Chapter 154 (First Update)
Luo Yan sat in the park for a while before heading to school.
When she arrived at the classroom, she heard everyone seemingly having a heated discussion. After sitting down, she nudged the student in front of her and asked, "Ji Ning, what are you talking about?"
Ji Ning turned around excitedly: "The ball is set, it'll be in the rehearsal hall next month on the winter solstice."
It seems that Teacher Zhou's strong opposition did not have much effect. Luo Yan nodded knowingly, thinking: They are all in their early twenties. The school is usually strict. Everyone must be excited when this kind of thing is mentioned.
She asked, "So, are you going to sign up?"
Ji Ning was a little embarrassed: "I... I need to find a dance partner first."
Perhaps dancing is a very simple thing, but Luo Yan felt that if there wasn't something between the man and woman, they probably wouldn't sign up at this time.
She took the book out of her bag without asking who she wanted to go with.
Ji Ning didn't say anything, just smiled subtly, her gaze unreadable, seemingly looking out the window or somewhere else.
Luo Yan wasn't without curiosity; she simply respected everyone's little secrets and didn't try to find out which direction it was going. However, the whispers of her classmates behind her drifted into her ears word for word.
Student A: "Holding hands and putting their arms around each other's waists, would an ordinary student do that? Isn't that just offering a job to Teacher Zhou?"
Student B: "It didn't say it had to be a boy and a girl, so let's go together."
...
As Luo Yan listened to the conversation, she thought to herself: There doesn't seem to be any rule that ballroom dancing can only be done by men and women together, but perhaps because this activity has been given a lot of ambiguous connotations, her first thought when it comes to it is to dance with Zhou Weifang.
Holding hands is one thing, but putting your arm around my waist...
Luo Yan fanned her face with both hands, and quickly tried to distract herself when she saw the teacher come in.
After finishing her two-hour class, she packed her bag and headed out. As she passed the bulletin board, she glanced at it and noticed that the "Teachers Zhou" hadn't given up on boycotting the dance party. Their protest articles were all quite eloquent.
Luo Yan was engrossed in reading the novel, and when she realized that she would be late for school if she didn't go eat soon, she hurriedly left, completely unaware that someone was staring at her.
She sat down to eat at the car dealership and shared with her brother, "There's going to be a dance party for the Winter Solstice, but it won't be outdoors; it'll be in the large rehearsal hall."
Luo Hong was only surprised by one thing: "Your school has a rehearsal hall?"
Luo Yan: "I've heard about it, but I've never been there."
She only went back and forth between these two places all day, and those places weren't for classes, so how would she know?
The answer was hardly surprising. Luo Hong shook his head with a half-smile: "Eat up, good student. You need to eat more to have the energy to study."
When you ask him to say it, it sounds like a derogatory term.
Luo Yan: "Do you think being a good student is easy?!"
Luo Hong: "Don't label me without reason. I've always felt that studying is the most difficult thing."
"Good to know," Luo Yan snorted heavily, throwing her braid, which was hanging in front of her, behind her.
When Luo Hong saw her braids, he remembered something: "It's getting cold, you should get them cut."
Drying hair becomes a real hassle in winter.
Luo Yan only goes to the barbershop once a year, and said, "Then I'll go on Saturday afternoon, and help out when I get my hair cut."
The auspicious day chosen by my parents is this Sunday; the old almanac says it's suitable for moving.
However, it's definitely impossible to move all the stuff from this house that we've lived in for over twenty years in just one day; we'll have to start packing a day in advance.
When asked what help she needed, Luo Hong replied, "I'll have lunch with my classmates and then play with them for a while. You're too skinny to be of any use."
Luo Yan: "Isn't eating together as a class just playing together? What else is there to play?"
She is very enthusiastic about group activities and never misses one.
Luo Hong recently seized every opportunity to say to her, "Yes, it only counts as having fun when you're with someone."
What "someone"? Who is "someone"?
Luo Yan pretended not to know, but said, "He said he would go over to help."
Luo Hong suddenly remembered when he was working in the countryside in northern Shaanxi and said, "If this were in the countryside, he would have to come to our house to harvest rice every year."
Luo Yan wasn't completely ignorant: "They only go because they're engaged, and we..."
"And what do you mean, 'and what'? Luo Hong: 'Don't even think about it if you haven't graduated yet.'"
Even though he's a childhood friend, he has his bottom line: "At the very least, he has to own a decent house."
Luo Yan's eyes darted around: "You have to talk to him about that. It's not like I'm the one going to earn the money."
Luo Hong tapped his finger on the table, saying, "I'm warning you not to do something foolish like others."
There are always plenty of silly girls.
Luo Yan retorted, "Where am I stupid?"
She had a very convincing logic: "I live in the best room at home, so I'll definitely want even better conditions when I get married, otherwise how can I face you and Mom and Dad?"
There was nothing to be ashamed of or sorry for. Luo Hong stayed in the windowless room entirely of his own volition, but he was very pleased that his sister thought this way, saying, "That's exactly the point."
Luo Yan raised an eyebrow: "Are you still calling me stupid now?"
Okay, okay, Luo Hong admitted his mistake and poured the remaining pieces of meat into her bowl: "It's all yours."
Luo Yan didn't share the pears with Kong Rong; she ate them all until she was so full she could barely walk, and paced back and forth in the shop.
But the space was too small, and she had to turn around after taking only five steps forward. She couldn't move around much, so she decided to go to school early and try to digest her food on the playground.
The wind on the playground was so strong that it almost blew her braids apart, so she had to hide in the classroom.
She was the first one to arrive, and she could walk around the room while memorizing vocabulary, glancing at the door every now and then to see if anyone was coming—not because she was embarrassed to study when there were many people, but because she was afraid that her timidity and tendency to be easily startled would frighten others.
As I was watching, several male students rushed in through the front door.
They had probably just finished playing basketball; they sat down, drinking water and talking loudly.
Suddenly the sound lowered, becoming so quiet it was as if no one was there.
Luo Yan sensed something was amiss and glanced in the direction of the boys. One of them was being secretly nudged by other classmates. He mustered all his courage and asked, "Luo Yan, I saw you looking at the announcement for the dance this afternoon. Do you want to participate?"
Luo Yan shook her head slightly: "I'm not participating, I'm just curious."
The boy was probably embarrassed, so he just said "Oh, I see" and that was it.
Luo Yan let out a soft sigh of relief.
Admittedly, she had a lot of experience in refusing others, but she always felt a little uneasy after saying it. Fortunately, class time came soon and the classroom gradually filled up.
This is a large lecture, attended by two classes from the entire major together.
Luo Yan found a lot of peace in this lively atmosphere, but she still left immediately after school.
There were customers in the car repair shop, and Luo Hong was patching a tire. When he saw his sister come in, he told her, "Go across the street and buy a pancake. I'm hungry."
"What?!" Luo Yan wasn't unwilling to run errands, but she found it strange because her brother usually wouldn't ask her to run around outside at this time.
But because of the tacit understanding between the siblings over the years, she not only bought the cakes, but also deliberately lingered for a while, only returning to the shop after seeing the customer leave from afar.
While eating his pancake, Luo Hong explained to his sister, "This guy gets his tires repaired three times a week. I can tell whether he did it himself or bumped into one on the street."
What treasures could his shop possibly have that would warrant such a fuss? It's obvious without even thinking.
Luo Yan also found out and told her brother what had happened a few hours earlier.
Liking things and having different preferences is just human nature.
Luo Hong didn't care, but assumed the worst of people, saying, "Come over after school these days, don't be alone at school."
Luo Yan never argues with her brother about these things, because she herself is the most safety-conscious person.
She nodded to indicate that she understood, took a bite of her biscuit, and asked, "Are we going home now?"
"I'll pack up."
Luo Hong carried the bicycles that were parked in front of the shop inside, locked the door, and then led his sister home.
Huang Laishun has become increasingly lively and cheerful these past two days, jumping over even before the door is open.
Luo Hongmen pushed the puppy away, and three of the family members cried out, "Oh dear, little snack!"
Huang Laishun, on the other hand, was full of energy and seemed to be playing a game, scratching at the door with his claws, looking completely unharmed.
Luo Yan walked past it and went inside to get her clothes.
She washed her hair that evening and sat in the kitchen by the stove to dry it after returning from the bathhouse.
The parents were watching TV, and from Liu Yinfeng's angle, she could see her daughter's long hair hanging down: "Yanyan, shouldn't you cut some of it?"
Luo Yan said loudly, "I'll go after lunch on Saturday."
Liu Yinfeng didn't say anything more, only asking, "Are you eating right at the school gate?"
It's inconvenient for a whole class to go anywhere in a large group.
Luo Yan nodded and said, "The shops near the school gate are the most economical."
Although the students all have scholarships, the prices in Beijing are much higher than elsewhere. Even if they eat in the cafeteria every day, after buying study materials and daily necessities, there is not much left.
Considering that everyone's family situation is different, the per capita standard for such gatherings must not be too high.
Liu Yinfeng hadn't given her daughter much money lately, so she asked her, "Do you have any money left?"
Since starting university, Luo Yan has received a ten-yuan subsidy every month. However, she actually spends very little on her own for daily needs; otherwise, how could she have come up with eight hundred yuan when buying a house in her hometown?
She said, "Yes, I still have eight dollars left from this month's ten dollars."
If one spends less, it's naturally because the other spends more.
Liu Yinfeng turned to look at Huang Laishun's son, who was teasing him: "Your dad and I will take care of paying back the money. You can eat and drink as you please."
Luo Hong now gives his family 100 yuan a month, and he still has 50 yuan left in his pocket. If he manages his money properly, it can support a family of four, let alone just the two of them, brother and sister.
He said, "I haven't had any food or drink either, but your daughter is living a comfortable life."
Luo Yan declared confidently, "I just want to eat and drink to my heart's content."
Afraid of not being "savage" enough, he stretched out his hand and said, "Give me five dollars."
Luo Hong: "You guys each pay 50 cents for your meals, but I charge 5 yuan. Does your brother's money grow on trees?"
If he were to say that, Luo Yan would admit: "I am Da Feng."
When she "snatched" money from her brother's pocket, she didn't find any change, so she could only "reluctantly" put ten yuan in her pocket: "I'll just have to make do with this."
Luo Hong was furious and flicked her forehead: "You've made me feel so wronged."
Luo Yancai felt no resentment and happily returned to her room.
Perhaps fearing her brother wouldn't be angry enough, she emphasized after breakfast on Saturday, "I'm going to have a big feast!"
Luo Hong was helping to tidy up at home today. Pointing to the door, he said, "Hurry up and leave, or I'll beat you up."
Luo Yan still has four classes in the morning, and after exchanging a few words with her brother, she has to leave.
She opened the door and took a few steps outside before turning back and saying, "Zhou Weifang is here."
So early, that's quite diligent.
The remaining three people looked at each other, then turned their gazes to the guests.
Zhou Weifang had been a regular at the Luo family's house since childhood and was very familiar with the two elders. But even so, he was walking on thin ice, greeting them with a touch of restraint.
"That's kind of funny," Luo Yan said, smiling at him. "Have you had breakfast?"
Zhou Weifang: "I've already eaten."
Oh, then...
Luo Yan glanced back at everyone present, clenched her fist, and encouraged them: "Do a good job, everyone. I'm leaving now."
As she passed Zhou Weifang, she gave him a meaningful look and whispered, "Keep it up."
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Zhou Weifang could only say seriously, "Ride your bike slowly."
Since he was there to work, as soon as everyone else left, he rolled up his sleeves and asked, "Auntie, where do I start?"
Since he was already there, Liu Yinfeng didn't stand on ceremony and said, "Let's move things out one by one, starting with the dining table."
Zhou Weifang carried the front, and Luo Hong carried the back; the two walked and talked.
One person asked, "Isn't the store busy today?"
One person answered, "I'd come even if the business were closed for a day."
Luo Hong didn't say anything about not coming, because everyone knows that understanding and not getting points deducted are two different things.
He said, "I just didn't expect you to be here so early."
Zhou Weifang: "The goods were delivered at five o'clock. I came right after I finished setting them up."
He knew which courtyard the Luo family had moved to, and as they approached, he asked, "Is the door locked?"
Luo Hong: "Just kick it away, but be careful, Huang Laishun is inside."
Since we had to move things around the house, we decided to bring it here first.
He was told to kick and be careful, so Zhou Weifang didn't dare to use too much force and could only pry the door open a little with his knee.
Huang Laishun had been waiting by the door, but when he realized that the person who came in was a stranger, he quickly hid in a corner.
"This cowardly dog," Luo Hong said to it, "have some backbone, will you?"
Huang Laishun only came out after hearing this sound, and sniffed the "newcomer's" feet.
Zhou Weifang was afraid of stepping on it, so he walked very carefully. The two of them put the sofa in the yard first, then went back to the old house to move it down, leaving the door slightly ajar.
They spent the entire morning running back and forth, but they only managed to clear out all the odds and ends in the living room, leaving them exhausted and panting heavily as they sat on the floor.
Seeing this, Liu Yinfeng said, "Dad, it's almost lunchtime. Go and buy some good dishes."
Luo Xinmin has difficulty moving his hands and feet, so he can't be of much help when it comes to lifting and carrying things.
He usually does light work, and now, carrying a basket in one hand, he says, "Okay, move the boxes out of the house to use as a table."
Liu Yinfeng was also quite strong, and she pushed it out with all her might.
Zhou Weifang couldn't just sit and watch, so he helped his childhood friend stand up and said, "Auntie, let me do it."
Liu Yinfeng: "No need, no need, you should rest for a while."
The more people said not to do it, the more determined Zhou Weifang became, as if he wanted to have the words "I'm very energetic" engraved on his forehead.
This child, Liu Yinfeng said to him: "Auntie is not the kind of person who is polite. Why should I be polite when I ask you to? If I tell you to rest, then you should rest."
Zhou Weifang quickly replied, "That's right, that's right, feel free to order me around."
Alright, he's the most attentive one.
Luo Hong tugged at him: "Calm down, we have a lot of work to do this afternoon."
Zhou Weifang sat down on the ground and quietly massaged his legs.
Luo Hong didn't call him out, but he brought it up intentionally or unintentionally: "If I had known, I wouldn't have reimbursed Luo Yan for five yuan. She didn't lift a finger and just enjoyed herself."
Liu Yinfeng chimed in, "You spoil her, don't you? Would you really let her suffer like this?"
Luo Hong would never normally say anything about being reluctant to part with someone, as it would only give him goosebumps, but today his words carried a hidden meaning: "Are you really willing to part with her? I think this girl is destined to enjoy a life of luxury."
Zhou Weifang knew that the mother and son were talking to him, so he didn't dare to be negligent: "That's for sure, someone will help her in the future."
Whether it's the future or not, who can say for sure what will happen in a few decades?
Judging from his current attitude, Liu Yinfeng thought it was passable.
As the three were talking, Luo Xinmin carried a basket into the courtyard.
Everyone made do with a simple lunch, took a short breather, and continued moving.
Many neighbors came to help in the afternoon, making things much easier.
After Luo Yan finished lunch and got her haircut, she returned home to find that she wanted to help her brother and the others, but was "disliked."
Luo Hong: "Go stay somewhere else."
Zhou Weifang: "It's alright, just be careful not to bump into anything."
But Liu Yinfeng had chores to assign to her daughter, and whispered, "Go buy some cooked food first, lots of meat, even if you weigh ten or eight pounds, it's fine. When you come back, go get four hot and two cold dishes."
Since they would definitely need to invite someone to stay for dinner, Luo Yan took the money and lunchbox and headed out.
Zhou Weifang could only glance at her for a moment before losing sight of her. Looking around, he didn't exert any force with his hands, and instead pressed his weight onto Luo Hong.
Luo Hong said irritably, "Get back to reality!"
Zhou Weifang weighed the box in his hand and said as he walked, "This box is quite heavy."
Luo Hong: "It's all Luo Yan's books, how could it not sink?"
With such a huge box of books, it would take forever to finish reading them. Zhou Weifang hadn't even had time to flip through the two books he had just received, thinking: "They probably won't ask me about my progress today."
He said, "This is the weight of knowledge."
Luo Hong cursed him for talking nonsense, and kicked him as soon as he had a spare moment.
As Luo Xinmin was tidying up his new home, he noticed something strangely familiar about the scene. It took him a while to realize: his two children usually fought like this.
The difference is that Zhou Weifang is now more cautious and can only lock his childhood friend's neck as a form of retaliation after he is discharged from the hospital.
You kick me, I'll punch you.
The two exchanged blows, and when they reached the gate of the old house, Luo Hong taunted, "Keep fighting."
Zhou Weifang gave him the middle finger: "You just wait."
Luo Hong shrugged helplessly and walked inside first.
Seeing that it was almost time, Liu Yinfeng sent her son away: "Go with Sanfang to the street to borrow tables and chairs, and bring two baskets of beer and a few bottles of soda. We'll eat at the old house tonight."
These days, when people hold events, they often borrow tables, chairs, and benches from the neighborhood.
Luo Hong and Zhou Weifang had just set up the table in the living room when Luo Yan returned as ordered.
As soon as her younger sister put her things down, she was about to leave when Luo Hong called out to her, "Where are you going? Why are you in such a hurry?"
Luo Yan replied, "Go stay somewhere else."
He left right after saying that, without even looking at his partner.
This girl is incredibly vengeful. Luo Hong couldn't help but say, "Just you wait, if you offend her even once in the future, you won't have a good time for half a year."
This kind of future seemed wonderful to Zhou Weifang, and he even laughed out loud when he heard it.
Luo Hong thought to himself that these people who were dating were obsessed, and gave him a complicated expression: "They're seriously ill."
He added, "Stop grinning like an idiot, let's go buy some wine."
By the end of the day, no one was spinning around like a top more than the two of them.
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Author's Note: I'm going to buy something. I'll write the second update when I get back. [kissing emoji]
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