He Suoxia felt a bit afraid of Jiang Jiyuan and didn’t know why he had come to see her.
“You were looking for me?”
Jiang Jiyuan got straight to the point. “How is Comrade Song?”
“She’s still resting,” He Suoxia answered honestly.
Jiang Jiyuan glanced into the courtyard. He really wanted to go in and see her himself, but he couldn’t.
“Please take good care of her.”
After saying that, he turned and left.
Watching his back, He Suoxia couldn’t help but feel that he cared a great deal about Song Yunqiao.
Since Jiang Jiyuan hadn’t seen Song Yunqiao with his own eyes, he still felt uneasy. It wasn’t convenient for him to visit her himself, so he could only ask his mother to go in his place.
Before leaving, Ji Peilan filled a jar with specially simmered chicken soup.
When she arrived, the educated youths had all gone out to work. Originally, He Suoxia hadn’t felt comfortable leaving Song Yunqiao alone in the dorm, but Song Yunqiao insisted she was fine, so He Suoxia went to work.
Work points were very important now—they determined how much grain one would receive. Song Yunqiao felt embarrassed to have someone stay behind just to accompany her, and aside from feeling a bit weak, she was fine.
Hearing a knock at the door, Song Yunqiao asked who it was before opening it.
“Auntie, what brings you here?”
Ji Peilan asked with concern, “I came to see you. How are you? Do you feel unwell anywhere?”
Song Yunqiao felt a warmth in her heart. “I’m much better, thank you for your concern, Auntie.”
“I brought you some chicken soup. Drink it while it’s hot.”
“You’re too kind.”
Song Yunqiao was a bit flattered.
“Drink it while it’s hot. There’s not much nutritious food in the countryside—chicken soup is still quite nourishing.”
Looking at the delicate young woman before her, Ji Peilan thought that if this were her own daughter, she would never bear to let her do any hard work.
“Then thank you, Auntie.”
Song Yunqiao was deeply moved. Being cared for like this felt truly wonderful. As she drank the soup, her eyes grew slightly moist.
Seeing that she looked like she was about to cry, Ji Peilan quickly said, “What’s wrong? Is the soup not good? If it’s not, don’t drink it.”
Song Yunqiao shook her head, forcing her tears back.
“It’s very good. This is the best chicken soup I’ve ever had.”
Ji Peilan let out a sigh of relief. In truth, Jiang Jiyuan had personally cooked the soup. Although she had watched from the side, she didn’t really know how it tasted.
Actually, the soup was quite ordinary, but to Song Yunqiao, it felt different. To her, this was no ordinary bowl of soup.
“Comrade Song, do you remember what happened yesterday?”
“You mean how Comrade Jiang saved me? I’ll always remember his kindness. I’ve even been thinking about how to thank him.”
Song Yunqiao thought she was referring to that incident.
Realizing the misunderstanding, Ji Peilan quickly explained, “No, no, that’s not what I meant. Of course saving someone is only right, it’s just… well…”
She didn’t know how to say it. She couldn’t exactly blurt out that her son had kissed her.
“Auntie, if there’s something you want to say, just say it.”
Song Yunqiao could tell she was holding something back.
Ji Peilan asked, “Comrade Song, what do you think of our Jiyuan?”
“Comrade Jiang is a very good person—kind and upright, practically a living Lei Feng.”
Song Yunqiao didn’t know why she asked, so she started with praise.
“Then… would you be willing to marry him?”
!!!
Song Yunqiao was stunned.
What?
Did water get into her ears yesterday? Was she hearing things?
Thinking she was unwilling, Ji Peilan hurriedly said, “I know your conditions are good, and our family really can’t compare. But I promise you, if you marry into our family, you will never be wronged. A-Yuan is a good man—he would never let you suffer.”
Coming back to her senses, Song Yunqiao’s mind raced. “Wait, Auntie… is there something you’re not telling me?”
Seeing her confused expression, Ji Peilan realized she must not know what had happened yesterday, so she explained it tactfully.
Song Yunqiao relaxed. Oh—so that’s what it was.
“Auntie, I know Comrade Jiang only did that to save me. I’m grateful to him—I could never blame him.”
Seeing how sensible and understanding she was, Ji Peilan felt relieved.
“But you’re still a young woman. Our family should give you an explanation.”
“Auntie, he saved me. How could I repay kindness with ingratitude by using this to pressure him into marrying me?”
“It wouldn’t be forcing him.” Ji Peilan sighed and decided to speak her mind.
“Jiyuan may look fierce and rarely smiles, but he has a kind heart. Even though he hasn’t said it outright, I can tell—he likes you.” Otherwise, he wouldn’t go help you every day.
Song Yunqiao froze.
Jiang Jiyuan… likes her?
“Auntie won’t force you. This is a lifelong matter—think it over carefully.”
After that, Ji Peilan didn’t bring it up again. She chatted with Song Yunqiao about other things for a while. Once the soup was finished, she didn’t disturb her any longer, took her basket, and left the dormitory.
Lying on the heated kang bed, Song Yunqiao tossed and turned.
Jiang Jiyuan likes her?!
Well… he is handsome, tall with long legs, and has a strong build. As for his character… so far, he seems decent. If she married him…
!!!
Realizing her thoughts were drifting too far, Song Yunqiao wished she could slap herself.
It wasn’t like she had never dated before, but her past relationship had been short—less than a month. The reason? Her ex-boyfriend had wanted to become intimate with her, which she couldn’t accept. Worse, he even tried to force her. Unable to tolerate that, she broke up with him. After that, she never looked for another partner and gradually came to feel that being alone wasn’t so bad.
At noon, the educated youths returned from work together. Song Yunqiao slapped a piece of paper onto Ma Xiaoping.
“What are you doing?!”
In truth, Ma Xiaoping was a little afraid of Song Yunqiao now, worried she might expose how she had deliberately pushed her into the water. But then she thought—no one had seen it. No matter what Song Yunqiao said, she could just deny it. There was no evidence anyway.
Song Yunqiao said coldly, “Pay me back!”
“What money? I haven’t spent a single cent of yours since coming here!”
At the mention of money, Ma Xiaoping’s voice rose sharply.
Unafraid, Song Yunqiao said firmly, “That’s right—you haven’t spent my money here. But back in the city, you were always spending mine. And you never paid me back.”
“I didn’t! When did I ever spend your money?”
Ma Xiaoping felt a bit guilty.
Song Yunqiao stared at her. “You didn’t?”
The other educated youths’ gazes toward Ma Xiaoping began to change.
Clenching her teeth, Ma Xiaoping said, “Fine, I’ll pay you back!”
Song Yunqiao let out a cold laugh. “I’ve already made a list. Everyone, please bear witness.”
The paper she had slapped onto Ma Xiaoping had fallen right in front of He Suoxia. Picking it up and glancing at it, He Suoxia’s eyes widened.
Good heavens… that’s a lot of items.