Chapter 21

Private Conversation

Xia Wanyang arrived at the worksite. The work bell had just rung, and most people hadn’t arrived yet. She took out her small stool and sat down. She really liked this job—it was leisurely and kept her out of the sun.

Half an hour later, Aunt Qiao arrived, looking incredulous. She sat down without speaking. Aunt Wang, who was working alongside her, asked, “Shuyun, what’s wrong? Why are you so upset?”

Aunt Qiao replied, “It seems Qian Guilan is ill. At noon, my son, Shiye, beat her youngest son, and instead of making trouble, she came over with twenty eggs to thank me. She said my son saved her son!”

Aunt Wang leaned in, gossiping, “Oh my god, Qian Guilan really treasures her oldest son. A couple of years ago, in Xiangyang Village, a young girl was cornered and harassed by him. The girl’s parents and brother came to her house, but she single-handedly drove them all away. She said if they wanted to report it to the police, they could, and she didn’t care. In the end, her family’s reputation was ruined, and soon enough, they married her off to a village outside.”

Aunt Ding leaned in as well, “Exactly, and let’s not forget who Qian Guilan is. She’s lived in the same village her whole life—when has she ever given anything away? Your son, Shiye, beat hers, and she’s not even asking for compensation. It’s good that she gave you twenty eggs. But now, she’s giving you eggs? Could she have poisoned them?”

Xia Wanyang didn’t say anything, just picking through sunflower seeds. She didn’t want Aunt Qiao and Zhang Shiye to know that she was using her status to pressure people. Though she did do that, Zhang Shiye was now clearly avoiding her, just like in the past. If she talked about it now, wouldn’t that be digging her own grave?

The good thing about hanging out with the village aunts was that you could always hear the latest gossip. Who’s daughter-in-law is flirting with someone, who’s mother-in-law is making life difficult for her daughter-in-law, which young girl is causing trouble in her family, and whose dog is the most fearsome—you’d hear it all. Joining their circle had only benefits and no drawbacks; at least when you’re around, they don’t talk behind your back!

After discussing Qian Guilan’s situation, Xia Wanyang moved her small stool closer, so that she was sitting in the middle of a group of aunts gossiping in whispers.

When Zhang Shiye arrived, he immediately saw Xia Wanyang surrounded by a group of women. She was wearing a white short-sleeved top that revealed her pale, slender arms. Her hair was braided into thick, shiny pigtails, resting on her back. She had an exaggerated smile on her face as she playfully covered her mouth, sitting there like a small bundle, like a little mushroom.

Zhang Shiye stifled a laugh as he walked over and cleared his throat. Everyone turned to look at him. Aunt Ding gave Zhang Shiye a once-over and teased, “Shuyun, your fourth son is here to see you again!”

Aunt Qiao shot Zhang Shiye a glare and said unhappily, “What’s this about?”

Zhang Shiye looked at Xia Wanyang, “I need to talk to Xia Wanyang about something.”

Aunt Qiao’s face immediately darkened. “Just say it. You’re going to talk to Xia Wanyang alone, and you’re not afraid of gossip?”

Xia Wanyang patted her legs, which had fallen asleep from sitting too long, and said, “Aunt Qiao, I think Accountant Zhang is here about the housing at the work station. I don’t live alone, and I still haven’t gotten the receipt for the village fee.”

Aunt Wang turned to Aunt Qiao, “Shuyun, the young folks have official matters to discuss. Why are you being so serious?”

Xia Wanyang glanced outside and motioned for Zhang Shiye to step out to talk.

The two of them walked towards the village office, two steps apart. Zhang Shiye broke the silence, asking, “Did you go to see Song Changhe and Qian Guilan about this?”

Xia Wanyang blinked, “No, I guess she realized she was wrong!”

Zhang Shiye chuckled, “Alright, let’s just say they realized they were wrong.”

“Thank you.” Both of them said in unison.

After saying that, they both laughed without planning to.

After laughing, there was some awkwardness as neither knew what to say next. Xia Wanyang silently cursed herself for being so dumb with her words at such a moment!

“By the way, have you gotten used to being here these past few days?” Zhang Shiye broke the awkward silence.

Xia Wanyang pursed her lips, “It’s fine. You know I live alone in a room. I manage the environment and clean up myself. It’s just that the people at the work station are a bit annoying.”

Zhang Shiye furrowed his brow, “Has anyone been bullying you?”

Xia Wanyang blinked again, “Not exactly, it’s just that flies keep buzzing around my face. They don’t bite, but they’re irritating!”

Zhang Shiye immediately understood. The little girl was pretty, and her family background was good. Over the past few years, only a few had been able to return to the city, and some even hurt themselves trying to get back. It seemed there were people trying to use her to go back.

But what identity did he have to interfere in her affairs now?

“You need to be careful. Don’t let people take advantage of you. A girl’s reputation is very important. If bad people use it to their advantage, rumors and gossip can ruin someone’s life.”

If the people at the work station had heard this, they’d definitely have said, “You’re overthinking it. This big sister scolds anyone she sees. Who would dare tie her to anything? She’d slap you to death!”

Xia Wanyang sighed, “Ugh, I’m just a girl who came here from far away. Not only do I have to go to work every day, but I also have to watch out for people. There are twenty people at the work station, and apart from my neighbor, Li Xiang, who I’ve known since childhood, the rest of them are all scheming. I’m here with no one to rely on. It’s really tiring!”

Zhang Shiye looked down at the ground, “If you have any problems, you can come find me… Damn!”

“Can’t I find you?” Xia Wanyang asked, pressing him.

Zhang Shiye lifted his head but quickly averted his gaze, “You can, but I’m afraid some people might ruin your reputation.”

“Are you afraid your reputation will be ruined?” Xia Wanyang asked.

Zhang Shiye smiled, “What reputation would a big man like me have to worry about being ruined?”

Xia Wanyang smiled as well, “Big men have reputations too! If your mother tries to arrange a marriage for you, and people hear you’re getting close to the girls at the work station, wouldn’t that mess up the marriage proposal?”

Xia Wanyang said this on purpose. She wanted to probe Zhang Shiye’s feelings.

“I’m not getting married. If I wanted to, I would’ve done it already. My eldest brother was married when he was 20, and my nephew was already two years old!” Zhang Shiye explained.

Then he asked, “That Li Xiang, is he your childhood sweetheart?”

Upon hearing this, Xia Wanyang smiled, showing eight white teeth, grinning widely, and thinking to herself: He’s thinking about me, he’s testing me!

Zhang Shiye’s heart sank. She was smiling so happily at the mention of that guy?

A slight pang of jealousy arose in him, and then he heard Xia Wanyang’s soft voice, “Childhood sweetheart? He’s just a little brat. He used to run behind us when we were kids, sniffling as he ran.

We girls didn’t like him at all, but he didn’t like playing with the boys, so he always played with us girls. When we played house, he’d play the role of the son. Over the years, I’ve just treated him like a son!” She finished, making a face of disdain.

Li Xiang: *You think you’re so high and mighty! Trying to discredit me like this?*

Zhang Shiye’s mouth twitched. He remembered how, as a child, he too ran behind his older brothers in winter, sniffling. Would Xia Wanyang think the same way about him?

But hearing that Li Xiang wasn’t a childhood sweetheart made Zhang Shiye feel a little relieved.

“Let’s go back. We’ve been out too long. The aunts might get suspicious!” Though he didn’t want to leave, he still had to think about her.

Xia Wanyang skipped back as she returned. Zhang Shiye smiled indulgently as he watched her back, like a little rabbit!

When she reached the door, she deliberately held up the receipt, “I’m back! Look, the receipt is ready!”

Aunt Ding smiled as she looked at her, “Oh, you’re so happy just because you got a receipt!”

“It’s nothing, I just heard that Aunt Qian gave Aunt Qiao some eggs. She used to bully me on the train, and now her son got beaten today. How could I not be happy!”