Chapter 13

Faced with Leng Xue’s invitation, Gu Beilu was a little flattered and caught off guard.

In the brief moment he was stunned, Song Qianqian’s anxious and slightly shrill voice interrupted.

“Don’t go! Beilu-ge (Brother Beilu) will ride in my second brother’s car!”

Song Qianqian lifted her chin arrogantly, completely unreasonable.

“Women from the countryside just don’t know how to behave. They’ve only met once and already she’s trying to seduce my Beilu-ge!”

“Right now, hooliganism is cracked down hard. Be careful—I might report you and have you arrested!”

Song Qianqian had known Gu Beilu since they were kids, so she understood him to some extent.

Just now, she had clearly seen a look of affection in his eyes when he glanced at Leng Xue.

“Hey, little comrade, I really don’t like how you’re talking,” Zhang Aizhen cut in before Leng Xue could say anything. “Do you even know what counts as hooliganism? Just going around making false accusations? And what’s wrong with being from the countryside? Back in the day, the poor and lower-middle peasants were the most honorable. Don’t look down on rural people.”

She stood in front of Leng Xue like a mother hen protecting her chick.

“I was just talking, humph,” Song Qianqian mumbled.

When it came to arguing, a little girl like her was no match for the seasoned Women’s Director of the brigade. Zhang Aizhen had years of experience and could speak in polished, convincing paragraphs.

Song Junjie pursed his lips in silence. He did feel his younger sister was spoiled, but he wasn’t going to side with outsiders against her.

Leng Xue wasn’t about to indulge Song Qianqian. She stepped out from behind Zhang Aizhen and launched her own retort.

“‘Beilu-ge this, Beilu-ge that’—but did Comrade Gu ever say he agreed with you?”

“You—!” Song Qianqian was furious. She stomped over to her second brother, pointing at Leng Xue and complaining, “Second Brother! Look at her! She’s bullying me!”

But Song Junjie didn’t move a muscle. There were many beautiful female comrades in the capital, but he had never seen a woman as stunning as Leng Xue.

She was like a peach blossom basking in the sun, like a lotus blooming in the mist, graceful as a startled swan, elegant as a swimming dragon… all the flowery words he knew flashed through his mind.

But still, none of them did her justice.

How could someone with this kind of beauty even exist in the real world?

“Junjie, take Song Qianqian home,” Gu Beilu’s voice broke his trance. Seeing Song Junjie staring dazedly at Leng Xue, a sour feeling surged in Gu Beilu’s chest.

Song Junjie snapped out of it, realizing his rudeness, and grew a bit flustered. “I—I think I’ll just leave tomorrow, after you finish registering your household.”

“No need. I’ll ride the brigade tractor to the commune with Comrade Leng Xue.”

“It’s too hot. The tractor doesn’t have a roof. Be careful not to get sunburned.”

Song Junjie looked at Gu Beilu, then stole a glance at Leng Xue. After half a minute, he mustered up the courage and invited her.

“Comrade Leng Xue, why don’t you come with us tomorrow as well?”

Perhaps afraid she would decline, he quickly added, “It’s just on the way anyway, since I’ll be driving Beilu over.”

“Song Junjie, are you crazy?! She bullied your sister, and you still…?”

Song Qianqian looked at her brother’s ridiculous behavior in disbelief. Did she even know this guy anymore?

Gu Beilu was also inwardly grumbling: You’re telling me not to get sunburned? Back when we were in training, we were out in the blazing sun in the middle of summer. Even when our skin peeled, we kept going.

That line was clearly meant for Comrade Leng Xue.

This guy’s thoughts couldn’t be more obvious. Gu Beilu’s heart ached with jealousy, but he didn’t have the courage to stop him.

Song Junjie came from a wealthy, respected family and had excellent qualities.

What about Gu Beilu?

Right now, he was nothing but a disabled man with nothing to his name. Why would Leng Xue ever choose him?

With that thought, Gu Beilu fell silent, waiting for Leng Xue’s response.

“No need. I prefer riding the tractor. No roof means wind—it’s quite breezy.”

Leng Xue had dating experience in her past life and could clearly see what Song Junjie was aiming for.

But her heart was entirely with Gu Beilu, so her rejection of other suitors was direct and firm.

“Song Junjie, heh, look at you trying to curry favor with her—and she’s not even interested,” Song Qianqian snapped at her brother for being so spineless.

“But even if she did agree, it wouldn’t work out. Our parents would never allow a village girl to marry into our family.”

At this time, marriages happened fast. People often decided after just a few meetings if they liked each other.

Song Qianqian was trying to nip any possibility in the bud. What if Leng Xue was just playing hard to get? What if she said yes today? There was no telling if Song Junjie might propose tomorrow.

“Enough, Song Qianqian!” Gu Beilu and Song Junjie shouted in unison.

“Junjie, take her back to the capital now.”

In the military, Song Junjie had been ranked just one level below Gu Beilu. Hearing the serious, commanding tone in his voice, he instinctively responded, “Understood.”

But then, seeing the woman he liked standing right there, he felt foolish.

His cheeks turned slightly red as he apologized, “Comrade Leng Xue, my sister was spoiled by our family. Please don’t take what she said to heart. I apologize on her behalf. Really, my parents are very kind and wouldn’t look down on people from the countryside. We’re all comrades.”

Leng Xue gave a small, expressionless nod—an unspoken acceptance of the apology.

The weather was too hot. Leng Xue just wanted these people gone so she could talk to Gu Beilu alone.

“Song Junjie, I didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t need you to apologize for me,” Song Qianqian protested, fanning herself with her hand and stomping her foot.

“Enough. Let’s go. We’re leaving,” Song Junjie said firmly, dragging Song Qianqian toward the car. With a loud bang, he shut the car door and waved to Gu Beilu.

“Beilu, I’m heading out. If you need anything, write me a letter or send a telegram.”

“Alright. Drive safe,” Gu Beilu replied, waving.

It was a farewell to his old comrade—and to his former life.

Once the Song siblings left, Zhang Aizhen also said her goodbyes. “Leng Xue, Comrade Gu, we’ll head off too. Tomorrow morning at 7, meet at the brigade office and we’ll go to the commune.”

“Got it.”

“Old lady, help Comrade Gu settle in before you go,” Tan Sanyong stayed behind.

Gu Beilu had been injured serving the country. He deserved extra help.

“Come on, we still have things to do at home,” Zhang Aizhen tugged at Tan Sanyong’s sleeve and whispered, “Give the young ones a bit of privacy.”

As the women’s director—and unofficial matchmaker—she knew exactly what was going on.

It was clear that Gu Beilu and Leng Xue had mutual feelings.

Although Gu Beilu was disabled, he was still full of spirit. He could get in and out of the wheelchair on his own and take care of himself. With proper treatment and rehabilitation, he’d be able to do light work in the future.

More importantly, Leng Xue had chosen him herself.

With his wife’s reminder, Tan Sanyong finally caught on.

He slapped his forehead and said loudly, “Right, right! We’ve got things to do. Comrade Xiao Leng, we’ll be off now. Comrade Gu will be your neighbor from now on—neighbors should look out for each other. I’ll bring over his food rations tomorrow. Tonight, I’ll trouble you to help him with dinner.”

He winked at Zhang Aizhen, proud of how quick-witted he was—creating this golden opportunity.

“No problem. I will,” Leng Xue agreed without hesitation.

Tan Sanyong nodded with satisfaction, then left with the cart, walking home with Zhang Aizhen.

“Comrade Gu, let me take you home.”

Without giving Gu Beilu a chance to refuse, Leng Xue had already started pushing his wheelchair. She leaned down beside his ear and whispered softly, tempting him:

“I have a secret to tell you—no one else can hear.”