Chapter 8 I Can’t Live Without Him

Song Yiyi picked up a bit of side dish with her chopsticks and held it to Cen Bowen’s mouth. Cen Bowen grinned foolishly and quickly craned his neck to take it. His eyes were full of nothing but her, and he mumbled with his mouth full, “If you have something to say, just say it. Yiyi’s not an outsider.”

Kang Ying pressed her nails into her palm, forcing a smile onto her face. “It’s a personal matter. Yiyi might not want to hear it—let’s step outside.”

After she spoke, she got up and left. Cen Bowen, still doting, put more food into Song Yiyi’s bowl. “Here, eat more. Later I’ll take you to the department store and buy you a few pretty outfits.”

He stood up, and as if afraid she might misunderstand, added, “Yingzi’s going on a blind date today—she must want me to help her vet the guy. Be good, Yiyi, your big brother will be right back.”

As soon as Cen Bowen stepped out, Song Yiyi tossed her chopsticks onto the table, her face full of disdain. She wouldn’t touch those chopsticks again.

Not far away, Cen Bowen was talking with Kang Ying, listening intently as she spoke.

Given Song Yiyi’s temperament, if she truly couldn’t return to her own time, she would never marry Cen Bowen. But since she was having a hard time, those flaunting themselves in front of her wouldn’t get off easy either.

Never mind Kang Ying’s tea-act today—just for that push yesterday, which caused the original owner to hit her head and for her to transmigrate here, she was already on Song Yiyi’s blacklist. Kang Ying wouldn’t escape, and Cen Bowen wasn’t innocent either.

If he liked having a woman on each arm, she’d make sure he experienced what true two-armed company meant.

Cen Bowen came back soon after. Song Yiyi, acting as though nothing had happened, began tidying up in preparation to go into town. Cen Bowen joked and bantered at her side, making no mention of what Kang Ying had said to him.

“Brother Bowen, did Sister Kang leave? Weren’t we going to buy clothes together?” Song Yiyi picked up the original owner’s coat and asked as she headed for the door.

Cen Bowen finished washing the breakfast dishes, put away the stools, and followed her. “Wouldn’t it be better if I went with you? Yiyi, today I just want to spend time alone with you—no one else can interrupt us.”

Standing at the door, he gazed at her with tender, lingering affection. Song Yiyi’s skin prickled with goosebumps, but she still lifted her face into a sweet smile. “Alright.”

To take her on a private outing, Cen Bowen had even borrowed a friend’s car. The white Santana parked in the courtyard drew every eye.

Yesterday’s incident at the health clinic had already spread throughout the compound. Today, with Cen Bowen openly bringing Song Yiyi along, the rumors only multiplied.

“Deputy Company Commander Cen, going out with your fiancée?”

“Yeah, my mom’s coming in a few days, so I’m taking Yiyi to buy some clothes.”

Cen Bowen didn’t hide a thing.

One warm-hearted person stepped forward to speculate, “Deputy Company Commander Cen, with the elders visiting, does this mean good news is near?”

“When the time comes, everyone’s invited to the wedding banquet.”

With that one line, Cen Bowen ended all gossip.

They arrived at the department store. Song Yiyi made a round of the place but, picky as she was, didn’t like a single thing. Cen Bowen, though, knew what girls liked and asked the shop assistant for new arrivals from Shanghai.

In those days, sales clerks didn’t show much enthusiasm, but Cen Bowen took a few White Rabbit candies from his pocket and slipped them into her hand, flattering her generously: “Sister, that outfit you’re wearing looks great. No, wait—with how pretty you are, you’d look good even in a burlap sack.”

The saleswoman, in her thirties or forties, couldn’t help but smile.

“Oh my, young man, you sure know how to talk! But your wife is even prettier!”

She quickly pulled a dress from behind the counter. “I don’t usually sell this to just anyone—have your wife take a look. It’s new stock from Hong Kong!”

Thanks to his approach, Cen Bowen bought three or four dresses for Song Yiyi. Anything she so much as glanced at, he bought. Altogether, the total came to about two months of his wages.

Leaving the store, he went to buy two bottles of soda. “Yiyi, have something to drink.”

“Brother Bowen, how much was it? I’ll pay you back,” Song Yiyi asked suddenly after taking a sip.

Cen Bowen waved it off. “It’s nothing. I’m your boyfriend—what’s wrong with buying you some clothes? Don’t be so polite with your big brother.”

He turned and reached out to ruffle her hair, but she subtly tilted her head to avoid it.

“I’m hungry. Let’s go eat. I’ve heard the state-run restaurant has really good food—okay?” Her eyes were clear and bright, and Cen Bowen immediately nodded.

They had just reached the car when a military jeep pulled up nearby. Someone jumped out and ran toward them.

“Deputy Company Commander Cen! Something’s happened!”

The man was young and anxious.

“I’m on leave today. Whatever it is, find the company commander,” Cen Bowen said with a frown.

The soldier shook his head. “Company Commander Wang told me to find you. Comrade Kang is about to jump off a building!”

Cen Bowen’s face changed instantly. He shut the car door and strode forward. “What happened?”

“It’s hard to explain in a couple of sentences—better if I tell you on the way. But you have to hurry, or it’ll be too late. Company Commander Wang says Comrade Kang only listens to you—this can’t be handled by anyone else.”

“Go,” Cen Bowen ordered.

After taking a few steps, he remembered Song Yiyi still standing there and turned back, looking troubled. “Yiyi, maybe you should head back first. I’ll take you to the state-run restaurant another day.”

Song Yiyi nodded. “What happened to Sister Kang?”

Cen Bowen frowned. “I’m not sure. You know her family situation’s… a bit complicated—”

Song Yiyi cut him off. “Alright, then let’s hurry and save Sister Kang!”

She seemed more anxious than Cen Bowen himself. He’d promised to spend the day with her, and he’d worried she’d be upset if he broke his word—but to his surprise, she was so understanding.

“Mm. Thank you, Yiyi.”

Cen Bowen didn’t notice the flash of disgust in her eyes.

On the way, the comrade who’d fetched him explained the situation.

“Comrade Kang’s parents and older brother’s family came to the compound today. She lost a necklace, asked her sister-in-law about it, and then her brother started arguing with her.”

“Her brother thought she was accusing his wife, threw a ten-yuan bill at her, and told her to get lost.”

“Her father thought she’d embarrassed the family and slapped her. Then they all started arguing…”

“Her brother told her to cut ties with the family and tried to throw her out.”

“Comrade Kang got so upset she climbed onto her uncle’s roof and is threatening to jump.”

With each sentence, Cen Bowen’s expression darkened visibly.

Song Yiyi searched her memories. The original owner had been here almost a month and had never once seen Cen Bowen with a dark face—he’d always been glib, slick, and carefree.

She was beginning to understand where Kang Ying’s confidence came from.

She’d once told the original owner, behind Cen Bowen’s back: ‘You’ll never understand the feelings between Bowen and me. Song Yiyi, I can’t live without him, and he can’t live without me.’