Chu Xiangxue couldn’t help wanting to stand up for her elder brother…
Gu Fangbai discreetly sized up the scumbag Fang a few times.
He stood about 180cm tall, wearing a white shirt and black trousers, paired with handsome and harmless features… he certainly looked the part of a respectable man.
As it turned out, this Fang Zhifan was the fiancé hastily arranged for the daughter by Chu Xiangxue’s parents before their misfortune.
In terms of family background, the Fang family were merely ordinary workers, far from matching the wealthy Chu family.
But in these times, class status outweighed everything.
Additionally, Fang Zhifan’s mother was a martyr, making it easy to protect one married-out daughter of the Chu family.
Of course, this was also because the Chu family had once shown kindness to the Fang family, and Fang Zhifan himself was quite outstanding.
In short, to protect their daughter, Chu Xiangxue’s parents had considered every aspect.
Unfortunately, it’s easy to paint a tiger’s skin but hard to paint its bones; you can know a person’s face but not their heart.
Who would have thought that Fang Zhifan – who had grown up before everyone’s eyes, graduated from a prestigious university, was handsome, and gentle-mannered – would turn out to be an out-and-out hypocrite?
“…Fangbai, this is my partner Fang Zhifan, a technical backbone at the Valve Factory… Zhifan, this is my high school classmate Gu Fangbai. She’s amazing – a Peking University graduate.” Out of courtesy, Chu Xiangxue made brief introductions for both sides.
However, when mentioning Gu Fangbai’s university background, her tone couldn’t conceal admiration and envy.
She admired Fangbai for getting into the nation’s top university.
The envy came from her own political background preventing her from even having the chance to take college entrance exams.
A Peking University graduate? Fang Zhifan was genuinely surprised. Though he considered himself clever, he had only managed to get into a provincial university back in his day.
While it was considered a prestigious school, it still fell short of the nation’s top institution.
What concerned him more was why such a promising woman would suddenly appear when the Chu family was in turmoil and everyone was avoiding them during this sensitive period?
She must have some ulterior motive…
Though he thought this, Fang Zhifan didn’t rush to investigate, instead smiling in praise: “I didn’t expect Comrade Gu to be a Peking University student. That’s truly impressive. But our Xiangxue is wonderful too – after all, you need to be excellent yourself to make excellent friends.”
Gu Fangbai smiled: “Comrade Fang, you flatter me.” Smooth talker! Showing off! Where was her scalpel? She wanted to perform an autopsy!!!
Chu Xiangxue glanced somewhat sheepishly at her classmate. Seeing her smiling face and complete lack of objection to her partner’s words, her happiness grew even stronger.
How wonderful! Fangbai really didn’t seem to mind her capitalist background!
Could she perhaps bring up what she had been considering earlier?
Once this thought emerged, Chu Xiangxue could hardly contain herself: “Zhifan, thank you for seeing me home. Watch out for puddles on your way back.”
Fang Zhifan smiled in response: “Alright, I’ll head back then. Have fun, you two. What would you like for breakfast tomorrow morning?”
Chu Xiangxue: “Anything is fine.”
Fang Zhifan nodded, exchanged a few more words with both women, then turned and left quite decisively.
Finally, Zhifan was gone. Chu Xiangxue breathed a sigh of relief and turned to invite her old classmate inside.
Gu Fangbai: “Does that scum… does Comrade Fang see you to and from work every day?”
Grandma wasn’t one to dwell on the past, only revealing bits and pieces during her serious illness. Regarding Fang Zhifan, Gu Fangbai only knew the general picture, not really understanding the details.
Chu Xiangxue responded somewhat sheepishly: “Mm.”
Gu Fangbai asked again: “Rain or shine?”
Chu Xiangxue nodded.
“Hah…” Gu Fangbai gritted her teeth secretly. Damn it, so persistent indeed! Where was her scalpel!!!
=
The Chu family’s house was an old Western-style building constructed from gray bricks.
Built around the Republican era, the interior decoration had a distinct fusion of Chinese and Western styles.
However, due to various taboos, the living room contained nothing but a Ba Xian Table and a few slightly worn wooden chairs.
Chu Xiangxue pulled out one of the chairs: “Fangbai, have a seat first. I’ll pour some water. By the way, have you eaten?”
These days, few visitors came on an empty stomach, since every household had its difficulties.
So Chu Xiangxue’s question was purely out of politeness.
Little did she expect there would be an exception.
No sooner had she spoken than Gu Fangbai replied bluntly: “I haven’t eaten. Have you?”
The unexpected answer left Chu Xiangxue stunned for a few seconds, but she quickly grew even more delighted. She appreciated Fangbai’s lack of formality: “I’ve eaten, but I didn’t have much just now. How about I cook some noodles?”
Gu Fangbai, who had deliberately come hungry, was waiting for this very offer. She missed her grandmother’s cooking so much: “Sure, let’s cook together.” As she spoke, she handed over the Taosu (Peach Crisp) she had been carrying: “Here, my meal payment.”
Chu Xiangxue didn’t stand on ceremony either, accepting it happily: “Wow, thank you! You actually remembered I love Taosu.”
“Of course I remember.” At this, Gu Fangbai’s expression unconsciously softened… How could she forget? Even as an old lady, you still loved this treat.
It’s just… A single portion of Taosu felt rather meager. If not for worrying that excessive enthusiasm might startle her grandmother, she would have loved to buy several portions of every snack from the Cooperative.
Just like when they first met, when her grandmother always enjoyed buying all kinds of delicious treats to feed her.
Chu Xiangxue had no idea how important she was in her old classmate’s heart. She opened the drawer on the side of the Ba Xian Table, carefully placed the Taosu inside, then led the way to the kitchen.
In the end, however, the vegetable and egg noodles were prepared by Gu Fangbai.
The truth was, the 23-year-old Chu Xiangxue had lived 22 years as a young lady who never lifted a finger… Her cooking skills were terribly poor!
=
“Wow… Fangbai, I never knew you were such a good cook! This is amazing!” After the first bite of noodles, Chu Xiangxue’s eyes widened, instantly captivated by the delicious aroma.
She had beautiful almond-shaped eyes, now round with surprise, making her appear even more charming—a genuine sheltered flower of luxury.
Seeing her so radiant, Gu Fangbai couldn’t help but feel equally joyful: “If you like it, I’ll cook for you again next time.”
Chu Xiangxue swallowed her food, eyes curving into smiles: “Then it’s settled.”
“Mm, I keep my promises.”
Sharing a meal is the best way to bridge distances between people.
Especially since the two had been fairly good friends during high school.
Indeed, after half a bowl of noodles, much of the unfamiliarity from years apart had faded. Chu Xiangxue asked directly: “What made you think of visiting me today? Is there something going on?”
Gu Fangbai: “Nothing much, just feeling a bit down and wanted to clear my head… You know, back in high school, you were the only one I was really close with.”
This was the truth. The original owner’s personality wasn’t just gentle—she was also timid and introverted.
The reason for her developing such a temperament was simple: she had lost both parents at a young age.
As the saying goes, the more ignorant, the more foolish!
In earlier years, before the campaign to “Destroy the Four Olds” and the crackdown on feudal superstitions, Gu Fangbai was seen by many as a classic example of someone who brings misfortune to their relatives.
Even though people knew she was from a martyr’s family, not everyone treated her with kindness.
In corners unseen by her uncle and aunt, the young Gu Fangbai had overheard too many malicious words.
It was only in recent years, with the changing political climate, that her “red and expert” background began to gain recognition.
To put it bluntly, in recent years, which man from a less-than-ideal family background or those seeking to improve their class status for advancement wouldn’t want to marry Gu Fangbai? Especially since her personal qualities were exceptionally outstanding.
If not for her uncle and aunt’s vigilance, and the connections her late parents had left for their daughter, the original owner might not have enjoyed the stable life she had now…
Chu Xiangxue dripped two drops of aromatic vinegar into her noodle soup and asked curiously, “Why are you in a bad mood? Is there anything I can help with?”
Her grandmother in her youth was indeed naive. Even though they hadn’t seen each other for six years, Gu Fangbai felt helpless: “Aren’t you afraid I might deceive you?”
Chu Xiangxue glanced around her humble home and smiled bitterly: “What do I have now that’s worth deceiving?”
There was plenty, otherwise how could she inherit a massive fortune in the future? And what about that Fang Zhifan? Wasn’t he after the hidden family assets of the Chu family?
In truth, Gu Fangbai had seriously considered revealing her identity to her grandmother.
But considering people’s understanding of time travel in the 1960s, coupled with the fact that many still had their eyes on the Gu family’s wealth, she wasn’t confident her grandmother would believe her—especially since she didn’t know her grandmother well in her youth.
If she were mistaken for a scheming villain, all her subsequent plans would become much more difficult.
She really didn’t dare take that risk!
Thinking this, Gu Fangbai collected her thoughts and continued with her original plan, smiling as she said: “It’s nothing major. It’s just that my uncle and aunt want to arrange a blind date for me, and I’m not very willing.”
“Blind date?!” Chu Xiangxue looked up abruptly, staring at her old classmate in astonishment.
Gu Fangbai acted as if she didn’t notice the other’s reaction: “Yes, you already have a partner. I’m a year older than you.”
“That… that’s true.” Chu Xiangxue murmured in response, then quickly came to her senses: “Why aren’t you willing? Is the blind date candidate not good?”
Gu Fangbai made her hint even more obvious: “No, we haven’t met yet. Mainly, I want to find someone with the same profession as my father or mother.”
What was this? This was a sudden turn of events! Chu Xiangxue was overjoyed, stammering as she spoke: “I… I remember your father was a soldier, and your mother was a police officer, right?”
Gu Fangbai suppressed a laugh: “Yes, either a soldier or a police officer would do.”
Chu Xiangxue: “!!!”
Could the Bodhisattva really hear her prayers?!
And then drop an enormous pie for her?!
Heaven knows how torn and timid she had been these days. No matter how outstanding her elder brother was, he couldn’t escape the burden of his class status.
So, even though she had been entertaining these thoughts for nearly a month, she still hadn’t dared to approach her old classmate.
But now, Fangbai said she liked soldiers and her attitude toward her remained unchanged from before. Chu Xiangxue couldn’t help but want to seize this opportunity for her brother.
What if!
What if Fangbai was willing?
At this thought, Chu Xiangxue could no longer focus on the delicious food. She stood up and tossed out, “You eat first, I’ll be right back,” before hurriedly rushing toward the stairs.
Nai… Xiangxue’s reaction was within Gu Fangbai’s expectations—she must have gone upstairs to fetch Chu Yu’s photos.
And indeed, that was exactly the case. Chu Xiangxue left quickly and returned even faster. In about a minute, she handed several photos to her old classmate, her eyes full of anticipation: “Fangbai, what do you think of this soldier?”