Xia Xiaolan could only play dumb.

Zhou Cheng was being far too obvious! Yesterday he walked her home, this morning he waited for her alone at the intersection, showed concern about her family situation, and even wanted to call her uncle “Uncle.” If one were to say he had no manners, he still had the presence of mind to have Kang Wei address Liu as “Uncle Liu”… Clearly, Zhou Cheng knew how to navigate social boundaries.

Having a man show interest in her felt novel to Xia Xiaolan. In her previous life, she had been too focused on making a living during her youth, with her mind completely occupied by her career – how could she have had time for romance? With neither looks nor family background working in her favor, no young men had ever pursued her persistently. There was one client who, impressed by her intelligence, wanted her as a daughter-in-law.

But when she reluctantly went to the matchmaking meeting, the second-generation heir to a factory took one look at her and left, finding her unattractive, stiff, and provincial. After achieving career success, she tried developing romantic relationships.

With career and money as packaging, her prospects improved considerably. However, mature men were more focused on benefits – before things had even begun, they would suggest buying several school district apartments to Xia Xiaolan, talk about having children soon, and offer to manage her finances. What nonsense – Xia Xiaolan had distanced herself from all of them.

Zhou Cheng was handsome – just considering external conditions, he was more than good enough.

Having such a young man showing her attention, Xia Xiaolan didn’t know how to react. Wasn’t the current social atmosphere supposed to be conservative? Xia Xiaolan thought Zhou Cheng was too bold!

“Let’s just get through breakfast first. At noon, I’ll treat you both to a proper meal to thank you for helping Xiaolan.”

Liu Yong was preoccupied with going to the police station to inquire about news, and while he didn’t want to bring Xia Xiaolan along, he was worried about the thugs having accomplices. Zhou Cheng promptly addressed his concerns:

“I’ll accompany Xiaolan to sell eggs. After we’re done, we’ll meet at the guesthouse.”

Kang Wei, holding his portion of dumplings, felt quite dejected, knowing he was being left behind again.

“Uncle Liu, why don’t I accompany you to the police station to learn about the situation? I was there yesterday too, and the police officers might remember me.”

Liu Yong hesitated. “What about your cargo?”

In these times, anyone doing long-distance hauling was carrying profitable cargo. Liu Yong didn’t know if these two were independent operators or drivers working for someone else. Either way, people and vehicles couldn’t be separated. Even when staying at a guesthouse, they had to take turns sleeping in the truck.

“We only need to watch for rats at night. During the day it’s fine – the cargo area has a locked fence.”

Liu Yong looked at the Dongfeng truck parked in the guesthouse courtyard. The cargo area was completely welded shut with steel bars as thick as a baby’s wrist, with a large lock hanging at the back… Liu Yong’s eye twitched. What were these two doing? What kind of cargo needed such heavy security?

He immediately became wary.

Zhou Cheng didn’t explain, and Xia Xiaolan quickly smoothed things over:

“I can go sell the eggs by myself. It’s all busy with people coming and going outside the factory. I won’t go to any secluded places today – what could happen in broad daylight? Thank you for your kindness, Brother Zhou-“

Zhou Cheng said nothing, just looking at Xia Xiaolan.

That gaze nearly melted Xia Xiaolan.

Kang Wei suddenly became very serious and said, “Uncle Liu, I think this matter needs to be investigated carefully. Those thugs yesterday…”

Kang Wei half-pulled, and half-dragged Liu Yong away.

Only Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng were left in the guesthouse courtyard.

“Let’s go. If we’re any later, we’ll miss the vegetable buyers.”

He pushed Xia Xiaolan’s bicycle in front, and she had no choice but to follow. Neither spoke at first. When they reached the noodle stand where Xia Xiaolan often ate soup noodles, the owner, Aunt Huang, who knew Xia Xiaolan well, saw Zhou Cheng pushing her bicycle today. Aunt Huang wanted to tease them but worried she might be mistaken.

She called out to Xia Xiaolan from afar:

“The usual this morning?”

Xia Xiaolan shook her head: “Auntie, I’ve already eaten breakfast.”

Zhou Cheng parked the bicycle properly. “We’ve walked quite far, you must be hungry again even if you’ve eaten. Please make us two bowls of noodles, both with eggs!”

Afraid Xia Xiaolan would refuse, he added: “Even if you’ve eaten, keep me company for another bite. I’ve been waiting on the road since 5 AM, and the dumplings might not have been enough – don’t mind me saying this, I’m not suggesting you didn’t bring enough food, I just mean I have a big appetite.”

Xia Xiaolan blushed hearing this. If she hadn’t been greedy and eaten those few dumplings, there might have been enough for Zhou Cheng.

The two sat down, and Aunt Huang even helped reheat the dumplings, serving them together with the noodles.

Zhou Cheng put a dumpling in his mouth, the sour and spicy flavors whetting his appetite. He nodded approvingly:

“Your cooking skills are good, the dumplings are delicious.”

Northerners love sauerkraut dumplings, which have a different flavor from those made with pickled radish filling, but the pickled vegetable and pork dumplings were made by Xia Xiaolan. Zhou Cheng somewhat regretted giving half to Kang Wei.

Xia Xiaolan’s face reddened slightly. “My mother rolled the wrappers and wrapped them. I’m not very good at making pasta dishes.”

“Oh.”

Though Zhou Cheng hadn’t said anything, Xia Xiaolan inexplicably added:

“I prepared the filling though.”

Zhou Cheng said nothing but started picking up dumplings faster.

Xia Xiaolan truly hadn’t eaten enough. At this time, everyone had big appetites – with no oil and energy in their stomachs and everyone doing physical labor, the few dumplings she ate at home weren’t nearly enough.

She finished the large bowl of noodles, soup and all.

However, though she didn’t eat slowly, her movements were refined and graceful. Zhou Cheng found it pleasing to watch. Only after Xia Xiaolan put down her chopsticks did Zhou Cheng quickly finish his dumplings and noodles.

When Xia Xiaolan tried to pay, Zhou Cheng beat her to it.

Aunt Huang, seeing how things stood, only took Zhou Cheng’s money:

“Xiaolan, your boyfriend is quite handsome, and he treats you well too.”

“He’s not my…”

“Thank you for taking care of Xiaolan, Auntie. Your cooking skills are truly excellent – you’ll surely open a big noodle restaurant someday.”

Aunt Huang immediately beamed with joy – who wouldn’t feel good hearing such auspicious words early in the morning? Not only was the young man handsome but he was also sweet-tongued. Xia Xiaolan had good taste!

Zhou Cheng didn’t let Xia Xiaolan speak. After they paid and left, Xia Xiaolan was quite annoyed.

Zhou Cheng was quite presumptuous and self-important. Director Xia didn’t like how he handled things, not respecting her wishes – such male chauvinism!

Seeing her angry, with her powder-white face showing displeasure, Zhou Cheng found she had no intimidating presence at all. When angry, she had a unique charm – not scary in the least. However, Zhou Cheng didn’t intend to make Xia Xiaolan angry. He suppressed the passion in his heart and explained seriously:

“There’s a crackdown going on now. We can’t help if Auntie misunderstands. If I, having no relation to you, dare to go out in public with you, I’ll be the next one arrested by the Anqing County Police.”

Xia Xiaolan’s expression softened slightly.

Perhaps because of what happened to her yesterday, security in the county town was quite strict today.

The crime of hooliganism was no joke – young men and women couldn’t even be too close in public places.

However, when they reached the agricultural machinery factory, the vegetable-buying aunties gathered around, all expressing amazement:

“So you’re Xiaolan’s boyfriend?”

“Young man, this is your first time here – you should have been accompanying your girlfriend all along. Look how pretty she is, bad people might get ideas.”

“Where are you from, young man?”

The eggs sold quite quickly, but there was too much gossip. Zhou Cheng hadn’t admitted to being her boyfriend, but he hadn’t denied it either. He answered all their questions obediently, and soon all the egg-buying aunties knew – Xia Xiaolan was dating a boyfriend from Beijing who drove big trucks and even had a Beijing household registration!

A regular customer pulled Xia Xiaolan aside:

“My goodness, those are quite impressive conditions! I always said you were such a clever and pretty child – I was thinking of matching you with my nephew, but now that’s impossible.”

How could Xia Xiaolan explain?

She felt she had been completely outmaneuvered!