residence permit expires

My residence permit (working) will expire by Mid of August. From Mid to end of July I will be out of China. Can I buy a ticket to arrive back in China by End of July and return ticket (leaving China), lets say in October? The residence permit can only be renewed 1 month before expiry date (mid of July, the time when I am not in China). Will the airline still let me board or request me to have a return ticket before expiration date?