Chapter 4: Ye Aihua's Face Suddenly Turned Pale

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“Suo, take this document to the Industry and Commerce Bureau office. When you return, check the latest issue of the publicity newsletter, then draft a study plan.”

Li Kunshan could not stand seeing anyone in the office doing anything unrelated to work.

It was useless to try to manage the older comrades nearing retirement, but young people should be studying and gaining experience as much as possible.

Wei An remained silent.

Wasn’t running errands supposed to be the duty of Officer Li? Why was it suddenly assigned to her?

And that study plan—wasn’t that Deputy Section Chief Jin’s responsibility? When did it become her place, a junior staff member who had only been in the unit for a little over a month, to interfere?

She opened her mouth to refuse, but Li Kunshan stepped outside without a word:

“Once you finish the study plan, remember to have Section Chief Jin review it first.”

In her past life, Wei An had abandoned her studies for years and only read novels casually. This lifetime, she had just barely scraped through two years of high school. Inwardly, she cursed fiercely:

Ye Aihua, if she didn’t go bankrupt, she wouldn’t be called Su Wei An!

...

After parting from Wei An, Ye Aihua sought comfort from Xie Hongfei and sneezed hard.

Wearing glasses and a long-sleeved white shirt buttoned up neatly even in the height of summer, with his hair parted cleanly at 3:7, Xie Hongfei frowned slightly. Subtly, he wiped his hand—which had been splattered with snot and saliva—on his back:

“Any news about your job yet? Aihua, if it doesn’t work out, you might as well go to the countryside first. We can discuss work later.”

To Xie Hongfei, whether Ye Aihua could keep a city job was not important at all. After all, once he joined the army at the end of the year, they wouldn’t see each other often anyway.

Moreover, he agreed with what his mother said: since policy required Ye Aihua to go to the countryside, it was best for her to take the initiative to volunteer now.

He didn’t understand why Ye Aihua was so determined to stay in the city:

“I think your mindset is problematic. Didn’t you tell my mother you’re someone who’s eager to improve? Then why are you so opposed to going to the countryside?”

Ye Aihua paused, rubbing her nose, feeling somewhat aggrieved:

“I just want to stay in the city to help take care of your family.”

Though she did not want to endure hardship in the countryside, it was true she wanted to stay in the city to help look after Xie Hongfei’s parents.

Xie Hongfei was the eldest son in his family. He had a younger brother only thirteen years old and three older sisters.

After he left for the army at the end of the year, his sisters would either have gone to the countryside or gotten married and moved out, leaving only his parents at home:

“Once you’re in the army, you won’t be back for at least a year or two. Aren’t you worried about your parents at all?”

A faint smile appeared on Xie Hongfei’s face:

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“That’s a good thought. But my mother said they’re still young now; they don’t need our care yet. We should first strive for our own dreams.”

His gaze toward Ye Aihua softened. He wanted to pat her shoulder but noticed they were at the street corner, so he restrained himself and praised her with words instead:

“You’re very good, a filial girl. Don’t worry, when I’m old enough to file a marriage report, I will marry you immediately.”

“Just listen to my mother; go to the countryside first if you have to. We’ll keep in touch by letters.”

He paused and lowered his voice:

“Just remember, I really like you, and so does my mother.”

Ye Aihua’s heart swelled with joy, and a warm, happy smile brightened her delicate cheeks, dimples faintly showing:

“I like you very much, Hongfei.”

Xie Hongfei’s heart raced at her tender gaze, his throat tickling. He quickly cleared his throat to cover it up:

“This is the street, mind the impression.”

Though he said that, he felt deeply pleased inside.

He had a strict upbringing and rarely had close friends, let alone the opposite sex.

So when Ye Aihua confessed, he couldn’t help but be drawn to her boldness and confirmed their relationship.

Finally, he couldn’t resist reaching out to gently squeeze Ye Aihua’s slightly rough fingers, then immediately let go:

“For both of us, we must improve together.”

Ye Aihua leaned closer to him, shyly lowering her head:

“I understand, Hongfei. I’ll wait until you join the army before I head to the countryside. I want to spend more time with you.”

Xie Hongfei frowned again, staring at the soft yellow strands of her hair, but said nothing more.

The two fell silent, quietly savoring each other’s presence until someone approached. Xie Hongfei stepped back a pace:

“Time’s about up. Let’s go back.”

After work, his mother would scold him again for not studying at home.

Ye Aihua was reluctant to part. She looked up at Xie Hongfei with tearful eyes:

“It’s only been a few minutes. How about we take a walk in the park?”

Every time they met, it was either at the street corner or near the alley by their home—always bustling with people. She never had a chance to be alone with him.

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She longed to be closer to him like other couples, to lean into his arms and be held, but after half a year of dating, she still hadn’t found the chance.

If possible, she wanted to be even closer. She feared that one day, if Xie Hongfei found out certain things, he might leave her.

“Comrade Ye Aihua, your mindset is problematic; you should focus more on your studies and work...”

“Hongfei!”

Ye Aihua abruptly cut off Xie Hongfei’s words.

Her heart ached so deeply she wanted to cry. Which couple’s relationship was like theirs? They couldn’t even watch a movie or stroll in the park together.

At this moment, she felt utterly powerless to speak:

“Let’s go back. I’ll come find you again in a few days.”

Yes, every time they met, it was always her initiative to seek him out.

She pressed her lips, recalling the disdain and subtle disgust she often saw on Xie Hongfei’s mother’s face when she came over, nearly bursting into tears.

If she could choose, how would she willingly humble herself and always take the initiative to visit the Xie family?

But the Xies were strict. Xie Hongfei’s mother never allowed him to go out freely. If she didn’t take the initiative, they might not see each other for one or two months.

Living in the same alley, dating but unable to see each other for months—was that a relationship?

Startled by Ye Aihua’s sudden outburst, Xie Hongfei recovered and smiled softly:

“I’ll wait for you at home.”

Instantly, Ye Aihua lost her temper.

She raised her hand, about to pat Xie Hongfei’s shoulder, but he had already turned to walk away.

Ye Aihua: “...”

Forget it. Who told her she liked him?

She hoped Xie Hongfei would always keep this distant demeanor. That way, she would feel at ease waiting for him these years.

Chasing after Xie Hongfei’s retreating figure, walking one after the other, Ye Aihua’s mood gradually brightened:

Xie Hongfei could only be hers; no one else could take him away—not even Su Wei An!

At that moment, as they turned the corner to enter their home alley, Ye Aihua’s face suddenly turned pale.