Back To The 80s-Chapter 67 - 66: Royalties_1

Gu Xiaobei’s depressed mood had improved by the time she got home. She washed a large peach she had bought in the morning and lay on the sofa nibbling at it, slurring, "Let’s go for a barbecue this Sunday."

Lu Zhanguo nodded in agreement, chuckling at how quickly her mood had changed.

Come Monday, Xiaobei arrived at work to find that Li Hao had already left with a truckload of goods, but Jin Cheng, for once, was right on time for work.

Ling Yun arrived a bit late, looking a bit under the weather. Xiaobei asked with concern, "Is everything okay, Sister Ling?"

"I’m fine, I just got a bit overheated when I went out yesterday," Ling Yun said, shaking her head.

"You should drink more water and take a rest on your desk," Xiaobei suggested. She got up to fetch a glass of water for Ling Yun. As she handed over the glass, her eyes landed on a few English words on the document bag Ling Yun had brought along.

Ling Yun thanked Xiaobei and placed her cup on the desk, hiding the document bag in her drawer at the same time.

Xiaobei returned to her seat, chuckling. Only having taken a glance of the document bag, she had not seen what the words were, but her curiosity had been piqued. However, she was struggling to find a chance to sneak another look..

As Xiaobei left the office for lunch, she turned back to look at Ling Yun’s drawer, only to find that it was locked.

Xiaobei gave up as she did not know how to pick locks.

As they clocked out, Qin Li arrived, squinting her eyes as she waved at Xiaobei with a smile. She glanced at Jin Cheng but remained silent.

Jin Cheng leaned over, cheekily saying, "Hey, aren’t you being a bit impolite, not even saying hi to your brother?"

Qin Li shot him an annoyed look before haughtily taking Xiaobei’s arm and walked away.

Xiaobei chuckled and whispered, "I thought you had a crush on him? Why don’t you talk to him when you see him?"

Qin Li sighed with a hint of melancholy. "I don’t want to waste words on him. It’s pointless."

Xiaobei thought about dissuading her but decided against it in the end. When it comes to matters of the heart, only the person involved knows the ups and downs.

After walking in silence for a while, Qin Li suddenly asked, "How are things between you and Lu Zhanguo?"

"Just like any other couple. How other people get along, that’s how we get along," Xiaobei said dismissively.

Qin Li looked at Xiaobei with admiration, "Lu Zhanguo is as cold and hard as a stone. How can you stand him?"

Xiaobei chuckled. Indeed, he did remind her of a stone, but instead she responded, "It’s actually not as bad as you think."

Qin Li sighed, "Lu Zhanguo is a good man though, mature and stable, so different from Jin Cheng."

Seeing that Qin Li was still infatuated with Jin Cheng, Xiaobei let out a sigh, "Aye, you’ve been poisoned by something called ’Jin Cheng’ and like the real thing, there’s no antidote for it in the world."

Qin Li burst into laughter, with tears forming in her eyes, "Sister Xiaobei, you’re so right!"

When Xiaobei got home, she found a registered letter on the table and chuckled when she saw the return address on the envelope – it was from the city’s publishing house.

Eagerly sitting down to open the envelope, she found a remittance receipt inside. The accompanying letter contained two sentences: one that highly praised and affirmed her translation skills; the second mentioned that the novel she was supposed to translate had already been sent and would arrive soon.

Looking at the RMB 550 on the remittance receipt, joy bloomed in Xiaobei’s heart. Once the remittance receipt was delivered, she would withdraw the money and go shopping.

This was the first large sum of money she had ever earned in this era.

When Lu Zhanguo came home, he found Xiaobei lying on the sofa, giggling to herself and holding a piece of paper.

Intrigued, he walked over and asked, "What’s so funny?"

Xiaobei proudly shook the piece of paper in her hands, "Look at this, guess what it is?"

"RMB 550? Your paycheck is this substantial?" Lu Zhanguo was also surprised.

Xiaobei was thrilled, "Isn’t it incredible?"

Seeing Xiaobei’s exuberant expression, Lu Zhanguo felt joyful too, "Yes, it is. An average farmer doesn’t even make this much in a year."

Still laughing, Xiaobei said, "Let’s not cook tonight, let’s eat out."

"Sure. What do you want to eat?"

"I want the hot and sour noodle soup from Uncle Wang’s place. It’s so delicious," Xiaobei said, looking like she was about to drool.

"Ok, wrap up and let’s head out," Lu Zhanguo replied.

Xiaobei looked at the very accommodating Lu Zhanguo, recalled Qin Li’s words, and laughed foolishly again.

Uncle Wang’s noodle shop was pretty empty during mealtimes. Xiaobei sighed, thinking if it wasn’t for his other job, Uncle Wang wouldn’t even be able to cover rent.

Uncle Wang and his wife treated them with great hospitality but did not mention the ten yuan they owed.

Both Xiaobei and Lu Zhanguo shared a relieved glance. Uncle Wang wearing a kind smile, said, "Zhanguo, tell your army friends to come for a meal when they are in the city. Your Auntie and I will charge them."

Lu Zhanguo, looking appreciative, said, "Uncle Wang, that’s better. Otherwise, we wouldn’t dare to visit."

Uncle’s wife served the noodles and added cheerily, "Right, we will start charging. We are happy as long as you visit often."

Xiaobei is touched by their kindness and taking in Uncle Wang and his wife.

After the meal, Xiaobei said with a smile, "Let’s get some fabric for Uncle Wang and Auntie and make them some new clothes."

Lu Zhanguo turned to look at Xiaobei, who barely reached his shoulder, feeling amused at the contrast between her grudging generosity toward her mother and the easy generosity she displayed toward strangers. "Alright, but they might not accept them," he replied.

Xiaobei gave a small laugh and said, "Don’t worry, I have a strategy."

As they reached their apartment complex, they noticed Shen Heng waiting at the gate, who said, "I have been waiting for you two for a while."

"Is something up?" Lu Zhanguo asked, seeing no signs of urgency in Shen Heng’s expression.

"Just a small thing, I was hoping to grab dinner while I was here," Shen Heng replied, looking like he had something amusing to share.

"Alright, let’s talk inside," Lu Zhanguo suggested.

While Xiaobei was in the kitchen heating up water, Shen Heng quietly shared, "Gu Xiaodong bought a small courtyard in L City. He plans to send Liao Qing and the kid away. Gu Xiaodong is in some trouble this time, Liao Qing is not someone easy to deal with."

Lu Zhanguo frowned, "How is the evidence collection against Gu Xiaodong coming along?"

Shen Heng sighed, "This Gu Xiaodong is indeed very cunning. There are no cracks in his facade."

"If Liao Qing knows too many of Gu Xiaodong’s secrets, she could be in danger. Keep an eye on her to make sure nothing happens," Lu Zhanguo advised, fearing Gu Xiaodong might lash out in desperation.

Shen Heng nodded, and when Xiaobei came out with tea, he didn’t utter another word on the matter.

After Shen Heng had left, Lu Zhanguo decided to share, "Liao Zhe is Gu Xiaodong’s child."

Xiaobei’s mouth dropped open in surprise. No wonder Liao Qing all had the kid call her Auntie, she technically is.

"Liu Mei must know about it too based on how she was staring at Liao Qing at the park," Xiaobei suddenly realized.

"Yes, now Gu Xiaodong wants to send Liao Qing and her son away, but it seems that Liao Qing doesn’t want to go."

"Poor Liao Qing, raising a child on her own," Xiaobei sympathized. She then narrowed her eyes at Lu Zhanguo and growled, "If you ever have a child outside of our relationship, I’ll make sure we both perish together."