Li Xiangyang nodded, slung the strap of his bag over his shoulder, and looked at her with a grin. "How did Zhixue’s blind date go?"
Lin Lan smiled. "The parents are satisfied, and so are the two on the date."
Li Xiangyang nodded a greeting to Yang Liying and her husband, who were packing up their stall. He then turned back to Lin Lan and said in a low voice, "Once spring cos next year, I’ll be able to go et your parents."
Lin Lan shot him a glare. "You’re so shaless. Who said I’d take you? And how could you put the house in my na without my permission..."
"Little Lan!" Li Xiangyang exclaid, looking at her earnestly. "I really think it’s a great spot. With these storefronts, you won’t have to work so hard anymore."
Lin Lan looked at him and said seriously, "Xiangyang, I know you an well, but I hope you’ll discuss things with first before you do them. Otherwise, we really won’t be able to get along in the future."
"Okay!" Li Xiangyang took a step forward, looking into her eyes. "From now on, no matter what I do, I’ll discuss it with you first."
Lin Lan saw her own reflection in his eyes, and her heart began to beat a little faster. She lowered her gaze, avoiding his. "Who said you have to discuss everything with ! I’m just telling you what I think. Co with to my place in a bit. I’ll write you an IOU."
She paused for a mont before adding, "My dad gave so money when I visited ho this ti. I’ll pay you back part of what you fronted, and I’ll pay off the rest by the end of the year."
Li Xiangyang nodded repeatedly. "Okay, whatever you say! I’m still carrying your family’s household registration book and the property deed for that house."
He was delighted. ’The woman I’ve set my sights on really is different.’ The won his old man had set him up with before would start making all sorts of demands after just two etings.
Lin Lan shot him a reproachful glance, took the bag from his hand, and turned to Yang Liying. "Third Sister, we’re packing up and heading back."
Yang Liying pointed at the tofu. "Lin Lan, you and Xiangyang go on ahead. We still have about ten blocks of tofu left. We’ll head back once we sell them."
Lin Lan nodded. "Alright, I’ll get going then."
Li Xiangyang wheeled out the bicycle Lin Lan had left behind a tree, hung the bag on the back rack, and they walked together toward the tractor path.
When they reached the path, he turned to Lin Lan. "Get on. I’ll give you a ride back."
Lin Lan noticed the curious glances from passersby and quickly got on, sitting primly on the back rack.
They hadn’t gone far when the bicycle jolted twice. Lin Lan nearly fell off and instinctively grabbed Li Xiangyang’s waist.
The corners of Li Xiangyang’s mouth curved up. "Hold on tight. Don’t fall off."
Lin Lan couldn’t see his expression, but she could hear the unconcealable delight in his voice.
She pressed her lips together and glanced at the smooth path beside them. ’He must be riding over the bumpy spots on purpose.’
She was so annoyed she wanted to smack him, but she thought better of it, let go of his waist, and gripped the tal rack on the back of the seat instead.
When they got back to her ho, Li Xiangyang gave her the household registration book and the property deed. "Ding Bang is away on a mission. You should go visit Grandma often."
Lin Lan nodded. "Okay, I’ll have my sister go over and keep her company. Wait a mont, I’ll get the money and the IOU for you."
"Okay. Deduct the cash amount before you write it."
"I know." Lin Lan gave him the money she had brought back from Shilian’s. "The sky’s getting dark, and Uncle Li is probably waiting for you, so I won’t ask you to stay for dinner."
"Mm. I’ll head back then."
Lin Lan pointed at the bicycle. "Ride the bike back. Be careful on the road!"
Li Xiangyang nodded, got on the bike with his bag, and started back, the corners of his lips turned up in a wide smile.
***
「At the Li family ho」
Old Li watched as Xu Huan snatched the broom from him and began sweeping deftly. "You, young lady, what’s gotten into you? You’ve been pestering all afternoon. I told you I don’t want her things."
Xu Huan turned around, her face wreathed in smiles. "Uncle Li, please just accept them! Teacher Li specially had soone buy these from the provincial capital!"
"Sigh!" Old Li heaved a sigh and looked at Xu Huan. "Go back and tell Li Jing that we’re fine. She doesn’t need to worry, and she doesn’t need to send any more gifts." The mory of his wife’s death surfaced. Forgiving Li Jing was a hurdle he just couldn’t overco.
Xu Huan finished sweeping, put the broom away, and walked over to Old Li, who was watching her with a helpless expression. With her eyes reddening, she pleaded, "Uncle Li, I’m begging you, please accept them. Otherwise, I won’t be able to report back."
Old Li looked at Xu Huan, thought of Li Jing’s domineering and selfish nature, and sighed again. "Leave them here. It’s about to rain. You should hurry back."
"Thank you, Uncle Li, thank you!" Xu Huan said gratefully, wiping away a tear. She placed the items on a chair, then turned to Old Li, a little shyly. "Uncle Li, Teacher Li took to et Xiangyang today."
"Ah!" Old Li looked at her in surprise. "Xiangyang was willing to see you?" ’That seems unlikely.’ Xiangyang held a deep grudge against Li Jing; he’d never agree to et a girl she introduced. ’But this girl really is nice—poised and good-looking. If only she had t Xiangyang sooner.’
Xu Huan blushed and shook her head. "He threw out."
Old Li nodded in understanding. "That’s just how Xiangyang is. Alright, I’ve accepted the things. You should hurry ho."
"Okay!" Xu Huan took a couple of steps, then turned back to thank Old Li again. "Thank you, Uncle Li. I’ll be going now."
Old Li smiled and waved at her. "Go on, go on!"
"Yes!" Xu Huan chirped in agreent, then turned and wheeled a Phoenix-brand won’s bicycle outside. After stepping out the door, she glanced back, and a triumphant smirk appeared on her face.
As she neared the end of the alley on her bike, she saw Li Xiangyang turn into it. She glanced at him and quickly rode past.
Li Xiangyang didn’t even notice who was riding past him from the opposite direction, and he continued on his familiar path ho.
Xu Huan turned her head to look at Li Xiangyang’s tall back. ’Even though the Li family are butchers,’ she thought, ’they’re really well-off. A spacious, bright courtyard, and they even have a television and a cassette recorder at ho.’
’If I could really marry Li Xiangyang, I wouldn’t have to worry about my little brother’s school fees. I wouldn’t have to glue matchboxes all day, and I wouldn’t have to deal with all those ssy people and problems.’
Xu Huan rode her bike to a small, two-story building in the eastern part of the city. She said to the old man at the gate, "Sir, I’m here to see Teacher Li."
The old man nodded. "Teacher Li ntioned it. You can go on up."
Xu Huan wheeled her bike into the courtyard and rang the doorbell. A mont later, Li Jing opened the door. Seeing Xu Huan empty-handed, she broke into a satisfied smile. "My dad accepted them?"
"Mhm!" Xu Huan glanced at her nervously. "Teacher Li, I told Uncle that if he didn’t accept them, I wouldn’t be able to report back. He’s a very kind man, so he took them."
"It’s fine. The fact that he was willing to accept them is a good sign." Li Jing glanced at the bicycle in the courtyard. "You don’t have to return the bike. You can use it for now. Just do as I say, and Xiangyang will gradually co to accept you."
User Comments
0 comments from readers