Chapter 213: You Cannot Be Together  

No matter what, the fact that the loan was processed so quickly made Li Xian quite happy. This yen loan was indeed a product of the Sino-Japanese honeymoon period, with very low interest rates—almost none at the initial stage. The only requirement was that the procurement be primarily Japanese goods, which made Li Xian slightly uncomfortable. However, given the current state of China's industry, there wasn't a better alternative for purchasing production lines other than Japan.

Getting approval didn't mean the money was in hand; the process would still take some time, but Li Xian wasn't in a hurry.

A month ago, Liu Weihan had already allocated land for the distillery and started leveling it in preparation for expansion. This meant the black pottery factory, as a supporting facility, needed to be established immediately.

Although the initial reason for buying the land near Gao San's family was to collect items from the cellar, the land was bought anyway, and not using it would be a waste.

Not considering other aspects, the land near Gao San's family was elevated. While it had little value now, in a decade, when real estate development took off, that place would be one of the few prime locations in Bangye.

This potential goldmine needed to be secured.

However, handling this matter personally was too much of a hassle, so it was better to have Liu Weihan arrange for the county's engineering team to handle it.

Overall, Li Xian was still quite idle.

Thinking about the many things that had happened recently in the house, coupled with his unexpected windfall, and the fact that Yang Shuzhen, who had a minor fracture in her right leg, had just been discharged from the hospital, Li Xian wanted to organize a gathering in the house to celebrate with everyone.

Such gatherings were frequent in the house, so Su Ma, who was in charge of cooking, was already used to it. Upon receiving Li Xian's notice, she immediately sought out some skilled women nearby to assist in the kitchen and began preparing.

Seeing Su Ma busy in the kitchen, Li Xian was delighted.

Ever since coming down from the mountain that day, Su Ya had fallen ill along with him.

While he, a young man, recovered after two days of IV drips, Su Ya, having been frightened, leaving blood marks along the way to signal her path, and then sweating profusely during the escape, wasn't so lucky. Her illness was quite severe.

Over the past few days, Li Xian had called the county hospital to have her given IV drips and later had a well-known local Chinese medicine doctor adjust her treatment. After six or seven days, she was finally somewhat recovered.

Li Xian's heart itched to check on her, but every time he went, Su Ma, who was concerned about her daughter, was always there, leaving him with no opportunity to be alone with Su Ya.

The weather was too hot, so the windows and doors of Su Ya's room were left open.

Before Li Xian even entered, Su Ya, who was busy with something on the kang bed, saw him.

No words were exchanged; she just gave him a smile.

"Are you feeling better?"

Entering the room, Li Xian noticed that Su Ya still looked a bit pale, which made him feel slightly concerned. Without hesitation, he sat down on the edge of the kang bed.

Su Ya nodded, indicating that she was fine.

In the middle of the kang was a small table, not an old piece but likely something left behind by someone during the Revolution Committee era, used for working on the kang. It was blackened, with paint already peeling off.

"What are you making again? Didn't I tell you to rest and take care of your health?"

On the table was a piece of white linen. Seeing that Su Ya had lost weight yet was still working on some random things, Li Xian complained.

Su Ya smiled, put down the scissors in her hand, and quickly wrote a note, handing it to him.

"Staying inside all the time feels stifling. I thought since the weather is getting hotter, I'd make you a linen shirt to keep you cool and comfortable."

Looking at her neat handwriting and then at the still-bandaged hand, Li Xian felt a warmth in his heart and, moved, held Su Ya's hand. "Good wife, you can do these things later."

Su Ya blushed, unsure whether it was from being called "wife" or from having her hand held, but she turned away, not looking at him.

Oh,

Shy, huh!

Shy, yet you took advantage of me by hugging and holding me on the riverside when I was half-conscious?

This character won't do; Li Xian thought it needed correcting. Otherwise... judging by her behavior, it seemed like he'd have to wait until after marriage for any intimate life!

"Xiao Ya." Li Xian sniffed the lingering scent of herbal medicine on his hand, raising an eyebrow. "Take good care of yourself and get better soon. Um, we're all adults here, so I won't beat around the bush. After all that's happened lately, I've been under a lot of pressure and can't sleep at night…"

Su Ya was taken aback by his bold suggestion.

She patted his arm in concern, seeing his serious expression, then quickly slipped off the bed, retrieved two items from behind the cabinet, and handed them to him.

It was a shuttlecock and a hula hoop big enough to be a giant photo frame for Su Ya.

Shoving them into Li Xian's hands, Su Ya blinked and handed him another note.

"Don't stay up late reading. Exercise before bed, and you'll sleep soundly."

After thinking for a moment, she seemed to worry that Li Xian might not know how to use the hula hoop, so she put it around her waist.

Then...

Watching the hula hoop spin around her slim waist, and seeing her give a thumbs-up to indicate how great it felt, Li Xian knew that tonight's conversation... was over.

...

Li Xian felt that although there was no problem communicating with Su Ya, there was a vast ideological gap between them—like the difference between playing hopscotch and playing a survival game.

After much thought, he decided that if he didn't take a more formal and assertive approach, like saying, "I want to formalize our relationship in front of our great revolutionary leader and all our friends and family," he might be waiting forever to take the next step.

Humph,

Look at that, this little girl was playing dumb, seemingly forgetting about that kiss by the river!

So frustrating.

With this in mind, Li Xian made up his mind.

Tonight, with everyone here, he had to give her a strong dose of reality to make her realize that actions come with responsibilities.

That's right!

She was the one who seduced me by the river!

Li Xian thought to himself.

In the evening, Su Ma and a few women helping in the kitchen prepared three large tables of food. The weather was too hot, and it seemed that everyone living in the house had developed a habit of eating outside, enjoying the lively atmosphere, so they decided to set the tables in the courtyard.

Helping out in the kitchen wasn't just for show; the women helping out were also invited to stay and eat. With a few women there, the kids were allowed to join in as well.

The newly renovated courtyard, with its flourishing flowers, rockery, small pond, and garden, had always been a dream playground for the children of Zhumo Village.

"A little boy, sitting on the doorstep, crying for a wife. Why do you want a wife? To talk by the lamp, to keep company after it's out, and to braid your hair in the morning."

The older kids didn't want to play with the younger ones, leading to crying and teasing, making the courtyard lively.

Old Zhu's family had been invited for lunch and arrived early, all dressed up.

Old Zhu and his son were chatting enthusiastically with the four elders from the retirement home. Recently, the distillery's expansion had piqued the interest of these old bureaucrats from the Forestry Bureau. Yang Shuzhen, whose leg hadn't fully healed yet, didn't join the cooking but listened to the men's conversation in the courtyard.

When it was time to eat, everyone gathered around the tables.

Li Xian first thanked those who helped with the cooking, then encouraged everyone to start eating. After the first round of drinks, he prepared to say a few words, intending to clarify his relationship with Su Ya during this opportune moment.

At the table, Old Wu seemed preoccupied, silently keeping to himself. Meanwhile, Zheng Weishi was in high spirits, repeatedly toasting Old Zhu and his son.

Li Xian knew what was going on. For some time, Zheng Weishi had used his eloquence to advance his relationship with Su Ma, leaving Old Wu completely sidelined in their competition for her affection.

Although Li Xian was closer to Old Wu, he had always treated Old Zheng as an elder, so he couldn't comment or intervene in their matter.

Besides, as Li Daoyun had said before, feelings are complicated, and outsiders shouldn't interfere.

Focusing on his own matters was more practical.

"Cough, cough," seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Li Xian raised his wine glass, thinking it was time to settle his own matters tonight.

But unexpectedly, Old Wu suddenly took a large swig of wine, slammed his hand on the table, and stood up first.

The loud noise drew everyone's attention.

"Godfather…" Li Xian looked at Wu Shengli in surprise.

Old Wu waved his hand, scanned the crowd with a solemn expression, took a deep breath, and in a booming voice, said, "

I… have something to say today!"

His bold declaration startled everyone, including Old Zhu and his son, who stopped laughing, and Su Ma, who set down her chopsticks. Everyone stared at Old Wu with concern.

The sudden change in atmosphere turned serious.

Old Wu didn't beat around the bush. After a moment's pause, he slowly said, "You all know that I've been through a lot in my life and haven't done anything worthy of recognition. My marriage didn't work out, but I do have a daughter."

Although the marriage didn't work out, it wasn't necessarily Old Wu's fault. It was known in Zhumo Village that when Wu Shengli was transferred to the coal mine after being laid off, his ex-wife took their young daughter back to her hometown in the province and never returned. After some time, she remarried. Wu Shengli's only daughter, Su Ya, hadn't returned to Zhumo Village until recently.

Mentioning Su Ya made everyone look in her direction.

Su Ya's beautiful face turned pale; her fork and chopsticks, held in her bandaged hand, trembled, unsure of what to say.

Old Wu lowered his head, a little downcast, sighed, and continued, "I used to think that Su Ya was safe and well off with her mother in the city, so I didn't want to interfere. But now… things have changed, and as her father, I must take responsibility. I have the right to make decisions for her life!"

Turning to Li Xian, Wu Shengli said seriously, "So, tonight I want to ask for everyone's help and support."

Not knowing what Old Wu was going to say, Li Xian felt uneasy. He tightened his grip on his wine glass.

Wu Shengli took a deep breath and suddenly raised his glass, saying to everyone, "Su Ya and Old Zheng's son, Xiao San, have grown up together. In my opinion, they are well suited for each other. We've discussed it already, and tonight, I want to finalize this matter in front of everyone!"

The courtyard fell silent.

The four old men from the Forestry Bureau were taken aback. Su Ma, who was setting down a dish, stood still. Yang Shuzhen, with a cane in hand, sat with her mouth agape, eyes wide in surprise.

Su Ya's face turned even paler.

Li Xian's smile froze on his face. The wine glass in his hand tilted, nearly spilling.

Everyone's eyes slowly turned to Li Xian, staring at him in a mix of curiosity, confusion, and concern.

In the crowd, only Zheng Weishi was smiling, lifting his glass in a toast to Wu Shengli.

"You can't be together!"

At this moment, Yang Shuzhen, who had been sitting beside Li Xian, suddenly spoke up.

All eyes turned to her.

"Godmother, what are you doing…"

Su Ya anxiously held her mother's hand, knowing that her mother's words carried more weight than her father's. Old Wu had to respect Yang Shuzhen's opinions.

But she could see that Li Xian had silently bowed his head, raising his wine glass without saying a word.

Yang Shuzhen, seeing her daughter's anxious look, shook her head. "Shut up!"

She grabbed Li Xian's wrist and slowly stood up.

"Xianzi!" she called his name gently. When Li Xian looked up at her, Yang Shuzhen gently put her hand on his head, and her usually stern face softened as she said, "You've gone through a lot, and we've all seen how much you've cared for Su Ya. You've stayed true to your feelings, never hiding your affection. If we don't speak up, your marriage will be affected, and we can't let that happen. Su Ya can't marry anyone else because she was already promised to you."

Everyone stared in disbelief as Yang Shuzhen continued.

"I'm her mother, and I'm telling you that you two must be together."

With Yang Shuzhen's declaration, everyone in the courtyard was stunned. No one had expected this turn of events, least of all Li Xian, who stood frozen with the wine glass still in his hand.

Su Ya was visibly shocked, her face turning red as she tried to process what her mother had just said. She had never expected her mother to openly promise her hand to Li Xian, especially in front of so many people.

Old Wu was equally surprised, but the sternness in Yang Shuzhen's voice left no room for argument. Even Zheng Weishi, who had been confident moments ago, was now speechless, realizing that the situation had completely shifted.

Li Xian, struggling to find his voice, finally managed to stammer, "Godmother, this… I…"

Yang Shuzhen smiled warmly, her expression softening even further as she placed her other hand on Su Ya's shoulder. "Xianzi, I know you've been waiting, and I know how much you care for Su Ya. You've always treated us with respect and kindness, and we couldn't ask for a better son-in-law."

Tears welled up in Su Ya's eyes as she looked at her mother, realizing the depth of her mother's feelings and the weight of her words.

Li Xian, still in shock, felt a surge of emotion welling up inside him. He had never expected this moment to come so suddenly, but as he looked at Su Ya's tearful face and Yang Shuzhen's gentle smile, he knew that he couldn't let this opportunity slip away.

With newfound resolve, Li Xian set down his wine glass and took a deep breath.

"Godmother, I…"

But before he could finish, Su Ya suddenly pulled away from her mother's grasp and ran out of the courtyard, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Everyone watched as Su Ya disappeared into the night, and for a moment, the courtyard was filled with an awkward silence.

Yang Shuzhen sighed and shook her head. "That girl… She's always been shy."

She turned to Li Xian with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Xianzi. Give her some time. She just needs to sort out her feelings."

Li Xian nodded, still feeling a mixture of emotions—surprise, relief, and a deep sense of gratitude.

Wu Shengli, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke up, his voice filled with resignation. "Well, it seems like the decision has already been made…"

Zheng Weishi, clearly disappointed, raised his glass in a final toast. "To new beginnings."

Li Xian accepted the toast, clinking glasses with everyone at the table, but his mind was already racing with thoughts of Su Ya and what the future might hold for them.

As the night continued, the mood in the courtyard slowly lightened. People returned to their conversations, and the laughter of children once again filled the air.

But for Li Xian, the night had taken on a new significance. He knew that his relationship with Su Ya had just entered a new phase, and he was determined to see it through.

As the gathering came to an end and the guests began to leave, Li Xian found himself standing alone in the courtyard, looking up at the stars.

He knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy. Su Ya's shyness and the lingering tension between their families would present challenges, but Li Xian was ready to face them head-on.

With a determined look in his eyes, Li Xian made a silent vow to himself.

No matter what obstacles lay in their path, he would do everything in his power to win Su Ya's heart and prove himself worthy of her love.

As he stood there, deep in thought, a soft breeze rustled the leaves of the trees, carrying with it the faint scent of the flowers in the garden.

And in that moment, Li Xian knew that the future held endless possibilities—for him, for Su Ya, and for the life they would build together.

Li Xian couldn't sleep that night. His mind was filled with thoughts of Su Ya, Yang Shuzhen's words, and the sudden shift in their relationship.

He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying the events of the evening in his mind. Su Ya's shy smile, her mother's gentle yet firm declaration, and the way Su Ya had run out of the courtyard—all of it swirled together, leaving him with a mix of emotions he couldn't quite untangle.

Just as he was about to drift off to sleep, a sudden noise outside his window jolted him awake.

He sat up in bed, straining to listen.

There it was again—a soft rustling sound, like something brushing against the window.

Li Xian's heart raced as he slowly got out of bed and moved toward the window. He had a bad feeling about this.

As he peered out into the darkness, his eyes struggled to adjust. The garden outside was bathed in the faint light of the moon, and everything seemed still and peaceful.

But then he saw it—a shadowy figure moving silently through the garden, heading toward the house.

Li Xian's breath caught in his throat. He couldn't make out who or what it was, but the way the figure moved sent a shiver down his spine.

Instinctively, he reached for the small knife he kept by his bedside, just in case.

As the figure drew closer, Li Xian's grip tightened on the knife. He knew he couldn't let whoever—or whatever—this was get into the house.

But just as he was about to confront the intruder, the figure suddenly stopped, as if sensing his presence.

For a tense moment, they stood there, facing each other

 in the darkness, neither one making a move.

Then, without warning, the figure turned and darted back into the shadows, disappearing into the night.

Li Xian stood frozen by the window, his heart pounding in his chest. He waited, listening for any sign that the intruder might return, but the night remained silent.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally relaxed his grip on the knife and let out a shaky breath.

Whoever that was, they were gone now. But the encounter left Li Xian with an uneasy feeling, as if something—or someone—was watching him.

He knew he wouldn't be getting any more sleep that night.

As he sat back down on the edge of his bed, Li Xian's thoughts returned to Su Ya. He couldn't shake the feeling that the strange encounter in the garden was connected to her somehow.

But what did it mean? And who was that mysterious figure?

Li Xian didn't have the answers, but he was determined to find out.

He knew that Su Ya was the key to unraveling the mystery, and he couldn't rest until he was sure that she was safe.

With that resolve, Li Xian made up his mind to visit Su Ya the next day and talk to her about everything that had happened.

He just hoped that whatever was lurking in the shadows wouldn't strike again before he had a chance to get to the bottom of it.

As the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, Li Xian finally allowed himself to relax, if only slightly.

He knew that the days ahead would be challenging, but he was ready to face whatever came his way.

For Su Ya, for their future, and for the truth that lay hidden in the darkness.