Chapter 7: Another Scorching Day

“Come and take a look!  Cheap and beautiful shawls…”

Early in the morning, Shen Hongxing and her three companions set up their stall in the county center.

Passing couples: “Hey, they’re selling shawls! Let’s go take a look!”

Man: “Shawls are only sold in department stores.  They wouldn’t be selling them on the street. They must be fake!”

Passerby: “Exactly! They’re obviously fake! Don’t get scammed!”

By noon, they hadn’t sold many.

“Boss, will we really sell all of these?” Chen Jiayi lost patience and slumped to the ground.  Cao Hongxia stopped calling out.  Xu Shuangshuang remained confident.  “If the boss says we’ll sell them, we will!” Chen Jiayi scoffed but said nothing more.

“You guys watch the stall. I’m going to take a walk.”

Shen Hongxing went to the cinema, watching the crowds.  She had an idea – a way to sell all the shawls quickly.

She recognized the voice. It was Ning Daping, Shen Jiaojiao’s childhood friend. Since Shen Hongxing’s return, Ning Daping had often spoken up for Shen Jiaojiao, believing that since the children had been switched at birth, they should just accept it, as they had shared years of affection.  She felt Shen Hongxing was trying to take everything from Shen Jiaojiao.

Ning Daping forgot that everything should have belonged to Shen Hongxing, that Shen Jiaojiao had usurped it all.  They were speaking from a position of privilege, as the whip hadn’t fallen on them.  Today, Shen Hongxing would show Ning Daping what pain felt like.

Turning around, she saw Shen Jiaojiao and Lu Ping’an.  Perhaps wanting to show off, Shen Jiaojiao linked arms with Lu Ping’an. He didn’t pull away.

Shen Jiaojiao feigned surprise.  “Sister, what are you doing here?  Don’t tell me…”

Ning Daping interrupted.  “Don’t tell me you still haven’t gotten over Brother Ping’an and secretly followed him here?”

Lu Ping’an felt triumphant!  He knew Shen Hongxing loved him and wouldn’t give him up.  Just a day of ignoring her, and she’d followed him to the county.

Letting go of Shen Jiaojiao’s arm, Lu Ping’an puffed out his chest and approached Shen Hongxing. “As long as you’re good…”

“If you apologize to Jiaojiao, I’ll not only take you to the movies, but I won’t cancel our engagement!”

Where did he get his confidence?

Shen Hongxing remembered what happened on this day in her previous life. Lu Ping’an had said he was doing research for the supply and marketing cooperative, but he wasn’t; he was taking Shen Jiaojiao and her friends to the movies, keeping it a secret from her. He knew she liked him, yet he treated her like this, making her a laughingstock. Shen Jiaojiao was wrong, but was Lu Ping’an blameless? He married her yet remained ambiguous with Shen Jiaojiao his entire life.  In her opinion, Lu Ping’an was the main culprit.

She ignored the passersby and yelled, “Lu Ping’an, are you deaf? Didn’t you hear what I said yesterday? I said I don’t want you, don’t want you, do you understand?!” The memory of her past life disgusted her.

Ning Daping chimed in, “Oh, you’re just putting on a tough act! Everyone knows you’re madly in love with Brother Ping’an, and you’ve followed him before!”

Lu Ping’an wanted to defend Shen Hongxing, but he changed his mind. If he defended her, she might think he liked her. What if she became demanding after marriage?

He had to maintain his usual aloofness.  “Alright, the movie’s about to start.” Lu Ping’an proudly turned and walked into the cinema, certain Shen Hongxing would follow.

“Ping’an, wait for me!” Shen Jiaojiao ran after him.

Ning Daping also wanted to leave, but Shen Hongxing wouldn’t let her.  She grabbed Ning Daping and dragged her to the restroom.

Ning Daping struggled. “Hey, what are you doing?”

“Shen Hongxing, what do you think you’re doing? Let me go!” Ning Daping didn’t notice the murderous intent in Shen Hongxing’s eyes.

Soon, Ning Daping’s pleas for mercy echoed from the restroom. Shen Hongxing emerged, followed by Ning Daping, limping and injured.  Glaring at Shen Hongxing’s retreating figure, she vowed, “Shen Hongxing, you just wait! I won’t let this go!”

It was almost noon.  After buying some steamed buns, Shen Hongxing found Xu Shuangshuang and the others.

“Boss, are we not selling anymore?” Xu Shuangshuang worried Shen Hongxing was discouraged. “Should we try for another half day?”

“I have a better idea!” Shen Hongxing packed up everything and put it on her back.

“Chief, your superiors want you to assume your post as soon as possible.  The conscription matters in Zhaoyang Town will be transferred to Commander Gu!” The guard kept talking in Lu Jiaoyang’s ear from the moment he got in the car.

Lu Jiaoyang was inexplicably agitated. Ever since Shen Hongxing had visited the conscription office yesterday, he hadn’t been able to calm down.

He asked the guard for a cigarette, lit it, and took a drag.  Smoke filled the car.

“Chief, what I just said…”

“Stop! Pull over in front of them!” Lu Jiaoyang excitedly pointed to where Shen Hongxing was standing. He hadn’t expected to see her again.

“Yes, sir!”

The car stopped in front of Shen Hongxing and her companions.  Xu Shuangshuang’s face turned pale when she saw the military vehicle.  She grabbed Shen Hongxing’s arm. “Boss, are they here to arrest us?” Chen Jiayi and Cao Hongxia hid behind Shen Hongxing.

“Boss, they’re here to arrest us! What do we do? Should we run?”

“I don’t think so,” Shen Hongxing mused. They had merely caused some negative social impact.  There was no need for a military vehicle to arrest them.

“Shen Hongxing!”

Lu Jiaoyang got out of the car. The bright sunlight seemed to give him an aura of golden light. He walked towards her, step by step.

“Boss, do you know him?” Xu Shuangshuang asked in confusion.

Shen Hongxing nodded.  She had met Lu Jiaoyang only a handful of times in her past life. She didn’t know much about him, only that he was Grandpa Lu’s younger son, exceptionally intelligent from a young age, having invented numerous combat weapons. He was an invaluable asset to the army and the pride of the Lu family the lifelong idol of Lu Ping’an, who always strived to emulate him.

What puzzled her was that such an outstanding man had never married.  She’d heard Lu Ping’an mention once that Lu Jiaoyang had a long-time crush who had gotten married.