Chapter 19 – Has He Not Won You Over Yet?

Walking out of the restaurant, Qin Muye suddenly stopped and asked her,
“Is there anywhere you want to go?”

“I want to go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy something.”

Realizing she had answered too quickly—almost as if she had been waiting for him to ask—Song Kexia quickly added,
“After all, it’s my first time going back to that house. It wouldn’t be right to return empty-handed, so I want to buy something to bring along. If you’re busy, you don’t have to come with me. After I’m done shopping, I can take the bus there with the things.”

“You really seem to enjoy chasing me away.”

Meeting his gaze, Song Kexia lowered her eyes and said softly,
“I just don’t want to waste your time.”

Qin Muye turned to get his bicycle.
“Get on.”

A fleeting smile flashed in her eyes. She climbed onto the back seat.
“Thank you.”

She had just gotten paid, but she didn’t have many ration tickets with her.

When they arrived at the department store, she asked him,
“I don’t know how many people are in the family. What do you think I should buy?”

“Bringing pastries or candies is never wrong.”

“Then I’ll get some pastries.”

She queued up to buy them. Qin Muye thought back to her earlier question—it had made him feel oddly self-conscious. It almost felt like they were a young married couple going to visit her parents’ home.

When it was her turn, she bought half a jin of biscuits, but couldn’t get any pastries—she didn’t have pastry tickets.

Seeing her walk out with her head down, he asked,
“You bought something, so why aren’t you happy?”

“I don’t have the tickets. I couldn’t buy much.”

He noticed how she drooped her head, even her bright almond eyes dimming. After a moment’s thought, he said,
“I’ll take you somewhere. Dare to come with me?”

She looked up at him.
“Where to?”

“A place where you don’t need tickets to buy things.”

Her eyes lit up—was he talking about the legendary black market?

She had never been to one. In her dream, she’d seen that in just a few years the country would encourage economic growth, and by the mid-80s people wouldn’t need ration tickets to shop anymore. She might as well take this chance to see what the black market was like now.

“If you dare to take me, I dare to go.”

Her almond eyes sparkled, her cheeks flushed pink, making her look like a ripe peach begging to be picked.

Qin Muye looked away.
“Follow me.”

He pedaled the bike through two streets before turning into a narrow alley. There were quite a few people there, stalls selling fruits, eggs, grains, and all kinds of homemade pastries.

She bought two pounds of red bean cakes, two pounds of sponge cakes, one pound of fruit candies, and three pounds of apples. Then she asked,
“Can we buy cigarettes and liquor here?”

Qin Muye glanced at her and said,
“Follow me.”

They turned another corner and stopped at a small one-story house. Qin Muye knocked on the door.

After a while, a man came to open it, smiling in greeting.
“Sixth Brother, what brings you here?”

“Brought a friend to buy some things.”

When the man saw the “friend” Qin Muye was referring to, he almost stumbled. Sixth Brother actually brought a young woman here? What was their relationship?

Noticing the man’s eyes darting between him and Song Kexia, Qin Muye said in a deep voice,
“What are you staring at? The lady wants cigarettes and liquor—bring out a carton of Zhonghua and two bottles of Wuliangye.”

“Got it.”

The man fetched the goods from his storeroom.
“Here you go, Sixth Brother.”

“Put it on my tab.”

Song Kexia quickly pulled out money.
“I can pay for it myself.”

She had never bought cigarettes or liquor before, but from what she’d heard at home from Song Zhengyu and the others, she knew they were expensive.

“This little bit? I can afford it,” Qin Muye said.

It wasn’t about whether he could afford it—she just couldn’t let him spend money for her. If he thought she was greedy for money, all her previous efforts would be wasted.

“I just think it’s too much for you. I’d feel bad. I just got paid—I have money.”

“Keep your money for yourself,” Qin Muye said, then nodded to the young man. “Let’s go.”

The man pulled Qin Muye aside and asked,
“What’s the deal? Your girlfriend?”

If she was, that would be great—pretty, generous, and a good match for Sixth Brother.

“Not my girlfriend. Just a friend.”

The man clicked his tongue. Just a friend, yet spending dozens of yuan at once? That was too much generosity for “just friends.”

“Money’s got nowhere else to go. Happy now?”

The man zipped his lips. “Not asking anymore.”

Qin Muye called to Song Kexia.
“Let’s go.”

She followed him out of the house. The man watched their backs—he didn’t believe Qin Muye for a second. There was definitely something going on.

Once they left the alley, Song Kexia spotted an old man selling popsicles. Next to the stall, someone bit into one and puffed out a cloud of frosty breath.

“I want a popsicle.”

Qin Muye looked back and saw her staring at the stall with longing eyes. After walking so far, she seemed overheated—her pale face was flushed, and the fine hair on her forehead was damp with sweat. When she caught him looking, she smiled sweetly.

His throat bobbed unconsciously.
“Let’s go.”

She happily trailed after him to the stall and ordered a hawthorn popsicle. The tangy sweetness cooled her instantly.

Qin Muye drank two big gulps of soda, glancing at her—she nibbled the popsicle like a squirrel, eyes curved like crescents.

Could it really taste that good? He bought one himself. It tasted the same as usual.

He finished his in a few bites and noticed her watching him with big eyes.
“What is it?”

“I want ice cream too.”

“Then get it.”

She beamed at the old man.
“Uncle, one milk ice cream, please.”

The old man chuckled.
“Girl, your boyfriend really spoils you. You two are such a good-looking pair.”

Her face flushed instantly. She glanced at Qin Muye—he was pressing his lips together, looking almost… angry.

Flustered, she said quickly,
“Uncle, he’s not my boyfriend.”

The old man handed her the ice cream and sighed regretfully.
“Not your boyfriend? Then… has he not won you over yet?”

He turned to Qin Muye.
“Young man, work harder.”

Qin Muye didn’t correct him, just paid and picked up the bags.
“Let’s go.”

He strode ahead without looking back.

Not sure if he was angry, Song Kexia hurried to catch up.
“Are you upset? I didn’t know the uncle would say that.”

Qin Muye glanced at her.
“Eat your ice cream before it melts.”

From his tone, he didn’t sound angry. She looked at him—his expression was calm, but the tips of his ears were a little red.

Was he embarrassed? She couldn’t be sure. Someone truly shy wouldn’t look this composed. He seemed almost completely unfazed by the old man’s teasing.