Chapter 30: Su Yue Asks for Leave

Su Yue vaguely heard Old Lady Liang muttering about “messing around with relationships” and “reporting to authorities.” Her eyes slightly narrowed, and a hint of alertness rose in her heart. After a brief hesitation, she quickly walked into the courtyard.

Li Xiangbei followed behind her. As soon as he stepped in, he took a deep breath and looked blissful. “Smells good! Yueyue, did you cook?”

Su Yue smiled and nodded, “I got my paycheck today — 28.5 yuan, plus some receipts and such. By the way, are you free tomorrow afternoon?”

Li Xiangbei nodded, “I’m free.” Then he took out his household registration booklet, grain ration book, side food ration book, along with his newly issued paycheck and various receipts from his bag, handing them over to Su Yue. “I got paid today, so I brought my household registration and ration books over for you to keep.”

Su Yue took them and, scanning the household booklet, showed a flicker of surprise on her face. “You transferred your household registration here?”

Li Xiangbei smiled warmly and explained, “I’ve always kept my household registration myself. I was afraid Liu Lanxiang would secretly register me for the countryside relocation.”

Su Yue’s smile instantly froze, and her eyes filled with pity. Her gaze landed on the noticeable scar on Li Xiangbei’s head, and with a gentle but firm voice, she said, “Tomorrow at 1:30 PM, wait for me at the steel factory entrance.”

Li Xiangbei readily agreed, “Okay! Where are we going? Should I borrow a bicycle?”

Su Yue slapped her head, frustrated, “If you hadn’t mentioned the bicycle, I would have forgotten completely.”

She put the items Li Xiangbei gave her into her bag, then took out a bicycle ticket and 180 yuan from the wallet she had sewn herself.

“You should buy the bicycle tomorrow.”

Li Xiangbei took the money and ticket, asking, “28-inch or 26-inch?”

Su Yue thought about how she’d often need to visit her parents and decisively said, “28-inch.” At her height of 168 cm, a 28-inch bike suited her perfectly.

Li Xiangbei nodded, pocketing the money and ticket. “The supply and marketing cooperative just got a batch of bicycles a few days ago.”

Although the weather was hot and steamed buns could be eaten at room temperature, Su Yue preferred the soft, chewy texture, so she placed the buns on the pot lid to warm.

At that moment, a boy inside the pot pot called out, “Get a bowl! The food’s ready!”

“That’s a rooster? Yueyue, you brought it from home yesterday?”

Su Yue smiled and nodded, “Youlan Courtyard is also my home.”

She quickly changed the topic, “Try it quickly and see how it tastes.”

Li Xiangbei happily picked up a piece and put it in his mouth, sincerely praising, “Mmm, it’s delicious!”

Su Yue’s smile deepened. The boy had filled a lunchbox full to the brim. With so many potatoes and mushrooms in the pot, there was more than enough.

“Take this lunchbox home with you.”

Li Xiangbei said unwillingly, “Why take it home? We can eat it slowly here.”

Su Yue patiently explained, “We won’t finish it here, and in this weather, food spoils easily.” Li Xiangbei nodded after hearing this.

After the meal, Li Xiangbei voluntarily cleaned up the dishes.

Su Yue sat smiling on the stone bench in the yard, quietly watching Li Xiangbei busy himself.

Once Li Xiangbei finished washing, Su Yue got up, went into the room, and took out a neatly folded set of clothes.
“This set of clothes I’ve washed clean. Tomorrow afternoon, wear this when you come find me.”

Li Xiangbei was both surprised and delighted, his eyes full of emotion. “Yueyue actually made clothes for me with her own hands—thank you for your hard work.” He carefully unfolded the clothes—a pure white shirt paired with a green pair of pants.

After saying goodbye to Su Yue, Li Xiangbei returned to his family home. Just as he stepped into the living room, he saw his mother Zhang Cuizhen chatting with Liu Lanxiang at the table. His brows involuntarily furrowed.

“Mom, have you eaten? Yueyue specially made you some chicken stew with mushrooms.” He stepped forward and handed over the lunchbox with the food.

Zhang Cuizhen accepted it with a smile. Upon opening the lid, a rich aroma wafted out, and she couldn’t help but praise, “Little Su’s cooking skills are really quite good.”

A proud smile spread across Li Xiangbei’s face. “Of course! Yueyue not only cooks delicious meals but also makes clothes.” He patted the bag slung over his shoulder.

Zhang Cuizhen’s eyes flashed with curiosity, “Take it out and let me see.”

Li Xiangbei nimbly dodged back with a laugh, “I’ll wear it and show you tomorrow evening. I’ve been busy all day and am exhausted. Mom, I’m going to wash up and get ready for bed. You should get some rest too.”

Liu Lanxiang, unable to hold back, raised her voice and asked, “Fourth brother, where are your grain and side food books? Hurry and take them out. Tomorrow morning your eldest brother will go buy the grain.”

Li Xiangbei ignored Liu Lanxiang’s words and headed straight to his bedroom.

Liu Lanxiang was left frustrated, looking at Zhang Cuizhen with dissatisfaction. “Mom, look at Fourth Brother — does he even care about me, his sister-in-law?”
Zhang Cuizhen gave Liu Lanxiang a sideways glance, then called out to Li Xiangbei who was bringing a basin out of his room, “Xiangbei, give your mom the grain books.”

Li Xiangbei stopped and sighed, “Mom, I haven’t eaten dinner at home even once this month, and only ten days of lunch. Although I never miss breakfast, the money and rationed grain given before should still be enough.”

“Fourth brother, we’re family — why be so strict?”

Seeing Li Xiangbei not responding, she persistently urged, “Hey, fourth brother, your sister-in-law is talking to you!”

Bang! Li Xiangbei shut the bathroom door firmly.

Liu Lanxiang stomped angrily, mumbling, “Like a mother-in-law, but this Fourth brother doesn’t even regard me as his sister-in-law!”

She looked back to complain to her mother-in-law but found Zhang Cuizhen had already gone back to her room. Gritting her teeth, a cruel gleam flashed in her eyes.

The next morning, after Su Yue finished cleaning, she walked over to Li Shufen’s desk, smiling sweetly and said softly, “Sister Li, I’m getting my marriage certificate this afternoon and want to request leave. Is that okay?”

Li Shufen looked up, smiling warmly, “Ah, that’s a joyous occasion! Of course, you can have leave.”

Su Yue’s eyes curved happily. “Thank you, Sister Li. Tomorrow at work, I’ll bring you some wedding candy.”

At the same time, Li Xiangbei also requested leave from the supply and marketing procurement department.

Both of them, thinking of each other at the same time, couldn’t help but smile foolishly.

Meanwhile, at the Li family home…

After everyone else had left, Liu Lanxiang let her daughter play with her son in the yard. She quietly came to Li Xiangbei’s bedroom window, and slipping through the open window, climbed into his room.

She rummaged through the drawers and boxes, trying to find his grain books and receipts. But after a long search, she found nothing.

“Hmph, there’s nothing here — they’re guarding against thieves.”