Luo Yan lay in bed, listening to Hua Li's even breathing, recalling Liu Jingqiu's mention of Xiang Yu, who was helping impoverished families.
She remembered that the original text only mentioned that this person was an overseas Chinese, had a good relationship with Liu Jingqiu, and belonged to a sisterhood.
Liu Jingqiu's notebook also contains a record of Xiang Yu, dated June 25, 1973, for 100 yuan.
Luo Yan couldn't understand what Liu Jingqiu meant by remembering 100 yuan. At that time, Liu Jingqiu was newly widowed, so perhaps it was a gift, but Luo Yan felt that it didn't seem likely.
Just then, Luo Yan heard the door close softly.
Luo Yan climbed off the bed, went over, opened the door, and peeked out. She saw a small figure tiptoeing out.
Xiao Xiu was about to leave, wearing the same clothes she had come in, when she was blocked by two bolts on the door.
He opened the latch below, but Xiao Xiu couldn't reach the top by standing on tiptoe. Just as he was about to get a chair, he turned around and saw Luo Yan standing not far away watching him.
"You brat! I was just teaching him a lesson, and he's already running away from home!" Luo Yan's face tightened as she helped move a small stool to the door.
Xiao Xiu was stunned. Luo Yan offered to get him a chair. Was she trying to get rid of him?
Xiao Xiu started crying sadly, her little shoulders trembling.
Even the strong-willed Xiao Xiu was brought to tears. It seems she has learned her lesson. Luo Yan took the small stool away, plugged the latch back in, and led Xiao Xiu back to the room.
Luo Yan patted the bed, and Xiao Xiu obediently lay down on the bed. Luo Yan gently patted Xiao Xiu and sang soothingly.
"Grandma fed two chickens, what kind of chickens, what kind of chickens, a big hen and a big rooster..."
She stopped crying and fell asleep shortly after.
Luo Yan quietly returned to the master bedroom, lay down next to Hua Li, and fell asleep soon after.
The next day, Hua Li got up and went to the kitchen. When she passed by Xiao Xiu's room, the door opened and Xiao Xiu came out with red and swollen eyes, handing Hua Li two pieces of paper covered with writing.
Hua Li took the letter curiously and read it. It was an apology letter, addressed to Hua Li. In addition to apologizing for hitting Mo Sanshan, the letter also stated that he owed Hua Li ten yuan and would earn money to pay him back when he grew up.
There was also a letter written to Luo Yan, promising that they would never fight again.
Hua Li was both amused and exasperated, but she carefully folded and put it away. It wasn't that she really intended for Xiao Xiu to repay the money, but rather that she wanted to keep it for Xiao Xiu to see when she grew up.
"Xiao Xiu, Auntie and Yan Yan aren't angry about losing money to others, but they're worried you might get hurt."
Money can be earned back, but you're the one who suffers when you're hurt. Yan Yan and I will be heartbroken to see you suffer, understand?
Thinking that Luo Yan was angry because he had caused trouble, but it turned out that she was worried about him getting hurt, Xiao Xiu stopped crying and smiled, nodding vigorously.
Hua Li hugged Xiao Xiu and said, "Until your parents find Xiao Xiu, Auntie will never abandon him. Xiao Xiu is Yan Yan's brother. No matter what happens in the future, never think about leaving, understand?"
Yesterday, Wu Cuihua came to the door, and Xiao Xiu's first reaction was to leave. To be honest, Hua Li was a little sad, not because Xiao Xiu was immature, but because Xiao Xiu was too sensible, so sensible that she would rather leave than ask her for help.
Xiao Xiu also hugged Hua Li, nodded, and took Hua Li's hand to walk towards the kitchen.
Hua Li cooked porridge while Xiao Xiu picked vegetables; Hua Li boiled eggs while Xiao Xiu washed the vegetables; Hua Li stir-fried the vegetables; and Xiao Xiu was responsible for serving them to the table.
Who wouldn't love such a well-behaved child? Hua Li patted Xiao Xiu's head tenderly.
When Luo Shicheng knocked on the door, Hua Li had just finished eating and tidied up the kitchen.
Hearing the knock, she went to open the door and was surprised to see Luo Shicheng pushing in a bicycle, one in each hand.
Luo Shicheng placed his bicycle under the awning in front of the door and walked to Hua Lidao.
"I asked someone to buy this for me. I'll teach you how to ride it when I get back tonight."
He may have time to pick up and drop off Hua Li now, but that doesn't mean he'll always have time. The same goes for Chen Yuanshan; once he gets busy, he has no time for anything else.
Therefore, he needed to teach Hua Li to ride a bicycle. Being able to escape quickly in case of an accident was also a form of self-protection, and...
"Once you learn to ride a bicycle, I'll teach you some practical sparring."
Hua Li was caught off guard and remained silent for a moment before he understood Luo Shicheng's intention.
It's better to have what others have than to have it yourself; it's better to be strong than others than to be strong yourself. If she has the ability to protect herself, even if Luo Shicheng leaves on a mission, she won't have to worry about her safety.
Hua Li expressed his sincere gratitude to Luo Shicheng for his thoughtful consideration.
"Thank you, I will study hard. How about I pay the tuition with meals?"
Luo Shicheng had been worn down by Hua Li and could only nod helplessly.
"I'll do whatever you say. You're in charge."
The person who used to be so decisive is now saying that everyone should listen to her. It's really scary. Hua Li glanced at Luo Shicheng several times, worried that he might have some kind of illness that she didn't know about.
Luo Shicheng was exasperated by Hua Li's questioning gaze. He picked up Luo Yan, took Xiao Xiu, and quickly left.
Hua Li quickly locked the door and followed.
When they arrived near the kindergarten, Luo Yan saw Liu Jingqiu riding a brand-new bicycle from afar. A child seat was installed on the back, and An Xiaotong sat on it with her head held high, looking at her with a provocative gaze.
Hua Li also saw it, took Luo Yan from Luo Shicheng, and headed straight for the kindergarten gate without saying a word.
Liu Jingqiu greeted Hua Li with a smile, regardless of whether Hua Li paid her any attention, and then thanked Luo Shicheng.
"Comrade Luo Shicheng, thank you for the bicycle. It will make it much more convenient for me to pick up and drop off my children and go to work."
"My dad's really something, managing to buy three bicycles all at once," Luo Yan complained, leaning on Hua Li's shoulder, silently wishing Luo Shicheng a happy new life.
Liu Jingqiu rode over to thank him? This isn't gratitude, this is trying to kill him.
But he couldn't explain it, because the bicycle was indeed given to Liu Jingqiu, but not for Liu Jingqiu, but for An Xiaotong.
Luo Shicheng didn't want to embarrass Liu Jingqiu in front of An Xiaotong, so he said in a deep voice.
"I gave you the bicycle because I didn't want Tongtong to walk too far to school every day. If you really want to thank me, then stay away from me."
After saying that, Luo Shicheng quickly caught up with Hua Li, who had handed Luo Yan and Xiao Xiu over to the teacher and left alone.
Hua Li turned around upon hearing footsteps and saw Luo Shicheng. He spoke solemnly.
"Luo Shicheng, from today onwards, I will not need you to pick me up or drop me off, and please do not come to my house again, and do not disturb me and Yan Yan."
"Why?" Luo Shicheng couldn't accept that he wouldn't be allowed to see his daughter again, or to pick up and drop off Hua Li.
Hua Li looked at Luo Shicheng with disappointment, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.
"Go be with your childhood sweetheart. If you dare let her come in front of me and disgust me and Yan Yan again, I will divorce you even if it means death."
Watching Hua Li run away, wiping away tears, Luo Shicheng felt as if the whole world had lost its color.
Liu Jingqiu followed and, upon hearing this, cautiously approached.
"I'm sorry, Comrade Luo Shicheng. I just wanted to thank you. I didn't expect it to cause a misunderstanding with Comrade Hua Li. I'll go and explain it to Comrade Hua Li right away."
Luo Shicheng grabbed Liu Jingqiu's bicycle handlebars, his eyes bloodshot.
"Liu Jingqiu, take good care of Tongtong. I'll handle things between Hua Li and me..."
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