Chapter 24: He Had Long Since Forfeited That Right

Hua Li generously invited Chen Yuanshan to dine at the state-run restaurant. Upon being seated by the window, Hua Li first ordered chicken stewed with vermicelli and scrambled eggs with *cili* buds for the two children, telling Chen Yuanshan to order whatever else he liked. Chen added sweet and sour pork, spiced beef, and a mixed vegetable dish. When Hua Li took out her money and ration coupons to pay, Chen Yuanshan intervened, telling the waiter to put it on his tab.

"That won't do," Hua Li protested, but the waiter refused to accept her money. Chen Yuanshan pulled her back to the table. "I’m very fond of Yan-yan and this little rascal. You don’t need to pay for the meal; just use the money you saved to buy the children something nice instead." Since he insisted, Hua Li couldn't press the matter and sheepishly tucked her money away.

"Comrade Chen, may I ask you a question?"

So that was why she had been so eager to treat him to dinner—she had a favor to ask. Chen Yuanshan nodded. "Go ahead."

"Chief Sun has helped me so much, and I truly don't know how to thank him. I wanted to ask what kind of gift would be appropriate."

Without hesitation, Chen Yuanshan replied, "Don't bother. The Division Commander lacks for nothing; anything you buy would just be a waste of your money."

"But..." It was one thing for him to have everything, but another for her not to show her gratitude. Hua Li frowned. Seeing her troubled expression, Chen Yuanshan thought for a moment and offered a suggestion. "The Chief enjoys playing Go. When you have time, let Yan-yan keep him company. You don't even have to know how to play; just having someone there to stir up a little trouble for him would be enough." Sun Bailing loved the game, but none of his children or grandchildren shared his interest, so Chen thought of this.

Hua Li hesitated. Luo Yan was a young girl; even if the other party was a high-ranking official of good character, a mother still had to be cautious. "That... might not be very convenient." She would have to accompany Luo Yan every time she saw Sun Bailing, and since she was about to divorce Luo Shicheng, she had to avoid any appearance of impropriety, regardless of the age difference. Chen Yuanshan didn't quite grasp her concerns, but he never forced anyone to do anything, so he dropped the subject.

Just then, Xiao Xiu tugged at the hem of Hua Li’s shirt. "What is it, Xiao Xiu?" Hua Li wondered if he needed the restroom and was debating whether to take him to the men's or women's room when he started making gestures. Before Hua Li could understand, Chen Yuanshan remarked, "Does this kid actually know how to play Go?" Xiao Xiu was mimicking the motion of placing a stone on a board.

Hua Li was surprised. "Xiao Xiu, you know how to play Go?" Xiao Xiu nodded, tapping his own chest and then the side of Luo Yan, who was busy devouring her sweet and sour pork. *Luo Yan: Don't count me in; I don't like playing, thank you.* For some reason, Hua Li felt completely at ease with Xiao Xiu staying with Luo Yan.

Suddenly, Hua Li remembered something else. "Comrade Chen, Xiao Xiu is a child I found. His family must have someone in the military. Is there any way to post a missing person notice for him within the military nationwide to help find his family?"

Chen Yuanshan admired her boldness, but he dared not do such a thing himself. "That's impossible, but I can ask around among people I know."

"Thank you so much..." Every extra person helping increased the chances of success, and Hua Li thanked him sincerely.

"It’s all to help the little guy find his family sooner; no need for thanks." Chen Yuanshan smiled and asked, "Is there anything else you need help with?"

Hua Li felt embarrassed, but she actually did have another request. Seeing her hesitate, Chen Yuanshan said generously, "Whether you're herding one sheep or a whole flock, it makes no difference. Tell me, what else can I help with?"

Hua Li lowered her head, looking troubled. "I... I would like to rent a small, standalone house that isn't too expensive. Ideally, the landlord would be a woman."

Chen Yuanshan looked at her intently. "Are you and the children going to live there?" Hua Li didn't dare meet his gaze and simply nodded.

"I do know of such a place, right near the supply and marketing cooperative, but..."

Hearing it was near the cooperative, Hua Li was more than satisfied, but why the "but"? "What is it?" she asked, looking up nervously. Her doe-like eyes made Chen Yuanshan momentarily lose his focus.

"The landlord is a man."

Hua Li gritted her teeth. "Do you know him?" Chen Yuanshan nodded. Since he knew the man and had recommended the place, it meant the man was likely trustworthy. "Could we go see it?"

"Anytime," said Chen Yuanshan, the landlord.

Hua Li’s mood instantly brightened. She used her serving chopsticks to place a piece of spiced beef into Chen Yuanshan’s bowl, her eyes curving into happy crescents.

Luo Shicheng, who was watching from across the street, happened to catch this eye-searing sight and punched the wall. He wanted to storm inside and give Chen Yuanshan a beating for stealing his wife, and to demand to know how Hua Li could smile at another man while still his wife. But he knew that because of his past actions, he had long since lost the right to do so.

After the meal, Chen Yuanshan carried Xiao Xiu, and Hua Li carried Luo Yan. The two of them walked to the house, which was only a five-minute walk from the cooperative. The house was the second one in the alleyway. It had a blue-brick courtyard in the front, and a vegetable patch and a ten-square-meter shed in the back. The three tiled rooms were spacious and bright, with stoves on either side of the kitchen, making it easy to heat the *kang* in winter. For the hot summer, there was a pergola outside the kitchen where they could cook on a coal stove.

Hua Li was delighted. "Comrade Chen, do you know how much the rent is?" Given the excellent conditions, it couldn't be cheap. She decided that if it was under ten yuan a month, she would take it.

Chen Yuanshan saw that she liked it and said, "This house belongs to a friend of mine. He went away for work, and he's only renting it out to have someone look after the place. As long as you keep it clean, eighty yuan a year is fine."

That was incredibly cheap! Hua Li suppressed her excitement. "I will definitely keep it clean. But eighty a year is too cheap. How about this: I'll pay ten yuan a month, and we can sign a contract right now."

Chen Yuanshan couldn't help but laugh. "Most people try to haggle down, but you're trying to haggle up. Who negotiates like that? Eighty a year, no bargaining. If you agree, the keys are yours. If not, forget it."

"Don't be like that!" Hua Li didn't know what to say.

Chen Yuanshan placed the keys into the hands of Luo Yan, who had run over. "How about living here with your mother from now on?" Luo Yan had looked around the whole courtyard and found it lovely. Besides, she had no objections to her mother getting a divorce, so she took the keys and nodded obediently.

Chen Yuanshan noticed Xiao Xiu standing behind Luo Yan, looking troubled, and lowered his voice to ask Hua Li, "Are you planning to have Xiao Xiu live with you?"

Hua Li was just worrying about that. She had to start work tomorrow, and while Xiao Xiu was supposed to be sent away, she had asked Chen Yuanshan to help find his parents, and it wasn't convenient for him to stay alone with Luo Yan.

"How about leaving him with me for now?" Chen Yuanshan offered. "I live alone, so it’s quite convenient to have a boy around."

Hua Li nodded immediately. "That would be a great help."

Chen Yuanshan smiled and reached out to Xiao Xiu, but the boy took a few steps back, clutching Luo Yan’s hand tightly and refusing to let go.