Zhao Shengli woke up past eight in the morning. Groggily, he got out of bed and found his parents weren't home, and his older brother and his wife had already gone to work.
Xiao Li saw him get up and smiled, saying, "Shengli, the food is kept warm in the pot. Are you hungry? I'll get it for you."
Seeing her turn to leave, Zhao Shengli quickly grabbed her, pulled her close, and pressed his face against hers. "Xiao Li, it's just the two of us in here. Let me kiss you."
Not having brushed his teeth or washed his face yet, a foul, sour smell emanated from his mouth as he drew near. Xiao Li frowned and pushed him away slightly, feigning shyness. "It's broad daylight. It wouldn't be good if someone saw. Besides, Xiao Tang is still here."
"Xiao Tang knows we're dating. And no one will come by this early. Just let me kiss you."
As Zhao Shengli spoke, his hands became restless.
With Xiao Li half-resisting, they soon found their clothes in disarray.
"Shengli, no, we're not married yet. Really, no." At a critical moment, Xiao Li frantically pushed him away, stood up, and began tidying her clothes.
She was quite satisfied with Zhao Shengli's family. Having such a large house in Beijing, the capital, a place where every inch of land was precious. If she could also arrange a job for herself later, her life would surely be good.
However, she still had some reservations about Zhao Shengli's appearance and didn't want to give herself up easily. She played hard to get, just giving him a taste of what was to come.
Zhao Shengli felt worse being stopped at such a crucial moment than if he had been killed. However, he knew he had already achieved quite a bit today. After all, Xiao Li used to not even let him kiss her.
He wasn't stupid. Xiao Li's attitude had changed so drastically because she had seen his family's situation this time.
"I'm going to wash up." He stood up with an unpleasant expression, carrying his toothbrush cup and slinging a towel over his shoulder. Zhao Shengli took the thermos and went to the outer room.
There was no running water indoors. Everyone in the courtyard shared a communal washbasin in the yard.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw two more people in the yard. Already annoyed from not achieving his goal, he pulled the toothbrush out of his mouth and arrogantly asked in an ill-tempered tone, "Hey, what are you two doing?"
The elderly woman speaking with Chen Lishu saw him come out and smiled, "Shengli, these two children are inquiring about the courtyard. They probably want to rent a place."
As Chen Lishu and Wang Dazhu looked up, Zhao Shengli recognized them as the two people he had met on the train. He cursed inwardly, "What a coincidence."
He slammed the toothbrush cup onto the windowsill and walked a few steps towards them, sneering, "Oh, it's you. Want to rent a place? Don't say our house is already full. Even if there were vacancies, you wouldn't get them. Hurry up and scram. You're not welcome here."
"Kid, are you looking for a beating?" Wang Dazhu's eyes widened, and he rolled up his sleeves, ready to charge. Chen Lishu stopped him and asked Zhao Shengli, "Listening to you, does it mean you decide who rents the place?"
"Daughter, this courtyard belongs to Shengli's family. There really aren't any empty rooms. Why don't you go look elsewhere?" the elderly woman kindly advised.
Chen Lishu sized up Zhao Shengli and frowned slightly. She didn't recall selling the house to anyone.
"Shengli, what's wrong?" Xiao Li and Xiao Tang came out of the room and were startled to see Chen Lishu and Wang Dazhu. "Oh, aren't you two...?"
She wanted to say they were the ones they met on the train, but considering their attitude back then, her expression quickly turned unfriendly.
"It's nothing, just a couple of bumpkins. They want to see our house."
Zhao Shengli always liked to put on a show in front of his girlfriend, especially on his own turf. He needed to regain his prestige.
"You're unlucky to have run into me. Let me tell you, this house is mine. I wouldn't rent it to you two country bumpkins for anything."
Zhao Shengli took two more steps forward, reaching Wang Dazhu. He looked imposing at over 1.8 meters, but this was Beijing, his territory. People like them, who looked like outsiders, wouldn't dare to act tough.
"Kid, you were quite boastful on the train before. How about now? Want to rent a place? Your pockets are probably emptier than your face, right? There's a storage room in the yard. People like you only deserve to live there. Beg me, and maybe I'll agree out of good spirits."
Wang Dazhu's nostrils flared with anger. Damn it, he had never been treated like this in his life.
But it was different now. He was with Chen Lishu, and he had to listen to her. If he lost his temper and started fighting, he was afraid he would cause trouble for Chen Lishu.
Clenching his fists, he turned to look at Chen Lishu, his gaze asking, "Sister, can I beat this scoundrel?"
Chen Lishu nodded at him faintly. He was not only ugly but also had a foul mouth. Her hands itched.
Seeing her nod, Wang Dazhu grinned. His sister also couldn't stand him, so he definitely deserved a beating.
After speaking, Zhao Shengli looked proudly at his girlfriend Xiao Li and friend Xiao Tang. Seeing the admiration in their eyes, he felt incredibly awesome.
Just as he was about to continue his taunts, his collar was suddenly grabbed. The next moment, a dark shadow flashed before his eyes, and he felt a sharp pain in his cheekbone.
"You still call it a storage room? Who's the bumpkin? You dog-faced, low-life! My sister's house has become yours? Shameless! Today, I'll beat you so badly even your mother won't recognize you."
Wang Dazhu spat and landed another punch. Zhao Shengli felt as if his face had been hit by an iron block, and his vision swam. His face was numb with pain.
"Why are you hitting people?" Xiao Li was startled to see her boyfriend being beaten. After reacting, she quickly rushed over. Her companion Xiao Tang also hurried forward to help.
Wang Dazhu saw she was a woman and didn't want to have any physical contact with her. He shoved Zhao Shengli forcefully onto her. As a result, neither of them could stand and they both fell to the ground.
In the dead of winter, the ground was already frozen solid. With Zhao Shengli falling on top of her, Xiao Li felt as if her tailbone was about to break, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"I'm telling you, don't think about extorting money. Everyone is watching. I didn't even touch a single finger of yours." Seeing her tearful expression, Wang Dazhu quickly clarified, feeling a bit fortunate that he had been quick-witted earlier.
Zhao Shengli managed to get up from the ground. Looking at Xiao Li's pained expression, he quickly helped her up. "Xiao Li, hiss..."
As soon as he spoke, the injury on his face twitched, and he let out a hiss of pain.