“I didn’t see her, but I learned something – she already has a boyfriend. Don’t you think we were complete fools at yesterday’s mixer?” Zhai Qingping laughed self-mockingly, kicking a stone away with force.
He hadn’t forgotten how both he and Zhou Jinshan had taken a liking to Feng Mingshu at yesterday’s social event, even competing to invite her to dance. Now realizing his own foolishness, he didn’t hesitate to share this with his good roommate.
Misery loves company.
Neither should laugh at the other.
Hearing Zhai Qingping’s words, Zhou Jinshan frowned: “No investigation, no right to speak. Old Zhai, don’t casually disparage a female comrade’s character.”
“How have I not investigated? After getting the news, I immediately inquired about her boyfriend. He’s the only son of the Nanchang Cotton Mill director, didn’t finish high school, gave up college entrance exams to be with her, and wants to join her as an educated youth in the countryside. His parents are so angry they’ve taken ill, and their family is in complete turmoil.”
This fresh gossip had spread throughout the cotton mill in just half a day. When Zhai Qingping went there, a simple inquiry revealed everything. His heart sank immediately, and with little time left, he rushed to the department store, bought some items, and headed straight to the hospital.
After listening, Zhou Jinshan’s brow smoothed and his tone remained even: “This is just hearsay you gathered from outsiders.”
Detecting the skepticism in his words, Zhai Qingping chuckled: “Yes, it’s hearsay, but there’s no smoke without fire.”
“Old Zhou, I’ll be straight with you – Comrade Feng’s family background alone is already a significant pressure for me. My family would struggle to accept her. When I impulsively sought her out, I was setting aside my future and family. But I’ve realized I don’t truly know her, and frankly, I’m growing tired.”
The weariness in Zhai Qingping’s voice was palpable. Zhou Jinshan offered no comfort, remaining silent.
Feeling suffocated, Zhai Qingping couldn’t resist pulling a cigarette case from his pocket.
Knowing Zhou Jinshan didn’t smoke, he didn’t offer, lighting one himself and taking a deep drag. Clapping Zhou Jinshan’s shoulder with his other hand, he spoke earnestly: “Old Zhou, I know you have feelings for her too, but really, don’t be a fool like me. She’s not worth it.”
Zhou Jinshan brushed off Zhai Qingping’s hand, glanced at the cigarette, and said mildly: “If you’re tired, go rest. The political commissar is counting the minutes – miss the deadline and you’ll be writing three thousand words of self-criticism.”
Reminded of this, Zhai Qingping checked his watch mid-exhale, choked on smoke, coughed, threw down the cigarette, stomped it out, and dashed off in disarray.
Watching his roommate’s retreating figure, a slight smile touched Zhou Jinshan’s lips before he calmly crossed the street to the bus stop opposite.
Returning with braised pork, Lu Xiangqian frowned at the empty hospital bed: “How long does it take to see someone off? Has Old Zhou gone off on some foolish errand again?”
“He wouldn’t, would he?”
Twenty minutes later, staring at the completely cooled braised pork, Lu Xiangqian roared toward the window: “Old Zhou, are you even human? Are you never done tormenting me? I’m reporting you to the political commissar!”
“Where’s the patient from this bed?”
Just then, a nurse entered with medicine bottles.
“He fell into the toilet. I’m going to drag him out and clean him up. Wait a moment,” Lu Xiangqian tossed these words over his shoulder as he rushed out.
The nurse: “…”
…
The Feng Residence.Tonight’s meal was prepared by Wang Ma. As they were finishing up, Wang Ma suddenly remembered the incident from the afternoon and brought it up at the table, emphasizing the soldier in the white military uniform who had passed by.
Feng Mingshu froze upon hearing this. Meeting her mother’s smiling gaze, she pursed her lips and said, “He was probably just passing by.”
Yu Jingqiu neither agreed nor disagreed, turning her attention to her son fidgeting on the chair beside her. “Xiao Yu, are you feeling unwell?”
“No, Mom.” Feng Mingyu quickly shook his head in denial, straightening his small frame, but his face betrayed a guilty conscience. He couldn’t bring himself to look at his sister, suspecting that the soldier Wang Ma mentioned was the one he had locked outside the courtyard gate.
A mother knows her son best. Yu Jingqiu asked gently, “Xiao Yu, are you hiding something from me?”
The little boy immediately slid down from his chair, his face flushed red. “Mom, I was wrong…”
“Ding ling ling, ding ling ling—”
Just then, the doorbell suddenly rang, sharp and urgent, startling the whole family.
Feng Mingshu’s heart jumped. She put down her bowl and chopsticks. “Mom, I’ll go check first.”
“Miss, I’ll go with you.”
“No need, I’ll go alone.”
Feng Mingshu refused Wang Ma because she suspected the person ringing the doorbell might be the ruffian from yesterday.
She hurried across the courtyard and opened the gate. Instead of the ruffian, she saw Yu Xiuchun and an unfamiliar woman. The latter was in her thirties or forties, with short ear-length hair and a stern, cold expression.
The last time Yu Xiuchun had come to the Feng residence to cause trouble, she had first been humiliated by Feng Mingshu and then reprimanded by Director Wu. She had slunk away in disgrace back then, but now she had brought someone with her. It was clear they came with ill intentions.
Feng Mingshu held the gate firmly, her face cold. “What are you here for?”
Yu Xiuchun, afraid she would shut the door, pressed her hand against it. “How dare you speak to your elder like that? Where’s your mother? Tell her to come out.”
“My mother is busy. If you have something to say, say it.” Feng Mingshu’s expression remained icy.
“What an ill-mannered girl,” Yu Xiuchun scolded with an air of authority, then turned to the unfamiliar woman with an ingratiating smile. “Director Wang, this is my unruly niece, Feng Mingshu. She was in the same class as your son and my Xuanxuan.”
The unfamiliar woman gave a noncommittal “Hmm,” her gaze shifting to Feng Mingshu, filled with scrutiny and displeasure.
Feng Mingshu found the woman baffling and was growing impatient, about to close the door, when the woman lifted her chin and declared, “I am Zhang Yunxiao’s mother. Regarding the matter between you and my son, I wish to speak with your mother face to face.”
The woman was none other than Wang Sujuan, Zhang Yunxiao’s mother and the director of the Women’s Workers Committee at the Nan Cheng Cotton Mill. She was a woman who valued propriety and disliked those with capitalist backgrounds, but her son’s recent antics had left her with no choice. She had come to the Feng residence under cover of night.
Learning her identity only made Feng Mingshu more bewildered. “What could possibly be between me and your son?”
Wang Sujuan’s face darkened. Yu Xiuchun immediately jumped in to defend her. “How shameless can you be? You seduced Classmate Zhang into going to the countryside with you as an educated youth, and you still say there’s nothing between you?”
The winter was cold, but that didn’t stop people from taking strolls after meals. In front of the villa’s courtyard gate was a bright streetlamp installed by the Feng family themselves, originally to light the way for their own family returning home at night. Over time, it had become a guiding light for the entire street and the preferred spot for neighbors to take their evening walks.Yu Xiuchun’s loud voice immediately drew the attention of nearby neighbors who were strolling around.
At the bus stop across the street, a bus pulled over, its rear door opened, and a tall man stepped off.