Chapter 87 : Panic

“No, I—”

Caught out in her secret intentions, Qiu Xiaoyan shrank back, but before she could explain herself, Liang Qingqing suddenly stood up from the ground, interrupting her. She initially intended to leave, but remembering the hardships Qiu Xiaoyan had endured over the years and her own empathy as a fellow woman, she softened.

Pressing her lips together, Liang Qingqing asked, “How young is he?”

“He’s thirty-two,” Qiu Xiaoyan answered quickly as she stood up alongside Liang Qingqing.

“……”

Considering that Qiu Xiaoyan is only nineteen, there is a thirteen-year age gap between them. Liang Qingqing regretted asking this question, but since it was already out there, she continued with her advice.

“Before making any decision, you need to consider the consequences. Can the man you’re talking about really provide you with a good life? He’s much older and so obsessed with having a son. What if you can’t give him a son? Forget about finding you a job or transferring your household registration, to be blunt, he might just throw you out.”

Qiu Xiaoyan’s eyes widened, seemingly shocked by this possibility. Her face turned pale, and she sharply rebutted, “No way, he’s been so good to me. He wouldn’t throw me out.”

“How is he ‘good’? Is he just sweet-talking you, or has he given you any tangible support?”

Unable to answer, Qiu Xiaoyan stammered, and Liang Qingqing realized that the man was likely just using his position as a supply and marketing cooperative manager to make empty promises to Qiu Xiaoyan. He probably took advantage of her naivety, making grand promises to a young, inexperienced girl from the countryside.

In these times, with a low divorce rate and early marriages, finding a good match is challenging. A widower, especially one as stingy as Qiu Xiaoyan’s, is hardly an attractive prospect. Most widowers end up with other widows, or they seek younger, less wealthy, or less powerful partners from the countryside.

Qiu Xiaoyan’s suitor clearly fit the “old man seeking young woman” stereotype. He was reluctant to spend money and made extravagant promises he was unlikely to fulfill. It was absurd that Qiu Xiaoyan was so willing to become his wife.

Liang Qingqing couldn’t bring herself to scold Qiu Xiaoyan directly but rolled her eyes in frustration and said, “After knowing you for so many years, can’t you learn not just how to be ‘me’ wanting to become a city person, but also how to choose the right partner?”

Handling this situation was like repaying the original owner’s “debt” and earning some merit for herself.

Qiu Xiaoyan’s eyes widened in surprise. “Qingqing, is the person I chose really that bad?”

“Of course he is. Cut ties with him immediately, or you’ll regret it later,” Liang Qingqing said tersely, leaving it up to Qiu Xiaoyan to heed her advice.

“And as for your parents, be firm with them. The law is on your side. If they continue to mistreat you or force you into things you don’t want, report them to the police. They don’t treat you like a daughter, so why should you treat them like parents?”

“You can’t ruin your whole life just because of a few scoundrels, can you?”

“And don’t come looking for me again. Let’s end things here.”

Liang Qingqing patted the dust off her pants, gave Qiu Xiaoyan one last look, and turned to head back in the direction she came from. She hadn’t walked far when she heard urgent footsteps behind her, but they soon stopped not far away.

“Qingqing, I’m sorry.”

Liang Qingqing kept walking, step by step.

“Thank you.”

It wasn’t until she was almost at the dormitory entrance that Liang Qingqing let out a slow sigh. Although Qiu Xiaoyan’s behavior today had been a bit off-putting, she still hoped that Qiu Xiaoyan would make the right choice.

Don’t continue to suffer the pain you have endured since birth.

Returning to the dorm quietly, she found everyone still asleep. Liang Qingqing managed to nap for a while, but was soon woken up by someone calling her lunch break was over, and they needed to gather at the broadcasting bureau.

After so many days of training, the initial nervousness had long dissipated. The group walked together, chatting and laughing.

When Zhou Lilan asked about Qiu Xiaoyan, Liang Qingqing briefly mentioned her and then moved on, thankful that Zhou Lilan was considerate and didn’t press further.

The afternoon training was much like any other day, but midway through, Tian Fengchun called Liang Qingqing to the office. They sat face to face, and Tian Fengchun poured her a glass of water.

“How have you been feeling these days?”

“Pretty good,” Liang Qingqing replied with a smile, her heart beating faster as she guessed why Tian Fengchun had called her.

As she suspected, Tian Fengchun got straight to the point “I hope you’ll feel just as good when you go to the provincial capital.”

The slight lift in Tian Fengchun’s tone made Liang Qingqing shiver inwardly. This was undoubtedly a reminder that the standards in the provincial capital would be far stricter than those in the county.

But this did not make Liang Qingqing hesitate. She maintained her smile and her tone remained steady.

“Teacher Tian, I will.”

Tian Fengchun’s eyes showed a hint of satisfaction. After taking a sip of water, he said slowly, “After the training ends, I’ll give you five days to prepare your personal materials and luggage. By the afternoon of the sixth day, I want to see you at the Provincial Broadcasting Bureau.”

“The Provincial Broadcasting Bureau has employee dormitories, and I’ve already applied for one for you.”

“You should be prepared, you might not have many opportunities to return home in the coming period.”

Liang Qingqing was already mentally prepared for this. She nodded in agreement. After a few more words of advice from Tian Fengchun, she was sent out to continue the training.

A few days later, the training officially ended. After having their final breakfast at the broadcasting bureau, everyone gathered their packed belongings and prepared to head home.

“Qingqing, I’m leaving first.” Zhou Lilan waved goodbye as her elder brother arrived to pick her up, both of them carrying a lot of stuff. Liang Qingqing was tidying up the books on the table. “See you in the village.”

“Okay, see you in the village.” Zhou Lilan, with sharp eyes, noticed the book she had lent to Liang Qingqing and said casually, “Just return it to me after you’ve finished reading it. I’ll come to your house to visit you later.”

“Sure.” Liang Qingqing, a bit guilty, hid the book behind her. Since she got it, she hadn’t read a single page. Fan Yanxing, who was helping her pack up the bedding behind her, happened to see this little action. He glanced at the book’s cover with a raised eyebrow, surprised.

Wasn’t she the one who hated reading these kinds of books?

After Liang Qingqing agreed, Zhou Lilan smiled broadly and greeted Fan Yanxing warmly before turning to leave. Zhou Lilan’s elder brother, who witnessed the whole thing, seemed somewhat puzzled. “Don’t you like Fan Yanxing?”

“I used to,” Zhou Lilan nodded, not denying it.

“Then why are you on such good terms with Liang Qingqing?” Normally, rivals would avoid each other, so how did it become a harmonious relationship with his sister?

Zhou Lilan glanced at her elder brother and snorted, “I don’t like him anymore. Friends are more important than men. Besides, he’s already in a relationship. Why would I go after Qingqing? That would be like trying to be a mistress. I’m not that petty.”

Zhou Lilan’s elder brother scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly, agreeing with her logic. Seeing that Zhou Lilan had moved on was better than anything. As soon as he observed the dynamic between Fan Yanxing and Liang Qingqing, he realized his sister had no chance.

Although they weren’t being intimate, the atmosphere between them was clearly something outsiders couldn’t intrude upon.

Furthermore, maintaining good relations with someone like Liang Qingqing, who has a promising future, would only be beneficial. He planned to suggest to his parents that they should get closer to the Liang family when he returned home.

After Zhou Lilan and her brother left, only Liang Qingqing and Fan Yanxing remained in the dormitory. While Liang Qingqing continued to tidy up the table, she glanced at Fan Yanxing. He was quick and had already folded all the bedding and packed it into large bags.

“Didn’t you say my second brother would come to pick me up?”

Due to house matters, Fan Yanxing had been extremely busy and couldn’t arrange to pick her up the previous days. Liang Qingqing had been surprised to see him this morning and wanted to ask, but it wasn’t a good time with so many people around. Now that they were alone, it was a good opportunity to get some answers.

“Since you finally get to go home, of course I have to come pick you up. Otherwise, what kind of boyfriend would I be?” After finishing all the chores, Fan Yanxing lazily leaned against the bed frame with a smile on his lips. He lowered his voice with a hint of suggestion, “If I hadn’t come, wouldn’t someone have seized the opportunity to pick a fight with me?”

It was clear who the “someone” referred to, and Liang Qingqing gave a thin-lipped smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Then you really are quite the diligent boyfriend.”

“Of course.” Fan Yanxing, with a thick skin, acted as if he didn’t catch the sarcasm. He even took the time to close the door, then came back to rest his chin on her shoulder, his warm breath tickling her skin.

Liang Qingqing’s ears turned slightly red. She shrugged awkwardly, trying to shake his head off. “What are you doing? Someone might see us.”

“The door is closed. No one’s around.” Fan Yanxing’s hand gripped hers, his fingertips poking at the book’s title. He asked in a low, amused tone, “Do you actually read this kind of book?”

“Why wouldn’t I? I’ve read some of it already.” Liang Qingqing instinctively denied.

Fan Yanxing didn’t believe her for a second. Interlocking their fingers, he casually asked, “Oh? So who’s the author?”

How would she know?

Liang Qingqing’s eyes darted around, and she tried to sneakily turn a page with her free hand. However, as soon as she touched it, a light chuckle rang in her ear, clearly indicating he had noticed her little maneuver. Flustered and embarrassed, her face turned bright red as she slammed the book down on the table in frustration.

“I just don’t have a literary inclination and don’t like this type of book.”

“It’s not about having a literary inclination. It’s just personal preference. If you don’t like it, don’t read it, but don’t lie about it.” Fan Yanxing turned Liang Qingqing to face him. They stood facing each other, her back against the edge of the desk. The wooden desk was uncomfortable, so she leaned forward, unintentionally bumping into something unexpected.

Liang Qingqing froze, and Fan Yanxing also looked startled.