Chapter 66: Misunderstanding

In the production team, workers get one day off per month.

Qin Bei came to the supply cooperative to buy some things, but upon seeing Song Yuan and her group inside, he decided not to go in.

As he was leaving, he overheard Li Jiangang loudly criticizing, and after a few more muttered insults, Qin Bei learned that she had gone on a matchmaking date.

He had intentionally kept his distance from Song Yuan lately, preparing himself mentally for the idea that she might start seeing someone or even marry soon.

But now that it had actually happened, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss.

This was the outcome he had wanted yet, why was he unable to feel any happiness?

He kept wondering if things would be different if his background were better.

But with a bitter smile, he knew that no amount of “what ifs” would change anything.

Some things simply couldn’t be changed.

Song Yuan was the only woman who had ever stirred his heart, yet fate was cruel. He couldn’t match her, nor could he burden her with his circumstances.

She might not have found a partner yet, but one day, sooner or later, she would.

When that day came, she would be gone from his life for good.

A sense of hollow pain settled over him, a helplessness he couldn’t shake.

Qin Bei felt both lost and resigned.

Maybe someone like him was never meant to experience love.

Life was hard enough as it was, how could he even dream of dragging someone he cared about into his struggles and sorrows?

She deserved to keep teaching, respected by all.

As for him, he’d keep raising Xiao Tian, working, eating, sleeping. That was his whole life’s plan.

“Comrade Qin, wait for me!”

Hearing this voice, Qin Bei’s face darkened, and he quickened his steps in irritation.

Yu Wan came up, panting and holding a piece of pork belly. “I’m not going to bite you, so why are you running so fast?”

Qin Bei responded coldly, “It’s best for male and female comrades to keep their distance.”

A reputation for promiscuity could ruin lives, even if that weren’t his concern, he didn’t want any misunderstandings with women.

Yu Wan was a newcomer from Hu City. With her good looks, she had no shortage of admirers.

Since arriving in the countryside, male comrades had been eager to help her with anything, charmed by her looks.

But Qin Bei, who actively avoided her, was an exception.

The more he distanced himself, the more Yu Wan wanted to tease him, curious to see him flustered.

She knew about Qin Bei’s family’s poor standing, but that didn’t bother her.

Moving closer to him, she teased, “Even I’m not scared, so what’s there for you to be afraid of?”

Qin Bei’s eyes filled with irritation as he moved further away, widening the gap between them.

“You know about my family background, Comrade Yu. Please don’t make things worse for me.”

Rumors could destroy him even if they didn’t harm her. He couldn’t afford complications with random people.

Realizing she’d crossed a line, Yu Wan changed the topic, holding up the pork belly in her hand. “I just bought a pound of this. How about we make dumplings at your place tonight?”

“No favors without repayment.”

Yu Wan smirked, amused by his old fashioned expression. “You’ve helped me out with work before, so tonight I’ll treat you and Xiao Tian to dumplings as thanks.”

Qin Bei wanted to say that helping her was purely for the work credits, nothing more.

But just then, he saw Song Yuan heading toward them. Qin Bei fell silent.

On her way, Song Yuan had realized she’d forgotten to bring any sanitary supplies. So, she turned back, planning to buy some fabric at the cooperative. But on the way, she encountered Qin Bei and Yu Wan.

Hearing rumors and now seeing them together, Song Yuan felt a pang of disappointment.

“Teacher Song, are you going to the cooperative?” Yu Wan greeted her, voice soft and soothing, with a gentleness unique to women from the south. Even Song Yuan had to admit it was pleasant to hear.

No doubt Qin Bei was captivated by her too. Otherwise, with his personality, there was no way he would be so close to a female comrade.

Song Yuan forced a smile. “Just buying a few things.”

She quickly rode away on her bicycle, soon out of sight.

Seeing her expression, Qin Bei knew she had misunderstood.

Frustration built up in him, but he had no way to explain, so he took a deep breath, forcing his emotions down.

Unaware of the undercurrent between them, Yu Wan continued, “I heard Teacher Song’s family is well off. Why don’t they find her a factory job?”

“Not everyone’s goal is to work in a factory.”

“Being a factory worker is so respectable. Why wouldn’t she want that?”

Qin Bei didn’t respond, hurrying forward and putting distance between himself and Yu Wan.

“Hey, wait up!”

Yu Wan hurried to catch up, feeling a bit hurt. No man had ever treated her so coldly before.

Why was Qin Bei so dense?