Chapter 25: The End of the Show

When Tang Wan returned to the place where the movie was being shown, the film was already nearing its end.

Zhong Ling had somehow come back without Tang Wan noticing and was sitting in her original seat. Perhaps because the plan had succeeded, her smile was bright and radiant.

Tang Wan touched her slightly stinging lips and scanned the crowd again, when suddenly someone looped an arm through hers.

“Why are you here? I was just looking for you among the people at the youth work point but couldn’t find you,” Luo Ying said with a smile, whispering in Tang Wan’s ear.

Next to her was Cuicui, both of them beaming with smiles.

“What’s up?” Tang Wan leaned closer and asked Luo Ying quietly.

Luo Ying showed a rare hint of embarrassment on her face. “What do you think about that guy?”

Following Luo Ying’s pointed finger, Tang Wan looked over and immediately saw Qin Zheng, who had already stood up.

“Not Qin Zheng, the person behind him.”

“Dongzi?” Tang Wan looked again. Behind Qin Zheng stood Dongzi.

Hearing this, Luo Ying was a bit surprised and looked at Tang Wan. “How do you know him? He’s not from our village.”

Although Dongzi seemed to have a decent relationship with Qin Zheng, he always took the mountain back paths to visit Qin Zheng, usually very early or late at night, and was rarely seen by the villagers.

So Luo Ying only knew that Dongzi was brave enough to speak to Qin Zheng but did not know they were close friends, nor did she know that Tang Wan also knew Dongzi.

“I’ve heard Qin Zheng mention him. Why do you suddenly ask about him?” Tang Wan asked Luo Ying.

Upon hearing this, Luo Ying’s face immediately flushed red, the glow spreading even under the moonlight. Cuicui covered her mouth and laughed.

Tang Wan understood everything now.

“My mom said Luo Ying should get married today. She’s already looking for a good match for her,” Cuicui said. Though usually shy, she was surprisingly adept at teasing Luo Ying about this.

“That’s not true, I was just asking Tang Wan,” Luo Ying shyly protested.

Hearing that, Tang Wan glanced back toward Dongzi. He looked younger than Qin Zheng but should be in his twenties.

In these times, a man in his twenties still unmarried was unusual—there must be a reason.

But Dongzi himself appeared flawless. Standing next to Qin Zheng, he was about 1.7 meters tall, not particularly tall compared to Qin Zheng but taller than most men. His features were handsome and refined. He smiled at everyone he met and had a good temperament—a good candidate as a suitor.

This meant his unmarried status was not because of personal flaws but due to family circumstances.

Cuicui’s next words confirmed Tang Wan’s thoughts: “You can have Tang Wan look at him all you want, but even though your mother lets you choose, if you pick him, she definitely won’t agree. His family has nothing. If you marry him, you won’t live a good life.”

“I’m not saying anything else. Besides, he’s not bad. His family has no one else, so if I marry him, I don’t have to worry about a mother-in-law beating me. Whatever work there is, it’s just the two of us to eat,” Luo Ying stubbornly replied.

“He’s the only child in his village. He doesn’t even have uncles or elders. If there’s a conflict, can you two fight off others?” Cuicui countered.

Obviously, Luo Ying knew Cuicui was right. In today’s rural villages, the families with many members held more influence. Disputes often meant fights involving whole families. Someone like Dongzi, an only child without even parents, was definitely not someone to marry.

The flush on Luo Ying’s cheeks gradually faded. “We’ll see when the time comes.”

Watching Luo Ying’s expression, Tang Wan could tell she had not given up. She knew all the negatives Cuicui pointed out but her stubbornness clearly showed she wasn’t letting go of the idea.

“He’s a nice person, and good-looking too,” Tang Wan said after some thought.

Luo Ying’s eyes lit up. “He really is a great guy! Really great!” she emphasized.

“Enough talking, the movie’s over. Let us send you home,” Luo Ying quickly composed herself and linked her arm with Tang Wan’s.

Tang Wan looked around; the movie had indeed ended.

Some people were already dragging their stools to leave, but more stayed, unwilling to go. They were either excitedly discussing the film’s plot with lively gestures or joking around in small groups.

Several villages’ people had come, and those born and raised here mostly knew each other well, including from neighboring villages.

Just like how Dongzi and Luo Ying, seemingly unrelated, knew each other.

Many took this chance to catch up. Few were truly leaving.

Especially the youth work point folks—they were in no hurry to go back.

Usually seeing only their own villagers, they could now meet other youth workers from different brigades. Even if strangers, they shared topics, especially about the homes they might never return to.

They feared, like previous youth workers sent to the countryside, that they might be rooted here helplessly, never able to return home.

They hoped and worried, but no one dared to voice it.

Simply talking about scenes from home could soothe the loneliness after going down to the countryside.

That night, everyone seemed more lively because of the movie screening.

“No, I want to find Grandma Bai first. You guys go ahead,” Tang Wan shook her head to decline.

Seeing this, Luo Ying said nothing more, took Cuicui’s hand, and returned to the crowd.

Once they walked away, Tang Wan headed toward Grandma Bai.

Grandma Bai was not sitting next to Qin Zheng; apparently, there were some peers her age in the village, and during the movie, seats had become chaotic.

Now Qin Zheng stood at the edge, seemingly waiting for Grandma Bai to return.

Tang Wan slowly approached Grandma Bai, slipped her arm through hers, and said nothing.

Grandma Bai looked up at her and softly asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I want to stay at your place tonight, if that’s okay?” Tang Wan’s voice trembled slightly, barely noticeable.

Grandma Bai instantly agreed. “Of course. Dear, if there’s anything, tell Grandma when we get back. Let’s go.”

She half-encircled Tang Wan’s arm and started walking outside.

Qin Zheng stood at the edge watching the two approach. Seeing Grandma Bai leading Tang Wan over, he exchanged a glance with her, silently asking what was happening.

Grandma Bai shook her head, signaling to talk at home later.

Qin Zheng silently followed behind them like a bodyguard, causing the young men who had been eyeing Tang Wan to tone down their gaze and stop staring at her.

Others’ looks became restrained—but not Qin Zheng’s.

His eyes swept over Tang Wan’s body, following the curve of her back down to the slightly parted hem of her skirt.