Wang Jianhua had caught the attention of a female senior in his department.

And not just any senior – she was a professor’s daughter from an intellectual family, whose background far surpassed the Xia family from Da He Village. Moreover, the senior wasn’t unattractive, with a vibrant personality and outgoing nature. When someone like her took an interest in Wang Jianhua, she naturally wasn’t subtle about it, even though everyone knew Wang Jianhua had a girlfriend at the same school.

Xia Ziyun was somewhat worried at the time, but her steady temperament helped her resist confronting Wang Jianhua about it.

After two days of rumors, Wang Jianhua brought it up himself: “I’ve made things clear with Senior Liu. I told her I already have a girlfriend and could only thank her for her kindness.”

“The senior won’t give up so easily, will she?”

Xia Ziyun couldn’t help but ask. Wang Jianhua took her hand, showing concern for her chilblains:

“Whether she gives up or not is her business. I’ve already said I’m taking you to meet my parents… Ziyun, my family is going through an especially difficult time right now. I can’t guarantee how long it will take to escape this predicament, but I’ll work hard to give you a good life.”

That statement reassured Xia Ziyun completely.

Xia Ziyun knew exactly what kind of person Wang Jianhua was. Since he planned to take her to meet his parents, their marriage was practically set in stone.

This outcome greatly encouraged Xia Ziyun, proving her philosophy correct – dedication would always be rewarded. What was a bit of money? Would washing clothes in cold winter kill her? Not to mention helping get his meals at the cafeteria or saving money to buy him braised pork. All these small gestures accumulated to change Wang Jianhua’s attitude toward her.

After washing and drying the clothes, Xia Ziyun handed them to Wang Jianhua and tried to share her plans:

“Jianhua, I’m thinking of going home first during the break, then joining you to visit Uncle and Aunt at the farm.”

Wang Jianhua nodded: “Of course, you’ve been away at school for months, you should go see your family. You probably don’t have much money left, right? I’ve saved up my monthly allowances, I’ll buy your train ticket.”

Wang Jianhua was well aware that Xia Ziyun had spent all her money on him.

She had covered all his living expenses, allowing him to save his school allowance, which he felt should rightfully be spent on her now.

Xia Ziyun didn’t refuse. A troubled expression crossed her face, and only after Wang Jianhua’s questioning did she hesitantly say:

“I got a letter from home saying that after we left, Xiaolan caused a scene… Somehow Second Uncle and Second Aunt got divorced. Second Aunt took Xiaolan back to her family home. I’m worried Xiaolan still hasn’t come to terms with everything.”

This was the first time Xia Ziyun had openly mentioned “Xia Xiaolan.”

Hearing that name suddenly, Wang Jianhua felt momentarily dazed, as a coquettish, beautiful face appeared in his mind.

Xia Xiaolan was truly beautiful – more beautiful than anyone Wang Jianhua had seen in his twenty-some years. She could brighten the dreary rural life, giving Wang Jianhua hope during his lowest times – but “beauty” was useless. It couldn’t solve problems of food and clothing, nor could it provide any additional help.

Love wasn’t so important when faced with survival.

Xiaolan wasn’t as virtuous as Ziyun. Being with Ziyun eliminated his worries.

A man needs a capable helper, especially when an equally excellent woman is willing to be that helper – that satisfaction is indescribable. Wang Jianhua suppressed the slight tremor in his heart:

“I made things clear with her. If she can’t accept it, there’s nothing to be done. She’s simply too willful.”

He had been quite angry when he saw Xiaolan associating with that good-for-nothing and had said some harsh words. Later, thinking calmly, he realized Xiaolan wouldn’t be interested in Zhang Erlai… But the harsh words had already been said, so Wang Jianhua figured he might as well let the mistake stand and cut off Xiaolan’s hopes.

Xiaolan’s feelings for him couldn’t be helped, but having decided to be with Ziyun, he could only be her “brother-in-law.”

Hearing about Xiaolan’s parents’ divorce, Wang Jianhua was somewhat worried, but didn’t want to show it in front of Xia Ziyun:

“Handle these matters as you see fit. It’s your family business, I shouldn’t get involved. But I can accompany you back to Yunan, then we’ll go to the farm together.”

Xia Ziyun lowered her eyelids – so he hadn’t completely forgotten?

She had given so much, yet still couldn’t fully capture this man’s heart? Besides her pretty face, Xiaolan was just a useless nobody, yet most men in the world were still superficial enough to care only about looks.

Many thoughts flashed through Xia Ziyun’s mind, but she spoke with guilt: “About us… I feel sorry for Xiaolan. I’m afraid she might think radically and go down the wrong path.”

“Ziyun, that was my fault, not yours at all.”

Wang Jianhua gripped her chilblained hand tightly, “Even now, I don’t consider it a mistake. The timing of our relationship might not have been ideal, but you can’t call it a mistake!”

A faint blush rose to Xia Ziyun’s cheeks.

Wang Jianhua’s mention of “fate” reminded her of that night.

Two exam candidates with minimal previous interaction, checking answers together after the exam, both feeling increasingly confident about their performance. Borrowing study materials was their initial connection, aspiring to attend university in Beijing was their shared goal, and the moonlight and a bottle of white liquor played matchmaker… Wang Jianhua was right, this was destiny.

Wang Jianhua could only be hers!

Twenty men’s coats weren’t enough to satisfy the railway system in Shangdu.

People weren’t afraid of wearing the same clothes these days – fashionable styles were trendy, and wearing them showed one’s capability.

Li Fengmei had set up her stall alone for two days and business had improved. With only a few pieces left, Xia Xiaolan let Li Fengmei sell them while she boarded another train to Yang City with the sales money.

Thinking about buying crystal chandeliers, Xia Xiaolan carried quite a sum this time.

There weren’t any interstate banking services yet, so large sums had to be either wire transferred or carried personally.

On her first trip to Yang City, Xia Xiaolan had carried less than a thousand yuan, but now she had ten thousand… With the largest bill being 10 yuan, ten thousand was as substantial as a hundred thousand in later times. Winter clothing allowed money to be hidden in clothes, but what about summer?

Xia Xiaolan felt this was a problem.

She already attracted enough attention, and couldn’t afford to be conspicuous when traveling. She always wore old clothes when traveling alone, fearing criminals might target her for both money and looks. She touched the electric shock device Zhou Cheng had given her, which provided some sense of security.

She couldn’t sleep soundly on the train. When Xia Xiaolan got off groggily at the station, people immediately surrounded her, asking if she needed a ride.

Both manual rickshaws and motorcycles were available at Yang City’s train station in 1983. The changes brought by Reform and Opening Up were more apparent here – everyone in the city seemed to have developed a money-making consciousness. Xia Xiaolan frowned; despite refusing rides, several people still crowded around her, chattering away, making her grip her shock device tighter.

“Xiaolan!”

Bai Zhenzhu pushed aside a man and pulled Xia Xiaolan to her side.

Xia Xiaolan’s spirits lifted, “Sister Bai, you’re back!”

Before boarding the train, she had sent Bai Zhenzhu a telegram hoping for the best, not expecting her to actually return from Pengcheng Special Zone and even come to meet her at the station. Bai Zhenzhu’s Yang City accent made those people wary, though someone cursed under their breath, telling Bai Zhenzhu not to meddle.

Without another word, Bai Zhenzhu executed a shoulder throw on him.

The man fell to the ground, groaning and unable to get up. His companions started shouting that Bai Zhenzhu had injured him and demanded compensation.

Bai Zhenzhu sneered, “How about I compensate you with a coffin board?”

Xia Xiaolan thought this was quite sharp-tongued, but if Bai Zhenzhu hadn’t been tough, these men would have tried to take advantage of them being women. Xia Xiaolan was impressed by Bai Zhenzhu’s skills – her family’s martial arts were indeed formidable, and that shoulder throw had been beautiful.

While she was still wondering how to handle the situation, the crowd of onlookers parted as someone stepped forward to help:

“Cao Liuzi, are you lot trying to extort people again?”