“This is a fine plan! Though… I still worry they’ll slack off. You’re such a grand, important carp — how could you possibly spare the time to watch over this bunch? Let General Bai and Young Commander Bai keep an eye on them instead! Perfect way to give those two something useful to do!” Yu Wanzhi said with a bright, ingratiating smile, bargaining cheerfully with the great golden carp.
“Fine, do as you like!” The big fish was thoroughly pleased by the girl’s flattery. It gave its gleaming golden tail a delighted swish and swam away.
Yu Wanzhi checked the time — barely an hour had passed. Determined not to have come out for nothing, she brought General Bai out of her space once more.
Last time deep in the mountains of the Northeast, girl and wolf had hunted along the way. General Bai had eaten well these past few days, so Yu Wanzhi took the chance to let him hunt more and stock up. The supermarkets in Yanjing’s shopping malls carried all kinds of meat, but she worried that feeding him only store-bought food would, in time, dull his wild instincts. She wanted a magnificent, ferocious companion — not some poor soft creature that only whimpered.
She brushed away their footprints where they stood, though she left the brush alone; whatever ate there was none of her concern. Girl and wolf enjoyed the mountains for another two hours, bagging enough game to last a month. Only when noon drew near did she climb contentedly aboard the bus heading back to the city.
The bus from the suburbs was nearly empty, with only a handful of scattered passengers. Yu Wanzhi paid them no mind, walked straight to the very back row, sat down, closed her eyes, and rested.
She had barely settled in when a fresh, clean scent of grass drifted over. She opened her eyes slowly to see a girl in a deep green dress making her way toward her. The girl gave her a shy glance, then carefully sat down beside her.
“Um… hello. My name is Jiang He. I was sitting right next to you on the ride here, when we left the city… do you remember me at all?” The girl had large eyes framed by thick, curling lashes, her gaze brimming with shyness and unease.
Yu Wanzhi thought back — a faint, hazy recollection surfaced, though nothing sharp. She smiled politely. “Oh, hello. I do remember you. Is there something on your mind?”
Jiang He leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice. “Are you… all right? When we got off at Fragrant Hills, there were several unsavory-looking men following you the whole time. I wanted to call out and warn you then, but… I was too afraid. I’m so sorry I didn’t say anything!”
“I’ve been worried sick these past few hours. On the way back, I’d planned to get off at Fragrant Hills and check on you. But then I saw you board this bus — so I just had to come over and ask if you’re safe.”
Truth be told, she hadn’t meant to meddle. Before leaving home, her mother had repeatedly told her to look after herself first. But the girl beside her was so lovely — the thought of anything bad befalling her made her heart ache. She would have carried that guilt forever otherwise.
Hearing this, Yu Wanzhi’s heart gave a sudden lurch — but she quickly composed herself. The golden carp had warned her of no one nearby. If no one had actually seen anything… she could simply weave a story!
“Ah? Really? I didn’t notice anyone at all. I grew up in the countryside far to the Northeast, right at the foot of great mountains. Once I’m out in the hills, most people can’t keep pace with me. I truly didn’t realize anyone was following.”
Yu Wanzhi spoke without the slightest flicker of guilt or blush. After all, that was exactly what she’d told the local police station upon first arriving in the capital — that she’d come from the Northeast, lost her memory, and could not find her way home. There was nothing for anyone to investigate.
Jiang He breathed a visible sigh of relief and broke into a bright, relaxed smile. Heaven knew how miserable she’d felt these past hours!
“Thank you so much for caring about me.” Yu Wanzhi held out her hand. “I’m Yu Wanzhi. I’m eighteen. It’s lovely to meet you.” She liked this girl immensely. Anyone who showed such genuine kindness to a stranger could never have a bad heart. The worry in those eyes had been utterly sincere.
Jiang He froze for two seconds before snapping back to reality. She frantically wiped her hand on her dress, then took Yu Wanzhi’s hand in hers. “I’m a whole year older than you. I work at Dahua Cinema — I’m a ticket seller! Whenever you want to see a movie, come find me. I’ll save you the very best seats!”
Jiang He felt as though she might float away with joy. She’d always adored beautiful people, and had been stealing glances at Yu Wanzhi the entire ride there. She’d feared being dismissed as nosy or bothersome — but this girl hadn’t minded at all, and had even thanked her warmly. She was overjoyed!
And her hand… so soft and smooth…
For the rest of the journey, Jiang He was transformed. She chattered cheerfully without pause, sharing every detail of her life.
She told Yu Wanzhi that her father was principal of No. 4 Middle School, and her mother was Director of Administration at a textile mill. She had an elder brother, Jiang Yi, now a Colonel in the Capital Garrison Command — still unmarried despite his age, much to their parents’ graying distress. She also had a younger brother, Jiang Yun, who had just started junior high.
She explained she had been visiting her aunt on the city’s outskirts, dropping off gifts and paying respects. Her uncle had died in service years earlier; the couple had no children, and her aunt had never remarried, remaining in their home all these years. When he died, he had left a generous pension. Later, when Jiang He’s family fell upon hard times, it was her aunt who gave them that money to see them through. Once their fortunes recovered, her father repaid every cent, and had since taken responsibility for every need and concern of her aunt’s household. Jiang He and her siblings loved their aunt as dearly as their own parents, visiting weekly with food and supplies, and staying to keep her company.
“Wanzhi… may I come see you again? To be friends?” Jiang He asked, her eyes shining bright with hope.
Jiang He was a creature of contradiction: she loved making friends, yet was fiercely particular about whom she chose. To her, choosing friends was much like choosing a partner — first and foremost, they must be pleasing to the eye. Beauty lifted her spirits and stirred her heart to speak freely. Those who fell short she treated with courtesy… but kept at a distance.
Yu Wanzhi was, without question, the most beautiful girl Jiang He had met in all her nineteen years. She longed deeply to be her friend.
“I would love that!” Yu Wanzhi replied warmly. “Right now I’m staying temporarily with an acquaintance, so it may not be convenient for visitors. In a few days I’ll be moving to Huaihua Lane, Chang’an Road. I’ve only just arrived in the capital and haven’t yet found work. Once I’m settled, I’ll invite you over — then you’ll know exactly where to find me whenever you like!” She had grown genuinely fond of this girl, and thought having a friend would be a wonderful thing.
Jiang He nearly leaped from her seat with delight. She quickly pulled out paper and a pen, wrote down her home address, phone number, and workplace details, and pressed it all into Yu Wanzhi’s hand.
The two hit it off instantly. That afternoon they walked the streets together, saw a film, shared a meal, and only parted when the sun began to set, each loath to say goodbye.
Before they separated, Yu Wanzhi held Jiang He’s hand and spoke earnestly. “Xiao He… about those men on the bus today… could you please keep it just between us? As a young woman, word getting around could be terribly awkward for me…”
Jiang He thumped her chest boldly. “You have my word! I’m no fool. You’re my dearest new friend — I’d never do anything to compromise your good name! Not even if someone held a gun to my head!”
Yu Wanzhi smiled warmly and patted her short, bouncy hair, thanking her from the heart.