Chapter 14: The House

As soon as the two of them stepped out of the Li family’s gate, Su Yue pulled her hand out of Li Xiangbei’s.

Li Xiangbei’s heart sank with a thud, a wave of panic surging in. He quickly said, “Yueyue, don’t leave me.”

Seeing his pitiful expression, Su Yue couldn’t help but scold, “What nonsense are you saying?”

Li Xiangbei steadied himself slightly and said, “Yueyue, come with me.”

With that, he led Su Yue into a hutong across from the steel factory. He stopped in front of a door and pulled out a key to unlock it.

Su Yue glanced at him and thought to herself: So Li Xiangbei has his secrets too.

Back in high school, she had considered buying a house in the county town. But after checking all over, she realized houses couldn’t be bought or sold privately. Besides, most families in town were crowded together in small homes. Not only was it hard to buy a house, even renting one was rare.

The few rentals available were usually just a single spare room in a family home, with shared kitchens and toilets—just like how educated youths living in communal points had to rely on host families for shelter.

Li Xiangbei smiled and said, “Come on in, Yueyue.”

Su Yue nodded and followed him into the courtyard. It was noticeably more spacious than the Li family’s.

Li Xiangbei explained, “This yard’s bigger than my family’s, but the house itself isn’t very large. There’s just one main room, a side room, a kitchen, and a toilet.”

Su Yue tilted her head and asked, “Did you buy this house or rent it?”

Scratching his head, Li Xiangbei replied, “An elderly couple used to live here. Two years ago, I helped them out, and we kept in touch. When their son was transferred to work in Beijing after leaving the military, he took them with him. So I bought the house, and the son helped handle all the paperwork.”

Su Yue stared at him and asked, “How much did it cost?”

“Three hundred yuan. It’s a great house. The kitchen and courtyard both have running water—makes cooking and washing super convenient. I was thinking, once we get married, we can move in here.”

As he spoke, he opened all the doors, showing her around.

“I didn’t mean to keep it from you. It’s just that the furniture in here is old. I wanted to replace it all and make the place feel like a real home before I told you. Whenever I have free time, I come and tidy up. Look, I’ve chopped up the old furniture—it’s in the kitchen now, and we can use it as firewood.”

When Su Yue nodded, he added, “Mom said she’ll get us new furniture for the wedding. Once that’s done, we’ll move in. But let’s just say this house was bought with your dowry—so my family won’t try to meddle again.”

Seeing that he was trying to dodge the subject, Su Yue pressed, “Where did the money come from to buy it?”

Li Xiangbei gave a bitter smile and said, “It’s a long story. You must be hungry. Let’s eat first, and I’ll tell you later.”

Su Yue nodded. She felt relieved—she truly didn’t know how to deal with someone like Liu Lanxiang. When they left the Li house, she had been thinking Li Xiangbei should quickly find a place to live—even a rental would do.

She hadn’t expected that he’d already prepared a home.

Once Li Xiangbei locked the door, they walked to the state-run restaurant across from the steel factory.

Inside, Li Xiangbei found a seat and wiped it clean with a handkerchief. “Yueyue, sit here.”

Su Yue smiled and sat down.

Looking at the menu board on the wall, Li Xiangbei asked, “Yueyue, what would you like to eat?”

Su Yue could see the small blackboard from her seat and replied, “I’ll have a bowl of beef noodles.”

Li Xiangbei nodded and went to the counter.

Su Yue glanced around casually. It was dinner time, and the place was bustling.

Just as she was waiting, a young man around twenty walked in, scanned the room, and approached her table.

As he tried to sit down, Su Yue quickly said, “Sorry, this seat is taken.”

The man hesitated but sat anyway. “Miss Wang Xiumei, I’m Zhang Qiang. Pleased to meet you.”

Su Yue coolly replied, “You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

Zhang Qiang didn’t budge. “No matter, it’s fate that we met. I’m Zhang Qiang from the county’s supply and marketing cooperative. May I ask your name?”

Su Yue gave him a brief look, then turned away. So he’s one of Li Xiangbei’s coworkers…

“She’s my fiancée,” said Li Xiangbei coldly as he returned with a tray of large pork buns. “Move.”

He hadn’t expected to bump into this annoying guy while just trying to have a simple meal.

“Oh, it’s little Li,” Zhang Qiang sneered. “Seriously though, bringing a lady to the state-run restaurant and just ordering two buns? That’s stingy, man. Don’t you think so, miss?”

People nearby began looking over. Su Yue was annoyed and whispered to Li Xiangbei while covering her nose, “I don’t want to sit here anymore.” She stood up.

Zhang Qiang had clearly drenched himself in cologne—the entire area reeked.

Li Xiangbei smiled and took her to a table near the door.

He placed the buns in front of her. “I was worried you were hungry, so I got something to hold you over.”

Su Yue smiled, took the chopsticks he handed her, and tasted the bun. It was big, juicy, and flavorful.

Soon, the waiter shouted, “Beef noodles, braised pork, and cucumber salad are ready!”

Li Xiangbei stood up. “The food’s ready.” He went to the counter twice and returned with the dishes: beef noodles, braised pork, rice, and a plate of cucumber salad.

He placed the noodles in front of Su Yue. “I added some chili—tell me if it’s too spicy.”

Su Yue tried it and smiled. “Not too spicy—just right. You…”

“Comrade Wang Xiumei! Don’t you know what time it is? We agreed to meet at six—now it’s seven!” Zhang Qiang’s voice echoed through the small restaurant.

Su Yue ignored him and picked up a piece of beef with her chopsticks, placing it in Li Xiangbei’s bowl. “The beef’s really good—try it.”

Li Xiangbei smiled and ate it. Yueyue is so sweet—she even shares her meat with me.

“Yueyue, have some braised pork too.”

Su Yue took a bite, nodded, and said, “Mm, delicious.”

After dinner, Li Xiangbei walked Su Yue back to her dormitory.

“Yueyue, I really feel bad. You came to my house for the first time and had to witness all that drama. But I promise—I’ll move out before we get married.”

Su Yue smiled and nodded.

After saying goodbye, she returned to her dorm. After showering in the washroom, she turned off the lights early and went to bed.