Chronicle of the 70s
Chapter 124 - 121 Situation at Midnight

Chapter 124: 121 Situation at Midnight

Everyone suddenly became noisy, discussing that Li Huai Ren was adopting another child. It seems daughters are still not enough; at the end of the day, a son is needed. But is it okay to adopt someone from a different surname?

For a moment, the din rose, and Qin Xi coughed, signaling everyone to quiet down. He looked coldly at the couple as if looking at two dead bodies: "Heh, where did you hear that Grandpa Li is adopting Xu Wu?"

Xu Wu’s eldest cousin was stunned. A man had sent word saying that in Li Family Village, there was a man named Li Huai Ren who last year adopted a girl from the same clan, spending six hundred yuan just on milk money, and three hundred jin of white flour. Now Xu Wu was living at his house, and if they didn’t hurry to ask for some money, what if he refused to give?

So he and his wife discussed it briefly and rushed over, but upon arriving, the situation wasn’t as they had expected.

At this moment, Li Dafu also hurried back from under the beams. He waved his hands to disperse the crowd, but the curiosity of the onlookers outweighed the captain’s authority, and no one left.

Li Dafu didn’t say much and directly asked them for the food money and five yuan for medical expenses. Xu Wu’s medical and medicine expenses amounted to five yuan, which the team had paid out of concern that it wouldn’t be good to explain if the person died; he would never have paid otherwise.

Hearing this, Xu Family’s couple got anxious; they came to demand money, yet now they had to pay instead.

Xu Wu’s couple talked with Li Dafu for a while, unaware of what was discussed. The couples’ faces turned particularly ugly. Xu Wu’s eldest cousin-in-law came over, grabbed Xu Wu, and tried to leave, but Xu Wu ducked and then stubbornly stared at her.

Li Xianglu, seeing the stubborn child, had tears flash in her eyes, and from a distance, those people all left.

Qin Xi walked over and gently patted Li Xianglu’s shoulder: "If you can’t bear it, give it some time, and I will arrange to transfer his household registration here." Once his registration is transferred, he can earn work points, and he can receive food during the autumn harvest.

Li Xianglu wiped her eyes, her soft voice heard: "Can you?"

Qin Xi patted her head and nodded.

For several days in a row, Li Xianglu often dreamt of Xu Wu, either he was beaten, or the child was starving, and also Xu Wu’s notebook, which Li Xianglu would read when she was free.

Seeing this, Qin Xi only could go to the county and find someone, planning to bring the person to Li Family Village, at least to keep him away from the clutches of those siblings. But would this change Xu Wu’s destiny by doing so?

As farming begun in April, Qin Xi brought back news that Xu Wu, taking advantage of an empty house, had injured his cousin-in-law and even killed two piglets and four chickens and ducks in the yard. He had fled.

Qin Xi looked at the somewhat stunned Li Xianglu, silently thinking that Xu Wu had run away just like in his previous life, only earlier. What made him unable to endure and choose to run away? Was it the appearance of this maiden giving him warmth?

After remaining downcast for several days, Li Xianglu started living optimistically again, believing Xu Wu would be fine eventually.

Li Jianqing enlisted in the army at the start of April, directly changing his age to eighteen. Of course, there were many issues during this process, but Grandpa Li intervened by finding the army selection personnel, allowing him to leave smoothly.

When he left for the army, Li Xianglu went to see him off. Seeing him dressed in military green, adorned with a big red flower, walking far away. She also saw Li Erfu sitting outside the door of the Armed Forces Department, crying his heart out.

When Li Xianglu returned, Ge Sanmei came to her doorstep, causing a scene, claiming that Li Xianglu tricked her son into enlisting, and as a mother, she had no idea. If others hadn’t mentioned it, she might have never known. She declared her hatred for Li Xianglu in front of everyone, saying she wished she had never had this daughter.

Li Xianglu ignored her; she had given up on such a mother long ago.

In mid-September, Qin Xi returned from the county with someone, carrying a child. Li Xianglu, shocked, exclaimed: "Sister Yun Mei!"

The visitor was indeed Xi Yunmei and the little boy Li Xianglu had saved, who was now two years old and able to run around. The boy, seeing many people and not afraid of strangers, immediately clamored to be held by Li Xianglu.

Li Xianglu hurriedly picked up the chubby child, kissed him on the cheek, and asked with a smile: "Did you miss Auntie?"

Xi Yunmei smiled tenderly, looking at the slightly grown Li Xianglu, and said shyly, "I’m afraid I might be a bit of a bother for a while."

Li Xianglu turned and happily asked, "Sister Yun Mei, are you going to stay with us?"

Xi Yunmei smiled: "Yes, I’m afraid I might have to trouble you for a while."

Li Xianglu grinned: "I’m more than happy; finally, someone to keep me company."

Qin Xi helped place two large bags of belongings in Li Xianglu’s cave dwelling and parked the car before starting a conversation.

Qin Xi had some business in the county and coincidentally met Xi Yunmei on the road. Funnily enough, she was asking someone how to get to Li Family Village Production Team. Qin Xi noticed her and upon inquiry found out she was looking for Li Xianglu.

Over these past six months, Li Xianglu, Xi Yunmei, and Aunt Qi from the Provincial City had been in regular correspondence. Perhaps because she and Xi Yunmei were close in age and could talk about many things, they grew closer, almost exchanging letters every month.

Mr. Li, who was originally studying chess manuals, heard the laughter and joy outside and hurriedly came out, also stunned but then quickly expressed his welcome.

For Guanzhong people, when guests visit, the most treasured meal is Saozi Noodles, no matter if it’s vegetarian or meat; it’s the best thing there is.

Li Xianglu, worried that Xi Yunmei might not be accustomed to eating noodles, planned to make some rice. However, Xi Yunmei said she liked it quite a bit, so Li Xianglu washed her hands, kneaded the dough, and made pure noodle Saozi Noodles. The meat, half a jin and fatty, had just been brought back by Qin Xi.