Chapter 20 – She Returned Home

Qin Muye hung the items he bought on the front of his bicycle and carried Song Kexia to the dance hall to fetch her luggage.

Song Kexia sat leisurely on the back seat, slowly enjoying an ice cream. By the time she finished eating, they had arrived. She hopped off the bike.

“Just give me my things. I can take the bus to the station myself.”

“You go in and get your luggage. I’ll take you to the station.”

Song Kexia hadn’t expected him to say that. A man who patiently accompanies you shopping, buys you things, and insists on paying—whether or not he likes you—surely doesn’t dislike you. And as long as he doesn’t dislike her, she still had a good chance.

She saw the dance hall door half-closed and said, “Wait here for me.”

Pushing it open, she found the place empty. She picked up her luggage bag, then after thinking for a moment, tossed her handkerchief into the corner under the sofa—not too obvious, but noticeable when passing by. Taking a quiet breath, she was about to leave when a voice rang out.

“Comrade Song, you’re back.”

Her heart skipped two beats. She turned to see Zhou Qi carrying a box of rice crackers toward her.

Since he hadn’t glanced at the floor, she assumed he hadn’t seen anything, and relaxed.

“How come you’re the only one here?” she asked.

“Couldn’t sleep, so I went to the storeroom to restock,” Zhou Qi replied, glancing around. “Haven’t seen Sixth Brother.”

“He’s waiting for me outside.”

Zhou Qi gave her a look full of understanding. “Then you’d better go, don’t keep him waiting.”

“I’ll be off, then.”

“Come hang out when you’re free.”

When she came out, she saw Qin Muye resting one foot on the ground, his long legs even more striking in that posture. At the sound of movement, he lifted his eyelids and looked over—catching her in the act.

Song Kexia felt her face heat. Hugging her bag, she walked over, sat on the back seat, and placed her hands around his waist.

Sensing his body stiffen instantly, she explained, “I’ve got my luggage, nowhere else to hold on to. If I hold your waist, you don’t mind, do you?”

With his tongue pressing lightly against the roof of his mouth, Qin Muye gave a short, amused snort. “Why would I mind? Hold tight, I’m taking off.”

“I’m ready.”

As he pedaled, he glanced at her hands around his waist—slender, fair, and neatly manicured nails with a faint pink hue. From head to toe, she was immaculate. Hard to imagine how someone like her would survive in the countryside.

Realizing what he was thinking, he cut off the thought immediately. How she lived wasn’t his concern. She didn’t need his worry. She’d already been admitted to Shanghai University—soon enough she’d leave for school and get a government-assigned job.

On the back seat, Song Kexia noticed the air around him growing heavier, without knowing why. She hadn’t done anything—so why did he seem unhappy?

That low pressure stayed all the way until they reached the station. She got off with her bag. “I’m here.”

Qin Muye handed over all the things from his bike in one go. “Since we’re here, I’ll head off.”

With one push of his leg, the bicycle shot forward quickly, the chain squeaking as it spun.

Song Kexia pouted at his retreating figure. How eager was he to avoid her, riding off so fast? She only went into the station after his back disappeared, catching the bus to Muqian Village.

She remembered it was an hour from the county to Muqian Village, with one bus per hour. She’d arrived right on time—one was just about to depart.

Back at the dance hall, Zhou Qi came over. “Sixth Brother, why are you back alone? Where’s Comrade Song?”

“She went home. Why? Looking for her?”

“No, just saw her with luggage and thought she was moving in with you.”

Zhou Qi pulled out a handkerchief. “Found this just now—probably hers. Want to return it for her?”

Qin Muye gave him a sideways look. “Do I look that free to you?”

Fine, forget it then. Zhou Qi pocketed the handkerchief and was about to leave when—

“Come back.”

“What is it?”

Qin Muye took the handkerchief from his hand and walked away without another word.

Watching his back, Zhou Qi clicked his tongue. If these two weren’t involved, he’d cut off his own head and kick it like a ball.

Back in his room, Qin Muye glanced at the handkerchief—an ordinary checkered one, carrying the same scent she had. So it really was hers. She’d said she was in Muqian Village; he’d just take it back to her in a couple of days.

“Next stop—Muqian Village!” the conductor called.

Song Kexia got off, seeing the village ahead with curling smoke from cooking fires.

Muqian Village had a little over a hundred households scattered across the land, nestled against the mountains and rivers. Not rich, but not destitute either—villagers hunted in the hills and fished in the rivers to supplement their meals.

Under the big banyan tree at the entrance, seven or eight elderly women were chatting. At the sight of a stranger with luggage, they all stared.

Thanks to her dream, Song Kexia recognized some of them, but since she’d never actually been here in real life, she pretended not to know them.

Following the layout from her dream, she found the Li household—just as she’d seen in her sleep. A small courtyard, five brick-tile rooms.

Two children ran out and saw her at the gate. “Who are you looking for?”

She looked at them—Li Fangjian’s two sons, the older Li Zhengkun, the younger Li Zhengqi.

“I’m looking for your grandfather.”

Zhengkun eyed her cautiously. She was beautiful, definitely not like a bad person. “Come in then.”

As he walked inside, he shouted, “Grandpa, a pretty sister’s here to see you!”

Song Kexia: …

A young woman came out—it was her second sister-in-law, Hu Qiaoer. Spotting an unfamiliar face, she asked, “Comrade, who are you looking for?”

“I’m looking for Comrades Li Dachuan and Wang Guihua.”

Zhengkun chimed in, “I know, I know! Grandpa’s Li Dachuan, Grandma’s Wang Guihua.”

Hu Qiaoer gave him a light slap. “Enough from you, get back inside.”

Hearing voices, Wang Guihua came out from the kitchen. “Who’s looking for me—”

The rest of the words choked in her throat as if someone had gripped it tight.

She never imagined she’d see her again. And never expected she would come here.

Back when they’d learned the children were switched, both families met to discuss their future. But at the time, Leyi had wanted to return to the Song family, and Song Kexia had wanted to stay, unwilling to come back here.

Wang Guihua had understood. After all, Kexia had lived in the Song family for so long—feelings were bound to develop. And the Songs’ living conditions were far better. They were both employed, and Song Jianshe was even a union chairman—a big official. She’d had a good life there. Why would she return to suffer in the countryside?

She’d thought she’d lost both daughters for good. Never expected… she had actually come back.