Volume 1, Chapter 18: She Also Wants to Take the College Entrance Examination

Old Wang worked quickly, and by that very night, the new furniture and bedding had been delivered. He even brought a group of people to help organize everything, and finally, they finished tidying up before ten o’clock.

Li Shuhe hid the bowl that Fang Shenzhai had used to pack his meal the day before under the bed, planning to return it to him when she had the chance.

For several days in a row, Li Shuhe had no opportunity to see Fang Shenzhai again.

Meanwhile, she had no idea what Duan Xiadong was thinking these past few days, but he kept staying at Liyuan.

For Li Shuhe, it was now more convenient to catch a ride to and from work with Duan Xiadong, but having to constantly face that nauseating face and pretend to harbor deep feelings was mentally exhausting.

In the finance office, the director didn’t allow her to handle core tasks, assigning her only minor cost calculation work.

Though called an automobile factory, Xiadong Auto actually only manufactured car parts.

From what Li Shuhe had seen so far, there were no major issues, but she overheard colleagues chatting that Duan Xiadong planned to bid for the pipeline materials contract for the second phase of the Liyuan community.

Li Shuhe paid special attention to this matter.

At lunch, she unexpectedly ran into Duan Xiaoqiu in the cafeteria. Since the last time she had been publicly humiliated, Xiaoqiu hadn’t appeared at the factory and had even refused the secretary job Duan Xiadong offered her.

“I’m coming with you tonight,” Xiaoqiu said bluntly, sitting opposite Li Shuhe without any invitation.

“For what?” Li Shuhe, already worn out from facing Duan Xiadong every day, had no energy to pretend to get along with Xiaoqiu.

“My brother just bought a new house. Why should you be the only one living there? I want to live there too!”

Only today had Xiaoqiu found out that her brother had bought a place and was living there with Li Shuhe. No wonder he hadn’t been home these past few days.

“Go talk to your brother about it. There’s no point telling me,” Li Shuhe said without looking up, focused on her meal since she had work in the afternoon.

“I know that, I’m just letting you know!” Xiaoqiu knocked on the table, trying to catch Li Shuhe’s attention. She wanted to boast about something.

“You’ll always depend on my brother’s charity your whole life, but I’m different. I passed the preliminary college entrance exam. In a few months, I’ll take the real exam and become a college student. As for you, you’ll always be a stray dog clinging to my brother,” Xiaoqiu sneered.

Li Shuhe finally spared Xiaoqiu a glance, surprised that she had passed the preliminary exam.

Li Shuhe had never taken the college entrance exam. When she was in high school, the exam hadn’t been reinstated yet. She and Fang Shenzhai had competed for a government-funded study abroad slot, applying for an English language program.

There were only a few dozen government-funded spots nationwide, and even fewer for English language. She and Fang Shenzhai had studied day and night, averaging only five hours of sleep a day.

Though tough, those days were full of hope, and she had comrades by her side.

Now, hearing that Xiaoqiu had passed the preliminary exam stirred mixed feelings deep inside Li Shuhe.

“What’s wrong? Lost for words because you’re far behind me?” Xiaoqiu was delighted to see Li Shuhe’s expression. Finally, she had something to overpower her with.

“Yes, you’re amazing,” Li Shuhe said, her spirits lifted by a newfound drive for the future. She was in a good mood and willing to humor Xiaoqiu.

Hearing this, Xiaoqiu thought Li Shuhe was admitting defeat and excitedly continued to belittle her.

Li Shuhe sighed. Some people were experts at turning insults against you; she shouldn’t waste her time on Xiaoqiu.

Setting down her tray, Li Shuhe changed seats.

That evening, Li Shuhe saw Xiaoqiu in Duan Xiadong’s car.

“Brother Xiadong?” Li Shuhe looked at Duan Xiadong in puzzlement, as if to ask, “Why is she here?”

“Xiaoqiu was curious, so I let her come along,” Duan Xiadong explained. “I’ll drop you off, then head back to the factory with her. I can’t always stay at your place. Tomorrow’s Sunday, so you can rest. Next week, take the bus here.”

Li Shuhe obediently nodded, a trace of reluctance flashing in her eyes.

“Well, if it’s too much trouble, you can always give the work back to Xiaoqiu,” Duan Xiadong added.

Hearing this, Li Shuhe panicked. She couldn’t just give up her job.

“I can do it, Brother Xiadong. I can handle it well. Xiaoqiu has the college entrance exam coming up. Let her focus on preparing. She can come to me for anything at the factory!”

Her words were sincere, without a hint of pretense.

“Suit yourself,” Duan Xiadong replied casually.

When they arrived at the Liyuan community, Old Wang parked the car at the entrance, as usual.

The narrow internal roads made turning around risky, and Duan Xiadong valued his car too much to risk scratches. Even though there was a parking area, he allowed Old Wang to wait outside.

“I want to go see it too,” Xiaoqiu said as she got out of the car, following Li Shuhe.

“Come back quickly,” Duan Xiadong reminded Xiaoqiu from the car without getting out.

“There’s even a courtyard!” Xiaoqiu exclaimed as soon as she entered.

“You live here alone?” she continued, mouth never stopping.

“Do you deserve to live in such a nice place? What was my brother thinking?”

“Get out!”

Seeing Duan Xiadong hadn’t followed them inside, Li Shuhe lost her patience. She grabbed a broom and swung it toward Xiaoqiu’s feet.

“This is my home!” Xiaoqiu protested, unhappy since she hadn’t even looked properly yet. Why should Li Shuhe chase her away?

“This isn’t your home. It’s Duan Xiadong’s. And I am his legitimate fiancée. This will be my home from now on!” Li Shuhe said sharply, efficiently shooing Xiaoqiu out the door.

“What fiancée? A fiancée without a dowry? You’re just throwing yourself at him and losing out. How dare you call this your home!”

“Get out!”

Li Shuhe shoved Xiaoqiu out of the courtyard, locking the gate behind her.

“I’m telling you, your brother said our love doesn’t need to be measured by dowry. When we marry, what’s his is mine. Even if it’s not mine, it’s certainly not yours!” Li Shuhe said firmly before turning back inside, finally relieved to have Duan Xiadong gone and eager to enjoy her personal space.

Xiaoqiu stood outside the gate, cursing Li Shuhe fiercely. As she ranted, she noticed a woman in the neighboring courtyard watching her intently.

“What are you looking at?” Xiaoqiu glared back and, muttering, stormed out of the community.

Once in the car, just as she was about to complain to Duan Xiadong, an image of a woman flashed in her mind.

She remembered! The woman watching her from next door was Fang Shenzhai’s mother!

Fang Shenzhai was Li Shuhe’s former lover!

He was living right next door.

Xiaoqiu’s mind raced, and a plan slowly took shape.

Li Shuhe, last time you were lucky with the fire. This time, I want to see how you’ll talk your way out of it!