Chapter 29: Not Planning to Tell Luo Yaqing

Luo Yaqing locked her bicycle at the parking area and turned to look for Zhang Guiqin.

Zhang Guiqin pulled her aside mysteriously. “Xiao Min and that Ge Chaopeng got into a fight.”

“Really?” Luo Yaqing was surprised.

As they walked, Zhang Guiqin said, “They were getting along fine at first, laughing and chatting. Then suddenly, things turned sour.”

“What were they arguing about?”

“Too far to hear clearly, but Xiao Min looked pretty worked up.”

Zhang Guiqin told Luo Yaqing everything she had seen.

Luo Yaqing couldn’t figure out why they would argue. They weren’t even that familiar with each other—there shouldn’t have been any reason for conflict.

Zhang Guiqin frowned. “I’ll ask Xiao Min about it after work during lunch.”

At the cafeteria at noon—

Zhang Guiqin hadn’t forgotten and sat right next to Chen Xiaomin, not even touching her food before asking about the fight that morning.

Chen Xiaomin looked calm. “It wasn’t serious—just fooling around.”

“Fooling around?” Zhang Guiqin didn’t buy it.

Chen Xiaomin nodded.

She couldn’t exactly tell Zhang Guiqin the truth: some young man has a crush on you.

Who would believe that?

Zhang Guiqin might even think she was teasing her on purpose and scold her for it!

To change the subject, she asked Luo Yaqing, “Yaqing, are you going to the supply and marketing cooperative after lunch?”

Luo Yaqing smiled. “Yes, heading there right after we eat.”

It was something they’d planned yesterday.

Chen Xiaomin offered, “I’ll wash your lunchboxes to save time—go quickly and come back fast.”

Luo Yaqing was worried shopping might delay her return to work, so she quickly finished her food, grabbed Zhang Guiqin, and headed to the co-op.

Just after they left, Ge Chaopeng plopped down across from Chen Xiaomin.

Chen Xiaomin ignored him, her face cold as she began collecting the lunchboxes and chopsticks.

“I like Luo Yaqing,” Ge Chaopeng blurted out suddenly.

Chen Xiaomin froze. “Who do you like?”

“I like Luo Yaqing,” he repeated.

Chen Xiaomin looked around—thankfully most of the workers had already left.

She frowned. “Why are you into her now?”

“I’ve always liked her. You misunderstood this morning,” Ge Chaopeng said.

“…”

“Think about it—why would a young guy like me be into some old lady?”

“Well, that’s your fault for not explaining clearly.”

Ge Chaopeng felt wronged. He wanted to explain, but didn’t get the chance.

Before he could open his mouth, Chen Xiaomin had already scolded him from head to toe and stormed off.

“Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, how about helping me out a bit?” he asked hopefully, already fantasizing about riding a bike with Luo Yaqing on the back.

Chen Xiaomin shook her head. “Nope.”

“Why not?” Ge Chaopeng was a bit agitated.

Chen Xiaomin smiled. “Because that flower’s already taken.”

With that, she packed up and walked out of the cafeteria.

Ge Chaopeng was stunned and chased after her. “Luo Yaqing already has someone?”

Chen Xiaomin looked at him. “Not just someone—an actual partner.”

“You—are you saying she’s married?” Ge Chaopeng stammered.

“Yup.”

“Chen Xiaomin, you’re joking, right? Come on, stop messing with me.”

He absolutely didn’t believe Luo Yaqing was a married woman.

Not with the way she looked, talked, or carried herself.

She just didn’t seem like it!

At the sink, Chen Xiaomin continued washing lunchboxes as Ge Chaopeng trailed after her.

She flicked off some water from her hands and said seriously, “Yaqing’s husband is a soldier. You’d best not have any thoughts about her. If you don’t believe me, go ask around the military family compound.”

Ge Chaopeng forced a smile and walked off quickly.

Chen Xiaomin watched his dejected figure, shook her head, and continued washing.

This matter, Chen Xiaomin decided, she wouldn’t tell Luo Yaqing—no need to make her feel awkward or burdened.

At the supply and marketing co-op—

With Zhang Guiqin’s help, Luo Yaqing picked out six liang of gray yarn.

She also bought two bamboo knitting needles for making sweaters.

They browsed the fabric section a bit longer before leaving, excited and satisfied.

On the way back, the bicycle tire suddenly lost air, so they had to push it to the repair shop.

The repairman was overwhelmed with work. Several “28 bar” bicycles were lined up waiting for repairs.

There was no way it would be their turn anytime soon, so Luo Yaqing decided to leave the bike there.

“Master, we’ll come back this afternoon to pick it up.”

“Okay,” the repairman replied.

That afternoon, after work—

Luo Yaqing, Zhang Guiqin, and Chen Xiaomin went to the repair shop together.

Seeing the still-flat tire, Luo Yaqing flared up. “Why didn’t you fix it yet?!”

The repairman stammered, “Thought you weren’t in a hurry. I’ll fix it right now.”

Zhang Guiqin and Chen Xiaomin were also upset and scolded the repairman nonstop.

He laid the bike on its side and inspected the back tire. “Got a puncture.”

“How long to fix it?” Chen Xiaomin asked.

“Ten minutes,” he replied.

Luo Yaqing, concerned Chen Xiaomin might be in a hurry, said, “Xiao Min, you and Auntie go on ahead. I’ll catch up later.”

Chen Xiaomin hesitated.

Luo Yaqing smiled. “You don’t trust how fast I can ride?”

Chen Xiaomin glanced at Zhang Guiqin. “Okay, we’ll ride slower and wait for you.”

Her son Jianguo had been coughing a bit last night. She wanted to get home early. If the medicine didn’t help, he’d need an injection at the clinic.

Luo Yaqing nodded. “Alright.”

Zhang Guiqin hopped on Chen Xiaomin’s bike. “Yaqing, I’m heading off first.”

She chose not to stay—hoping to ease Yaqing’s burden.

All these days, it had always been Luo Yaqing giving her rides.

Zhang Guiqin genuinely felt sorry for her. If only she knew how to ride, they could’ve taken turns.

Luo Yaqing smiled and waved them off, watching them pedal away.

The repairman used a tire lever to pry the tire off the rim and examined both the outer and inner tubes.

The outer tire wasn’t an issue—just the inner tube needed patching.

He pulled out patching tools, glue, sanding tools…

Luo Yaqing waited quietly.

---

“Sister-in-law.”

Liu Chunlei suddenly appeared from somewhere, holding a red hairband.

“You’re here for a repair?” he asked.

Luo Yaqing nodded coldly.

Liu Chunlei was thrilled—the military wife actually acknowledged him!

He became more eager to impress. “It’s getting dark, sister-in-law. How about riding my bike home first?”

“I’ll wait here. Once it’s fixed, I’ll ride yours back to the compound.”

“My bike’s just across the street,” he said, pointing to an old “28 bar.”

Winter days were short. The sun was already setting.

The inner tube had been patched, but the glue still needed time to fully dry.

Even though Luo Yaqing was getting anxious, she wouldn’t trust a stranger easily.

A semi-new bike was worth quite a bit.

What if something happened…

She’d have no way to explain to Zhang Guiqin.

Expressionless, Luo Yaqing shook her head and refused.

But Liu Chunlei didn’t give up. “Don’t be polite, sister-in-law. You can take my bike.”

Luo Yaqing frowned.

Then Liu Chunlei sighed. “Sister-in-law, I’m not a bad guy. If you don’t trust me, at least trust Ye Hongping. Her character’s praised by everyone.”

Luo Yaqing found that amusing. “What does Nurse Ye’s character have to do with you?”

Proudly, Liu Chunlei answered, “Of course it does. She’s my girl!”