Chapter 49 ☆  Xie San, someone is looking for (Part 3)

“Yeah!” Xie Fei finally looked happy.

Han Yin and Zhang Xiaofeng were curious about the landlord’s house and the landlord’s wife, but they stood at the door without peeking. When Cheng Yaoyao came out with her things, they pulled her aside and asked, “Was that Xie San’s grandmother and sister?”

Cheng Yaoyao nodded. “Yes.”

“She looks very kind and even asked us if we wanted to come in and sit down.” Han Yin patted her chest. “And Xie San’s sister is pretty.”

Cheng Yaoyao rolled her eyes. “You’ve watched too many movies, haven’t you? Do you think all landlords are cannibals?”

The three of them carried Cheng Yaoyao’s basket and got on a bus at the village entrance. Zhang Xiaofeng asked, “What’s in your basket? It’s so heavy.”

Cheng Yaoyao said nonchalantly, “Grandma Xie asked me to bring some food to Xie San and also to send some dried bayberries to my father.”

Upon hearing this, Han Yin immediately winked and said, “I haven’t had the dried bayberries you made for a long time. I’ve been craving them for the past few days.”

Cheng Yaoyao pushed her away and said, “That’s so corny. Don’t worry, I’ll give them to you when I come back.”

“I knew you were the best for me!” Han Yin hugged Cheng Yaoyao’s arm in a dramatic way.

The three of them talked and laughed along the way. Cheng Yaoyao knew that the people Han Yin and Zhang Xiaofeng stayed with were very kind, but they also had to help clean the house or cook.  None of them were like Cheng Yaoyao, who felt like she was enjoying herself when someone helped her with the laundry and cooking.

Zhang Xiaofeng said, “It seems we can’t just listen to one side and believe it. We have to see it with our own eyes. The Xie family is so good to Yaoyao; they must not be bad people.”

Han Yin hesitated, “But they are landlords. Could the organization be wrong about them?”

Zhang Xiaofeng was momentarily speechless. Cheng Yaoyao quickly changed the subject, “Things aren’t just black and white; everything has two sides. Let’s not talk about this anymore. What are you going to buy in the city?”

The topic was diverted.

The bus swayed into the city. It was still early, and there was a large steamer in front of the state-owned restaurant. When it was opened, steam rose up, and the aroma of steamed buns and fried dough sticks was so tempting that people couldn’t resist.

Han Yin and the others felt the money they had saved in their pockets and walked to the small table at the restaurant entrance. Cheng Yaoyao ordered two fried dough sticks, two steamed buns, and asked the waiter to pack them up.

Cheng Yaoyao said to Han Yin and the others, “I’ll take the food to Xie San first; you guys eat.”

Han Yin and Zhang Xiaofeng said, “No, we’ll go with you after we finish eating.”

“No need!” Cheng Yaoyao waved her hand and pointed to Renmin Road, not far away. “It’s in the machinery factory compound over there. I won’t get lost.”

After Cheng Yaoyao finished speaking, she walked away with a bag of things, her back showing a hint of determination.

It didn’t look like she was delivering something, but rather like she was calling for punishment.

In the machinery factory yard, three tractors were parked on the wide playground. A group of young people finished their exercise, washed their faces, and wiped their sweat under the tap beside the playground. Some were carrying lunch boxes, ready to get food. But a tall and handsome young man stood next to a tractor, sweat rolling on his bulging muscles, carefully wiping the tractor with a rag as if he were treating his lover gently.

The gatekeeper suddenly called out, “Xie San, there’s a girl looking for you!”

Xie San paused and turned around.

When a group of young bachelors heard the word “girl,” their ears perked up. They winked and said, “Brother Xie, your girl is here to see you again!”

Xie San frowned. “Say I’m not here!”

The gatekeeper said, “It’s not the one from before. This one is… extraordinarily beautiful!”

The young people immediately started to make a noise. “Can she be prettier than the previous one? Brother Xie is in high demand. Brother Xie, do you want to meet her?”

Before they could finish, Xie San threw away the rag and quickly ran toward the door.

Two redbud trees were planted in front of the machinery factory. At this time, their branches and leaves were lush, and the purple flowers were falling. A figure in a light yellow corset dress stood in the shadow of the trees, with mottled spots of light dancing on her hair and skirt.

Cheng Yaoyao tilted her head, with the basket she had woven for her at her feet, her face cold and indifferent. People who were not familiar with her might be intimidated by her aloof look, but only Xie San knew how sweet she looked when she smiled.

Xie San ran all the way out. When he arrived in front of Cheng Yaoyao, he slowed his pace and looked at her with restraint. “Yaoyao.”

Cheng Yaoyao suddenly took two steps back, staring at him with her delicate eyes, filled with mixed emotions like vigilance and disgust.

Xie San panted and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He noticed that his torn vest was stained with oil. He hadn’t had time to shower after his early morning training, so it was no wonder she might find him unappealing.

Seeing Cheng Yaoyao again filled his heart with unspeakable joy. A trace of happiness appeared in Xie San’s dark eyes as he asked, “Yaoyao, why are you here?”

“Grandma asked me to bring you something.” Cheng Yaoyao took out a cloth bag from the basket. “This is a can of fried chicken mushrooms and a can of pickled vegetables. This is baked bread, which can be kept for a week.”

Cheng Yaoyao handed him another bag of hot breakfast. “This is for you too.”

Xie San wiped his hands on his clothes, took the food, and asked, “Did you buy this for me?”

“Humph!” Cheng Yaoyao turned away and said, “I’m leaving.”

“Wait!” Xie San stared at her rosy lips, puzzled. “Why are you unhappy?”

Cheng Yaoyao glanced at him, her eyes confused and her cheeks red. How could he still have the nerve to ask?

Xie San was so confused by her delicate glance that his breath became disordered. He asked, “Did Grandma scold you? Or are you too tired from work?”

Cheng Yaoyao’s lips moved, and then she bit them angrily. She had come here in a rage, rehearsing her scolding speech, intending to berate Xie San. But upon seeing him, all the words got stuck in her throat.

Besides, this was not a good place to talk, with people coming and going, and the gatekeeper still watching the scene with sharp eyes. Additionally, a bunch of young greenhorns had gathered on the other side of the iron gate, laughing and stretching their necks to look over.

Xie San also noticed the group of young people and frowned, blocking Cheng Yaoyao behind him. “Ignore them.”

Xie San’s protection made the young people even more curious. They pushed and shoved to get a clear look at Cheng Yaoyao’s appearance. Xie San stared at them coldly.

Xie San seemed to have considerable prestige among them, so they quickly lowered their heads.

However, Cheng Yaoyao curiously poked her head out from behind Xie San, revealing half of her pretty face.

There was a collective gasp. The young people, who had been pushing and shoving and laughing just moments ago, were now dumbfounded, staring blankly at Cheng Yaoyao.

Xie San turned around and saw Cheng Yaoyao sticking her head out disobediently. He immediately became furious and pulled her back behind him, saying in a deep voice, “You’re being disobedient again!”

Cheng Yaoyao looked up at him blankly. The color drained from her face, and she looked frightened.

Xie San realized something was wrong and softened his tone. “You go first. I’ll take a break at noon and take you to the restaurant for dinner.”

“You’re mean to me again…” Cheng Yaoyao’s voice wavered, and all her earlier resolve seemed to vanish.

Xie San hurriedly said, “No.”

“You just are!” Cheng Yaoyao turned and left.

Xie San didn’t care about anything else. He threw the items on the ground and chased after her. “Sister!”

“Who is your sister! Your sister is at home!” Cheng Yaoyao’s tears were swirling in her eyes, stubbornly refusing to fall.

Xie San hated seeing her so delicate and upset. He wanted to hug her tightly but couldn’t do so in front of everyone. He could only watch her with concern and whispered again, “Sister.”

Xie San’s tone was filled with an indescribable doting. Cheng Yaoyao’s mind heated up, and she blurted out, “Did you touch me that night?”