After getting off work, Xia Liang went to her room to draw. After thinking for a long time, she finally decided to go back with her brother. After all, she was not a professional designer, and people might not understand what she drew. Even if they could understand it, they might not be able to build it. It would be better to communicate face to face.
In the morning, Xia Liang first went to the factory to ask for leave. After returning home, she packed her things with her mother and brother and went back to her hometown. When they got home, they found that Xia's father was not home. He must have gone to work. Xia's mother asked her and her brother to clean the house while she went to the kitchen to cook. Although Xia's father was honest and kind, he was like most men of this era. He didn't know how to do housework. Although he could cook, he could only cook for himself.
In the afternoon, Mr. Xia returned home. Seeing his wife and children at home, he excitedly ran in and asked how Mrs. Xia was feeling. Mrs. Xia repeated what the doctor had said to her husband. Mr. Xia said with a face full of guilt, "It's all my fault for being useless and not being able to give you a good life." But what had he really done wrong? In this era of communal dining, you could only eat as much as you worked. Although both he and his wife were hardworking and capable, they could barely fill their stomachs. It was impossible for them to do any business. Even when Mr. Xia helped others make furniture, he had to do it secretly, under the guise of helping relatives, and dared not do it openly.
Xia Liang said to her father, "Dad, I'm planning to buy the house we live in now. Otherwise, it's not reassuring to live in a house that isn't our own." Xia Dahe said in surprise, "You don't have that much money?" Xia Liang said, "Don't worry, I've already prepared the money." Before coming here, the brother and sister had already discussed it and decided not to build the house yet. They were still in a special period and couldn't be too conspicuous. They were just ordinary workers who had been working for less than a year. If they built a big brick house, anyone with eyes could tell that the house wasn't properly built. If someone got jealous and reported them, they would be in deep trouble. So, the brother and sister decided to buy the house instead of building it.
After dinner, Xia's father brought his son and daughter to the village chief's house. Xia Liang placed the Daqianmen cigarettes, biscuits, and candies she had prepared beforehand on the table. Xia Youshun said with a displeased expression, "Xia Liang, what are you doing?" Xia Liang said, "Second Grandfather, we've come to talk to you about the house. It's like this, we can't build a house anytime soon, and the land the village lent us is just sitting idle anyway. How about we just sell it to us? What do you think?" Xia Youshun said, "If you want to buy a house, what are you doing with these things? In your eyes, I, Xia Youshun, am the kind of person who's only interested in money?" Xia Liang hurriedly apologized, "Second Grandfather, you misunderstood. This is a thank-you gift to thank you for helping us when we first separated our family. If it weren't for you lending us the tickets and the house, we wouldn't know where we'd be now." Hearing this, Xia Youshun's expression softened. He said, "I'm your second grandfather. What's wrong with helping you? Even if we're not family, I wouldn't just stand by and do nothing for anyone else in the village." Xia Liang flattered him, "That's right, Second Grandfather, you're a selfless and dedicated person who cares about the people." This made Xia Youshun very happy. Then he got straight to the point, "Alright, since you're so sincere about buying, I won't charge you extra. Give me two hundred yuan and the house will be transferred to you." Xia Rong hurriedly said, "Then thank you in advance, Second Grandfather." Seeing that his two children were so sensible and understanding, Xia Youshun said to Xia Dahe, "You're a lucky boy. Although you don't have good parents, your children are both good. Your good fortune is yet to come." Xia Dahe nodded smugly in agreement.
After paying the money and transferring the property, Xia Liang and her two children went back to the city. Xia Liang planned to take advantage of the day to go to the black market with her brother to check out the latest market demand. However, just a few minutes after arriving at the black market, they encountered people being arrested by officers with red armbands. The siblings ran quickly into the alleys, only daring to stop and catch their breath after running for three blocks until they could no longer hear the officers' voices. "Oh no, the bicycle is still over there!" The siblings exchanged a glance, immediately at a loss. Xia Rong said, "You go home first, I'll go ride it." He was about to walk back when Xia Liang quickly grabbed him, saying, "I'll go. Your household registration is still in the countryside, it'll be troublesome if they question you. Don't cause any trouble in this special situation." Xia Rong nodded, "Then be careful."
When Xia Liang returned to the bicycle parking spot, the man in red armbands had already left. Relieved, Xia Liang rode home, but as soon as she stepped out of an alley, a man suddenly appeared and knocked her down. Xia Liang and her bicycle fell to the ground. Two young men rushed out from behind. One restrained the man who had knocked Xia Liang down, while the other helped Xia Liang up, asking, "Comrade, are you alright?" Xia Liang looked up and saw the man helping her up, speechless. The man before her had sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, a high nose, and thin, tightly pursed lips. Even a buzz cut, which is very demanding on one's looks, couldn't diminish his handsome appearance. "Comrade, are you alright?" Gu Yanxiao asked. Xia Liang blushed and said, "I'm fine, thank you, comrade." Their eyes met, and neither spoke. The man holding down the fallen man shouted angrily, "What are you two doing? What are you two so lovey-dovey about? Come help me tie this little thief up!" Only then did Gu Yanxiao realize that he hadn't let go of Xia Liang's hand the whole time. Gu Yanxiao hurriedly went over and tied up the thief, saying to his companion, "You take him back to the police station, I'll take this lady home." Without waiting for Zhang Zhiyao's agreement, he helped Xia Liang push the bicycle and left. Zhang Zhiyao cursed from behind, "You bastard who values women over friends!" But Gu Yanxiao, whose eyes were full of Xia Liang, couldn't possibly hear him.
After seeing Xia Liang to her doorstep, Xia Liang asked, "Would you like to come back for a cup of tea before you leave?" Gu Yanxiao replied, "Some other time. It's too presumptuous of you to come all this way." Xia Liang said, "Alright then, thank you so much for today." She then looked at Gu Yanxiao, thinking, "If I'm not going back, why am I still here?" They stared at each other for a moment before Gu Yanxiao finally came to his senses and said, "My name is Gu Yanxiao, Yan as in inkstone, brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and Xiao as in brave and skilled in battle. What's your name?" Xia Liang replied, "My name is Xia Liang, Xia as in summer, and Liang as in cool." "Well, then I'll be going," Gu Yanxiao said reluctantly. Xia Liang nodded. Just then, the door opened, and Xia Rong came out. Seeing the two standing at the door, he asked in confusion, "What are you doing here?" Xia Liang said, "I was knocked down just now, and this comrade helped me up." Xia Rong anxiously pulled his sister up and down, asking, "Are you alright?" Xia Liang quickly replied, "I'm fine." Xia Rong turned to Gu Yanxiao and said, "Comrade, thank you so much! Come in and have a cup of tea." Gu Yanxiao declined, saying, "No, I'm waiting for you at home for dinner." With that, he left. The brother and sister were left behind; one went inside, muttering to himself, while the other stood at the door watching his departing figure for a long time. No one knew how complicated Gu Yanxiao's feelings were at that moment. The girl he had never fallen for since childhood was already married. He was truly unlucky. Why hadn't he met her sooner? If there was no future, why did he have to meet her? Heaven was truly unfair to him.
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