Chapter 25: Luo San

Yen Family’s Small Villa.

“Brother, why are you sorting out local products? Mom will tidy up when she gets back,” Yen Ruhai said as he returned from outside, seeing his older brother Yen Rushan organizing specialties from the mountains.

Casting him a sidelong glance, Yen Rushan replied, “I’m visiting Luo Third, bringing something along.”

“Luo Third Brother?” Yen Ruhai was puzzled. “Didn’t you just see him yesterday?”

“Kids shouldn’t meddle.” Tying up the bag of mountain goods, Yen Rushan picked it up and headed out.

Yen Ruhai hurried after him. “Brother, I’ll go with you.”

Yen Rushan didn’t object; it was just a friendly visit, after all. The Luo and Yen families lived in the same compound. Their parents worked within the same system, so their assigned houses were naturally in the same yard, only a few steps apart.

“Hey, Big Yen, what’re you doing, moving house?” A laid-back youth lounged on the sofa in the hall, looking up to see Yen Rushan carrying things, startled by the sight.

Yen Rushan tossed the bag to him and sat down on the sofa. “My parents traded these with their comrades from various places. I’m giving you some.”

“So generous?”

“Luo Third, can you get that new steel from the capital steelworks?” Yen Rushan didn’t respond to his remark, getting straight to the point.

Luo Third put the goods on the floor, eyeing him, “I knew it, you wouldn’t bring gifts for nothing. What do you want the steel for?” He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, offered one to Yen Rushan, then looked at Yen Ruhai, “Want one, Second Yen?”

“Thanks, Luo Third Brother, I don’t smoke. If Mom smells it, she’ll kill me.” Yen Ruhai found a seat, familiar with the routine.

Yen Rushan took a cigarette, lit it, enjoyed a few puffs, then put it out, savoring the taste. “Someone needs it. Just get it for me. Money isn’t an issue.”

“How much?” Luo Third smoked enthusiastically.

“Ten pounds of new steel. I also need scrap, about fifty pounds or so. Tomorrow noon, once it’s packed, deliver it to the university gate. I’ll bring it to someone after school.”

Luo Third considered briefly and nodded briskly. “No problem, just ten pounds! I could get thirty more if needed.”

“Then bring thirty more.”

Luo Third was speechless. “...Are you serious?”

“Yes, that’s settled. Don’t forget to send it tomorrow. Ruhai and I will head home now, my parents should be back soon.” Yen Rushan left swiftly, Yen Ruhai said his goodbyes to Luo Third and followed, the two brothers moving quickly while Luo Third was left dumbfounded.

Was he smashing his own foot with a stone? He’d bragged, and now they took him seriously.

“Brother, why do you need so much steel? Only the steelworks care about that stuff.” Yen Ruhai asked as they walked, but got no answer. He hurried to catch up to his brother, pressing further, “Come on, tell me. I promise not to tell anyone.”

Yen Rushan paused, turned to look at him, and said, “Don’t ask too much. When you need to know, I’ll tell you.”

Under Yen Rushan’s sharp gaze, Yen Ruhai pursed his lips.

“Fine, won’t ask, still treating me like a kid.”

......

At noon after school, Yen Rushan went to the school gate himself to receive the steel delivery, only to find that Luo Third had come in person, driving a small car.

“Big Yen, I’ve got the stuff. Thirty pounds of new steel, only about twenty pounds of scrap since the car couldn’t fit more. Want to count it?” Luo Third got out of the car.

Yen Rushan waved it off. “I trust your work. Get in, I’ll guide you. Drive it to the destination.”

They got in, Yen Rushan directed them to Zhong Yuxiu’s house. “We’re here. Stop at the gate.”

“Whose place is this?”

“A classmate. We were assigned to the countryside together before.” Yen Rushan got out, saw the gate locked—it seemed she wasn’t home yet. Turning to Luo Third, who also stepped out, he said, “Let’s wait. She’s not back yet.”

Luo Third shrugged, full of curiosity, raising his brows in question.

“Is this classmate a girl?” Seeing Yen Rushan didn’t refute, Luo Third grinned mischievously, “Still haven’t wooed her, have you?”

It was a reasonable guess. If it were someone else, he’d just let them come pick up the goods—no need to deliver to her door.

Yen Rushan shot him a sidelong glance, replying coolly, “You’re very noisy.”

“So you really haven’t wooed her. Big Yen, I told you as a kid not to always wear that stone face, as if everyone owes you money, but you wouldn’t listen. Look at you now, can’t even get a girlfriend.”

Yen Rushan’s eyelids twitched, his voice cold. “She isn’t a shallow person.”

Luo Third couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“Shut up.” Yen Rushan gazed into the distance, spotting the girl approaching, and hushed him.

Following his gaze, Luo Third was instantly captivated. The girl approaching wore plain clothes, nothing expensive, but her natural, reserved grace shone through. As she drew near, he saw her more clearly: young, with bright, composed eyes like countless stars.

She was a wise and intelligent girl.

“Have you eaten?” Yen Rushan’s abrupt question snapped Luo Third out of his reverie, making him roll his eyes at Yen Rushan—no wonder he couldn’t woo her.

Zhong Yuxiu smiled and nodded, “I ate at the cafeteria before coming back. Did you get the steel?”

“Yes. This is my childhood friend Luo Lijun, third in his family, just call him Luo Third. He helped get the steel. If we need more, we’ll ask him again.”

With such an introduction, Zhong Yuxiu couldn’t call him that. “Comrade Luo, I’m Zhong Yuxiu. Thank you very much for your help.”

“No problem, Comrade Yuxiu. Big Yen’s always had that stone face since he was a kid. If you didn’t know him, you’d think people owed him a fortune. Didn’t expect you’d be friends with him—you really are kind and magnanimous,” Luo Lijun praised effusively.

Zhong Yuxiu smiled lightly, unfazed by his words. “It’s fine, everyone has different personalities and ways of doing things. Everything in the world has its own patterns; existence is reasonable. We can’t expect everyone and everything to be the same.”

“Well said, Comrade Yuxiu, you’re truly cultured. There’s a lot of philosophy in your words.” Luo Lijun felt bitter inside; the man beside him shot him several dark looks. He dared not provoke further, for fear he’d be unable to respond and Big Yen would remember it.

On reflection, Big Yen’s taste was sharp! A woman like Comrade Zhong was nothing like the usual girls these days.

“Thank you both for bringing it in person. Big Brother Yen, Comrade Luo, please come inside.” Zhong Yuxiu unlocked the gate and invited them in.

Luo Lijun instinctively looked at Yen Rushan.

Yen Rushan’s lips curved slightly. “We won’t stay. We’ll help you move the goods in and leave; my parents are waiting for me to eat, and so is Luo Third.”

“You haven’t eaten yet? If I’d known, we’d have eaten outside,” Zhong Yuxiu smiled, not insisting further.

Luo Third could sense the polite distance in her words and doubted Yen Rushan’s ability to win her over.

It took three trips to move all the steel from the car into the yard, stacking it in the utility room.

After moving everything, Luo Third wanted to linger, but Yen Rushan pulled him away.