Chapter 29: The Liang Family’s Eldest Grandson

After finishing dinner, Su Yue and Li Xiangbei returned home, only to find Wang Qiang still lying at the entrance of the Liang family’s house. Under the scorching sun, flies and mosquitoes buzzed around him, landing on his face and exposed skin, leaving clearly visible, swollen red bites. Su Yue and Li Xiangbei exchanged a helpless glance and shook their heads. Once they exited the alley, Li Xiangbei reported the situation to the local police. After all, no one had even moved into that house yet—having someone die there would just be bad luck.

The next day, they heard that the police had sent Wang Qiang back to the Wang household. But to their surprise, before dawn the next morning, he was brought back and dumped at the Liang family’s doorstep again. Over the following days, the Wang and Liang families went back and forth over Wang Qiang’s placement, with police mediating multiple times to no avail. Eventually, the authorities issued stern warnings to both sides. The exact resolution remained unclear, but at least the Wang family stopped sending Wang Qiang over.

A week later, Su Yue heard from Aunt Zhang next door that the Wang family had registered Wang Qiang for the rural “Down to the Countryside” movement. No one knew how they managed it, but Wang Qiang’s two brothers actually escorted him to the same remote village where Liang Xiaohong had been sent. Once there, they gave her an ultimatum: either marry Wang Qiang or return the bride price—or they’d report her to the authorities.

After delivering the message, the brothers returned to the city, leaving Wang Qiang behind in the countryside. As for how things would unfold, speculation buzzed through the neighborhood. No one could say for sure.

At least, for the people of the alley, the matter had finally quieted down.

Usually around this time of year, the women would be itching to wear bright-colored clothes and skirts, dressing themselves up to look vibrant and radiant. But this summer, as if by tacit agreement, everyone dressed unusually plainly. Hairstyles were mostly cropped short at ear-length—neat and tidy.

Wang Qiuyah even brought all her makeup back from the dorm and began showing up bare-faced every day.

Su Yue quickly sensed something was off, especially since Wang Qiuyah frequently shared gossip and insider updates she’d picked up from her aunt and uncle.

Taking advantage of a rest day, Su Yue returned home and had a detailed discussion with Shen Qiuxia about the current social climate. After listening, Shen Qiuxia pulled out letters from the eldest and third brothers. Their words consistently emphasized the importance of being plain and modest.

Su Yue acted immediately. She packed away all her pretty clothes and stayed up late sewing two new outfits out of coarse homespun cloth. Summer clothes are relatively simple to make. To match the current atmosphere of austerity, she chose the most basic patterns and even added visible patches to the sleeves and collars.

That afternoon, she took two large bundles of clothes and secretly stored them in the hidden storage space at Youlan Courtyard.

After returning to work, she alternated between wearing the factory-issued uniform and the coarse fabric clothes she had made.

Thanks to a gentle reminder from Li Shufang, Su Yue also stopped doing any personal tasks during work hours. If she had free time, she’d pull out the Little Red Book and study it earnestly. Even Wu Yuxia had stopped napping during her shift, thanks to the changing political winds.

At noon, as soon as the lunch bell rang, Su Yue picked up her lunchbox and walked to the cafeteria with Wang Qiuyah, just like always.

Back in the dorm, Wang Qiuyah threw her shoulder bag and lunchbox onto the table with a loud “thump,” followed by a deep sigh—her face full of frustration.

That defeated expression was impossible for Su Yue to ignore.

“What’s wrong?” Su Yue asked with concern.

Wang Qiuyah frowned, looking aggrieved. “My parents have started setting up blind dates for me, but the guys they’re introducing are all duds.”

Su Yue was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.

Wang Qiuyah became more animated as she vented. “My parents know I like bookish, gentle men, but they keep setting me up with soldiers or factory workers who do hard labor. As soon as I see those big, burly types, I feel gross. How am I supposed to build a life with someone like that?”

Su Yue listened while taking a bite of her food, inwardly marveling at how delicious today’s tomato and scrambled eggs were. She dumped her rice into the dish, stirred it up, and started eating heartily.

Wang Qiuyah, watching her, suddenly heard her own stomach growl. Imitating Su Yue, she stirred her rice and vegetables together. “Yueyue, you’re not eating the braised pork?”

Su Yue smiled and shook her head. “Nah, it’s too hot. I don’t really have an appetite.”

Wang Qiuyah nodded. Looking at the greasy pork, she suddenly lost her craving too and covered it back up.

Soon it was July 31st, and Su Yue received her first paycheck.

After work, she took out a well-prepped rooster from Youlan Courtyard, then bought four steamed buns from the cafeteria before heading to Li Xiangbei’s place.

Once home, Su Yue lit the coal stove and chopped the chicken into small pieces to make a hearty braised chicken with potatoes and mushrooms.

Before long, a rich, mouthwatering aroma filled the room. Once the stir-fry was nearly done, she added a ladle of water and covered the pot to simmer.

While waiting, Su Yue felt a bit hungry. She grabbed a cucumber, rinsed it quickly, and began munching on it. Suddenly, there was a rapid knock at the door.

Su Yue was puzzled. She wasn’t close to the neighbors here—usually just nodded in greeting after work. Who would come by at dinnertime?

She set down the cucumber and walked toward the door.

Just as she unlatched it, a strong force pushed against it.

Su Yue braced herself and peered through the gap. Three boys stood outside. From their facial features, it was obvious they were brothers—squinting eyes just like the old lady across the street, Granny Liang.

“Move! Let us in!” the oldest boy yelled.

“Yeah, let us in!” the other two echoed.

Su Yue frowned. “Who are you? This is my home. Why should I let you in?”

Seeing they couldn’t push the door open, the boys turned and shouted, “Granny! She won’t let us in!”

Just then, Granny Liang appeared, carrying a large ceramic basin and slowly waddling over. “Here’s the thing—my three grandsons are craving meat. We’d like to borrow a bowl of meat to feed the kids.”

Su Yue glanced at the “bowl” Granny Liang was holding and couldn’t help but scoff. “Not lending it.” With that, she slammed the door shut.

The boys, embarrassed and angry, began kicking and pounding the door, yelling vulgar insults that made Su Yue’s blood boil.

Just as she was about to fling the door open, she heard a sharp voice yell, “What do you think you’re doing?!”

Su Yue opened the door to see Li Xiangbei charging over.

He checked to make sure she was okay, then stepped in front of her and scolded the four troublemakers. “What exactly are you trying to do? It’s broad daylight—are you seriously trying to break in and rob her?!”

The three boys, once loud and aggressive, suddenly shrank back at Li Xiangbei’s imposing presence, hiding behind Granny Liang like startled rabbits. Clearly, they only bullied those who wouldn’t fight back.

Granny Liang patted her grandsons’ backs to calm them down and gave Li Xiangbei a sideways glare. “Xiao Li, do you have to yell like that? You scared my poor grandsons.”

Li Xiangbei chuckled coldly. “Those brats are your grandsons? I thought they were bandits off the mountain! I was just about to call the police and have them taught a proper lesson!”

The boys turned pale and bolted for the house without another word. The tallest one even slammed the gate shut behind him.

Granny Liang stomped her feet and slapped her thighs in frustration. “If my grandsons get traumatized by this, I won’t let it go!”

Li Xiangbei smiled. “Isn’t Liang Daguang working at the coal yard? I saw something bulky in his shirt yesterday—looked pretty black. Wonder what that was?”

Granny Liang’s face darkened immediately.

She muttered curses under her breath and turned to leave.