Chronicle of the 70s
Chapter 113 - 110 fell into the water, 330 additional - s with monthly ticket

Chapter 113: 110 fell into the water, 330 additional Chapters with monthly ticket

Until the 28th of the new year, Qin Xi was still running around outside, but finally made it back in time for lunch, bringing with her a bag full of items.

Li Xianglu gasped in surprise as she took out a thick pork leg and a large chunk of ribs from the bag, her eyes almost lighting up the entire room.

Li Xianglu started muttering about various dishes—twice-cooked pork, braised ribs, sauerkraut stewed with pork, as well as dumplings filled with cabbage and pork, and dumplings filled with carrot and lamb.

This New Year’s feast was indeed extravagant.

Qin Xi also received a parcel from Mr. Qin mailed from the capital, filled with food, National Food Tickets, cloth tickets, and money. Another piece of news was that Qin Miao had returned to the capital.

After reading the letter, Qin Xi just scoffed disdainfully, amused. What use would returning be? Could she really help her own father secure a position back in the city?

On New Year’s Eve, with everyone’s help, Li Xianglu prepared a table full of dishes—six hot dishes, two cold dishes, and one soup. This made Qin Zhen exclaim in surprise, saying it was the first time he had ever had so many dishes in his life.

On the first day of the lunar new year, it was both Li Xianglu and Grandpa Li’s first New Year. They both knelt on the kang bed, formally kowtowed to the elder, and received a red envelope with twenty yuan. Qin Xi and Qin Zhen received ten yuan each.

Qin Zhen was thrilled, as the largest New Year’s money he had ever received was just one yuan. This year, he received ten yuan and was eager to go shopping in the county.

In the afternoon of the first day of the lunar New Year, Li Xianglu was alone in the kitchen making dumplings, while the Qin brothers and the elder, having drunk a little at lunch, were all a bit tipsy and had gone to sleep.

While wrapping the dumplings, she heard someone calling from outside. Li Xianglu dusted the flour off her hands, went outside, and saw that it was Qu Yeyu. She was momentarily stunned, then smiled and said, "Come in."

Qu Yeyu shook her head anxiously: "No, I need to tell you something. I just heard from Tu Gou, my uncle’s youngest son. He said your third brother was playing on the ice on the river to the west and fell into an ice hole. He was rescued, but it’s unclear how he is now. My aunt wouldn’t let me go out, so I took the chance while heading to the outhouse to inform you."

Li Xianglu became flustered upon hearing this, and Qu Yeyu hurriedly left after speaking.

Just as Qu Yeyu returned to the courtyard, glancing around as she entered, someone emerged from the side of the courtyard and coldly said to someone nearby, "See, I told you, that girl would definitely come to tip them off."

Li Xianglu thought for a moment, then took off her apron, entered her room, put on thick cotton clothes and shoes, and a knitted hat, then headed outside. She was worried and wanted to see for herself.

After securing her door, Li Xianglu headed downhill towards Erdaoliang.

She thought that since he had been rescued, he would have been taken to where Li Erfu now lived. Although she had never been there, she knew the place—it was by the old village entrance, a row of cave dwellings in a nice location, conveniently accessible. However, since a new road was built on the east side, gradually everyone had moved there.

After moving over, Li Erfu fixed up a slightly nicer cave dwelling, using yellow mud and new bricks to recondition it, and after burning for a while, it was quite nice.

Li Xianglu, anxious in her heart, walked quickly, completely oblivious to her surroundings, until she reached the west side and saw a household with no signs of smoke. This house, which clearly had residents, made her feel something was off. Why was there no one there? Wasn’t it said that someone had fallen into an ice hole?

Could it be that the situation was bad and he was sent to the commune health center?

Thinking this, Li Xianglu quickened her steps, and walked hurriedly to the simple wooden door, knocking with her hand: "Is anyone there?"

No one responded. Looking at the clean yet chilly courtyard, her heart fluttered and she was just about to turn around when she heard footsteps behind her. Li Xianglu’s heart skipped a beat and she suddenly stepped back.

A person appeared behind her; this person was holding a stick and a smile appeared on his gaunt face: "Little sister, you’re here."

Li Xianglu widened her eyes: "Did you trick me into coming?"

The person chuckled with a bit of ruffian air: "We’re siblings, what’s there to trick about? I just wanted to see you, but you never come out when you’re at home. I had no choice but to come up with a plan." His words sounded as if deceiving someone was a forced hand.

Li Xianglu cautiously stepped back while vigilantly watching the person trying to justify himself.

The person in front of her was Li Jianwen, her former brother who had never had a direct conflict with Li Xianglu.

Li Jianwen was dressed in a clean blue Zhongshan suit, with a clean white shirt collar showing underneath, looking refined. Someone unfamiliar might think he was a young master from the city.

Li Xianglu looked at his thin body, thought for a moment, and remembered she had a stun gun in her Storage Ring. If this guy made a move, she could handle him if she was quick enough.

Just as Li Xianglu was retreating and touched the wall with her hand, another person appeared from the old kiln cave on the side; it was Tu Gou, the youngest son of Li Sanhe’s family.

Seeing that guy with a long string of snot, Li Xianglu felt disgusted. This guy was actually sizing her up, making her feel nauseated and she coldly said: "Li Jianwen, I wonder what you’ve learned all those years at school, do you know what you are doing?"

Li Jianwen chuckled: "Seems like my little sister needs to teach me then."

Li Xianglu pitied him with a glance, but her heart was already in turmoil. After all, she’s just a girl and absolutely no match against two men. Now, she could only think of a way to leave first.

Li Xianglu’s expression became stern: "Tu Gou, get lost! You’re disgusting, why are you getting so close! Trying to harass me, aren’t you? Aren’t you afraid the police will catch you!"

The approaching Tu Gou hesitated, blinked his small eyes, sniffled, and thought, right, harassing is indeed a crime.

Li Jianwen suddenly laughed: "Harassment? Ha, little sister, you know quite a lot, don’t you? But freely dating doesn’t count, it’s normal for a couple intending to marry to be together."

Tu Gou’s eyes brightened, indeed, Zhu Wang from the neighboring Jishui had kissed his cousin and no one arrested him, the village just gossiped. But once they got married, no one mentioned it anymore.

Li Xianglu inwardly cursed, Li Jianwen was no better than a beast, but she coldly said: "Li Jianwen, did all your education go to the dogs? Do you think just by saying you’re in a relationship the police will believe you? Why don’t you say you’re dating the county chief’s daughter?"

After speaking, Li Xianglu glared at the starry-eyed Tu Gou and said: "Tu Gou, go away. Let’s just forget about this matter. If you persist blindly, don’t blame me for being rude. If you dare to come any closer, I’ll make sure you won’t survive or I’ll take your surname!"

Tu Gou was stunned by the murderous-looking girl in front of him, and immediately retreated, wasn’t it agreed that just by kissing or touching they could get married, and then eat and drink well, how come it turned into a crime now?