Chapter 18: Li Xiangbei Asks Zhang Cuihua for Money

After washing the lunchboxes, the two sat down on the stone bench in the courtyard.

Li Xiangbei smiled and said, “I’ve been thinking about how to make money since I was eight. Back then, I was small, so I ran errands for people in the rich district. Later, when I saved up a bit, I bought cigarettes wholesale from the tobacco factory and sold them in the rich area and red-light district. In 1960, I met a kind old lady and helped her sell grain for two months. She gave me a hundred yuan and a hundred jin of grain. I also got to know many uncles and aunties, and started helping them exchange grain on the black market—made a little commission running errands. Bit by bit, I saved up 356 yuan.”

He then pulled out over fifty yuan from his shoulder bag and handed it to Su Yue. “Yueyue, from now on, all the money I earn will be managed by you.”

Su Yue looked up at him, surprised. She hadn’t expected that she and Li Xiangbei had actually crossed paths back in 1960. At the time, both of them had been hiding their identities, which is probably why they hadn’t recognized each other.

Su Yue pulled six yuan from the stack and handed it back to him. “Alright, not bad. Here’s six yuan as your pocket money.”

Li Xiangbei took it with a grin. “Yueyue, you’re the best.”

Su Yue then reminded him seriously, “Don’t go to the black market anymore.”

Li Xiangbei nodded eagerly. “Got it. I’m working at the supply and marketing cooperative now. No need to mess with that anymore. Plus, the crackdown on the black market is getting tougher. One of the uncles kind of hinted that to me recently.”

Su Yue nodded. “It’s getting late. Let’s head back.”

Li Xiangbei got up, locked both the room and kitchen doors, and they left with their lunchboxes and bags.

Just as they stepped out the door, Su Yue noticed a girl from across the alley staring their way.

When she saw the two come out, the girl gave Su Yue a glare, then turned to Li Xiangbei with a sweet smile and asked, “Brother Li, have you eaten yet?”

Li Xiangbei acted like he hadn’t heard, continued locking the door, took the lunchbox from Su Yue, and said, “Yueyue, let’s go.”

Su Yue smiled and nodded.

Li Xiangbei walked her back to her dormitory. Only when he saw her room light turn on did he head home.

By the time he returned to the Li house, it was already dark. He went straight to the kitchen to fetch water and take a bath.

After tidying up, he saw his mother, Zhang Cuihua, still sitting in the living room.

Li Xiangbei teased, “Ma, it’s this late and you’re still out here feeding the mosquitoes?”

Zhang Cuihua looked at her son with urgency. “How are things going with you and Xiao Su?”

Li Xiangbei smiled, “Going great. By the way, Ma, Yueyue and I plan to go look at furniture in a few days. Can you give us the money for that?”

“What’s the use of money? You need furniture vouchers to buy furniture. And to get those, you two need to register your marriage first and take your marriage certificate to apply for the vouchers.”

Li Xiangbei grinned, “Ma, if you give me the money, I’ll have a reason to go get the marriage certificate with Yueyue!”

Zhang Cuihua thought this made sense. Besides, once they were officially married, Xiao Su would be part of the family. She nodded. “Alright, I’ll give you 150 yuan.”

“Ma, that’s kind of stingy!” Li Xiangbei sat up straight. “I’ve already asked around at the furniture factory. A double bed costs 50 yuan. Add a wardrobe, and that’s already 100. What can I buy with the remaining 50? You promised 48 legs’ worth of furniture!”

Zhang Cuihua shot her son a look. “When your eldest and second brothers got married, I only gave them 168 yuan and one voucher. The furniture was just a bed, a wardrobe, and two stools.”

Li Xiangbei crossed his legs, speaking unhurriedly, “Ma, Yueyue’s family isn’t making a fuss, but we can’t shortchange them, can we? Around here, even temporary workers give at least 200 yuan as a bride price. Official workers? At least 400. And I remember you and Dad spent money to marry off my eldest brother too. And still, my sister-in-law didn’t bring back a single penny. But my future mother-in-law said all the bride price will be given to Yueyue—and she’ll bring a dowry too.”

Zhang Cuihua’s face flushed with guilt. Xiao Su had just started working and was already willing to marry her youngest son, yet her family wasn’t getting any benefit out of it. She hesitated, then said, “Fine, I’ll give you another 50.”

Li Xiangbei pouted and leaned in close, whispering mysteriously, “Ma, to tell you the truth—Yueyue’s dowry includes a whole house.”

He quickly covered Zhang Cuihua’s mouth. “Ma, don’t shout! With Yueyue’s conditions, it took me three years of relentless chasing just to get her to accept me.”

Zhang Cuihua nodded quickly, nervous. She now thought they had to get that marriage certificate immediately, or if Xiao Su stayed in the city too long, she might decide her son wasn’t good enough. She gritted her teeth. “I’ll add another 50.”

Li Xiangbei muttered like he was unsatisfied, “Ma, I feel like you’re insulting your own son.”

Zhang Cuihua snapped, “260. Not a cent more!”

Seeing how pained his mother looked, Li Xiangbei guessed that the family probably didn’t have extra money to help Liu Lanxiang find a job anymore. So, he nodded. “Alright!”

Zhang Cuihua winced, her heart aching, and motioned for her son to follow her into her room to get the money.

When she dug the money out from deep inside the wardrobe and handed it to him, her heart felt like it had been cut open.

As Li Xiangbei slipped the cash into his pocket and turned to leave, he opened the door to find Liu Lanxiang outside. He smirked and called out, “Ma, Eldest Sister-in-law is eavesdropping again. Remember to close your door when you sleep tonight!”

Then he walked right past her back to his own room.

Liu Lanxiang flushed red and white in turns. “Fourth Brother, stop talking nonsense! I was just passing by.”

When Li Xiangbei ignored her, she turned to Zhang Cuihua. “Ma, what were you and Fourth Brother doing in there?”

Zhang Cuihua glared at her. “I’m the mother-in-law—do I need to report to a daughter-in-law what I’m doing?”

Liu Lanxiang stepped into the room. “Ma, Second Sister-in-law and I give you ten yuan every month. Now that Fourth Brother’s working too, shouldn’t he contribute as well?”

“He already did. He gave money the day he got paid.”

Li Xiangbei had started his job on the 27th of last month. Even though he only worked for three and a half days, he still received half a month’s salary.

Liu Lanxiang looked suspicious. “Ma, you can’t play favorites.”

“Go to bed! I have the early shift tomorrow,” Zhang Cuihua said, switching off the light and climbing into bed in the dark.

Liu Lanxiang pouted and left the room.