Chapter 32: Auntie Liang Reports Them

“Yueyue, are you hungry? Let’s eat at the state-run restaurant before going home.” Li Xiangbei deliberately emphasized the word home.

Su Yue gave him a sideways glance. “How many times have we dined out just last month? You’re about to use up all your ration coupons. We have eggs and tomatoes at home—I’ll make noodles with tomato-egg gravy.”

Li Xiangbei smiled and nodded.

It was rush hour, and many people were coming and going near the alley entrance. The couple walked their bicycle along.

Just as they approached the house, the sharp voice of Auntie Liang rang out, “Oh! What goodies have you bought this time?” Before her words were finished, she reached out as if to rummage through their basket.

Su Yue calmly lifted the basket off the bike, slung it behind her back, and pulled out the keys to unlock the courtyard gate.

Li Xiangbei stepped in front of her protectively, keeping a polite but distant tone: “Auntie Liang, it’s already this late. You should head home to cook dinner.”

Auntie Liang’s hand froze mid-air. A hint of displeasure flashed across her face as she glanced at the bicycle. “Where’d you get this bike?”

By then, Su Yue had opened the gate and gone inside.

Li Xiangbei turned around and gave a polite smile. “No need for you to worry.” He then quickly pushed the bike inside.

BANG! Su Yue shut the door behind them without a word.

Auntie Liang stood outside the gate, eyes narrowing with a calculating gleam. She spun around and strode off toward the neighborhood committee.

Inside the courtyard, Li Xiangbei took the basket from Su Yue’s hands. “Yueyue, take a break. I’ll put this stuff away.”

Su Yue smiled softly and shook her head. “I’m not tired. I’ll start kneading the noodles.”

A few days ago, Li Xiangbei had already bought their monthly grain rations and even got two large jars to store the grains in the kitchen.

Su Yue washed her hands, scooped two spoonfuls of flour into a ceramic bowl, added water, and began kneading with practiced ease.

Li Xiangbei, having sorted everything, lit the coal stove and placed a full kettle on it.

Then he picked out two large, ripe tomatoes and cut a few green onions from the crate in the corner before heading to the sink to wash them.

“Yueyue, should I dice or chunk the tomatoes?” he called out.

Su Yue continued kneading the dough and replied with a smile, “First, score a cross on the tomato skins, blanch them with boiling water, and peel them—it’ll taste much better that way.”

Li Xiangbei nodded and followed her instructions.

Just as he finished peeling the tomatoes, Su Yue washed her hands after kneading the dough. Suddenly, a loud bang-bang-bang! echoed from the gate, followed by a commanding female voice:
“We’re from the neighborhood committee! Open the door, now!”

The two exchanged glances. Su Yue smiled calmly, “Looks like Auntie Liang made her move.”

Li Xiangbei’s eyes narrowed. He walked to the gate with a serious face and opened it.

Standing outside were two women—one slightly plump and in her forties, the other slim and in her thirties.

Behind them stood a group of curious neighbors, whispering and pointing.

The older woman spoke harshly, “I’m Comrade Sun. Someone reported that you two are engaging in improper male-female relations. You need to come with us to the neighborhood office!”

She scrutinized the couple with a judgmental gaze.

Li Xiangbei remained composed, a faint smile on his face. “This here is my wife. We just got our marriage certificate. We’re a legally recognized couple. Living together—how is that improper?”

The younger woman glanced back at Auntie Liang, who puffed up her chest and raised her voice: “Nonsense! They’re not even married!”

Comrade Sun stepped forward, “Then show us your marriage certificate.”

Li Xiangbei nodded and went inside. Moments later, he returned with the certificate and both their household registration books.

When Sun reached out to take them, he pulled away and instead walked out toward the onlookers.

“Everyone, take a look! My wife and I are legally married. We just got our certificate—please be our witnesses!”

He even waved the certificate dramatically in front of Auntie Liang.

The neighbors examined the official seal and handwriting on the certificate, nodding and chuckling.

“They’re definitely married!”

“Exactly—someone’s clearly jealous and can’t stand seeing a young couple doing well.”

“If it was really indecent, would they be acting so open about it?”

“They’re always polite when they come and go. You can tell they’re not that kind of people.”

A familiar voice rang out from the crowd, “What’s all the fuss?” The neighbors made way instinctively—it was Auntie Zhang.

A few quickly explained the situation to her.

Auntie Zhang cast a glance at Auntie Liang, then smiled at the committee women. “Comrade Sun Meifang, Comrade Chen Li—Little Li is my neighbor. I can vouch for them. No improper behavior here. It’s almost the end of the workday. You two should get back.”

Chen Li nodded quickly, “Yes, Director Zhang. We’ll leave now.” She tugged on Sun Meifang’s sleeve.

But Sun Meifang held her ground, face stern. “Director Zhang, they only just got married today. We received a report that they were already living together before.”

Su Yue replied calmly, “We’ve been engaged for a while. The reason we only got the certificate today is because both of us just started working and needed to learn the ropes. We couldn’t take time off until now.”

Sun Meifang pressed, “Who can prove that you were engaged? Family statements don’t count.”

“The steel mill’s gatekeeper, Sister Liang in HR, and colleagues from the archive and logistics departments—they can all confirm it,” Su Yue responded.

Auntie Zhang added, “I can also vouch for them. I’ve met Su Yue’s family before.”

Auntie Liang interjected stubbornly, “Young folks nowadays make a big deal out of weddings. If they were engaged, why didn’t they hold a ceremony earlier?”

Auntie Zhang gave her a look and explained patiently, “They’re waiting for Su Yue’s older brother, who’s serving in the army, to return on leave so he can personally witness her getting married. That’s why they delayed the wedding.”

Sun Meifang gave a fake smile, “Director Zhang, you seem to know a lot about your neighbors.”

Auntie Zhang returned a knowing smile, her tone gentle but pointed:
“Comrade Sun, maybe spend a little less time behind a desk and more time walking through the alley, listening to the neighbors. Then you’ll be as informed as I am.”

Sun Meifang’s face darkened. She turned and glared at Auntie Liang coldly.
“Auntie Liang, don’t report anything again unless you have solid proof. False accusations waste public resources and harm community trust.”

With a huff, she turned and marched away.

Auntie Zhang watched her go, then turned back to the neighbors with a warm smile.
“Alright everyone, show’s over. Time to go home. You must be hungry by now.”

The crowd chuckled and slowly dispersed, chatting in small groups as they walked away.

Li Xiangbei, grateful, pulled some wedding candies from his pocket and handed them to Auntie Zhang. “Auntie Zhang, thank you so much for standing up for us. You must accept these sweets!”

She pretended to refuse but eventually accepted with a smile.

“Congratulations! Wishing you a happy marriage and a child soon!”