Was it because she had teased him too relentlessly today that made Zhao Hui come back?
Xu Xia deliberately took half a step back, gazing at Zhao Hui with tender affection, “Zhao Er Ge, why have you come back?”
Zhao Hui shoved his hands into his pockets. He had made it halfway home, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Xu Xia, and before he knew it, he had walked back.
He rubbed his nose, his voice slightly hoarse from drinking, “I came to give you a reminder. The cinema is large, and you two are living here. Make sure to lock all the doors properly. Otherwise, if some troublemaker shows up… you two… two people alone, you’d have no one to turn to for help.”
Behind Xu Xia’s room was a small bamboo grove, in front was the courtyard, and beyond that stood the cinema. The surroundings were indeed deserted—no signs of human habitation until you left the cinema grounds.
She hadn’t given it much thought before, but after Zhao Hui’s warning, she suddenly felt uneasy about going to the toilet.
“It shouldn’t be a problem, right?” Xu Xia glanced around nervously.
Seeing Xu Xia’s timid expression, Zhao Hui deliberately emphasized, “You never know. From now on, you should go out less at night.” Or better yet, return to the Zhao family home, he thought.
Noticing the flashlight in Xu Xia’s hand and learning she was heading to the toilet, he offered to accompany her.
With Zhao Hui by her side, Xu Xia felt less afraid about using the toilet, though it was still awkward. When she emerged and saw a figure standing darkly in the shadows, her heart leaped in fright. Only when she realized it was Zhao Hui did she relax.
She had expected him to say something, but instead, he simply escorted her back to her door and left again.
Tsk, tsk, he really can hold back.
Well then, let’s wait and see who breaks first.
But after Zhao Hui’s warning, when Xu Xia lay down again, she felt less secure. The cinema was so vast—what if a real troublemaker showed up?
Neither she nor her brother were particularly brave. This household really needed an adult man.
Xu Xia slowly drifted into sleep and dreamed of Zhao Hui. In a cramped room, only the two of them remained. The air was thick and humid, their clothes soaked and clinging tightly to their bodies, outlining well-defined muscle lines.
While she was still savoring the dream, her brother’s knocking woke her.
These days, Xu Fengshou had been making breakfast. Even on his day off, he woke up early.
Xu Xia rolled over, “Go about your business. I’m going to lie here a bit longer.”
Finally having a day off, Xu Xia didn’t want to do any work—she just wanted to lie comfortably in bed.
After the National Day holiday, Director Zhang announced that besides Xu Xia’s residence, there were two additional rooms nearby that would be cleaned up and used as dormitories for single employees.
Xu Xia thought this was excellent news. With others living nearby, she wouldn’t have to be afraid at night, and she wouldn’t be an exception anymore.
Others were equally pleased. In these times, most families lived in cramped conditions. If they could secure staff dormitories, their families would be more comfortable, and they’d have more freedom.
Sister Yu sidled up to Xu Xia and whispered, “This is all thanks to you. Director Zhang couldn’t just give you special treatment, or people would talk. Honestly, this should’ve been done long ago. If we’d had these benefits when I first started working, I wouldn’t have married so early.”
It was only because her brothers needed to marry and pressured her to move out quickly that she went on one blind date after another. Fortunately, she had decent luck—her husband might lack ambition, but he was honest, and their life together was fairly good.
Xu Xia pursed her lips into a smile, “It’s not because of me. Director Zhang is wise. I’m sure he had this idea all along, and I just happened to be here at the right time.”
“You’re such a clever girl, every word you say is perfectly measured,” Sister Yu laughed heartily as she praised Xu Xia. She had wanted to bring up her cousin’s matter several times, but Xu Xia never mentioned it, just kept chatting and laughing with her as usual. From this, Sister Yu understood Xu Xia’s attitude.
If anyone was to blame, it was her cousin himself for being unimpressive—not saying a single word, how could he expect the girl to have any favorable impression of him?
Oh well, no fate there. Who would such a fine girl end up with in the future?
“Sister, I’ll take that as a compliment,” Xu Xia smiled faintly. Just then, Director Zhang announced another message, telling everyone to stop chatting and listen to him.
“The military unit called me, saying the soldiers have been working hard and asked us to go down to the troops to screen movies for three days.” As soon as Director Zhang finished speaking, Sister Yu immediately said she couldn’t go.
“My father-in-law is hospitalized, my mother-in-law has to take care of him, and I need to look after the kids at home. Besides, I was the one who went for the rural screening the month before last—I can’t go this time.” Having worked at the cinema for years, Sister Yu was an old hand. She even offered a suggestion, “Director Zhang, why not send the single young women? There are so many outstanding young men in the military unit—maybe someone will catch their eye.”
As soon as Sister Yu finished, Director Zhang looked at Xu Xia. There were only two single young women at the cinema—Xu Xia and Wang Qinghua. He thought it was a good idea.
However, Xu Xia already knew people in the military unit herself, so she probably didn’t need him to play matchmaker. Still, this trip wouldn’t be too tiring and counted as a rural assignment, so he was willing to do her a favor.
“Xiao Yu, you make a good point. Then Xu Xia and Qinghua will go. We’ll also need a man to handle the heavy work. Xiao Wu, are you free?” Director Zhang looked at a slightly chubby man.
Wu Xiaofeng, who was thirty and always cheerful, was the office nice guy. “I can go, Director.”
“Then the three of you will go. Be careful when you get to the military unit—don’t wander around or speak carelessly. Don’t embarrass the cinema.” After giving his instructions, Director Zhang looked at Xu Xia again. “If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask Qinghua or the others.”
Xu Xia knew Director Zhang was doing her a favor, but if she went to the military unit, wouldn’t that leave her younger brother home alone?
She wasn’t entirely comfortable with that.
After work that day, Xu Xia discussed it with her brother. “I definitely can’t let you stay by yourself. Zhao Er Ge was right—there’s no one living around us in any direction. I wouldn’t feel at ease leaving you alone.”
“But Sis…”
“Don’t worry about troubling others. Aunt He and Zhao Bobo are good people. It’s just a short stay of three days, not forever.” Xu Xia patted her brother’s head. The next day after work, she went to ask Aunt He if it would be possible. As she expected, Aunt He agreed immediately.
“I’m really happy you thought of us—it shows you don’t treat us as outsiders,” He Hongying said cheerfully.
Xu Xia replied, “I consider you family. Thank you for your help. I’ll have Fengshou come directly here after school.”
“It’s no trouble at all. When you get back, come over for a meal together. I’ll make some nourishing food for you and your brother.” He Hongying asked Xu Xia to wait a moment. “It’s season-changing time now. Could you take a couple of clothes for Zhao Hui? I’m afraid he’ll be cold in the military unit. That boy lives so roughly—he just makes do with everything and endures the cold stubbornly, like a dog with a temper.”
Xu Xia smiled without responding to that comment. When Aunt He came downstairs with the bag, she bid her farewell.
Two days later, Xu Xia set off for the military unit with her colleagues. Just from moving the film projector and other equipment, she understood why everyone took turns going on rural assignments—it was genuinely exhausting physical labor.
Wu Xiaofeng was in charge of driving, while Xu Xia and Wang Qinghua sat in the back seat. Wang Qinghua was quite shy, but Xu Xia was anything but quiet. She pulled Wang Qinghua into a conversation, asking her all sorts of questions.
“From what you’ve said, going down to the countryside isn’t all bad—there are some fun parts too,” Xu Xia remarked.
“Yes, if we go down to the countryside during this season, we can trade with the locals for fruits or poultry like chickens and ducks. Some enthusiastic locals even give us food,” Wang Qinghua slowly opened up. “Actually, the locals really look forward to us showing movies. It’s rare for them to watch films—each place only gets one screening a year, so they’re very welcoming.”
Wu Xiaofeng, who was driving, chimed in, “That’s right. When we go down to the countryside to show movies, it’s free for everyone to watch, and the locals are always delighted. It’s the same when we go to the military bases—the soldiers train hard every day and need some time to relax too.”
“Brother Wu, does everyone at the cinema know how to drive?” Xu Xia asked.
Wu Xiaofeng said no. “All the male comrades can drive because we take turns going down to the countryside, and we always need male comrades for that, so we teach each other. Among the female comrades, only Sister Yu knows how to drive. The others are too afraid to learn.”
Wang Qinghua was one of those too afraid to learn. She felt uncomfortable even riding in a car, let alone learning to drive.
Xu Xia, on the other hand, wanted to learn. It was a skill, and even if she didn’t know when she’d use it, she was eager. “Brother Wu, can I learn then?”
“Of course. As long as you’re part of our cinema, you can use this vehicle to learn.” Others weren’t allowed—not even wives or children. This was a strict rule set by Director Zhang to prevent anyone from using the public vehicle for private purposes, which could lead to trouble. Because Wu Xiaofeng knew how to drive, he sometimes helped out at the transport team to earn some extra money.
Xu Xia tugged at Wang Qinghua’s sleeve. “Qinghua, let’s learn together. You can never have too many skills. Others have to find a master to teach them, you know.”
She knew that in many workplaces, skills were passed down from master to apprentice, and driving was no exception. Moreover, the transport team was a difficult unit to get into.
Wang Qinghua still shook her head. She admired Xu Xia’s courage but felt she couldn’t do it herself.
Xu Xia didn’t push further and changed the subject to something else.
Meanwhile, at the military district gate, Bai Shijian was tasked with picking someone up. He spotted Zhao Hui’s car at the entrance and stopped it.
“Get out and talk with me for a bit,” Bai Shijian said. Over the past few days, he had noticed that Zhao Hui’s face always seemed dark. “Tell me honestly, what have I done to offend you? Every time you return to the dorm, your face is as sour as it is now.”
He might be easygoing, but he could still sense Zhao Hui’s constant bad mood.
Zhao Hui got out of the car and had someone else drive it away. “It’s not about you.”
“Is it about your family? Is your dad pressuring you to marry your childhood sweetheart again?” Bai Shijian’s curiosity was piqued, and he pulled Zhao Hui aside, grinning as he asked.
Zhao Hui glanced sideways at Bai Shijian. Seeing him like this, he guessed the Bai family hadn’t yet mentioned the matchmaking with Xu Xia. “How long has it been since you went home?”
“I’m not going home. Every time I do, my parents nag me about getting married,” Bai Shijian shook his head vigorously. “I’m asking you a question—why are you dodging it?”
“Nothing’s wrong. My dad isn’t pressuring me,” Zhao Hui replied.
“What are you unhappy about then?” Bai Shijian grew even more curious. “We’re good brothers sharing the same dorm. They say it takes a hundred years of cultivation to cross a river together, and a thousand years to share a pillow. For us to share a dorm, we must have had at least fifty years of connection in our past lives. Tell me about it—maybe I can help analyze the situation.”
Zhao Hui let out a dry laugh, regretting getting off the vehicle. He turned and headed back toward the military base.
“Hey, don’t go!” Bai Shijian genuinely wanted to know what could have affected Zhao Hui for so many days.
People in the unit all said Zhao Hui had a tough temper, so anyone who could influence him must be quite remarkable.
Shortly after Zhao Hui left, the cinema van arrived. Bai Shijian waved to the driver and got into the passenger seat.
Wu Xiaofeng, a veteran employee at the cinema, had been to the military base before and had met Bai Shijian. “Bai Yingzhang, are we setting up in the same spot as last time?”
“Yes, just follow the same route as before. The guys in the unit know you’re coming—they’ve all been looking forward…” As he spoke, Bai Shijian glanced back at the rear seat and froze the moment he saw Xu Xia.
He could feel his heart pounding faster, especially when the young girl smiled at him. He couldn’t find the words to describe it—he only knew he was smitten.
“Bai Yingzhang?” Wu Xiaofeng also turned to look and introduced, “This is our new colleague from the cinema, Xu Xia. Xiao Xu, this is Bai Yingzhang. He’s in charge of receiving us.”
Xu Xia smiled sweetly. “Hello, Bai Yingzhang.”
“Mm, hello.” Bai Shijian’s tone naturally softened. He stopped talking and sat there nervously.
After getting out, he proactively opened the car door and called over two soldiers to help carry the equipment. “You all go ahead to the guesthouse. We’ll handle these things—can’t let the young lady do heavy labor. We’ve got plenty of strength.”
The soldiers who were called over couldn’t take their eyes off Xu Xia as she stepped out of the vehicle. It wasn’t until Bai Shijian gave each of them a light tap on the head that they snapped out of it, blushing.
Only after Xu Xia went to the guesthouse did they dare to whisper among themselves:
“Was that girl a movie star? She’s so beautiful, like a fairy!”
“Yeah, her skin is so fair, it seems to glow. Yingzhang, do you think she has a boyfriend?”
“Work more, talk less! Whether she has a boyfriend or not is none of your business!” Bai Shijian couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Xu Xia. “Be careful with this stuff—don’t break anything.”
He made sure no one else approached Xu Xia, then hurried to the guesthouse himself. When Xu Xia and the others came out, he warmly asked, “You must be tired from the drive. Are you hungry? Let me take you to the cafeteria for a bite.”
Since the movie screening would start that evening, Wu Xiaofeng told Xu Xia and the others to go eat first while he went to set up the screen with the team. “Just bring me something simple to eat.”
“Okay, Brother Wu. We’ll come help soon,” Xu Xia said, linking arms with Wang Qinghua as they followed Bai Shijian to the cafeteria.
Along the way, they attracted many gazes.
Wang Qinghua knew those looks weren’t for her. After half a day together, she had grown more familiar with Xu Xia and whispered, “Xu Xia, they’re all looking at you.”
“I know.”
“Aren’t you embarrassed? There are so many people.” If it were Wang Qinghua, she would have blushed and run away. She was shy, unable to even look strangers in the eye when speaking, let alone carry herself as confidently as Xu Xia, standing tall under everyone’s gaze.
Xu Xia said it wasn’t a problem, “We’re new faces, it’s normal for everyone to be curious and take a look. Besides, they don’t have any ill intentions, why should I feel embarrassed?”
“Qinghua, we haven’t done anything wrong, you should straighten your back too—it looks better this way.” Xu Xia patted Wang Qinghua’s back. Actually, Wang Qinghua was quite delicate and pretty, just too shy, often keeping her head down, which made her appear lacking in spirit.
“I… I can’t do it.”
“Take deep breaths, several deep breaths. You have to think that they’re looking at you because you’re pretty, you should enjoy the attention. You’re very beautiful too, have more confidence in yourself.” While Xu Xia was talking with Wang Qinghua, they arrived at the cafeteria. After Bai Shijian introduced them, he proactively helped them get their meals.
Xu Xia tried to pay, but Bai Shijian refused.
“It’s your first time here, my treat.” Bai Shijian also got his own meal and sat down to eat with them. “Are you both from Jiangcheng?”
Xu Xia said no, while Wang Qinghua softly said yes.
“Then where are you from, Comrade Xu? Did you just join the cinema?”
Xu Xia noticed that this Bai Shijian was particularly talkative. She responded to his conversation half-heartedly.
Thinking that Wu Xiaofeng was still hungry, Xu Xia ate relatively quickly. “Bai Yingzhang, you don’t need to show us the way, I know how to get there.”
“It’s no trouble, I’m here to help you with your work today.” Bai Shijian smiled. “And you don’t need to be so formal with me. We’re around the same age—my name is Bai Shijian, you can call me by my name.”
Xu Xia didn’t dare to address Bai Shijian directly by his name. She had realized this man was interested in her, which made her want to keep her distance even more. What if Bai Shijian knew Zhao Hui? If any inappropriate rumors reached Zhao Hui’s ears, all her previous efforts would be in vain.
However, the advantage of being good-looking was that when Xu Xia arrived at the spot to set up the screen, as soon as she spoke up, people came to help. In less than half an hour, the venue was ready.
Wu Xiaofeng marveled nearby, “Sister Yu was right after all—several young comrades just came to ask me if you two are single. Xiao Xu, Xiao Wang, you should seize the opportunity! Soldiers get good benefits.”
This made Wang Qinghua blush, even more afraid to look up at people. Xu Xia, however, scanned the people present, but whenever the young soldiers’ eyes met hers, they would shyly look away—each one quite adorable.
By that afternoon, word had spread throughout the military unit: among the film projection staff was an exceptionally pretty young woman.
Everyone was already looking forward to watching the movie, but now they were even more eager to join the crowd.
When Bai Shijian returned in the evening, he asked Zhao Hui, “Are you going to watch the movie tonight?”
“No.” Zhao Hui answered without thinking, only afterward remembering that Xu Xia also worked at the cinema. But it probably wasn’t such a coincidence that Xu Xia would be the one coming.
What if she was?
Zhao Hui, who had just lain down, got up and opened his wardrobe. After Bai Shijian left, he changed into a clean shirt and went downstairs.
By the time Zhao Hui arrived, it was already dark, and the sports ground was packed with a dense crowd of people sitting.
Someone spotted him and greeted him.
“Zhao Tuanzhang!”
Zhao Hui nodded and continued making his way through the crowd. But as he got closer, he overheard some quiet murmuring.
“She’s really beautiful, and so fair-skinned.”
“Yeah, I asked the male comrade in charge—both female comrades are single.”
“And when she talks to me, my heart just melts. Didn’t you see how enthusiastic Bai Yingzhang was? He fetched water for her and stayed by her side the whole time, afraid someone else might strike up a conversation. I think we’re out of luck—Bai Yingzhang must have already made his move.”
…
The more Zhao Hui listened, the darker his expression grew. He strode toward the screen, and before he even got close, he saw Bai Shijian fawning over Xu Xia, who was smiling radiantly.
Fine, fine, she really knew how to attract people!
Xu Xia hadn’t noticed Zhao Hui. She was on duty, and the movie was about to start. She had to stay alert to prevent any mishaps. As for Bai Shijian beside her, she was merely giving him polite, indifferent responses.
She didn’t know that, in Zhao Hui’s eyes, she looked like a delicate flower in full bloom, smiling at the slightest breeze.
“Bai Yingzhang, the movie is about to start. Please don’t sit with me—go find a seat to watch it,” Xu Xia reminded him.
“It’s fine. This is a task assigned to me by the army, and I have to see it through to the end,” Bai Shijian insisted, not daring to leave. He had just returned from the dormitory and saw several young comrades trying to strike up conversations with Xu Xia.
If his parents were here, he would have dragged them over and told them, “This is the kind of girl I like—hurry up and introduce me to someone like her!”
Seeing Bai Shijian’s determination, Xu Xia didn’t press further. Instead, she and Wang Qinghua adjusted the screen, making final preparations.
Just then, someone suddenly grabbed her from behind. Before Xu Xia could cry out in surprise, she met Zhao Hui’s gloomy face.
Without a word, Zhao Hui pulled Xu Xia away, leaving Bai Shijian stunned beside them.