Chapter 8 — “Lu Qinglin, I’m Almost Starting to Like You.”
Zhao Xinghua, utterly humiliated, could only leave with her tail between her legs under the scornful stares of the others.

Now, only the family was left in the room.

Lu Yulong sat on a small stool, puffing on his hand-rolled cigarette, his face weary.

“Qinglin, this matter… it’s our family who wronged you. I admit that. But I still hope you don’t take it to heart. Please treat Xiaoxue well. After all, she’s the only daughter I have left…”

His voice choked up by the end.

Lu Qinglin turned his head, his cool gaze landing on Su Tangxue’s face. He opened his mouth and said, “Don’t worry, Uncle Lu. I will take good care of Xiaoxue.”

Hearing that, Su Tangxue looked up in disbelief.

Their eyes met.

Her face flushed slightly, and she was the first to look away, defeated. She had to admit that Lu Qinglin really was good-looking. If he were in the modern world, he’d definitely be a top-tier influencer with that face.

“Alright then, you both still have to travel tomorrow. Go to bed early,” Lu Yulong advised, then took his cigarette and returned to his room.

The Su family had only three rooms, so Lu Qinglin spent the night sleeping on the sofa.

—

The next morning, Su Tangxue was woken up by loud banging on the door. She initially tried to cover her ears and go back to sleep, but then remembered—this wasn’t her villa. Grumpily, she got up and opened the door.

“The sun’s already up and you’re still not awake? Qinglin’s been waiting for you for ages. You really don’t give people peace of mind,” her father scolded.

Following his gaze, she saw Lu Qinglin already dressed neatly, sitting upright on the sofa.

Su Tangxue scratched her nose awkwardly.

After breakfast, Lu Yulong reluctantly accompanied them to the train station. Before they boarded, he worried that his daughter might not understand how to handle things, so he gave her a long list of reminders.

“Xiaoxue, you’ve got a temper. When you get back to the village, don’t throw tantrums. Your uncle and second uncle may have split households with us, but they’re still blood. If anything happens, go to them. If it really can’t be resolved, write to me, and I’ll come get you.”

Lu Yulong knew his daughter had been spoiled. Suddenly sending her back to the countryside would definitely be a tough adjustment. He planned to send her more money and ration tickets once he got paid so that her life would be a bit easier.

As long as she could hold on until she followed Lu Qinglin into the army, her life would be secure.

Looking at her father’s eyes brimming with tears, Su Tangxue suddenly felt a lump in her throat and a reluctant ache in her heart.

She didn’t know if the emotion was coming from this body’s memories or her own, but just in that one day, she had clearly felt the love Lu Yulong had for Su Tangxue. While she had never lacked love in the modern world, this kind of genuine, heartfelt fatherly affection still moved her.

“I understand, Dad. If things get too bad, I’ll write and have you bring me back. Boohoo…”

Life in the countryside really was hard, and she feared she wouldn’t be able to hold out.

“You girl, what are you saying…” Lu Yulong sighed with a mix of annoyance and tenderness at her little outburst.

“Alright, enough tears. The train’s coming. Hurry up and get on with Qinglin.”

As he spoke, he handed her a package—snacks he’d gone to the supply co-op to buy that morning just so she’d have something to nibble on during the train ride.

Knowing his daughter loved sweets, he bought quite a lot.

Looking at the big bag of milk candies, Su Tangxue instantly stopped crying. After saying goodbye, she boarded the train with Lu Qinglin.

—

Their seats were side by side, which made Su Tangxue a little nervous. This was the first time she’d been alone with Lu Qinglin.

She didn’t know what to say or do.

But before long, sleepiness took over. They had gotten up too early, and the trip to the countryside was going to take four hours, so she figured she might as well nap.

Soon, she fell asleep—without realizing she had leaned against Lu Qinglin’s shoulder.

Lu Qinglin had been quietly observing the other passengers when he suddenly felt a weight on his right shoulder. Turning his head, he saw a soft head of hair. The morning sunlight bathed her tender face, highlighting the fine downy hair on her skin. Her long black lashes fluttered slightly in her sleep.

At that moment, memories began to resurface. The frozen layer of ice in Lu Qinglin’s eyes started to thaw—just a little.

Su’s father, Lu Yulong, and Lu’s father, Lu Guan, had been close as brothers, practically growing up in the same pair of pants. After getting married, Lu Yulong would bring his wife and daughter back to the village every year when he had time. So Su Tangxue and Lu Qinglin had known each other since they were little.

Lu Qinglin was five years older than her. When Su Tangxue was still learning to speak, she would follow him around, calling “gege” (big brother) behind him.

But everything changed after Lu Qinglin’s father passed away.

From a cheerful and lively boy, he turned cold and withdrawn. Even in the army, he remained the quiet type.

—

After four hours on the train and another two hours on a rural bus, they still hadn’t arrived.

They still had to walk another two hours to reach the village.

Sihe County was huge, divided into Shanghe (Upper River), Zhonghe (Middle River), and Xiahe (Lower River) villages. Lu Qinglin’s home was in Shanghe Village, near the foot of the mountains, making it a bit tricky to get back to.

Under the blazing sun, wearing leather shoes and dragging a suitcase, Su Tangxue was still carsick and now had to continue walking. She felt like just building a home on the roadside and living there forever by herself in a new “village.”

Eventually, when her feet hurt so much that she could no longer walk, she finally called out to the figure ahead, “Lu Qinglin, can we rest for a bit? My feet hurt!”

Lu Qinglin turned back. Su Tangxue was frowning, her face scrunched up in pain.

He furrowed his brows slightly and walked back toward her.

“Where does it hurt?”

“My shoes are rubbing my feet.”

Lu Qinglin immediately squatted down to check. Her fair ankle had some abrasions and was lightly bleeding.

“Get on. I’ll carry you.”

In that moment, Su Tangxue’s heart thudded wildly. No wonder he was the male lead—strong and responsible.

Without hesitation, she climbed onto his back. Her feet hurt so much it felt like knives slicing through them with every step, so to not slow them down, she accepted the offer.

It was the first time in her life someone had carried her on their back. Su Tangxue felt warm inside and couldn’t help but speak from her heart.

“Lu Qinglin, you’re really nice. I think I’m starting to like you.”

But the moment she said it, she immediately wanted to slap herself.

Lu Qinglin’s face didn’t show any reaction. He remained calm and silent.

Su Tangxue was lively by nature, curious about everything in this era, so she kept chatting—about bugs, grass, anything that came to mind.

In contrast, Lu Qinglin was quiet, carrying her with focused determination and not responding at all.

He probably just saw her as a spoiled city girl who didn’t know much about life, or maybe he’d long forgotten their childhood.

Su Tangxue didn’t mind. She kept talking. Gradually, she became bolder, occasionally asking him questions.

Lu Qinglin would answer depending on his mood and how ridiculous the question was.

When they reached the village entrance, they ran into the brigade leader and a group of educated youths heading to the fields.

Afraid of looking awkward, Su Tangxue asked Lu Qinglin to put her down ahead of time.

The brigade leader, Comrade Li Bing, recognized Lu Qinglin.

He walked over and patted Lu Qinglin on the shoulder with a smile, “Qinglin! You came back and didn’t even tell me. I would’ve sent the ox cart to fetch you.”

“The brigade’s busy with farmwork. How could I trouble you like that, Uncle Li?” Lu Qinglin replied in a cool voice.

“You’ve really grown up since joining the army!” Li Bing nodded in satisfaction, then turned to look at Su Tangxue. “Qinglin, and this is…?”