Chapter 18.2

Xie Hezhang had never felt the gap between himself and Shu Qingyao as clearly as he did at this moment.

The vast difference in their social status was like a chasm, silencing the young man’s pounding heart.

The heartbeat that had been filled with joy all the way here suddenly fell silent. He silently took out the things Shu Qingyao had bought and neatly stacked them in a corner for her. Then he said to Xie Xiaoqian, “Xiaoqian, let’s go.”

Xie Xiaoqian had finished her Ovaltine, even licking up the last drop. She obediently walked to Xie Hezhang’s side, took her brother’s hand, and said to Shu Qingyao, “Teacher Shu, goodbye.”

Shu Qingyao stuffed the tin of Golden Rooster biscuits into Xie Xiaoqian’s arms. She glanced at Xie Hezhang, who was standing at the door, his brow furrowed, his eyes lowered, not looking at her. Thinking that he was embarrassed, she didn’t tease him anymore and said softly, “Xie Hezhang, see you tomorrow.”

Xie Hezhang pursed his lips, raised his eyes and looked at her, but he didn’t say anything. He turned around and took Xie Xiaoqian away.

Shu Qingyao stood there, watching Xie Hezhang’s back. She didn’t know why, but she felt a little uneasy.

She touched her chest. She hadn’t done anything wrong. She had just teased him a little. He shouldn’t be angry.

Ruan Wenhui came back from a stroll outside and saw Xie Hezhang taking Xie Xiaoqian out of the educated youth dormitory. Knowing that the young man was the one Shu Qingyao was pursuing, she deliberately lowered her voice and said as Xie Hezhang passed by her, “What kind of poor wretch are you? You came here to steal something, didn’t you?”

As soon as she finished speaking, she saw him stop abruptly. The young man’s gloomy and arrogant gaze fell on her face, as if he wanted to cut a piece of flesh from her.

Ruan Wenhui’s hair stood on end, and her face turned pale.

Xie Xiaoqian suddenly raised her head and said to Ruan Wenhui, “Sister, we’re here to deliver things to Teacher Shu. We didn’t steal anything.”

The little girl’s voice was soft and clear, but everyone heard it.

Everyone’s eyes turned to her. Ruan Wenhui’s face flushed red and white, and she said awkwardly, “I was just talking casually. I didn’t mean it. I was just being nosy.”

Tang Yuan wiped her hands, which were wet from eating watermelon, and walked over to give Xie Xiaoqian a piece of watermelon. These two siblings were the ones Shu Qingyao had her eye on, so she naturally couldn’t let them be bullied.

“Go home. Don’t listen to this crazy woman’s nonsense.” She smiled and looked up at Xie Hezhang, “Xie Comrade, right? My name is Tang Yuan. I’m Qingyao’s friend.”

Xie Hezhang glanced at her and nodded. He took Xie Xiaoqian and left.

Xie Hezhang’s gloomy and cold gaze made even Tang Yuan feel a little uneasy. She couldn’t help but pat her chest and thought to herself, this Shu Qingyao is really crazy.

She even dares to bite off a wolf cub like this.

After Xie Hezhang walked away, Tang Yuan deliberately walked past Ruan Wenhui and lowered her voice, “If you bully her, be careful. If Qingyao finds out, she’ll tear your mouth apart! I think she was too light on you last time!”

“…” Ruan Wenhui’s face turned pale with anger, but she was still afraid of Shu Qingyao’s brute strength and didn’t dare to retort.

She wanted to pursue Jiang Xun now, but she couldn’t let Shu Qingyao disfigure her.

Ruan Wenhui told herself to be patient.

*

Wang Xingde was off work at home tonight, and Xie Helan cooked an extra two portions of food.

After dinner, Xie Hezhang told Xie Xiaoqian to go back to her room to rest and went to the well to wash the dishes.

Wang Wei called out from inside the house, “Mom, I want to eat meat. We eat vegetables every day. Are you raising rabbits?”

Xie Helan: “Oh, your father’s salary is barely enough to support our family. Where can I buy meat for you?”

Although Wang Xingde was a village cadre, Wang Wei and Xie Helan didn’t work, so they didn’t have any work points. His salary was basically used to support the family.

Pork and chicken were only bought for celebrations during the New Year and festivals.

Xie Hezhang was washing the dishes when he suddenly heard someone say, “Is Uncle Wang at home?”

Xie Hezhang looked up and saw Jiang Xun, dressed in a white shirt and exuding a scholarly aura, standing at the fence with a bag of meat in his hand.

He stood up and shouted into the house, “Father-in-law, Jiang Xun is here to see you!”

Xie Helan heard Jiang Xun’s name and quickly came out, smiling and saying, “Nephew Jiang, why are you free to come to our house today? Wang Wei, come out quickly, your brother Jiang is here!”

The Jiang family and the Wang family were actually related in Helian Village. Before the Xie family fell from grace, the children of the three families had all attended the same middle school.

Back then, Xie Hezhang was always first in every exam, Jiang Xun was always second, and Wang Wei was always at the bottom.

After Xie Hezhang graduated from middle school, the Xie family was overthrown, and the relationship between the three childhood friends changed.

“My father asked me to bring you some pork.”

Jiang Xun smiled shyly and handed the meat to Xie Helan. Xie Helan was overjoyed and said, “How can we accept this?” as she reached out to take it.

Wang Xingde’s own son was useless, so he liked this nephew, who had a slight blood relationship, very much. The stern old man’s face showed a hint of a smile as he came out to ask Jiang Xun what his father was doing.

After a few pleasantries, Jiang Xun said it was getting late and he had to go to class early tomorrow. He got up and said goodbye.

Xie Hezhang had finished washing the dishes and was carrying a pile of bowls to go inside when he heard Jiang Xun ask him softly, “I heard you went to town with Teacher Shu today?”

Xie Hezhang paused, glanced at Jiang Xun. The man was wearing glasses and smiling gently, looking harmless.

“She asked me to help her carry things.” Xie Hezhang didn’t say much. He just glanced at him and turned to leave.

Jiang Xun smiled and didn’t say anything. He only walked a few steps before saying, “Teacher Shu is very popular with the students at school. She’s the only music teacher at Helian Elementary School, and she plays the piano very well.”

Xie Hezhang paused and said coldly, “I know.”

Jiang Xun smiled contentedly and turned to leave.

Late at night.

Xie Hezhang leaned against the window, smoking a cigarette.

Xie Xiaoqian woke up from her sleep and saw her brother sitting by the window. She climbed up and nestled in his arms, looking up curiously at his face and asking, “Brother, are you upset?”

Xie Hezhang bit his cigarette and pushed Xie Xiaoqian back, “You have class tomorrow. Go to sleep.”

“Oh…”

Xie Xiaoqian obediently climbed back into bed. Looking at her brother’s gloomy face in the moonlight, she whispered, “Brother, if you have anything that’s bothering you, you can tell me. I’ll keep it a secret.”

Xie Hezhang chuckled softly, looking at his sister’s silly expression. He jumped down from the window, “Go to sleep. I won’t wake you up if you can’t get up tomorrow.”

It wasn’t a big deal after all.

It was just that he had become more aware of his fate.

But he didn’t know why, but whenever he thought about not being able to see Shu Qingyao in the future, his chest felt heavy.

He had already accepted his fate, but he couldn’t help but crave something that wasn’t his?

He was even too upset to sleep.

It was funny to think about.