The next morning, Li Long and Gu Xiaoxia got up almost at the same time. Gu Xiaoxia made breakfast-her reasoning was that Li Long still had to clear the snow from the yard today, so she would handle breakfast.
Otherwise, she felt she would get spoiled.
When Gu Xiaoxia said this in a slightly coy voice, Li Long felt he really ought to get married right away.
After breakfast, Gu Xiaoxia went to work, while Li Long repaired the handcart. He wound wire tightly around the damaged part of the handle, nailed the loose sheet metal on the bottom back into place, then continued clearing the snow.
The handcart was quite old, and its materials were still of good quality. It had simply been overused, which was how it had ended up like this.
Li Long thought that if he took it to a blacksmith's shop for repairs, it could easily last another three to five years.
As he pushed out the third load of snow, Li Long saw someone approaching on a bicycle.
Li Xiangqian?
He was a little puzzled. How did old Li have time to come over at this hour?
Did he need something?
He stood at the compound gate and waited.
When Li Xiangqian arrived, he got off his bicycle and asked Li Long:
"You're clearing the snow all by yourself? Want me to send a few people over from my place to help?"
"No, no, there isn't much left." Li Long pointed into the yard, then asked:
"Section Chief, what brings you here?"
"There is something, actually. It's a personal matter..." Li Xiangqian looked a little embarrassed. He glanced around, pointed into the yard, and said, "Come on, let's talk inside."
Once inside the yard, Li Xiangqian propped up his bicycle, picked up the iron