Zhao Chufeng delivered the flour to Lin Qiao’er’s doorstep. When she took the bag, their fingers brushed, and Zhao Chufeng pulled his hand back as if scalded, the tips of his ears turning red.
“Chufeng, would you like to come in for some water?” Lin Qiao’er asked, feeling a bit guilty seeing him drenched in sweat.
Zhao Chufeng shook his head and took a step back. “No need. Since our relationship isn’t official yet and you live alone, it wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Then he added, “Qiao’er, I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to tell my parents about us today when I get home. I want to marry you.”
Lin Qiao’er was taken aback, her fingers unconsciously twisting the edge of her apron.
She recalled the look in Zhao Moting’s eyes that night—scrutinizing, cold, as if he were looking at a liar.
The Zhao family was highly educated, with high standards and many rules. As a woman who had fled Stone Village, unmarried and pregnant, would marrying into such a family really be a good thing?
“Chufeng,” she bit her lip, “don’t say anything yet.”
Zhao Chufeng’s face instantly paled. “Why? Do you… not like me?”
Lin Qiao’er shook her head, then nodded, her eyes reddening slightly. “It’s not that I don’t like you. It’s your family… Your brother was right. The gap between rich and poor is too big, and it would cause a lot of trouble in daily life. I don’t want you to fall out with your family because of me, and I don’t want to marry into a family where I’ll be looked down upon.”
“I want to achieve something first.”
Zhao Chufeng grew anxious and grabbed her hand. “Qiao’er, listen to me! I don’t care about any wealth gap, and I don’t care if my family agrees or not. I’ve decided you’re the one for me in this lifetime! If you don’t agree, I’ll wait for you until you do!”
Seeing his reddened eyes, Lin Qiao’er felt a mix of sorrow and pain in her heart.
She opened her mouth to say something but ultimately just sighed softly. “Go home for now. We’ll talk about this… later.”
Zhao Chufeng let go of her hand, turned, and walked a few steps before looking back. “Qiao’er, I will marry you! Just wait!”
Lin Qiao’er stood at the stairwell, watching his retreating figure as he ran downstairs, and gently touched her belly.
Suisui gave her a kick. “Sorry, Mommy, Suisui is causing trouble for you.”
“Without Suisui, Mommy would definitely have a better life.”
“Wah wah wah…”
Lin Qiao’er stroked her belly. “Don’t cry, Suisui. Mommy doesn’t think you’re a burden. Suisui is the best gift from heaven to Mommy, and I’m really looking forward to your birth.”
Suisui finally stopped crying. “Bad Daddy, when Suisui comes out, I’ll help Mommy beat up Bad Daddy.”
Lin Qiao’er imagined Suisui wearing a diaper and punching Zhao Moting, and couldn’t help but chuckle.
Her Suisui was so thoughtful.
She didn’t reply and turned back into her room.
She didn’t notice that in the shadows of the neighboring balcony, Dao Ba Ming was smoking a cigarette, his gaze lingering on her retreating figure until the door closed.
The Zhao Residence.
As soon as Zhao Chufeng entered, he shouted without even changing his shoes, “Dad, Mom, I’ve met someone I like!”
The sound of chopsticks at the dining table stopped.
Mother Zhao and Father Zhao exchanged a glance, their smiles still in place but their eyes already changed. Zhao Xiaomei, a piece of braised pork in her mouth, stared wide-eyed at her second brother.
Zhao Chufeng straightened his back and declared word by word, “Her name is Lin Qiao’er. She’s nineteen and from Harbin. I don’t care about her education, her job, or her family background. I’m going to marry her.”
Mother Zhao set her chopsticks down on the table. “I don’t agree.”
Father Zhao’s face darkened as well. “Nonsense! What’s wrong with the Zhou family’s daughter? How is she not good enough for you?”
The veins on Zhao Chufeng’s neck bulged. “I don’t like that tomboy Zhou Huijin! I only like Qiao’er!”
He turned to look at Zhao Moting. “Brother, say something for me! You’ve met Qiao’er—she’s not the kind of person who’s after wealth and status.”
Zhao Moting put down the teacup in his hand and raised his eyes to look at his brother. He stared at Zhao Chufeng’s stubborn face for several seconds in silence.
“The gap between your backgrounds is too wide. It’ll cause a lot of trouble in the future.”
His voice was low and heavy. “You’ve known each other for less than a month. Talking about marriage now—I think you’re being too impulsive. Have you ever wondered why she’s in such a hurry to get married?”
This was already a rather obvious hint.
Zhao Chufeng was stunned. He hadn’t expected his brother to say such a thing.
His Adam’s apple bobbed. He lowered his eyes, his voice muffled. “I won’t let her suffer. Anyway, I’m determined to marry her.”
He pushed his chair back, turned, and walked out. The door slammed shut with a bang.
Zhao Moting clenched his fist. He was truly bewitched—defying his parents for a scheming woman. He took a deep breath. “Mom, Dad, hide the household register well. Don’t let him sneak off to get a marriage certificate.”
Father Zhao was so angry he downed two glasses of wine in a row. Mother Zhao looked at the tightly closed door and sighed. “Mo Ting, go out and look for your brother.”
Zhao Moting set down his chopsticks, got up, and left the house.
He walked several streets without finding Zhao Chufeng.
The dusk was heavy. The streetlights were spaced far apart, casting a dim, yellowish glow that didn’t illuminate more than a few steps ahead.
Turning a corner into an alley, he caught the aroma of scallion pancakes. The pancakes in the iron pan were golden and crispy, their fragrance carried by the night breeze. He looked toward the direction of the street stall and immediately spotted Lin Qiao’er.
She was wearing a white apron, with strands of hair fluttering in the wind. She was smiling as she handed a greased paper package to a customer.
Zhao Moting slowed his pace.
He stood a few steps away, watching her, but didn’t approach.
Just then, a tall figure emerged from the shadows and kicked over the basket beside Lin Qiao’er’s feet. The pancakes inside tumbled and rolled all over the ground.
Dao Ba Ming, a cigarette dangling from his lips, looked down at her arrogantly. “This street is under my control. Setting up a stall—have you paid the protection fee?”
The two lackeys behind Dao Ba Ming laughed along. One wore his hat crookedly, the other had a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. They leaned lazily against the wall, their eyes roving over Lin Qiao’er.
The old man selling wontons nearby saw Dao Ba Ming and trembled, nearly dropping his bowl. He quickly lowered his head, pretending he hadn’t seen anything.
The aunt selling tea eggs across the street turned pale, quietly hiding the metal box containing her money against her chest. The air on the entire street seemed frozen—no one dared to make a sound.
Lin Qiao’er looked left and right. No one stepped forward.
This was the first time she had encountered gang members demanding protection money. Her heart pounded wildly, and she stammered, “H-how much do you want?”
“So it’s a little stutterer,” Dao Ba Ming sneered.
The two lackeys laughed along.
Dao Ba Ming took a step forward and sniffed.
“The pancakes aren’t bad.”
Lin Qiao’er’s eyelids twitched. She quickly wrapped a scallion pancake in greased paper and handed it over. “Big brother, please try it. It’s delicious.”
Dao Ba Ming snatched the savory pancake, took a bite, and narrowed his eyes. His gaze shifted from the pancake to Lin Qiao’er’s face, lingering on her fair complexion for several seconds before he revealed a malicious grin.
“You’re quite pretty. You live next door to me, right? I’ve had my eye on you for a while.”