Chapter 11

The train rumbled southward, passing through more than a dozen large and small stations, and finally arrived in Yangcheng at noon the next day.

As they stepped out of the train station, a man in a Zhongshan suit, exuding an air of authority, was already waiting on the platform.

Fan Hua and Geng Ailing followed behind Zheng Zening and his mother as they walked toward the man.

“Yongxian, these two are friends we met on the train — Comrade Fan Lihua and Comrade Geng Ailing.”

She then introduced the man to Fan Hua and Geng Ailing: “This is my husband, Zheng Yongxian.”

Fan Hua greeted him confidently and politely, “Hello, Uncle Zheng!”

Geng Ailing followed suit.

Zheng Yongxian nodded faintly in response and didn’t say much more.

“Yongxian, I got along very well with these two comrades on the train. Thanks to them, even though I didn’t manage to buy a sleeper ticket, the journey wasn’t too exhausting.

By the way, since they’re new to Yangcheng, I’ve decided to let them temporarily stay in our vacant house. What do you think?”

“You decide,” Zheng Yongxian replied in a calm tone, but his gaze toward Jiang Wenli was gentle.

“Then let’s drop them off at Wusi Road before heading home!” Jiang Wenli suggested.

“Alright,” Zheng Yongxian replied simply and decisively.

Fan Hua and Geng Ailing got into the car with Jiang Wenli and her family.

On the way, Fan Hua looked curiously at the southern scenery of the 1970s outside the window. There were many bicycles on the road, but few cars like theirs — showing just how extraordinary this family was!

Even though it was already 1978, most people on the street still wore gray Zhongshan suits, blue Liberation outfits, green military uniforms, and white Dacron shirts. Bright colors were rarely seen.

Seeing this strengthened Fan Hua’s resolve to start in the clothing business.

She knew that in the coming years, there would be a dramatic transformation in both the colors and styles of clothing. The sooner she started, the better chance she had of growing strong — especially in a rapidly developing city like Yangcheng!

Twenty minutes later, the car slowly drove onto a main street and stopped beneath a two-story qilou (arcaded building).

Zheng Zening pointed to the second door on the second floor: “That’s our house.”

He then led Fan Hua and Geng Ailing up the stairs to the second floor, with Zheng Yongxian and Jiang Wenli following behind.

As they walked, Zheng Zening explained, “There are many buildings like this in Yangcheng. Shops are on the ground floor, and residences are upstairs. It’s very different from the courtyard houses in the north. It may be small, but it’s very convenient. A ten-minute walk gets you to Zhuhai Plaza. Downstairs there’s a supply and marketing cooperative, a newsstand, a market, and a state-run restaurant…”

As Fan Hua walked along the long corridor, she felt it resembled the dormitory buildings she had lived in during her university volunteer teaching days.

She knew clearly that in the 1970s, these living conditions were considered quite good.

Zheng Zening unlocked the door. Inside were two small bedrooms, a small living room, and a small kitchen. The living room had a small sofa, and both bedrooms had windows and small cabinets. Through the windows, one could even see the distant Pearl River.

Although no one was living there, the place was clean and tidy — clearly recently cleaned.

After looking around, Fan Hua felt the only downside was the lack of a private bathroom. Toilets and laundry had to be done at the communal facilities at the end of the corridor.

But they had to accept it — this was the 1970s, after all!

“How do you like it?” Jiang Wenli asked with a smile.

“It’s great, thank you Aunt Jiang,” Fan Hua replied cheerfully.

“This is amazing! I’ve never lived in such a clean building before!” Geng Ailing added excitedly.

“I knew you’d like it! This is staff housing for the Yangcheng Newspaper, very close to the office. Most of the residents here also work for the paper. Everyone is nice. If anyone asks, just say you’re my distant nieces staying temporarily.”

Hearing this made Fan Hua even more satisfied. If they were to rent on their own, they could never find such a good place.

She quickly took out thirty yuan from her bag and handed it to Jiang Wenli. “Aunt Jiang, here’s half a year’s rent. Is that okay with you?”

Jiang Wenli accepted the money and said cheerfully, “No problem! If you need anything, just contact me at the address and phone number I gave you.”

“Okay! Thank you again!” Fan Hua said sincerely.

Zheng Zening stepped forward, interrupting Fan Hua’s repeated thanks, and joked with a smile, “Comrade Fan, no need to keep thanking us. We’ve got a solid friendship forged over playing cards!”

Then he pulled out some ration tickets from his bag and handed them to Fan Hua. “Comrade Fan, I’ve got some tickets that you might need. Just borrow them for now.”

Fan Hua had been worrying about not having ration tickets, so she accepted them without hesitation.

She thought to herself, This second male lead really is future entrepreneur material — such generosity!

“Comrade Zheng, then we won’t stand on ceremony. I’ll make sure to repay you double in the future!” Fan Hua said earnestly.

Zheng Zening laughed shyly, “No big deal — just lending a helping hand!”

Jiang Wenli gave her son a meaningful look, then turned to Fan Hua and said, “Lihua, Ailing, we’ll head off now. You two should get some rest after settling in.”

“Okay, take care on the road…”

After they left, Fan Hua and Geng Ailing returned to the room excitedly. They hadn’t expected to find a place to stay in Yangcheng so smoothly. Their new lives would begin right here…

Geng Ailing still felt it was all unreal. Originally, she had just planned to come south to work with her cousin, and now, somehow, she was renting a place with Fan Hua…

Actually, she was still thinking about the job her cousin had introduced — if it worked out, she could earn fifty yuan a month. And if Fan Hua joined, there’d be an extra fifty. Even if they split it, that was still a good deal!

Seeing Geng Ailing lost in thought, Fan Hua spoke up, “Sister Geng, I know you might still have doubts about what I said on the train, but that’s okay. Let’s settle down first. After that, I’ll go with you to visit your cousin. Once you see it, you’ll understand.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Why would I lie to you? Also, let’s clear up our finances. You lent me ten yuan earlier, and the train ticket to the south cost twenty-seven yuan and eighty cents. That’s a total of thirty-seven yuan and eighty cents. Subtracting half of the rent — fifteen yuan — I still owe you twenty-two yuan and eighty cents. Here, take it.”

Fan Hua handed over the money and continued, “As for our meals these past few days, I calculated and we’ve both spent about the same, so let’s not worry about that.

Sister Geng, from now on we’ll be managing life together. Let’s split household expenses equally. By being clear about money from the beginning, we’ll get along better in the long run.”

Geng Ailing took the twenty-two yuan and eighty cents blankly and asked, “Lihua, you have money?”

Fan Hua smiled awkwardly. She didn’t know how to explain that the money came from Zhao Yilu, so she made up a story instead.

“Sorry, Sister Geng. Actually, when I escaped, I secretly took some money from home. I didn’t tell you before because we didn’t know each other well, and I was afraid you’d inform my family. But I promise I’ll be honest with you from now on.”

Though a bit upset, Geng Ailing understood and smiled. “It’s okay. It’s actually better that you have money. Otherwise, with just my small savings, we’d have run out in no time!”

“Don’t worry, Sister Geng. We’re going to make a lot of money!”

Then Fan Hua pulled out some pastries Zhao Yilu had given her on the train and handed one to Geng Ailing. “Here, let’s have some snacks first. Then we can go out, buy some daily essentials, and start building a good life together.”

As they were eating, Fan Hua casually said, “Sister Geng, there’s one more thing. I figured I wouldn’t be able to hide it from you for long, so I’d better tell you now.”

Geng Ailing looked up while munching on a pastry, waiting for her to continue.

“I’m pregnant.”