Chapter 295: Chapter 295

Every time Su Yan thought about this, her heart ached terribly. All the regrets turned into motivation that was invested in Xiong Youxin, with the determination to nurture this child into a well-rounded and outstanding lady!

During the winter break, Li Jianqing planned to continue collecting scrap because Su Yan, on this return, brought back the money from the things they sold last time. Four chairs, three blue and white bowls from the late Qing, and four ancient books, a total of twenty-one thousand Hua Country Money.

Su Yan had Xu Xi directly wire the money from Hong Kong, then exchanged it for more than twenty thousand yuan in Foreign Exchange Vouchers.

Twenty-one thousand yuan, Qin Xi took ten thousand yuan, Li Jianqing six thousand, Li Xianglu, and Qin Xi sorting took five thousand.

And Li Jianqing gave all his money to Li Xianglu, asking her to save it and buy a suitable property, preferably one closer to his sister.

Li Xianglu did not refuse but accepted it. Sha Xinyu’s suicide threat to prevent their marriage deeply hurt her - what was wrong with her brother? Just because he wasn’t born into a rich and powerful family?

She harbored a genuinely competitive thought in her heart, determined to make her brother live well and to make Sha Xinyu, the snob, regret her actions.

But if Sha Xinyu were to regret, that would mean Iro was not living well, which troubled Li Xianglu. Iro was actually a good girl; her only fault was having a snobbish mother.

The Chinese New Year of 1981 approached in early February. Li Jianqing nearly went out to collect scrap every day, while Qin Zhen and Lu Anna were excessively affectionate, working sporadically like fishing for three days and drying the nets for two.

Li Jianqing’s gains were not small. While Li Xianglu was helping to sort books in the backyard, she astonishingly found a volume of Incense Ancestor’s notes. The cover was missing, wrapped in an old newspaper, but the inside was well-preserved. Li Xianglu thought about the year 2000 when half a volume of Incense Ancestor’s notes was auctioned for three hundred thousand yuan.

Let alone the complete volume in front of her, Li Xianglu and Li Jianqing discussed it and decided to let Su Yan keep this book as a collection, not for sale, giving it a price of eight thousand yuan, which was a high price, as purchasing power was incomparable to future times.

With this, Li Xianglu had thirteen thousand yuan in hand, and buying a house could be put on the agenda.

Li Xianglu didn’t plan on buying a liveable house since Li Jianqing would still need two years to finish school, and even after graduation, he would have to return to the military to wait for his assignment.

So, her idea was to buy a piece of land with houses on it, in a good location that would be slated for demolition within five years. This way, after selling it in five years, the money could appreciate.

Thus, before the New Year, Qin Xi found a quadrangle dwelling near the second ring road, currently not in a very good location. But in Li Xianglu’s view, it was all money. This place would either be a flyover, a high-end hotel, or a shopping center, but unlikely to be demolished within five years, at least ten.

The courtyard was not small, over three hundred square meters, asking for twelve thousand. The six houses inside were well built, all with red bricks, and could be lived in with minor repairs.

After some negotiation, it was purchased for eleven thousand yuan and directly put under Li Jianqing’s name.

Li Jianqing thus worked even harder, as property ownership is seen by the people of China as a sense of security in a city. After the eighth day of the new year, he was eager to set up his stall.

The February spring breeze was like scissors, but it was still bitterly cold in the capital. Li Xianglu and Xiong Youxin were studying at the dining table on the west side of the living room.

Qin Xi went out early in the morning, along with Old Qi. Old Qi was originally meant to leave in December, but Qin Xi brought him back to the quadrangle dwelling over the New Year.

Old Qi, too, was strangely fond of Li Jianqing, insisting on passing all his skills onto him.

Li Jianqing, feeling hounded, had no choice but to return home earlier each afternoon to study with Old Qi. And it must be said, Old Qi did have a keen eye; Li Jianqing was especially talented in demolition learning. He possessed exceptional practical skills, was particularly meticulous, and rarely made mistakes in the details.

Qin Xi and Lao Qi left early in the morning by car and didn’t come back for lunch. They were probably not going to return until late.

Qin Zhen, needless to say, went on a date with Anna. Li Xianglu really couldn’t figure it out – with such cold weather, the wind cutting against one’s face like a knife, there were still people in the mood for dating. It would be a wonder if they didn’t freeze to death.

Xiong Youxin handed her completed drawing to Li Xianglu nearby, saying, "Xiangxiang, I’ve finished drawing."

Li Xianglu looked up and took it. Xiong Youxin had drawn a group of people, each with distinctive facial features. Tall and strong, with big lips but no eyes, that was Qin Zhen. Beside him, a bit more refined and with narrow eyes, was Qin Xi. The one with two braids and a small mouth was herself, and the most beautiful one was Su Yan, who even had curled eyelashes drawn. She wore an open cardigan over a long cheongsam; Grandpa Li also had clothes.

After looking at it, Li Xianglu commented, "Can everyone have eyeballs?"

The naughty kid pouted and shook her head, showing reluctance.

Li Xianglu sighed and said, "I’ve always thought you were a thoughtful girl who wouldn’t quibble with those who are less sensible. Who would’ve known, ah!" This was the tone and method Su Yan often used to educate Xiong Youxin, and Li Xianglu imitated it.

Being considered thoughtful was a high-level praise in the naughty kid’s eyes; she immediately took back the drawing and added eyes and clothing to everyone who was missing them.

As it was almost time for the meal, Li Xianglu tidied up her books and was ready to help Sister Xing with cooking when the phone rang.

Xiong Youxin loved answering the phone. She put down her pen and rushed over quickly, then answered. The person on the other side obviously recognized her, and after a short chat, Xiong Youxin called for Li Xianglu.

Li Xianglu asked who it was. The naughty kid, unwilling to say, shook her head and wobbled away. Li Xianglu said hello, and from the other end came the voice of Lu Anna.

After hearing Lu Anna’s words, Li Xianglu felt an ice-cold chill envelop her body, a coldness that could not be warmed even by a heated room.

Iro had had a miscarriage, a miscarriage from being beaten.

Lu Anna meant to ask her to visit together. Li Xianglu agreed, and they arranged to go in the afternoon.

As soon as Li Xianglu went out, she saw Old Geng approaching from behind. Seeing Li Xianglu, he smiled and said, "Jianqing is back. He brought back a truckload of furniture."

Li Xianglu looked stupefied. Should she tell her third brother?

It had been a wedding during New Year’s, and now it was early February; it almost seemed like Iro got pregnant right after getting married. But how could she miscarry just like that, especially a miscarriage from being beaten?

Li Xianglu helped check the furniture and actually found a red sandalwood show stool. This thing was incredibly valuable – she directly informed her third brother that this piece could be exchanged for an apartment.

Li Jianqing rubbed his hands together in excitement.

At the dinner table, Li Xianglu was preoccupied with heavy thoughts. Seeing her eating only white rice, Su Yan asked her, "What’s wrong?"

Li Xianglu looked at Grandpa Li, then at Su Yan, opened her mouth but then closed it again. The naughty kid was still there; she would talk about it later.

So in the afternoon, Li Jianqing went with her. He was frowning the whole time, stifling his anger, which caused Li Xianglu great worry.