It was already Friday. Tang Ximian’s first task after waking up early was to broadcast the news. As soon as she put down the script, she headed straight to the mailroom, but once again, there was nothing for her.
Could it be that she hadn’t passed?
She immediately felt a bit deflated.
Had she made a mistake somewhere in her translation?
Just as she was walking back, a bicycle rode in and stopped at the mailroom. Two green cloth bags were tied to the back of the bicycle seat.
Tang Ximian perked up, turned around, and rushed back!
The mailroom attendant already recognized her. He glanced at the letters and soon picked one out for her: “This one’s a remittance slip, and this one’s also for you!”
A thick folder and a thin remittance slip—both were exciting!
Tucked inside the folder was a letter. It was brief but expressed approval of Tang Ximian’s translation skills, though it also mentioned that the work wouldn’t last long.
Tang Ximian, however, wasn’t the least bit disappointed. Overjoyed, she took her ID card and went to the savings office.
It wasn’t much—just twenty-seven yuan—but that was already equivalent to a regular worker’s monthly wage!
Tang Ximian set aside nine yuan from the amount and returned to the dormitory.
Everyone was there at the time. When Liu Mengjia saw her come in, she stood up first: “Mianmian, did you go…?”
“Yes, the letter and materials arrived, along with the payment for the trial translation.” Tang Ximian took out the nine yuan and handed it to her: “As we agreed, you get thirty percent, I get seventy.”
Liu Mengjia held the money with a blissful expression: “I can buy a Dacron dress now!”
“What… what’s going on with you two?” Zhou Xue’s eyes were glued to the money. “If there’s a good side job for earning money, take me along!”
“Give it a rest!” Li Feifeng sneered. “They’re doing something big! We’re just earning a fixed wage—how could we compare to their talents?”
Tang Ximian nodded: “If you know how to translate foreign languages, or if you can find me translation opportunities, we can split the earnings seventy-thirty too!”
When it came to making money, there was no need to hide it from these people. She wanted to make it clear that she was different from them!
I’m not afraid of your provocations, and you’re no better than I am!
“So that’s what it is!” Zhou Xue’s envy vanished. “I really don’t know how! You’re amazing!”
She leaned in with a grin: “Can we treat ourselves to something good for lunch today? I’ve been craving the canteen’s meat buns for way too long!”
Meat buns were a special supply nowadays, mostly reserved for the leadership, so they had never actually tried them.
“Let’s go, let’s go, we’re going right now!”
In the canteen, with two liang of food coupons and about twenty cents, one could pretty much eat their fill. The girls each bought a meat bun and sat in a corner of the canteen, chatting as they ate, basking in the sunlight.
“Xiao Tang? Zhou Xue, you’re all here!” The one approaching was Zhao Heping.
Ever since Tang Ximian had outshone him in translating French, Zhao Heping had started paying attention to her.
Though she came from the countryside, she was a high school graduate, which wasn’t a low qualification, and she was so good-looking too…
“Brother Zhao.” They greeted him in unison.
Zhao Heping simply sat down beside them: “Ah! Today, I’ll have my meal next to you beauties!”
Calling them beauties was no exaggeration. They were all in radio, and broadcasters had basic image requirements. If they performed well, they might even get to work in television—that would be a job where they’d be seen on screen!
“Mianmian, are you heading home later too?” Liu Mengjia asked.
Tang Ximian nodded: “Yes, my family is waiting for me to return! And my little niece—I promised to bring her some treats when I come back!”
“That’s wonderful!” Liu Mengjia said: “You’re so capable, I wonder what kind of man you’ll end up with in the future!”
“My man’s surname is Chu,” Tang Ximian chuckled lightly, feigning nonchalance: “I’ll have him come see me off sometime, so we can meet and get acquainted!”
“You’re really married?!” Zhao Heping had the strongest reaction.
“Yes, didn’t Director Song mention it?” Tang Ximian paused briefly, then laughed: “But then again, why would he bring that up unnecessarily? I am truly married!”
She emphasized it once more.
During this meal, only Zhao Heping ate as if chewing wax.
After he left, Liu Mengjia whispered: “See that? Brother Zhao is so disappointed!”
Tang Ximian curled her lips: “Whatever!”
Li Feifeng sneered nearby.
Married at nineteen—probably her husband doesn’t treat her well either!
She bit into her bun while maliciously speculating.
Friday afternoon was for taking the bus home. After the meal, Tang Ximian went out and returned carrying a bundle of fabric measuring one zhang and five chi, divided into several patterns: floral prints, light blue, dark red, and checkered.
“Buying so much?” Liu Mengjia, who was packing up to leave, froze upon seeing her come in with large and small packages.
“Yes, to make clothes for my family!” Tang Ximian cheerfully handed each person a Little Bean Popsicle: “See you all Sunday evening!”
“Why are you being so polite!” Zhou Xue hurriedly took out a handful of Orange Slice Candy she had just bought: “Take these for the child!”
“Oh, it’s not a big deal!” Tang Ximian accepted her gift as well.
Li Feifeng sneered: “Yeah, Little Tang isn’t short on money!”
“Just because she isn’t short on money doesn’t mean we should take advantage! I still have some self-respect!” Zhou Xue retorted angrily.
Tang Ximian and Liu Mengjia exchanged a smile.
On the bus home, Tang Ximian couldn’t help feeling a bit nervous.
Would… he be looking forward to her return?
Arriving in town, Tang Ximian got off the bus carrying her things, sat under a tree to drink some water, and saw a tall figure slowly approaching.
“Jiangchuan!” Her face instinctively lit up with a full smile and affection: “I knew you would come!”
Chu Jiangchuan took the items from her hands and hugged her: “Let’s go home! Nana has been talking about you for days.”
Tang Ximian linked arms with his left hand, supporting him: “Did you miss me?”
Chu Jiangchuan: “Ahem…”
“Tell me.”
Her lover’s soft, clinging tone sent a shiver through Chu Jiangchuan, and he tightened his grip on her small hand: “Mm.”
Tang Ximian smiled and slipped an Orange Slice Candy into his mouth: “A colleague gave it to me!”
“Are your colleagues all right? Has anyone given you a hard time?” Chu Jiangchuan asked.
“No, everyone’s been great! And I even found a part-time job, translating some documents for my colleague’s uncle! That’s why I bought so many things this time!”
“Won’t it be too tiring?”
“Not at all, our work hours are…They talked all the way home, unknowingly arriving in the village without realizing it.
At some point, their hands had intertwined, fingers laced together.
“Oh, Mianmian is back?” The villagers all knew she was working as a broadcaster now and greeted her with extra warmth upon her return.
“Yes, Auntie, are you doing well?” Tang Ximian still held onto Chu Jiangchuan’s arm, appearing even more poised and natural than before.
Chu Jiangchuan’s eyes crinkled with a smile, his adoration for her overflowing.
Before they even reached home, they encountered Xu Guangfen who had come to meet her.