Chapter 21: Heading to the City

The next day, Xiao Qingru learned through her mother that Jiang Chuan and Du Wanqiu were getting married.

“Once the marriage report is approved, they’ll likely register and get a house together, so they’ll move out soon.”

“The whole affair yesterday was too big, and Du Wanqiu added to the mess. Jiang Chuan marrying her isn’t something he can avoid.”

Qingru’s hand paused, and a simple thought crossed her mind “Just as expected.”

Back when Jiang Chuan repeatedly defended Du Wanqiu, she’d had a feeling this day would come. But after a brief moment of distraction, she collected herself.

They no longer had any relationship, so who Jiang Chuan married was none of her concern.

She swallowed her food and said calmly, “Sounds good. We can go to their wedding banquet.”

Qingru’s mother couldn’t help but laugh at her daughter’s unruffled attitude, saying, “Whatever you want to eat, let me know, and I’ll make it for you.”

“Nothing in particular right now.”

After finishing her last bite of bread, Qingru added, “Mom, I have plans to meet Song Yuan in the city for a movie, so I won’t be home for lunch.”

“Xiao Song’s back?”

“Yes, the school dismissed students early because the cold weather is making it hard for them without warm clothes.”

Song Yuan taught elementary school in the Forward Production Brigade and came back every month or two. Knowing her daughter’s close friendship with Song Yuan, Qingru’s mother didn’t insist she stay, saying, “Be back before it gets too late and be safe on the way.”

“And don’t pay any attention to those idle young men in the city.”

With schooling limited and work hard to find, many young men spent their days loitering around. Qingru’s mother had reason to worry.

Qingru raised her chin proudly, saying, “Did you forget what comrade Xiao Song is best at? Besides, I’m not so easy to handle.”

“The moves your dad taught you might not hold up in a real situation.”

“It’s fine. I can just run if it comes to that.”

“You kid, don’t joke around like that.”

“Mom, I’m off! My stipend came in, so I’ll bring back braised pork for you.”

“Alright, if there’s no braised pork, bring something else.”

“Got it.”

Unlike her brother, Qingru controlled her own stipend, though her salary was a modest 30 yuan. Factory workers’ wages hovered around this level as well, though they had whole families to support. With fewer financial burdens, Qingru was more fortunate than most.

With her aluminum lunch box in her bag, she said goodbye to her mother and headed out the door on her bike. Her mother called after her, reminding her to be careful on the bike.

At the courtyard gate, she met her friend Song Yuan, who was standing there eating a pumpkin fritter her mom had made. When she saw Qingru, she tore off half of it, offering the uneaten part to her.

“My mom made these fried pumpkin fritters. If you like them, she can make more next time, and you can come over to eat.”

“I just had breakfast, so I’m not hungry right now.”

“Are you sure? You’re not skipping food because you’re heartbroken over that scoundrel Jiang Chuan, are you?”

“Do I look like that type?”

Song Yuan looked her over seriously and nodded. “You do.”

Qingru couldn’t help but laugh, though she denied it, “That was the old me. It’s been ages since we last saw each other don’t view me through an outdated lens.”

“So you really don’t care about Jiang Chuan anymore?”

“Not one bit.”

Song Yuan grinned, happy to see her friend move on from Jiang Chuan, who, in her mind, never deserved someone as wonderful as Qingru. She stopped herself from patting her friend’s shoulder, realizing she hadn’t washed her hands after eating.

“We’re young, so there’s no need to rush into marriage,” she said, mounting her bike. “And we definitely need to be choosy. One wrong choice could ruin our whole lives.”

“Comrade Song, you’re right. Are we ready to go?”

“Yes, let’s go.”

As they biked side by side, they chatted about the latest happenings, both in their neighborhood and from Song Yuan’s teaching job in the brigade.

Eventually, their conversation drifted back to Jiang Chuan and Du Wanqiu.

“I always thought Du Wanqiu seemed calculating, and only Jiang Chuan would be naive enough to think she just needed his help.”

Her tone made Qingru laugh. “Men and women see things differently. It’s his choice, and it has nothing to do with us.”

“Maybe, but it still makes me mad that he’d choose her over you.”

“He has no obligation to treat me well.”

“What do you mean? He was your fiancé, so treating you well should have been second nature.”

“Ex-fiancé.”

“Just goes to show, you can never truly know someone. At least you two hadn’t married yet, or…”

The thought made Song Yuan fume, but she quickly changed the topic. “By the way, who gave us the movie tickets?”

“Xu Muzhou.”

“Since when did you two get so close?”

“We’re not close, but he did save my life.”

Song Yuan chuckled, teasing her, “He’s young, capable, and easy on the eyes. He even saved you sounds like a good reason to marry him.”

Qingru blushed and shook her head. “Don’t talk nonsense. I only see him as a brother.”

“Even if he’s a special brother?”

“If you keep talking like that, I’ll turn back.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop! I want to go to the city to buy a new outfit for New Year’s anyway.”

A brisk wind blew, cooling Qingru’s cheeks and lifting the warmth from her face.