Chronicle of the 70s
Chapter 94 - 092 Seeing People - Add more - s with 180 monthly tickets

Chapter 94: 092 Seeing People - Add more Chapters with 180 monthly tickets

The next morning, Qin Xi was indeed going out for some errands, but she sneakily gave Li Xianglu five hundred yuan, an entire roll of brand new Great Unity Banknotes, which took Li Xianglu by surprise and made her a bit hesitant.

Qin Xi saw this and laughed, "I thought I’d buy that watch and get one for you too, so it’s convenient for you to check the time."

Li Xianglu’s eyes lit up as she nodded, her doe-like eyes brimming with tears. Qin Xi couldn’t resist ruffling her hair before saying, "Just be careful not to wander about recklessly. It’s much stricter here than back home."

Li Xianglu solemnly nodded to show she would be careful. Qin Xi shook her head; this girl always took things lightly— it seemed necessary to speed up her own affairs and ensure Li Xianglu wouldn’t roam around any longer.

Mr. Li had to visit a friend, so after breakfast, they split into two groups and set off.

After transferring through two bus rides, they arrived in front of a row of old alleys. When the three of them got off, many of the locals curiously looked over.

Mr. Li took out an envelope from his pocket, glanced at the address, then approached a wall corner and asked an old man, "Comrade, do you know where the An Family lives?"

The elderly man seemed to be over seventy and was basking in the sun outside. He was hard of hearing and when he finally processed Mr. Li’s question, he immediately nodded and pointed down an alley, "Go straight to the end, and the corner loft is the place."

After thanking him, Mr. Li proceeded with the other two towards the spot.

This was a traditional Shanghai alley, water pooled everywhere and the smell of rot occasionally wafted through the air. Clothes and bedsheets hung on uneven racks above, and every now and then, the sound of quarreling echoed from somewhere.

They reached the corner where there stood a matching loft. The big door at the entrance was wide open, two women sat washing clothes. Seeing strangers, they all glanced over. An old lady in her fifties with triangulated eyes looked at the three of them and raised her voice, "Who are you looking for?"

Li Xianglu quickly said, "Auntie, we’re looking for An Chenggang. Does he live here?"

On hearing this, the woman’s triangulated eyes narrowed as she looked the three of them up and down before responding, "An Chenggang? Inside, on the second floor in the farthest room. What do you want with them?"

Li Xianglu smiled broadly, "The An Family owes our family money. We’re here to collect the debt!"

As soon as this was said, those around all revealed an expression that seemed to say ’as expected’. The triangular-eyed aunty disdainfully spoke, "Collect a debt? Don’t get your hopes up. The An Family is so poor they could eat dirt; they have no money to pay you."

Li Xianglu didn’t reply, only smiled as she assisted Mr. Li towards the gloomy loft.

A creaking noise arose, indicating the loft’s age; it was quite old.

They reached the second floor, and Li Xianglu knocked on an open door, only to see a boy around ten years old with an angry face standing motionless in front of them.

Li Xianglu knew right away that the boy had heard the conversation downstairs, so she quickly made a shushing gesture and then shook her head as if afraid someone would hear.

The boy’s eyes quickly widened, filled with a hint of surprise, and he hurriedly opened the door wider.

Li Xianglu then shouted loudly, "Is An Chenggang here?" and then stamped her foot.

At that moment, a little girl appeared behind the boy, looking timidly at the three visitors. From the dark corner of the room near the balcony, a shadow emerged, revealing a woman with a slim figure.

The woman approached the doorway and after a moment of stunned silence, she asked, "Who are you?"

Li Xianglu didn’t reply this time; instead, she stepped back and pushed Mr. Li forward.

Seeing the elderly man, Mr. Li smiled and asked, "Are you Chenggang’s wife?"

Hearing Mr. Li’s thick Northwest accent, the woman first froze, then raised her eyebrows in confusion, "And you are?"

Mr. Li chuckled, "I’m An Xuexin’s old comrade, Li Huai Ren."

The woman clearly recognized Mr. Li’s name. She immediately showed an excited expression and, somewhat at a loss, rubbed her hands together, hastily inviting, "Uncle Li, please come in and have a seat. Sorry for the humble place."

The woman turned on the electric light, and the dim yellow bulb illuminated the previously dark room. Li Xianglu could see clearly now; it was a small living room with a little bed by the window, likely for a child.

There were simple wooden tables and chairs, and Mr. Li sat down and asked, "Where is Chenggang?"

The woman smiled apologetically, "He’s gone to buy some grains, he’ll be back soon."

This woman looked particularly gentle, with her pale and sharp face clearly indicating long-term nutritional deficiency.

Mr. Li glanced at the few children and then told Qin Zhen beside him, "Go buy some food."

Before the woman could object, Qin Xi stepped out. Meanwhile, Li Xianglu took out a paper-wrapped package from her bag, placed it on the table, and untied the twine, revealing neatly arranged white flaky pastries.

The two children had their eyes wide open, with a look of surprise. Li Xianglu gently boasted, "Come and try this; I bought it yesterday—it has a red bean filling and the flaky crust is delicious." She said, picking up a piece to hand to the little girl.

The little girl, about five or six years old with unusually large eyes and a somewhat pale face, had coarser hair than Li Xianglu. Seeing the pastry, she swallowed and didn’t dare to take it at first, instead turning to look at her mother. Seeing her mother’s nod, she quickly took it, "Thank you, sister!"

Li Xianglu was instantly charmed by her response, smiling as she handed another piece to the boy. The little boy saw that his sister had eaten and hesitated, wanting to eat yet too shy to do so.

Mr. Li laughed, pulled the boy to his side, and took the pastry, "Eat up, don’t be shy; we bought it for both of you."

As they were speaking, there was a sound of someone climbing the stairs outside; everyone thought it was Qin Zhen returning, but then they heard a gentle male voice call out, "Xu Hui, I’m back."

The boy suddenly widened his eyes, then ran towards the back, "Dad, why are you only getting back now!"

Xu Hui hurried over to help the man unload the bag of grains from his shoulder, taking a basket of vegetables from his hands as well.

Mr. Li saw the newcomer and suddenly stood up, calling out, "Chenggang!"

The man, not expecting strangers at home, was initially startled. Once he made out who it was, he rushed over and hugged Mr. Li, exclaiming, "Uncle Li!"

The two men embraced in an instant, with the man unable to hold back his sobs, leaving Li Xianglu stunned.

After some time, the man bowed his head, wiping his tears with his sleeve and said in a low voice apologetically, "Uncle Li, I’m sorry. The pressure has been too much these past years, and seeing you, I just couldn’t help myself."

Li Huai Ren also wiped away his falling tears, nodding, "I know, I know all about it; you’ve suffered!"

ps: I feel like I’m really awesome today, finished my additional writing at this hour. I think I can write another Chapter, but I have to leave it until tomorrow morning. See you tomorrow, guys. And another thing: my monthly ticket has reached eighth place, I’m so happy, thanks everyone for your support!

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