Chapter 58

Yu Xiangnian rarely woke up early, but today she was up by nine to wash and dress up.

Her naturally good skin and delicate features meant that just a touch of eyebrow pencil and eyeliner, along with a dab of lipstick, made her look three times more charming than usual. She chose a red dress, tied her hair into a low bun, and walked out of the residential compound with a smile in her eyes.

Unfortunately, her slightly limping walk due to her injury detracted from her otherwise perfect appearance.

Ding Yunfei had been waiting on the road since early morning. His eyes lit up when he saw Yu Xiangnian. After not seeing her for over a week, she seemed even more beautiful. Her smiling eyes, slightly curved red lips, and slender neck looked snow-white against her red dress. Ding Yunfei finally understood what it meant to have “skin like snow.”

“Nian Nian…” Ding Yunfei approached her. “Is your foot better? Let me help you walk.”

As soon as Yu Xiangnian saw Ding Yunfei, her smile vanished. She gave him a cold glance and walked past him with her head held high.

Ding Yunfei hurried after her. “Nian Nian, please don’t be mad at me. I had no choice that day. If you forgive me, I’ll do anything you ask.”

He kept talking in her ear. “Nian Nian, I couldn’t eat or sleep all week because I missed you. I like you. I really can’t live without you. Please forgive me this once.”

“Nian Nian, after all the time we’ve spent together, can you really just cut me off like that? You said we would talk about poetry and songs, and watch the stars and the moon together. Have you forgotten all that?”

Yu Xiangnian’s facial muscles twitched involuntarily.

Was this her embarrassing past?

She pretended to be deaf and walked straight to the logistics office without looking at him.

The logistics office had been bustling all morning.

Everyone had seen the new bicycle and watch Bai Mei had brought. The bicycle still had its plastic wrapping on the crossbar and handlebars, and the watch was in a black box, both brand new.

Yu Xiangnian greeted everyone with a smile and was escorted to Bai Mei’s office.

Bai Mei smiled warmly and handed Yu Xiangnian a prepared box. “Nian Nian, here’s the new watch. It’s a Shanghai brand.”

Yu Xiangnian opened the box to find a shiny new silver watch, identical to the one she had brought as part of her dowry. She checked the time—there were twelve minutes left.

Bai Mei continued, “The bicycle is in the warehouse. I’ll take you to see it.”

A group of people walked to the warehouse entrance to see the bicycle. The old one was parked beside it, making the contrast clear.

Yu Xiangnian raised an eyebrow proudly. “Alright, we’re even now. Let’s not have any more dealings.”

“Comrade Yu, your foot is injured. You can’t ride the bicycle. Let me take you home,” Ding Yunfei offered eagerly.

Yu Xiangnian replied coldly, “No need to trouble Captain Ding. My husband will ride it home for me.”

As she spoke, Cheng Jingmo approached them.

With his chiseled features and confident stride, his long legs moving gracefully, Yu Xiangnian felt like she was watching a male model.

“Cheng Jingmo, over here,” she called to him.

Cheng Jingmo had already spotted Yu Xiangnian and the group.

Last night, Yu Xiangnian had told him to be at the logistics warehouse entrance at 10:30 this morning but hadn’t explained why.

After greeting everyone, Cheng Jingmo waited for Yu Xiangnian’s instructions.

Yu Xiangnian pointed to the new bicycle. “This is the new bicycle Comrade Bai Mei is compensating us with. Let’s go home.”

Cheng Jingmo had heard Yu Xiangyang talk about this matter.

He got on the bicycle, with Yu Xiangnian sitting on the back seat, and the two of them left.

Watching the red and green figures on the bicycle, Bai Mei and Ding Yunfei squinted their eyes, hiding the hatred in them.

Cheng Jingmo didn’t ride fast. Yu Xiangnian held onto his clothes with one hand, while the other hand was open, feeling the wind.

The light breeze of June lifted the hem of Yu Xiangnian’s skirt and also dispersed the summer heat.

Their moods were as light and refreshing as the breeze.

“Cheng Jingmo, when I borrowed those things, why didn’t you stop me a bit?” Yu Xiangnian complained from the back seat of the bicycle.

Cheng Jingmo pedaled, “Your parents gave those things to you. How you deal with them is your freedom.”

But in his heart, he thought, “How would I dare say anything to you!”

“Then you need to persuade me a bit more in the future. I almost couldn’t get those two things back!”

Cheng Jingmo said, “It seems too late. You lent the sewing machine to Wang Hongxiang yesterday afternoon.”

Yesterday, Yu Xiangnian was chatting with Wang Hongxiang and Liu Zhen, and learned that Wang Hongxiang could sew and had been a seamstress before.

But after marrying and following the army, this skill had been left idle.

So, Yu Xiangnian offered to lend her the sewing machine.

Just after Cheng Jingmo finished dinner, Yu Xiangnian urged him to carry the sewing machine to Dong Minghao’s house with him.

Yu Xiangnian laughed from the back seat, then nonchalantly said, “I can’t sew clothes. That sewing machine just gets in the way at home. It’s better to lend it to Wang Hongxiang and put it to good use.”

The two chatted all the way back to the family compound.

“Cheng Jingmo, I need to go to the health clinic first.”

Cheng Jingmo turned around, his face full of concern, “Are you sick?”

“I’m going to get some medicine.”

She said it was to get medicine, but actually, she wanted to “thank” Wu Xiaomin.

Thank Wu Xiaomin for her care and attention to Cheng Jingmo when she was not at home.

And also to show Wu Xiaomin what real makeup looks like—it’s not just about painting your face and lips red!

Yu Xiangnian first created a scene of “passing by the health clinic three times without entering” to set the mood.

She had Cheng Jingmo ride the bicycle with her holding his waist from behind, her head slightly tilted, leaning on his lower back.

They circled the health clinic three times, successfully attracting everyone’s attention.

All the family members passing by stopped to watch them.

Some were astonished: Were these two showing off their love?

Some were envious: The guy is handsome, the girl is pretty, and the bicycle is new!

More were cursing under their breath: It’s just a new bicycle, what’s the big deal!

Cheng Jingmo’s ears turned red under everyone’s gaze.

If he had known Yu Xiangnian would make him do something so embarrassing, he would have worn a mask!

In fact, Yu Xiangnian didn’t need to do this at all. She naturally attracted attention, standing anywhere would make her the focus of the crowd.

Just like two years ago, the first time he saw her… so dazzling!

Wu Xiaomin, hearing the commotion outside, came out of the health clinic and saw the two, red and green, her face turned green with envy!

She even felt the urge to pull them off the bicycle!

Yu Xiangnian raised her chin proudly at her.

Her purpose was to let Wu Xiaomin know that she and Cheng Jingmo were legitimate and could appear openly in front of everyone at any time.

While Wu Xiaomin could only sneak around when she wasn’t home and even got chased away by the neighbors.