Li Qinkuai’s job was settled, and on the other hand, all the procedures for Duan Pengyue’s enlistment had been completed.
Duan Pengyue had just finished packing in the dormitory when he heard a fellow soldier say someone was looking for him downstairs.
He instinctively thought it was Duan Pengcheng and went straight down, but to his surprise, it was Qing Shuangyun.
“Why is it you? What do you want?” Duan Pengyue’s tone was impatient.
Qing Shuangyun looked at Duan Pengyue in his military uniform, her heart pounding. After so many years, she finally saw Duan Pengyue in uniform again.
The first time she saw Duan Pengyue in uniform was when Qing Shuangyun was eighteen. At the time, she used the excuse of visiting Duan Pengwei to go to the Duan family and see Duan Pengyue.
Duan Pengyue had secretly put on the uniform Duan Pengcheng brought back. Coming from a military family, Duan Pengyue had been trained by Duan Wu in military discipline since childhood. In uniform, he was completely different from his usual self—upright and dignified, exuding the integrity of a soldier, which was deeply etched in her heart.
From that day on, Qing Shuangyun, who already liked Duan Pengyue, loved him even more. She secretly vowed in her heart that she would only marry Duan Pengyue in this lifetime.
And now, he carried the charm of a mature man, radiating confidence and vitality, making her gaze unconsciously follow him.
Sensing her stare, Duan Pengyue frowned and reminded her with displeasure, “Qing Shuangyun, I’m already married.”
Qing Shuangyun snapped back to reality, a flicker of sadness flashing in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it, forcing a smile. “I know you’re married, but even though you’ve taken a wife, we’re still friends, aren’t we?”
“Or is your wife so narrow-minded that she won’t let you have friends? Do you mean to abandon all your childhood friends just because you’re married?”
“This has nothing to do with my wife. If you truly see me only as a friend, then naturally we are friends. But since you have inappropriate feelings for me, it’s best for us to avoid contact. I need to be responsible to my wife.”
“Besides, my wife is a good person. She never interferes with who I befriend. She’s a wonderful person.”
Duan Pengyue disliked hearing anyone speak ill of Li Qinkuai.
Qing Shuangyun was left speechless. She hadn’t expected Duan Pengyue to be so protective of that country woman!
But Duan Pengyue’s words also gave Qing Shuangyun hope. He was only taking responsibility for that woman and didn’t actually like her.
She knew all along that Duan Pengyue would never take a fancy to a country woman!
Now that Duan Pengyue was in the army and couldn’t return home often, the two of them would hardly have any contact. But she was different—she could see Duan Pengyue every day.
Moreover, she was a military doctor. Although Duan Pengyue was only a conscript now, given the Duan family’s background, his promotion was only a matter of time. Eventually, Duan Pengyue and she would be comrades-in-arms, revolutionary companions, and the most perfect match!
As for Li Qinkuai, that country woman who knew nothing and whose status didn’t match his, Qing Shuangyun refused to believe that Duan Pengyue would still have eyes for his country wife after a long time.
It was all just a matter of time.
Thinking of this, Qing Shuangyun smiled and said, “You’ve misunderstood. I know you’re already married, but I only see you as a friend now. I’ve also been meeting people for marriage recently. I just thought since we’re still friends, I’d come see if you needed any help. I didn’t expect you to be so wary of me.”
As she spoke, a look of sadness appeared on her face.
Normally, anyone seeing Qing Shuangyun like this would have started comforting her, but Duan Pengyue was different.
He said, “Just seeing me as a friend is fine. I don’t need any help from you. My wife has already prepared everything for me. You can go back now. Don’t come looking for me unless there’s something important.”
After saying this, Duan Pengyue walked away without looking back, completely ignoring Qing Shuangyun’s reaction.
Watching Duan Pengyue’s retreating figure, Qing Shuangyun clenched her fists.
Li Qinkuai, how dare you steal my man? Just you wait!
……
After securing a job, Li Qinkuai decided not to write a letter but instead called the village commune directly, asking them to get Li Dafu to answer the phone and tell her family about her new job.
“Really? You really found a job?” Li Dafu asked excitedly over the phone.
He could hardly believe it, as it was difficult for someone with a rural household registration to find work.
“Yes, but it’s only a temporary position, not a permanent one. There’s no grain ration, and after deductions, I’ll earn about twenty yuan a month.”
“That’s still good, better than working in the fields for work points in the village. Don’t worry, when the village distributes grain, I’ll have your eldest brother bring some to you. I won’t let you go hungry.”
Li Qinkuai felt a lump in her throat. “No need, Dad. The Duan family won’t let me go hungry. They treat me very well. You should keep the grain for yourselves.”
“Alright, as long as they treat you well.” Li Dafu agreed, then lowered his voice. “Qinkuai, we haven’t touched anything from the old house. We’ve kept it all for you. When you get pregnant, we’ll save it for your postpartum recovery.”
Li Qinkuai felt even more emotional, her voice trembling slightly. “No, Dad. That was specifically left for you to eat. I’m eating well here. The Duan family is well-off; they don’t lack this. You’re getting older and work hard; you need to eat better to stay healthy. But don’t be too obvious about it, or people might get jealous and report you.”
“Okay, I understand. As long as you’re doing well with the Duan family, that’s all that matters. I have to go now; time’s up.”
“Alright. I’ll send some money back when I get my salary.”
After saying this, Li Qinkuai hung up.
A salary of just twenty yuan definitely wouldn’t be enough. She needed to find time to take things from her space and sell them on the black market for extra money.
“Qinkuai, what are you doing? Today, let me take you to buy a new set of clothes to celebrate your new job.”
Wu Yafang came out of her room and said.
Li Qinkuai shook her head and refused. “No need. Pengyue already bought me some.”
“That’s what he bought. This is what I’m buying for you. Come on, hurry up, no excuses!”
Wu Yafang pulled Li Qinkuai up from the sofa, firmly taking her out and heading to the department store.
As soon as they arrived at the department store, they ran into Duan Pengwei and her colleague trying on clothes.
Wu Yafang walked over with her arms crossed. “So this is what you meant by having no money? No money, yet you’re here buying clothes?”
Duan Pengwei’s face lit up even more upon seeing her. She draped an arm over her shoulder and cooed, “Mom, you came just in time! I was worried about not having money for clothes, and here you are. You really are my birth mother—we have a psychic connection!”
Wu Yafang pushed her away with a look of disdain. “Only when you want me to pay do you call me your birth mother. I’m here today to buy clothes for your second sister-in-law. You can wait until your salary comes in!”
Li Qinkuai quickly interjected, “Mom, you should buy for Peng Wei. It doesn’t matter whether I get anything or not—I can only wear the uniform to work anyway.”
She didn’t have much interest in new clothes; right now, all she cared about was earning money.