However, she did not show anything on her face. She only smiled and said, “The person you asked me to find earlier has been found. If you have time, I can have her come over this afternoon for you to take a look?”
Wen Quhua’s eyes immediately lit up, and she said happily, “Sure!”
She had been running the shop alone and did not even have time to go out for a stroll. In a while, she would have to go to Beijing to accompany her grandmother for surgery. Being able to hire someone in advance could not be better.
In the afternoon, Aunt Lu brought over an eighteen-year-old girl. She was not tall and a bit thin. Her clothes were old, but they were washed very clean. The impression she gave was that she was honest and simple.
“Her name is Manman. She’s the daughter of a relative from my hometown. She’s no longer in school and wants to find work. There aren’t many jobs back in the hometown. I happened to run into her when I went back to visit graves a couple of days ago, so I thought I’d ask if she could come here and try.”
Manman also tried not to be nervous as she said, “Sister, I can endure hardship and do work. I can learn anything I don’t know.”
Wen Quhua felt that as long as she was steady, hardworking, and neat, that was enough, so she immediately decided to hire her.
Aunt Lu said she had an extra room at home for Manman to stay in, and Manman could just come over to work during the day.
After discussing the terms and benefits, including working hours, Manman was confirmed for the position. Wen Quhua busied herself training her, and for several days she did not go out.
That day, a man carrying a briefcase came in and placed a large order.
Iced mung bean soup, two large buckets, to be delivered to the construction site for the workers to cool off. The weather was too stifling, and the workers could not endure it.
Wen Quhua and Manman hurried to prepare the order. Two large insulated buckets were filled with plenty of ice.
Looking at the time, it was around two in the afternoon, just right for delivery.
Manman could ride an electric tricycle, so they borrowed Aunt Lu’s supply vehicle.
Wen Quhua definitely did not feel at ease letting her go alone, so she went along. She specifically changed into lighter clothing, a light green camisole, a sun-protection jacket, and jeans.
It was Manman’s first time seeing her dressed like this, and she could not help but glance at her several times in curiosity. She had not expected that the boss looked good in dresses and also looked good in pants.
The jeans made her legs look long and straight, and her hips looked shapely. Manman even felt embarrassed to look.
Wen Quhua sat in the back of the tricycle and also found it novel. It was her first time riding one.
The weather was hot. She wore a hat and sunglasses. Once the tricycle started moving, the wind made it feel less hot. After all, it was only early May.
She comfortably looked at the greenery along the road. Although Langcheng was underdeveloped, the natural scenery was decent. There were no high-rise buildings like in later years, only the simple and unadorned charm unique to the 1980s.
Along the way, she could hear the sound of students reading from the school, as well as large red banners on the walls that read “Reform and Opening Up Welcomes the Spring Breeze.” The banners had faded under the sun and wind, yet they had witnessed the country’s rapid development.
“Sister Wen, we’ve arrived.”
Wen Quhua did not let Manman call her boss, so Manman called her Sister Wen. In fact, Wen Quhua was only three years older than her.
When they arrived, Wen Quhua happened to see the sign of the old station being torn down by an excavator, collapsing with a loud crash.
Langcheng Station was being demolished and rebuilt. Economic development could not be separated from transportation. Langcheng’s current focus was on building roads and constructing a new station.
Wen Quhua saw a man jump down neatly from the excavator, casually pulling off the towel around his neck to wipe his sweat.
She paused, then looked away first when he glanced over.
She thought to herself that this man seemed to know how to do everything. He could even operate an excavator.
Yang Tian was directing the garbage trucks to clear debris. Once the sign was pushed down, the station officially ceased operations. The area would be enclosed, and what made him happiest was that their team’s name could be painted on the enclosure.
In the future, they would have their own officially branded renovation team. Maybe one day they could even start a company.
Yang Tian led the workers, working enthusiastically. The site manager walked over with a smile. “It’s hot. Everyone, take a break later and have some iced mung bean soup to cool down.”
Yang Tian also spotted Wen Quhua and Manman in the distance. He nudged Yang Qin with a grin. “Brother, I suggested just buying popsicles in bulk, but who knew Old Wang would be so trendy and order dessert instead. You recommended it, didn’t you?”
Yang Qin pushed his head away. “Stay away.”
It was so hot, and Yang Tian smelled of sweat when he came close.
Yang Tian laughed, not minding at all. He felt that these past few days, Brother Qin’s mood was sometimes good and sometimes unpredictable. It probably all had to do with Boss Wen.
Since there were no problems with business, it had to be about feelings.
Old Wang had Manman park the tricycle under the shade. Manman took out patterned glass cups. These cups were usually used by customers at the barbecue stall. Wen Quhua had borrowed them and would wash and return them to Aunt Lu afterward.
When the workers heard about the iced mung bean soup, they all hurried over. Manman opened the insulated bucket and filled the cups one by one, while Wen Quhua helped beside her.
Suddenly seeing such a radiant beauty at the construction site, many people stole glances at her.
Yang Qin washed his hands and walked over, taking over the work from Wen Quhua. His movements were fast, efficient, and decisive, much better than Wen Quhua’s slower pace.
Wen Quhua was pushed behind him into the shade of the tree. She raised her brows and crossed her arms, watching.
The two buckets were soon emptied. Yang Tian asked for another cup and said with a grin, “This iced mung bean soup really hits the spot.”
Wen Quhua had used rock sugar. The sweetness was light, not cloying, and the ice was just right. One cup made a person feel refreshed. It was much better than sticky popsicles.
Old Wang told Wen Quhua that he would order from them again next time. She smiled calmly and thanked him.
Old Wang wanted to chat with her a bit more, but Wen Quhua pretended to go help Manman clean up and avoided him.
Yang Qin was the last to drink the mung bean soup. He stood by the vehicle. Seeing that she was deliberately avoiding Old Wang’s attempt at conversation, he lowered his head and faintly curled his lips.
It had indeed been him who had casually recommended her to Old Wang.
He wanted to see her. Without an excuse, he could only create an opportunity himself.
After that day, Yang Qin had figured things out. He could barely manage to restrain himself and not scare her, but to stop thinking about her was very difficult.
After a full day of work, he still had the energy to think about her all night.
It did not matter that she had a partner. What if they broke up one day?
Even Shen Yan’s comment that “the two of you are clearly not right,” and Aunt Lu’s teasing, made him secretly pleased that others linked him with her.
How could he still pretend not to care?
The only thing was that he could not let her know. He was this humble, this obsessive, thinking only about when she would break up.
Wen Quhua did not speak to him either, pretending not to know him. Instead, she could chat a bit with Yang Tian.
From Yang Tian’s casual remarks, she learned that the current project was essentially contracted by Yang Qin himself. Although it was hard work, at least it was his own business.
No wonder he did all the dirty and tiring work. He was working hard for himself.
From a future perspective, he was quite ambitious. This was the early stage of engineering development. If he could go far on this path, he might become a major figure in the industry one day.
But there was no need to say any of that. Wen Quhua tried to minimize contact with him.
After returning, Manman busied herself cleaning up. After a few days, Manman had learned quickly. She could already handle many desserts. In the afternoon, Wen Quhua left the shop to her and planned to go out.
She had not properly explored Langcheng yet. She had not even been to the department store.
Wen Quhua wanted to go shopping.
However, she never expected that Langcheng was so small that she would run into someone she had only met once at the department store.
Shen Yan looked at her and was also surprised. Wen Quhua was dressed casually today and wore sunglasses. At first, Shen Yan had almost failed to recognize her.
When she did recognize her, her expression became somewhat subtle.
Running into his blind date partner, Wen Quhua, however, felt completely at ease.
“What would you like to buy?” The department store was no longer as prosperous as before, and there were not many sales assistants. Shen Yan could only attend to Wen Quhua herself.
Wen Quhua looked around. There were color televisions, fans, washing machines, and newly styled bicycles. However, these currently popular appliances still looked outdated in her eyes.
Shen Yan pointed at one of the counters. “There are some new women’s watches over there. Would you like to take a look?”
Wen Quhua followed her over. Watches from this era still had some collectible value. Shen Yan took out one and placed it in front of her.
“This one is a Diamond brand watch from Shanghai. It suits you.”
“And this one is also quite good.”
Wen Quhua, however, looked at a watch inside the glass display case and pointed to it. “Please take out this Seiko 7830 for me to have a look.”
Shen Yan was a little surprised by her knowledge of watches, but she still gently reminded her, “This one is quite expensive and doesn’t sell much.”
Wen Quhua did not care about the price. After taking it out, she tried it on her wrist. “I’ll take this one.”
Shen Yan froze for a moment. She was buying it just like that?
Wen Quhua put the watch on properly. She still had a red agate bracelet on her wrist, and the two matched together beautifully.
She also had many watches at her home in Hong Kong, but she had not brought any this time, so she could buy one to wear for fun.
She shook her wrist slightly. The fair, glowing skin made Shen Yan momentarily distracted.
After writing up the receipt, Wen Quhua paid without even blinking.
It was a year’s worth of Shen Yan’s salary spent in an instant. Shen Yan only earned a little over ninety yuan a month.
Even that was because her workplace was considered good.
Shen Yan had always felt that her conditions in Langcheng were among the best, but now she could not help but feel that the gap between people was truly enormous.
Yet the more Wen Quhua was like this, the more she felt that Wen Quhua and Yang Qin were impossible. She and Yang Qin were from the same world.
Before Wen Quhua left, Shen Yan could not help but ask, “About that blind date…”
“Mm?” Wen Quhua looked at her in confusion.
Shen Yan hesitated, but still asked, “What is your relationship with him?”
Wen Quhua blinked and replied calmly, “No relationship.”
No relationship?
Shen Yan stood there, watching her leaving figure in a daze.
After buying a watch she quite liked, Wen Quhua went to Deshun Restaurant for dinner. She had always been willing to spend on herself.
In a private room at Deshun, Yang Tian had blocked quite a few drinks for Yang Qin.
The small boss who had once sought cooperation with Yang Qin and later rejected him sat at the main seat, smiling without warmth. “Brother, you’ve got guts. Before the project even started, I was asking around who could stand out among us and take a share of the old station project. I didn’t expect it to be you. Come, I’ll drink with you. I’ve always felt bad about what happened last time.”
Yang Qin idly played with the empty wine glass in his hand and smiled. “What’s there to feel bad about? Business is business.”
Boss Chen placed his glass on the table and looked at Yang Qin, who had turned things around in just a short time. He said meaningfully, “Xiao Yang, we’ve known each other for more than a day or two. When you were working at Liu Jun’s construction site, I introduced you to plenty of outside jobs. I always made sure you got your share of the money. Now you’ve taken on the old station project yourself. That’s not very proper.”
“We all know each other. The profit should be shared so everyone can get along peacefully.”
Hearing this, Yang Tian stopped smiling and snorted inwardly. Earlier, when Yang Qin had approached him for cooperation, he had turned him down.
Now that Yang Qin had taken a risk and finally secured some work at the old station, Boss Chen could not sit still anymore.
Yang Qin did not care about the hint in his words. He simply said, “I’ve indeed taken on the demolition and temporary construction work at the old station. But I can’t handle the main construction. It’s not a project one person can take on alone.”
Hearing this, Boss Chen’s expression eased significantly. If it were only demolition and temporary structures, he did not mind Yang Qin earning money from the dirty and tiring work.
“Alright, since you say that, let’s work together and negotiate for the next stage of construction at the old station,” Boss Chen said with a smile, raising his glass again.
Yang Qin poured another glass and lightly clinked it with his. His eyes lowered, and a trace of coldness flashed through them.
Boss Chen was anxious. Previously, he had looked down on Yang Qin. Now he was afraid Yang Qin would find someone else to cooperate with and take on the construction project.
After seeing Boss Chen off, Yang Tian felt unwilling and said angrily, “Brother, why do we have to cooperate with Boss Chen? He’s not a decent person.”
Yang Qin walked ahead, his mind clear. “The money I got from mortgaging the old house is only enough for demolition and temporary construction. The remaining funds need to be reserved to invest in the construction phase. It doesn’t matter who I cooperate with. At least I understand Chen De.”
In this line of work, people were ruthless. Chen De had some money but was not very clever. Working with him gave Yang Qin some sense of control.
If he chose someone else, he would have to gauge their character again. If he encountered someone like Liu Jun, it would be worse than Chen De.
“But Chen De just relies on his mouth, acting as a middleman. We do all the hard work, and he earns a fortune,” Yang Tian muttered.
“Being able to act as a middleman is his ability.” Yang Qin remained calm. Chen De had been operating in Langcheng for decades and had deeper roots than he did.
Chen De could secure funding. He could not. Chen De could bear risks. He still could not.
Besides, he was not in a hurry. Taking a roundabout way to get involved was just to reach this point, where Chen De would come to him and invite him into the project.
But this time, he could negotiate terms. The contracting team had to be entirely under his control.
As Yang Qin was thinking about business, Yang Tian suddenly said, “Hey, isn’t that Boss Wen?”
He looked up and followed Yang Tian’s gaze. Under the streetlight, Wen Quhua was walking leisurely by herself, holding several shopping bags.
Yang Qin said nothing. He simply stood across the street, quietly watching her slender figure.
“Brother, it’s going to rain. Your chance has come.” Growing up by the sea, they could tell from the sky and wind that the weather was about to change.
Yang Tian grinned.
Yang Qin glanced at him coldly. “You go back first.”
“Alright.” Yang Tian quickly left.
Yang Qin continued to follow slowly along the road.
A thunderstorm came quickly. One moment, there was a gentle breeze; the next moment, the wind was strong enough to whip the branches, and raindrops began to pound the ground.
Wen Quhua froze, completely caught off guard. The rain started suddenly, and she had not brought an umbrella.
In this era, even getting a taxi was impossible.
There was still quite a distance from here to her shop. Wen Quhua could only run.
But once the thunderstorm began, the wind was fierce, howling through the trees.
Rain got into her eyes. She tried hard to open them and see the road clearly, but a flash of lightning split across the sky, followed by a loud rumble of thunder.
Her entire body stiffened instantly, and the bags in her hands fell to the ground.
In the pale light of the lightning, she was suddenly dragged back into memories she had deliberately tried to forget.
A stormy night. A man in a black raincoat. Raindrops dripping from an iron wrench.
“Ah…”
She lowered her head, covering her ears with both hands. Her body went weak, and she was suddenly caught around the waist by a pair of arms.
“Wen Quhua?”
The person in Yang Qin’s arms kept slipping downward. He could only tighten his grip on her waist and press her into his chest.
He had only stepped into a shop briefly to buy an umbrella, and when he came out, he saw this scene.