Chapter 30: Su Yue Takes Leave

Su Yue faintly heard Old Madam Liang muttering words like “immoral behavior between men and women” and “report them.” Her eyes narrowed slightly, a trace of caution rising in her heart. After a moment’s hesitation, she quickly walked into the courtyard.

Li Xiangbei followed behind her. As soon as he stepped into the yard, he took a deep breath and wore a look of bliss on his face.
“That smells amazing! Yueyue, did you cook something?”

Su Yue smiled and nodded.
“I got paid today—28.5 yuan, plus some ration coupons. Oh right, are you free tomorrow afternoon?”

Li Xiangbei nodded.
“Yeah, I’m free.”

As he spoke, he pulled out his household registration book, grain ration book, non-staple food coupons, and his recently issued wages and ration tickets from his bag.
“I got paid today too, so I brought all the household documents over. You can keep them safe for us.”

Su Yue took them. As her eyes scanned the registration booklet, a trace of surprise flickered across her face.
“You moved your household registration here?”

Li Xiangbei smiled warmly and explained,
“I’ve always kept my own documents. I was afraid Liu Lanxiang would secretly register me for countryside labor.”

Su Yue’s smile froze, and her eyes filled with pain. Her gaze landed on the prominent scar on his forehead, and in a soft but firm voice, she said,
“Be at the entrance of the steel factory at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.”

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

Su Yue slapped her forehead, looking annoyed.
“Ugh, if you hadn’t brought up the bike, I’d have completely forgotten.”

She put the documents away in her shoulder bag, then pulled out a bicycle purchase ticket and 180 yuan from a wallet she had sewn herself.

“Go buy a bike tomorrow.”

Li Xiangbei took the money and the ticket.
“Should I get a 28-inch or 26-inch?”

Thinking of her frequent visits to her family, Su Yue answered decisively,
“28-inch.”
At 168 cm tall, that size was just right for her.

Li Xiangbei nodded.
“The supply co-op just got a new batch of bikes a couple days ago.”

Even though the weather was hot enough to eat mantou (steamed buns) as-is, Su Yue liked them soft and warm, so she placed them on the lid of the cooking pot to heat.

Lifting the lid, she stirred the food in the pot with a spoon and called out,
“Grab a bowl—dinner’s ready!”

“This is rooster meat? You brought it back from home yesterday, right?”

Su Yue smiled and nodded.
“The ‘Youlan Courtyard’ is my home too.”

She changed the subject quickly.
“Come on, taste it. Tell me how it is.”

Li Xiangbei picked up a piece and popped it into his mouth, praising sincerely,
“Mmm, this is delicious!”

Su Yue smiled brighter and filled an entire lunchbox with food.
There were too many potatoes and mushrooms in the pot—more than the two could finish.

“Take this lunchbox back with you.”

Li Xiangbei hesitated.
“Why take it back? Let’s eat it slowly over the next couple of days.”

Su Yue patiently explained,
“We can’t finish it, and in this heat, food spoils quickly.”
Li Xiangbei nodded in agreement.

After dinner, he took the initiative to wash the dishes.

Su Yue sat on the stone stool in the courtyard, smiling as she watched him bustling about.

When he finished, she went into the room and came out with a neatly folded set of clothes.

“I’ve washed these. Wear this tomorrow afternoon when you come see me.”

Li Xiangbei was both surprised and touched.
“You even made me clothes yourself, Yueyue? You’re amazing.”

He carefully unfolded them—it was a white shirt paired with green trousers.

After saying goodbye to Su Yue, Li Xiangbei returned to the Li household.
As soon as he entered the living room, he saw his mother, Zhang Cuihua, chatting with Liu Lanxiang at the table. His brows furrowed involuntarily.

“Ma, have you eaten? Yueyue made chicken and mushroom stew just for you.”
As he spoke, he handed over the lunchbox.

Zhang Cuihua beamed as she opened the lid. A rich aroma wafted out, and she couldn’t help but praise,
“That Su girl sure can cook!”

Li Xiangbei’s face lit up with pride.
“Of course! Yueyue’s cooking is great, and she can even sew clothes.”

As he spoke, he patted his shoulder bag.

Zhang Cuihua looked curious.
“Let me see!”

Li Xiangbei nimbly dodged.
“I’ll wear it home tomorrow night so you can have a proper look. I’m wiped out from today. Gonna wash up and get some rest. You should too, Ma.”

Liu Lanxiang couldn’t hold back anymore and blurted,
“Hey, Fourth! Where’s your grain ration book and food coupon? Hand them over so your eldest brother can get groceries early tomorrow.”

Li Xiangbei ignored her and walked straight toward his room.

Liu Lanxiang was stunned and turned to complain to Zhang Cuihua.
“Ma, look at him—he doesn’t respect me at all!”

Zhang Cuihua rolled her eyes at her, then called out to her son,
“Xiangbei, hand your ration book to me.”

Li Xiangbei stopped in his tracks and sighed.
“Ma, I haven’t eaten dinner at home once this month. I’ve only had lunch here for ten days. Even though I didn’t miss any breakfasts, the food and grain I gave before should still be enough.”

“Oh, come on, we’re all family—no need to be so calculative.”

When Li Xiangbei didn’t respond, Liu Lanxiang pressed again.
“Hey! I’m talking to you!”

SLAM!
He shut the bathroom door right in her face.

Liu Lanxiang stomped her foot in frustration and muttered,
“As the eldest sister-in-law, I’m like a mother to him! But he completely ignores me!”

She turned to complain to her mother-in-law again, but Zhang Cuihua had quietly gone to her room.
Liu Lanxiang gritted her teeth, her eyes glinting with spite.

---

The Next Morning

After tidying up, Su Yue walked to Li Shufen’s desk with a sweet smile.
“Sister Li, I’d like to take the afternoon off. I’m going to register for marriage—hope that’s okay?”

Li Shufen looked up, beaming.
“That’s wonderful news! Of course you can have the time off.”

Su Yue’s eyes curved with joy.
“Thanks, Sister Li. I’ll bring some wedding candies to share tomorrow!”

Meanwhile, Li Xiangbei also asked for leave at the purchasing department of the supply co-op.

Both of them thought of each other at the same time and couldn’t help but break into silly grins.

---

Back at the Li House

After everyone had left, Liu Lanxiang told her daughter to watch the younger brother in the courtyard. Then she quietly sneaked over to Li Xiangbei’s window.

She climbed through the open window into his room and started rifling through everything, searching for his ration book and coupons.

But after a long search, she found nothing.

“Hmph, hiding things like guarding against a thief,” she muttered bitterly.