Chapter 7: I Dare to Marry You

Director Zhang Shoufeng of the Street Revolutionary Committee, after hearing several reports, wore a gloomy expression.

The man beaten by Lu Cheng is named Zhong Qingbao; at this moment he is covering half his face, hissing as he draws in cool air.

"Who on earth is that Lu San'er, daring to beat people of the Street Office, and then saying even you don't dare to trouble him—how arrogant!"

Zhang Shoufeng, hands behind his back, sighed: "I know that Lu San'er; he's just a street loafer who hasn't stopped harassing young girls."

"Huh? That's just hooliganism. Then I'll report to the Public Security and have him arrested; that Turtle bastard is lawless!"

Zhong Qingbao was about to leave when Zhang Shoufeng called out to him.

"Forget it, forget it, that kid is very troublesome; I don't even bother dealing with him."

Zhong Qingbao, not understanding, said: "Director Zhang, how can you just give up like that? We were beaten for nothing."

"Sigh, you're unlucky today to run into him. It's not that I'm afraid of Lu San'er—there's nothing to fear about him—but you don't know he has a master named Xu Erye."

"Xu Erye?" Zhong Qingbao thought the name sounded familiar and suddenly recalled.

"That old man was the one who performed tricks under the city gate before the liberation; there's nothing to fear—he only knows a bit of fist and foot techniques. No matter how hard his fists are, they can't be as hard as a Bullet!"

Zhang Shoufeng glanced and said: "What the heck do you know? This man values loyalty and has made many acquaintances among the Three Teachings Nine Streams."

"No way, Director Zhang. It's been many years since the founding of the nation, and the kind of people he befriends never make it to the public stage."

"Can't make it to the public stage?" Zhang Shoufeng shook his head slightly: "You don't know—back before the liberation, he even took on more than thirty Disciple."

"Do you know what kind of people his Disciple are? Most work in state agencies, some have become senior leaders, and some are in the military—back then they all came from the anti‑Japanese war."

"The military?" Zhong Qingbao opened his mouth in surprise.

"Yes, even his lowest‑ranking Disciple is a Section Chief of the Security Department at a state‑run large factory, and then there's that Closed-door Disciple Lu San'er..."

At this point, Zhang Shoufeng shook his head slightly: "It's a disgrace to Xu Erye's reputation; Xu Erye was renowned all his life, yet he ended up taking such an incompetent Disciple."

Zhong Qingbao didn't think it was incompetent; just now the five of them hadn't even touched Lu Cheng's body before they were knocked down.

If even such a Disciple is incompetent, how formidable must Xu Erye's other Disciple be?

"Director Zhang, does that mean we should give up on sending Lin Qingyan to the countryside for the labor team?"

Zhang Shoufeng lifted his head, his gaze firm: "Of course we can't give up. Right now many families at the Street Office can't get housing; once Lin Qingyan's family secures that Siheyuan, it will at least ease the pressure."

"But what about that Lu San'er?" Zhong Qingbao, after hearing about Xu Erye, also thought Lu Cheng was a bit tricky.

Zhang Shoufeng waved his hand: "Lu San'er doesn't come here every day. You should seize the time, quickly persuade Lin Qingyan to go to the countryside for the labor team; fulfill any of her requests as much as possible, preferably have her leave within these two days."

Zhong Qingbao nodded: "Got it, Director Zhang. Tomorrow I'll forcibly take her to the train station."

……

With a "clang clang" sound, a trackless trolley rolled down the main street, its sidebars bearing two large braids.

If something fell off, the driver would stop and lift it back with a long pole.

"Lu Cheng, could you stop grinding your shoes on the ground? I can barely ride now."

"Sister."

"No money."

Usually they shout a single syllable, but when they need money it becomes two syllables.

"Look at you, can you stop thinking of your brother that way? Is the bond between us siblings measured by money? I have aspirations too; don't always view your brother as so despicable."

Today's brother is indeed a bit different; though still fond of poverty, he seems a little more sensible.

Thinking that, Lu Ying stopped her bicycle.

"You performed quite well today, so why call me 'dear' then?"

Lu Cheng lifted his hips: "I want to borrow some money."

"Get lost."

Lu Ying kicked her bicycle away, leaving Lu Cheng to run back on his own.

Lu Cheng didn't chase; he was deliberately sending his sister away.

Because while seated on the saddle, he kept thinking that after beating people of the Street Office, this group certainly wouldn't give up easily.

Even though he made harsh threats, they were only a temporary fix, not a cure.

After all, a Siheyuan's allure is still strong; now the Capital City has many Unemployed Youth, and agencies, to provide placement, often have one person's work done by two, three people's meals shared by five.

With so many urgently needing housing, a two‑entrance Siheyuan can at least accommodate a dozen households.

People of the Street Office will definitely try every means to obtain a Siheyuan.

Moreover, to prevent his interference, they might have to send Lin Qingyan away early.

After sending his sister away, Lu Cheng turned back to Yu'er Hutong and knocked on the door a few times.

"Who is it?"

"Sister Qing Yan, it's me."

"Lu Cheng? Why are you back again? Did you drop something?"

Lin Qingyan opened the door and glanced: "Where's your sister?"

"Ah? That thing! My sister is just a street loafer; with her skills, she's definitely riding a bicycle and wandering around."

Lin Qingyan smiled slightly: "Why do I feel like you're talking about yourself?"

Lu Cheng grinned: "Sister Qing Yan, we haven't seen each other much these years; actually I'm much better now, and I also want to improve."

Lin Qingyan nodded lightly: "Hmm, it's great you think like that; your sister will certainly be very happy."

"Um, Sister Qing Yan, I'm a bit thirsty."

"Oh, then come in, I'll pour you a bowl of tea." Lin Qingyan made space.

Lu Cheng didn't bother with politeness, walked straight in, heading directly to Lin Qingyan's bedroom.

If it were other male Comrades, Lin Qingyan would definitely stop him, but Lu Cheng is different; she has always treated him like a brother.

She fetched a thermos from the living room, poured it into a bowl while saying, "Lu Cheng, have a seat."

Lu Cheng wouldn't be courteous; he simply sat on Lin Qingyan's bed, patting the sides, and said.

"Qing Yanjie, your room is really fragrant, unlike my sister's room, which is always stinky; any mosquito that goes in would be smothered to death."

Lin Qingyan smiled and said, "Don't talk nonsense. I've been to your sister's room; it's not stinky at all. If you keep saying such things out there, will you still let your sister get married?"

"Then Qing Yanjie, are you preparing to get married?"

Hearing Lu Cheng's words, Lin Qingyan looked over, her pair of peach‑blossom eyes full of doubt.

Because the Lu Cheng who stood up at that moment had no trace of looseness on his face; instead, he exuded a mature masculine confidence.

Such a stranger Lu Cheng made Lin Qingyan feel momentarily bewildered.

She quickly regained her composure and said, "You know my current situation; everyone is afraid of being affected by me, so no one dares to marry me."

Lu Cheng stepped forward two steps and said, "Qing Yanjie, I'm not afraid of being affected; I dare to marry you."