The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 34 - 33: Handing Over

He Lang’s breath was ragged, his dark eyes fixed on Xue Yue. His hands stayed on her waist, unmoving.

Xue Yue was taken aback by the desire in He Lang’s eyes. Her heart pounded, and she looked up at him with wide, glistening eyes, at a loss.

As if unable to restrain himself, He Lang lowered his head and kissed Xue Yue’s lips again. He rested his forehead against hers and whispered, "After tonight, you’ll be all grown up."

Xue Yue didn’t quite understand. ’But I grew up a long time ago.’

He Lang swept Xue Yue up in his arms and gently laid her on the mattress.

"He Lang," Xue Yue said, nervously clutching the mattress beneath her.

He Lang placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I’m here. Don’t be afraid."

Then he moved down to capture her lips, silencing her completely.

As articles of clothing were tossed out from under the covers one by one, a muffled moan sounded from the blankets. The room was warm and passionate, a stark contrast to the sound of firecrackers exploding outside. This New Year’s Eve was a special, meaningful one. And with this intimate act, the year officially crossed over from 1970 to 1971.

When Xue Yue woke up, it was already the next morning.

Xue Yue saw how bright the room was and remembered what had happened the night before. Her face flushed red. He Lang was no longer in the room.

’So I didn’t manage to keep the New Year’s vigil after all,’ she thought.

Xue Yue felt clean and realized He Lang must have washed her afterward. She didn’t feel particularly uncomfortable.

After getting dressed and getting up, Xue Yue saw eggs boiling on the stove with a brown sugar steamed cake warming on top.

He Lang only returned after Xue Yue had finished eating.

He Lang had gone out early in the morning with his eldest and second eldest brothers to make New Year’s visits.

The sight of He Lang made Xue Yue feel shy. There was also an indescribable feeling that, in short, just felt awkward.

He Lang saw her avert her gaze and smiled, his eyes full of adoration.

Xue Yue asked He Lang how much money to put in the red envelopes for the children in the family.

"Ten cents will be enough."

That was when He Lang seemed to remember something. He got up, moved the table in the corner, and revealed a loose brick in the wall behind it.

He pulled the brick out and retrieved a stack of cash from the hollow space.

He Lang handed the money to Xue Yue. "This is money I earned before. I’ve got another portion from my black market dealings. When the weather warms up, we’ll use this money to build a house."

Xue Yue took it and counted. It was seven hundred and fifty yuan, plus some ration coupons.

"This much money?" Xue Yue was surprised. He Lang was usually such a spendthrift; she never imagined he could have saved so much.

He Lang rubbed the tip of his nose, looking a bit embarrassed. "This is all from the last two years. I’ve spent most of this year’s earnings, but I still have some pocket money on me."

"How much does it cost to build a house?"

He Lang thought for a moment. "Dad said he’ll ask the village head for a homestead plot. We’ll just need to give the village head a couple bottles of wine. There’s still a lot of undeveloped land on the village outskirts. I’ve already picked out a piece of land—it’s not small. Plus, the private plot we were assigned is nearby, so it’ll be convenient for growing vegetables. As for the house, if we’re going to build one, it should be a brick-and-tile house. We’ll build several rooms, so we have a place for kids in the future."

Xue Yue lifted her hand and gave him a light slap, glaring at him with her bright, clear eyes.

At that, He Lang burst into loud, hearty laughter.

Xue Yue quickly reached out and covered his mouth. "Are you trying to let everyone know you have this much money, laughing so loudly?"

His laughter stopped, but his shoulders still shook with muffled chuckles. He pulled her hand down and brought it to his lips for a kiss.

Xue Yue’s heart leaped, and just like that, He Lang pulled her into a tight embrace.

He Lang’s chest was solid and warm, and he had a scent that made her feel safe.

"In a few days, I’m planning to find a job. Otherwise, people are bound to get suspicious about where all this money came from."

Xue Yue immediately sat up straight and looked at him. "A job? Are they easy to find?"

Even if Xue Yue didn’t know much about the world, she knew that good jobs weren’t easy to come by. Otherwise, why would so many people envy factory workers? He Ze had even spent 200 yuan just to buy his temporary position.

"It’s not really a matter of finding one. I know a guy who works for the transport team in town. He knows I can drive and has asked me to join them a few times. It’d also be a temporary position, though."

Before, He Lang only had to worry about feeding himself. Not anymore. ’Now I have a wife to support, and kids in the future,’ he thought with a wry sigh. ’The responsibility is huge. I have to step up.’

Xue Yue finally felt relieved. Otherwise, she always felt guilty spending money. ’If He Lang has a job,’ she thought, ’then I can buy whatever I want without feeling bad—as long as I can afford it, of course.’

Xue Yue put the money He Lang had given her, along with her own 200 yuan, into the hiding spot. She slid the brick back in place and eyed it for a moment. ’Unless someone was intentionally looking for it, they’d never find it,’ she thought. Then she pushed the table back into position.

A little while later, He Ziqing arrived, leading Tuanzi, Little Chen, and Xiao Yang.

"Third Uncle, Third Aunt, Happy New Year! I wish you both stay forever young!"

He Lang and Xue Yue both laughed at the little rascals’ blessings.

Xue Yue gave each of them ten cents, then stuffed their pockets with sunflower seeds and candy.

"Thank you, Third Aunt!"

"Thank you, Third Aunt!"

After the children left, Xue Yue asked He Lang what he wanted for lunch.

"Those sweet and sour meatballs from last night were delicious. As for the rest, you can decide."

Xue Yue kneaded some dough and made scallion pancakes, along with the sweet and sour meatballs He Lang wanted, a cold-tossed bean sprout salad, and some egg drop soup.

That afternoon, Shitou came over.

"Third Sister-in-law, Happy New Year."

Xue Yue smiled and nodded. "Happy New Year." She offered Shitou some candy and sunflower seeds.

"Thanks, Third Sister-in-law. Third Brother, let’s go hang out. Gousheng and the others are playing cards at Da Jun’s place, let’s go check it out," Shitou said as he ate.

He Lang, who was lounging on the kang, shook his head. "I can’t be bothered to go out."

"Come on, Third Brother. It’s boring staying home. Let’s go take a look."

He Lang thought about how he was far from bored at home, but looking at Shitou, he figured, ’Oh, what the heck. I might as well go.’

After the two of them left, Xue Yue remembered she had said last night that she would give Mrs. He some bean sprouts. She’d almost forgotten.

Xue Yue scooped a large bowlful and headed to the main house.

Mrs. He smiled and said, "You really brought them over."

"Mother, I forgot last night. We still have plenty at home."

Mrs. He took the opportunity to hand Xue Yue a red envelope.

Surprised, Xue Yue tried to refuse. "I can’t take this, Mother."

"Take it. We always give one to the new bride in her first year. It’s not much."

Only then did Xue Yue accept it. "Thank you, Mother."

Back in her own room, Xue Yue opened it. It was two yuan. ’That’s not a small amount,’ she thought.

She told He Lang about it that evening, and he just nodded.

"If she gives it to you, just take it. No need to feel awkward."

Xue Yue shot He Lang a look. "You think everyone is as thick-skinned as you? I’m not."

"Oh, really?" He Lang exclaimed, scrambling over to Xue Yue and reaching out to pinch her cheek.

"Here, let’s see which of us is more thick-skinned."

Xue Yue dodged him. "No!"

"Just one little pinch."

"Stop!"

Seizing the opportunity, He Lang pulled her into his arms and lowered his head to kiss her.

"Mmph~"

The atmosphere in the room turned intimate, and outside, the shy moon hid behind the clouds.