Chapter Twenty: The Invitation

"Heh, I still prefer the way you looked just now—so defiant," Su Dawei said with a cold sneer as he looked at their expressions.

"Officer Qin, Comrade Su, we were just speaking carelessly earlier," Liu Lin added. "If we have caused you any offense, please forgive us."

"Exactly, exactly. I even offered to help out earlier today, you know," Yang Yuangui said, now drenched in sweat. "Officer Qin, we were ignorant today; can we just let this matter slide?"

"As for my old woman, I will give her a good talking-to when I get back."

"Three comrades, please, sit, sit," Qin Jiuhong said with a smile. After all, she would have to live alongside these neighbors in the future, and it wouldn't do to burn all bridges now. "My words just now weren't meant to criticize you. In the future, if any issues arise, feel free to come to the neighborhood office."

"We didn't bring any fancy gifts with us when we moved in, otherwise, I would have had the three of you take my husband, my daughter, and me around to meet the rest of the neighbors."

"Officer Qin, we can take you around to meet everyone right now," Liang Zhengde volunteered. "Times are tough for everyone; there's no need to bring gifts when visiting!"

"Then I shall trouble you all," Qin Jiuhong replied politely.

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all. It’s the least we can do," Yang Yuangui quickly added.

Following this, Liang Zhengde led Qin Jiuhong, Su Dawei, and Su Yanchu around to introduce them to the other neighbors in the courtyard. After finishing the rounds, the family gained a clear understanding of their new neighbors.

There were only two households in the front courtyard: their own and that of Yang Yuangui, who was a teacher at the elementary school attached to the machinery plant. In the main rooms of the middle courtyard lived Liang Zhengde and his wife Liu Lin, along with a household of a widow named Zhai, whose husband had died saving public property during a fire at the workshop. The other two households included a chef at the state-run restaurant, a man in his thirties who was still unmarried.

"Officer Qin, I, Old Xu, don't have many talents, but I can cook a few decent dishes. My partner and I are getting married in a couple of days; I hope you and your husband will do me the honor of coming over to eat."

This was the last household Qin Jiuhong visited—the Xu family. Xu Fugui had a kind face and a polite tone, which left a favorable impression on Qin Jiuhong.

"Very well," Qin Jiuhong said. "We shall impose upon you then."

After visiting the last house in the compound, the family of three returned home. Su Yanchu went to her room to study, as her exams were only a few days away. Before the exams, she had already submitted her applications, choosing a vocational school for public security.

...

"Old man, did you and Old Yang manage to teach that new family a lesson?" Seeing Yang Yuangui return with a dark expression, Tan Yuhua hurried over, waiting for good news.

"What are you spouting off about without knowing the facts? You've made me lose all face!" Seeing her, Yang Yuangui snapped and slapped her across the face.

"You... you hit me?" Tan Yuhua covered her red, swollen cheek, her voice trembling. She had never expected Yang Yuangui to strike her. They had been married for decades without ever having a heated argument, let alone resorting to physical violence.

"Qin Jiuhong is a cadre from the neighborhood office! Is that someone we can afford to offend?" Yang Yuangui felt his face flush at the thought of the humiliation he had suffered earlier that day.

"What? She has that kind of backing?" Tan Yuhua stopped crying. A neighborhood office cadre was a government official. She had to deal with the neighborhood office for everything, big or small. Because of her recklessness, she had offended her—what was she to do now?

"They didn't hold it against us. In the future, we should help out their family more," Yang Yuangui said, frowning.

"Yes, yes, I certainly won't offend them again," Tan Yuhua quickly promised.

"Fine, go to sleep," Yang Yuangui said, lying down on the bed.

...

A few days later, Su Yanchu faced her first exam in this era.

"Chuchu, remember to bring your admission ticket? Your father and I have to go to work, so we won't be able to drop you off," Qin Jiuhong reminded her before she left.

"Go for it, daughter," Su Dawei said, making a gesture of encouragement.

"Mm," Su Yanchu nodded. She picked up her stationery and admission ticket, then cycled to the exam site with full confidence.

Upon arriving, she found her seat. Shortly after, the proctor arrived. After laying out the examination rules, the proctor distributed the test papers. Su Yanchu filled in her registration number and name and began to answer. It had to be said, the middle school entrance exam questions of this era were quite simple. The exam only covered arithmetic, Chinese, and Russian, and could be completed in a single day.

After finishing the exam and leaving the site, Su Yanchu prepared to head home.

"Classmate Su."

Hearing someone call her name, Su Yanchu stopped and looked back. It was Xue Xiaodong.

"Is something the matter?"

"Nothing major. I just wanted to invite you to a movie tomorrow."

Xue Xiaodong pulled two movie tickets from his pocket.

"Sure," Su Yanchu said. She had planned to go to the Xinhua Bookstore the next day to buy some books anyway. Since someone was inviting her to a movie, she thought it might be a nice change of pace.

"What movie are we seeing?" There were quite a few movie theaters in the county town.

"We can check when we get to the theater tomorrow. We'll watch whatever you'd like to see," Xue Xiaodong said.

"Mm," Su Yanchu nodded, then asked, "Are you confident about this exam?"

"I am," Xue Xiaodong said. "I haven't asked you yet—which vocational school did you apply to?"

"I applied to the Public Security Vocational School in the provincial capital," Su Yanchu replied.

"What a coincidence, so did I," Xue Xiaodong said. "We might even be classmates in the future."

"Wait until you actually get in," Su Yanchu said before cycling away. She remembered that the last time she saw his grades, they were filled with failing marks.

Xue Xiaodong stood where he was, watching her silhouette, and smiled. "See you tomorrow."

...

The next day, after finishing breakfast and snacks in the space, Su Yanchu prepared to head out.

"Chuchu, are you sure you don't want to go to Master Xu's banquet in the courtyard today?" Qin Jiuhong asked once more.

"No, Mom, Dad, you go ahead." Su Yanchu really had no interest in the affairs of the compound. "I'm going to watch a movie."

"Is the person you're watching the movie with a male classmate?" Su Dawei asked. Even though he knew his daughter’s soul was that of an adult, he couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, he's a boy," Su Yanchu replied, not worried about them knowing.

"Invite him over for a meal another day," Qin Jiuhong said. "Tomorrow, we're hosting your aunt's family for a housewarming, and we'll be inviting the neighbors as well. You should invite some of the classmates you're close with, too."