When Fei Ni heard Ling Yi offer to teach her how to brew coffee, she smiled and said, “If Fang Muyang wants coffee, he’ll brew it himself. When he returns, I’ll ask if he knows how. If he doesn’t, then I’ll trouble you to teach him.”

Ling Yi hadn’t expected this response, and her smile stiffened slightly.

Fei Ni asked Ling Yi, “Were you assigned to the publishing house right after university graduation?”

Last year, she had specifically invited Ling Yi to visit Fang Muyang. She had deigned to come just once, and afterward not even her shadow was seen. Yet today she arrived uninvited, calling “Muyang” this and “Muyang” that until it gave Fei Ni a headache. Since she kept bringing up her history with Fang Muyang, Fei Ni didn’t mind helping her remember how she got into university.

Ling Yi didn’t know why Fei Ni asked this but answered directly that she had.

“If Fang Muyang hadn’t given up his university slot to someone else at the youth farm, he’d probably be working at the publishing house now too. Isn’t that right, Ling Yi?”

Hearing this, Ling Yi began to regret bringing Su Yu along. To prevent Fei Ni from directing the conversation toward her, she could only agree.

Fei Ni continued, “You know how important that opportunity was for Fang Muyang. After giving up his slot, he could only earn work points with the villagers in the countryside. When natural disasters struck, he might not even have had enough to eat. At least as a waiter now, he can earn wages and doesn’t have to worry about necessities. If you want to talk about regrets, you should have felt sorry for him back then.” Fei Ni smiled, “Ling Yi, you must have felt terrible for Fang Muyang then, since he lost such a good opportunity—not only could he not drink coffee, but he might not even have had sugar water to drink. Though we don’t drink coffee now, I make sure he has plenty of sugar water.”

Though Fang Muyang didn’t drink sugar water much, Fei Ni thought, maybe he actually would like the coffee Ling Yi brought. If he wanted to drink it, he could use the Moka pot Ling Yi gave him to brew it himself—she wouldn’t wait on him.

Fei Ni didn’t want to bring up the past; ultimately, that was between Ling Yi and Fang Muyang. But when Ling Yi showed up at her door flaunting her superiority, Fei Ni felt compelled to remind her.

Ling Yi’s face grew increasingly red, impossible to hide. Fei Ni’s words had struck right at her weak spot, leaving her unable to respond.

She recalled those unbearable times in the countryside again—those days had been so bitter. When she was suffering in the countryside with blistered hands and feet too painful to walk yet still having to earn work points, people like Fei Ni were working comfortably in factories earning wages. Just because Fei Ni’s parents were more ordinary and incompetent than her own, people like Fei Ni could live better than her in those years—excellence had become a crime, subject to exclusion and persecution. If not for Fang Muyang then, she truly didn’t know how she would have survived. When she was little, everyone doted on her for being pretty and cute; even photo studios took her pictures for free because they wanted to display them in their windows. Her childhood had been happy; the unhappiest moments all involved Fang Muyang. She’d actively tried to play with him, but he usually couldn’t be bothered with her. Only once did he initiate contact, wanting to paint her portrait—he had her hold her family’s cat, but after sitting stiffly for ages, only the cat in her arms made it into the painting. In the countryside, Fang Muyang seemed to become a different person, no longer dismissive of her as before. He was a ray of light in her dim life, but that light was extinguished when he was hospitalized.

Thankfully, all that was over now. The era when people like Fei Ni could live well just because of their poor background was coming to an end.

Ling Yi wanted to say that if Fang Muyang wanted to work at the publishing house, her family could help, and she was willing to do whatever she could to help him—if only Fei Ni wouldn’t block it out of jealousy. But with Su Yu, an outsider, present, Ling Yi couldn’t say this.

Not wanting to continue this topic, Ling Yi opened her bag and counted the letters inside, “There must be a hundred letters here altogether.”

But Su Yu wasn’t ready to let the topic drop. She asked Ling Yi, “Fang Muyang gave up his university spot to someone at your youth farm?” Earlier, Ling Yi had told Su Yu they were at the same youth farm.

Ling Yi somewhat resented Su Yu’s meddling—with Fei Ni present, how could she deny it?

Ling Yi gave a slight affirmative sound, thinking Fei Ni must be laughing at her inside. They both knew clearly that Fang Muyang had given his university spot to her, yet she dared not admit it in front of a third person.

Yes, Fei Ni’s family background and job weren’t as good as hers, but whenever Fei Ni brought up the past, she would always have the upper hand, because Fang Muyang had indeed given his university spot to her. She owed Fang Muyang such a great debt, and when he was hospitalized, besides the hospital nurses, it was Fei Ni who cared for him. Once Fei Ni mentioned this, no matter what difficulties she had faced, others would only think she was ungrateful.

But she owed this debt to Fang Muyang—what did it have to do with Fei Ni? If Fang Muyang hadn’t fallen on hard times, what right would Fei Ni have had to marry him?

But none of this could be said aloud.

Su Yu was about to ask more questions when Fang Muyang’s return timely resolved Ling Yi’s crisis.

Fang Muyang had collected a package from the post office. After leaving, he bought drawing paper and paint for himself, then went to the store to buy Fei Ni a reversible cotton jacket. Fei Ni only had one padded jacket and two work shirts she alternated between; she needed another winter coat. After buying the jacket, he also bought her a cashmere shawl that could double as a scarf. Her original scarf had been quite long, but because she needed to knit him a vest, she’d unraveled the long scarf, leaving only a short length that looked somewhat odd when worn.

As soon as Fei Ni opened the door, she saw Fang Muyang’s arms full of things. He handed her the paper package with the shawl, telling her to try it on. He also gave her the bag with the cotton jacket, saying, “This jacket is reversible—it can serve as two coats. I’m good at shopping, aren’t I?”

The store name on the bag told Fei Ni this garment wasn’t cheap. Plastic bags, considered wasteful and cheap items, were still rare in China then; most stores didn’t provide them.

This one trip had probably exhausted all the money he had on him—how was that being good at shopping?

But with guests present, she had to save face for him and said, “You are good at shopping.”

Fang Muyang tweaked her ear, “How would you know without trying it on? Go try it quickly.”

Fei Ni was both annoyed and amused—in such a small room, with two guests present, how had Fang Muyang not noticed them?

She had to remind him: “We have guests—they came specially to bring you reader letters.”

Only then did Fang Muyang notice, Su Yu and Ling Yi, greeting them with a smile.

This was Su Yu’s first time seeing such an affectionate young couple in real life. She felt somewhat embarrassed, as if she’d witnessed something she shouldn’t have, and lowered her head to drink half a cup of tea.

Ling Yi hadn’t expected them to be so naturally intimate; they didn’t seem like a couple forced together by circumstances. The store’s brand on the bag reminded her that Fang Muyang was living better than she’d imagined.

Moreover, he seemed very satisfied with his current life, not needing her help at all.

This left Ling Yi feeling somewhat defeated, but then she thought: Fang Muyang had suffered like her in the countryside for a long time; now he at least had a home and job—no matter how modest, it was better than before, so being content for now was understandable. But as his life improved, the gap between him and Fei Ni would only grow wider, and then he probably wouldn’t be satisfied anymore.

Fang Muyang walked around to the desk, put down his packages of drawing paper and paint, and poured himself a glass of water before sitting down next to Fei Ni.

Ling Yi handed the letters to Fang Muyang, “I counted—ninety-six letters in total, all sent by readers across the country to the publishing house. My parents also love your comic book. I bought copies to keep at home, and when important guests visit, my father gives them each a copy.”

“Then please thank Uncle Ling for me.”

The smile returned to Ling Yi’s face: “I can’t help you convey that—you’ll have to thank him in person. My father has always wanted to introduce you to some friends.”

The Ling family’s living room had become lively again this year, with young artists and writers frequently visiting for guidance. Ling Yi mentioned a currently popular play that was not only selling well but had won many awards, and its director and playwright, Zhao Xun, was a guest at the Ling house. This guest also very much liked the comic book.

Because Fei Ni worked at the hat factory and wasn’t familiar with the art circle, Ling Yi kept the conversation within their small group, telling Su Yu and Fang Muyang, “Director Zhao is interested in adapting this comic book into a play. You should all get together sometime to discuss it.”

Fang Muyang smiled and said, “The story is Su Yu’s foundation—any play adaptation should be discussed with her. It has nothing to do with me, I just did the drawings.” He noticed the tangerines on the table and asked Fei Ni, “Who bought these?”

Su Yu answered, “I brought them for you both.”

Fang Muyang thanked Su Yu for her kindness and, assuming temporary ownership of the tangerines, invited everyone to have some. But except for Fang Muyang, no one touched them.

Fang Muyang peeled a tangerine, removed the white pith from a segment, and put it in his mouth. After eating it, he gave the next smooth segment to Fei Ni. This continued back and forth until Fei Ni had eaten nearly half the tangerine.

Fang Muyang did this so naturally that it made Su Yu feel awkward as if she were intruding on the young couple’s intimacy. Ling Yi felt equally uncomfortable—today’s visit was nothing like she had imagined. She hadn’t expected Fang Muyang to show so little interest in what she had to say.

But having prepared her words, Ling Yi had no reason not to say them. Even Su Yu realized they were neglecting Fei Ni, so she asked what novels or plays Fei Ni was interested in lately.

Fei Ni answered honestly, “I haven’t been following any of those works.” She preferred reading works that had stood the test of time; she didn’t pay much attention to current trends.

Fang Muyang continued feeding her tangerine segments. Embarrassed to keep eating in front of guests, Fei Ni got up to refill their cups with water from the thermos.

Su Yu took out a newspaper from her bag and turned to the last page, showing Fang Muyang a column of text. “Among all these reviews, I think Tian Xueying’s is the most insightful.”

“Tian Xueying?” Fang Muyang couldn’t help but smile, calling out to Fei Ni, “Ni, stop bustling about and come look at this article.”

Fei Ni’s back was turned, but hearing the name Tian Xueying made her hands shake slightly as she held the thermos.

Fei Ni sat beside Fang Muyang to appreciate Tian Xueying’s masterpiece.

Fang Muyang smiled at Fei Ni and asked, “What do you think of Tian Xueying’s article?”

His mother-in-law’s name was Tian Xueying, and Fei Ni had borrowed her name when writing her review of the comic book.

Fei Ni’s assessment was tepid: “It’s adequate.”

Su Yu disagreed with Fei Ni’s opinion and directly contradicted her: “This is more than just ‘adequate.’ Among all the reviews, I think this one’s the best. If you read it carefully again, you’ll see what makes it so good.”

Ling Yi said, “Let me see.” After a quick read, she agreed with Su Yu, “This is indeed very well written. I plan to show it to my father; many points align with his thoughts. If this is merely ‘adequate,’ then no review could be considered ‘good.'”

Fei Ni didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Ling Yi was targeting her, and in doing so, was praising her article as incomparable. If Ling Yi knew she had written this review, who knows how she would evaluate it then?

“This article…” Fang Muyang was about to reveal the true author when Fei Ni gently bumped his knee.

A wife immediately writing a glowing review of her husband’s comic book wasn’t something worth boasting about.

Fang Muyang offered Fei Ni another tangerine segment; when she declined, he ate it himself.

He smiled at Fei Ni and said, “I think this article is excellent too. The three of us think it’s good, you’re the only one who thinks it’s just adequate—your taste needs improvement. Ling Yi, could you explain to Fei Ni what makes this review better than others?”

Fei Ni nudged Fang Muyang’s knee again, trying to get him to stop, but he seemed to ignore her intent and started playing footsie with her under the table.

Ling Yi found Fang Muyang’s tone somewhat strange—it didn’t sound like criticism but rather seemed affectionate. But since he’d brought it up, she didn’t mind giving Fei Ni a lesson.

While Ling Yi spoke, Fang Muyang peeled another tangerine, this time splitting it in half and giving one half to Fei Ni while eating the other himself. He was completely at ease being a host in his own home. Out of politeness, he placed two more tangerines near Su Yu and Ling Yi.

As Ling Yi analyzed “Tian Xueying’s” writing word by word, Fei Ni’s emotions were complex—wanting to laugh but feeling it would be inappropriate, she followed Fang Muyang’s lead and ate her tangerines.

When Ling Yi finally finished, Fang Muyang smiled at Fei Ni and said, “I think everything Ling Yi said makes perfect sense. Shouldn’t you take back your ‘adequate’ assessment now?”

Fei Ni ignored him and refilled her water. Her effort to suppress her laughter made her appear upset, and Ling Yi, thinking Fei Ni was angry because Fang Muyang hadn’t taken her side, felt somewhat better.

Seeing it was getting late, Su Yu made to leave, and Ling Yi naturally had to leave with her. Before leaving, she said to Fang Muyang, “The coffee and Moka pot are my gifts to you. You can brew coffee when you have time.”

Fang Muyang thanked her and continued, “Since you’ve come all this way, why not stay for a cup of coffee?” He looked at Ling Yi, “I don’t know how to brew coffee—would you mind helping us make a pot?”

Ling Yi thought for a moment and said, “I could, but Fei Ni, could you please grind the coffee beans into powder?”

Before Fei Ni could refuse, Fang Muyang said, “She doesn’t know how. She’s quite clumsy, like me—we only know how to drink it. We’ll have to trouble you.”

“Well, do you have a coffee grinder?” She suspected they probably didn’t.

“No, you’ll have to use a rolling pin to grind them.” Fang Muyang said to Fei Ni, “Ni, go get our rolling pin, and find some gauze while you’re at it.”