Chapter 4: Angry

Han Qiuyu had already calmed herself down. If Qin Mian wouldn’t work, then she could start with Li Luo. She didn’t believe she couldn’t break them apart. Once Li Luo was out of the way, Qin Mian would be divorced, and she’d be more than enough for him. After marriage, she’d make sure to put him in his place!

“Li Luo, I have something to tell you.”

Li Luo thought to herself: What now, is she going to flaunt those ten minutes with Qin Mian in my face?

Fine. She’d listen.

She followed along.

Han Qiuyu lowered her voice: “I just went to look for you but you weren’t there. Brother Qin told me… you’re too ugly. If it weren’t for his family forcing him, he would never have married you. Is that true?”

Qin Mian had come here for work four years ago and only returned home during New Year’s. There was no way he had the time to court Li Luo.

So that’s how she guessed it.

Li Luo was furious: “He actually told you that? That I’m ugly?! That bastard! What’s he, a peacock?!”

So their relationship really wasn’t just ordinary friendship. No wonder she sat right on his bed. Was she the mistress then? Was Han Qiuyu here pretending to be kind, giving her a chance to bow out gracefully?

Han Qiuyu knew she had guessed correctly, so she pressed on: “A twisted melon isn’t sweet. Forcing a marriage like this won’t end well. It’s better for both of you to separate.”

Li Luo was nearly exploding with anger. But then she thought it over and felt relieved. After all, she wasn’t his real wife to begin with.

Since the two of them were together, she was willing to step aside.

But—she had no family here. She had to secure something for herself. “What you say makes sense, but I can’t just hand him over to you for free. Unless the two of you compensate me with ten thousand yuan.”

Han Qiuyu was dumbfounded.

Li Luo saw her expression and realized the number was a bit high. A worker only earned thirty to forty yuan a month—who could save ten thousand? “Fine, five thousand. A thousand? … Then five hundred. I won’t go lower than five hundred.”

She lowered her demand again and again.

Han Qiuyu froze, then felt a rush of joy. So Li Luo wasn’t willing either—this would make things much easier. “As long as you’re willing to divorce Brother Qin, the money is no problem.”

Qin Mian had a good job. He must have money. Once she married him, what was five hundred yuan? Easy.

But Li Luo turned away immediately. If I divorce, then what bargaining chip do I have left? She really thinks I’ll give up for nothing? Trying to get something for nothing?

Ridiculous. Infuriating!

And Qin Mian—if he had feelings for Han Qiuyu, why hadn’t he told his family?

With Old Master Qin’s temper, if he’d known Qin Mian already had a girlfriend, there’s no way he would have forced the marriage.

Unbelievable!

She stormed back into the house and slammed the door shut.

So he looked down on her, huh? Fine, she’d just sleep in his bed, stomp all over his sheets. She lay down sideways, rolling from the foot of the bed to the head, then back again.

Still not satisfied, she grabbed the leftover steamed buns from breakfast, sat on the bed, and chewed loudly on purpose. When she was a child, every time she made noise eating noodles, her mother would beat her. This time she wanted Qin Mian to try it—just let him dare to say something, she’d teach him a lesson.

With her current weight, if she sat on him, he might really end up with broken bones.

So be it! Not only would she break his bones, she’d scratch his face bloody too!

At the desk, Qin Mian looked up from his book: “…” Why was she suddenly acting crazy? Was it her time of the month?

In the end, Li Luo couldn’t stand the bun crumbs on the bed. She climbed down, shook out the bedding, and swept the floor.

Aunt Liu knocked on the window. “Luoluo, why did you come back alone?”

Li Luo apologized, “Sorry, Aunt Liu. I suddenly wasn’t feeling well.”

“You’re alright now?” Aunt Liu asked with concern.

Li Luo nodded, then went inside, took out two sponge cakes from her bag, and gave them to her.

Aunt Liu grinned. “Oh, this is a real treat. I won’t be polite then. Oh right, next Wednesday is the Mid-Autumn Festival. The team canteen is making dumplings at noon—each household has to send one family member to help. However many you make, that’s what you get to take home. Did you know about this?”

“I didn’t, good thing you told me,” Li Luo replied. After chatting a bit, she watched Aunt Liu leave and then headed straight out of the courtyard.

She needed to be alone.

At a crossroads, she spotted Han Qiuyu and Deng Cuiping, each carrying a bulging bag, heading into a side alley. Li Luo quietly followed.

Ten minutes later, the two slipped into an old hutong.

Only then did Li Luo realize—it was a black market.

Han Qiuyu and Deng Cuiping were there to sell peanuts. She even saw people trading old goods for food stamps.

There were books for sale too.

A thought struck her. That’s right! I can sit for the unified exam.

If she passed, she’d land a good job.

College students in this era were worth their weight in gold. The exam must be tough, so she couldn’t slack off. She had to buy study materials and start reviewing.

But then she sighed. I already graduated from college and had a job. Going back to study now? What a waste of time. Besides, I can’t even calm down to study properly.

Maybe she should think of another way out.

Still, looking at books wouldn’t hurt.

She browsed the stalls and picked up an English-Chinese dictionary.

The 1980s—China was starting to open up, wasn’t it?

Her English was decent. If she read more, it would surely come in handy later.

“How much?” she asked.

The vendor held up five fingers.

Li Luo had only one yuan in her pocket. She planned to pay it as a deposit and fetch the rest from home.

“I’ll give you fifty cents change,” the vendor said.

Li Luo: “…” Such a thick dictionary for only fifty cents? What a steal!

She also spotted two books on internal medicine.

They were published decades ago. Maybe Qin Mian could use them?

Eh, whatever.

She asked about the price anyway.

“I was about to close up. You can have them for fifty cents.”

Li Luo happily paid, hugged the books, and wandered around. Soon she bumped into Han Qiuyu and Deng Cuiping. The latter greeted her: “Li Luo, how did you find this place? Buying books?”

Li Luo smiled politely. “Mm. How’s business?”

“Obviously not great,” Han Qiuyu muttered. She hated doing business, but remembering Li Luo’s demand for five hundred yuan to divorce, she gritted her teeth and came.

Just then, a shout rang out: “Run!”

Han Qiuyu and Deng Cuiping scrambled to pack up their sacks.

Li Luo reacted instantly, sprinting away. The crowd scattered like birds and beasts.

She turned into an alley and, after a while, realized—she was lost.

Don’t panic, don’t panic!

Li Luo shoved the books into her coat and used the orientation of the houses to figure out her bearings. Before long, she had worked out the way home.

At the alley entrance, two young men in uniform stopped her. “What are you doing here?”

Li Luo calmly explained, “Nothing much. I was just visiting a classmate and heading home now.”

“You don’t sound like a local. How are you studying here? Where do you live?”

“In Hejia Lane, No. 196 courtyard. My eldest brother is a forensic doctor with the Criminal Police. He helped transfer me here from my hometown in the northwest just this summer.”

Once she explained clearly and they heard she was a police family member, they didn’t question further and let her go.

Meanwhile, Han Qiuyu and Deng Cuiping ran home, only to find Li Luo missing.

Deng Cuiping gasped, “My god! Where’s Li Luo?”

Han Qiuyu gloated inside—she must have been caught! Tomorrow she’d be paraded for public shaming, and Qin Mian would lose face! But outwardly she feigned concern. “Could she have been arrested? You should tell Brother Qin, maybe he can get her out in time.” She herself was too embarrassed to see him, after being scolded earlier.

Deng Cuiping went to Qin Mian’s place and told him everything.

Qin Mian’s eyes turned cold. This troublesome fat girl! He set down his book, preparing to go to the station nearby to ask around.

At the crossroads, he bumped right into her.

Qin Mian exhaled in relief, then immediately scolded harshly: “Deng Cuiping said you bought books. If you want to read, you can go to the library. Why were you hanging around a place like that?” She’d only been here one day, and already she was dabbling in black-market nonsense. Was she fearless or just stupid?

Li Luo had been about to say she bought the books for him, but after hearing that, she huffed angrily: “None of your business! Hmph!”

“Idiot! You don’t know what’s good for you!” Qin Mian snapped.

She’d barely arrived and was already making trouble for him.

Li Luo clenched her fists, swallowing her rage. He knows what’s good for me? Does he know what’s good for a married man sharing a bed with another woman? Shameless bastard!

If not for the fact she had to rely on him for food and shelter, she’d have beaten him until he cried for his mama.

The two returned to the courtyard, one ahead of the other. Han Qiuyu was deeply disappointed—so she hadn’t been caught.

Deng Cuiping, on the other hand, stepped forward to ask with concern: “Li Luo, are you alright? How did you manage to get away?”

Li Luo smiled. “I just ran where everyone else ran.” Luckily she hadn’t been in a visible spot, or with her size, even if she made it home, she’d have been dragged off.

Back inside, she stashed the books in the wardrobe behind Qin Mian’s back. “You’re not allowed to look.”

Qin Mian: “…” What kind of attitude is that?

Just then, someone outside called for Director Qin—there was a case. Qin Mian answered and left.

Li Luo pulled out the English-Chinese dictionary and started flipping through it. The grammar explanations inside were even more detailed than what she’d learned in college.

She devoured the book eagerly, reading until the room darkened and she realized it was night.

She turned on the light. This time the cord didn’t snap, but the bulb burned out.

Worthless lamp!

She shut her book, washed up, and went to bed.

Half-asleep, she heard knocking and got up to open the door.

“Why didn’t you turn on the light?” Qin Mian stood there, cold air clinging to him. He reached for the cord; the switch clicked, but nothing lit up.

“The bulb blew. This lamp’s no good,” Li Luo complained.

Qin Mian: “…” He’d used it for two years without trouble, and it broke as soon as she came.

…

The next morning, Li Luo opened her eyes to see Qin Mian’s profile. He was sitting at the desk, head slightly bowed, a book open before him.

Didn’t he have work?

She sat up, looking him over—an off-white sweater on top, navy trousers below, and handmade slippers. The clothes were simple, even rustic, but on him they looked refined.

As expected, good-looking people made anything look good.

Qin Mian glanced her way, lifting the book in his hand. “You bought this for me?” Nice taste—it was a rare medical text. He used to have to borrow it from the university library.

Li Luo only then realized he was holding one of the books she’d bought yesterday. He really had a knack for digging things up. Since he’d found it, she might as well go with the flow. “Yes. I was saving it for your birthday, but then you went and called me ungrateful.”

Qin Mian cleared his throat, hiding his embarrassment. Without apologizing, he asked instead, “So you know when my birthday is?”

Li Luo: “Mm, I asked Dad.”

“What about yours?” he asked casually.

“New Year’s Eve.”

Li Luo got up to wash. Just as she reached the well, Han Qiuyu walked by. “Just getting up? Today’s Arbor Day. Doesn’t Brother Qin’s unit have to plant trees?”

“Don’t know,” Li Luo answered flatly. She had no interest in his affairs.

All she wanted was to lose weight, find a decent job, and get away from that troublesome man in her house!

After washing up, she drank a glass of water and headed out for a run.

Han Qiuyu caught up. “Where are you going? You’ll have to wait for that five hundred yuan.”

Li Luo: “I’m waiting. But why are you always following me?” Like a shadow!

Han Qiuyu pouted. Ugly fatty. Bad temper too.

Li Luo ran out of the city and into the countryside. There she saw groups of people digging ditches and decided to join in.

Someone handed her a shovel. “Which village are you from? We’ve already dug a trench, and you’re just getting here. Hurry up!”

Li Luo, confused, instinctively accepted the shovel.

Looking at the sweat-drenched faces around her, inspiration struck. Hard work meant sweating, sweating meant burning calories—perfect for losing weight.

Her body was sturdy enough to handle it.

So she hefted the shovel and joined in.

The people around her worked while chatting:

—Someone’s chickens had been stolen.
—Someone’s younger brother was lazy and still single at thirty.
—A young wife from a nearby village had run off with someone.

By noon, families brought meals for their workers. Li Luo had no one to bring her food, so she drank a ladle of water to fill her stomach.

When she sat down to rest, she wiped her forehead. She wasn’t sure if it was dirt from work or just oil mixing with mud, but the sweat streaks across her face looked dark, smelled salty, and stank.