Chapter 153 One Hundred and Five Three: Keeping His Word
There was very little Luo Yan could do regarding the new home.
The only two things she did were clean the house and offer advice when accompanying her mother shopping.
The rest, such as haggling, arguing with the workers, and getting construction permits for electrical wiring, which require connections and favors, were all left with the result of getting things done in her hands.
So much so that when her parents mentioned picking an auspicious day for moving the next day at breakfast, she exclaimed in surprise, "We can move already?"
Liu Yinfeng: "It's only at the end of the month, so we have to choose a good day."
Luo Yan knew even less about the traditional Chinese almanac. She pinched a little filling out of the bun and gave it to Huang Laishun, asking, "Can we pick one for Sunday?"
Liu Yinfeng: "Definitely, the whole family has to be there."
Luo Yan felt it was a bit difficult and said, "It's okay, I can also ask for leave."
When did this child ask for leave?
Liu Yinfeng: "We need to ventilate first, no rush."
Luo Yan glanced at her brother: "I'm worried, he snores at night."
The siblings' current room has only a thin wooden board between them, so there's no soundproofing. But when they renovated their new home, their parents thought that since the children were all grown up, even if they moved out after getting married, the young couple might come back together. So they specially built a wall in the middle.
Luo Hong pinched his nose: "I snore less often than you talk in your sleep."
Luo Yan herself was unaware of this, but it is said that she did have this problem since childhood, and would mumble incoherently while sleeping.
In the past, when the "Destroy the Four Olds" campaign was underway, Liu Yinfeng would at most call out the souls of the girls in the living room in the courtyard. But now, many things have become more particular. She said, "This time, let's properly worship the Goddess of the Bedside. She'll surely bless us."
Luo Yan remembered: "I heard that only children who can't sleep well at night worship this."
"Hey," Luo Hong interjected, "doesn't that count as one?"
Luo Yan declared firmly, "I'm twenty-one!"
Luo Hong: "I'm still twenty-four, you're the older one."
In your early twenties, what's so old about that?
Thinking about it carefully, it's really a good time. Liu Yinfeng looked at her hands inexplicably and said, "Yanyan will be late if we don't leave soon."
Luo Yan punched her brother before skipping away. Luo Hong had to do some work at the new house in the morning, and only went to open the shop with the food his mother had made when it was almost lunchtime.
Luo Yan can eat as soon as she gets home from school and shares fun things that happened at school with her brother: "New limericks have been posted on the bulletin board, it's so noisy."
Is it really worth making such a fuss over a dance party?
Luo Hong: "Didn't you go before, but you didn't cast a vote in favor?"
There used to be four dance halls in the city, but they were only open to overseas Chinese and foreign guests. Last year, the restrictions were gradually lifted. After the college entrance examination, Luo Yan asked her brother to take her to one of them to see what it was like.
But the place was for ballroom dancing, and the lighting was extremely dim, creating an atmosphere of ambiguity. The brother and sister felt itchy all over after sitting there for two minutes and immediately fled.
Luo Yan gets goosebumps just thinking about it now, touching her arm: "I was just curious, I wanted to go because I'd never seen anything like it before."
Luo Hong sneered: "Your curiosity is worth ten yuan."
A ticket costs five yuan per person, and that price applies for just a few minutes inside.
Luo Yan smiled guiltily, her eyes darting around, and changed the subject: "It's gotten colder again today, aren't you cold wearing so little?"
In early November, Beijing already had a hint of winter in the air. She even took out her scarf the day before yesterday to wash and air it out, making ample preparations.
Luo Hong knew this too, and said, "I thought everyone was like you."
This person won't listen to anything, good or bad.
Luo Yan snorted twice to express her dissatisfaction, then turned around and looked at her brother who was staring at the main road outside with a half-smile.
Zhou Weifang raised the lunchbox in his hand higher and said, "Looks like I'm late."
He brought enough for three people, which seemed like too much when it was laid out.
Luo Hong was quite blunt, saying, "It won't spoil if I leave it, I can heat it up and eat it tonight."
My sister always felt that there was an indescribable taste in the reheated food, and she always forced herself to eat it. On the other hand, he could at least reheat his New Year's Eve dinner until the third day of the Lunar New Year before he couldn't eat it anymore.
Seeing his initiative, Luo Yan smiled and said, "I'll bring you an extra steamed bun to eat with some vegetables."
It's cheap, there's only one.
Luo Hong ignored her and moved his little stool to the doorway to eat and bask in the sun.
The sun was quite nice at midday, unlike inside the shop where it was chilly.
Zhou Weifang asked, "Do you want to sunbathe and warm up?"
Luo Yan shook her head slightly and asked him, "What brings you here today?"
Zhou Weifang: "I went to Yuanmingyuan to take care of some things this morning. I thought it would take a while, but it was actually quite quick."
Why did you run so far? Luo Yan: "What's wrong?"
Zhou Weifang: "They're going to rebuild it, right? All the people living there have to move out, and all the trees and grass that were planted there have to be moved. There's a small walnut grove, and Old Chen wants some trees, so he asked me to go and ask around."
Old Chen was the supplier of walnuts to his shop. He was an honest and simple person, and he was afraid that he hadn't negotiated well, so he specifically mentioned it when he delivered the walnuts.
Relocate? Luo Yan clicked her tongue: "That would be a huge undertaking."
This historically renowned royal garden has long been in ruins. Apart from a few small factories, there are still several thousand people living there. Most of the land has been converted into farmland, with people raising pigs, chickens, and ducks. It's not something that can be moved away just like that.
When Zhou Weifang was a child, he often swam in Fuhai Lake and collected bird eggs in the reeds. He said, "A small part has been restored now, and the work is in full swing, but it certainly won't be that fast. It will take at least ten or eight years."
Ten or eight years felt like a lifetime to Luo Yan, who was just over twenty. She clicked her tongue and asked, "Did they agree to sell the trees?"
Zhou Weifang raised an eyebrow: "How could I possibly fail to reach an agreement?"
He was really impressive, but Luo Yan thought so too, saying, "I guessed so."
Looking into the adoring eyes of his beloved, Zhou Weifang was so overjoyed that he was completely lost in thought.
Luo Yan wanted to talk to him about something serious, but he didn't respond when she called him twice. She pressed her fingernail against the back of his hand and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Zhou Weifang snapped out of his daze: "What? What?"
"This is the question I asked you."
Zhou Weifang lowered his voice and said, "I think you look very beautiful today."
I knew she wouldn't say anything serious. Luo Yan was already used to being bombarded with sweet talk, so she said, "I'm asking if you're done yet."
Zhou Weifang: "I'll personally go and keep an eye on it this afternoon; it'll definitely be fine."
He was just too busy recently and couldn't do everything himself, which is why his master made so many mistakes.
He seemed to be gritting his teeth, so Luo Yan reminded him, "Talk to people nicely, just argue, don't resort to violence."
Zhou Weifang obediently agreed, but his attitude towards the door installer in the afternoon was quite different.
That's just how the world is; being civilized and polite can sometimes bring more trouble.
He lost tens of dollars in revenue for every day he missed a day of business, and he was completely fed up with these people. He saw a wooden stick next to him, picked it up with both hands, and broke it in two with a push of his knee. He tapped it on the counter intermittently, saying, "It has to be done today, understand, master?"
The master dared not say he didn't understand, thinking: "He looks like a local thug, so forget it, I can't afford to mess with him."
He finished his work quickly and left, without spending much time at all.
The task, which could have been done neatly and efficiently, had to be reworked so much that Zhou Weifang was almost driven to despair.
If it were someone with his old temper, he would definitely have gotten into a fight.
But he wasn't so impulsive now, partly because he was thinking of Luo Yan, and partly because... he chickened out.
After all, his business is doing well now, a decent size business. If he gets convicted for fighting, all his hard work will be wasted, and he might even end up homeless.
No wonder he always thought adults were timid when he was little; it turns out that's how it is when people grow up.
Zhou Weifang considered it a very good insight and wrote a letter specifically to "Luo Hong".
Zheng Sanmei was also a remarkable person.
She knew exactly what was going on, but every time she came, she would say, "Auntie, I left Luo Hong's letter here."
Liu Yinfeng naturally pretended not to know anything, and simply grabbed a handful of peanuts from the table: "Come on, sit down and eat, I just bought these today."
Li Hongyu is currently most interested in Huang Laishun. She wriggles to get down from her mother's arms and squats down to stare at him.
Huang Laishun quietly took two steps back and lay down next to his master.
This coward is beyond words.
Liu Yinfeng criticized it: "How can I expect you to guard my house in the future?"
Zheng Sanmei sat halfway in the chair and casually asked, "When are you moving? I'll have Jianjun come over and lend a hand."
A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative, and it would be criticized if anyone didn't come on such an important day. Liu Yinfeng didn't refuse: "I'll definitely tell you when the time comes."
The two chatted for a while, then went to cook their own meals.
As soon as Liu Yinfeng entered the kitchen, Huang Laishun, ever observant, followed her, wandering around hoping to snag something to eat.
This little dog is quite cunning.
Liu Yinfeng spoke to it in human language: "I know, I know. I'll give you a bite when it's cooked, but if you go outside to play, you'll get burned again."
Huang Laishun wasn't stupid; he knew the coal stove was hot and knew to avoid it as he ran around.
Liu Yinfeng found it amusing, but muttered to herself, "We still have to use gas. It lights up so easily, so convenient."
As she spoke of this, she looked outside and saw her husband stepping into the house.
Luo Xinmin knew she was anxious, so he said first, "It's done."
He took out his gas meter from his pocket: "It was such a hassle, almost as much as buying baby formula back in the day."
Liu Yinfeng looked at the small booklet from side to side: "Oh, I haven't touched this kind of supply booklet for a few days, and I think it's quite nice."
In previous years, by this time every household would start preparing for the Lunar New Year, and the amount of food, clothing, and other necessities would be determined by various ration coupons. This year, it seems that all of that has been cancelled.
Luo Xinmin knew his wife too well and said, "You'll be annoyed when we run out of supplies."
Anyway, Liu Yinfeng is happy now. She stirs the food in the pot a couple of times and says, "I wonder when we'll be able to get a gas pipe installed."
In Beijing, some areas now have piped electricity to households. The Shijingshan district was one of the first to have this service, thanks to the steel mills. In the city center, after the coking plant was built, pipes were installed along Changjie Street, allowing residents on both sides to enjoy this convenience early on, with unlimited usage.
Unlike gas bills, which have a fixed amount for each year.
Although Liu Yinfeng hadn't used it yet, she had been in charge of the household for many years and naturally knew the costs. She said, "We still need to buy a truckload of coal later, and the stove needs to keep burning."
Unloading coal is a big job, and it takes a whole day every year.
Luo Xinmin thought to himself, "Let's move some small items over first, like ants moving house."
After the couple finished their plan and had dinner, they took Huang Laishun to see their new home, pointing to the corner and saying, "See your nest?"
Huang Laishun didn't know what a "nest" was, but he dug around in the yard and left a small pit.
Liu Yinfeng also praised it: "You did a good job. You should be just as enthusiastic when it's time to plant vegetables."
If you have a yard, you'll definitely want to grow vegetables.
Luo Xinmin warned the puppy in advance: "Don't pee everywhere, or the seedlings will get burned."
The couple treated the puppy like a child, constantly scolding it, but Huang Laishun ignored them all and happily jumped around on its own.
Looking at it, Liu Yinfeng sighed, "Doesn't it look like my son when he was little?"
They both can't understand human speech.
Luo Xinmin defended his son: "It's good that he's grown up. He seems quite clever to me."
Sure enough, as soon as he mentioned it, Huang Laishun rubbed against his leg and spun around, as if it knew someone was praising it.
Liu Yinfeng feigned anger: "You've been fawning over me all day, but it turns out you've just been flattering me."
Luo Xinmin also coaxed her, "We're like strangers who smell better when we're close, right? Isn't that a good thing?"
Huang Laishun let out two howls and followed them on their inspection of the new territory before returning home.
The dog would sit beside the couple while they watched TV, as if it understood what they were watching.
Especially when someone comes home, all three pairs of eyes look towards the door.
The brother and sister who pushed open the door were stunned, not knowing what was going on. Everyone looked at them and laughed nonstop.
Luo Yan recovered, hung up her bag, dusted herself off, saw a letter on the dresser, put it in her hand and went into the room, then took out her clothes to take a shower.
She waited until she finished showering before lying on the bed to slowly read it. After reading it, she thought: The opening is on Friday, so I can't go.
My sister is busy, but Luo Hong is available.
He went out early Friday morning to join the crowd, and while there weren't many people around, he chatted with his childhood friend: "Your business is truly amazing."
Zhou Weifang didn't mince words with him: "Why does that sound so sour?"
Why are you so perceptive? Luo Hong: "Just because you're successful doesn't mean I can't be envious?"
Zhou Weifang put his arm around his shoulder like a good brother: "We're like brothers. If you want to expand your store but lack capital, you can take whatever I have in my pocket."
Luo Hong, of course, had his own plans. He revealed to him, "I've been trying to build connections lately. I'm looking for a place at the school to use as a warehouse. Otherwise, with my small storefront, it'll be difficult to do big business."
He's naturally good at interpersonal relationships. Zhou Weifang said, "I see you're quite familiar with the people in the security department."
Luo Hong: "Who do I not know well?"
He then spread his hands confidently and said, "If I don't leave now, I'll lose another dollar today."
If Zhou Weifang hadn't been so familiar with him, he would have thought that Zhou Weifang wanted to take that one yuan from him.
But Zhou Weifang understood what he meant, so he gave him the best bag of fruit he had picked out that morning and said, "I originally thought you and Yanyan didn't look alike, but the way you reached out your hand just now made you look very much alike."
Something doesn't sound right to this. Luo Hong: "You think it won't work?"
Zhou Weifang: "I think it's really good."
Accepting things with grace is sometimes a hundred times harder than giving them, but the Luo siblings happen to have this quality. Perhaps in their eyes, giving is perfectly normal.
For some reason, Luo Hong found it a bit cheesy, and rubbed the goosebumps on his hands: "Save those words for Luo Yan, I'm leaving."
As soon as the person left, Zhou Weifang turned around and went back to work.
He didn't stop moving all morning, thinking: if he can't find this clerk soon, all his dates will be ruined.
Perhaps God heard this heartfelt wish, because someone came for an interview that afternoon.
Zhou Weifang chatted with the person for a few minutes and felt that it was a good match, so they made a decision in just a few words—but you have to start working to see if it's suitable or not, and you have to try it out to know if it's a good fit.
But no matter how many employees there are in the store, he has to handle all matters related to money himself. Every day, once the door is closed, he keeps calculating with the abacus. Not only does he get confused by addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, but he also has to transfer goods between each store.
As a result, the coming and going of the tents became an even more chaotic mess.
Zhou Weifang, like a headless fly, finally realized that he was nothing more than a novice in the accounting field, having taken a semester of classes and read a few thin books.
Clearly, people still need to learn more.
He said this a few days later when he finally had time to go on a date.
It was Tuesday, and Luo Yan had lunch with him. After lunch, the two sat on a bench in a secluded spot in the park and chatted.
Zhou Weifang complained bitterly: "I would rather move 10,000 jin of fruit than open these account books."
Luo Yan suggested, "Then how about finding an experienced accountant?"
Zhou Weifang had considered it, but shook his head: "When it comes to money, I can't find anyone I can trust right now."
With the opening of these three shops and the income from the car dealership, he was making nearly three thousand yuan a month. There are only a handful of people with ten thousand yuan on the whole street. It's not that he thinks too badly of people, but money really does tempt people.
Luo Yan thought so too, but then smiled and said, "Perfect, I have two books that are very suitable for you to read."
Why does she look so gloating? Zhou Weifang pinched her cheek: "Is this just in time, or was it prepared for me a long time ago?"
Luo Yan smiled even more broadly: "I bought this especially for you, it's a gift~"
"That's quite a generous gift," Zhou Weifang said. "The way you put it, I feel even more proud of it."
Luo Yan felt that encouraging others to read was a very good thing. After convincing herself, she pursed her lips and said, "I can ask for some other rewards after I finish reading."
Other? Zhou Weifang's gaze fell on her.
Luo Yan felt as if she were surrounded by something, realizing for the first time that vision existed in all directions, and her eyes unconsciously drooped downwards.
She only moved slightly, and Zhou Weifang thought she was so cute.
He asked, "Is any kind of reward acceptable?"
What was he planning to do? Luo Yan was getting a little nervous.
She placed both hands on the stool she was sitting on, nodded, and looked at him, waiting for him to continue, so focused that it was as if he were the only person in front of her.
Zhou Weifang: "I'm very greedy."
With all this build-up, Luo Yan's heart was pounding. She secretly pinched her fingers, thinking: If... if it's really "too much," I... I...
Before she could even finish stammering in her mind, Zhou Weifang continued, "Can you just keep looking at me like this for the rest of your life?"
Huh? Luo Yan's mind was already filled with the stories written in those strange books her brother had secretly hidden under the bed. She never expected such a turn of events, but for some reason, her heart was beating even faster.
She said, "That is indeed greedy, for a lifetime."
Zhou Weifang: "Yanyan, we're supposed to keep our word, aren't we?"
He was speaking in a reasonable manner, yet he spoke with great sincerity.
Luo Yan said gently, "I mean what I say, provided that you only have me in your heart."
Zhou Weifang held her hand and placed it on his chest: "It danced for you."
Luo Yan couldn't tell whose heart was pounding for a moment, and the two of them looked at each other.
Despite the approaching winter weather, it felt like springtime.
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Author's note: Good night!
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