After pouring their hearts out to each other among the weeds, the two emerged, as they still needed to hurry to the county town—a journey of over two hours by bicycle.
Zhou Muyan rode the bike with the gentle breeze blowing against his face and the girl he loved sitting behind him. His speed was noticeably faster than usual.
Shen Jingyao sat at the back, clutching his clothes. “A Yan, I don’t want to stay at the Educated Youth Point. I’d like to build a small house on my own.”
Zhou Muyan also thought it would be much more convenient to build a separate house. She wasn’t used to living at the Educated Youth Point, and he would frequently visit her in the future.
“Alright, after work this evening, come to my house. I’ll talk to Father Zhou—he’ll agree.”
“Okay.” Shen Jingyao decided to buy some gifts in the county town to bring along. It was basic courtesy. Even though she and A Yan had this kind of relationship, his family included others.
Moreover, in the eyes of outsiders, it would seem normal for a newly arrived Educated Youth like her to give gifts when building a house.
“Yao Yao, can you tell me how you ended up here?” Zhou Muyan had wanted to ask her since their meeting yesterday but hadn’t found the right opportunity.
“This matter…”
Shen Jingyao then explained how she had come to the Shen family, how she ended up in the countryside, and even revealed the secret of her Space.
She had never considered hiding this from him. A Yan was from the same place as her and was the person she trusted the most.
After hearing her story, Zhou Muyan felt fortunate that Yao Yao had encountered a family who cherished her after crossing over. As long as they treated her well, he would regard them as his own family too.
As for the Space, Zhou Muyan hadn’t expected Yao Yao to have such an extraordinary experience. But since he had also traveled to this era, it didn’t seem so strange after all.
Still, he felt the need to caution her: “Yao Yao, this matter must remain between you and me. No third person can know, understand?”
Shen Jingyao replied, “Of course. I understand the saying, ‘Though the innocent man may possess a priceless jade, he becomes guilty by its mere ownership.'”
“Also, you must never use your Space in public or take out anything that shouldn’t appear in this era.”
Zhou Muyan never doubted the intelligence of people in this time. If Yao Yao left even the slightest trace, it would inevitably lead to trouble.
“I know that, which is why I want to build a house and move out as soon as possible.” She understood these principles well and was very careful not to use it in front of others.
Zhou Muyan nodded. Building a house was urgent. With a separate home, Yao Yao’s standard of living would improve significantly.
“Alright, leave the matter of building the house to me.”
After Shen Jingyao finished her story, it was Zhou Muyan’s turn to explain how he had arrived.
By the time he finished speaking, tears welled up in Shen Jingyao’s eyes. She leaned against his back and said, “A Yan, you’ve suffered so much.”
She never imagined that A Yan had arrived here five years ago and had never given up searching for her.
Feeling the warmth against his back, Zhou Muyan smiled. “Yao Yao, now that you’re here, all the waiting has been worth it.”
“Mhm.” Shen Jingyao tightened her arms around his waist. They would never be separated again.
Shen Jingyao then asked about his family, as she would inevitably have to interact with them in the future.
Zhou Muyan replied, “Yao Yao, Father Zhou and Mother Zhou have been very good to me. I treat them as my own parents. As for the others, if you don’t like them, you don’t have to interact with them. None of them are as important as you.”
“Okay, I understand.” If others were easy to get along with, she was willing to maintain good relations with them. If not, she wouldn’t force herself to endure.
The two continued talking about Zhou Muyan’s parents from the modern era.
A flicker of sadness passed through Zhou Muyan’s eyes as he said hoarsely, “Xiao Yu is still there with them. They’ll be fine. As long as we’re doing well here, they can rest assured.”
Shen Jingyao also sighed. It was fortunate that Xiao Yu was there. Since they couldn’t return, they had to live well in this life to make their second chance worthwhile.
Walking and chatting along the way, they arrived at the county town around ten in the morning.
Shen Jingyao and Zhou Muyan went straight to the post office to call home.
Shen’s father answered the phone. Shen Jingyao gave him her detailed address.
Shen’s father repeatedly urged her to take good care of herself, to tell the family if she encountered any difficulties, and to call home whenever she had the chance to visit the county town.
He also mentioned that the family would send her winter quilts and clothes in October, reminding her to remember to collect the package.
Finally, Shen’s father advised her not to overwork herself and to see if there was any opportunity to switch to lighter tasks.
Listening to the phone, Shen Jingyao responded with agreement, assuring them not to worry.
She thought to herself that she would introduce A Yan to them soon – someone was taking care of her now.
While Shen Jingyao was on the phone, Zhou Muyan stood beside her, a faint smile playing on his lips.
It seemed Yao Yao’s long-lost parental affection could be compensated in this lifetime.
After finishing the call, they left the post office.
Walking side by side on the street, Shen Jingyao and Zhou Muyan maintained a distance of one bicycle and one person between them.
Social conventions were strictly enforced in this era – even married couples couldn’t show too much intimacy in public.
But people on the street could sense the atmosphere between them and recognized this young couple was courting.
The talented man and beautiful woman made such a pleasing sight that passersby couldn’t help stealing extra glances.
Shen Jingyao openly allowed their scrutiny – courting wasn’t illegal, so they could look all they wanted.
Back when she and A Yan used to walk hand in hand on campus, people’s gazes had been much more blatant and exposed. She had long grown accustomed to it.
Zhou Muyan thoroughly enjoyed strolling through the streets with Yao Yao, though he regretted not being able to hold her hand.
Shen Jingyao fiddled with the strap of her army green bag and said, “A Yan, let’s go directly to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. I need to buy basins for washing my face and feet.”
“Alright, I’ll take you there.” Having been to the county town before, Zhou Muyan knew how to get to the cooperative.
Arriving at the cooperative, Shen Jingyao saw the sign “Liaoyang Supply and Marketing Cooperative” above the entrance.
Flanking the door were slogans: “Ensure Supply, Serve the People” – truly characteristic of the era.
Two shop assistants inside glanced at them when they entered, merely noting their good looks without saying anything else.
It was completely different from modern stores where staff would greet customers with “Welcome” and bows.
Shen Jingyao didn’t mind – this was typical of the era. Their jobs were iron rice bowls, giving them the capital to be proud.
Approaching the counter, Shen Jingyao said directly, “I want two enamel basins and a thermos.”
The shop assistant could tell at a glance that Shen Jingyao was likely an Educated Youth sent to the countryside. Ordinary families wouldn’t casually spend several yuan at once, and she was particularly good-looking too.
The assistant packed the basins and thermos in a string bag and said, “That’ll be five yuan total, plus the required coupons.”
Shen Jingyao took out the twelve yuan in change she had previously stored in her bag, counted out three for her, and also handed over the two yuan and ration coupons given by Xu Aili.
Zhou Muyan reached out to hang them on the bicycle handlebars, then said to the shop assistant, “Two jin of Crispy Rice Strips, two jin of Taosu, one jin of White Rabbit Candy, and two jin of Sponge Cake.”
Shen Jingyao knew these were for her and said, “No need to buy so much—I won’t be able to eat that much.”
Zhou Muyan lowered his head and replied gently, “I know you’re not used to the food at the Educated Youth Point. Keep these and eat them slowly.”
“Alright.”
The shop assistant hadn’t expected this male comrade to be so generous. Back when her own partner was courting, he had been quite generous too, but things had changed since then.
She hoped this male comrade would keep it up for a long time.