9Chapter 12: She Had Waited for Him for So Many Years
Zhao Xingchen taking Yang Liu shopping today had naturally been arranged by Li Huifang. When Zhao Xingchen asked her mother why Brother Xi had married Yang Liu back then when he clearly could have already returned to the city, Li Huifang had still wanted to keep it from her, but Zhao Xingchen brought up the main reason herself, saying that Yang Liu had drugged Brother Xi and set him up.
Li Huifang asked her who she had heard it from, and Zhao Xingchen said it was Song Zhenzhen.
Since Song Zhenzhen could say such a thing, that meant someone besides the few of them knew about it.
Li Huifang had Zhao Xingchen observe Yang Liu’s every move while they were outside. Both she and Zhao Dongshan felt that Yang Liu simply did not seem like the kind of woman who could do something as filthy as drugging a man.
Zhao Xingchen took Yang Liu to the largest department store in the capital and to the free markets that had sprung up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.
Whether Yang Liu was looking at the free markets with their tremendous variety of goods or the upscale and fashionable department store, her gaze remained calm, without the slightest hint of curiosity. Zhao Xingchen even had the illusion that she herself was the country bumpkin who had never seen the world.
Yang Liu bought Niannian a beret and some yarn, planning to knit Niannian a sweater and a coat. She did not like the styles sold in the department store.
Although Niannian had not been born to her, the two of them could still be considered comrades-in-arms who had gone through a revolution together. More importantly, that Xiao Buding was simply too adorable and too attached to her. Since Yang Liu could not leave for the time being, she might as well treat her a little better.
In the end, it was Yang Liu who suggested going to a bookstore to have a look. Zhao Xingchen had not expected her not only to choose some books for Niannian, but also to select a great many books for herself.
Hadn’t they said that she had barely attended elementary school for more than a few days? Could she even understand those books she had bought?
Zhao Xingchen kept all her curiosity and astonishment bottled up inside, but Yang Liu still noticed it.
So what if she was curious!
When Yang Liu and Zhao Xingchen returned, Song Zhenzhen was accompanying Li Huifang and Niannian as they watched television.
“Sister Zhenzhen, you’re here?” Zhao Xingchen felt somewhat guilty the moment she entered and spoke.
Song Zhenzhen’s gaze landed on Yang Liu, and she clenched her fist. How was this country woman so different from what she had heard and imagined?
Song Zhenzhen smiled with poise and grace and said: “Xingchen, why didn’t you ask me to come along when you went shopping?”
Zhao Xingchen said: “Oh! Today was mainly about accompanying Fourth Sister-in-law shopping! So I didn’t invite anyone else!”
“And this is?” Song Zhenzhen’s gaze landed on Yang Liu, but the question was directed at Zhao Xingchen.
Zhao Xingchen pulled Yang Liu over and said: “Let me introduce you two. This is my Fourth Sister-in-law, Yang Liu. Fourth Sister-in-law, her name is Song Zhenzhen. She’s my classmate.”
Song Zhenzhen carried herself very much like a refined young lady from a distinguished family. Whatever she thought inwardly did not matter, because outwardly she maintained her composure perfectly, without losing her poise in the slightest.
“Yang Liu, that’s a very pleasant name.” Song Zhenzhen looked at Yang Liu as she spoke.
Yang Liu looked at Song Zhenzhen, nodded, and said: “Hello.”
“Mommy!” Niannian struggled free from Li Huifang’s arms, rushed over, and hugged Yang Liu’s leg. She tilted her head up to look at Yang Liu and asked in her childish voice: “Mommy, don’t leave me behind?”
Yang Liu rolled her eyes inwardly. Just how worried was this Xiao Buding about being abandoned?
Yang Liu put down the things in her hands, bent over, picked Niannian up, and said: “I didn’t leave you behind. Mommy and Little Aunt went out to buy things for you.”
Niannian asked: “What yummy things did you buy?”
Yang Liu said: “We didn’t buy anything yummy today. It’s all fun things, and there are books too.”
Niannian said: “I want yummy things!”
Zhao Xingchen took out a package wrapped in hemp paper and opened it. “Here! Little Aunt bought you something yummy.”
Niannian immediately reached out to grab it, but Zhao Xingchen moved the paper package away and said: “Call me Auntie once, and I’ll let you eat some?”
Niannian was only close to Li Huifang and Sister Wang. It was extremely difficult for anyone else to get her to open her mouth and address them. Those boys had already given away all their snacks trying to get her to call them Brother even once, yet they still had not heard a single “Brother.”
Yang Liu gently pinched Niannian’s cheek. “Call her Auntie?”
Only then did Niannian call out: “Auntie!”
Zhao Xingchen happily responded: “Yes!” Then she said: “Call me again?”
Niannian called her again, and the two of them began playing there, one calling out and the other responding. Watching them made Li Huifang smile so broadly that she could not close her mouth!
Song Zhenzhen suddenly felt as though her heart had become completely empty. She had waited for Zhao Beichen for so many years. How could this be the outcome?