Long-distance relationships were already difficult enough.

Being separated, no matter how deep the feelings, couples might only meet once or twice a year. When Zhou Cheng requested leave to see his girlfriend, his latest request was rejected. Old Fang felt particularly smug about this.

Though High Fei wasn’t as beautiful as Zhou Cheng’s girlfriend, her family had lived in the Imperial City for generations, with all their relatives and friends in Beijing. High Fei would also work at a Beijing hospital. Old Fang had lucked out in marrying High Fei – it was all thanks to her family’s favorable impression of his profession and his future career prospects, overlooking that his family was from the countryside with many younger siblings to support.

Wasn’t finding a Beijing partner ideal? The couple wouldn’t have to live apart; High Fei could visit at least weekly, and after marriage, Old Fang could return home every ten days or two weeks.

So what if someone was beautiful and had money?

The real ability would be to arrange a job in Beijing to avoid living separately!

Old Fang was convinced that in this aspect, High Fei had a clear advantage – she had the education and could secure work in Beijing, which couldn’t be bought with money.

Zhou Cheng’s girlfriend had him wrapped around her finger, previously bringing a lamb to the unit and giving him a watch for his birthday. While Old Fang didn’t recognize Rolex, High Fei did, saying the watch cost over a thousand yuan… Old Fang’s taunting of Zhou Cheng stemmed from jealousy. With his Level 17 salary of just over 100 yuan monthly, still sending money home, it would take him two years of savings to buy the watch Xia Xiaolan had given Zhou Cheng!

This time, for his marriage to High Fei, Old Fang had given all his savings to her as a gesture of sincerity. High Fei already had the popular “Four Big Items,” so she could use the money as she saw fit.

In return, High Fei had bought Old Fang a Rolex too.

Comparing them, except for the color, it wasn’t much different from Zhou Cheng’s!

High Fei had made him proud, so while distributing wedding candy, Old Fang couldn’t resist jabbing at Zhou Cheng – there were differences between outsiders and Beijing locals. You found an outsider, can you arrange work for her? Can she arrange Beijing work herself? Without a job, an outsider still couldn’t compare to his High Fei.

Old Fang’s pettiness was needle-sharp, and Zhou Cheng found dealing with such people torturous.

Zhou Cheng had added another reason to strive harder – to advance from being Old Fang’s peer to becoming his superior!

To Old Fang’s sarcastic suggestion about arranging work for Xia Xiaolan in Beijing, Zhou Cheng replied impatiently: “Xiaolan doesn’t need my help, she can secure work herself!”

Who said they’d always be in a long-distance relationship? His wife would soon study at a university in Beijing. Wouldn’t Huaqing University graduates be guaranteed state job assignments?

High Fei wore a red dress with white shoes, looking youthful and eye-catching. Now officially married to Old Fang, she carried more womanly charm.

“Old Fang, what are you pestering Zhou Cheng about?”

High Fei approached gracefully, “If little sister-in-law wants to work in Beijing, I could help ask around. However, proper units require education and entrance exams… Your family must be well-connected, right? Why not let them pull some strings?”

Just how good was her background? Let’s see it.

Having money wasn’t everything – the state now allowed private businesses, and High Fei knew some people had made money from street stalls.

Coming to show off wealth at the unit was one thing, but having the ability to secure work in Beijing would truly impress High Fei! These days, even university graduates couldn’t easily change their assigned workplaces – you went where the state sent you. The power needed to transfer between regions was enormous.

Moreover, High Fei seriously doubted whether Xia Xiaolan even had a job.

“I thank you both on Xiaolan’s behalf for your concern, but she doesn’t need to worry about work yet – she’s still in school!”

Zhou Cheng’s expression turned cold.

How old were High Fei and Old Fang combined, to be pestering a student like this? Weren’t they ashamed?

“What?”

Still in school? She didn’t look like it!

As High Fei brazenly tried to probe further, someone ran up to report to Zhou Cheng, “I saw sister-in-law at the entrance!”

Xiaolan was here?

How could that be? Xiaolan should be in Pengcheng.

Zhou Cheng didn’t believe it but couldn’t abandon hope, following the messenger.

Sure enough, there stood the lovely Xia Xiaolan at the entrance. She wore a red dress that reached her ankles, with a turned-down collar and waist, pleated skirt, and open-toed sandals. She had worried about how to reach Zhou Cheng’s unit but encountered their supply truck that ran between the city. After her previous dramatic entrance, who wouldn’t recognize her?

Arriving at the unit entrance, she followed the procedures to register, then had them notify Zhou Cheng to “collect” her.

Xia Xiaolan had removed her wrist cast after landing – the hospital said the fracture had healed well, just needed to avoid strain.

The long-sleeved, full-length dress wasn’t just for sun protection but also to hide the unhealed scars on her elbows and knees.

Before Zhou Cheng stood the same beautiful Xia Xiaolan he remembered, showing no signs of injury.

“Wife, you’ve lost weight!”

After a long pause, that’s all Zhou Cheng could say. Why had Xiaolan suddenly appeared at his unit? Today was her birthday – his wife must have missed him! Zhou Cheng’s longing was almost overwhelming. It had been over two months since his last visit to Shangdu, and with Xia Xiaolan focusing on college entrance exams, their contact had been limited.

Xia Xiaolan was also happy to see Zhou Cheng. While it wasn’t appropriate to start pinching and grabbing him, Zhou Cheng’s joy was genuine.

At this moment, some tactless people had to rush over to be taught a lesson.

Since when was she so close to High Fei? Why was the other woman so concerned about her?

Xia Xiaolan had no patience for High Fei and Commander Fang.

High Fei approached to ask if she was still studying and when she’d end the long-distance relationship with Zhou Cheng – acting more concerned than Xia Xiaolan’s mother!

Seeing Xia Xiaolan’s impatient expression, High Fei secretly laughed: Keep acting, why aren’t you talking now? How could this little girl possibly look like a student?

And she had to wear the same red dress as herself – High Fei felt extremely uncomfortable.

Xia Xiaolan chuckled: “No need for sister-in-law’s concern. I’ve already applied to a Beijing university this year. I’ll be studying here in September, so I’ll have plenty of opportunities to see Zhou Cheng. My Zhou Cheng attracts so many girls, some thick-skinned ones keep hovering around him, so I must keep a close watch.”

High Fei choked, not acknowledging that the “thick-skinned” comment was aimed at her, and forced a smile: “You just took the college entrance exam this year? Which Beijing university did you apply to? If I’d known earlier, I could have given you advice. Beijing universities are always popular, with high score requirements…”

High Fei wasn’t a top student, but she had properly graduated from a medical university – this was something she could boast about.

“Thank you for your concern, sister-in-law. I applied to Huaqing University.”

What?!

High Fei nearly spat out her drink – this little girl could boast!

She spoke earnestly, “Sister-in-law when filling out university preferences, you shouldn’t aim too high…”