The Xie family’s traditions and atmosphere made Qiao Xingyue feel quite at ease.
Holding the high school textbooks and supplementary books Comrade Xie had brought, still warm from his palms, she rubbed her fingertips over the book covers and suddenly felt her eyes grow hot.
It was as if she weren’t just the Xies’ nanny, but more like a family member being cared for, respected, and supported by them.
The book cover felt slightly uneven.
Was something tucked inside?
Qiao Xingyue opened the book and found a slip of paper inside.
Written on it were the words: I’ve marked the difficult parts. Feel free to ask if you don’t understand.
Was this Comrade Xie’s handwriting?
Comrade Xie’s penmanship, much like the man himself, was vigorous and powerful—standing tall like a pine tree, with every stroke exuding his robust masculinity that inspired reassurance.
Beneath the note lay a palm-sized round tin with blue floral patterns, printed with the words: Friendship Brand Snow Cream.
Why would Comrade Xie give her snow cream?
This was highly inappropriate—she couldn’t accept it.
Looking up, she found the main room empty of Xie Zhongming’s presence, leaving only Jiang Chunyan and Deng Yingying, mother and daughter, seated on a long bench washing their feet in an enamel basin.
Jiang Chunyan lifted her feet, dried them with a towel, slipped on her shoes, and walked to the bathroom door. “Qiao Xingyue, how dare you deny seducing the Xie family’s fourth son? If you hadn’t, why would he give you books and snow cream? Don’t you know Xie Zhongming has a wife? You’re nothing but a vixen.”
Clutching the books and the tin of Friendship Brand Snow Cream, Qiao Xingyue stepped out of the bathroom. “Aunt Jiang, have you not brushed your teeth in centuries? Your mouth reeks worse than a sewer.”
She added, “And if you keep spewing filth and slandering me, tomorrow morning I’ll drag you to see Director Chen at the Family Compound’s residents’ committee. Let him judge what kind of criticism a female comrade like you deserves for such false accusations.”
With that, she led An An and Ning Ning upstairs.
The second floor had three rooms: one occupied by Xie Zhongming, one—Division Commander Xie’s study—cleared out for her, An An, and Ning Ning, and the other—the Xie family fifth, Xie Mingzhe’s room—vacated for Deng Yingying and Jiang Chunyan.
Xie Zhongming’s room was directly opposite Qiao Xingyue’s. She knocked on his door, but there was no response.
Just then, Deng Yingying came upstairs and looked at her.
“Xingyue sister, are you planning to take the college entrance exam?”
“Yes.”
“Xingyue sister, did you go to school before?”
“Is there something you need?”
“Xingyue sister, I attended high school before, though I didn’t finish. But I was a decent student. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me.”
“Thank you, but no need.” In her previous life, Qiao Xingyue had been a medical Ph.D.—sharp-minded with excellent memory, retaining all her knowledge from before transmigrating. What use did she have for Deng Yingying showing off amateur skills before an expert?
“Xingyue sister, my mother spoke harshly earlier. Please don’t take it to heart. I apologize on her behalf.”
Qiao Xingyue knew Deng Yingying was no saint either—this apology wasn’t sincere. She responded indifferently, “Your mother’s actions don’t require your apology. If she dares slander me again, your apologizing for her won’t make a difference.”
“I…” Deng Yingying was left speechless, as if her petty thoughts had been seen through.
Knock knock!
Qiao Xingyue continued knocking on the door.
Deng Yingying smiled, appearing to offer well-intentioned advice, “Sister Xingyue, you might not know Zhongming very well. He doesn’t like others entering his room. I’m afraid even after being with the Xie family for so long, you’ve never stepped inside his room, have you?”
That much was true.
From the very first day Qiao Xingyue arrived at the Xie household, Aunt Lan had specifically reminded her that Comrade Xie disliked others entering his room or touching his belongings. Thus, in the over ten days since her arrival, she had never once set foot in Comrade Xie’s room.
Noticing her knocking had ceased, Deng Yingying feigned concern, “Sister Xingyue, my mother’s words may be harsh. But no matter what, Zhongming is a married man with a wife. I think it’d be best for you to maintain some distance from him, to avoid people gossiping behind your back. I genuinely have your best interests at heart.”
“Comrade Deng, may I ask in what capacity you’re giving me this advice? What exactly is your relationship with Comrade Xie?” Qiao Xingyue turned around, holding her belongings.
Her sharp gaze fell upon Deng Yingying, sending shivers down the latter’s spine—how could a mere housemaid possess such an intimidating presence?
“I, I… Zhongming and I grew up together since childhood. We’re as close as siblings.”
“Oh, as close as siblings. If you hadn’t clarified, I might have thought you had feelings for Comrade Xie—acting jealous whenever any female comrade gets near him.”
“I don’t!” Deng Yingying grew flustered. “Zhongming is a married man. How could I possibly entertain such improper thoughts?”
This Deng Yingying and her mother Jiang Chunyan were quite the pair—one an Old White Lotus, the other a fresh Green Tea.
Qiao Xingyue had no intention of indulging either of them, prioritizing her own peace of mind above all. “Since you don’t, then mind your own business.”
Inside the room.
Xie Zhongming stood by the door.
He had heard every word of the exchange outside, and an approving smile unconsciously tugged at his lips—this Comrade Qiao was truly extraordinary with her sharp tongue; no ordinary person could bully her.
“Sister Xingyue, I really wasn’t trying to meddle, I genuinely meant well for you, I…” Just as Deng Yingying was desperately trying to explain, Xie Zhongming opened the door.
His gaze first landed on Deng Yingying. “We did grow up together, but our relationship never reached the level of being as close as siblings.”
“Zhongming…”
“We’re not that familiar.”
His eyes then shifted to Qiao Xingyue. “Comrade Qiao, were you the one knocking just now?”
“Yes.”
“Come in and talk.” Xie Zhongming widened the door gap further, his tall, straight frame shifting aside.
The gesture was an invitation for her to enter.
Deng Yingying outside the door stared in stunned disbelief, equally shocked by what she heard.
Zhongming never allowed anyone into his room, especially female comrades. Many women in the Compound had pursued him, finding countless excuses to visit under the guise of work, study discussions, or seeking advice.
Every single time, they were turned away at the door.
Even she, Deng Yingying, who had grown up with Zhongming since childhood, was always stopped outside whenever she knocked on his door. She had never even seen what his room looked like inside.
But just now, Zhongming had invited Qiao Xingyue inside to talk?
Deng Yingying peered into the room—this was her first time seeing the interior of Xie Zhongming’s home. A single bed stood in the corner, its quilt folded into a neat rectangular block, the sheets stretched perfectly smooth without a single wrinkle. Near the window sat a rosewood desk, its books arranged in orderly rows. The walls were adorned with various certificates of merit and embroidered banners. One calligraphy piece, handwritten by him, hung prominently: “Guard the Home, Defend the Nation, Loyalty to the Mission. The Brave Fear Nothing, the Strong Are Invincible.”
The brushstrokes, much like the man himself, exuded a resolute strength.
The room was, once again, spotlessly clean.
Deng Yingying had finally seen what Xie Zhongming’s room looked like, but it was only because of Qiao Xingyue that she had this opportunity. Her heart soured, as if steeped in a vat of vinegar.
Qiao Xingyue was a comrade who knew her boundaries. She stood firmly at the doorway without taking a step inside, then handed the Friendship Brand Snow Cream tucked in a book to Xie Zhongming.
“Comrade Xie, I’ll accept the book, but the snow cream is unnecessary. It wouldn’t be appropriate. Thank you.”
She did not enter Xie Zhongming’s room. After pressing the snow cream into his hand, she led An An and Ningning back to her own room and shut the door firmly.
It wasn’t until the opposite door clicked shut that Xie Zhongming registered what had happened—this was the first time he had ever invited a female comrade into his room to talk, and she had declined.
He hadn’t meant anything by it; he simply hadn’t wanted to speak with Comrade Qiao in front of Deng Yingying, who was also standing at the door. That was why he had invited her inside.
Comrade Qiao had shown great propriety. Only now did he recall the wariness and suspicion he had felt toward her when she first arrived at the Xie household. It seemed he had misjudged her.
Besides guilt, a vague, indescribable feeling stirred within him—was Comrade Qiao avoiding him?
Just then, Deng Yingying interrupted his thoughts. “Brother Zhongming, I’m planning to take the college entrance exam this year too. Could you tutor me when you have time?”
Xie Zhongming’s gaze toward Deng Yingying turned icy. “Do I look like someone with free time to you?”
“Brother Zhongming—”
Slam!
Without letting her finish, Xie Zhongming shut the door, snow cream in hand.
He stood by the door, pondering. Comrade Qiao hadn’t entered his room, saying she couldn’t accept the snow cream and that it wouldn’t be proper. Had she misunderstood something?
His hand tightened around the snow cream.
The next moment, he opened the door, ignoring Deng Yingying—who stood outside, weeping with hurt—and walked around her to knock on the opposite door.
An An answered, tilting her small head up. Her voice chimed clear as a bell in the wind. “Uncle Zhongming, what is it?”
“I need to speak with your mother.” Xie Zhongming, too, knew his boundaries. Aware that this was a female comrade’s room, he remained at the doorway without stepping inside.
Qiao Xingyue came to the door. “Comrade Xie, is there something else?”
Clutching the snow cream, Xie Zhongming hurried to explain, “Comrade Qiao, this snow cream was given to me by my mother. She was worried that doing too many household chores might roughen your hands, so she wanted to give you a box.”
Qiao Xingyue believed him.
But if Aunt Lan had handed her the snow cream directly, she would have accepted it gratefully. However, since it came from Xie Zhongming—even if he was merely delivering it on his mother’s behalf—she would not take it.
So far, Zhou Dahong had accused her of seducing the Xie family men, Jiang Chunyan had also claimed she was seducing the Xie family men, and now Deng Yingying was insinuating with sarcasm that she should stay away from Comrade Xie. She only wanted to work diligently in the Xie household without causing complications. Even if the Xie family were reasonable and protective of her, once gossip spread throughout the Compound, it would inevitably harm Comrade Xie’s reputation.
If it truly affected Comrade Xie’s reputation, she might voluntarily leave—she didn’t want to lose such a good job.
Therefore, it was better to maintain some distance from Comrade Xie.
“Comrade Xie, could you please tell Aunt Lan that I’m used to country life and am not accustomed to such things. Still, I’m very grateful to Aunt Lan.”
After saying this, Qiao Xingyue pulled An An further inside and closed the door.
Early the next morning, Huang Guilan saw Qiao Xingyue making flatbreads in the Zaofang and went in again with the Snowflake Cream. “Xingyue, this Snowflake Cream was specially asked by Aunt Lan for Zhongming to buy, fearing your hands would get rougher from daily work. You must accept it. Didn’t you say you wouldn’t stand on ceremony with Aunt Lan anymore? It’s not anything expensive.”
Qiao Xingyue took it and replied cheerfully, “Alright, Aunt Lan, I’ll accept it. Thank you.”
She would work even harder to show her gratitude for Aunt Lan’s kindness.
Xie Zhongming, returning from his morning exercise, wiped the sweat from his forehead with the towel around his neck—why had Qiao Xingyue so readily accepted the very same Snowflake Cream when his mother gave it to her? Was it his approach that was wrong?