Xia Xiao Lan knew 1983 was a time of change. While smartphones would become commonplace in the future, even the old pagers were just entering the Chinese market now. She came back to her senses and shared her hopes: “Good communication tools will surely spread to Yu Nan Province too. If I can move to the city next year, I might apply for a landline installation.”

Inefficient communication was troublesome. While her small business wasn’t greatly affected now, she wouldn’t stay in Qi Jing Village forever, as rural areas lagged in both transportation and communication.

Xia Xiao Lan clearly understood how communication tools would advance in the future.

Zhou Cheng found it easy to converse with her. Although he spoke about the newly emerging ‘pagers,’ Xia Xiao Lan could engage in the topic seamlessly!

He didn’t know why she was so knowledgeable, but their smooth conversation lifted his spirits even more.

Moreover, Xia Xiao Lan had mentioned her plans to move to the city – wasn’t she discussing their future with him?

Zhou Cheng had detailed his recent life in the telegram, and now he wanted to know what had happened on her end. He’d learned through other channels about Zhang Er Lai and the three thugs being sentenced, but hearing about Xia Xiao Lan’s plans to take next year’s college entrance exam stirred unusual feelings in him.

Xiao Lan wanted to attend university.

Could it be related to Wang Jian Hua?

Zhou Cheng tried hard to recall Wang Jian Hua’s appearance. Northerners were generally taller with proper features, and while he might be considered handsome, he couldn’t compare to Zhou Cheng.

“Which university do you want to attend?”

“Beijing or Shanghai, depending on my exam scores next year. Brother Zhou, you don’t think I’m being unrealistic, do you?”

Beijing had Wang Jian Hua.

But Zhou Cheng’s family was also in Beijing.

Zhou Cheng encouraged her to aim for Beijing: “You’re very smart. If you want to attend university, go for it. Don’t pressure yourself too much, and take care of your health, don’t exhaust yourself… Try for Beijing, capital universities are different.”

Zhou Cheng spoke truthfully – the top institutions were in Beijing.

Job assignments also offered better opportunities there. He thought Xia Xiao Lan was good at business, and while the southern business environment was more open, Beijing wasn’t impossible. Moreover, they would have more time together, which Zhou Cheng valued greatly.

His Xiao Lan was too beautiful; Zhou Cheng worried others might pursue her. He’d feel more at ease with his future wife under his watchful eye!

His woman was capable – scoring over 400 points now, what problems could she have with next year’s college entrance exam? Unlike Kang Wei, Zhou Cheng didn’t look down on Beijing Normal College. Getting into a university from a small county with poor educational resources was already impressive, but would someone like Zhou Cheng be moved merely by “Beijing Normal College”?

That was impossible.

Zhou Cheng hadn’t attended university himself and didn’t care about such matters, but now that Xia Xiao Lan wanted to attend, he thought he could help gather information, keeping it close to his heart. Knowing it was her first long-distance trip, Zhou Cheng explained some train travel precautions. Though Xia Xiao Lan already knew them, she appreciated his thoughtfulness.

The stomach-aching Kang Wei finally returned, “It’s done, Brother Cheng.”

Seeing Xia Xiao Lan’s confusion, Zhou Cheng casually explained:

“I had Kang Wei arrange to change your ticket to a sleeper berth. Seems there were still some available.”

Kang Wei thought about how much effort it had taken! He’d called Beijing, going through multiple connections before finally securing a sleeper ticket. Not only did Brother Cheng not showcase their achievement, but he also downplayed their effort… Just like with Zhang Er Lai’s case – he and Zhou Cheng had handled everything behind the scenes, and Xia Xiao Lan probably still didn’t understand the full story.

When courting someone, of course, you should treat them well.

If Kang Wei had a girlfriend, he wouldn’t treat her poorly either, but there were different ways of being nice. If you don’t display your efforts, how would your girlfriend appreciate you more?

Kang Wei couldn’t understand it.

But Xia Xiao Lan wasn’t an 18-year-old village girl.

President Xia understood social dynamics. Changing her ticket from hard seat to sleeper berth required considerable influence, needing connections to key people, perhaps railway management personnel with some authority. Since neither Kang Wei nor Zhou Cheng were from Shang Du, regardless of who they approached, it must have taken considerable effort… Zhou Cheng’s casual manner made Xia Xiao Lan feel once again that she was being carefully courted.

Where did Zhou Cheng learn these moves? This man was too easy to fall for, wasn’t he?

At least Xia Xiao Lan didn’t dislike Zhou Cheng at all. When someone treated her so well and was handsome without being creepy, it was really hard to dislike them.

Xia Xiao Lan’s naturally bright eyes became even more tender with her shifting emotions.

Kang Wei sensed something was different. As a perceptive single man, he noticed the change in atmosphere between these two.

Was getting a sleeper ticket that important?

Well, at least he’d helped Brother Cheng, right?

Even Kang Wei felt pleased, and Zhou Cheng, as the person directly involved, could feel the subtle change in Xia Xiao Lan’s attitude. At this moment, if he didn’t press his advantage, wouldn’t he be too foolish?

“Xiao Lan, I know you’re clever, but when traveling, you can’t be too careful. The train from Shang Du to Yang Cheng takes about thirty hours, and you’ll arrive before we drive there. I’ll see if I can find a local guide to help you get familiar with the area before I join you in Yang Cheng.”

Zhou Cheng hadn’t found a suitable guide yet, but he was confident he could solve this problem before the train reached Yang Cheng.

Xia Xiao Lan nodded.

Going to Yang Cheng to stock up was quite far, but she wasn’t satisfied with Shang Du’s wholesale market clothes. Yang Cheng’s styles should be the most fashionable in the country, and Xia Xiao Lan was willing to spend more to investigate in person. The southern economic environment was more open, and while she was currently trading clothes, she could trade other things too… Xia Xiao Lan had other plans, but now that Zhou Cheng was involved, she couldn’t pursue that matter halfway.

She felt both eager and hesitant.

Next time, she would investigate.

Zhou Cheng explained how to contact the guide, and at 5:30, he first helped her exchange the hard seat for a sleeper ticket and then escorted her to the platform. Though Xia Xiao Lan had brought food for the train journey, Zhou Cheng still bought her a bag of pears and dates. Yu Nan Province’s dates were quite tasty, and pears were good for quenching thirst – perfect for the train journey.

“Xiao Lan, see you in Yang Cheng.”

After escorting her to her sleeper berth, as the train was about to depart, Zhou Cheng quickly gave Xia Xiao Lan a hug, his warm breath falling near her ear. Though it was just a proper farewell, Zhou Cheng’s voice was quite flirtatious.

Seeming afraid she might get angry, he jumped off the train himself and waved to Xia Xiao Lan through the window.

Xia Xiao Lan swore she saw mischief and satisfaction in Zhou Cheng’s eyes – this man, was he flirting with her?