Chapter 17: IOU

Zhang Cuihua returned home with an awkward expression. As soon as she entered the living room, she saw unwashed bowls and chopsticks left on the table.

Unable to suppress the anger in her heart any longer, she casually placed her bag on a stool and quickly walked toward the bedroom of Li Xiangdong and his wife.

It was July, the weather was hot, and the bedroom door was open. Zhang Cuihua immediately saw Liu Lanxiang and her eldest grandson lying on the bed taking a nap.

She was about to walk over and wake Liu Lanxiang but then noticed the little boy’s rosy sleeping face, and her heart softened instantly. Afraid of waking him, she reluctantly turned and left.

Holding back her urge to lose her temper, Zhang Cuihua collected the dishes from the living room and took them to the kitchen to wash.

Just after finishing the dishes, she noticed a blanket soaking in water. Taking a deep breath, she squatted down to wash the blanket. To her surprise, under the blanket were dirty clothes the family had changed out of.

While washing, she quietly complained in her heart, blaming eldest daughter-in-law Liu Lanxiang for being too lazy, and resenting her youngest son for being reckless and splashing water on the eldest son’s bed. She couldn’t help muttering softly, “These people are all here to collect debts.”

After finishing all the chores, Zhang Cuihua straightened up and glanced at the wall clock in the living room. It was already past five o’clock, time to prepare dinner.

At that moment, Liu Lanxiang came slowly into the yard carrying Li Weibing. Seeing the blankets and clothes hanging out to dry, she looked satisfied.

But thinking about last night’s trouble, anger welled up in her again, and she began complaining, “Mother, Weibing was scared by his uncle last night and has been crying nonstop all day, clinging to people. You have to stand up for your eldest grandson.”

Hearing this, Zhang Cuihua gave Liu Lanxiang a sharp look and replied grumpily, “What do you mean ‘scared by his uncle’? Xiangbei stayed in the room all night and never went out.”

Liu Lanxiang pouted, looking discontented, “If it wasn’t him, then who else would come and scare us in the middle of the night?”

“Stop talking nonsense; there was no such thing. Oh, and Liu Lanxiang, I warn you—don’t go gossiping to outsiders about the family’s matters. Also, think carefully—when have you ever benefited from provoking Xiangbei before?”

Liu Lanxiang grew even more dissatisfied and raised her voice, “Mother, if you already know, why do you always side with the fourth son?”

Zhang Cuihua raised her voice in return, “How am I siding with the fourth son? You tell me—when did you ever not start trouble? Lanxiang, the fourth son never treats you as family. As long as you don’t provoke him first, he wouldn’t even glance at you.” Saying this, Zhang Cuihua stood up and quickly walked into the kitchen to start cooking.

Liu Lanxiang pouted again, muttering quietly, “You’re just biased.” Then rolling her eyes, she leaned toward her son and whispered, “Weibing, was the soda you drank yesterday tasty?”

Li Weibing’s eyes lit up, and he eagerly nodded, “It was good! I want more soda.”

Liu Lanxiang smiled and coaxed him, “Okay then, go ask Grandma for money, and we’ll buy some soda.”

Hearing this, Li Weibing happily ran toward the kitchen, shouting loudly, “Grandma, I want soda! Give me money, I want to buy soda!”

Meanwhile, after work, Su Yue went to the No. 2 Canteen and bought food for two.

She then headed toward the alley opposite the steel factory.

Just as she reached the alley entrance, she ran into an elderly woman.

The woman looked Su Yue up and down and asked, “Young lady, which family are you from? I’ve never seen you around before.”

Before Su Yue could answer, Li Xiangbei came out from the alley and smiled, “Aunt Liang, this is my fiancée. She specially came today to look at the house.” Saying so, he took the lunchbox from Su Yue’s hand.

As soon as Auntie Liang heard that, her expression darkened, and she questioned,
“Fiancée? Xiangbei, since when did you suddenly have a fiancée?”

Li Xiangbei smiled and replied,
“Auntie Liang, I mentioned before that I had a fiancée. Anyway, we’ve got something to do, so we won’t keep chatting.”
Then he looked at Su Yue and said gently,
“Let’s go.”

Su Yue nodded slightly and followed behind Li Xiangbei into the alley. She could clearly sense the unfriendly tone hidden in Auntie Liang’s words.

Li Xiangbei took out his key and opened the door with a big smile.
“Yueyue, I bought a whole cart of coal. Next time, we can cook at home.”

Su Yue smiled gently and responded softly.

Li Xiangbei set the food on the table while Su Yue walked over to the sink to wash her hands. Just as she was about to pick up her chopsticks to eat, she saw Li Xiangbei take out a piece of paper.

“Another love letter?” Su Yue smiled as she unfolded the paper. But once she saw the content, she paused for a moment.

It turned out to be an IOU, clearly stating that Su Yue had lent Li Xiangbei 500 yuan, dated the day before he bought the house.

Su Yue smiled faintly, understanding that Li Xiangbei was probably worried that his family would ask where the money came from. So, he had prepared this paper for backup. She quietly folded the IOU and put it away.

“Didn’t you say the house cost 300? Then why write an IOU for 500?”

Li Xiangbei explained with a smile,
“Housing is scarce in the city. The 300 was a discounted price the old man and his wife gave me because I’ve helped them over the past two years. But the main thing is…”
He opened the food container and continued,
“My family might be willing to pay 300 for this house, but they’d never be willing to spend 500.”

Su Yue nodded in understanding.

Li Xiangbei handed her a pair of clean chopsticks and asked,
“Should we tell your mother about this?”

Su Yue took the chopsticks and replied with a smile,
“No need. My mother knows I have money. Ever since my eldest brother started working, he’s been sending me 5 yuan every month. He hasn’t missed a single month all these years.”
Li Xiangbei was surprised,
“Five yuan every month? Yueyue, your brother treats you really well.”

Su Yue continued smiling,
“My third brother treats me well too. He started dating in college and got married as soon as he landed a job. Like my eldest brother, he also sent me 5 yuan every month—but I sent that money back. Later, he and my third sister-in-law started sending me things instead.”

She took a bite of cucumber and, after swallowing, added,
“My second brother was also very kind to me when we were kids.”

Li Xiangbei nodded warmly and picked up some eggplant to place in Su Yue’s bowl.

Su Yue frowned slightly and said,
“We just had eggplant yesterday. I feel like having potatoes today.”

Li Xiangbei quickly responded, moved the eggplant back to his own bowl, and put a piece of potato into hers.

The two of them smiled at each other. After finishing their meal, Li Xiangbei automatically started clearing the dishes.

Su Yue accompanied him and smiled,
“Xiangbei, you’re so nice. I really don’t like washing dishes—they’re always sticky and gross.”

Li Xiangbei beamed brightly,
“Don’t worry, Yueyue. From now on, I’ll do all the dishwashing.”

Su Yue smiled and hummed in agreement, her face radiating happiness.