With the Zhao family’s assistance, Xu Xia didn’t have to wait long at the school to complete her younger brother’s transfer procedures, moving him to Jiangcheng Family Compound Affiliated Middle School.
As they left the school, Xu Xia asked her brother to thank Zhao Hui, “Zhao Er Ge, we owe the Zhao family a favor this time. We’ll remember it. If you ever need anything in the future, just say the word.”
“Anything?” Zhao Hui asked.
Xu Xia tried to read something from the man’s expression, but Zhao Hui was too experienced and steady, concealing his emotions perfectly. She could only smile and respond, “Within our capabilities, we’ll certainly do our best to repay you.”
Zhao Hui said he’d remember that.
While pondering the meaning behind Zhao Hui’s words, Xu Xia led him to the guesthouse.
“You’ve worked hard accompanying me all this way. Let me pay for this,” Xu Xia said, taking out money, but Zhao Hui had already paid. She had no choice but to offer to treat him to a meal.
Although Xu Xia had money, she didn’t have many food stamps. When she brought Zhao Hui to the state-owned restaurant, she realized she couldn’t order much. Just as she was wondering what to do, Zhao Hui had already ordered three dishes and paid the bill.
“Let’s eat first. I’m hungry,” Zhao Hui said, eating heartily and not giving Xu Xia a chance to be polite.
Having been busy all day, Xu Xia was also hungry. After serving her brother some food, she thought that Zhao Hui probably wanted to repay their kindness. Still, he was quite generous and didn’t hesitate to spend money. She couldn’t help but wonder how much his monthly salary was.
At the regiment commander level, it should be quite substantial, enough for a family to live comfortably.
After the meal, Zhao Hui escorted Xu Xia and her brother to the Xu residence before returning to the guesthouse.
When he arrived at the guesthouse, he encountered Xu Chun.
“Zhao… Zhao Er Ge,” Xu Chun said after much thought, feeling that Xu Xia’s confidence stemmed entirely from the Zhao family’s support. Although Zhao Hui hadn’t spoken much today, his mere presence made her and her mother instinctively feel intimidated, not daring to argue much with Xu Xia.
She always felt that no matter what schemes she tried in front of Zhao Hui, this man would see right through them.
Zhao Hui: “Is there something?”
“It’s like this. There are actually many misunderstandings about what happened in our family today, and it can’t be explained in just a few words. I came here to clarify things, hoping you won’t misunderstand,” Xu Chun said gently, looking at Zhao Hui. She wanted to know what the current relationship was between Xu Xia and the Zhao family. “When you and Xu Xia get married, we’ll be relatives. Relatives should get along well, don’t you think?”
“Who said I’m going to marry Xu Xia?” Zhao Hui narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Isn’t Xu Xia going to Jiangcheng to marry you?” Xu Chun pretended to be surprised, widening her eyes. “Otherwise, why would you accompany her back? Or do you… know…”
She deliberately paused, waiting for Zhao Hui to respond so she could continue with her next line, thinking her tactics were flawless and wouldn’t be suspected.
Zhao Hui examined the woman before him. Her probing tone was too fake, and her petty schemes were obvious at a glance. Indeed, Xu Xia hadn’t been wrong—the Xu family’s eldest branch hadn’t treated the siblings well.
“This is between Xu Xia and me. If you’re here to sow discord or stir up trouble, I suggest you give up on that idea. I heard your husband is also in the military. I wonder which unit he’s in? Perhaps I know someone from his unit?” Before Zhao Hui could finish, he saw Xu Chun’s smile freeze. He didn’t bother to hide his sarcasm. “I have eyes. I can judge people for myself. There’s no need for you to come here specifically to tattle.”
Xu Chun’s face was extremely grim. She hadn’t expected Zhao Hui to speak so bluntly, even resorting to threats.
She couldn’t understand what charm Xu Xia possessed that after just a few days at the Zhao residence, Zhao Hui would speak up for her so vehemently?
Apart from being pretty, Xu Chun couldn’t think of any other virtues Xu Xia had.
Watching Zhao Hui enter the guesthouse, Xu Chun took a deep breath. She had come with good intentions to warn him that Xu Xia was no good. Since Zhao Hui wouldn’t appreciate her concern, he’d have only himself to blame for the troubles ahead when they really got married!
Meanwhile, just after Xu Xia returned home, her neighbor came over saying their son was getting married and they happened to need an extra room. They asked how much Xu Xia planned to sell it for.
With limited funds herself, Xu Xia naturally wanted as much money as possible, and quickly too—she couldn’t take too much time off work.
She brought her younger brother along to the neighbor’s house. “Logically speaking, my room faces the sun with excellent lighting, so it could fetch five hundred yuan. However, since I’ve already found work in Jiangcheng and can’t stay here indefinitely, and considering we’re neighbors, I’m willing to knock off fifty yuan. What do you think?”
The Li family exchanged glances, and finally Li Lao Tou spoke with difficulty, “Xu Xia, you need the money urgently, but we can’t come up with that much on such short notice. Could you make it a bit cheaper—how about three hundred fifty? If you agree, I’ll gather the money for you tomorrow.”
Xu Xia’s target price was four hundred; she had deliberately quoted five hundred. The Li family was trying to drive down the price knowing she was in a hurry to sell.
She first sighed, then said with apparent difficulty, “Uncle Li, three hundred fifty is too low. With that money, I can’t even buy a room in Jiangcheng—where would my brother and I live then? I’ve already given you a discount. If it really doesn’t work, you could rent it instead—just pay the same monthly rent I’d pay in Jiangcheng.”
The Li family didn’t want to rent because the prospective bride had stated she’d marry only if they had a room solely for the young couple—no bride price, no “three major items” required.
For this single room, the Li family had been searching high and low without finding anything suitable. Now that this opportunity had fallen into their laps, they didn’t want to miss it. Besides, with the Xu family next door, if their son moved in and they opened a door in the wall, they’d still be living together.
If their son lived elsewhere, wouldn’t that be like splitting up the family?
Xu Xia was open to either renting or selling, but selling was preferable to avoid future complications. Moreover, whenever her aunt saw this room, it would irritate her—just thinking about it gave Xu Xia satisfaction.
“Can you make it a little cheaper? You know our family’s situation—your Brother Qiu is thirty and has finally found a wife, and the girl only wants one room. Xu Xia, we all know you’re a good girl. We’ve been neighbors for so many years—if you could be a bit more flexible, it would benefit us both.” Li Lao Tou began appealing to her emotions.
Hearing this, Xu Fengshou couldn’t help glancing at his sister. He remembered how Li Lao Tou used to say his sister was shrewish and would have trouble finding a husband—why was he praising her now?
Xu Xia found it amusing too—how people’s attitudes could change instantly for their own interests.
She sighed heavily again. “Alright, considering our many years as neighbors, I’ll take off another twenty. I really can’t go any lower.”
“Is four hundred twenty too expensive?” Li Lao Tou still wanted it cheaper.
Xu Xia, however, was pulling her younger brother to leave. “I really can’t go any lower. As I said, it’s not that I’m demanding so much, but I need this money to settle down in Jiangcheng. Without enough money, how will my brother and I get by? And I’m taking risks too, don’t you agree?”
Buying and selling houses was difficult these days. Without a property certificate, transactions couldn’t be done openly, or else if reported, one could even lose their job.
Li Lao Tou looked at his wife, gritted his teeth, and said, “Four hundred, final offer. How about it?”
Four hundred had reached Xu Xia’s psychological price, but the Li family’s hesitation had made her expend more effort. She could tell they still had room to maneuver. “Four hundred twenty. I’m making a concession here; it really can’t go any lower. If you agree, bring me the money tomorrow. If not, I’ll go to the neighborhood committee to find someone to rent the house.”
With that, she took her brother’s hand to leave. Just as she expected, as soon as they reached the door, Li Lao Tou hurried after them.
“Young lady, you’re too hasty to leave. I haven’t finished talking with you yet. Four hundred twenty it is, then. We have a deal. I’ll bring you the money tomorrow afternoon, and you wait to put your thumbprint on it.” His son’s marriage was the top priority. Li Lao Tou didn’t dare delay any further, fearing the wedding would fall through and his son would blame him for life. He had no choice but to grit his teeth and agree.
“Uncle Li, you’re truly a straightforward person. I’ll wait for you at home tomorrow. In the meantime, I wish Brother Qiu a happy marriage and hope you’ll soon be blessed with grandchildren.” Xu Xia hadn’t expected to resolve the housing matter so quickly and returned home cheerfully.
It was already quite late. Seeing the light still on in her grandmother’s room, Xu Xia knew she was waiting for them. She told her brother to go to bed first and then went to her grandmother’s room.
As soon as she entered, Xu Xia apologized, “Grandma, you’re not angry with me, are you?”
Wang Xiufang seemed to have aged several years in a single day. Her eyes red, she took her granddaughter’s hand. “You’re my dear, the apple of my eye. How could I be angry with you?”
She blamed herself more than anything.
Her younger son had entrusted his two children to her, yet she had let them suffer. The family had been thrown into such turmoil—it was her failure as an elder to properly guide the younger generation.
“Grandma,” Xu Xia choked back a sob.
“Don’t cry. You have a job now and can support yourself. You’re an adult, no longer a child.” Wang Xiufang held her granddaughter’s hand tightly. “Let me tell you seriously: tears should only be shed when they serve a purpose. Don’t cry carelessly—it hurts your eyes. Only cry if tears can solve the problem.”
“Grandma, come to Jiangcheng with me. I can support you now. My workplace said that after three months, I’ll become a permanent employee. I’ll have money.” Xu Xia couldn’t bear to leave her grandmother.
Wang Xiufang smiled comfortingly. “Silly child, this time it was your aunt and Jian She who were in the wrong. But if I go with you, how will your uncle and cousin face others?”
They were all her descendants, and she had to consider everyone. Knowing her younger granddaughter could live well put her mind at ease. “Don’t be sad. On your wedding day, I’ll definitely come to Jiangcheng. By the way, the one who came today was your Childhood Sweetheart, wasn’t he? He’s quite handsome. When will you two marry?”
“Grandma, it’s possible we might not get married.”
“What?!”
Xu Xia carefully recounted her visit to the Zhao family, omitting the unpleasant details, and concluded, “He doesn’t like being forced, and I understand that. I’m in no hurry anyway. I have a job now, and once I become a permanent employee, plenty of young men will be chasing after me.”
Thinking of Zhao Hui’s tall and sturdy appearance, Wang Xiufang felt it was a pity, but her granddaughter was right—as long as the girl had a stable job, finding a good partner wouldn’t be difficult. “When you start looking for someone, remember to write to me. Don’t settle for anyone mediocre. Marriage is like a second chance at life…”
The elderly woman hadn’t seen her granddaughter in a long time and chattered on with various reminders. Finally, the two settled down to sleep. At the break of dawn the next day, the old lady quietly got up to make Xu Xia’s favorite egg flower soup.
Just as Xu Xia woke up, a steaming bowl of egg flower soup awaited her by the bed. Warmth flooded her heart—she was determined to ensure her grandmother would live a comfortable life!
After breakfast, Xu Xia and her younger brother packed their belongings. In the afternoon, the Li family arrived with the money and contract.
While Xu Xia signed the document and pressed her thumbprint, Tian Mei was locked inside the room by Xu Dazhong.
“If you dare cause a scene outside, we’re done,” Xu Dazhong declared, pulling a chair to block the door.
Tian Mei opened her mouth several times but, knowing he was serious, didn’t dare confront him directly. She anxiously peered out the window, hoping her daughter would come quickly to rescue her.
But even after the Li family left, her daughter never appeared. Tian Mei sobbed quietly, pounding the bed and muttering, “Everything I did was for the children! Do you really think I’m heartless? Xu Dazhong, let’s see how you’ll manage to arrange marriages for our two sons in the future!”
“However incapable I may be, I won’t stoop to dishonorable deeds!” Xu Dazhong, too ashamed to face his niece and nephew, remained seated.
Meanwhile, Xu Xia, now with the money, planned to deposit it in the bank. As the siblings stepped out, they encountered Zhao Hui.
“Good thing you’re here. I’d be terrified carrying so much cash alone,” Xu Xia couldn’t help but smile. Having money was wonderful—she dreaded the hardships of poverty.
Seeing Xu Xia beaming like a flower, Zhao Hui asked puzzledly, “Is it really that thrilling?”
“Of course! You’ve probably never experienced the struggles of being penniless, have you? Let me tell you…” Before Xu Xia could finish, someone called her name. Glancing around, she recognized her high school classmate.
“Xu Xia, could we talk in private?” The boy’s cheeks were flushed, sweat beading at his temples. His fair complexion gave him a refined, scholarly air.
Stealing a glance at Zhao Hui, Xu Xia’s mind whirred with thoughts. She curved her lips into a smile and agreed.
As Xu Xia walked a short distance with the boy, Zhao Hui’s dark eyes shifted. “Who is he?” he asked.
Xu Fengshou, an honest child who never lied, replied, “That’s Brother Xiao Liang. He likes my sister.”