Xu Jianguo hadn’t left yet. He heard Liao Sheng’s words, glanced at him, then at Cheng Ning, and asked: “You two know each other?”
“Mm,” Cheng Ning answered first before Liao Sheng could speak. Her eyes stayed on him as she asked: “Brother Liao Sheng, where’s my third brother?”
Liao Sheng opened his mouth, finally processing what was happening. He stepped forward naturally, picked up Cheng Ning’s luggage, and said: “He went to the county. He won’t be back until tomorrow.”
Then, glancing outside with a frown, he added: “With the snow, maybe not for two days.”
He looked back at her. “What’s going on? You came to see your third brother?”
That couldn’t be right. He was Han Dongyuan’s childhood friend—he knew better than anyone. Han Dongyuan’s temper was such that if anyone mentioned this “little sister,” he’d show them a cold face.
“No,” Cheng Ning shook her head.
So he was away? She felt a pang of disappointment, but quickly steadied herself and smiled: “Not to see him. I’ve come down to the countryside too.”
“You… you’ve come down?” Liao Sheng was utterly shocked. “Then… what about your job?” He nearly swore aloud.
Back then, Han Dongyuan had reluctantly given her his job so she wouldn’t have to go down. His face had been black for weeks, smoking endlessly, no one daring to provoke him. And now she had come anyway?
“I gave it to someone else.”
The thousand yuan and thick stack of ration tickets were still tucked in her pocket. With that money and those tickets, she could live comfortably in the countryside without needing support from her family, though she would have to return them to Han Dongyuan eventually.
Liao Sheng: …
Just a casual “gave it to someone else”?
Xu Jianguo and Min Ran, still present, were curious about Cheng Ning’s relationship with Liao Sheng. They had heard her ask “Where’s my third brother?” and his reply.
Min Ran didn’t know.
But Xu Jianguo immediately thought of Han Dongyuan. Yet this girl’s surname was Cheng.
“Han Dongyuan’s sister?” Xu Jianguo asked.
The veins in Liao Sheng’s forehead twitched.
Han Dongyuan hated anyone mentioning that “sister.”
The little girl was so pretty that plenty of their group had once shown interest. But the moment they did, Han Dongyuan’s face turned so cold it nearly scared them to death. After that, they only dared to look from afar, cursing under their breath. And now she had come here too?
Of course, he didn’t think Cheng Ning had come chasing after Han Dongyuan. Those two simply didn’t get along. He had lived in the same compound with them for over ten years—how could he not know?
Liao Sheng gave a vague grunt and said, “Not really.”
Before Han Dongyuan returned, he didn’t want to get too involved in this matter. But he couldn’t ignore Cheng Ning either. After all, she was a girl he had watched grow up. He stepped forward and naturally picked up her luggage. Tall and broad‑shouldered, such a small load was nothing to him. Seeing another new female youth hesitate, he also picked up her large bag and headed straight toward the women’s dormitory. After several steps, he realized and turned back to ask Cheng Ning: “Which room?”
Xu Jianguo quickly responded. He helped Min Ran with another bag and said: “The back room.”
As they passed the first women’s dorm, Zhao Zhi—who had just finished settling in and was closing the door—saw Xu Jianguo and another tall young man carrying luggage for Cheng Ning and Min Ran. Her hand tightened unconsciously on the doorframe, lips pressed together. But the group didn’t notice her and walked straight past.
Inside, all three roommates were present. One was Xu Dongmei, whom they had already met. The other two were Wang Xiaojuan and Ma Tingting.
The dorm’s heated brick bed was U‑shaped. Originally, the three girls slept side by side on the long section opposite, with the protruding ends used as small tables. They already knew two newcomers were arriving and had privately discussed arrangements.
When the group entered, Xu Jianguo introduced them, and Xu Dongmei explained their plan: “We’ll move the tables inward a bit, so you two can sleep on the corners. That way, there’s a table between you and us.”
It wasn’t that they rejected the newcomers; it was that, with strangers, they didn’t yet know their habits or hygiene. A table between them gave some buffer. This suited Cheng Ning and Min Ran just fine, so they agreed.
Once decided, Xu Jianguo and Liao Sheng helped move the tables.
Xu Jianguo stopped after that, but Liao Sheng went further—carefully cleaning Cheng Ning’s spot on the heated bed, wiping and rubbing, even running his hand over it to check if it was clean.
Xu Jianguo and the others were stunned. That was Liao Sheng—usually brash and careless, now acting so cautious and attentive toward a girl?
They looked again at Cheng Ning.
The new youth was truly lovely, fresh and delicate, as if water could be squeezed from her skin.
Everyone seemed to understand a little.
Ma Tingting bit her lip. From the moment Liao Sheng had carried Cheng Ning’s luggage inside, her expression had soured.
While they were still pondering, Liao Sheng asked Cheng Ning: “Cheng Ning, did you bring a quilt and sheets?”
After speaking, he glanced at Cheng Ning’s luggage.
Cheng Ning nodded, then shook her head: “I have a sheet, but the quilt will have to be sent from home. I’ve got one blanket—it should be enough.”
Liao Sheng frowned. He opened his mouth, wanting to say *“Then take mine for now”*, but the image of Han Dongyuan’s fierce glare stopped him. What came out instead was: “Then I’ll bring Dongyuan’s over for you to use first. With the snow, he won’t be back tomorrow anyway. Tomorrow I’ll ask a villager to swap for a new one. In this weather, who knows when something sent from home will arrive.”
Normally, villagers wouldn’t have spare quilts. But the brigade secretary, Zhou Puhuai, was marrying off his daughter at the end of the month—he’d surely prepared quilts for her dowry.
If Liao Sheng traded Han Dongyuan’s newly acquired radio for one of those quilts, the Zhou family would be overjoyed. Later, they could buy more quilts at the commune supply store. Radios weren’t easy to come by—expensive, and requiring ration tickets.
As for Han Dongyuan’s temper when he returned, well, could he really let his “little sister” freeze to death?
Everyone: !!!
Take Han Dongyuan’s quilt? Was this how you coaxed a girl you liked? Using your buddy’s quilt to please her?
Then they heard Cheng Ning smile and say: “Alright, then bring his quilt too. Mine’s rather thin. If we can swap with a villager, tomorrow I’ll trade for another quilt myself.”
Everyone: ??? *You two… what exactly…?*
Ma Tingting’s expression shifted endlessly. At first, when she heard Liao Sheng ask if Cheng Ning had enough bedding, her heart twisted. But when he said he’d give her Han Dongyuan’s quilt, shock gave way to another suspicion rising inside her.
Liao Sheng himself felt his brain explode. He regretted the words the moment they left his mouth. He never expected Cheng Ning to accept—let alone ask for more! It was enough to kill him.
Cheng Ning, however, paid no attention to anyone’s reactions. In her previous life, she would never have accepted. But after decades as a ghost, in the dead of winter, wasn’t borrowing a quilt just borrowing a quilt? What was the harm?
Liao Sheng stammered: “Better… better mine. I’ll give you mine.” He started toward Han Dongyuan’s bed.
“No need, just take Brother Dongyuan’s.” She no longer called him “Third Brother.” She knew Han Dongyuan disliked it—she remembered long ago he had snapped, *“Who’s your third brother? Get lost!”*
This was truly riding a tiger, hard to dismount.
But in the end, Liao Sheng decided to stick with it. Fine, he’d bring it over, and tomorrow, before Han Dongyuan returned, he’d quickly swap it with a villager.
The exchange and their expressions were far too strange. After all, this was Han Dongyuan. If Liao Sheng was brash and careless, then Han Dongyuan was the type of person people instinctively avoided. Though he seemed to get along with the brigade, the thought of someone using his quilt without permission was terrifying. Yet here it was, happening for real.
Everyone’s eyes darted between Cheng Ning and Liao Sheng. Finally, Wang Xiaojuan, blunt and nosy, couldn’t hold back: “Comrade Liao, is Comrade Cheng your sweetheart?”
“No, no!” Liao Sheng jumped. He wouldn’t dare. None of their group dared. Who would? Hadn’t they all been beaten by Han Dongyuan before?
“Then… is she Comrade Han’s sweetheart?” Ma Tingting asked.
Even if she wasn’t Liao Sheng’s, Ma Tingting couldn’t rest easy. Only if one suspicion was confirmed could her heart settle.
Liao Sheng, busy arranging Cheng Ning’s bedding, nearly dropped her quilt at the question. Just picturing Han Dongyuan’s cold, violent face made his hair stand on end. He glared at Ma Tingting: “What nonsense are you spouting! Dongyuan would never choose her! She’s just a neighbor girl, entrusted by her family to be looked after. Don’t talk nonsense—offend Dongyuan and you’ll be sent to the back mountain to chop firewood!”
Ma Tingting: … *Was that necessary?!* She turned away angrily.
Cheng Ning glanced at Liao Sheng, then at Ma Tingting, finally noticing something off.
This roommate clearly had feelings for Liao Sheng. And though he was rough, he seemed to treat her differently. She couldn’t interfere with Liao Sheng’s romance. That would be unfair to Aunt Liao.
So she sat upright and carefully explained to Ma Tingting: “I grew up in the same compound as Liao Sheng and Comrade Han. I’m also distantly related to Comrade Han. When I came down, my aunt begged them to look after me, and even spoke to their parents. So you see, Comrade Liao dislikes it, but he still has to help. Once I settle in, I won’t trouble him anymore. Please don’t misunderstand.”
Ma Tingting blushed. She no longer held his earlier harsh words against him. Awkwardly, she said: “No misunderstanding. But outside, you should mind appearances. Otherwise, we girls are the ones who suffer.”
Cheng Ning smiled: “I know. Don’t worry, it’s fine.” Then she paused, smiled at Liao Sheng, and added to Ma Tingting: “See? Comrade Liao is careful. Otherwise, why would he insist on lending me Comrade Han’s quilt instead of his own? It’s precisely to avoid suspicion.”
Everyone: … *And Comrade Han doesn’t need to avoid suspicion?*
As if sensing their doubts, Cheng Ning continued cheerfully: “When Comrade Han returns, his face will be black as coal. Comrade Liao is only doing this while he’s away. But anyway, Comrade Han would never date anyone here. So even if there’s a misunderstanding, it doesn’t matter.”
She took the chance to clear Liao Sheng’s name and emphasize that Han Dongyuan would never pursue romance. She didn’t want to ruin Liao Sheng’s prospects. And after Han Dongyuan’s downfall, he never had any woman by his side again. Before those matters were resolved, she didn’t want any extra complications.
“Ah—” Everyone stared at Cheng Ning in surprise. Even Ma Tingting forgot her embarrassment, curiosity lighting her face.
Wang Xiaojuan, ever the gossip, pressed on: “Why? Why are you so sure Comrade Han won’t date anyone here? Does he already have a sweetheart back in Beicheng?”
“That I don’t know,” Cheng Ning replied seriously. “It’s just that before I came, Grandma Han kept telling me that for Comrade Han, dating while down here is unlucky. So he absolutely mustn’t get involved with anyone in the countryside.”
Everyone: !!!
Was that true? Even Liao Sheng looked at Cheng Ning in shock. He hadn’t known this himself! But he didn’t doubt her words. She had no reason to make up such a lie.
The group was so astonished that they forgot all their other gossip.