On Monday, Xiao Hongyao went for her medical examination. Three days later, when she received the results, she went with her eldest brother to the factory office to fill out the application for returning to work.
After they finished filling out the form, her eldest brother went to work first, but Xiao Hongyao did not leave right away.
She wanted to go to the library to look through newspapers and magazines. She hoped to find information about the current exchange rate between the US dollar and the Chinese yuan.
The library was tucked away in a corner on the third floor. When she entered, there was only one man sitting at a long table by the newspaper rack, reading the paper. She wasn’t sure whether he was the librarian.
Xiao Hongyao walked over to the newspaper rack and quickly searched through the papers, but there were no financial newspapers or magazines.
There were only the People’s Daily, Youth Daily, Reference News, and the daily and evening newspapers from the province and city.
The newspapers were arranged in bundles, five days’ worth at a time, and held together with long newspaper clips. Older issues had probably already been put away, so she would have to ask the librarian if she wanted to read them.
Xiao Hongyao flipped through all the newspapers available at the rack as quickly as possible, but unfortunately, there was nothing about the exchange rate.
After finishing with the newspapers she could access, her eyes drifted toward the stack of People’s Daily in the hands of the man across from her.
She wondered if there might be something in it.
The man noticed her gaze. He turned his head and looked up.
He had sharply angled eyebrows, eyes as cold and bright as stars, a straight nose, and a clean, defined jawline. Xiao Hongyao immediately remembered him.
He was the Bodhisattva—no, the brave man—who had pulled her out of the river on the day she crossed into this world.
Later, when she woke up on the riverbank, she hadn’t seen him anywhere around her.
Xiao Hongyao hesitated over whether she should thank him. But thanking him out of nowhere would seem strange, and judging by his expression, he didn’t seem to remember her.
“Do you want to read it?” the man asked.
Xiao Hongyao nodded. “Just for a moment. I’ll be quick.”
The man placed the newspaper on the table and pushed it toward her.
“Thank you.”
Xiao Hongyao picked up the People’s Daily and quickly flipped through it. On page four of the first newspaper, in the narrow column of the economic section, she finally found the information she had been looking for.
October 21, 1985 official exchange rate: US$100 = RMB 320.00 (cash rate).
!!!
She hadn’t expected the exchange rate in this era to be so favorable!
She had assumed the exchange rate would be at least five to eight yuan to the dollar, but unbelievably, it was only 3.2.
Three million US dollars was currently equivalent to roughly 9.6 million yuan.
In other words, she only needed 9.6 million yuan to complete the mission.
Only needed…
Xiao Hongyao couldn’t help mocking herself internally for using the phrase “only needed.” In this era, forget 9.6 million yuan—even 96,000 yuan was an astronomical sum that ordinary people could only dream of.
In just a few seconds, the expression on her face changed from calm to delighted, then from delight to a complicated melancholy.
The man sitting opposite her noticed the changes in her expression, but he did not seem particularly curious. He took the newspaper back when she returned it and simply asked, “Finished that quickly?”
Xiao Hongyao couldn’t exactly tell him the truth.
“I was helping my eldest brother look up some information.”
“Your eldest brother is Xiao Yuanyang?”
Xiao Hongyao was slightly startled.
Had she run into one of her brother’s acquaintances?
If he went back and asked her brother what she had been looking for, she would have to come up with an explanation.
She gave an awkward smile. “You know my brother?”
“I’ve heard his name.”
“That’s good. That’s good.”
She smiled.
Her eyes curved into crescents, and the smile was especially beautiful.
Just as they were talking, a voice came from the doorway.
“Kuo Yang, you’re here! Your master has been looking for you for ages.”
“Got it.”
The man stood up and returned the newspaper clip to the rack.
Only then did Xiao Hongyao realize that the brave man who had rescued her was actually Song Kuoyang.
He had returned from the Northeast.
While she was still processing this, Song Kuoyang had already left the library.
After spending years in the apocalypse, Xiao Hongyao deeply understood that survival was more important than pride. She immediately seized the opportunity and followed him out.
She caught up with Song Kuoyang at the corner of the staircase.
“Um… Brother Song… Brother Song…”
Song Kuoyang turned around. “What is it?”
Xiao Hongyao sincerely bowed to him.
“Thank you for saving me that day.”
Seeing that she still remembered him, the corners of Song Kuoyang’s lips lifted slightly.
“You don’t have to thank me. It was nothing.”
He turned around and continued downstairs.
Xiao Hongyao quickly followed.
“About my second sister wanting to break off the engagement with you—it was an accident. Our whole family feels very sorry about it.”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“If you need a wife because you want to qualify for a new apartment, I can register our marriage with you.”
She was being completely direct.
They could cooperate and get married!
As long as they achieved their goals, there was no need to be coy.
Song Kuoyang stopped walking.
He turned to look at Xiao Hongyao, seemingly caught off guard by how casually and openly she was talking about marriage.
“You’ll register your marriage with me?”
Xiao Hongyao explained, “If I marry you, you’ll still qualify for the apartment. We can just register the marriage. A fake marriage…”
He interrupted her before she could finish.
“Your family doesn’t want to return the betrothal gifts?”
“No. My eldest uncle and aunt will return the betrothal gifts to your Aunt Song when the matchmaker has time tonight.”
“Then why do you want to marry me?”
“To help you get the apartment.”
What she really wanted was to cooperate with the future tycoon and secure herself a powerful ally.
Xiao Hongyao wasn’t good at flattering people, but she tried her best.
“You saved my life. In my eyes, you’re tall, strong, and brave. You’re ten thousand times better than everyone else.”
Tall, strong, and brave…
Ten thousand times better than everyone else…
Song Kuoyang paused slightly.
“Does your family know about this?”
“I haven’t told them yet.”
The original novel never mentioned whether Song Kuoyang was stingy or not, but her second sister had described him as stingy and difficult to deal with. To show her sincerity, Xiao Hongyao said, “I don’t want any betrothal gifts.”
Song Kuoyang, however, didn’t seem moved. He simply assumed she was acting on a whim.
“Go home.”
Seeing him turn around and quickly walk downstairs, Xiao Hongyao didn’t chase after him. She simply called out persistently,
“Brother Song, if you don’t object, I’ll tell my family.”
There was no response.
But he hadn’t objected either.
From beginning to end, he had never actually said no.
When Xiao Hongyao returned home, she told Grandma about it.
Of course, she didn’t mention that they would only register their marriage and pretend to be married. She could discuss the details seriously with Song Kuoyang later. There was no need to tell her family yet.
What she needed now was simply an opportunity to sit down with Song Kuoyang and seriously negotiate the terms.
Grandma Xiao Ganjü hurriedly asked, “Song Kuoyang was the one who pulled you out of the river that day?”
Xiao Hongyao nodded. “I only found out today that it was him.”
“You said you want to marry him? Did he agree?”
“He didn’t object. I told him I didn’t want any betrothal gifts.”
She knew he hadn’t actually agreed, but she had thick skin. Establishing a connection first was more important. She could negotiate properly later.
The Xiao family had just received 3,000 yuan in compensation from the Wang family, so Xiao Ganjü no longer considered the betrothal gifts that important. Song Kuoyang was a skilled technician with a decent salary. Although he had neither parents nor a family to support, his circumstances were actually quite good. He seemed like a decent marriage prospect.
At that moment, the only person at home besides them was her eldest daughter-in-law, Tang Yueying, who was in the kitchen.
Xiao Ganjü hurried over to discuss the matter with her.
Tang Yueying naturally hoped the marriage would work out. That way, she would also have an explanation for Aunt Liu and Song Yanzhen.
That evening, Uncle Xiao, Third Uncle Xiao, and the others returned from work. After a brief discussion, the family immediately split into two camps.
Tang Yueying and Qiu Yulian, the two sisters-in-law, thought Song Kuoyang was a good match and suggested asking Aunt Liu to inquire about the Song family’s opinion.
The two brothers, Uncle Xiao and Third Uncle Xiao, believed Song Kuoyang had not objected only because he thought their little sister was joking.
After the Xiao family had just broken off the engagement with him, no man would willingly fall into the same trap twice. Therefore, there was no way Song Kuoyang would agree to marry her.
Going to ask would only bring humiliation upon themselves.
Third Aunt Qiu Yulian immediately objected.
“But Third Sister is beautiful! Why would it be impossible?”
Third Uncle Xiao didn’t think much of it.
“Can beauty put food on the table? A man’s pride matters more than anything. I understand men better than you do!”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. You only understand what old men think. When a young man meets someone he likes, pride is the last thing he cares about. Yuanyang, don’t you agree?” Qiu Yulian asked Xiao Yuanyang.
Xiao Yuanyang had remained silent until then.
“There’s no harm in asking. The apartments will be allocated at the end of the year, and it won’t be easy for Aunt Song to find Kuoyang a suitable wife in such a short time. Third Sister graduated from high school and is also a factory employee. She’s not a bad match in any respect.”
The only concern was that the Song family might be afraid she had suffered a head injury and could develop complications later, making them unwilling to take the risk.
Everyone knew this, but no one said it aloud.
In the end, Grandma Xiao Ganjü made the final decision. Setting aside her pride, she would have the matchmaker, Aunt Liu, go and ask.
Outside, a steady drizzle fell. The sky was gray and hazy, making it impossible to see the distant scenery clearly.
Because of the rain, transporting gunpowder was inconvenient, so the workload in the loading workshop had to be reduced.
The workers in the loading workshop were dismissed before three o’clock.
Loading gunpowder into fireworks and firecrackers was considered a highly dangerous job, so the mixing and loading workshops had been built in a relatively isolated area, far from both the main factory and residential areas.
Walking back to the dormitory took more than ten minutes, but riding a bicycle took only two or three minutes.
After changing his clothes, Song Kuoyang walked through the firebreak in the light drizzle and arrived at the bicycle shed at the foot of the hill.
Most of his coworkers hadn’t brought raincoats. Someone found a moldy straw hat at the guard post, and while everyone jokingly fought over it, Song Kuoyang had already mounted his bicycle and ridden boldly into the rain.
“Brother Yang, wait for me!”
Someone rode after him.
When they reached the dormitory building, Song Kuoyang parked his bicycle and locked it in the shed. Just as he straightened up, another bicycle came rushing over with a whoosh and nearly failed to stop.
“I’ve been chasing you all the way here. I called you, but you didn’t hear me.”
The person speaking was Tong Weiqiang, the son of Song Kuoyang’s master.
Tong Weiqiang didn’t live in the collective dormitory. He had followed Song Kuoyang here for another reason.
“Brother Yang, lend me some money. I really need it.”
Song Kuoyang glanced at him.
He had been back from the Northeast for a week, and he had already heard from others that Tong Weiqiang had been borrowing money everywhere recently.
He walked toward the staircase without answering.
Tong Weiqiang followed him, trying to tempt him with a promise.
“I really need it. Lend me 1,000 yuan, and I’ll give you 1,100 back in three months.”
“What are you borrowing it for?”
There was no one around now. Tong Weiqiang leaned closer and lowered his voice.
“Reselling fabric. My uncle has a connection.”
Song Kuoyang used his master as an excuse to deflect him.
“Does your father know?”
“My dad… tsk. His judgment isn’t very good.”
In other words, Tong Weiqiang’s father didn’t approve of the business.
Song Kuoyang certainly wasn’t going to hand out money.
“I can’t help you with this.”
“The Xiao family broke off your engagement, didn’t they? Once you get the betrothal money back, you can lend it to me. In three months, you’ll earn 100 yuan in interest! You could have a really prosperous New Year!”
“For 100 yuan in interest, I might lose 1,000 yuan of principal. Do you think that’s a good deal for me?”
“I’ll definitely return your principal! Whether I make money or not, I’ll find a way to repay you! Don’t you trust me?”
If the business made money, that would be fine. But what if it lost money? How would he find a way to repay him?
They might not even remain friends afterward.
Song Kuoyang had suffered enough hardship as a child that he would never lend money lightly. No matter how close someone was to him, he wouldn’t casually lend them money.
He patted Tong Weiqiang on the shoulder and threw the problem back at him.
“Get your father to guarantee the loan. Then I’ll consider it.”
That was impossible.
Tong Weiqiang would be lucky if his father didn’t tear apart his plan and beat him up. There was no way he would guarantee the loan.
By then, the two had already reached the fourth floor.
The door to Room 404 was open. Song Kuoyang walked inside, while Tong Weiqiang remained at the doorway, still unwilling to give up.
Lin Zhenhui, who was off work that day, was leaning over the table adjusting a radio. The rainy weather made the signal poor, and static crackled through the broadcast.
“If I’d known it was going to rain today, I wouldn’t have taken the day off.”
Lin Zhenhui was deeply regretting missing a rainy day when the workload had been cut in half.
There were two bunk beds against the wall, accommodating four people. Song Kuoyang slept in the lower bunk near the door.
He took his towel from the washstand and quickly dried his hair and neck.
“By the way, your aunt sent someone to tell you to go to her house for dinner after work.”
“Today?”
“She said today.”
Song Kuoyang usually only went to his aunt’s house for dinner on Sundays. He rarely went on workdays.
Since his aunt was calling him over so urgently, he could roughly guess what it was about.
She was probably trying to find him another marriage prospect.
The factory would be distributing apartments at the end of the year, and his aunt was even more anxious about his marriage than he was.
After hanging up his towel, Song Kuoyang took a white undershirt and a button-up shirt from the box at the head of his bed and put them on.
Tong Weiqiang, who still hadn’t left, borrowed a Chinese chess set from the neighboring dormitory.
“Come on, let’s play chess.”
The moment Lin Zhenhui heard that, he turned off the radio.
“What chess? Let’s play Paohuzi.”
As he spoke, he took a set of Chinese character cards from the drawer.
“Three people is perfect.”
“You two play.”
Song Kuoyang didn’t want to play chess or cards. He picked up a screwdriver instead, planning to repair the damp radio and get rid of the dust and static.
The other two had no choice but to play chess nearby.
Tong Weiqiang changed his target and began trying to win Lin Zhenhui over. Song Kuoyang simply pretended not to hear and didn’t stop him.
Lin Zhenhui came from a rural family and had heavy family responsibilities. There was no way he had spare money to lend.
At five-thirty, Song Kuoyang arrived at his aunt’s house.
Song Yanzhen worked at the neighborhood office and finished work at five. She had gone grocery shopping at four-thirty and was now in the kitchen peeling potatoes.
She poked her head out, her voice slightly displeased.
“Is Secretary Song home?”
“It’s you, Aunt Liu! Come in and sit.”
Aunt Liu worked as a cook in the fireworks factory cafeteria. She knew many people, was articulate and socially adept, and after retiring, she became a matchmaker in her spare time.
“Oh, Engineer Song is here too. What a coincidence!”
Aunt Liu smiled broadly. She happened to notice Huang Peiqin’s photograph on the table and roughly guessed what they were discussing.
She couldn’t help smiling.
“This Huang Peiqin has other families asking to meet her too. Her mother told me someone else offered 1,200 yuan in betrothal gifts, but the girl has taken a liking to Engineer Song. She’d even accept 1,000 yuan. I told her, betrothal gifts are one thing. The groom’s family has a bicycle and a radio, and buying the bride a watch shouldn’t be difficult either.”
Song Yanzhen smiled.
“She knows our Kuoyang?”
“How could she not? Engineer Song is such a tall, handsome young man. Who in the workshop doesn’t know him?”
Song Yanzhen had always been a little upset about the second Xiao sister forcing the engagement to be broken off. Hearing this, her eyes narrowed with delight.
“Of course we’ll buy the watch. I’ve had the industrial coupons ready for ages. A Shanghai-brand or Diamond-brand watch would both be fine.”
Song Yanzhen poured tea for Aunt Liu.
“But whether it works out or not, they should still meet this weekend. They can decide after they meet.”
“Exactly, exactly. That’s how it should be. They’re in the same factory anyway. They can find time after work to meet. There’s no need to wait until the weekend.”
Aunt Liu was even more eager than they were. She looked at Song Kuoyang.
“Engineer Song, when are you free?”
“I’ve been rather busy lately.”
In other words, he wasn’t available.
It seemed he wasn’t very interested.
Although Aunt Liu was disappointed, she continued smiling. She noticed that Song Kuoyang was looking at the medical examination form in her hand and quickly smiled.
“This is the medical examination form for the Xiao family’s third daughter, Xiao Hongyao. They insisted that I bring it over. She just completed her examination for returning to work. She’s perfectly healthy and will be going back to the workshop next month.”
Song Kuoyang withdrew his gaze and casually asked,
“She graduated from high school?”
Aunt Liu wasn’t highly educated, but she was very perceptive. She immediately changed direction.
“Xiao Hongyao graduated from high school, and she always did very well in school. If her mother hadn’t become seriously ill and passed away so suddenly, affecting her college entrance examination, she would have gone to university. She’s a good girl—kind-tempered, gentle, and pretty. And you were the one who personally rescued her from the river. What a remarkable fate that is.”
As she spoke, Aunt Liu looked toward Song Yanzhen.
“Educated people are best matched with other educated people. They’ll have plenty to talk about.”
Song Kuoyang had also been an excellent student in high school. Something unexpected had happened during his college entrance examination as well, so he never got the chance to attend university.
Rather than saying educated people had more in common, perhaps people with similar experiences simply understood one another better.
Song Yanzhen understood this.
So perhaps Song Kuoyang’s lack of objection yesterday actually meant he had agreed?
Only now did she realize it. She looked at her nephew and cautiously asked,
“So it’s the girl you rescued from the river?”
“I’ll leave it to you, Aunt.”
If he left it to her, then he would surely choose either Huang Peiqin or Tong Wenjing.
Song Yanzhen was about to speak, but Song Kuoyang interrupted her.
“You said just now that the betrothal gifts should still be given. We’ll give them. But the 1,000 yuan isn’t going to her uncle and aunt. It will be given to her personally for her dowry or as her own savings. We’ll also add another 200 yuan for a watch and clothes. Everything else can be arranged by you.”
Was that really leaving it to his aunt?
Song Kuoyang had said it so smoothly that Song Yanzhen, having been given such a lofty responsibility, couldn’t argue with him.
After all, she wasn’t his mother. She was only his aunt.
He was an adult. When it came to marriage, he should make his own decision.
Seeing that the match was practically settled, Aunt Liu immediately agreed.
“Of course, of course! Engineer Song, you really are…”
She gave him a thumbs-up, her face practically splitting with a smile.
“You’re so generous and straightforward! Most families would bargain back and forth over a marriage and make the matchmaker run back and forth several times. It’s rare to see two people as well matched as you. The girl’s family says they don’t need betrothal gifts, and instead of taking advantage of that, the groom generously adds money for a watch and clothes. If everyone thought about each other this way, matchmakers like us would probably be out of work!”
Seeing that the matchmaker was eager to finalize everything immediately, Song Yanzhen smiled and tried to slow things down.
“Why don’t they arrange a time to watch a movie or have a meal first? They should meet before making a decision.”
Aunt Liu realized she was getting ahead of herself and laughed.
“Of course, of course. Xiao Hongyao won’t return to work until next month, so she’s free these days. What about Engineer Song?”
Song Kuoyang had always been confident in his judgment and decisions.
But when he saw his aunt’s serious expression, he compromised to show that he was taking the matter seriously.
“I can leave work early tomorrow.”
Just moments ago, he had said he was too busy lately. Now he was saying he could leave early tomorrow.
Aunt Liu and Song Yanzhen immediately understood what he was thinking.
Song Yanzhen said, “The afternoon movie starts at three-thirty, doesn’t it? Then why don’t you go see a movie tomorrow afternoon?”
Normally, Song Kuoyang wouldn’t finish work until four, but leaving early wasn’t a problem.
Aunt Liu picked up the medical examination form and Huang Peiqin’s photograph from the table.
“I’ll go to the Xiao family now and pass on the message. Engineer Song, leave work early and wait for her at the cinema entrance at three-thirty tomorrow.”