand a month.”

“That can’t be right. Lots of people open shops, but it’s hard to earn money. I know relatives who’ve lost money. Shen Ye’s new to this—how could he make so much right away?”

“These days, you never know. Some people make money; some lose it. Maybe that’s why he could afford a nice car after just three months.”

“I remember Shen Ye only graduated from a vocational college, majoring in Chinese, then got tricked into a pyramid scheme. He didn’t seem destined for success. Who’d have thought he’d turn things around with a shop? Maybe he’s born for business. He might really make it big.”

“I have a niece who’s really quite pretty. I must speak to Lin Mei about arranging a match,” one aunt declared, already making plans.

Her words made the others’ eyes light up as well.

Shen Ye went home and told his family about the new car.

Lin Mei’s expression changed immediately. “You! You’ve only just made a little money and you’re already spending it recklessly. What nonsense.”

“I had about a hundred thousand on hand, went to see Fourth Uncle’s dealership, liked this car, and bought it,” Shen Ye explained. “Besides, before this, a grown man like me was riding a little electric scooter—hardly satisfying. With money, of course I’d upgrade.”

“Always wasting money,” Lin Mei complained. “You could have bought a house first. When you get married, a house is the first thing people look for. Cars don’t appreciate, but what if house prices go up?”

“Don’t worry, Mother. Your son knows how to make money. I’ll get us a house before the New Year, and it’ll be over a hundred square meters in a good neighborhood. We won’t live in the government-arranged resettlement complex for long. Next year, you should learn to drive; I’ll buy you a car, too,” Shen Ye said with a smile.

“Oh, forget it. I’m already over fifty, what would I learn to drive for?” Lin Mei said, though clearly pleased. “But it’s nice that you thought of it.”

When his father, Shen Jiaping, returned and heard Shen Ye had bought a car, he was shocked. He regretted not learning to drive himself—otherwise, he could have taken his son’s car for a spin.

That day, the house was filled with joy.

Nowadays, plenty of people have money and buy cars—it’s not a big deal. But for a family like the Shens, usually so poor, it was a matter of pride and excitement.

…

After lunch, Shen Ye drove toward Silver Beach.

He parked at the seaside cottage.

Behind every shop at Silver Beach, there was a row of parking spaces.

Wen Xiuting saw Shen Ye’s new car, her beautiful eyes showing a hint of surprise. “Is this your new car? It looks nice.”

“Just average,” Shen Ye responded with a laugh.

“Boss, I’d like to ask for the afternoon off,” Wen Xiuting said.

“No problem. What’s up? Need any help?” Shen Ye asked.

“My mother just called—my father’s sick. I want to go back and see him,” Wen Xiuting explained.

“I see,” Shen Ye thought for a moment. “I remember your home is in Nanling Town, right? It’s quite remote, in the mountains, and the bus only runs six times a day. Waiting for the bus is a hassle. Since I just got the car, I’ll drive you there.”

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly impose,” Wen Xiuting shook her head, refusing out of instinct—she didn’t want to trouble Shen Ye.

“It’s no trouble. I just got the car and want to take a longer drive anyway,” Shen Ye said.

After a month of working together, Wen Xiuting knew her cousin’s decisions were hard to change. Besides, she really disliked the bus. She was aware her figure drew attention, and every bus ride meant enduring men crowding around, taking advantage when the bus stopped or jolted.

She’d had to scold a few men before for getting too close; otherwise, she’d have been harassed even more.

The thought of those men made her feel sick.

If Shen Ye drove, it would be just the two of them—a spacious, comfortable ride, no crowding.

At last, she nodded. “Then I’ll trouble you.”

“Get in,” Shen Ye said, tapping the window.

Wen Xiuting got in. Though the car only cost a little over a hundred thousand, it was far more comfortable than the bus.

Shen Ye slid a CD into the player, and last year’s popular song “South of the Mountains” began to play.

Thus, they sped toward Nanling Town.

Among the ten towns under Ning County, Nanling was by far the poorest, nestled deep in the mountains, hard to reach.

Wen Xiuting’s home was in Changqi Village, the poorest part of Nanling.

Fortunately, thanks to the new village roads, the way to Changqi Village was now smooth concrete.

The newly acquired Ford sedan cruised along the road.

At first, the scenery was lined with factories; later, it became pure green hills and rivers.

After about two hours, they finally reached Changqi Village.

The old mud-brick houses of a decade ago were gone, replaced by two- and three-story buildings. Passing the village entrance, they saw a riverbed dug deep, with sand trucks coming and going.

Shen Ye enjoyed the feeling of driving and parked in front of a two-story house in the middle of the village.

He remembered being here as a groomsman for his cousin Shen Die’s wedding years ago.