Chapter 40.2

In the Qin household.

Qin Qingman had finished preparing Huang Wanqing to wash up after Wei Ling left. It was winter, so it was too cold for a bath, but washing their faces and feet was necessary.

Since Wei Ling had left, the stove in the east room was no longer heated, and the three bedding quilts in the west room were all laid out in a row. Back in these days, most households didn’t have extra bedding, so with Huang Wanqing staying the night, Qin Qingman had to give up her own quilt. She decided to use the set that Wei Ling had used instead.

Chuchu, being a young boy of only five, wasn’t supposed to be sleeping next to Huang Wanqing, so Qin Qingman rearranged the bedding. She made it so that Chuchu would sleep at the foot of the bed, she would sleep in the middle, and Huang Wanqing would sleep at the head of the bed.

Chuchu, being a child, needed more sleep than adults. Once it was time, he grew tired and climbed up onto the bed to sleep, leaving Qin Qingman to accompany Huang Wanqing.

Initially, Huang Wanqing had been uneasy about staying at Qin Qingman’s home. She had worried about being in a house full of people, but once she arrived and saw that it was just Qin Qingman and her younger brother, she felt much more at ease. The smaller, simpler family was easier to get along with, and it made things less complicated.

Huang Wanqing felt a deep sense of gratitude toward Qin Qingman, and after tidying up, she opened her box.

Huang Wanqing came from the capital, her family being well-off, and naturally, her luggage was of good quality. When she opened her suitcase, not only were there several books, but also a jar of Friendship brand balm, a popular item among young women in big cities.

Although the Friendship brand cosmetics faded into obscurity in later years, at this time, it was as prestigious as Lancome would be in the future.

Thus, girls who could afford Friendship brand balm typically came from good families.

“Qingman, here.” Huang Wanqing generously handed half of her cosmetics to Qin Qingman.

Qin Qingman glanced at the pile of cosmetics Huang Wanqing had pushed toward her, then looked at the open suitcase. She didn’t accept the cosmetics and instead remained silent.

Was this girl a little too naïve, without any sense of caution at all?

Seeing that Qin Qingman didn’t take the cosmetics, Huang Wanqing paused for a moment before she belatedly explained, “Qingman, I only opened the suitcase in front of you. I wouldn’t open it in front of anyone else.”

Qin Qingman: …Well, thank you for your trust, but your trust is a bit too much pressure.

Feeling the pressure, Qin Qingman pulled Huang Wanqing up from where she had been squatting to organize her luggage.

“Qingman, I’m sorry, I know I should be more cautious, but aren’t you my friend?” Huang Wanqing quickly explained, realizing she was about to be scolded.

Qin Qingman felt a bit tired and sighed as she lectured, “Why aren’t I a stranger? How much do you really know about me? Even brothers should be clear about their accounts, let alone the fact that we don’t share any blood relation. Why are you so trusting of me?”

“Because you saved me, you’re a good person.” Huang Wanqing replied with her own measure of trust.

Qin Qingman, who had just been handed the “good person” card: …Young lady, your standards for a good person are incredibly low. But do you know that some people take advantage of this kind of trust to deceive young girls? What sounds like a hero saving a beauty may, in fact, hide a deep calculation behind it.

“Qingman, don’t be mad. I know you’re doing this for my own good, and I can feel that you are truly sincere with me. That’s why I’m not guarded around you.” Huang Wanqing clarified. She wasn’t entirely naïve, or else her family wouldn’t have let her go to the countryside as an educated youth.

Qin Qingman knew that Huang Wanqing’s nature wasn’t something that could be changed in a day or two. Over-lecturing might not be very effective.

After thinking for a moment, she pulled Huang Wanqing to sit by the fire.

“Wanqing, how did your family agree to send you so far away to the countryside?” Qin Qingman asked nonchalantly.

In her mind, a person with Huang Wanqing’s personality shouldn’t end up in the remote town of Bai City. Even if it was part of the national policy to send young people to the countryside, a well-off family like the Huang family would never be comfortable letting their daughter go to such a desolate place. They would surely arrange for her to stay in the nearby areas of the capital or get her a job in a factory.

Qin Qingman’s question hit a nerve, and Huang Wanqing’s face gradually turned red.

Seeing Huang Wanqing’s flushed face, Qin Qingman couldn’t help but feel an indescribable mix of emotions. It was clear that Huang Wanqing had developed feelings for someone.

Could it be that Huang Wanqing had really fallen for the “Wei Ling” in the photo?

But who was the Wei Ling in the photo?!

“Qingman, I’m going to tell you a secret, but don’t laugh at me.” Huang Wanqing said, fidgeting for a moment before finally speaking up.

“Alright.” Qin Qingman responded, feeling a sense of unease settle in her heart because she suspected the situation was more complicated than she had thought.

Huang Wanqing spoke with great excitement about her secret. She first pulled a photo out of her pocket and handed it to Qin Qingman, then whispered, “I came here because of this person. He’s my older brother.”

Qin Qingman took the photo and studied the man in it carefully, but she couldn’t find any resemblance to Wei Ling.

“Your brother?” Qin Qingman probed, unsure if the “brother” Huang Wanqing mentioned was a blood relative or not.

Huang Wanqing understood the underlying question in Qin Qingman’s words and her face turned even redder. “He’s not my real brother, he’s the older brother of the family next door. I haven’t seen him in more than ten years. All I know is that he’s in the XXX division of Bai City, he’s a soldier, and his name is Wei Ling.”

Qin Qingman felt as though she was about to spit blood. “Who told you his name was Wei Ling?”

As she spoke, she shook the photo in her hand.

“My cousin.” Huang Wanqing said, clearly trusting Qin Qingman and revealing everything to her.

Qin Qingman sharply sensed something was off and cautiously asked, “Wanqing, do you not remember what your neighbor brother’s name was, or what he looked like? You were only seven or eight years old when you last saw him. After so many years, it’s possible you really don’t know what he looks like anymore.”

As for why Huang Wanqing’s cousin had lied to her about the person in the photo being named Wei Ling—there was definitely something suspicious going on.

Qin Qingman was certain that many people around the country had the same name, but the man in the photo was definitely not called Wei Ling.

Huang Wanqing’s cousin was hiding something.

“I know what my brother’s name is.” Huang Wanqing said. “But I haven’t seen him in years. My cousin said he changed his name and now goes by Wei Ling.” Huang Wanqing, oblivious to the storm brewing in Qin Qingman’s mind, continued answering her questions.

“Is your cousin also from the capital?” Qin Qingman tried to gather more information.

“Yes, she’s my aunt’s daughter.” Huang Wanqing responded, trusting Qin Qingman without any reservations.

Qin Qingman frowned slightly and then asked, “Wanqing, tell me the truth—wasn’t your original posting not to Bai City?” Since she had started suspecting Huang Wanqing’s cousin, she had formed a guess in her mind.

Huang Wanqing’s eyes widened in shock, staring at Qin Qingman in disbelief.

Great!

Qin Qingman didn’t need an answer from Huang Wanqing to know what was going on.

This naïve girl had been tricked—tricked by her own cousin.

Not only had her cousin manipulated Huang Wanqing into changing her posting, but she had also deceived her into going to stand in for an arranged marriage. Huang Wanqing’s cousin must have disliked Wei Ling for being in the remote borderlands, seeing him as incapable, and unwilling to come herself. But since she didn’t dare defy her parents, she tricked the innocent Huang Wanqing into coming to Bai City instead.

For a moment, Qin Qingman didn’t know how to break the news to Huang Wanqing.

This drama was more absurd than the plot where Wei Ling’s parents had tried to set him up with a blind date.

Huang Wanqing’s cousin was truly malicious—so malicious that it bordered on the extreme.

“Qingman, is something wrong?” Huang Wanqing noticed the change in Qin Qingman’s expression.

“Wanqing, how can you believe your brother is in Bai City? You trust whatever your cousin says, don’t you worry she’s lying to you?” Qin Qingman found it hard to believe that Huang Wanqing was actually this naïve.

As soon as the words left her mouth, Huang Wanqing’s expression darkened. “My brother’s family has some issues. I heard that a few years ago, he was sent to Bai City. I’ve been trying to get in touch with him. Although I haven’t seen him in many years, the person in this photo has to be him. I can just feel it.”

Qin Qingman looked at Huang Wanqing’s clear, innocent eyes and couldn’t help but feel like she had to pour some cold water on this.

“Wanqing, what was your brother’s original name?”

“Qi Weiying.”

Qin Qingman almost wanted to shake Huang Wanqing to snap her out of it. How could she believe that Qi Weiying had changed his name to Wei Ling? The name change was so drastic that even the last name was different. How could she trust that the person in the photo was really her brother?

Huang Wanqing must have sensed Qin Qingman’s disbelief, and her face turned pale. “Qingman, what do you mean? This Wei Ling isn’t my brother?”

“Mm.” Qin Qingman replied, not having the heart to let Huang Wanqing go to the division tomorrow and face the embarrassment.

“It’s impossible. My cousin clearly said my brother is in the XXX division and that he’s a colonel.” Huang Wanqing couldn’t believe that her own cousin would lie to her.

Looking at the wavering Huang Wanqing, Qin Qingman finally understood why Huang Wanqing’s family had let her travel alone to Bai City. It wasn’t because they trusted her, but rather because Huang Wanqing had acted impulsively without consulting them first.

Sighing, Qin Qingman asked, “Wanqing, is it that your family doesn’t want you to be with your brother?” Otherwise, she couldn’t understand why Huang Wanqing would run to Bai City by herself.

“Mm.” Huang Wanqing replied, tightening her grip on Qin Qingman’s arm.

A sense of unease filled her heart, and panic set in. “Qingman, is Wei Ling really not my brother?”

“Wei Ling is my husband, you met him today.” Qin Qingman revealed the truth.

Since Huang Wanqing was not the one set up to meet Wei Ling, there was no need for her to feel embarrassed. This matter couldn’t be kept from Huang Wanqing’s family, and even the Wei family in the capital needed to be informed. Otherwise, they would all be duped by Huang Wanqing’s cousin, who was as cunning as a sieve.

“Ah!”

Huang Wanqing cried out in shock.

Images of the stern Wei Ling flashed through her mind, and her heart trembled. She looked at Qin Qingman with a panicked expression. “Qingman, my brother really isn’t your Wei Ling, the person I’m looking for isn’t your husband?”

“I know.” Qin Qingman responded, then gently hugged Huang Wanqing. She explained how the Wei family had arranged a blind date for Wei Ling and had sent the intended match to Bai City.

Huang Wanqing understood everything now.

Her pale face turned red with anger. “My cousin is so bad! No wonder she told me not to tell my family when she changed my posting. She said if my family knew, they wouldn’t let me come to Bai City.”

Qin Qingman couldn’t help but mourn for Huang Wanqing’s innocence.

She also thought of the original owner.

The original owner had been just as naïve back then. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have lent family resources to several uncles’ families, thinking that blood relations mattered. In the end, none of those relatives truly cared about the well-being of those who were as innocent as the original owner.

“Wanqing, tomorrow we’ll go to the division.” Qin Qingman said, determined not to let Wei Ling take the fall.

But Huang Wanqing hesitated. Her brother wasn’t at the division, and going there would only mean encountering the real Wei Ling. Just the thought of Wei Ling scared her, and she began to waver. “Qingman, since everything’s been cleared up, there’s no need to go to the division, right?”

“No, we have to go. We must go.” Qin Qingman said with determination.

“Why… why?” Huang Wanqing was still too naïve to fully grasp the situation.

Qin Qingman, however, was very rational. “Whether it’s you or Wei Ling, neither of you can take the blame for this situation without any clarification. This matter must be made clear to both families.”

Huang Wanqing grew nervous, tightening her hold on Qin Qingman’s arm. “Qingman… can we not make this a big deal?” She didn’t want her family to find out because if they did, they would take her back.

And if she went back, she wouldn’t be able to see her brother again.

“Don’t be afraid.” Qin Qingman reassured, patting Huang Wanqing’s arm. “Wanqing, since you’ve already switched your rural posting with your cousin, she must have gone ahead to the place you were originally supposed to go. It’s already a done deal, and no matter how capable your parents are, they can’t change the larger situation.”

Qin Qingman was subtly hinting at something.

Huang Wanqing understood, and the color returned to her face. “So you mean… I don’t have to leave Bai City?”

“Yes. Your food allocation was transferred to Bai City when you left the capital. Once the transfer is made, it’s extremely difficult to reverse, even the children of top leaders don’t have this privilege.” Qin Qingman, with her understanding of the era’s circumstances, was able to explain this clearly.

“That’s great!” Huang Wanqing exclaimed, relieved. She finally let go of Qin Qingman’s arm and patted her chest.

Qin Qingman couldn’t help but offer a reminder. “Aren’t you worried about wasting your youth while looking for your brother here?” Such pure feelings were unique to this time period.

She was more concerned that the brother Huang Wanqing spoke of might already have a family of his own.

Huang Wanqing was 23 years old. Since she called Qi Weiying her “brother.” it suggested he was one or two years older than her. In an era when people generally married young, a 26-year-old Wei Ling would already be considered a “late marriage.” It was highly possible that Qi Weiying, now grown, had already settled down and started his own family.

But these were thoughts Qin Qingman would not voice to Huang Wanqing.

Some things she could hint at, others were better left unsaid.

Huang Wanqing was still lost in the fantasy of finding Qi Weiying and had no idea that Qin Qingman was concerned for her. With a flushed face, she confidently said, “I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid at all. My brother promised to marry me back then.”

Qin Qingman: … You actually took a child’s words seriously.

Now that everything was out in the open, Qin Qingman had figured out the entire situation and no longer felt guilty about Huang Wanqing. Realizing it was getting late, she gently pulled Huang Wanqing toward the bed to rest.

Wei Ling had said he would come early tomorrow morning to take them to the division.

That night, Qin Qingman slept soundly.

Having solved Huang Wanqing’s problem and with no lingering concerns, she slept deeply through the night.

It was a different story for Wei Ling and Huang Wanqing.

One was kept awake by missing his wife, and the other couldn’t sleep, worrying about where to find Qi Weiying, not knowing where he might be if he wasn’t at the XXX division. She felt both sad and anxious.

And so, the next day arrived.

This time, it was Wei Ling driving. The things they had bought in the county town the day before had been taken to the division, and today, while they could still move freely, Wei Ling planned to drop them off at the Qin family’s house before picking up Qin Qingman and Huang Wanqing.

Du Hongyi had the day off and, without shame, insisted on coming along. Wei Ling, thinking that it would be helpful to have someone looking after his family while he was away on missions, didn’t stop him.

There had been no snow the night before, and while the sun hadn’t come out in the morning, it wasn’t as cold without the wind. Wei Ling drove for about ten minutes before reaching Kaoshan Village.

His jeep was a common sight around Kaoshan Village, and when the villagers saw the car from a distance, they immediately knew that Wei Ling had arrived.

As the jeep drove past, the villagers looked on with envy.

Liu Sangunzi and Qin Jianming, two brothers who were cleaning the roads with the militia, stared at the jeep with a mix of jealousy and longing.