Chronicle of the 70s
Chapter 54 - 054 Li Jianqing at the Fourth Watch (Yan’er and He Shi Bi add more)

Chapter 54: 054 Li Jianqing at the Fourth Watch (Yan’er and He Shi Bi add more)

Her major being in archaeology, she could tell at a glance that nearly all the old furniture in this house had some age to them, let alone Mr. Li, who fancied himself literate after a few years at a private school and had somehow amassed such a large collection of antique furniture. She couldn’t believe it was mere coincidence.

The two of them didn’t linger; after placing their things down, they followed Mr. Li over to the community office.

The community office was located behind the school, consisting of two small offices. As work had just begun, there was no one around yet. Mr. Li handed over various documents and the household registration book. The person there glanced at Li Xianglu, pulled out a thick registry book and began writing by hand, and after checking the calendar said, "Alright, you can collect your tickets on the fifteenth of this month."

The grandson and grandfather expressed their thanks before heading back.

After a busy day, the old man was extremely tired. Li Xianglu promptly helped him onto the kang bed, and then found one of Mr. Li’s old clothes to use as a makeshift apron. She started tidying up the house.

With Mr. Li resting in the east room, Li Xianglu confidently heated a pot of water, then took out disinfectant and dishwashing liquid from her Storage Ring, mixed them in a basin, and began scrubbing. However, she dared not treat the antique furniture the same way; these products were refined from oil and could damage the wood to some extent.

After cleaning for over an hour, all the rooms and the kitchen were sparkling clean. Li Xianglu quickly washed her hands and face with the remaining hot water, then called everyone to get up with a pot of hot water—it was almost four o’clock, time to rise.

Upon entering, Mr. Li had also woken up, and after drinking half a pot of hot water, he chuckled, "Tired, right? Let’s go to sleep early when we get back today."

At four in the afternoon, the two of them locked up and set off on time. They had just reached their destination when they saw Li Dafu and several others by a mule cart.

Seeing them emerge from Literature Alley, the crowd was puzzled. Li Dafu, however, was well aware that Mr. Li owned a house here. He hadn’t known previously, but the address on the household registration book was this very place. Having been the team leader for many years, he was familiar with the registration procedures. To register, one required a house, which only deepened his respect for Li Huai Ren.

Tired from a day’s work, and having cleaned at noon, Li Xianglu was extremely sleepy and kept dozing off in the mule cart. Mr. Li had to pull her up several times to prevent her from falling. Watching the close bond between the grandfather and granddaughter, Ge Sanmei’s teeth itched with irritation, and she almost spat out some harsh words in sarcasm. However, catching Li Erfu’s icy glare, she dared not speak further; she couldn’t forget that she almost caused a divorce today.

It was just after six in the evening when they arrived at the brigade entrance. It was twilight, with just a hint of light left, and a thin figure stood there. On seeing the mule cart, the young man eagerly stepped forward and called out, "Little sister!"

Li Xianglu’s sleepy eyes instantly opened wide, smiling warmly at the youth in front of her, who looked darker and thinner, probably from working hard in the fields recently.

Ge Sanmei murmured something under her breath, then hopped down from the cart and headed home.

Li Xianglu first jumped off the mule cart and carefully assisted Mr. Li down before addressing the person standing nearby, "Jianqing, why are you here?"

Li Jianqing hadn’t expected his sister to still care about him and to call him ’brother.’ His eyes reddened as he sniffled and said with a subdued voice, "Waiting for you to come back. Heard you went to transfer your household registration today?"

Li Xianglu acknowledged with a sigh and didn’t say more. The basket in her hand was promptly taken by Li Jianqing.

Mr. Li, smiling, invited, "Let’s go, lad, come sit at home for a bit. It’s still early."

Li Jianqing, seeing that his uncle genuinely welcomed him, somberly agreed and followed them home.

In the courtyard, Li Jianqing saw that his sister was living alone in a clean cave dwelling with coarse cloth curtains and instantly felt that the rumors were right; his sister’s life had indeed gotten much better now.

Mr. Li, feeling tired, went to rest first.

Li Xianglu knew this left space for the siblings, so she first picked a few books and took them to the kitchen together, while Li Jianqing naturally started boiling water, just like he used to do at home.

Li Xianglu lit the kerosene lamp, then filled a large pot with water and added two stick bones, subtracted a pot of water from another, and on the small stove, she put a handful of white rice to cook, making two bowls of sweet porridge for Grandpa to drink before he slept.

Once everything was prepared, Li Xianglu took out four cold pork buns from her Storage Ring, which she had bought at the State-owned canteen during her first visit to the commune.

She warmed them up and called Li Jianqing over to the table.

Seeing the white flour buns, Li Jianqing was momentarily stunned, immediately recalling last year’s visit to the commune, when his sister had bought such large buns for him to eat, how happy he was then! Even though back then Mom was still so biased, even though the buns were meant for Daddy, she stubbornly didn’t ask if her sister would eat.

Thinking this made Li Jianqing’s heart ache.

Li Xianglu, smiling, said: "Jianqing, what’s wrong? Why the long face like Lin Daiyu?"

Li Jianqing, seeing his sister could still joke around, felt a bit embarrassed and scratched his head.

Li Xianglu pushed the buns towards Li Jianqing and said, "Eat, brother. They’re still warm, bought from the county state-owned canteen."

Li Jianqing shook his head and said, "That won’t do. Now you’re Uncle Huai Ren’s grandchild, how can his family’s food be eaten by outsiders?"

Li Xianglu’s lips twitched, seeing his serious demeanor she somewhat amusedly said, "What outsider? You’re my brother. And besides, grandpa isn’t that stingy, it’s just a few buns. Also, Mr. Li doesn’t like the buns from the state-owned canteen; he says the seasoning is too strong and doesn’t care for them."

Li Jianqing, wide-eyed, exclaimed, "You’re kidding, right? Who doesn’t like buns!" That’s simply a huge joke!

Li Xianglu nodded seriously, "Of course. Grandpa’s tasted everything, you eat, I had too much at noon, I’m still full. If you don’t help eat some, it won’t taste good tomorrow."

Li Jianqing blinked earnestly then took a bun and bit into it. It was fatty and greasy, with the strong scent of five-spice powder, indeed heavily seasoned, but so delicious! He couldn’t believe someone didn’t like them.

Li Jianqing devoured two buns in one go before adamantly stopping, while Li Xianglu quietly said, "Brother, hurry and finish them. Normally, Grandpa gives leftover buns to next door’s Qin Xiaopang, you know how he eats everything without distinction."

Li Jianqing remembered, indeed, a few days ago while working together, Qin Xiaopang had told him about Uncle Huai Ren bringing their family ten large meat-filled white buns.

Thus, he unceremoniously finished the remaining two big buns. Only after eating did he feel his stomach so full, so satiated; it had been a long time since he had a meal this filling.

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