Chapter 36 : Selling a House

After getting married, Li Chunlan felt sorry for her husband and took on all the household chores.  

When the college entrance examination system was reinstated, she worried constantly but still supported Chang Jinguang in preparing for it.  

Unexpectedly, once Chang Jinguang was admitted, he never returned. For the first two years, he wrote letters requesting money and supplies, but after graduating, he simply cut off all contact.  

Thousands of miles away, when Li Chunlan dragged her child to the school to look for him, she discovered with shock that the school he mentioned didn’t even have a record of his existence.  

Chang Jinguang was nothing but a fraud. Even the name of the school was fake. Overwhelmed by anger and despair, Li Chunlan fell gravely ill.  

When word reached Dashuping, Uncle Youtian and Aunt Jingui took a train, traveling day and night to reach her. But by the time they arrived, all they found was Li Chunlan’s lifeless body, her eyes unable to close in peace, and little Damao crying heartbreakingly by her side.  

Jiang Li, looking at Li Chunlan, couldn’t help but wonder if Chang Jinguang had already begun his schemes. Feeling uneasy, she pulled Li Chunlan aside and asked, “Xiaolan, tell me, what kind of person do you want to marry? I’ll help you find someone!”  

Li Chunlan blushed, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s, “I… I want someone who’s pleasing to the eye, educated, and well-mannered.”  

She had a figure in mind but didn’t dare think too much of it. She was just a country girl. Educated youths like him might leave one day; how could someone like her hope for his affection?  

Jiang Li’s heart sank. ‘Oh no, isn’t this exactly describing Chang Jinguang?’  

“Xiaolan, think this through.”

“Sure, he might look nice, but he’s utterly useless when it comes to work. You’ll end up having to earn work points just to support him.  

“Other families have men doing the heavy, laborious tasks while women manage the household. But with someone like him, you’ll be doing the work of two people while he reads a book, hands idly swinging like some old man.  

“Why would you marry someone like that? To starve three out of every nine meals?”  

“And sure, you want him to be educated, but just because he doesn’t farm doesn’t mean he’ll let you off the hook.”  

“But after marriage, aren’t we supposed to be one family? If he doesn’t like to work, it’s okay if I work a little more.”  

Jiang Li frowned, her tone firm. “If a man truly likes and loves you, how could he bear to let you work like a slave?”  

Her words struck a chord with Li Chunlan.  

She had been young and naive, believing that educated youths in the village were somehow special. She hadn’t thought things through clearly.  

Jiang Li concluded, “Xiaolan, remember this: A man’s sweet words mean nothing without actions. If he says he cares about you but doesn’t back it up, he’s just a liar.”  

Aunt Jingui nearly clapped her hands in approval. “Exactly! That’s the truth! Lizi, you’re good at talking sense into people.”

After all, what mattered most in a marriage was practicality. Marry someone who could provide food and clothes, not empty promises. Aunt Jingui had always worried her daughter might look down on the village men and fall for one of the educated youths.  

Li Chunlan nodded, “Lizi, you’ve read a lot of books and understand so much. I’ll listen to you.”  

Sometimes, advice from parents fell on deaf ears, but when a peer like Jiang Li spoke, it made all the difference.  

Aunt Jingui held Jiang Li’s hand, her eyes full of warmth. “Lizi, you’re such a wonderful child smart, well-behaved, and never causing elders any trouble. I wish you were my own daughter.”  

“Auntie, if you don’t mind, I’d love to call you my godmother,” Jiang Li said, snuggling into Aunt Jingui’s arms, her face filled with dependence and satisfaction.  

Aunt Jingui’s face lit up with joy. “How could I not be happy to gain such a lovely, fair child? We’ll pick a good day and host a banquet to celebrate.  

“From now on, the Li family is your family too. Even after you get married, we won’t let anyone bully you. If you’re ever unhappy, just come home, and your aunt and uncle will stand by you.”  

Li Chunlan was overjoyed. In her heart, Jiang Li had always been like a sister, and now she truly became one.  

“Aunt, there’s something important I need to discuss with you. It’s a big matter, so please call my uncle over too.”  

Li Youtian, who was chopping wood and covered in sawdust, rushed in, wiping sweat from his forehead. “What’s this about? You three seem to have something big to say, calling me over like this.”  

“Uncle, Aunt, here’s the thing. The two rooms in the east wing where I currently live were allocated to my family back when my parents were still alive. Now that I’m getting married, those two rooms will be left empty. If your family is willing, I’d like to leave them to you to live in.”  

Faced with such an unexpected offer, Li Youtian instinctively looked at his wife.  

Seeing Aunt Jingui’s emotional expression, he spoke cautiously, “Lizi, are you sure about this? Those two rooms are brick-tile houses and could sell for more than a hundred or eighty yuan. If you keep them, you’ll at least have a place to stay when you return to visit your family.”  

“Yes, Lizi,” Aunt Jingui added, “we can’t take advantage of you like this.”  

Jiang Li shook her head. “Aunt, you know how greedy my uncle’s family is. Once I’m married, even if I lock those rooms, they’ll try everything to break in and take over. If I’m not around to keep an eye on them, who knows if I’d ever get them back? I’ve thought it through. Rather than letting them benefit, I’d rather lend the rooms to you to live in.”  

Aunt Jingui was tempted. Her family was crowded into just a few rooms, with several boys sharing one space.  

The second and third boys were nearing marriage age. It wouldn’t do for newlyweds to sleep on the same kang separated by a curtain.  

The east wing of Jiang Li’s house was conveniently located next to the west wall of their courtyard. If they demolished the wall and incorporated those two rooms, their living space would expand significantly.  

Not only could everyone have their own room, but they could even build additional rooms between the east and west wings in the future to accommodate growing families.  

Jiang Li added, “Aunt, you know how much trouble my uncle’s family could cause. Getting these rooms won’t be easy. Luckily, the family property division document is still intact, and it clearly states that the two east-side rooms belong to my father.”  

Aunt Jingui made up her mind. “I want those two rooms. I’ll pay you a hundred yuan, and it’ll count as a purchase. Do you think your uncle’s family would dare cause trouble? The Li family isn’t exactly lacking in manpower.”  

Aunt Jingui had four tall and strong sons. Even the youngest, Shitou, was bigger than most kids his age. Lining them up together was intimidating enough to deter anyone from picking a fight.  

Dealing with Jiang Changyi would be a breeze.  

“Aunt, if you insist on paying, fifty yuan is fine,” Jiang Li said, not wanting to outright refuse money. Lowering the price showed her gratitude for Aunt Jingui’s care over the years.  

Moreover, after receiving the money and signing a contract, Aunt Jingui and her family would have full rights to the rooms, reducing any future disputes.  

Aunt Jingui agreed, and Jiang Li wrote up a sales contract on the spot. Both parties pressed their fingerprints to seal the deal.  

When it came time to pay, Li Youtian stuffed eighty yuan into Jiang Li’s hands.  

Jiang Li tried to refuse, but Aunt Jingui stopped her, saying, “Silly girl, keep it. The remaining thirty is a gift from your godfather and godmother. Use it as a little nest egg. Don’t tell your husband, keep it for yourself to buy some snacks secretly.”