Chapter 8: Delivering a Thank-You Gift

Tang Wan still hadn’t personally seen what exactly was different about the so-called “Grandma Bai” that Luo Ying mentioned, but that didn’t really matter.

After work, Tang Wan changed into a clean set of clothes. Before leaving, she told Sister Yanhong that it was her turn to cook today and asked her not to prepare her meal.

Sister Yanhong wanted to ask something but, seeing Tang Wan’s calm and straightforward expression, didn’t find the courage to say anything.

Tang Wan noticed her hesitation but said nothing and stepped out.

At that time, it was just after work—people were just heading home, so no one paid attention to Tang Wan’s whereabouts.

Besides, Qin Zheng’s house was on the very edge of the village, and the youth camp was also near the outskirts, so she didn’t encounter anyone on the way.

When Tang Wan left, she put the things she planned to bring into her spatial pocket. Since there was no one around, she only took them out when she was near Qin Zheng’s house.

She had brought quite a lot. Honestly, Qin Zheng had truly saved her life and had helped preserve her dignity; otherwise, given how she looked after being in the water, if the villagers brought by Zhong Ling had seen her, there might have been bad rumors.

Moreover, Qin Zheng had also taken the initiative to buy three aluminum lunchboxes for her, solving her urgent problem.

So she didn’t skimp on the gifts.

First, two cans of malted milk powder, which she thought of after hearing Luo Ying and the others talk about Grandma Bai—something good for elderly people to drink. Then some beef jerky sent by her father, a rare and precious item since beef was rarely slaughtered nowadays, a treasure in the whole team.

Besides that, Tang Wan also brought some canned fruit, biscuits, and candies. The amount of all these things was not small—her hands were already full carrying everything.

Tang Wan didn’t realize that these items she brought were quite valuable at this time—some people couldn’t even bring this many things when visiting a bride for the first time.

Fortunately, no one saw her on the way.

When she arrived at Qin Zheng’s house, she put down the things and knocked on the door.

Qin Zheng’s courtyard was surrounded by brick walls, rare in the village, so no one outside could see inside.

After knocking, she immediately heard movement in the yard and quietly waited at the door.

Soon, someone came—Qin Zheng himself.

Tang Wan hadn’t expected to see Qin Zheng like this: bare-chested, his wheat-colored skin glistening with droplets of water, a towel draped over his shoulder. Water rolled down from his wet hair onto his solid chest, tracing his abdominal muscles.

Tang Wan realized her gaze was following the water droplets downward and blushed a little—something rare for her.

Qin Zheng obviously hadn’t expected Tang Wan to show up. He noticed her eyes scanning over his body, swallowed quickly, then promptly closed the door.

Just before the door closed, Tang Wan seemed to hear a voice from inside: “Is Dongzi here?”

Tang Wan quickly registered that it should be Grandma Bai’s voice, but by then Qin Zheng had already shut the door on her.

The closed door allowed Tang Wan’s flushed cheeks to cool down a little. Before she could wonder what Qin Zheng meant by this, the door opened again.

Qin Zheng had already put on clothes, his short hair dried and no longer dripping.

He seemed a bit apologetic about shutting the door on Tang Wan earlier. The two stood silently at the door, looking at each other.

“Miss, who are you here to see? Did you come to the wrong house?” Grandma Bai asked, puzzled by the silence.

“She’s here to see me,” Qin Zheng quickly replied, as if afraid that if he delayed a second more, Tang Wan would really leave.

Grandma Bai smiled upon hearing his answer. Of course, she knew Tang Wan hadn’t come to the wrong door. When the young man opened the door earlier, she thought it was her little Dongzi coming to see her, but after waiting a while without hearing Dongzi call her, she came out and saw her grandson closing the door.

Before she could react, he hurried back inside, put on a shirt, wiped his head with a towel a couple of times, and rushed to open the door again.

Her question was just to see his reaction, and as expected.

She only wondered when this boy had gotten to know such a pretty girl—and at this time too.

Grandma Bai stepped inside.

By this time, Tang Wan started to understand what Luo Ying meant about Grandma Bai being different.

She was dressed in a blue traditional Chinese buttoned jacket, black straight trousers below. Her hair was neatly tied back, with a blue headscarf matching her jacket. The whole look was clean and tidy, markedly different from others her age in the village, giving off an aura of a well-to-do family.

“Grandma, hello. I brought some things to thank Comrade Qin Zheng for saving my life,” Tang Wan said, lifting the items in her hand.

The things were all wrapped in oiled paper and tied with thin string, and the weight was considerable—her palms were already marked by the tight ropes.

“No need,” Qin Zheng said, “You should keep them and eat yourself.”

“A Zheng, you take them,” Grandma Bai said from behind.

Qin Zheng hesitated but then took the gifts.

Grandma Bai stepped forward, took Tang Wan’s hand, and two fine red marks remained imprinted on the palm. Her originally fair hand was now flushed red.

Qin Zheng frowned, surprised at how delicate her hands were.

Seeing his expression, Grandma Bai scolded him, “You think a girl’s hands are as rough as yours?”

Qin Zheng stared at Tang Wan silently, his thoughts drifting—her hands were so small, he felt one hand could easily cover both of hers. Her skin was truly fair, like a peeled scallion, and just carrying the things had left her hands red. He wasn’t sure what else…

Qin Zheng blushed all of a sudden.

Grandma Bai led Tang Wan inside, paying no attention to Qin Zheng’s dazed state behind her.

“When did A Zheng save you?” Grandma Bai asked, clearly curious. Once inside, she instructed Qin Zheng to pour tea.

Qin Zheng reluctantly put the gifts down and went to pour the tea.

Grandma Bai stayed behind to talk with Tang Wan.

Tang Wan briefly told the story of how Qin Zheng had saved her. She didn’t notice Grandma Bai’s eyes flash when she mentioned the qipao, and her smile grew warmer.

“Then how did you end up in the river behind? That river is much deeper than the one in the village; no one dares to go there alone.”

Tang Wan nodded and explained why she had gone into the water.

“Good child, saving a life is a good thing. A Zheng just helped a bit, no need for you to come all the way here,” Grandma Bai said, looking at Tang Wan with increasing fondness.