Ordinary World: Starting with a divorce from Tian Runye

Xiao Zhao stood up in surprise and glanced into the restaurant. The dining area was separated by a screen, so he couldn't see anything.

Li Xiangqian smacked his lips.

"Tsk. Things aren't looking good."

After saying that, he turned around and was about to go downstairs.

Du Lili hurriedly chased after him, her footsteps echoing in the stairwell.

The two exited the gate of the former west Hotel.

The sun had just set behind the western hills, and it wasn't completely dark yet; a thin crescent moon hung in the inky blue sky. There weren't many pedestrians left on the street; a few barks echoed in the distance, and the smell of coal smoke drifted from a chimney.

Du Lili pushed out the bicycle, and Li Xiangqian climbed onto the back seat.

The car drove out of the courtyard of the former west Hotel and rode along the street towards the Ministry of Transport's residential compound.

"What did you mean when you said the situation was not good?"

Du Lili asked as she rode.

"Hey, it's nothing."

"Will you tell me or not?"

Du Lili slammed on the brakes. Li Xiangqian almost flew out of the back seat.

"Tell me, tell me! I'll tell you. Hurry up and ride, I'm starving!"

Du Lili started pedaling again.

"Who told you not to eat?"

"I want to go home and cook something myself; there's probably a baby at home who needs to be fed."

"Don't change the subject. Just tell me."

Li Xiangqian sighed.

"Didn't you see the regional leader's sullen face? Everything was fine before, but then Master Zhao cried and it was all over. How could things possibly improve?"

"What does that have to do with our exhibition?"

"If only leaders could distinguish right from wrong like you."

Du Lili didn't quite understand what he meant by that, and was about to ask him when the car turned into the gate of the family compound.

Du Lili parked her car at the entrance.

"We've arrived. I'll pick you up again tomorrow."

"OK."

Li Xiangqian jumped off the back seat and waved to Du Lili.

"Be careful on the road."

Du Lili rode away on her bicycle.

Li Xiangqian entered the family compound and glanced at the bicycle shed first.

Runye's bicycle was parked in its usual spot.

She's back.

Li Xiangqian went upstairs to the third floor and saw that the light was on in his apartment. He pushed open the door and went inside.

Runye had already taken a bath, her hair was still wet and dripping water, and she was sitting in a wicker chair drying her hair with a towel.

"I'm starving."

After finishing his sentence, Li Xiangqian walked directly into the kitchen.

The sound of rummaging through cabinets came from the kitchen. Cabinet doors opened and closed repeatedly.

"Why is there nothing here?"

Li Xiangqian's voice came from the kitchen.

He walked back to the living room, clutching two shriveled red dates in his hand.

"Is this all there is left at home?"

Runye nodded.

"Mmm."

"Didn't you go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some vegetables?"

Runye shook her head.

"without."

"Have you got a meal yet?"

Runye nodded.

"I ate at school."

Li Xiangqian stood in the middle of the living room, holding two dried red dates in his hand.

"...Damn it. Didn't you stop eating at school? I was thinking of getting off work early today and making something delicious when I got home."

Runye didn't reply.

Seeing this, Li Xiangqian stuffed a red date into his mouth, chewed it a couple of times, and his face scrunched up.

"Go downstairs and borrow two eggs from Aunt Liu."

"I'm not going."

Runye didn't even look up, continuing to dry her hair.

……

Li Xiangqian went downstairs in the dark.

The second floor, Old Hou's house. The door was ajar, and the light was still on.

Li Xiangqian pushed open the door and entered the living room.

Old Hou was sitting on a low chair, holding a diode radio, his legs stretched out and crossed, a cigarette dangling from his lips, smoke swirling around his nose before dissipating. The radio was playing Qinqiang opera, its sounds soft and melodious. Old Hou squinted, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Aunt Liu brought out an enamel basin filled with hot water from the kitchen. She placed the basin at Old Hou's feet and bent down to untie his shoelaces.

This is how a head of a household should act.

Li Xiangqian nodded to himself.

"Cough cough."

Li Xiangqian coughed lightly twice.

Old Hou and Aunt Liu both looked towards the door.

"forward?"

Old Hou took the cigarette off his lips and smiled.

"It's been quite a while since you've come to visit."

Back when Li Xiangqian was still in the Ministry of Transportation, he would come down to visit from time to time, and occasionally Lao Hou would pull him aside for a drink or two. After he was transferred to the Cultural Center, he never came back.

Old Hou looked at Aunt Liu.

"Don't just stand there. Go get Xiangqian a glass of water."

Aunt Liu muttered something under her breath, seemingly expressing her dissatisfaction to Old Hou, but she still turned around and went to the kitchen, bringing out an enamel mug.

"Come on, forward."

Aunt Liu's face was all smiles.

Li Xiangqian took the water, and Lao Hou began to give instructions again.

"Don't you have any common sense? Bring a stool over here."

Li Xiangqian hurriedly waved his hand.

"No, no, I won't stay any longer."

Old Hou glanced at Aunt Liu.

"Go quickly. Xiang Qian is just being polite."

Aunt Liu then moved a small wooden stool from the corner of the room. Li Xiangqian thanked her and sat down.

"Aunt Liu, I just came to borrow two eggs."

Old Hou raised an eyebrow.

"What's wrong? Is your partner craving something again?"

His tone was full of disdain for Li Xiangqian, who was henpecked.

"No, no. I'll eat it myself."

Old Hou curled his lip.

"Oh dear, why are you putting on airs in front of me? With your reputation for being a henpecked husband, do you think I'd let it get out?"

He turned to Aunt Liu and gave her instructions.

"Go and get two eggs for Xiangqian."

Aunt Liu responded and went to the kitchen.

Old Hou lit a cigarette and began to speak earnestly.

"Xiangqian, let me tell you. Women are all spoiled. If you don't set some rules for her, she'll be pooping and peeing on your neck tomorrow."

Aunt Liu heard this at the kitchen door, turned around, and looked slightly resentful.

"I think it's good that Xiangqian is like this. He can pamper his own wife."

Old Hou turned his head and let out a heavy sigh.

"When are you the one interrupting when the men are talking? Go get your eggs."

Aunt Liu snorted and turned her neck back to the kitchen.

Old Hou chuckled at Li Xiangqian.

"See that? This is the true status of a man in the Yuanxi family."

Watching this scene, Li Xiangqian recalled Runye's indifference towards him, and the difference was too obvious. He silently gave Old Hou a thumbs up in his heart. He didn't dare to say anything, just smiled.

"How's it going? Are you getting used to being at the cultural center?"

Li Xiangqian was about to complain, but seeing Lao Hou sitting with his legs crossed and a cigarette in his mouth, he swallowed his words.

"It's alright, it's alright."

Old Hou snorted.

"That's good. Don't worry, the doors of our transportation department are always open for you. Just let me know whenever you want to come back."

Aunt Liu had already brought the eggs out of the kitchen. The two eggs were placed in an enamel bowl, with a layer of old newspaper on top.

Li Xiangqian stood up, accepted the gift, and thanked him.

Aunt Liu said with a smile.

"You and Runye both have jobs and are busy. In the future, if you want to buy anything, just let me know. I'm free and just take care of the family. I'll bring it back for you."

"Okay, thank you, Aunt Liu."

Li Xiangqian carried the eggs out of Old Hou's house.

Look at other couples, they're the same kind.

Old Hou sat down, lit a cigarette, stretched out his legs, and his wife poured water for him to soak his feet, moved a stool, and brought him eggs—he took care of everything.

What about myself? I have to go downstairs myself to borrow even two eggs.

What kind of life do they lead?

Li Xiangqian walked forward, thinking as he went, and then he thought again.

I don't think I and Runye are really a proper couple. She's about to go to Huangyuan.

I went up to the third floor and pushed open the door.

Runye's hair was already dry, but it clung damply to her cheeks. She was sitting next to the mirror in front of the wicker chair, unscrewing a bottle of face cream.

Li Xiangqian passed by and glanced at it.

He snorted.

Runye looked up when she heard the sound.

Then Li Xiangqian, chin up, holding two eggs in his hand, floated into the kitchen.

……