Xiaotong had said it casually, as if no one would actually ask such a question outright.
She froze, instinctively looking at her mom.
Yang Xiumei cursed a bunch in her heart, but still maintained a smiling face as she welcomed Ye Manman into the house.
"This matter is easy to handle, easy to handle. Anyway, once your sister marries into town, you'll definitely get your share of good things, don't worry."
She wanted to show some motherly affection by grabbing Ye Manman's hand to pat it, but Ye Manman found it dirty and dodged.
"No way, everyone can talk empty words. Without it in black and white, it doesn't mean anything. Write down what compensation you'll give me, write me an IOU, or I'll go out and find the team leader to settle it."
Yang Xiumei was anxious upon hearing this, "You kid, there's no such thing as family writing IOUs, besides, won't you be better off once your sister lives well?"
Ye Manman didn't listen to her and continued.
"That's why family needs IOUs even more; otherwise, when you turn your back on me, I won't have anywhere to reason. Once they get married, I can't ask the team leader to settle it, right? You can't expect me to keep this secret for nothing, can you?"
"Moreover, if it wasn't for me helping Xie Fengmian, how could my sister know him and marry him? Don't you know how good their family conditions are? Should I suffer in silence while you take all the benefits?"
Yang Xiumei wanted to say more, but Xiaotong stopped her.
Recalling Xie Fengmian's achievements in her past life, she suddenly looked down on Ye Manman a bit. She had thought Ye Manman was pretty, but now she seemed like a profit-seeking village girl.
Since she was going to marry into town and eventually become a city lady, a small favor like this to keep Ye Manman quiet wasn't a big deal.
So Xiaotong, looking generous, raised her chin and said proactively.
"You're right. Since my sister said she'll compensate you, she definitely will. But if I write you an IOU, you'll have to keep your mouth shut. You can't tell anyone about today's event either."
Ye Manman was somewhat surprised by the protagonist's straightforwardness, but upon reflection figured she knew how wealthy Xie Fengmian would be, hence the generosity.
In that case, she should also seek justice for the original character. She planned to make them repay everything they had forced upon or taken from the original character, doubled.
Because there was no paper and pen in the house, during those days only some educated youths had a few shabby books, or only the village officials had paper and pens.
So ultimately, they went to the team leader's home, where the team leader's daughter-in-law was a high school student, responsible for recording work points for the villagers.
"Five yuan a month? You're not married, so you don't need to buy things yourself. Do you need that much?"
Back then, five yuan was no small sum. A strong man could earn just a dozen yuan a month, and team leader's daughter-in-law Wang Li's monthly salary was only fifteen yuan.
Upon hearing Ye Manman make such outrageous demands, Xiaotong and Yang Xiumei were both stunned. They thought compensation would just be small money or things, not expecting her to ask for so much.
Ye Manman wasn't bothered and said casually, "Isn't it just five yuan? Won't my sister lack this amount in the future? I heard Xie—"
"Five yuan then!"
Xiaotong quickly agreed, successfully silencing Ye Manman, afraid that Wang Li would become suspicious.
She felt regretful about hastily agreeing to come to the team leader's home to write an IOU. She should have discussed the terms at home before coming. Now, this little brat was being greedy, and she couldn't refute.
That damned brat! Ever hateful in both lives! She had to make things hard for her! Best to have her marry a fool, a cripple, or an old bachelor and live off these five yuan all her life!
Hmm, just treat it as charity for a beggar.
Xiaotong's gnashing expression made Ye Manman want to laugh.
Is five yuan unbearable? What's even worse is yet to come.
"Since it's compensation, it's definitely not enough with just money. Could Xiuli write further that every month my sister must give me one ticket, be it a grain ticket, meat ticket, cloth ticket, or any other ticket."
"And as long as I stay at home, my sister needs to help me with at least five work points, cook, wash clothes, and boil water for me."
Although Wang Li was curious about the reason, she didn't ask, and just wrote. Xiaotong, however, suddenly stopped her.
"Wait, why do you want tickets? Didn't we agree money was enough?"
Back then, IOUs were usually just for money. Xiaotong assumed Ye Manman only wanted five yuan, not expecting her to want tickets, which were the hardest thing to get back then!
Where could she find them!
Wang Li, displeased by being interrupted mid-write, angrily put down the pen.
"Can you finalize the conditions before asking me to write? What's meant by making a scene here? I'm under no obligation to write things for your family."
Ye Manman gave her an apologetic smile, "Don't be upset, Lili. My sister might find it hard to accept, given the significant secret they're asking me to keep. I'm trying to assert my rights. Rest assured, once my sister pays me next month, I'll buy you a new scorebook as a thank you."
Wang Li felt eased upon hearing this, disdainfully glancing at Xiaotong and muttering softly.
"Seeking help, yet the sister is less sensible than the younger one."
Xiaotong was so furious her face turned red; she wished to flip the table but held back.
Anyway, she would soon marry into town, so this little brat wouldn't be cocky for long.
"Then follow her writing, but don't add anymore. If you add conditions, you won't get anything."
She gave Ye Manman a cutting look and angrily planned to leave.
Unexpectedly, Wang Li stopped her.
"Wait, you need to fingerprint the IOU. You can't renege on what's written unless you want to land in jail."
Xiaotong was so angry her head felt like steaming, but she didn't care much. She quickly fingerprinted and left.
On the way back, she kept thinking that she was going to marry Xie Fengmian; this money or tickets weren't a big deal. The crucial thing now was to make sure Ye Manman kept her mouth shut!
Ye Manman didn't care about Xiaotong and Yang Xiumei's furious departure, happily taking back the IOU, thanking Wang Li sweetly before returning home.
Upon arrival, she reminded.
"Don't forget to boil hot water for me, I want to take a bath. And remember to wash my clothes tomorrow, prepare breakfast in the morning."
Ye Guoqiang didn't follow along, so he wasn't aware of what the IOU included.
At this time, he looked at Yang Xiumei doubtfully, but she angrily glared at him, "All because you raised such a good daughter!"
Ye Guoqiang, baffled, dared not speak.
Yang Xiumei couldn't bear to have Xiaotong boil water, cook, and wash clothes for Ye Manman, so she went herself.
Though fulfilling these chores wasn't much, doing them for someone she disliked enraged Yang Xiumei. Finally, she furiously came up with a good idea and hurried to discuss it with Xiaotong.
At night, she called Ye Guoqiang over early, both lay in the same quilt, weeping as she recounted the events for a long time.