While picking at the dead skin on her feet, Mother Li turned her head triumphantly and said, "If that money were given by Wu Li to her natal family, it would surely disappear without a trace. The money in Li Chuchu's hands is safe. She's young, has a job, and doesn't have kids to support. That money will only increase over time. It's like saving it for Jianmin. It'll prevent Wu Li from squandering it all away."
"Moreover, the matter the Qian family mentioned ultimately depends on whether Li Chuchu is willing or not. For now, we should try to coax her a bit."
Grandpa Li got distracted for a moment and didn't react immediately. "What matter?"
Granny Li gave him an annoyed look. "Have you forgotten? The Qian family's matter of looking for a daughter - in - law."
"Do you really take that seriously?" Grandpa Li clicked his tongue. "Isn't Li Chuchu already married?"
Granny Li scoffed. "Who would take that half - baked thing seriously? There wasn't even a glimpse of the betrothal gifts or dowry. It was just like kids playing house without a clue. It's just that Li Jianmin didn't have a plan. He raised his daughter all these years and just sent her away in a daze. Other families can get a fortune in betrothal gifts through their daughters."
Grandpa Li squinted his eyes, non - committal. It seemed he didn't intend to get involved in this matter.
Granny Li suddenly seemed interested. She nudged her husband. "Hey, do you know how much betrothal gifts the Qian family is offering?"
"How much?"
Granny Li's eyes sparkled as she spoke. "They've prepared all the 'Three Turns and One Sound', and there's also 800 yuan as betrothal gifts!"
Grandpa Li opened a slit of his squinted eyes. "That's a lot! Are they that rich? The family with a lame - legged son? I'm afraid no amount of money will work in this case."
"So what if he's lame? Being lame is good! If he tries to beat someone, Li Chuchu can outrun him even if she can't fight back. Besides, a woman marries a man for food and clothing. Their family is rich. Li Chuchu won't have to worry about food or clothing after she marries in."
"Will Chuchu agree?" No matter how good the conditions were, it would be in vain if she wasn't willing to divorce and agree.
Granny Li clicked her tongue. "That's why I came here specifically. I'll try to sound out Li Chuchu's opinion these days. I heard that the man she's with is a hooligan. She probably won't stay with him for long. It's better to find a suitable one earlier. Moreover, it's said that parents' orders and matchmakers' words are law. How can she have the final say? In the end, she'll have to listen to us."
Grandpa Li smacked his lips. He thought this matter was improper and might not work out. But seeing how enthusiastic his old wife was, Grandpa Li took a mental break and didn't say a word, lest he stir up trouble.
"Do as you see fit. Be careful. Don't make the kids turn against you when you're old."
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
Granny Li patted the crumbs on the bedsheet and lay down comfortably on the pillow. These boys were really not particular. The bedsheet, pillowcase, and quilt cover all smelled sour. If Cousin's family was coming, she'd have Wu Li clean Li Chuan's room a few more times.
...
"Tick - tock, tick - tock, tick - tock..."
The bedside alarm clock rang several times, and Li Chuchu was jolted awake. The bedside was empty. Shen Yanshan must have gotten up early.
She suddenly looked at the time. It was 7:30!
Oh no!
Work started at 8 o'clock, and it took 20 minutes to walk there. She was going to be late!
Li Chuchu quickly grabbed the enamel cup and went to the sink outside to wash up. Then she packed her things, put on the brown knee - length skirt she bought a few days ago, and rushed out.
She probably wouldn't be able to have a hot breakfast today. She could only make do with a meal at the unit canteen after the broadcast.
As soon as she stepped out of the door, Li Chuchu saw Shen Yanshan standing neatly dressed at the door. His hair was neatly combed, as if he had just come back from an errand. He was also holding a bowl of soybean curd jelly and two big meat buns in a very down - to - earth way.
When Li Chuchu got closer, Shen Yanshan handed the breakfast to her.
"Take it. I'll take you to work."
It seemed he had just come back from outside. He moved the bicycle, turned a corner in the alley, and patted the back seat, indicating for Li Chuchu to sit on it.
This back seat wasn't there yesterday. It looked like a child's seat.
Li Chuchu didn't have time to ask anything and just sat on it. Teacher Xie seemed to be in the office today. She didn't dare to be even a bit late.
The bicycle was fast. Although she hadn't seen Shen Yanshan ride a bicycle much before, after sitting on it twice, she felt it was quite stable.
Li Chuchu estimated that at this speed, there should still be enough time. So she hugged his waist with one hand and took out a meat bun from her pocket with the other and took a big bite.
The morning of a hard - working person had no atmosphere of romance. There was only drowsiness and the comforting breakfast.
The bun in her hand was still warm. When she took a bite, the soup inside almost flowed out. There were no pre - made dishes at this time. Everything was made of real ingredients. A bite was so delicious that the oil filled her mouth. The soybean curd jelly had a lot of sugar in it, and it tasted sweet.
Halfway through eating, Li Chuchu suddenly remembered. "Have you eaten?"
Shen Yanshan sat in front and didn't say a word.
Li Chuchu thought that he probably didn't have time to eat since he got up so early. So she held the meat bun to his mouth and generously shared it. "Have one. I can't finish them all."
Shen Yanshan looked at the meat bun in front of his mouth. After thinking for a moment, he lowered his head and took a big bite.
The taste of the fresh meat filled his mouth, and the bun's skin was sweet.
Shen Yanshan slowed down his chewing. He wondered why the bun he ate in the morning wasn't as delicious as this one. Food tasted more interesting when it was taken from someone else's hand.
So Shen Yanshan ate a whole meat bun from Li Chuchu's hand.
By the time the bun was finished, they had arrived.
Li Chuchu jumped off the bicycle and patted the doll collar on her chest to prevent anything from getting on it. Then she looked up at Shen Yanshan and smiled. "I'm here! Thank you for taking me here this morning."
Shen Yanshan straightened up. He could still keep the bike upright while standing on the ground with both legs. He felt his pocket, ready to take out a cigarette from his bosom. But after pinching the cigarette case and thinking for a while, he put it back.
"You don't need to thank me."
If not thank you, then what? Maybe because she got up too early, Li Chuchu's mind suddenly went blank, and she blurted out, "Your cycling skills are good, Xiao Shen. Keep it up next time."
Shen Yanshan looked up at her, smiled playfully, and smoothed the hair on her forehead that was messed up by the wind, as if coaxing a child. "I'll obey your order, my great leader."
Li Chuchu pursed her lips. The same joking words sounded abstract when she said them, but they had an inexplicable charm when Shen Yanshan said them.
Sure enough, he was the big villain, the only man who could stand shoulder to shoulder with the male protagonist in this story. All his active and passive skills were maxed out.
It was the time for work. The two of them were standing at the factory gate. Many people turned their heads to look this way. She pretended to be calm and coughed lightly. "Okay, I'm going to work! You can go."
Shen Yanshan chuckled. "May your work go smoothly, Leader. I'll come to pick you up on time at noon."
Li Chuchu originally wanted to say no, but Shen Yanshan didn't give her a chance to refuse.
In the blink of an eye, he had ridden far away.
Li Chuchu had to swallow the words of refusal.
If he wanted to come and pick her up, so be it. At least she wouldn't have to walk home.