Zhao Changlin, upon hearing his younger sister's comments, said, "Chunli, come up with fewer bad ideas. It's getting late, and you and your husband should head back; you have to go to work tomorrow."
Zhao Chunli said, "I'm thinking of what's best for Luo Qiao. Can a young girl really support herself? If this works out, you and second brother could even gain an extra source of income."
Zhao Changlin said, "What goes around comes around. You better stop doing things that harm others. Since we've already declared in front of the whole village that we're going separate ways from now on, let's not dwell on such pointless schemes."
After saying this, Zhao Changlin took his wife and left. He had never liked his brother's wife's personality. They had gone to the commune for business earlier that day and only found out upon returning that his younger brother's family had taken such drastic measures.
Since the matter was settled, they had no reason to interfere, for the family had been divided.
At nightfall, Luo Qiao waited until Lu Yichen had come back inside and closed the door before she entered the space.
Once in the space, she walked toward the valley. On both sides, various fruit trees were growing, not in great numbers or variety, but this still delighted Luo Qiao—in those days, fruit was hard to come by.
Not far from the waterfall, there was a pond formed by diverting the terrain's water, which contained a patch of lotus flowers.
Luo Qiao looked up at the mountain, covered with tall trees, yet she did not recognize many of them.
After her tour, she realized that except for herself, there were no living creatures in this space. It looked like she would have to make a trip to the mountains and do some experimentation once she was feeling better.
The next day, Luo Qiao woke up early, feeling much better than the day before. She planned to go to the Youth League courtyard to choose a room. It was better to move out sooner so as not to impose on Lu Yichen's family.
Although her physical condition was still weak, the situation of an unmarried man and woman living together was indecorous. Besides, she had heard from the brigade leader that the Youth League courtyard was not far from Lu Yichen's house.
Perhaps it was the water from the space she drank the day before that made her feel better. Despite the early spring morning being warm but still chilly, Luo Qiao found a basin in the yard and fetched some water from the jar at the kitchen door.
As she was about to wash her face, Lu Yichen came out of the kitchen with a ladle of hot water, saying, "It's cold; add some hot water before you wash."
By the time Luo Qiao looked up, Lu Yichen had already turned and walked away. He was truly a man with a stern appearance but a soft heart.
She had already told Auntie Gao the night before not to come over anymore, as she could take care of herself, and didn't want to keep troubling her.
After Luo Qiao finished getting ready, Lu Yichen had also prepared breakfast. After eating, they went to the Youth League courtyard where the brigade leader and several strong villagers from the village had just arrived.
The brigade leader said to Luo Qiao, "No one lives in the Youth League courtyard now. Choose whichever room you like and have them help you tidy up."
In the end, Luo Qiao chose the room at the farthest end, conveniently located next to the kitchen.
The room had been vacated not too long ago, so not many repairs were needed. It was tidied up in one morning, but now that it was cleaned, there was nothing inside but a kang bed.
The original occupant had left with only a small bundle, containing a few changes of clothes and nothing else.
The brigade leader had gone home and returned with his wife bringing an old quilt and bedding, two sets of dishes and chopsticks, about twenty pounds of cornmeal, and a few seasonings. Fortunately, there were pots and a water jar in the kitchen of the Youth League courtyard.
There was also a pile of firewood in the backyard, without which there would've been no way to cook in the future.
Gratefully, Luo Qiao said, "Thank you, Auntie. Consider these items borrowed. Once I have enough money to buy my own, I will return everything to you."
The brigade leader's wife replied, "I'm glad you don't mind. Life will get better gradually."