The morning after Shen Hongwei’s funeral, Huo Yanxiu and Xu Chenfeng were ready to leave Shenjia Bay. Shen Xingqing and Zhou Chunfeng had come to see them off, bringing along Shen Qinghe, as well as the pancakes and dumplings they had prepared early in the morning before dawn.
“Aunt Zhou, you’re far too kind,” Huo Yanxiu and Xu Chenfeng said, unable to refuse the hospitality, and accepted the food.
Zhou Chunfeng smiled so widely her teeth nearly disappeared, though there was also a hint of regret. “Once you leave, we may never see you again. Comrade Huo saved my daughter, and we don’t know how to repay you, so this is just a little food for the road. Take it with you and eat it slowly on your journey.”
“Thank you, Aunt Zhou,” Huo Yanxiu said, glancing at Shen Qinghe standing beside Zhou Chunfeng. Suddenly, he spoke again. “Comrade Shen, may I have a word with you?”
Shen Qinghe froze. Zhou Chunfeng was the first to react, gently nudging her daughter. “Comrade Huo wants to speak with you—go on, don’t keep him waiting.”
A thrill of curiosity rose in her heart. What could Comrade Huo possibly want to say to her? Surely it couldn’t be…
Shen Qinghe followed Huo Yanxiu to one side, her curiosity growing. She had no idea what he would tell her.
“Comrade Shen,” Huo Yanxiu said once they had stepped aside, his gaze complex as he looked at her. “There’s something I’ve thought over carefully and feel I should tell you.”
“What is it?” she asked.
“It concerns Gu Linchuan and Comrade Lin. Chenfeng and I saw them talking in the woods, and from the looks of it… they seem familiar with each other.”
Huo Yanxiu had already said it delicately. If he were blunt, it would be the same as saying they were involved!
Shen Qinghe smiled. So that was it. She hadn’t expected them to notice, but she was grateful that Huo Yanxiu had brought it up. “Thank you, Comrade Huo. I already understand.”
Huo Yanxiu glanced over her fair and bright face, then nodded lightly.
After they left, Zhou Chunfeng couldn’t help asking, “Qianqian, what did Comrade Huo just say to you?”
Shen Qinghe recounted Huo Yanxiu’s words. Though Zhou Chunfeng was angry about Gu Linchuan and Lin Yingxue, her disappointment was even greater. “I had thought… sigh…”
“Mother, what are you thinking?” Shen Qinghe said with a wry smile. From her previous life, she had often heard Gu Linchuan talk about Huo Yanxiu, saying he was from a prestigious family in Beijing and had strong connections, which helped him rise quickly. She even remembered Gu Linchuan’s envious expression.
Someone with that kind of background could never be interested in a girl from the countryside. After experiencing the deceit and betrayal of her past life, she had lost all interest in love. She thought living quietly at home for life was fine.
Meanwhile, Xu Chenfeng, having just gotten into the car, smirked teasingly. “Old Huo, what did you tell Comrade Shen? Since when did you two become so close?”
“Gu Linchuan,” Huo Yanxiu replied.
Only then did Xu Chenfeng understand. “Oh, you told her about that night. But by now, the whole of Shenjia Bay has heard the rumors that the Gu family heir and Comrade Lin are involved, right? Comrade Shen must know already.”
He had considered hinting to Shen Qinghe himself, but after hearing the same information, he decided she probably already knew.
“Those are just rumors. There’s no proof,” Huo Yanxiu said.
“Oh, so you’re worried Comrade Shen might still choose to believe Gu Linchuan and marry him? Makes sense—they were practically at the engagement stage. I heard Comrade Shen used to like Gu Linchuan.” Xu Chenfeng paused, feeling something was off. “Wait, Old Huo, when did you become so concerned? You never used to meddle in things like this.”
“You let your sister chase after that Xie family kid. He treated her coldly, and your father told you to persuade her, but you said let her be—her life, her responsibility.”
Huo Yanxiu was silent for a moment before replying, “That’s different.”
Xu Chenfeng considered this and agreed. Even if the Xie family kid was distant with Huo’s sister, his character was still good. Gu Linchuan, by comparison, was completely different.
Still… Xu Chenfeng couldn’t shake the feeling that Huo Yanxiu’s concern for Shen Qinghe was more than ordinary. Looking at Huo Yanxiu’s handsome profile, he sighed. No matter how special it was, there wouldn’t be another chance to see it again.
…
“Not sold?”
Shen Qingsong placed a jar of blueberry jam on the table, shaking his head. “It’s a novelty. At first, a lot of people asked the price, but once they heard it was five yuan, they all shook their heads. Peaches only cost seven cents a jar, and they’ve never tasted this before, so they don’t know if it’s good.”
Shen Qinghe wasn’t disappointed—the jam not selling was expected. She asked instead, “Any news on the glass jars I wanted?”
Shen Qingsong shook his head. “Haven’t seen any on the black market, but I asked someone to help. He said he has connections at a glass factory. Maybe he can find the small jars you want. If he does, he’ll bring some back for you.”
“That’s great.” Shen Qinghe handed him five yuan. “This is for the jars. Take it for now.”
“Alright, I’ll hold it for you. Any extra you can repay me later,” Shen Qingsong said without hesitation. All the family money was managed by Liu Lanying, so he didn’t have that much on him.
Liu Lanying watched, feeling content.
Zhou Chunfeng, however, was a little worried. “Qianqian, if this doesn’t sell and you spend money on jars, what if it doesn’t sell? Won’t the money be wasted?”
“No problem. I’m just buying a few to try,” Shen Qinghe replied. Zhou Chunfeng wanted to say more but thought better of it. Let Qianqian experiment—she had nothing else to do, and it might distract her from thinking about Gu Linchuan. Spending a little money was fine.
“Little sister, what about this jar of jam? You said it doesn’t last long,” Shen Qingshan asked.
“Then we’ll just eat it ourselves,” Shen Qinghe said, smiling. “We can each brew a cup of water with it.”
As soon as she spoke, a few children cheered. They had tasted the blueberry jam before and loved the sweet-and-sour flavor.
“Dinner’s almost ready! Finish eating first!” Zhou Chunfeng scolded the little gluttons, then shouted at the adults, “Bring the dishes, bring the dishes!”
Indeed, not only did the children enjoy it, but the adults also found the blueberry-infused water delicious—better than sugar water.
Liu Lanying licked her lips. Life had never been this comfortable—drinking such expensive and high-quality things!
After finishing their meal and washing up, Shen Qinghe dived into the space. In just two days, it had changed greatly.
The vegetables, grains, and beans she had planted had sprouted tender yellow shoots, growing lush and healthy. The trees she had transplanted from the mountains, nourished by the spiritual spring water, were stronger and more vigorous. Even the fruits above were larger and fuller. She just hoped the taste had improved.
Thinking this, she picked a green-skinned pear.