A trace of vigilance flashed through Su Meier’s eyes as she stared at the woman who had just spoken. A hint of suspicion lingered in her gaze.
Something was off about this woman.
Why did she keep asking about her boyfriend when she had come to visit her?
“Meier, what’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”
The woman in white touched her face hesitantly.
Su Meier walked closer.
Good grief, three short girls standing together.
This girl was probably only about 158 centimeters tall—half a head shorter than even her.
“You like him? Then go after him yourself. I have absolutely no relationship with him anymore. Don’t mention that man in front of me again.”
Her words left both women frozen on the spot.
The girl in the yellow dress looked pleasantly surprised.
“Meier, getting sick really sharpened your eyes, didn’t it?”
What did that mean?
Had this girl known all along that Zheng Qingning had feelings for the original owner’s boyfriend?
“Meier, Youyi, I absolutely don’t mean that. Why would you say such things about me?”
Zheng Qingning looked wronged, and tears quickly gathered in her bright eyes.
“Oh, come on, Zheng Qingning, not this again. I hate it when you start crying at every turn, as if we’re bullying you.”
Tong Youyi had been holding that in for a long time.
Back then, it was Zheng Qingning who had come between her friendship with Meier.
She had noticed more than once that the way Zheng Qingning looked at Tao You’an was different.
She had even warned Meier about it.
But Meier hadn’t believed her.
It had frustrated her so much that she lost sleep over it.
Later, when Zheng Qingning never actually made a move, Tong Youyi had decided to let it go.
Su Meier glanced at Tong Youyi, then at the teary-eyed Zheng Qingning.
A true best friend and a fake one?
And somewhere there was also a missing ex-boyfriend.
What a complete mess.
The original owner had left, and now she was the one stuck cleaning it all up.
“Meier, say something. I really didn’t mean it.”
Zheng Qingning tugged on her arm.
By reflex, Su Meier brushed her hand away and stepped back.
“Okay, okay. You didn’t mean it. I get it.”
Tong Youyi noticed that Meier’s attitude toward Zheng Qingning had truly changed.
A sense of relief filled her heart.
Bringing Zheng Qingning along today had actually been worth it.
Instead of receiving comfort as expected, Zheng Qingning was met only with cold indifference.
She looked up at Su Meier helplessly.
A tear slipped from her eye.
Good heavens.
Su Meier rubbed her forehead and sighed.
“Did I bully you?”
Zheng Qingning shook her head in confusion.
“Did I hit you?”
She shook her head again.
“Then why are you crying? Woman, save your tear weapon for the man you want, not for a country bumpkin like me. Understand?”
The entire courtyard fell silent.
Then a burst of crisp applause rang out.
“Well said, Meier! I didn’t know you were so eloquent.”
Tong Youyi looked thrilled.
“Su Meier! I came all this way because I was worried about you. How can you treat me like this?”
Zheng Qingning suddenly shouted.
Su Meier casually dug a finger into her ear.
“Thank you. I’m doing great. Breaking up helped me rediscover my true self and become even more free-spirited.”
“What are you girls talking about? I could hear your voices rising and falling all the way from inside.”
Mother Liang emerged from the kitchen carrying tea and a plate of freshly fried pastries.
“Meier, you’re back? Why are you home so early today?”
So her mother had been in the kitchen.
Su Meier strongly suspected that she had been eavesdropping the whole time.
Otherwise, why had she waited so long to come out?
“Nothing much. Qingning is just a bit sensitive. A few words and she can’t handle it. She’s always been like that. You’ll get used to it.”
“You child. How can you talk about a friend who came all the way to visit you like that?”
Mother Liang shot her a mildly reproachful look.
“Come, sit down. Have some snacks first to fill your stomachs. Stay for lunch later.”
She warmly welcomed the girls.
“Thank you, Auntie!”
Tong Youyi accepted a fried pastry and immediately sat beside Su Meier.
“Thank you, Auntie.”
Zheng Qingning lowered her head and accepted one as well, though a hint of disdain flashed through her eyes.
“Mom, we won’t be eating lunch here. I want to go eat in town.”
Su Meier spoke directly.
Since her two friends were here, she might as well take the opportunity to explore a town from the 1970s.
Last night, while putting away the malted milk powder beneath her bed, she had discovered a savings jar.
Inside was a collection of bills and coins.
After counting it, she found there was around thirty yuan.
At first, she had thought the original owner was simply stingy.
But after hearing her friends talk about their dreams today, everything made sense.
Unfortunately, thirty yuan was nowhere near enough to fund a dream of traveling the world.
The moment Tong Youyi heard that Su Meier wanted to go to town with them, she immediately agreed.
“Auntie, don’t worry. My family has plenty of meal coupons. I’ll take Meier to eat at the People’s Restaurant.”
“How can I allow that? You’re guests, and you even brought gifts. I should be the one treating you.”
Mother Liang hurriedly objected.
“Why not? Meier’s mother is my mother too.”
“You sweet child. Your mouth is sweeter than honey.”
Mother Liang smiled from ear to ear.
Tong Youyi had already said everything that needed to be said.
Zheng Qingning could only keep smiling and nodding.
Eventually, Mother Liang pulled Su Meier aside and secretly slipped two one-yuan bills along with several grain coupons into her hand.
Su Meier immediately tried to return them.
“Mom, I have money. You don’t need to give me any.”
If she had suggested eating out, she naturally had the means to pay.
“The one yuan I gave you before isn’t enough. Treating people to a meal can easily cost two yuan a table.
Take these grain coupons and meat coupons too. They’ll be useful.
Be good and keep them. Save your own money for later.
Besides, your friends deserve a meal from us.”
Especially that girl named Youyi.
She was particularly likable.
Her manners, character, clothing, and appearance all showed that she came from a good family with a proper upbringing.
The fact that she was willing to come all the way to this rural village for her daughter was proof of genuine friendship.
As for the other girl…
She was more calculating and overly sensitive.
Since Meier clearly didn’t like her anymore, Mother Liang suspected they would gradually drift apart.
Even so, this meal still needed to be offered.
Reciprocity was part of proper social etiquette.
Unable to resist her mother’s insistence, Su Meier accepted the two yuan.
“Wait for me a moment.”
She spoke to the two girls, who were currently avoiding each other, and returned to her room.
From the savings jar, she gathered some smaller coins until she had exactly three yuan in total.
After pocketing the money, she led the two girls outside.
“How did you get here?” she asked.
“By ox cart.”
Tong Youyi glanced at the watch on her wrist.
“It took about two hours.”
Su Meier quickly did the math.
That meant she would need to catch a carriage back around three in the afternoon if she wanted to make it home before dinner.
“Then let’s find an ox cart and head to town.”
The moment she mentioned an ox cart, one conveniently appeared ahead of them.
An old ox was slowly pulling a cart down the road.
Su Meier immediately called out,
“Grandpa, are you going to town?”
The old man squinted before recognizing her.
“Aren’t you the Su family’s girl? You rode my cart back from town last time.”
“I am.”
“I’m going. Same price as before. One cent per person.”
He didn’t try to overcharge her and even offered a favorable rate.
“Great. Three people, so three cents altogether?”
Su Meier promptly handed over three one-cent coins.
The old man happily tucked them away.
“Come on, Su girl. Let’s get moving.”
“Meier, how can I let you pay?”
Tong Youyi wanted to give her money but didn’t have the right change.
On the trip here, Zheng Qingning had paid the fare.
Still, Tong Youyi didn’t like owing favors.
She immediately handed one of her gifts to the empty-handed Zheng Qingning.
How could someone visit a close friend without bringing a gift?
It was simply improper.
Tong Youyi found Zheng Qingning increasingly unpleasant to look at.
“It’s fine. You traveled all this way to see me. Paying a little fare is the least I can do.”
If a friendship was going to last, it couldn’t be built on constantly taking advantage of the other person.
Whether emotionally or financially, both sides needed to show understanding, reciprocity, and mutual respect.
Only then could the relationship remain balanced and equal.