Chapter 64

Yu Xiangyang gave Qiu Yang a playful pat on the back of his head, “If it weren’t for you causing trouble, those two would have been married a long time ago!”

Cheng Jingmo, expressionless, extended his hand with a neutral tone, “Comrade Qiu, hello.”

Qiu Yang curled his lips disdainfully, extended his hand in a perfunctory manner, and replied, “Hello.”

Yu Xiangyang pushed Cheng Jingmo and Yu Xiangnian with both hands, “Let’s go, let’s go, time to go home and eat!”

Yu Xiangnian said to Qiu Yang, “Qiu Yang, come to my house for dinner.”

Qiu Yang waved his hand, “No! Miss Yang specifically cooked for me today. If I don’t go, she’ll tear my mouth apart. Come find me later; I’ve brought something good for you!”

He then gave Yu Xiangyang a dismissive glance, “What are you staring at, Bighead Fish? There’s nothing for you!”

“Cut it out! Who cares!”

During dinner, the family talked about Qiu Yang’s return.

Yu Xiangyang looked disdainful, “So what if he’s back? Setting off a long string of firecrackers in the middle of the night! The entire compound heard it! He just went abroad for a bit, and the welcome ceremony was grander than when leaders come!”

Zhao Ruozhu said, “Qiu Yang was abroad for so long, and since Old Qiu and Old Yang only have this one son, it’s understandable to have a grand welcome.”

Yu Xiangyang said, “I just can’t stand it. In a suit and tie, with hair so greasy that even flies would slip off…”

“Xiangyang!” Yu Jiashun interrupted him in a deep voice, “Qiu Yang is more accomplished than you, and you have to admit that! He’s one of the few who got a chance to study abroad. His experiences and insights have long surpassed yours. You should learn from him!”

Yu Xiangyang mumbled with his head down, “Learn from him? He’s so effeminate!”

After dinner, Yu Xiangnian informed her family and went to find Qiu Yang.

Cheng Jingmo watched Yu Xiangnian happily run out, keeping his face impassive, though his eyes grew colder.

It was September of the previous year when he visited Yu Xiangnian’s home for the third time.

Officially, Yu Xiangyang invited him for a meal, but everyone knew it was actually Yu Jiashun and his wife who were trying to set him up with Yu Xiangnian.

He wasn’t foolish; he could tell that Yu Xiangnian didn’t like him, and even despised him.

Every time they met, she wore a sullen face and spoke in a cold tone.

That day, as soon as he reached the door, Yu Xiangnian blocked him, “Cheng Jingmo, just because my parents like you doesn’t mean I do. I have someone I like!”

She then took Qiu Yang’s hand, who was standing beside her, “The person I like is him, Qiu Yang!”

At that moment, he felt like a thunderbolt had struck him, overwhelmed with shame and anger. He wanted to turn around and leave but decided he should at least say something to Yu Xiangnian’s parents.

Qiu Yang stopped him, “Cheng Jingmo, I’ve seen plenty of people like you! Just because you want to use Nian Nian’s family background! Let me tell you, Nian Nian doesn’t like you, no matter how many times you come here, it’s useless!”

“We grew up together, childhood friends, well-matched in every way! And you? Do you think you’re worthy of her?!”

Cheng Jingmo felt his blood rush to his head. He grabbed Qiu Yang’s chin tightly, “I may not be anything! And I never sought anything from the Yu family! Every step I take is based on my own efforts!”

Fueled by anger, he concentrated all his rage in his grip. Qiu Yang was unable to breathe, his face turning blue.

Qiu Yang struggled to pull at Cheng Jingmo’s arms with both hands and kicked him with his feet, but Cheng Jingmo was too enraged to feel any pain.

It was only when Yu Xiangnian pushed him hard in the chest that he came to his senses and released his grip.

Qiu Yang, gasping and coughing on the ground, didn’t look at him and went into the Yu family home.

Later, he realized why he had been so impulsive that day.

Because Qiu Yang had touched the most sensitive part of him.

His background! He wasn’t worthy of Yu Xiangnian!

When he arrived at the Yu family’s home, he didn’t bring up the earlier incident. He simply told Yu Jiashun and Zhao Ruozhu that he felt he and Yu Xiangnian were not suited for each other.

Then, he left without having the meal.

From that point on, he never visited the Yu family again, and even when Yu Xiangyang mentioned Yu Xiangnian in the dormitory, he deliberately avoided the topic.

In mid-December of that year, Yu Xiangyang sadly told him, “My sister took money from home and left a letter. She ran away with Qiu Yang to go abroad!”

At that time, he thought that their actions must be what people referred to as eloping.

He thought that he and Yu Xiangnian would never see each other again.

For some reason, his heart felt sour.

Time passed quickly, and by October of the following year, he was in training when a soldier suddenly ran up to him and said, “Cheng Jingmo, the leader wants to talk to you. Come with me now.”

More than a year later, he saw Yu Jiashun again.

In the office, it was just the two of them, sitting face to face.

Yu Jiashun first talked to him about work and his family situation, and then said, “Deputy Regiment Leader Cheng, I admire you. Not just as a leader, but also as an elder.”

“I later learned that Nian Nian and Qiu Yang caused quite a stir with you. I’m truly sorry! But you should be able to see that if our family cared about social status, we wouldn’t have invited you to our home so many times. What we value more is a person’s character and ability.”

“For instance, my parents were land laborers. I grew up working for the landlord, barely enough to eat and wear. I didn’t even know how to read! My wife’s mother was a wealthy capitalist’s daughter, pampered from a young age, educated in private schools, and well-cultured.”

“Back then, I looked down on her because of her background and thought she was too delicate. Yet after we married, we’ve had a good life. Nian Nian and Qiu Yang grew up together, seeing each other as siblings, so it’s impossible for them to like each other.”

“What I wanted to discuss with you today is more personal. For a long time, both my wife and I have wanted to entrust Nian Nian to you. However, due to some events, that idea was set aside. Now that Nian Nian has returned, if you’re willing, come back with Xiangyang this weekend. You can see her again…”

Yu Jiashun’s later words went unheard by Cheng Jingmo.

He kept focusing on those two sentences: Nian Nian and Qiu Yang see each other as siblings, so they can’t possibly like each other; Nian Nian has returned.

He was lost in thought, so much so that he only snapped back to reality when Yu Jiashun asked him a second time if he was willing to see Yu Xiangnian again.

After more than a year, he naturally wanted to see Yu Xiangnian.

Throughout the year, he often thought about her.

Yet he still said rationally, “I have adopted a child and will raise him until he becomes an adult. If Yu Xiangnian minds, then there’s no need to meet.”

Yu Jiashun said, “We are aware of this matter and support you wholeheartedly. This situation has made us more certain that you are worthy of our trust with Nian Nian. We will handle her work situation properly, so you don’t need to worry about that.”

And so, they met once again.