Chapter 13 Noise from Next Door_1

"Qingzi, I asked you to come over for dinner today because there's something I really must discuss with you in person," said Hu Youyu, after barely taking a couple of bites of his meal before getting straight to the point.

"We're neighbors after all, and it wouldn't be right to keep this from you. I've suffered losses this year!"

"I've lost so much I can't even find my pants."

These words from Hu Youyu gave Li Qing an immediate sense of foreboding.

He remembered what Yang Xuelan had said in the afternoon.

Hu Youyu might not be able to pay up this year.

"I heard that Uncle Hu made more money this year than in previous years. How could you have suffered losses?" Li Qing asked deliberately.

Drinking his liquor sip by sip as if it were tea, Hu Youyu shook his head and said, "Qingzi, it's a long story, and Uncle Hu would have no reason to lie to you. I really did suffer losses."

"But don't worry, I won't shortchange you for the money for those thirty acres of land. It just might be a little late, you understand what I mean, right?"

Li Qing understood all too well, he had picked up on it already.

Suppressing his irritation, he asked, "Uncle Hu, when exactly can this money be settled then?"

"Who could say for sure with business matters? They fluctuate so much," Hu Youyu belched lengthily, "But rest assured, when has Uncle Hu ever shorted you? As soon as my funds are freed up, I'll settle with you immediately. I've got it written down."

After thinking a bit, Li Qing said, "Uncle Hu, you know my family's situation. We rely entirely on those few acres of land for everything. The sooner, the better."

"I know," Hu Youyu replied, already showing some impatience. "Would I deceive you, Qingzi? Don't worry about it."

Li Qing said no more and simply bowed his head to continue eating.

Hu Youyu's payments had indeed been quite punctual in earlier years, but he always managed to shortchange him one way or another.

Yet this old fellow claims he has no money when it comes to paying even a small sum to him.

Li Qing truly struggled to believe it.

His predicament was knowing full well that the guy had money but not being able to pry it out of him.

Having finished the meal in such an atmosphere, Li Qing left Uncle Hu's mansion filled with resentment.

However, Hu Wei chased after him, "Qingzi, why the rush to leave? We haven't finished drinking!"

Li Qing couldn't help but get irritated. Your dad's holding out on paying me, and I'm supposed to stay at your house asking for money?

"I get to bed early, so I'll not impose anymore," Li Qing replied with a hint of firmness in his voice.

"Alright then, let me walk you out," said Hu Wei. "Oh, by the way, Qingzi, do you have urgent matters tomorrow?"

Li Qing turned and asked, "What's up?"

Looking somewhat embarrassed, Hu Wei said, "I need your help to meet someone."

"Meet someone? Tomorrow I..."

Li Qing was supposed to help his sister-in-law pick apricots unless something unexpected happened, so he was about to decline, but then Hu Lili suddenly spoke up.

"I can help you get the profit share that my dad owes you," Hu Wei quickly added. "Plus, if tomorrow's matter goes well, I'll give you two hundred extra. Deal?"

"Deal!" Li Qing readily agreed.

It's only meeting someone, after all - nothing to be afraid of. And turning down money would be idiotic.

"By the way, who are we meeting?" Li Qing inquired. "Don't tell me you've gotten yourself into trouble again and want my help in a fight?"

Hu Wei might look bulky and chicken-hearted, but he had a knack for getting into trouble.

During school, Li Qing often had to clean up after him.

If it weren't for his help, with all that fat on Hu Wei's body, he would have likely been beaten up countless times.

Hu Wei, with a long face, reluctantly said, "My dad wants me to settle down early, and since I've come back, he's already arranged several matchmaking sessions for me. Tomorrow's is kind of important, and I was hoping you could help me check her out."

Li Qing immediately refused, "What nonsense is this, what am I supposed to check during your blind date?"

"This girl, I heard, is not only pretty but also highly educated, and I'm a bit scared to meet her alone," Hu Wei said, "Stop with the nonsense and just tell me if you'll do it or not?"

"Sure, pick me up tomorrow morning." Looking at the 200 yuan at stake, Li Qing readily agreed.

After parting ways with Hu Wei, Li Qing didn't get home until after ten o' clock.

The lights were still on at the neighbor, Yang Xuelan's house, and one could faintly hear voices talking.

Remembering the rendezvous he had set up with Yang Xuelan, Li Qing felt a surge of heat in his heart.

He intentionally made some noise while opening the door to let Yang Xuelan know he was back.

But as he walked into the yard, Li Qing suddenly heard a series of moans and groans.

Li Qing froze, they had actually started.

Hu Youyu, that old bastard, was utterly inhuman, causing him to miss out on a great opportunity.

After mentally cursing every female in Hu Youyu's family for the next seven or eight generations, Li Qing felt his blood begin to boil as he listened to the unrestrained moaning from next door.

Images of Yang Xuelan holding up her ample bosom, inviting him to feast, flashed through his mind.

He stealthily climbed up the wall, peering into Yang Xuelan's main room.

The curtains were drawn tight, and other than two figures moving around, nothing else was visible.

Feeling a bit disappointed, Li Qing was about to go back to take a cold shower and calm himself down.

Suddenly, Yang Xuelan's curses came from the next room, "You donkey of a thing, trying to cook me alive? If you don't install a fan, don't even think about touching me ever again!"

Gao Li's voice came out stuttering, "There are too many mosquitoes, once the window is open they all fly in."

"I'd rather be bitten to death by mosquitoes than die of heat!" Yang Xuelan scolded.

Following the sound, the curtains were suddenly drawn open, revealing Yang Xuelan's naked silhouette at the window.

Li Qing was startled and quickly crouched down, but Yang Xuelan's gaze still swept over him.

It seemed like she had seen him.

Li Qing quietly slid down from the wall, leaving only half his head visible, and continued to watch next door quietly.

After glancing over briefly, Yang Xuelan withdrew her gaze, opened the window, and was about to close the curtain when Gao Li suddenly rushed from behind, pressing Yang Xuelan against the glass.

"Are you crazy, pull the curtain!" Yang Xuelan cursed.

Gao Li's motions in finding the hole were practiced; he pressed his left hand on Yang Xuelan's fair behind, spat into his right, smeared it there, and then thrust deeply into her.

"It's cooler here, let's just do it here. It doesn't matter if we don't pull the curtains, only Qingzi's wall is high enough to see anything, but Qingzi usually sleeps early, so it's fine," Gao Li said.

"Ah, you dead man," Yang Xuelan cursed, her gaze sneaking a peek towards the wall where Li Qing was hiding.

Li Qing watched the scene before him in shock, his eyes glued, feeling his mouth dry and his tongue parched.

The sight of Yang Xuelan's pair pressed tightly against the glass was truly enticing.

What was originally white and tender, round and pert, was now spread out to all sides due to the pressure, the little pink centers becoming exceptionally clear.