School Beauty's Invincible Martial Expert-Chapter 480 - 481: Coming to Propose Marriage

This was a person's bottom line, and also Auntie Zhou's.

Auntie Zhou had manned her post in the Fuxing Community for so many years, always clean and just. She had never taken a cent from the organization, nor had she ever accepted anything from the people. This had always been her pride and her joy.

The work at the Residents' Committee quickly became busy.

The task Auntie Xiaohong was responsible for was contacting the workers; it was the end of the year, and there were many workers. Most people came back for the holiday break. She quickly contacted three groups of people, totaling more than ten individuals. All of these were electricians by trade. Moreover, over half of them were from the Fuxing Community. Since Fuxing Road was being refurbished, it was natural to employ their own people, because internal resources should benefit the internal community.

"Oh, what's this all about?"

"Has the sun risen from the west? Fuxing Road is actually getting its streetlights replaced!"

Seeing the electricians ready to start replacing the streetlights, the community residents curiously gathered around. This made them feel very surprised and astonished. They were utterly shocked.

"They are really replacing the streetlights, that's great!"

"Finally, these people have done something good for us. This New Year, we can finally walk on a bright road."

The residents cheered loudly.

Xiao Han stood at the entrance of the Fuxing Community, seeing all the residents coming out to watch and seeing the expressions of joy on everyone's faces, he immediately revealed a smile. His smile was full of happiness, brimming with contentment. Xiao Han felt immensely happy. It seemed like this investment of two hundred thousand was indeed worth it.

"This is indeed good news," said Old Liu wearing a military coat, standing at the factory entrance, with a dry cigarette in his mouth, "It has been more than ten years. These streetlights have never been managed. Now, finally someone has stepped up to replace them. I've been walking this dark road for nearly ten years!"

"Yes, finally we can walk on a bright road."

"From now on, there won't be any more robberies or rape cases on Fuxing Road, right?"

Everyone discussed this, all appearing extremely happy. Every one of them was excited beyond measure.

Mother Xiao looked at everyone's happiness and she too showed a knowing smile. Given Mother Xiao's character, she definitely wouldn't tell everyone that it was her son who had paid for the streetlights. Mother Xiao was a very reserved person. She would only internally feel proud of her son, never saying it out loud.

Suddenly, among the crowd, Mother Xiao saw a familiar face. She hurriedly walked over to that person.

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"Uncle Liu, what are you doing?" Mother Xiao asked curiously.

"Aren't they replacing the streetlights?" Old Liu chuckled, took a puff of his dry cigarette, and then said, "I came to see this, and to feel happy. The New Year is coming, and we can finally see a wide and bright road."

"Exactly!" Mother Xiao nodded, "Now the government's policies are good, they take good care of us too."

"Yes," Old Liu nodded, "With good policies, our living standards have also improved."

"Uncle Liu, I want to discuss something with you," Mother Xiao said, her cheeks flushing.

"Oh? What is it?" Old Liu was startled for a moment, curiously watching his old neighbor, wondering what could make her shy. Old Liu was a crafty old fox, but even so, he couldn't guess Mother Xiao's thoughts.

"Um... could we step aside to talk?" Mother Xiao hurriedly said.

Old Liu naturally didn't mind, and quickly moved a few steps to the side, away from the bustling crowd. They moved under a tree where there was no sun, and hence no people. In the dead of winter, these folks all gathered in the sun to catch some rays while watching the workers replace the streetlights, looking very happy.

Under the tree, Old Liu curiously asked, "Let's hear it, what is it. Have you run into some trouble?"

"That's not it," Mother Xiao shook her head, "I... just wanted to ask, has your daughter Liu Xiaolei found a boyfriend?"

"Ah?!" Old Liu was taken aback and then said, "It seems not."

Old Liu, cunning as he was, understood what Mother Xiao wanted to discuss as soon as she asked her question. A look of realization spread across his face, seemingly having an answer in mind.

"Well... I was thinking of discussing a marriage match with Xiao Han, what do you think?" Mother Xiao looked at Old Liu awkwardly.

"Haha..." When Old Liu heard this, he then said, "My Xiaolei hates it when people talk to her about marriage, so... I really can't agree."

"You are her father, parental command, the matchmaker's word," Mother Xiao, deep down still a very traditional Chinese woman, so that's why she said this.

"Auntie Xiao Mei, that's not right," Old Liu shook his head, then said, "The kids nowadays are more open-minded, more autonomous. We shouldn't interfere in matters of marriage, let's leave them to develop freely. After all, marriage is for a lifetime, how can we elders decide who is suitable and who isn't?"

"Didn't our generation all go through it like this?" Mother Xiao said helplessly.

"But it's different now," Old Liu shook his head, "Society is progressing, and our thinking must also progress, right?"

"All right then," Mother Xiao said with a disappointed look on her face, suddenly asking, "Uncle Liu, do you despise our family's poor conditions?"

"Not at all," Old Liu hurriedly shook his head and said, "Actually, I was hoping our kids could be together, since we know each other so well. Initially, Xiao Lei was just too individualistic, too focused on herself, so I couldn't agree to it. I was afraid she wouldn't agree, and it would strain our two families' relationship."

Upon hearing this, Mother Xiao smiled and asked, "How about... you help me test the waters tonight?"

"Sure!" Old Liu nodded and said, "Actually, I was really hoping our children could come together."

"Mmm!" Mother Xiao nodded.

The streetlight at the entrance was still busy, expected to be completed within three days. The Residents' Committee's staff were all in, deeply involved in this battle, busying themselves inside and out. Old Li led a group of people searching the renovation market for the highest quality, most affordable light bulbs that were also durable. Although slightly more expensive, the long warranty made them relatively cost-effective in the long run.

............

It was after nine at night.

Xiao Lei rode her electric scooter back from the restaurant. Since the streetlights were being repaired, Fuxing Road was pitch-black, with the electricity for the entire road switched off. Previously, a few light bulbs had been working, but now it was completely dark. However, Hanmen Restaurant's lights were brightening over a hundred meters away.

Xiao Lei rode home.

The conditions at home had slightly improved. Xiao Lei's older brother, Liu Dajun, worked in Linjiang City and was doing quite well, earning five to six thousand a month. Recently, he had gotten a girlfriend, who he guessed might be brought home in a couple of days.

'Older brother, when are you bringing your girlfriend home?" Xiao Lei asked as she got home, her voice lively: "Didn't you say by the end of the year last time? Why haven't you brought her yet?"

"What's the rush?!" Liu Dajun couldn't help but blush, saying, "There are still a few days left till the end of the year."

"Not many days left, just two days until New Year's Eve," Xiao Lei said.

"No rush," Liu Dajun shook his head.

Old Liu's health had gradually improved, but Grandma Liu's condition remained pessimistic. Every day she lay in bed, entirely cared for by Old Liu, dealing with all the messy aspects. It was very pitiful. But being bedridden meant needing careful attention from others—it was unavoidable.

Old Liu had just managed to feed his wife some rice soup and then shakily walked out with the bedpan.

"Xiao Lei, are you back?" Old Liu asked.

"Yes!" Xiao Lei nodded.

"Xiao Lei, it's time to eat," Liu Dajun came out of the kitchen.

The house was cramped, the living room serving as the dining room. Liu Dajun had showcased his cooking skills, with dishes of braised fish, braised pork, and braised chicken on the table. The delicious dishes seemed to signal that the New Year's Eve was approaching.

Old Liu had got everything ready and then sat down at the table.

After Old Liu sat down, Liu Dajun and Xiao Lei took their seats. The family of three was in harmony. Although they hadn't heard from Xiao Jun and his wife, both Liu Dajun and Xiao Lei knew that their father was missing his granddaughter, Lin Lin.

"Dajun, when are you bringing Lin Lin over?" Old Liu asked.

"This..." Liu Dajun hesitated for a moment and said awkwardly, "I'll give a call to her mom tomorrow to ask about the situation."

"Okay!" Old Liu nodded. He put his dry pipe aside and said, "Let's start eating then."

Xiao Lei nodded, hurriedly serving Old Liu a bowl of rice.

Old Liu looked up at Xiao Lei and said, "Xiao Lei, someone came to see me today, wanting to discuss a marriage proposal with you."

Thump...

Xiao Lei placed her chopsticks down on the table and then said seriously, "Dad, I can decide about my own marriage. There's no need for others to worry. Just tell them to look elsewhere. Even though I come from a poor family, that doesn't mean we're so desperate that we need to sell our daughter."

"What are you saying, child?" Old Liu said unhappily upon hearing this, "Even though Old Man Liu is poor, I've never thought about selling my daughter. I just think that since you're getting older, it's time to start your own family."

"I'm not old at all," Xiao Lei hurriedly shook her head, saying, "I'm only twenty-five, it's still early for thirty."

"Twenty-five is already quite old," Old Liu sighed.

Xiao Lei hurriedly served Old Liu a piece of braised pork and said, "Dad, please eat."

Liu Dajun also chimed in, saying, "Xiao Lei, you really should start thinking about your personal life. You're not getting any younger."