Chapter 18: Schemes

While they were chatting, the uncle finished his buns and fried dough sticks.

At that moment, the buyers arrived. Li Luo handed them cigarettes as she invited them to inspect the goods.

The three men carefully checked everything. Once they confirmed there were no issues, they said:
“Alright. If they sell well, we’ll come back for more. But how do we contact you next time?”

Li Luo replied, “Just come here and talk to the uncle.”

The uncle quickly assured them: “Don’t worry. I’ve always been reliable.”

While they were talking, the four men brought by Liu Erwang and Cheng Jianshe also showed up.

The first three mistook them for people coming to crack down on their deal, so they hurried to jump on their bikes to escape. But the newcomers thought the three were coming to catch them, so they too prepared to run.

Seeing this, Li Luo immediately understood and called out, “We’re all on the same side!”

Everyone finally relaxed.

Li Luo introduced her goods to the four newcomers:
“Take a look—these are medicinal soaps. They’re valuable and sell especially well at the night market.”
She showcased her sales skills, exaggerating a little as she described the soap’s effects and the frenzy of buyers snatching them up.

One person frowned. “The smell is a bit strong.”

“But they really do sell well. If you don’t believe me, come with me to the night market tonight and see for yourselves,” Li Luo said openly.

The other three chimed in: “It really does sell well.”

The four newcomers, half-convinced, finally said: “Then we’ll each take a case first.”

“These are already reserved by them,” Li Luo said coolly. “If you want some, come back tomorrow.”

“Alright, it’s a deal then.”

Li Luo nodded. Once everyone left, she whispered to the uncle:
“Whatever you do, don’t reveal the address of the soap factory. Otherwise, our money-making plan will be ruined.”

The uncle reassured her, “Relax, I’m not stupid.” This young girl was generous, thoughtful, and even brought him breakfast.

If he exposed her business, not only would he offend her, but others could go straight to the factory and he wouldn’t even earn delivery fees.

As he was thinking this, Li Luo paid him the seventy cents delivery fee and said:
“Payment settled upfront. Tomorrow, deliver four more cases. I’ll send you the slip later.”

“No problem.” The uncle took the money, beaming.

Li Luo left the scrapyard, went to the soap factory, collected the shipping slip, and handed it to the uncle.

By then, it was nine-thirty.

Should she pick up Qin Mian?

He should be getting off the train and heading home, right?

After hesitating, Li Luo decided to head to the train station. For now, she still needed him—she couldn’t afford to offend him.

By the time she reached the place by bus, it was already ten o’clock.

There were only a few people at the station exit.

She regretted it a little. He said nine o’clock. She was late, so why did she run all the way here?

Just as she was about to leave, she faintly heard the loudspeaker announcing the train schedule.

It was the same one she had taken back from the northwest.

Delayed by an hour.

What a coincidence.

Li Luo walked toward the exit, when suddenly, a familiar figure came into view.

It was Liu Qian.

She was here to pick someone up too?

Li Luo paused, quietly observing.

About five minutes later, a tall young man appeared.

He carried luggage in his left hand, dressed in slightly loose casual clothes, his figure upright and striking.

Liu Qian hurried toward him.

Her eyes sparkled as she raised her voice:
“Brother Qin, finally! I’ve been waiting for you.”

Qin Mian frowned slightly. “Why is it you?”

Liu Qian explained: “The family was busy today, and Li Luo couldn’t come. She asked me to pick you up.”

Qin Mian was skeptical. He hadn’t talked much with Li Luo, but after a month in the northwest, he knew her well enough—none of the young women there thought highly of her.

Would proud Liu Qian really look up to her?

Wasn’t she always busy losing weight? Did she suddenly give up at home and now had free time to make friends?

He said coldly, “I don’t need you to pick me up.”

Liu Qian chased after him. “Brother Qin, you look thinner! It’s been two years—you’re more mature, steady, and charming now.” She pouted. “I wrote you letters. Why didn’t you reply?”

Qin Mian didn’t understand her behavior. He stopped and asked seriously, “Why were you writing to me? Are we even that close?”

Liu Qian: “…”

Ignoring her, he continued forward. From the corner of his eye, he noticed a figure by the roadside and turned his head fully.

His gaze trembled slightly.

The girl’s figure hadn’t changed much since he left, but her face was noticeably slimmer.

Her hair seemed thicker, and her pale skin glowed faintly in the light, making her delicate features stand out even more.

He hesitated a moment, then awkwardly raised a hand to wave at her.

Only then did Liu Qian notice Li Luo standing there. Panic flickered in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself.

Qin Mian wasn’t the type to talk much. He probably wouldn’t mention seeing her at the station, right?

She hurried over and whispered, “Luo Luo, didn’t you say you weren’t coming?”

Li Luo’s gaze shifted between Qin Mian and Liu Qian. She wondered—did Liu Qian come here on her own, or had Qin Mian secretly asked her?

But if Qin Mian had asked her, why would Qin Jun tell Li Luo to pick him up?

After thinking it through, Li Luo concluded: Liu Qian must have overheard Qin Jun yesterday and deliberately snuck here to meet Qin Mian.

So obvious!

She asked flatly, “Who said I wasn’t coming?”

At that moment, Qin Mian walked over. “How long have you been waiting?”

Li Luo rolled her eyes. “It was supposed to arrive at nine sharp. What do you think?” He was already a grown man, yet he insisted on her picking him up.

What, just to look at her fat, ugly face?

Oh!

She understood now.

He must have known Liu Qian would show up. Since he didn’t like her, he used Li Luo as a shield.

Qin Mian explained, “I didn’t know the train would be delayed.”

Li Luo pouted. Scheming man! Wasting my time that could be spent making money and getting prettier.

Liu Qian felt a pang of jealousy. Qin Mian and that fat woman Li Luo actually had communication between them?

Li Luo and Qin Mian went home together.

At the door, cooks were busy preparing for tomorrow’s birthday banquet.

Grandma Qin stood chatting with neighbors under the eaves.

“A Mian!” Grandma Qin rushed forward, touching his face with trembling hands. “You’ve gotten thinner, darker.” Life in the northwest must have been hard.

The neighbors greeted him warmly.

“Hasn’t A Mian been away for two years? He looks sturdier than before.”

“He’s really handsome. Luo Luo is lucky.”

“No education, no job, fat and ugly—yet she managed to marry a college student who’s also good-looking. Who wouldn’t envy her?” Qin Xinyi muttered sourly.

Her little uncle was like a fine cabbage given to a pig.

Li Luo sneered inwardly. If anything, he was the lucky one. But she didn’t bother to argue—without ability, no matter what she said, people would just laugh at her.

Qin Mian sternly corrected, “Every pot has its matching lid. This marriage was arranged by our grandfather. Do you have objections? Criticizing elders’ appearances—have you looked at yourself? Where’s your upbringing?”

He knew Li Luo’s education wasn’t low. He had seen his books often read by her. She understood English and had good handwriting. Though she hid it, he could tell.

Qin Xinyi’s eyes reddened. Her little uncle had actually scolded her in public.

Old Master Xue, hearing that Qin Mian was back, came out to greet him. Upon hearing those words, he felt awkward. This brat—did he really just insult people?

But truth be told, Li Luo was pretty decent.

Yes, she was plump, but her face was pleasant, her features flawless, and she was hardworking.

She had good judgment and never complained about work.

That Liu Qian, on the other hand—skinny as a monkey, narrow forehead, lazy by nature. Even her own mother said she did nothing at home all day. What kind of wife would that make?

With authority, he called out: “A Mian!”