Chapter 4: Su Yue Meets Zhang Cuihua for the First Time

Su Yue had only been waiting in the dormitory for a short while when she heard a crisp knock on the door.

“Yueyue, I’m back.”

The familiar voice reached her ears, and a smile spread across Su Yue’s lips as she stood up to open the door.

Standing at the entrance was Li Xiangbei, face dripping with sweat, hair at his forehead damp and clinging to his cheeks.

Smiling, Su Yue reached out and took the package from his hands. “The room near the stairwell is the washroom. Go wash your face and cool off. Once I finish tidying up here, I’ll treat you to lunch.”

Li Xiangbei nodded with a warm smile. “Alright, take your time. No rush.”

Su Yue carried the package back into the room, placed it on the nightstand, and began organizing her bed. She then pulled out a mosquito net—made of thick cotton fabric—which, once hung, turned her bed into a cozy private space.

After making sure everything was in order, she took a key from her pocket and locked the nightstand. She bent down to place the washbasin under the bed. Since summer clothes are few, she simply left them folded on the bed, making a mental note to bring a suitcase the next day.

With everything tidied up, Su Yue grabbed two lunchboxes and stepped out, locking the door behind her.

Turning to look at Li Xiangbei, she teased, “Did you take a full shower in the washroom? You’re soaked.”

Li Xiangbei chuckled and stepped closer to take the lunchboxes, brushing it off casually. “It’s nothing. A bit of sun and I’ll dry right up.”

Su Yue let it go and smiled. “Let’s go. My treat at the steel factory canteen.”

Li Xiangbei’s eyes lit up with excitement. “My mom works at Canteen No. 3. I’ll point her out to you later.”

Su Yue nodded gently, a soft smile still on her face.

The two walked to the canteen together. It was still early, so the place was empty and no one was in line.

Li Xiangbei led Su Yue straight to the serving window and quickly spotted his mother, who was busy working. “Mom, give us four steamed buns, two portions of potato stew with chicken, one stir-fried greens, and one stir-fried bean sprouts.”

Zhang Cuihua was having a quick meal when she heard her son’s voice. She looked up and saw him holding two lunchboxes, standing beside a very pretty young woman.

Realization dawned, and a bright, welcoming smile bloomed on her face. “You must be Comrade Su. Are you reporting for duty today?”

Su Yue smiled politely. “Hello, Auntie Zhang. My name is Su Yue. Yes, I’m reporting today.”

“Oh, hello, hello.” Zhang Cuihua responded warmly, but in her heart, she couldn’t help but wonder, Such a pretty girl—how did she end up with my youngest boy?

Li Xiangbei noticed his mother sizing up Su Yue and quickly stepped in front of her to block the gaze, hurrying her along. “Mom, the workers are about to get off their shifts. Quick, please give us four buns, the chicken stew, greens, and bean sprouts.”

Zhang Cuihua rolled her eyes at her son, but her hands were already busily filling up the lunchboxes to the brim. Li Xiangbei handed her meal tickets with a grin.

“Yueyue, let’s eat over there.” He pointed to an empty table nearby.

Su Yue smiled at Zhang Cuihua. “Auntie, we’ll head over now.”

Zhang Cuihua beamed and nodded. “Alright, eat plenty!” Her eyes stayed fixed on the pair as they walked away.

Her colleague Wang Qin noticed and curiously leaned in. “Sister Zhang, who’s the girl?”

With a mysterious smile, Zhang Cuihua whispered, “That’s Comrade Su, the new recruit for the records office. She’s my youngest son’s classmate.”

Wang Qin raised an eyebrow, teasing, “Just classmates? Doesn’t look like it to me.”

Zhang Cuihua bumped her lightly and pointed at the growing line of workers outside. “They’re off shift now—back to work.”

Wang Qin chuckled knowingly and went back to serving.

At the dining table, Su Yue noticed Li Xiangbei sitting there with a silly grin. “What are you daydreaming about?”

Snapping out of it, Li Xiangbei scratched his head. “Can’t believe we’ve already reached the ‘meet the parents’ stage. Hehe.”

“Dummy. Eat up. Don’t you have work this afternoon?” Su Yue smiled and placed a chopstick-full of greens into his box.

Without hesitation, Li Xiangbei scooped some chicken into hers. “What about you, Yueyue? What are you doing this afternoon?”

After swallowing her bite, Su Yue calmly replied, “Going home, of course. Someone’s coming to propose marriage tomorrow—I have to tell my mom so she’s mentally prepared.”

After lunch, they noticed the line at the serving window had grown long, so they slipped out quietly without disturbing Zhang Cuihua.

Together, they walked toward the county town’s entrance. The ox cart from Hekou Brigade usually waited there. If they missed it, they could take the bus to the commune and walk another twenty minutes to get home.

Soon, they arrived at the south gate and spotted the familiar Hekou ox cart parked by the road.

Su Yue looked up slightly at Li Xiangbei. “Hand me my bag.”

With a soft smile, he handed her the shoulder bag and silently watched as she climbed onto the cart, eyes following her until the ox cart slowly rolled away and disappeared from sight.

—

About an hour later, the ox cart arrived at Hekou Brigade. Su Yue hopped down, smiling and greeting familiar villagers as she walked home.

“Su Yue, back from town? Oh my, your second sister-in-law is making a fuss again—better hurry back and check on things!”

Su Yue nodded and quickened her pace.

As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she was greeted by the loud, shrill voice of her second sister-in-law, Wu Xiulian.

“Dad, Mom! We’re family, aren’t we? Little Sis snuck off to work in the county and even transferred her household registration without saying a word. Why keep it from us?”

“Which family doesn’t give job opportunities to their sons first? But look at our family—giving the job to Little Sis instead? How is that fair?” Wu Xiulian grew increasingly agitated, her chest heaving.

Shen Qiuxia, Su Yue’s mother, was livid. “What job? That position was something my daughter earned through her own abilities. What does it have to do with you?”

Wu Xiulian’s eyes darted mischievously, and she said shamelessly, “We haven’t split the household yet! Her job belongs to the family. No way—she has to give it to her second brother!”

Su Yue took a deep breath, tamping down her anger. “Second Sister-in-law, my job is as an archive clerk, and it required a high school diploma. Second Brother doesn’t qualify. If I didn’t accept the job, they would’ve given it to the runner-up. How am I supposed to give it to anyone?”

Wu Xiulian’s eyes flicked again, clearly scheming. “Well, can’t you swap with someone? Or sell it for money, at least!”

Su Yue was done arguing. She turned her gaze to her second brother, Su Zhiqiang, who had stayed quiet the whole time.

“Second Brother, do you really think your little sister should just hand over the job she earned herself?”

Su Zhiqiang opened his mouth, hesitated, and fumbled for words, but ultimately said nothing.