Chapter 31 - He still had a nonchalant look on him, but the base of his ears turned red uncontrollably.

Tong Xuelu turned to run again and shouted as she ran. "Help me! Someone's trying to kill me. Help, please!"

With a psychopath domestic abuser chasing after her, Tong Xuelu's heart was pounding. Luckily, she saw two cops running at her directly after she had rounded the corner.

She quickly shouted out loudly, "Help me, Comrade Cops. Someone's trying to kill me!"

The two comrade cops, hearing her shouting, ran toward her even faster.

In his rage, He Baogen did not hear what Tong Xuelu was saying. He only saw the cops standing next to Tong Xuelu after he caught up to her. His face changed colors instantly.

Tong Xuelu pointed straight at He Baogen and said, "Comrade Cops, that's him! He's the one who is trying to kill me!"

He Baogen backed off immediately. "Comrade Cop, you have the wrong person. I am only chasing after this woman because she hit my mother!"

Tong Xuelu's eyes reddened. "Comrade Cop, he's lying! I walked past here and heard someone shouting for help. I went to take a look and saw this man and his mother beating up a woman together.

"The woman's face was covered in blood. I ran inside to try and stop them, and they shouted at me for meddling in their business. His mother wanted to hit me too. I accidentally shoved his mother a little and this man started chasing after me saying that he wanted to kill me. I believe you've heard it as well. I was so scared!"

She started wiping away her tears as she talked.

The two cops saw how fragile Tong Xuelu was and how she was shaking from fear as she cried. He Baogen, on the other hand, looked vicious. They did hear him shouting as they approached as well.

In comparison, they sided more with Tong Xuelu.

The two cops twisted He Baogen's arm and dragged him back into the yard.

Old Mrs. He got angrier and angrier after her son had left. She climbed on top of Su Xiuying and hit her while shouting at her.

"You pestilent chicken who can't lay eggs. You dared to bring up divorce? Oh yeah? I am going to beat you to death!"

SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!

She smacked Su Xiuying across her cheeks repeatedly. Su Xiuying did not try to dodge or struggle.

She knew that the comrade cops were almost there. The more she was beaten up, the more severe the punishment would be for the two scums.

She had been beaten so many times already. One last time and she and her daughter would be free!

And that was the scene that Tong Xuelu and the two cops saw when they arrived.

Tong Xuelu took her shoe off and aimed it at Old Mrs. He's face. "Comrade Cop, you saw it with your own eyes now. We are in the new society and this old woman is using violence in private. She had no respect for the laws at all!"

Her shoe landed right smack in the middle of Old Mrs. He's face!

Old Mrs. He let out a cry and her nose hurt from it.

She thought Tong Xuelu was just bluffing her when she said comrade cop. Little did she know, she saw her son's arm being twisted by two cops when she looked up.

Shuddering, she almost peed herself!

A cop walked up to them, "Get up and come with us to the station!"

Old Mrs. He's face turned pale and her hands shook like someone with Parkinson's disease. "Comrade Cops, I did not use violence. She is my daughter-in-law. It's all everyday family drama is all. You can ask her!"

Lo and behold, as soon as she finished saying that, Su Xiuying sat up with her bloody face and said forcefully, "Comrade Cops, I want to file a complaint about He Baogen being abusive and Wang Jihua returning to old society's custom and abusing her daughter-in-law at home. You can see the wounds on my face and body. They did all of them!"

Tong Xuelu, "I can attest to that! This female comrade was already down on the ground and this man still wouldn't stop. We are in the new society now and our president has said that women make up half the sky. I can't believe there are still those who could completely overlook the law and abuse women the way that they did. I say they should receive the death penalty!"

When He Baogen and Old Mrs. He heard "death penalty", they both changed colors right away and their eyes widened to the size of an ox's.

Old Mrs. He spoke kind words through gritted teeth. "Have you lost your mind for being sick for too long, Xiuying? We are your closest family and Bogen is Xiao Qiu's father. You can't just blurt out random things in front of the comrade cops!"

So now you want to be nice? Where had you been earlier?"

Su Xiuying looked at Old Mrs. He and sneered. "Comrade Cop, I am not making things up. They were the one who were beating me, and more than once. All of the injuries on my body were caused by the two of them. I want to file a police report. Please arrest them!"

Old Mrs. He was angry and scared. With an "Awru", she started to cry, "Oh Heavenly Father, what have I done to deserver this? We had brought into our family such an unconscientious daughter-in-law! Everyone, come and see this. She is trying to turn in her husband and mother-in-law. She is trying to nail my entire family!"

Those in the compound had not expected this to happen. They all chimed in to smooth things out.

"Xiuying, you can always talk things out. You don't need to have the cops involved."

"Exactly, you are a family. You can work things out among yourselves. Hurry up and clarify things with the comrade cops!"

Old Mrs. He was stupid and low. She still thought she could bring in the others to put pressure on Su Xiuying at this point.

Su Xiuying, however, already had her mind made up. Nobody around her could change her mind now.

Old Mrs. He wanted to bawl some more but she was stopped by the male cop. "Shut up already. You can make your statement when we get back to the station!"

Old Mrs. He was like a chicken with her neck pinched. Her voice stuck in the middle of her throat. It was a very awful feeling.

He Baogen and his mother were brought to the police station.

Along with them were Tong Xuelu, Su Xiuying, and the others from the compound.

At the police station.

Pu Jianyi was surprised when he saw Wen Rugui showing up at the entrance to his office, "What are you doing here, Rugui?"

Wen Rugui's voice was nonchalant. "It's Grandpa's birthday tomorrow. I needed to make a trip home, and this is on my way. What did you want to talk about last time?"

Pu Jianyi said in an exaggerated manner. "Did you just say 26 words in one go? Well, that is sure rare!"

Wen Rugui ignored his exaggeration. He walked inside the office and took a seat. "Speak. What is it?"

Pu Jianyi scratched his head, "I called you because I wanted to talk to you about your Comrade Tong."

A hint of emotion could finally be detected on Wen Rugui. His sharp brows raised slightly, and he said, "More details."

Pu Jianyi chuckled, "It's a long story. You know how I thought she might be your girlfriend? I ran into her at the train station the other day, so I wanted to fool her. I asked her if she's your girlfriend and guess what she said?"

Wen Rugui's dark eyelashes were lowered. He didn't say a word.

Pu Jianyi mimicked Tong Xuelu and said, "She said, 'Yes, we have been seeing each other for over a year now.' You should have seen her. She looked so shy. Who'd have thought that it was all a lie? That was sneaky of her, right?"

Wen Rugui, "She's not sneaky. You are just stupid."

"…?"

Pu Jianyi wanted to make himself look better. "That's not me being stupid. She just doesn't play by the books, you know? What kind of a girl would make a joke that could potentially harm their own reputation?"

Wen Rugui's tone was moderate. "What happened after that?"

Pu Jianyi could feel his cheeks burning when he recalled what happened the other day. "Then she asked me how I've learned about her. She even put on a frightened look. I worried that she'd call out for help so… I told her about how you've asked me to help her out."

Wen Rugui lifted his brows. "And you still insisted that you are not being stupid?"

"…"

Pu Jianyi's smile collapsed. "I was caught off guard. She was such a delicate-looking girl. I didn't know she'd scheme me like that! I am sure about one thing though. I think she is interested in you."

Wen Rugui frowned. "That's not funny!"

Pu Jianyi wasn't backing down. "I'm serious! If she wasn't interested in you, why would she say that the two of you had been dating for a year? If word got out, how would either one of you be able to find a spouse? Oh right, is she interested in you because she had found out about your family background?"

Wen Rugui gave him a cold look. "Comrade Tong isn't that kind of a person. Nor is she as scheming of a person as you are."*

Pu Jianyi, "…"

Fine. Everything was his fault.

They weren't even an item yet and he was already so protective of her. What would happen when they become an item?

Wen Rugui stood up and said, "Well, if there is nothing else then I am going to take off. Don't be so stupid going forward!"

Pu Jianyi: QAQ

Ignoring him, Wen Rugui walked out of the office on his long legs.

He heard a crisp voice when he walked past the interrogation roo m—

"You think you will not offend the He's if you don't testify for Comrade Su? Let me tell you. If you don't tell the truth, that's committing perjury and perjury is against the law!"

Why did the voice sound so familiar?

Wen Rugui stopped and looked through the window.

He saw the profile of a slim figure through the window. Her black hair was braided and came down in front of her chest. Her fair skin tone, contrasted by her black hair, wasglowing.

Wen Rugui then noticed the little red mole under the corner of her eye.

Her eyelashes were long and thick. When she lowered her eyes, they'd cover the red mole. It'd reappear again when her eyelid was lifted again. Coming and going. It reminded him of red plum [flowers] in the snowy mountain.

Hearing her words, those inside the room were anxious.

"Comrade, is it still perjury when we don't say anything?"

"Of course it is. You've all seen Comrade Su Xiuying being beaten up but you said you don't know anything. If that isn't perjury, then what is? We have laws in this society. If you dare to break the laws, you should expect to be sent to the farms to be reformed!"

"Comrade, it isn't that we don't want to help out Su Xiuying. She's pitiful, but we are also scared!"

"Exactly, Comrade. You don't know this but the He family has a relative who's a cop. We don't know whether he will retaliate when he is released."

Tong Xuelu raised her brows. "What level is he?"

"I don't know. I think he's an administrative personnel."

Tong Xuelu sneered. "You are afraid of an administrative personnel? My boyfriend's friend is a captain of the Criminal Investigation Department. Have I said anything?

"Let me tell you. As long as you tell the truth, I guarantee that nobody will pick on you later!"

"Are you sure about that, Comrade?"

"Of course it's true. My boyfriend's surname is Wen. The captain is his buddy that grew up with him. Do you think he will stand by when I am being bullied?"

Having said that, Tong Xuelu felt that someone was looking at her.**

She reflexively turned and looked at the window. It was nice and sunny outside and there was nobody there.

She shook her head and felt that she was being too overly sensitive.

Walking out of the police station, Wen Rugui felt that Pu Jianyi's words were being replayed in his head like a recording ––

"I felt that she's interested in you! If she didn't, why would she say that the two of you had dated for over a year?"

The bright sun casted down onto him and his dark eyelashes quivered.

Was she really interested in him?

Something else occurred to him and his eyelashes quivered once again.

He still had a nonchalant look on him, but the base of his ears turned red uncontrollably.

Translator's rambling:

*Em…

**Secondhand embarrassment. .

Chapter 32 - The living room is freakishly green.

Tong Xuelu had done everything within her power to convince Su Xiuying's neighbors.

Truth was, He Baogen and his mother could be thrown into jail with only Tong Xuelu's witness statement and the injuries on Su Xiuying. The sentencing just wouldn't have been very serious.

It would be best if the neighbors could testify.

One-time domestic violence was very different from long-term domestic violence.

He Baogen and his mother disgusted Tong Xuelu.

She was shocked and angry when she ran into the yard and saw Su Xiuying lying on the ground with blood over her entire face.

She had thought that no matter how awful of a person He Baogen was, he would still have refrained himself some when it came to his wife. Turned out he was worse than an animal!

That was the reason that she wanted to convince those others earlier.

One way or another, she wanted them in prison.

She might have borrowed Wen Rugui and Pu Jianyi's names but her intention was pure. Perhaps it wouldn't bother them too much should they find out.

Nevertheless, recalling the embarrassing incident previously, Tong Xuelu decided to not loop the other two in.

With the testimony of Tong Xuelu and the neighbors, plus the two cops witnessing Old Mrs. He beating up Su Xiuying, there were no more suspicions on this case and, as such, He Baogen and Old Mrs. He were locked up immediately.

When they were taken away, Old Mrs. He pointed at Su Xiuying and shouted out all sorts of cuss words and cursed that she would die a horrible death.

He Baogen, on the other hand, did not shout at her. Instead, he dropped down on his knees in front of her. "Xiuying, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me this one time. I know I shouldn't have beaten you. I have no idea why I did what I did."

Su Xiuying hadn't expected that he would kneel down in front of her. She bit down hard on her lip and her hands clenched into fists.

Seeing that she did not make a sound, He Baogen had an idea and he slapped himself hard a few times.

"Xiuying, I am really sorry! Xiao Qiu is just three years old. She needs a father. If both my mom and I have gone to jail, others would say that she has a jailbird as a father. And that he was put there by her own mother. How do you think the others would look at her?"

Su Xiuying pinched her lips shut tightly and her struggle could be seen in her eyes.

She had no reaction when she saw He Baogen kneeling down earlier but, now that he had mentioned their daughter, her eyelids started to shudder uncontrollably.

Seeing that Su Xiuying was beginning to waver, He Baogen quickly carried on. "Xiuying, for the sake of the child, forgive my mother and I. I promise that I will never lift a finger on you or the child. You will have all the say at home from now on. Didn't you say you want to get Xiao Qiu some new clothes? We can go and get them right now. What do you say?"

Seeing that her cousin started to waver, Huang Xianglan was nervous.

She looked over at Tong Xuelu, hoping that she would help convince her.

Tong Xuelu, expressionless, pretended that she did not see Huang Xianglan's look.

Su Xiuying had to do this one on her own or nobody could save her.

If she was to choose to forgive He Baogen, Tong Xuelu would not lift another finger in the future even if He Baogen was to beat her to death.

The lobby inside the police station was pin-drop silent. Everybody was holding their breath and looking at Su Xiuying.

Right when He Baogen saw a shred of light, Su Xiuying suddenly sneered and said through gritted teeth, "He Baogen, you really think that a few words from you and I will forgive you? In. Your. Dreams!"

She turned and ran off after she had finished saying that. Huang Xianglan quickly ran after her.

"Sheng Xiuyan, you *****. You get your *** back here!"

He Baogen didn't think that Su Xiuying wouldn't forgive him even after he had slapped himself.

His face was red like a cooked pig head.

A cop walked over and dragged him up from the floor. He said to He Baogen rudely, "Be quiet. Cussing inside the police station. Who do you think you are?"

He Baogen and his mother were quickly taken away.

Pu Jianyi walked out of his office with documents in his head and looked up. He suddenly saw a girl walking in his direction from the lobby area.

The slender body, the round head…..

He paused a little. Wasn't that Comrade Tong Xuelu?

What was she doing here this time?

He was just about to walk over to her when Tong Xuelu was surrounded by a group of people.

He had no choice but to give up on that idea.

Su Xiuying's neighbor surrounded Tong Xuelu and started recommending to her their sons or relatives.

"Comrade, didn't you say your boyfriend's friend is a captain in this police station? I have a nephew who would like to join the force. Do you think you might be able to refer him?"

"Comrade, my son is in the military and has been having a hard time getting a job since he has been discharged. He is particularly strong and healthy. If you are to refer anyone, you should pick him!"

"Comrade, I…"

Tong Xuelu felt like there were flies buzzing around her ears and, finally, when she was fed up with all those, said, "Of course not. He's the captain and is responsible for investigating and bringing in criminals. How would he have the time to take care of matters like these?"

Someone felt unreconciled. "How did he have time to help you then?"

Tong Xuelu raised her delicate brows. "How's that the same? I'm the girlfriend of his friend. Plus, I'm pretty. The captain does not like ugly people. If you think you are prettier than me, feel free to reach out to him yourself."

Having said that, Tong Xuelu ignored them all and walked away.

Everyone else, "…."

Su Xiuying didn't go far. She stopped after she had walked out of the police station.

Huang Xianglan walked up to her cousin and panicked when she saw Su Xiuying's tear-stained face. "Cousin, what's the matter? You… are you regretting it now?"

Su Xiuying wiped her tears away and shook her head. "No, I'm not regretting it. I, I just felt an indescribable sadness."

She almost broke down when He Baogen begged her for her forgiveness on his knees earlier, promising that he would be nice to her and her daughter in the future.

They had had their fair share of good times before they had gotten married. Many times, she couldn't figure out what had happened and how they ended up where they were now!

Huang Xianglan was single and has never been in a relationship. She had no idea what she could say to her cousin.

The two squatted on the side of the road for a little while and Tong Xuelu came out.

Tong Xuelu saw that Su Xiuying's eyes were reddened, obviously from crying, but she wasn't going to ask.

Seeing that she was walking over, Su Xiuying quickly collected herself and said, "Thank you so much for everything, Comrade Tong!"

Tong Xuelu waved her hand. "We are all working-class sisters. It's only right for me to help you out. You don't need to thank me. But you better hurry and sell off your man's position and quickly divorce him before their sentencing is announced!"

Tong Xuelu wasn't worried about whether the man would go and harass Su Xiuying and her daughter when he was released in a couple of years.

The reforming and opening of China would be taking place in a couple of years. If Su Xiuying truly worried that He Baogen would harass her and her daughter, she could very well move somewhere else with her daughter.

Su Xiuying paused for a little bit and said, "I'm so glad you reminded me of that, Comrade Tong. That would not have occurred to me otherwise. Oh right, Comrade Tong, I heard that you are looking for someone to trade your position with. What's your thought on working at the government-operated restaurant?"

Tong Xuelu's heart leaped but she didn't let it show. "Why? Are you thinking about switching?"

Su Xiuying nodded. "Now that I have reported my mother-in-law and my husband, I can't stay at the same job anymore. I will also need to find a new place to live. I wouldn't want my child to hear what others would say about me."

It was one thing being talked about. First and foremost, she worried about her daughter.

She wouldn't be able to avoid it altogether by switching locations, but it would at least help some.

Tong Xuelu was not one that liked to drag things out. "I do enjoy cooking, but my job is in a fabric factory. It would not be a fair trade between the two of us. Why don't I just buy it from you with cash?"

Su Xiuying shook her hands quickly, "No, no, no. You have helped me so much, Comrade Tong. I can't possibly take money from you!"

Tong Xuelu brought it up twice, but Su Xiuying insisted on not accepting money from her. Tong Xuelu had no choice but to give up on that idea.

Finally, the two agreed to swap their positions once Su Xiuying had everything taken care of.

Su Xiuying had wanted to take Tong Xuelu out to lunch but Tong Xuelu knew for certain that Su Xiuying would not be in the mood to eat anything right now. As such, she had declined her offer.

Huang Xianglan wanted to stay and keep Su Xiuying company, so Tong Xuelu planned to return to Yanqing Province by herself. She suddenly recalled how Wen Rugui had helped her out.

Spinning around, she walked back inside of the police station.

She asked for the whereabouts of Pu Jianyi's office and headed straight over there.

Pu Jianyi was stunned that Tong Xuelu had returned. "How come you are back?"

Hearing his words, Tong Xuelu frowned a little. "So Comrade Pu knew that I was here today?"

"I saw you earlier." Pu Jianyi raised his brows and gossiped. "Did you run into Rugui at the station?"

Wen Rugui was at the station?

Tong Xuelu was taken aback a little. Recalling her suggestive dream from the night before, her cheeks started to burn uncontrollably.

She frowned again all of a sudden. Wen Rugui didn't hear what she had said earlier, did he?*

Pu Jianyi looked at her dubiously. "Comrade Tong? Did you hear what I just said?"

Tong Xuelu recollected herself and put on a calm look. "Yes, I heard you. I did not run into Comrade Wen. When did he leave?"

"Oh, a while ago." Pu Jianyi continued to look at her intensely. "Say, Comrade Tong, what do you think about Rugui?"

Tong Xuelu thought about it some and said, "Comrade Wen is a nice guy."

Pu Jianyi, "…"

After assigning Wen Rugui a nice guy card, Tong Xuelu cut to the reason that she was there.

"I came looking for you to see if there's any dishes that Comrade Wen enjoys particularly. He has helped me a lot and I would like to make some food for him to thank him."

Pu Jianyi had an excited I-knew-you-were-fond-of-Wen-Rugui look on him as he said, "Comrade Tong is going to cook for Rugui?"

Tong Xuelu corrected him, "As a token of appreciation."

Pu Jianyi automatically filtered that part out. "Rugui likes fish, any kind of fish."

Tong Xuelu thought about it some and asked, "Can he eat spicy food?"

Pu Jianyi nodded. "I think so, but nothing too spicy."

This was much easier knowing that he could handle spicy food.

Tong Xuelu's lips curved and she smiled. "Thank you, Comrade Pu. I will be on my way then."

Pu Jianyi, "…"

That's it? Just like that?

He was the one who actually did the work. Shouldn't she give him some food as well?

That was terrible!

He was mad.

Wen Rugui returned to the military compound.

The second he stepped foot inside, he saw a pot of green grass on top of the dinner table. Then there was another one on the cabinet next to the television.

Baffled, Wen Rugui turned and asked Uncle Zong. "Uncle Zong, I thought we've always only had flowers. Why do we have these two pots of grass all of a sudden?"

Uncle Zhong took a look outside. He made sure that Old Mr. Wen was nowhere to be seen before he said in a low voice, "Commander said to leave two pots of grass around as a reminder for you."

Wen Rugui, "To remind me?"

Uncle Zong nodded heavily. "Remind you to bring young grass home some time!"

Wen Rugui, "…"

That did sound like something that his grandfather would do.

Uncle Zong let out a sigh. "Commander is not getting any younger. He always says that he worries that he wouldn't be able to see his great grandchild. It saddens me every time I hear that coming from him. I know you don't like us nagging you like this, but you are not young anymore. You will need to find someone to take care of you at some point. Am I right?"

Wen Rugui looked calm. Pausing a little, he said, "I get it, Uncle Zong."

Then he turned and went upstairs.

"! ! !"

Uncle Zong was stunned on the spot.

Wen Rugui had always resented the subject of getting married but what did he just say? That "he got it"?!

He must hurry and deliver the good news to the commander.

Uncle Zong was just about to leave the house when he saw Old Mr. Wen returning while humming a tune.

Uncle Zong, "Commander, you seem to be in good spirit."

Old Mr. Wen stroked his goatee and smiled, "Lao Jiang lost 5 chess games to me today. What a useless man!"

Uncle Zong decided to take the opportunity to share the good news.

When Old Mr. Wen heard the news, his eyes widened to the size of Ox's. "He really said that?"

Uncle Zong nodded repeatedly. "Yes. Rugui was standing right here, looking at this pot of grass, and I said it to him. And he said to me that he got it!"

Old Mr. Wen looked over at the pot of green grass and suddenly burst into laughter. "Ahahaha… I knew it. I knew have fresh grass around would help!"

"Xiao Zong, hurry up and get more grass. The very fresh kind. And, send a couple of pots over to Rugui's room so he can look at them every day! Also have them take a couple pots with him when he returns to the base!"

Have him looked at this fresh grass every day to remind him!

Uncle Zong quickly agreed to it. "Alright. I'll go get some more green grass!"

Old Mr. Wen corrected him, "Not green grass; fresh grass!"

"Yes, Commander!"

By the time Wen Rugui came downstairs for dinner, there were more pots of green grass around the house.

The entire living room was covered in green, freakishly green.

… Just green.

Seeing that it was still early, Tong Xuelu decided to not rush back home. Rather, she was going to look around for a place to stay in the city.

After she had swapped her job with Su Xiuying, her family of four would need to move to the city. Working at the government-operated restaurant did not provide housing.

Su Xiuying's house was not assigned to them from He Baogen's unit; they owned the place. She would most likely sell the place when she sold his position.

Even if Su Xiuying was not going to sell her place, Tong Xuelu would not want to rent it from her.

The place was even older and was in more disarray than their current place in the compound. The yard was piled with all sorts of stuff and looked dirty and messy.

Tong Xuelu wanted to swap to a place with privacy so she wouldn't have to worry about how others looked at them when she prepared food.

Besides, she did not like those cold and distance neighbors. She would not want to rent the place from Su Xiuying if she had a choice.

If she was going to work for the government-operated restaurant, it would be best for her to live near the restaurant.

Once she had her mind made up, Tong Xuelu started walked toward the southern part of town.

Unlike in the future, the houses in the capital right now were short and dense. There was no city planning to speak of.

Tong Xuelu walked around all the residential areas in the area and asked around a lot, but she still did not see any places for rent.

She couldn't help but missed all the advertisements and rental agencies that were all over the place in the future.

Finally a middle-age woman told her to go and ask around in the Housing Management Office. There might be houses for rent or for sale.

It was almost noon. Worried that those from the Housing Management Office were about to go on their lunch break, Tong Xuelu hurried over there.

She was just about to step into the Housing Management Office when she bummed into a man walking out of there.

The man was tall and stocky and, even though Tong Xuelu wasn't seeing stars in front of her eyes after the collision, her forehead sure was smarting.

Regardless, she was the one who ran into the other person, so she was the first to apologize. "I'm sorry. I didn't do that on purpose. Are you alright?"

Xiao Chengping was just about to say he was alright when he saw Tong Xuelu's face. "Eh?" He said before he bent down and looked closely at her face.

Tong Xuelu felt offended, and she did not feel comfortable about that.

Before she could say anything, he pointed at her and shouted out, "It's you, Cry Baby!"

Cry Baby?

What the heck?

Chapter 33 - "I left there before that was never my home. My home is here!"

Tong Xuelu frowned and looked up at the man in front of her.

She saw standing in front of her a tall and well-built man with a shaved head. He had small eyes and a big nose, and his features did not mesh well together.

But that was not the point. The point was that he looked somewhat familiar, but she couldn't put her finger on it right away.

"I'm sorry. You got the wrong person."

She was about to walk around him after she had said that.

Xiao Chengping stopped her, "No way I have gotten the wrong person. It's you, Tong Xuelu!"

Tong Xuelu finally studied him carefully and recalled who he was. He was the son of the head of the General Logistics Department. He was 4 years older than the original owner and grew up with her in the compound.

Xiao Chengping had been a tall one since he was a child and was a bully in the compound. He loved bullying other children in the compound.

The original owner was one of his worst victims, which was why she would start to cry whenever she saw him. Hence the nickname Cry Baby.

Xiao Chengping joined the military a few years ago and had not been back the last couple of years. He looked much more grown up now. That, on top of the fact that the original owner only had her eyes on Fang Wenyuan, was the reason that Tong Xuelu didn't recognize him right away.

Seeing that she didn't say anything, Xiao Chengping glared at her with his beady little eyes and said, "Why aren't you saying anything? Don't tell me you have forgotten about me already?!"

"Nope! Not at all. And, good dogs don't block the road. Move. Move, or I report to the troop that you are being a hooligan."

Having said that, Tong Xuelu ignored him and walked around him.

Xiao Chengping looked like he had a toothache. "You cry baby. You said you don't remember who I am. Then how do you know that I've joined the troop? Wow, I would never have guessed that the little cry baby had turned into a little spicy pepper in just two years!"

The man next to him said, "Cousin, who's that? Why is she so mean? She called you a dog. Do you want me to go and teach her a lesson?"

Xiao Chengping gave him a glare. "Teach her what lesson? Are you some sort of a bandit?"

Cousin, "? ? ?"

Xiao Chengping hrumped and said, "Keep in mind that you are a man, and you must be more forgiving. Aren't you ashamed to be petty like a woman?

Cousin, "…"

Alright, he should have just kept his mouth shut!

Pretend that I've nothing. Whatever floats your boat!

Xiao Chengping glanced over inside and suddenly tsked and said, "Odd. What is Cry Baby doing here at the Housing Management Office? Is she in the market to buy a place?"

Cousin, "Cousin, would you like me to go and ask around stealthily?"

Xiao Chengping raised his brows, "Why do we need to ask around stealthily? What is in that head of yours all the time? We must be forthcoming as human beings and not be sneaky all the time!"

Cousin, "…"

He is going to STOP! TALKING! NOW! !

One more word and he's a dog! ! !

After walking inside the Housing Management Office, Tong Xuelu told the office worker the purpose of her visit.

The administrative worker was a woman around 27 ~ 28 years old and her eyes scanned over Tong Xuelu's fair face.

Her look was arrogant and cold, "There's no places for rent. There are some for sale. You got the money ready?"

Tong Xuelu fished out a couple pieces of White Rabbit milk candies and handed them over to her. Smiling, she said, "Little Sister, it's so nice that you can have such a nice job at such a young age!"

Zou Fangyun was taken aback a little then she said shyly, "What are you talking about? My son is already 7~8 years old. Why would you address me as little sister."

Tong Xuelu looked very surprised. "No way! Your skin is so fair and it glows. I thought you were a year or two younger than me. How are you able to maintain it so nice?"

Zou Fangyun was both shy and prideful, "What maintaining? If I must say, I have been very fair looking since I was a child. Nobody believes that I have a son his age when I am out and about!"

Tong Xuelu said sincerely, "I wouldn't believe that either! Plus, I've always heard that women age faster after having children, but you don't look like someone with a child at all!"

Zou Fangyun stroked her own face and had a big smile on her face. "Oh right, what kind of a place did you say you want to buy? You don't look that old. How come you are here by yourself?"

Tong Xue pinched her lips shut and her eyes reddened. "I don't want to have to come alone either but my parents both passed away a few months ago and now I am the oldest in the house. My youngest sister is just 3 years old. You see? I must shoulder the entire family."

Zou Fangyun's nose tingled when she heard what Tong Xuelu said. "That's rough for someone your age."

Tong Xuelu wiped her tears away and said, choking back her tears, "Life is rough for everyone in this day and age. But we must do what needs to get done, am I right? I am about to switch my job with someone and will be working at the government-operated restaurant in the city. This is why I need to rent a house nearby."

Zou Fangyun's eyes lit up when she heard that Tong Xuelu was working for the government-operated restaurant. "Is your job at the government-operated restaurant stable?"

Tong Xuelu nodded, "Of course it's a stable job. But the other party is still taking care of some stuff and we won't be trading for another week or two."

It was a big deal to be able to work at a government-operated restaurant in this day and age. The same when one had friends or families that work at one.

Especially when one was hosting dinner. Having connections at a government-operated restaurant meant they could have nice dishes reserved for them. That was a very prideful thing for sure!

Zou Fangyun wanted very much to befriend Tong Xuelu. "That's a good job. You must switch for it. As for your living arrangements, there are no rentals right now but there are a few for sale this month. Do you have time to go and check them out?"

Tong Xuelu looked at the time and said, "It's almost lunch hour already. Why don't I take you to lunch at the government-operated restaurant first and we can go look at places afterward?"

Zou Fangyun quickly declined. "No, no. The government-operated restaurant is too expensive. I can't let you take me there!"

Tong Xuelu had no parents and she had to support her young siblings on top of that. She couldn't possibly let Tong Xuelu take her out to lunch.

Tong Xuelu, however, insisted and headed in the direction of the government-operated restaurant while holding onto Zou Fangyun's hand.

This was necessary if she wanted someone to help her out.

Her philosophy had always been not to skim on necessary expenditures.

By the time the two of them stepped out of the Housing Management Office, Xiao Chengping was already gone.

Tong Xuelu and Zou Fangyun finally ended up going to the government-operated restaurant and each of them ordered themselves a bowl of soup noodles with shredded pork.

The government-operated restaurant did not offer a large selection but what they lacked in options they made up for it in their quantity. The quantity was solid and both girls were so filled that their stomachs were round.

After dinner, Zou Fangyun was even friendlier toward Tong Xuelu. She was short of treating Tong Xuelu as her own little sister.

She decided against taking her afternoon break after lunch and brought Tong Xuelu with her to check out the few places that were for sale.

There were very few houses for sale at this day and age, almost unheard of.

Most people right now lived in houses that were passed down in the family or were assigned to them from their work. Most of the time, their houses were barely large enough to house the entire family, never mind selling it.

Besides, individuals were not allowed to sell the houses that were assigned to them by their work unit. If they were to sell them, they could only sell them to another individual who worked for the same unit.

Zou Fangyun brought Tong Xuelu with her to check out the three houses.

The first two of them were in such decrepit states that Tong Xuelu felt that they could come crashing down at any moment. More importantly, their locations were poor and they asked for a lot of money.

Tong Xuelu vetoed them without any hesitation.

The third one was a standalone house.

There were four rooms plus its own kitchen and bathroom. The rooms were spacious and bright. Each and every single room had ample amount of sunlight with good ventilation. There were no dark rooms.

The house wasn't too decrepit, and its location was nice. It was far from the main street and could block out the noises once the door was closed.

The place was perfect for Tong Xuelu.

"Sister Fangyun, this place must be very expensive, right?"

Zou Fangyun gestured with her open palm. "This much!"

Her entire hand. That meant 5,000 yuan!

Tong Xuelu was stunned beyond words when she heard that.

Tong Dajun and his wife's death benefits came out to 1,000 yuan. The position that Tong Xuelu had sold to the Xu's fetched her 380 yuan, half of them gone to those from Beihe.

She spent a lot of money a while ago trying to create the image that Jie Jinhua and the others were "wasteful". All in all, she had about 1,100 yuan remaining right now.

That was not even half the cost. How would she be able to afford this place?!

Zou Fangyun said to her, "Little Sister, I am only showing it because it's you. I might not even show it if it's someone else! The house was turned in by some major capitalist. But you don't need to have any worries. This property now belongs to the government. The process will be clean.

"It is still on the market because many worried that the government might take it away later. Just you wait though. It will be gone in another month or two at most!"

Had her man been wealthy enough, she would have bought it herself.

"I'm sorry, Sister Fangyun. This house is too expensive, and I don't have that much money for it. I apologize for taking up so much of your time."

Right now Tong Xuelu felt like someone who walked into a LV shop with just 200 yuan on them. It was just as painful as that.

Zou Fangyun waved her hand. "No need to be so polite. It's no big deal that you couldn't afford it. Where are you going to stay then?"

Tong Xuelu sighed, "We'll see. I'm sure I will figure something out."

The last resort would be renting from Su Xiuying.

Tong Xuelu was somewhat dispirited on her way back home.

She liked the place a lot. She was not worried at all that the government would take it back. The problem is she didn't have that much money!

It was still a couple years until economic freedom. It was almost impossible for her to make a lot of money in a short amount of time.

She could learn from many transmigrators before her time and sell food in the black market. Nevertheless, selling food on the black market would get her small amounts. Without any gold finger or dimension, she would not be able to make 4,000 yuan in a short amount of time.

All in all, she would have to resort to renting from Su Xiuying.

After dinner that night, Tong Xuelu told Tong Jiaming that she would be switching jobs soon.

"I swapped jobs with someone who works at the government-operated restaurant. It's over in the city. We will be looking for a new place to stay and will all move there together. Is there any problem on your end?"

Tong Jiaming was surprised when he heard that.

A job at the government-operated restaurant commanded a lot of respect. Many wanted to work there but couldn't.

And she was able to trade that with a position at a fabric factory? How was she able to accomplish that?*

Looking at his surprised look, Tong Xuelu went on to explain, "I've offered her some minor help and she happened to want to switch jobs, so we swapped."

Some minor help?

Tong Jiaming did not believe that one bit, but he also wasn't going to keep prying.

She had sent Tong Zhenzhen over to the farm and Tong Yanliang to the Northwest. Even the crowd who came arrogantly from the old village of Beihe ended up leaving dispirited. All of them were her handy work!

Nevertheless, with her ability, why did she have to leave the other Tong's place?

Tong Jiaming accidentally thought out loud.

Tong Xuelu lifted her brows, "Don't tell me you thought I only left because I was intimidated by Tong Zhenzhen or that she had forced me to leave."

Tong Jiaming, "Was that not the case?"

Tong Xuelu rolled her eyes, "Of course not! You are totally underestimating me. Nobody can kick me out if I don't want to leave. I left there before that was never my home. My home is here!"

Tong Jiaming felt that his heart had been pounded by a hammer.

He wanted to ask her why she talked to their parents the way that she did if she considered this place her home.

His words, however, never left his lips.

Tong Xuelu had no idea what was going through his head. "Do you have any other questions?"

Tong Jiaming shook his head, "No."

"Don't tell anyone else about this just yet. We don't want to be made fun of should things not plan out the way they should."

"Okay."

Translator's rambling:

Answer: Many years of being a green tea, darling.

Chapter 34 - Even if you can't wait to have the fish, you could have at least saved me a bite!

The two of them had just finished talking when Tong Mianmian came running over on her two stubby legs. "Big Sister, look at the hair that Third Brother did for Mianmian. It's not pretty!"

Tong Xuelu hadn't had a chance to say anything yet when Tong Jiaming came running over like a firecracker. "What's not pretty about it? It's very pretty. Third Brother will be doing your hair for you every day going forward!"

"No! No! No!"

Tong Mianmian waved her little meaty hand and her little head shook like den-den daiko.

Ugh_No_

Looking at the two bundles that looked like two porcupines on Tong Mianmian's head, Tong Xuelu rolled her eyes all the way up.

She picked up the little bun and comforted her softly, "Don't worry, Mianmian. Big Sister wouldn't him touch your hair."

Tong Jiaxin's thick brows twisted into caterpillars and he asked, unreconciled, "Why can't I do Mianmian's hair? Who are you to not let me?"

Tong Xuelu gave him a cold look, "You can if you really want. But you don't get to eat my cooking anymore."

"…"

Like a duck whose neck was choked, Tong Jiaxin couldn't say another word.

Tong Xuelu's lips curved into a smile.

You grab a snake at its 7" point and, when it came to a foodie, not letting them eat was worse than killing them.

Tong Jiaxin felt awful right now but he dared not say another word.

On Old Mr. Wen's 70th birthday, the phone was ringing off the hook at the Wen's place.

Officers from the military and Old Mr. Wen's old comrades in arms from out of town all called to wish him a happy birthday.

His friends and families in capital city had all sent in their birthday presents early.

Old Mr. Wen had already warned everyone ahead of them that they were not allowed to send expensive gifts. As such, all the gifts are practical gifts that were not expensive in price.

Old Mr. Wen looked around at the roomful of people who were there celebrating his birthday but he was not happy.

Because none of them were Young Grass!

Old Mr. Wen couldn't help but complained after all the guests had left. "You unfilial grandchild! I can't even hold my great grandchild in my arms when I am 70 years old!"

Wen Rugui placed a bowl of birthday noodles in front of Old Mr. Wen before he got down on his knees and kowtowed to him. "Happy birthday and long live Grandpa!"

Old Mr. Wen, "If you really want me to live long then let me meet Young Grass!"

Wen Rugui, "…"

Seeing that Wen Rugui had stopped talking again, Old Mr. Wen was so angry that his goatie could stick straight up. "Lao Jiang's grandson is almost 3 years old and mine is nowhere to be seen. I don't care. You are bringing Young Grass home over the New Year one way or another!"

Wen Rugui, "…"

Wen Rugui felt a headache coming on. Old Mr. Wen had always been rushing him into getting married, but he had never been this unreasonable before.

Ever since the one time that he had saw Tong Xuelu, this was becoming uncontrollable.

Everybody who were over today asked what was with all the grass around the house today.

What could he say to that?

After Wen Rugui had gone upstairs, Old Mr. Wen stretched his neck looking over at the direction of the stairs and asked Uncle Zong, "Xiao Zong, how was my acting earlier?"

Uncle Zong brown nosed him. "Commander, you did better than an actor on stage!"*

Old Mr. Wen, "? ?"

Why did that sound so odd?

Old Mr. Wen, however, did not dwell on that for very long. He smiled so much that there were wrinkles on the corners of his eyes. "That brat is like a top spin. You have to whip him to get him to act."

There was not much that Old Mr. Wen could do when Wen Rugui didn't have anyone inn mind. Now that he had learned about Young Grass, for sure he would need to bring her up in front of Wen Rugui from time to time.

"Yes, Commander, you are so smart."

Uncle Zong continued to brown nose Old Mr. Wen as he organized the gifts.

Suddenly, he spotted one of the many gifts and he froze. "Commander, this is…"

Old Mr. Wen raised his brows, "Is what? Stop stammering and spill!"

Uncle Zong, "This looks to be from that certain someone. It's two sets of snacks and a set of clothes. Looks like the clothes are for Rugui."

Old Mr. Wen was infuriated. "Throw them out! All of them! She had the audacity to send gifts to Rugui!"

"Yes, Commander. I will throw them out right now!"

Uncle Zong quickly placed the items back into the box and threw them out.

Old Mr. Wen sat inside the living room all by his lonesome, his eyes cold. The smile from earlier could no longer been seen.

He finally let out a sigh when Uncle Zong had returned. "Don't let Rugui find out about it."

Uncle Zong responded, "Don't worry, Commander. I won't say a word about it."

Pu Jianyi finally had a chance to come over to wish Old Mr. Wen a happy birthday when it was already dark outside.

Old Mr. Wen, who had been entertaining the guests all day long was already tired and had resigned to his room for the night.

Pu Jianyi was in no rush. He placed one hand over on Wen Rugui's shoulder and winked at him, "Have you received the fish from Comrade Tong yet?"

Wen Rugui was dumbfounded, "What fish?"

Pu Jianyi, "Not yet? She came to my office yesterday and asked me what your favorite food is. She said she wanted to make you some food to thank you for your help!"

Wen Rugui's dark and thick eyelashes quivered. "No."

Pu Jianyi was still feeling unreconciled. "You were the one who asked me, but I was the one who did the actual work. She didn't even mention a word about thanking me. I am so disappointed in her!"

Wen Rugui glanced over at him and, just when he was about to say something, he saw Uncle Zong coming into the house with a big plateful of steam fish.

Wen Rugui and Pu Jianyi were both taken aback.

"Uncle Zong, where did this fish come from?"

Worried that he would drop the fish, Uncle Zong was very brief, "It's a gift."

The living room went silent for a few seconds.

Wen Rugui walked over and said, "Here, Uncle Zong, just give it to me. I'll bring it inside."

Uncle Zong wanted to say that would not be necessary but, seeing how insistent that Wen Rugui was with his arms stretched out in front of him. It didn't seem like he'd quit unless he got the fish from him.

Uncle Zong had no choice but to hand the plateful of fish over.

Pu Jianyi tsked. "What timing. Rugui, do you still think I am making things up now?"

She had sent the items straight to the military company and on Old Mr. Wen's 70th birthday no less.

Tsk. She sure knew how to brown nose!

Wen Rugui ignored him and brought the fish into the kitchen. Nobody knew what he was doing inside the kitchen but he only returned after a long while.

Old Mr. Wen slept all the way till dinner time.

Pu Jianyi stayed at the Wen's the entire time and invited himself to dinner there.

Old Mr. Wen scanned over the table and asked Uncle Zong, "Where's the fish?"

Uncle Zong looked over at Wen Rugui and said, "Commander, the fish arrived earlier and Rugui brought it into the kitchen. I'll go and bring it out right now."

Wen Rugui's chopsticks paused in midair. "Don't bother with it, Uncle Zong."

Uncle Zong, "Why not?"

Everybody sitting inside the house looked over at Wen Rugui.

Pu Jianyi shouted out suddenly. "Was that what you were doing in the kitchen that entire time? Tell me you didn't eat the entire fish yourself! How shameless was that!"

Wen Rugui, "…"

Uncle Zong ran inside the kitchen and, sure enough, saw the fish bones inside the trash can.

He returned to report that back to Old Mr. Wen.

Old Mr. Wen was so angry that he shouted loudly, "Lao Jiang sent that over for my birthday! Even if you can't wait to have it, you could have at least saved me some!"

Wen Rugui, "…"

Pu Jianyi figured out what had happened.

He busted out laughing the very next second. "AHAHAHAHAHAH…"

He almost hyperventilated from laughing too hard.

Chapter 35 - "You are right. Our days will only get better from this point forward!"

Pu Jianyi almost laughed his $$ off.

Old Mr. Wen was infuriated. He had won the fish fair and square over a few chess games with Lao Jiang.

There's a saying where Lao Jiang was from, if one can receive a plateful of fish from someone lucky on their birthday, they will have things in abundance in the future and be as lucky as the person sending the fish.

Lao Jiang was surrounded by children and grandchildren. Old Mr. Wen felt that Lao Jiang was luckier than him that way. It wasn't easy to beat Lao Jiang in a few chess games and forced him to cook a plate of fish for him. He had yet to have it and the brat had eaten all of it!

Could he not be mad?

On top of that, he couldn't even say that out loud. He didn't want others thinking that he believed in feudal superstition!

Wen Rugui felt that he had never felt so embarrassed in his entire life.

He ate the entire fish because he didn't want his grandfather to know that Tong Xuelu had sent over a fish. If his grandfather was to find out about it, he would be talking about Young Grass all the time from this point forward.

And they really weren't seeing each other. He worried that it would not be good for her reputation.

As long as he ate the entire fish, his grandfather, who never saw the fish, would never ask about it.

As for sharing it with Pu Jianyi?

Sorry, hadn't even occurred to him.

It had never occurred to him that the fish wasn't from Tong Xuelu but that Lao Jiang had made it himself. That was, welp… somewhat awkward.

Wen Rugui looked at Pu Jianyi, who was still rolling on the floor laughing, and cleared his throat "Grandpa, I'll make one for you myself."

"I want the one from Lao Jiang!" Old Mr. Wen hrumphed loudly and stood up. "Xiao Zong, if I remember correctly, Lao Jiang caught a lot of fish today. Hurry up and see if he still has another live one. Have him make me another one!"

Wen Rugui, "…"

Truth be told, Grandpa Jiang's cooking wasn't all that. The steamed fish that he had earlier wasn't even entirely cooked through.

He didn't understand why his grandfather insisted on a fish made by Lao Jiang in person.

Old Mr. Wen hurried up and headed over to Lao Jiang's with Uncle Zong. Pu Jianyi was the only one left, still laughing at the living room.

Wen Rugui took a look at him and said nonchalantly, "Don't slip about matters of Comrade Tong."

Pu Jianyi rubbed away the tears out of the corners of his eyes. "I thought you told her specifically that today was Old Mr. Wen's birthday and had her send it over today."

Wen Rugui's hand paused in midair as he reached for a dish on the table. "… I thought you were the one who told her."

Pu Jianyi's mouth cracked out. "I wouldn't tell her such things. Alright, what a happy coincidence, eh? But you still didn't need to eat the entire fish by yourself. How did it taste anyway?"

Wen Rugui did not make a sound.

Pu Jianyi looked Wen Rugui up and down and said, "I thought it was Comrade Tong who had taken an interest in you. Judging from what I am seeing so far, it seems that you have taken more of an interest in her."

Wen Rugui's eyelids quivered a little and he said coldly. "If I remember correctly, your dad had no idea that you had borrowed money from me, right?"

One's gotta hit where it hurts the most.

Pu Jianyi backed down in a second or less and quickly pleaded with him. "Alright, I was just spewing out nonsense, alright? You can't let my old man find out about that. He would for sure break my legs!"

Wen Rugui did not comment on that. After a short pause, he said, "Why did she go to the police station again? I thought matters with the Tong family had been settled?"

Pu Jianyi tsked. "Yeah, she sure likes heading to the police station a lot. She didn't go for matters with the Tongs this time though. A woman was struck by her husband and her mother-in-law. Comrade Tong was there as a witness."

"Speaking of, that woman really should be appreciative of her. Had she not convinced her neighbors to be witnesses, her husband and her mother-in-law would at most be locked up for 2-3 years. Now we are looking at 5-6."

So she was there trying to convince the others.

He had an inkling when he heard her talking. That was part of the reason he didn't go inside and call her out on her lies.

Now that he knew she lied to help the others, the remaining doubts in him were gone.

Most people in the world wanted to avoid troubles and would rather choose to overlook others' suffering.

Her being able to stand out courageously as a witness and also convince others to do the same, the little white lie paled in comparison.

Her words, "My boyfriend's surname is Wen", however, touched something in him and the tips of his ears started turning red under the light.

Tong Xuelu went to work at the fabric factory just like normal the next day. For the sake of being consistent with her previous lie, she covered up her forehead with her bangs.

With the exception of Tong Jiaming, she did not mention to anyone that she was about to switch jobs.

The Xu family was finally able to get enough money to pay her back and Zhou Fang had started going in to work.

Many at the compound understood why Tong Xuelu did not return to the village with the gang from Beihe but a few were bitter.

The Xu family felt that they owed Tong Xuelu a huge favor and would speak up for her all the time. Mother Xu would be the first to tear into someone who was being unreasonable.

As such, Tong Xuelu didn't even need to lift a finger and all the rumors within the compound were gone.

After a week and right when Tong Xuelu was so tired that she thought she was about to get back problems, she finally heard back from Su Xiuying.

He Baogen and Old Mrs. He had been sentenced for abusing and insulting woman. Both of them were sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and would be sent to the farm for reforming in a few days.

When Su Xiuying decided to report her husband and her mother-in-law, she had spent her daughter back to her parent's family ahead of time. She never returned to the He's house after she had left the police station but went back to her parent's place.

When the Su family saw her returning with all the bruises on her face, they were all angry and said that He Baogen was an animal. That being said, nobody said that she should get a divorce or wanted to back her up.

Su Xiuying felt a pang of disappointment but, one way or another, she needed to maintain her relationship with her family.

She had already committed something "outrageous". If she severed her relationship with her family, she would really not be able to remain in Capital City.

She then informed her family about how she had turned in He Baogen and his mother.

Just as she had expected, her family went ballistic instantly. They shouted at her while pointing straight at her nose and told her to rescind the report right away.

She looked at her family expressionlessly and then brought up the idea of having her second nephew take over He Baogen's job.

And then there was silence.

Enough was sad. Her family's attitude turned around completely and they started saying how He Baogen and his mother were animals and that they would stand behind her fully.

Su Xiuying sneered in her heart but did not let that show on her face. She went with those in her family to complete the transfer process at the metal plant.

Those at the metal factory were so stunned after finding out that Su Xiuying had reported He Baogen and his mother and was transferring He Baogen's position over to her nephew that one could shove shoes into their mouths.

After the initial shock had surpassed, everybody started accusing her of being unconscientious. The Hes' relatives, in particular, rolled their sleeves up and were about to beat her up.

This time, Su Xiuying did not need to fend for herself. Those from her maiden family rushed up, stood in front of her, and yelled back at those other people. They even shouted about going to report them to the cops.

With He Baogen as an example, the others were intimidated instantly.

Su Xiuying had no particular feelings even when her family had stood up for her.

After the process had been completed, Su Xiuying bought some fruit candies and snacks and went looking for Tong Xuelu the next day.

Su Xiuying timed it perfectly and arrived right after Tong Xuelu had finished lunch.

Tong Xuelu's eyes beamed when she saw Su Xiuying. "Comrade Su, you are here!"

It had been a week since she had last seen Su Xiuying. The bruises on Su Xiuying had faded a lot and she looked much less disheveled. She was still skinny but looked to be in good spirits.

Su Xiuying handed over the fruit candies and snacks and said in a low voice, "Their sentencing has been handed down."

She could not put it behind her until the sentencing was finalized nor could she switch jobs with Tong Xuelu, fearing that Tong Xuelu would be dragged into her mess.

Now that the sentencing had been finalized and she was divorced from He Baogen, she felt that she could finally come over.

Tong Xuelu looked at the stuff that she brought with her and said politely, "You shouldn't have."

"Of course I should. You've helped me so much!"

Su Xiuying smiled. Noticing the other three children inside the house, she asked, "These are your brothers and sisters?"

"Yes, I have two brothers and a sister."

Tong Xuelu nodded and had Tong Jiaming and the others address Su Xiuying.

Tong Mianmian was the cutest one.

She ran over on her stubby little feet and said in her milky voice with her head lifted. "Hi Big Sister, I am my big sister's little sister. My name is Mianmian and I am 3 years old."

As she spoke, she brought up four fingers. She looked so cute that she could melt one's heart.

Su Xiuying looked at Tong Mianmian, who was about her daughter's age, and her heart softened. She grabbed a handful of candies and handed it to her. "Good girl. Have some candies."

Tong Mianmian did not take them from her. She looked up at Tong Xuelu with sparkly eyes.

Tong Xuelu rubbed her on her head and nodded at her. "It's okay. You can take them."

Tong Mianmian finally accepted the candies from Su Xiuying. She smiled, showing her little dimples, "Thank you Big Sister. Mianmian's hands are small. Can you please put them into Mianmian's pockets for her?"

Tong Xuelu finally busted out laughing when she saw that.

The kid was smart. She knew that her pockets could hold more.

Su Xiuying's smile deepened, and she filled both of Tong Mianmian's pockets. She then gave both Tong Jiaming and Tong Jiaxin a handful of candies.

The two brothers thanked her shyly and left with Tong Mianmian.

Tong Xuelu had Su Xiuying take a seat and poured her a glass of water. "Is everything all settled?"

Su Xiuying took a sip of water and lifted the corners of her lips a bit. "Yes, all set. The sentencing has been finalized and the divorce is also final. My parents also agreed to look after my child for me."

Tong Xuelu noticed the sarcastic look on Su Xiuying when she mentioned her parents and had a guess. She, however, did not pursue the subject.

Su Xiuying looked around the house and asked curiously. "I don't see your parents around. Are they out?"

"They passed away in a car accident a few months ago."

Su Xiuying let out a "Oh" and quickly apologized, "I'm so sorry. I didn't know…"

Tong Xuelu waved her hand. "It's alright. Don't worry about it. Oh right, what I've mentioned before were my adopted parents."

She then briefly told Su Xiuying about her background.

Su Xiuying let out a long sigh after listening. "Things were rough for you, too."

When she saw the way Tong Xuelu dressed and that she was pretty with good temperament, she assumed that Tong Xuelu had been coddled her entire life. Her story was much bumpier than she had expected.

Her siblings were all young and she had to carry the entire family by herself. That was no easy feat.

Tong Xuelu, however, did not feel that she was pitiful. "Comrade Su needs to hang in there. Under the guidance of our Party, our days will only become better!"

The reform and opening up would be coming in 2 years' time. At that time, the economy would develop rapidly, and everyone's life would undergo earth-shaking changes.

She looked forward to that day.

Seeing the confident smile on Tong Xuelu, Su Xiuying felt encouraged. "You are right. Our days will only get better from this point forward!"

They chatted until the end of the lunch break. Tong Xuelu packed up and headed over to the plant with Su Xiuying.

Chapter 36 - "I will be waiting your wedding candies then!"

After arriving at the plant, Tong Xuelu went straight to look for Manager Ma and explained to her that she wanted to switch jobs with Su Xiuying.

Manager Ma's mouth dropped open when she heard that. "You are leaving, Xuelu? When did that happen?"

Tong Xuelu, "I met a big sister who is moving here. She would no longer be able to keep her job in the city, so we talked about swapping our positions."

That was the story that Su Xiuying and Tong Xuelu had agreed on. They would not mention anything about her husband or her mother-in-law.

County Yanqing was an hour by bus from the city. It would take a while for word to get there.

"In the city? So you and your siblings will all have to move? Oh right, what kind of a position is it?"

Manager Ma liked Tong Xuelu a lot and was sad to hear that she will be leaving.

Manager Ma was a generous one and had always taken Tong Xuelu under her wing. Tong Xuelu, too, was sad to have to leave. "I swapped for the position as a server at the government-operated restaurant."

Those at the workshop launched into an uproar when they heard that she would be working for the government-operated restaurant.

"How did you do that, Comrade Xiao Tong? Did your adoptive family pull some strings for you?"

"That must be it. Her adoptive parents are high officials. It is a piece of cake for them to switch her to a government-operated restaurant position."

"Aye, that is so lucky. I am so envious of her."

Tong Xuelu explained to them that it had nothing to do with her adoptive parents but, no matter how hard she tried, nobody would believe her. She finally gave up trying.

She then went with Manager Ma to look for the Plant Manager.

The Plant Manager was equally surprised when he found out that Tong Xuelu would be switching jobs. "Are you sure you want to do that? If you stay here, I can at least keep an eye out for the four of you. It would be much harder if you were to move away."

Tong Xuelu nodded. "Thank you, Plant Manager, I have thought about it long and hard. I appreciated all the help from you all this time!"

The upper management at the plant were all very nice people. They had chipped in to help out the Tongs' kids after Tong Dajun and his wife had passed away.

Working at the garment plant was, after all, too tiring. Tong Xuelu didn't want to stay just because the people were nice.

Seeing that her mind was set, Plant Manager Yu didn't say anymore.

The process that followed went smoothly and quickly.

As soon as they were done here, Tong Xuelu went with Su Xiuying over to the government-operated restaurant for the other part of the process.

Unlike those at the garment factory who were sad that Tong Xuelu would be leaving, those at the government-operated restaurant were so happy that they were short of setting off firecrackers when they learned that Su Xiuying would be leaving.

Tan Xiaoyan, in particular, stared at Su Xiuying with her puffy eyes and mocked her. "Sister Xiuying, are you leaving because you can't handle this?"

Su Xiuying pinched her lips shut and said nothing.

Seeing that she had remained silent, Tan Xiaoyan became more arrogant. "I will take that as a yes. Just what I thought! If I were you, I would be too shameful to be seen as well!

"I wouldn't have done what you did. What were you thinking, Sister Xiuying? No matter what Brother Bogen had done, he is still Xiao Qiu's father. How could you be so vicious?"

Blood seemed to have left Su Xiuying's face and she turned pale suddenly.

Tong Xuelu remembered this server. She was the arrogant server with puffy eyes when she came looking for Su Xiuying previously.

She had always referred to Su Xiuying as Sister Xiuying. Tong Xuelu had mistaken that the two of them were close. She hadn't expected her to be such a vitriolic one.

That being said, she had no intention of speaking up for Su Xiuying. Su Xiuying must learn to process and handle it on her own.

The process at the government-operated restaurant was simpler than that at the garment factory. A chef at a government-operated restaurant needed to be certified but there were no requirements to be a server. All they needed was a signature from the manager.

Liu Dongchang, the manager at the restaurant had wanted Su Xiuying gone for a while now. After all, having a "vicious" woman such at her at the restaurant was bad for their reputation.

As such, he signed the paperwork with alacrity when he learned that Su Xiuying would be departing.

Su Xiuying still looked disturbed when they walked out of the restaurant.

Tong Xuelu comforted her softly. "Are you alright, Comrade Su?"

Su Xiuying's tightened her lips some and said, "I've been hearing a lot of those lately. I'm fine. Oh right, where are you going to be staying after you move to the city? Have you found a place yet?"

Tong Xuelu sighed to herself and shook her head. "No, not yet. I paid a visit to the Housing Management Office but the houses for sale were all too expensive. I don't have that much money."

Su Xiuying, "My house will be vacant for the time being. You can stay there temporarily if you have nowhere else to go. You don't even need to pay me rent."

Tong Xuelu waved her hands quickly. "I can't do that! I already got the better part of the deal when it came to our jobs. I must pay you rent!"

Giving her current situation, she would have no choice other than renting from Su Xiuying.

The other Tong family might be able to help her out but she was no longer their daughter and, after the Tong Zhenzhen incident, even if the Tong family didn't say anything, for certain they were not happy about it.

As such, Tong Xuelu did not reach out to them for help.

Tong Xuelu was going to take a car ride back after she had parted with Su Xiuying. She suddenly recalled about repaying Wen Rugui.

After asking Pu Jianyi about Wen Rugui's preference, she was going to make him some food and sent it over to him. But she only found out later that the research center was not in the city at all.

Zhongguang City was a 3 ~ 4-hour car ride from Province Yanqing County. Throwing in the wait time, probably closer to 5 ~ 6 hours.

Tong Xuelu had no idea whether the fish could survive the trip, but she was certain that she would puke her lungs out and die.

Besides, she couldn't possibly take any more time off, so she had no choice but to give up on that idea.

Now that she had switched jobs and had some free time, she thought this would be a good time to send him the gift.

She figured that Wen Rugui's family was probably in the city. She just didn't know when he will be back and where his house was located. It would be best to find out from him first.

Right now, telephones were available at the post offices and each work unit. Tong Xuelu turned and headed toward the post office.

She still remembered the number given to her by Wen Rugui.

Her call was answered by a cold female voice. "Research Center, who are you looking for?"

"Hi, I am looking for Comrade Wen Rugui."

The female paused a little when she heard Tong Xuelu's crisp voice and responded after a slight delay, "Hang on."

5 ~ 6 minutes had passed and still nothing.

Looking at the time, Tong Xuelu was hurting. The cost for calls was 10 cents a minute!

Right when she was debating whether she should hang up and call back, someone finally picked up the phone from the other end.

A warm voice came from the other end. "I'm Wen Rugui."

"Hi Comrade Wen. I am Tong Xuelu."

Wen Rugui's eyelids quivered a little when he heard Tong Xuelu's voice. He looked up and saw the receptionist looking straight at him.

He turned and said in a low voice, "Hi Comrade Tong. Is there something I can do for you?"

Tong Xuelu asked naughtily, "Can I not just call you?"

"…"

Wen Rugui was speechless for a second there. He had never been asked that before. After a pause, he said, "Of course that will be alright."

Hearing the slight paused and picturing his look in her head, the smile on Tong Xuelu deepened.

As the two were not yet too familiar with each other, Tong Xuelu decided to not tease Wen Rugui too much. "You have helped me so much the last couple of times, Comrade Wen. I've learned that Comrade Wen enjoys fish; as such, I'd like to make a dish of fish with pickled cabbage for you as a token of my appreciation. When will be a good time for you?"

Wen Rugui, "You don't need to do that, Comrade Tong. It was nothing."

Tong Xuelu, "I knew you would say that, but Comrade Wen has lent me so much help. If you don't let me do something for you, I will feel bad. Does Comrade Wen really want to see me live a life of guilt?"

Wen Rugui, "…"

Her voice was delicate and soft with a hint of unreconciled feeling. It was difficult for one to turn her down.

Wen Rugui paused a little and said, "I'll be back in the city tomorrow."

Tong Xuelu smiled and said, "That's great. I knew that Comrade Wen is an understanding person! I'll bring the fish over to you tomorrow. Where do you live?"

"In the military compound."

"Okay. It's a date."

"Okay." It's a date.

Wen Rugui put the receiver back down.

An Yuemei, the operator, stared at him, her eyes wide. "Researcher Wen, you are smiling!"

Wen Rugui was taken aback a little when he heard that. Then an uncomfortable look crossed his eyes.

He cleared his throat and returned to his normal nonchalant self. He nodded at the operator before he turned and walked away.

The minute that Wen Rugui was gone, An Yuemei picked up her mug and went over to Human Resources next door for some hot water while sharing her excitement to her colleagues next door.

"Do you know? A girl just called and asked for Researcher Wen! Most importantly, Researcher Wen smiled!"

Having said that, An Yuemei had a lovestruck look on her. Researcher Wen was so cute when he smiled!

"Are you serious? I have been here for years and have never seen Researcher Wen smile!"

"Me neither! But I have never heard that he is seeing someone. You sure it wasn't his mother who called?"

The entire office went silent after that.

The person who said that was baffled when everyone went silent. "Why did you all go silent? Have I said something wrong?"

An Yuemei recollected herself, took a look outside and said in a low voice, "Researcher Wen's mother left the Wen family years ago. Words has it that she has remarried and has other children. Remember to never bring this up in front of him."

"Oh!" The person's mouth dropped open. "Okay, I get it! That's awful. No wonder Comrade Wen doesn't smile at all!"

The few chitchatted a bit more before they disbanded.

Wen Rugui had no idea that the others were talking about him behind his back.

He went back to his laboratory only to walk back out shortly thereafter. He then walked over to the dean's office.

Zhuang Zhenghui, the dean, saw Wen Rugui entering his office, put down his pen, and asked, "Rugui, why are you here? Did you run into some trouble?"

Wen Rgui's hand, resting next to him, clenched a little. His voice was nonchalant as usual. "I would like to take a day off tomorrow, Dean."

Zhuang Zhenghui lifted his brows. "Why do you need a day off all of a sudden? Is everything alright with your grandfather?"

Wen Rugui shook his head. "My grandfather is fine. It's personal."

Zhuang Zhenghui studied Wen Rugui with his sharp eyes. "Okay. We have just completed our project anyway. I'll approve it."

Wen Rugui handed over his request slip.

Zhuang Zhenghui signed the request slip and suddenly said, "You are not young anymore. You should go find yourself a girlfriend."

Wen Rugui, "…"

Zhuang Zhenghui said, "When I was your age, my child was old enough to go buy soy sauce. If you don't know how to get yourself a girlfriend, the organization can help you with that!"

Wen Rugui took the request slip back over and said, "That will not be necessary."

Zhuang Zhenghui lifted his brows. "So you got this?"

Wen Rugui paused a little before he nodded slightly. "Mmm."

"Okay. I'll be waiting for your wedding candies then!"

"…"

Chapter 37- Alrighty. All of them were traitors!

After Tong Xuelu had finished with her call, she did not return home right away. Instead, she went looking for Su Xiuying.

Su Xiuying was packing in the compound. Her plan was to move within the next day or two.

She was a bit surprised when she saw Tong Xuelu returning. "How come you have returned, Comrade Tong?"

Tong Xuelu, "I have a favor to ask."

Su Xiuying said, "Oh, of course. Let's talk about it inside."

Everyone in the compound looked over in surprise when they saw Tong Xuelu.

"Hi Comrade, why are you here again? You are not going to ask us to be witnesses again, are you?"

"Both He Baogen and his mother have been locked up. Why do you need more witnesses?"

Tong Xuelu said, "No, I don't need witnesses. I am just here looking for Comrade Su."

That was when the others let out a sigh of relief.

Some of the women, however, tried to "be nice" to her and said, "Comrade, I don't think you should associate yourself with someone unconscientious. You don't want to turn around and be reported!"

"Exactly. Some people are just ruthless. You should be more careful!"

Su Xiuying bit her lip hard when she heard them and she turned pale.

Tong Xuelu snickered. Her lips curving upward, and she said, "You are right, Aunty. When your daughter is beaten up by her in-law's family, be sure to discourage her from reporting them."

"…"

The middle-aged woman was speechless, and her face turned beet red.

Tong Xuelu ignored them and walked inside. "Just ignore them, Comrade Su."

Su Xiuying's face was pale. "I know. I'll be leaving here soon anyway, and it wouldn't matter what they think of me. Oh right, why did you say you are looking for me again?"

Tong Xuelu, "I am wondering if you will be here tomorrow. I want to make some food for someone as a gift. I will bring the ingredients myself."

Su Xiuying said, "I'll be staying here tonight, and you are welcome to come over any time tomorrow. What is it that you are planning to make? Do you have all the ingredients ready yet?"

Tong Xuelu, "I want to make a pickled cabbage with fish dish and some green bean cakes. I will be able to pick up some green beans from the CSMC on my way back. As for the fish, I'll just have to try my luck."

If she was not able to find any at the CSMC, Tong Xuelu planned to get up early tomorrow and look for it in the black market tomorrow.

She wasn't going to tell that part to Su Xiuying.

Su Xiuying chuckled. "What a coincidence. My grandmother's unit had been fishing the last few days and each family received a few of them. My grandmother had sent a couple over to my mother. I can make a call and have my nephew bring one over if you need."

The fish was for her mother's family, but she had given them a position. They would not object too much giving her a couple of fish.

She had been beaten by He Baogen for seven years and her own family and neighbors all turned a blind eye to it. Nobody would testify on her behalf. If it wasn't for Tong Xuelu, He Baogen just might have beaten her to death one of these days.

Tong Xuelu's eyes lit up. "I do need it. Very much so. Thank you so much, Comrade Su!"

Fish were common during the summer, and she should be able to find one in the black market.

But nothing was set in stone. If Su Xiuying had one available, she could just come over directly tomorrow.

Naturally, she would not just take advantage of Su Xiuying. For certain she would pay her the fair market value for it.

Su Xiuying had green beans as well. As such, Tong Xuelu bought some from her with her money and meal tickets and had her soak them for her first thing in the morning the next day.

Naturally, Su Xiuying refused to take her money. The two were going back and forth with each other when they heard an angry shout coming from the outside––

"Su Xiuying, you get the * out here right now!"

Su Xiuying frowned when she heard the voice. "It's the Hes."

She walked out after she said that.

He Baogen had no brothers, but he had three sisters.

His three sisters and 4 to 5 nephews were standing outside right now.

The large group of them seemed very intimidating.

When they saw Su Xiuying walking out, He Baogen's oldest sister rested her hands on her waist and shouted, "You unconscientious thing. How do you still have the audacity to stay over at our house?"

The second sister chimed in, "That's exactly right. You've already divorced my brother. This house belongs to the Hes. You get out of it right now!"

The third sister nodded. "Not only does the house belong to the Hes, as does everything inside. If you dare to take anything with you, we will report you to the police for stealing!"

Tong Xuelu walked out from the house and said to Su Xiuying, "Don't worry, Comrade Su, if they dare to lay a finger on you, I'll be your witness."

Having said that, she looked up and looked at those in the compound who were standing around waiting for the drama to unfold. "You all have already been a witness once. I shouldn't need to teach you how to do that again, right?"

The people standing inside the yard, "…"

They had never wanted to be witnesses, alright?

The three He sisters' hearts throbbed when they heard that. They exchanged looks with each other and became hesitant.

The oldest sister was the one who finally spoke up, "Hrm, so what if you are going to report us? This house belongs to the Hes. The law is on our side!"

The others, too, chimed in.

Tong Xuelu was a little worried that they would start a fight. And, judging from what was going on, she wondered if renting from Su Xiuying was still a possibility.

It would be bad if the members of the He family would come over from time to time and cause a ruckus. What if they startled Mianmian?

Suddenly, Su Xiuying spoke up, "Yes, this house belongs to the Hes. You are right about that. But the owner of this house is not He Baogen; it's He Xiaoqiu."

Everybody was stunned when they heard that.

Big Sister He was the first to recollect herself. She jumped up and down as she pointed at Su Xiuying and shouted, "Bullshit!"

Second Sister He, "He Xiaoqiu is nothing but a useless girl. Why does she deserve to have the house?"

Third Sister He, "Exactly! Besides, you are already divorced from my brother. Xiaoqiu is no longer a He!"

Tong Xuelu snickered. "If He Xiaoqiu is no longer a He. Then all of you useless He girls who have married out are even less deserving of it."

Three He Useless-Daughters Sisters, "…"

Big Sister He, "This is none of your business! None of your business! This is He family business and you are just an outsider! You stay out of it!"

Second Sister He, "Exactly! Who asked you for your opinion? Another word from you and I am going to tear your mouth up!"

Third Sister He, "Exactly! Another word from you and we will beat you up too!"

The people in the compound, "The captain of the police station is a friend of this comrade's boyfriend. If you beat her up, we will need to go to be witnesses for her again!"

The He's three sisters, "…"

What was with this feeling of their hands being tied?!

Su Xiuying said, "This house is now registered under He Xiaoqiu, my daughter's name. If you don't believe me, you are free to go ask He Baogen in jail. You try anything else, I will send the rest of you to jail also!"

The three He sisters, "…"

Su Xiuying did not look like she was lying plus she had Tong Xuelu there with her. The three sisters talked it over and decided to check with He Baogen first before returning.

Tong Xuelu asked after the gang was gone, "Was it true that the deed had been transferred over?"

She needed to know that for certain if she was to live there.

Su Xiuying nodded. "Yes. In fact, He Baogen was the one who brought it up."

Tong Xuelu's eyes widened. "How was that possible? Don't tell me he had a stroke of conscience."

Su Xiuying sneered, "Of course not. He had a condition. That I cannot change Xiao Qiu's last name."

Oh, that made sense now.

He Baogen's seeds were problematic, and it would be difficult for him to have more children in the future. He Xiaoqiu very well might be his only child in this lifetime.

Now that he had divorced Su Xiuying, he worried that Su Xiuying would remarry and change Xiaoqiu's last name, which was why he offered her the house in exchange.

Su Xiuying went on to explain, "I have no plans to remarry, and it is a bad time to change Xiaoqiu's surname. I have no reason to turn down the house. He owes Xiaoqiu and I this much, so I agreed to his condition."

Tong Xuelu, "You are exactly right. Why wouldn't you want it? Now is not the time to be prideful."

Seeing that Tong Xuelu did not look down on her because of that, Su Xiuying let out a sigh of relief. "You can feel reassured renting this place. Once they figured out the back story, they would not dare to come and fuss over it."

Tong Xuelu nodded. She shoved the money and meal tickets into Su Xiuying's hand, turned, and ran off.

Su Xiuying couldn't help but burst out laughing when she saw how Tong Xuelu had run away.

By the time Tong Xuelu had returned to the compound, the others had alright caught wind that she would be leaving.

Aunty Cai was the one who did not want her to leave the most. "You haven't even been here for that long, Xuelu. Why are you leaving so soon?"

From Aunty Cai's perspective, Tong Xuelu was good tempered, kind, and generous. She would always offer some of the yummy food that she made to her child, and it was comfortable being her next door neighbor.

The others nodded as well. "Exactly. We didn't know about this at all, and it is all so sudden. This is difficult for us too!"

Tong Xuelu put on a look like she didn't want to leave either. "I didn't want to leave you either, but there isn't much that I could say before everything had been finalized. It would be embarrassing if things had fallen through."

Mother Xu said, "Do you have anywhere to stay in the city? Who will be looking after Mianmian for you in the future?"

Tong Xuelu nodded. "I've found a place to stay already. I don't have anyone who can help me look after Mianmian yet. I will talk to my manager later on and see if I can bring her with me to the restaurant."

The government-operated restaurant was only busy during dining hours. There wasn't a lot going on during other times. It was not entirely inconceivable to bring the little bun with her to work.

That being said. Liu Dongchang, the manager of the restaurant, didn't look like someone who was easy-going. She would have to play it by the ear then.

Seeing that Tong Xuelu already had everything planned out, the others chatted a bit more with her and dispersed.

Old Lin's wife stood outside her door and stared at Tong Xuelu with her triangular eyes the entire time. She was so envious of Tong Xuelu that her eyes were beet red.

Nevertheless, she had just returned from her maiden family and dared not provoke Tong Xuelu at this point. She grunted through her nostrils, turned, and walked back inside her house wagging her bottom from side to side.

After dinner, Tong Xuelu told her three siblings about their upcoming move.

Tong Jiaming had known about it in advance and was not surprised when he heard the news again.

Tong Jiaxin's eyes were rounded. "When did you switch your job?"

Tong Xuelu, "Just today. Let your teachers know tomorrow when you go to school. You will not be attending this school anymore. You will be transferred to schools in the city."

The government-operated restaurant gave her 5 days' time.

She would need to move and get Tong Jiaming and Tong Jiaxin into new schools within these five days. The time was quite tight.

Tong Jiaxin looked like he was having a toothache. "Why are you only telling me this now? I don't want to transfer to a different school!"

Tong Xuelu wasn't going to negotiate with him. "That's fine. You can stay behind if you don't want to transfer to a new school. I'll give money and meal tickets to Aunty Cai in a little while and you can sleep on her floor."

Tong Jiaxin, "…"

The bear child was so upset that his lips were poking out. He turned to look at Tong Jiaming, hoping to have some support from him.

Lo and behold, Tong Jiaming said, "I'll start packing tonight."

Tong Jiaxin, "…"

Second Brother was being a traitor! Oh, he's so mad!

Tong Mianmian wrapped her arms around Tong Xuelu's neck and said in her milky voice, "Mianmian will follow Big Sister. Wherever Big Sister goes, Mianmian will follow."

Tong Xuelu's heart softened, and she planted a big kiss on Mianmian's cheek. "Our Mianmian is the cutest."

The little bun smiled so much that her dimples could be seen. She buried her head into Tong Xuelu's neck shyly.

Tong Jiaxin, "…"

Alrighty. All of them were traitors!

Chapter 39 - Uncle Zong turned around and started running madly.

The next day was a Sunday and neither Tong Jiaming nor Tong Jiaxin needed to go to school.

Tong Xuelu handed Tong Mianmian over to them, told them to help out on the packing before she grabbed her military bag and took off with a bag of cooking ingredients.

She was lucky today and a bus heading into the city came by as soon as she arrived at the bus station. She hurried up and hopped onto it.

Su Xiuying was already waiting for her when Tong Xuelu arrived at the compound.

"You have arrived, Comrade Tong. I've soaked the green beans for 6 hours. They should be pretty soft by now."

Tong Xuelu appreciated her help. "Thank you, Sister Xiuying. Oh right, you don't need to refer to me as Comrade anymore, Sister Xiuying. You can just call me Xuelu."

Su Xiuying smiled and said, "Alright, I'll just refer to you as Xuelu going forward."

Having said that, Tong Xuelu wasted no more time before she started on her tasks.

She had worried that it would be difficult to get her hands on a fish but now it looked like she would be able to send the dishes over by noon.

That would work out well; they could eat it for lunch.

She skinned and drained the green beans before she placed them on a steamer to be cooked. Once they were cooked, she pulled them out and mashed them into paste form.

She sprinkled the white sugar that she had purchased the day before on top of it and added in water and glutinous rice. Once combined, she turned them into small balls. Sadly, she had no molds. She could make them even prettier otherwise.

Once they had been shaped, she returned them to the steamer to finish cooking.

She made a total of 5 steamers worth of green bean cakes. With the exception of giving them to Wen Rugui and Su Xiuying for their help, she planned to bring the remaining ones back with her to the compound and give them to the others, thanking them for all their help all this time.

The freshly made green bean cakes had the refreshing smell of green beans and were yellowish orange in color. They were small and cute.

She pulled two out and handed one over to Su Xiuying. "Try one, Sister Xiuying. Tell me what you think of them."

Su Xiuying did not turn her down. She bit into one. It was fluffy and soft, gooey and fragrant. It was so good that she almost wanted to swallow her own tongue with it.

"Xuelu, your cooking is amazing. These green bean cakes taste better than the ones at the government-operated restaurant!"

Tong Xuelu smiled and said, "I feel better now that I've heard you say that. I've made a lot of them. Bring some back with you for Xiaoqiu."

Su Xiuying quickly shook her hands. "No, no, no. You've put so much flour and white sugar in them. I can't possibly take them from you."

Her parents had passed, and she had to raise her siblings all on her own. Su Xiuying did not feel comfortable taking anything from Tong Xuelu.

Tong Xuelu, "Don't be so polite with me, Sister Xiuying. I wouldn't know how much time it would take me to do this had you not gotten me the fish."

Su Xiuying also wanted to bring something tasty for her daughter. She thought about it some and said, "Okay, I'll accept your green bean cake, but don't pay me for the fish."

Tong Xuelu wasn't going to fight her over that. Her plan was to leave the money in the house on her way out.

Then she started on the pickled cabbage with fish.

The fish given to her by Su Xiuying was grass carp. The perfect fish for pickled cabbage with fish.

Tong Xuelu scaled and deboned the fish and fileted it before placing them into a tub. She added in an egg, ginger, green onion, and marinated it with salt for 15 minutes.

While the fish marinated, Tong Xuelu rinsed the pickled cabbage and sliced them up into stripes.

When the marination was done, Tong Xuelu heated up the wok, added in oil, and started frying the spices in high heat.

The essence of pickled cabbage and fish was the spice. It was instantly aromatic after the spices had been added to the wok.

The smell permeated the entire compound and it smelled so good that the kids next door were crying for it.

Her series of actions stunned everyone in the compound.

Su Xiuying, in particular, was in awe. "Xuelu, your cooking skill is amazing. I think you can totally be a chef at the restaurant!"

That being said, it was no easy feat to become a chef at a government-operated restaurant.

Nevermind about getting the certification, the bigger problem was being held back by the current chef.

Tong Xuelu smiled. "My cooking skill is nothing. It doesn't remotely measure up to the chefs at the government-operated restaurant."

Her goal was to eat good food at the government-operated restaurant, not to cook for others!

As such, it had never crossed her mind to replace the chefs.

With all the people inside the compound, Su Xiuying did not want to pursue the subject. She didn't want word to get out and get Tong Xuelu into trouble.

Tong Xuelu placed the pickled cabbage and fish onto a plate, covered it up, and planned to take the bus with it in her hand.

The idea of riding public transportation with a plateful of fish made Tong Xuelu sigh to herself. For the 1001 time, she missed modern transportations.

Luckily, there were buses that would take her directly to the military compound and it would only take her about 30 minutes or so.

Su Xiuying helped her carry her stuff to the bus station and only went home after Tong Xuelu had boarded the bus.

She was really lucky today and didn't need to wait for the bus both times. In addition, there weren't a lot of people in the car, so she looked for a spot and sat down.

Neither the ticketing person nor the driver felt that it was odd for Tong Xuelu to board the bus carrying a tub with her. Back in these days, passengers were free to bring chicken or ducks onto the bus, let alone a tub.

The problem was that the content of the tub smelled so good!

The driver gulped and asked, "Big little sister, what's inside the tub that you are carrying?"

Tong Xuelu smiled and said, "Pickled cabbage and fish. I'm a server at the government-operated restaurant and had picked up a thing or two from the chefs there. You should come and visit the government-operated restaurant when you have time. I'm sure you will enjoy the food there!"

Upon hearing that she was a server at the government-operated restaurant, the driver and the ticketing person were much less haughty instantly.

The driver chuckled. "Oh, I see. I venture to say that your cooking is quite good judging from that smell, Big little sister!"

Tong Xuelu took the opportunity to slip in her request. "Mr. Driver, look, I am carrying this tub with fish inside. Do you think you can slow down a little? I worry that the juice will spill out."

The driver, "Oh, that won't be a problem at all!"

With that promise, the rest of the trip was very smooth.

Tong Xuelu thanked the driver profusely when she got off the bus.

She was stopped again by an orderly after a 10-minute walk.

"Who are you looking for? What's that you are carrying in your hand?"

Tong Xuelu removed the cover and showed the contents to him. "It's pickled cabbage fish. I am here looking for Comrade Wen Rugui . Do you think you may be able to give him a call so he can meet me here?"

The orderly was made very hungry by the smell from the pickled cabbage fish. He gave Tong Xuelu a look, nodded, and went to place the call.

Wen Rugui returned by taking a red-eye bus the night before.

Old Mr. Wen was so shocked when he saw Wen Rugui the night before that his goatee stuck up into the air. He looked Wen Rugui up and down and only felt relieved when he realized that Wen Rugui was not hurt in any way.

Wen Rugui woke up early this morning and, as he had no idea what time Tong Xuelu would be coming over, he dared not leave the house.

He got up early and bathed and washed his hair. Then he cleaned his room.

His actions completely baffled Old Mr. Wen and Uncle Zong.

He thought Tong Xuelu wouldn't be there until the afternoon but, lo and behold, he received the call from the guard before noon.

Wen Rugui immediately put his shoes on and dashed out after he hung up on the phone.

As soon as he was gone, Old Mr. Wen popped his head out from Lao Jiang's place and bossed Uncle Zong around. "Xiao Zong, follow him quickly and find out what's going on with that kid!"

Uncle Zong quickly said, "Yes, Commander. I'll get right on it!"

Old Mr. Wen added, "Be careful and don't let him find out that you are tailing him. You will get a swift kick to your butt if he finds out!"

"Don't worry, Commander. I'll be very careful!"

As such, the elderly Uncle Zong followed behind Wen Rugui stealthily like a thief.

Wen Rugui ran most of the way and only stopped when he could finally saw Tong Xuelu from afar.

He put on a very nonchalant look as he slowly walked over to her.

His voice was nonchalant and not giving away any of his emotions. "Hi, Comrade Tong."

Tong Xuelu curved her red lips and smiled at him brightly. "Hi, Comrade Wen."

Wen Rugui glanced past her seductive red mole under her eye and his eyelashes quivered once. "I thought Comrade Tong said that you will not be here until the afternoon. How come you came so much earlier?"

Tong Xuelu looked into his eyes and said, "Because I couldn't wait to see you, of course!"

"…"

Wen Rugui lost count of how many times his eyelashes quivered.

Quivering with his eyelashes was his heart inside his left chest.

THROB! THROB! THROB! It was throbbing in his chest.

The sun casting down on him and the entire tips of his ears were red.

Uncle Zong, some 5 meters away, poked his head out from behind a large tree. When he saw Tong Xuelu standing next to Wen Rugui, his face, base of his ears, and his neck all turned beet red.

He was so excited that both of his hands were shaking. Young Grass! Young Grass was here! He must go and tell the Commander!

Uncle Zong turned around and started running madly.

Uncle Zong ran so hard that one could almost see his after image.

He thought he would die from it.

When he saw Old Mr. Wen at the front of the house, he didn't even take the time to straighten his breath before he heaved and said, "Commander, it is Young, Young…"

"Aye, Xiao Zhong, you are not a spring chick anymore. You have got to be more careful. What happened to make you run like this?"

Lao Jiang, next door to them, who was squatting down loosening up the soil for his mulberry tree, looked up and chimed in.

On the other hand, Old Mr. Wen's eyes widened when he heard the word "Young".

He had been very sensitive to this phrase recently. To a point that he would immediately think of "Grass" when he heard the word "Young". His eyes rolled and he knew immediately what Uncle Zong was about to say.

He quickly interrupted Uncle Zong, "I had Xiao Zong went look for some young grass for me. He must have found it and was so excited that he could even talk straight."

"…"

Old Jiang looked at Old Mr. Wen, then over at Uncle Zong. He felt very speechless.

"C'mon, Lao Wen, there are so many plants you can grow, why would you want to grow grass? And to fill your whole house with them. What's so good about grass?"

Old Mr. Wen snorted through his nose and said, "They are nice and green. That's not something that someone as uncultured as you will understand."

Having said that, he waved for Uncle Zong to follow him into the house.

After they had walked inside the house, Old Mr. Wen was no longer as calm as he was earlier. He asked anxiously, "Hurry up and tell me, were you going to say Young Grass?"

Uncle Zong had already caught his breath and nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Miss Young Grass is here! She is talking to Rugui at the front entrance!"

Old Mr. Wen was so excited that he was shaking. "You sure you see it clearly? It is for certain the same girl we saw last time?"

Uncle Zong nodded like someone who was smashing up garlic. "Commander, I am old, but my eyes are fine. I saw clearly with both eyes that she was the girl from before. She was carrying a lot of stuff in her hands. I just am not sure whether they were for Rugui."

Old Mr. Wen gave him a contemptuous look. "Didn't you say your sight is going last time? Now you are able to see clearly?"

Uncle Zong, "…"

Old Mr. Wen was not in the mood to banter with him right now. His eyes were so bright that they could be flashlights. "I knew something was up with that brat. He was home before it was the holidays and he got up early this morning to bathe and wash his hair. It was like…" he wanted to appear attractive!

Chapter 40 - If his grandson was too useless, then he would just have her be his adopted granddaughter.

"Xiao Zong, you go over there right now and have Rugui invite the girl over to our place!"

Uncle Zong was surprised, "Don't you want to go in person, Commander?"

Old Mr. Wen said resentfully, "You really need to use your brain sometimes. If I go there in person, what would others say about the girl if they see us? What if the girl isn't interested in Rugui? I'd be doing her a disservice then."

Uncle Zong was enlightened. "Oh, I see, Commander. That was why you interrupted what I was saying earlier."

Old Mr. Wen pushed his lips out a little. "Of course. Lao Jiang has loose lips. If he finds out, then everyone at the compound will find out. Oh right, you keep using Young Grass going forward. Don't slip!"

Young Grass was a great alias. Even if they slipped up somewhere outside of the house, people would just think they were talking about his green grass.

He was so smart!

Uncle Zong nodded. "I'll go right now. But Commander, what if the girl didn't wish to visit?"

Old Mr. Wen, "How are you so stupid? Of course you can't force her if she is unwilling. You'd respect her wishes! Now hurry up and go!"

This being the first time Rugui had shown interest in a girl, of course they would need to coddle her. Where would he find the next one if they had scared this one away?

Uncle Zong nodded, dashed out of the house, and launched into a mad run again.

At the front entrance.

Wen Rugui's ears turned red visibly after Tong Xuelu had said what she said.

She almost couldn't help but bust out laughing when she saw that.

This Wen Rugui was so innocent still.

Tong Xuelu had seen too many oily men in her previous life and hadn't seen an innocent one like this in a very long time.

Looking at his slightly pink ears, Tong Xuelu pretended to be surprised and asked, "Comrade Wen, what happened to your ears?"

"…"

Wen Rugui cleared his throat and said uncomfortably, "The sun was beating down too hard."

Having said that, he turned the other direction so Tong Xuelu couldn't see his ear. Nevertheless, when he turned, she could now see his other ear.

Tong Xuelu, "Aiya, your left ear is red too. I guess the sun really doesn't agree with you."

Wen Rugui, "…"

Now his ears were not the only part that was red on him. Even his cheeks started to burn visibly.

Oh boy, this man was way too innocent!

Tong Xuelu blinked her almond eyes, cocked her head, and asked, "Comrade Wen, I have a couple questions for you."

Wen Rugui, "Go ahead, Comrade Tong."

Tong Xuelu, "Are you married, Comrade Wen?"

Wen Rugui hadn't expected that to be her question. He paused a little, shook his head, and said, "No."

"Are you seeing anyone then?"

"No."

Tong Xuelu's red lips curved and there were fragments of lights in her eyes. "What a coincidence. Me neither."

Wen Rugui felt his heart throb violently, "… Indeed it is."

Tong Xuelu pouted and put on a very aggrieved look, "I came all this way to bring you yummy food. My arms are tired. Why haven't you taken them from me yet?"

Wen Rugui finally recollected himself and quickly took the stuff from her.

Noticing that they were somewhat heavy, he felt a little regretful. How did he not notice that sooner?

The corners of Tong Xuelu's lips curved upward, "Thank you, Comrade Wen. You are so nice!"

Wen Rugui's heart skipped a beat and now his pink cheeks turned beet red.

Looking at his pink cheeks, Tong Xuelu's stomach almost hurt from holding back her laughter. "Comrade Pu said you can't handle too much spice, so I didn't use too many peppers. Other than the fish, I've made some green bean cakes as well."

Wen Rugui's black eyes were beaming. "Thank you so much! I like green bean cakes as well."

Tong Xuelu smiled and said, "I'm glad you like them. So my trip coming all the way here from Yanqing County this morning wasn't wasted. I worried that the fish would get cold if I was to bring it all the way from Yanqing County, so I prepared it at my friend's place. It took me hours to make."

She was not one to hide all the efforts that she had put into something. It was vital to let the recipients know how much work she had put into it.

Wen Rugui was even more regretful. Why didn't he think about that when she called him yesterday?

She didn't live in the city. It must be a hassle for her to make him food.

Before he could even say anything, Uncle Zong arrived.

"Rugui, she's a friend of yours?" Uncle Zong didn't dare to run during the middle stretch; as such, he was not panting right now.

Wen Rugui frowned almost unnoticeably. "Mmm."

Didn't his grandfather and Uncle Zong go fishing?

How was he here right now?

Uncle Zong pretended that he did not notice Wen Rugui's expression. Clearing his throat, he said, "If she's your friend, you should invite her over to our place. Why are you standing here?"

Tong Xuelu lifted her brows and looked baffled, "This one is…?"

Wen Rugui, "This is Uncle Zong. He was an orderly in the military and he's here keeping my grandfather company after he was discharged."

Orderly in military and company.

Tong Xuelu blinked and instantly had it all figured out.

Wen Rugui's grandfather was no ordinary person.

Uncle Zong, displaying 8 teeth of his, had on him a kind smile. "Hi female comrade. How are you doing? The sun is beating down so hard right now. Why don't you come over to our place and have a glass of water?"

Tong Xuelu shook her head, "No, it's alright. I have somewhere else that I need to be. Maybe next time."

This was not like her time. Men and women would not casually go over to each other's places. Once they do, they would be at the point of betrothal.

Besides, she really had somewhere to go.

Uncle Zong looked disappointed when he heard that. "Oh, alright. Then you must pay us a visit when you have some more free time next time."

Wen Rugui hadn't expected Uncle Zong to assume the role of the host as soon as he had arrived. Frowning a little, he handed the stuff in his hands over, "Uncle Zong, this is the food that Comrade Tong has brought with her. Why don't you take them home for me first?"

Oh my, what a kind, pretty, and virtuous girl!

Uncle Zong smiled so much that his face resembled a flower. "Sure, sure. Thank you, female comrade. You sure you don't want to come over for a little bit?"

Tong Xuelu found the old man in front of her very funny. She shook her head again and said, "No, not this time. Maybe next time."

"Yes, yes. There will be more opportunities in the future."

Uncle Zong took Old Mr. Wen's words to heart. He dared not force the girl at all.

Under Wen Rugui's "intense stare", he walked away with the food while turning around frequently as he left.

That longing look on him. Had he been more age appropriate, others might think that he was Tong Xuelu's boyfriend.

Tong Xuelu busted out laughing from Uncle Zong's behavior.

Wen Rugui blinked. "You mentioned earlier that you have somewhere else to be. Do you need help with anything?"

Tong Xuelu shook her head, "No, but there is something that I want to tell you. I've switched jobs. In the past, I worked at a garment factory in Yanqing County. I have recently exchanged my job with someone else, and now I work at the government-operated restaurant in the city, over in the southern part of town."

Wen Rugui's lips curved upward. "Congratulations. That's a good job over at the government-operated restaurant."

As he said that, he was calculating the time it would take to go from the military compound to the southern part of town in his head.

The sun was getting stronger, and Tong Xuelu was about to retreat. "Comrade Wen, you should hurry up and have your lunch. I shouldn't keep you any longer."

Wen Rugui wanted to say that she wasn't keeping him but Tong Xuelu had already said goodbye to him.

"Bye, Comrade Wen."

The bright sun was casting down on her and her eyes looked as lively as a deer.

Wen Rugui pinched his lips shut. "Bye, Comrade Tong."

Tong Xuelu smiled, turned around, and left.

Wen Rugui looked at her from behind and, all the way until she disappeared around the corner, she had never once looked back.

He felt…. An odd emptiness inside of him.

The orderly finally walked back out after he saw that Tong Xuelu was gone. Smiling, he asked, "Is that female comrade your girlfriend?"

Wen Rugui frowned a little. "No, she's a distant relative. Don't you go spreading rumors around."

The orderly nodded quickly. "Don't worry. I have tight lips."

Wen Rugui ignored him, turned, and headed in the direction of his house.

Recalling the aroma earlier that could grip one's heart, Wen Rugui's pace hastened.

As soon as he walked inside the yard, a domineering aroma came from inside the house. His heart shook and he hurried up inside the house.

As soon as he had entered the house, he saw Old Mr. Wen chowing down on the pickled cabbage and fish. As he ate, he even said, "Xiao Zong. This is so delicious! I have never had fish this tender in my entire life!"

"Lao Jiang's cooking was nothing but dog poop when compared to this girl's cooking!

"Xiao Zong, you had quite a few already. I don't think you should have more."

"Yes, Commander."

Uncle Zong put down his chopsticks reluctantly. This was the first time he had a hint of resentment toward his Commander.

The pickled cabbage and fish was too delicious. The fish was so tender. And, along with the red peppers, the sour and spicy taste was unrivaled.

He had never had fish this delicious in his entire life. How could Commander be so stingy?

When Wen Rugui walked over, he said with displeasure in his voice, "Grandpa, why didn't you wait for me before you started?"

Old Mr. Wen rolled his eyes. "I'm already 70 years old and I can't be starved. So what if I started without you. Are you asking a 70-year-old man to wait for you to come home before he can eat his lunch? How unconscientious of you!"

Wen Rugui, "…."

I didn't see you saying that you are 70 years old when you pretended to be ill and snacked.

Old Mr. Wen hrumped again. "Besides, you ate the fish that Lao Jiang made for me last time and I ate the fish made by Miss Young Grass this time. That's called tit for tat."

Wen Rugui, "…"

Wen Rugui felt the urge to cuss for the very first time in his life. What bull crap tit for tat?!

Nevertheless, this was no time for bantering. If he didn't hurry up and start soon, Old Mr. Wen would polish off the pickled cabbage and fish.

Wen Rugui quickly sat down, picked up his chopsticks, and trawled the plate. All he got was pickled cabbage. He tried again. Still only pickled cabbage.

He was worried. Was there no fish left?

Not wanting to believe that was the case, he tried one more time. All there was left on the large plate was a few strands of pickled cabbage and some hot peppers.

"Grandpa, you didn't even leave me with one piece?"

A hint of guilt crossed Old Mr. Wen's eyes, but just a hint.

"Is it all gone? Oh, Xiao Zong must have eaten them all."

Uncle Zong, who ate a total of three bites, "…"

Sad and speechless, Wen Rugui said, "Grandpa, the doctor had said that you shouldn't be having anything spicy."

Old Mr. Wen waved his hand. "My health is fine. Besides, this girl is so thoughtful. She put barely any hot pepper in, knowing that I can't have anything spicy."

Wen Rugui, "…"

She wasn't thoughtful because of you.

After an entire bowl of rice, Old Mr. Wen finally couldn't eat anymore. "You can have the rest of the pickled cabbage."

Wen Rugui, "…"

Why thank you so much.

Leading back into his chair, Old Mr. Wen had a very contented look on him. "That fish filet was so amazing. It was so smooth in my mouth. I consider myself half a taotie but, all these years of having fish, none of them was as good as what I've had today!"

Wen Rugui, "…"

Grandpa, did you do that purposefully or purposefully or purposefully?

Old Mr. Wen asked, "Rugui, Xiao Zong told me that the girl's surname is Tong. Which Tong [character] is it? Which family is she from? How did you two meet?"

Wen Rugui remained silent as he quietly ate the pickled cabbage.

His dull look annoyed Old Mr. Wen. "Fine, don't tell me anything. But I am going to tell you right now. She's pretty and a good cook. You better watch out. If she is not interested in you, I am going to have her be my adopted granddaughter!"

He would not let a girl who could cook so well benefit another family.

If his grandson was too useless, then he would just have her be his adopted granddaughter.

Wen Rugui, "…"