Qiao Lanshu went to the supply and marketing cooperative to look around. Using the grain coupons and money she got from Sun Mingyong, she bought two packs of dried noodles and also two canned meat products.
She then bought half a jin of biscuits, planning to take them back for a late-night snack. After all, since she'd been here, she never seemed to eat enough and felt hungry every night.
Fresh fruits and vegetables were scarce and hard to come by in the northern winter.
She had heard that the military unit had vegetables grown in greenhouses, but those were specifically supplied to the troops.
Ordinary people could hardly buy them.
Thinking that she and Qin Yuanzheng had no fate together, but since he had saved her and helped her a great deal, she asked Xiao Yang, "Company Commander Yang, I'd like to buy something for Regiment Commander Qin to thank him for his help. What do you think I should buy?"
Company Commander Xiao Yang thought for a moment and said, "I don't know what the Regiment Commander likes either, Comrade Xiao Qiao. You don't need to buy anything; he wouldn't accept it. There are rules in our unit against accepting gifts."
Hearing this, Qiao Lanshu thought again and said, "Then how about I send a letter of thanks to your unit? Would that be okay?"
Company Commander Xiao Yang nodded, "That's a good idea. The Regiment Commander would definitely be very pleased."
Qiao Lanshu was someone who acted on her decisions. As soon as she returned to the guesthouse, she started writing the thank-you letter.
...
Meanwhile, Qin Yuanzheng had specifically gone to the food factory at noon today to meet with his cousin, Yang Wenyan.
Yang Wenyan initially thought he had come because of the Sun Mingyong matter and kept saying, "Yuanzheng, I'm really sorry. I truly had no idea that scoundrel Sun Mingyong dared to impersonate an officer and was swindling his way around here. If I had known, I would never have let him into the factory."
In those days, all new employees had to undergo family background checks.
Sun Mingyong had money orders and grain coupons sent from a department store in Yangcheng, along with a letter of introduction from Qiao's father obtained from the neighborhood committee, so his identity appeared legitimate.
Coupled with Wei Zhengye's guarantee, he smoothly entered the factory.
Yangcheng was too far away, and no one thought to verify things there.
Qin Yuanzheng sat in Yang Wenyan's office. He was tall, sturdy, with ruggedly handsome features, and wore a crisp military uniform. The female workers in the factory were all stealing glances at him.
As soon as Yang Wenyan saw his tall and handsome cousin, he shook his head inwardly with regret.
What a pity, a real shame.
Such a strong, healthy body... how could he be infertile? It just didn't make sense.
After sitting down, Qin Yuanzheng said, "Cousin, I came today to talk to you about Comrade Wang Huiping and me."
Yang Wenyan's eyes lit up and he immediately asked, "How did it go? Getting along alright this time? Are you planning to marry her?"
Qin Yuanzheng was silent for a moment before shaking his head. "Cousin, she and I aren't suitable, so I've decided to let it go. Since you were the matchmaker, I came specifically to tell you. Also, you don't need to introduce anyone to me in the future. I really don't want to get married."
Yang Wenyan: "..."
Yang Wenyan frowned and said to him, "Yuanzheng, Comrade Wang Huiping has a job, a son, and a gentle personality. What more are you looking for? What kind of woman do you actually like? Tell me, and I'll have people introduce you to someone?"
The image of Qiao Lanshu instantly appeared in Qin Yuanzheng's mind.
However, he immediately stopped himself from dwelling on it. He said, "No need. The one I like... isn't here."
Yang Wenyan was speechless. "There are so many factories, so many outstanding female comrades. How could there not be one?"
Qin Yuanzheng was a man of his word. Once he made a decision, he wouldn't dwell on it. He stood up and said, "Cousin, really, it's not necessary. I'm very busy at the mining area, so I'll take my leave now."
With that, he turned and left the office.
Yang Wenyan sighed.
Previously, Qin Yuanzheng's parents had written to him, asking him to look after his cousin and to pick from the female workers at the factory to introduce a match to Qin Yuanzheng.
He had agreed quite readily at the time.
Yet years had passed, and Qin Yuanzheng was still single.
After returning home, Yang Wenyan told his wife, Deng Xiaozhen, about this.
Deng Xiaozhen worked at the textile factory and was a colleague of Wang Huiping's. Busy in the kitchen, she was somewhat surprised to hear Yang Wenyan's words: "What? Such a good comrade, and Yuanzheng still didn't take a liking to her?"
Yang Wenyan took off his coat and hung it on the hook by the door. "He's decided not to get married. He even said something about the girl he likes not being around here."
Deng Xiaozhen, holding a spatula, also felt speechless upon hearing this: "There are so many female workers in the factories here. If none of them catch his eye, then probably in the whole country there isn't one he'd fancy. He wouldn't be wanting to marry a fairy goddess, would he?"
Deng Xiaozhen muttered to herself that she hadn't realized before that Qin Yuanzheng's standards were so high.
Yang Wenyan had been utterly exhausted lately due to matters at the factory.
He said, "Forget it. Since he doesn't want to get married, I won't meddle anymore from now on. You go and tell Wang Huiping, ask her not to come around anymore. Her conditions are good too; she should look for someone else."
Deng Xiaozhen, stir-frying vegetables, said:
"Her conditions are good, but she is divorced after all, and with a son. What average man is willing to marry a woman with a boy? If it were a girl, it would be easier to find a match... Ah, I think Huiping really likes Yuanzheng. She might still try to fight for a chance."
Yang Wenyan snorted coldly. "A regimental-level cadre, never married, tall, handsome, and strong. Who wouldn't like him? If it weren't for his infertility, it wouldn't have been Wang Huiping's turn."
Deng Xiaozhen shook her head while stir-frying. She had thought this pair might work out.
Early the next morning, when Deng Xiaozhen arrived at the textile factory, she found Wang Huiping and told her about it.
The smile instantly vanished from Wang Huiping's face.
She was silent for a moment before saying, "Last time I brought him stewed pig's trotters, and he personally escorted Xiao Yuan and me home. When we parted, he even said he would come see me next time. I thought..."
Deng Xiaozhen patted her arm. "A melon forced off the vine isn't sweet. Besides, this melon isn't one you can force anyway. Just keep looking. With your good conditions, are you afraid of not finding a man?"
That's what they said, but they both knew Wang Huiping was unlikely to find another man as outstanding as Qin Yuanzheng.
So, after returning home, Wang Huiping grew more and more unwilling to accept it the more she thought about it.
Therefore, she went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some canned goods and liquor. After her shift, she found Deng Xiaozhen, saying she wanted to have another meal with Qin Yuanzheng, to ask him face-to-face if there was still a chance.
Deng Xiaozhen felt somewhat awkward but agreed to go back and have Yang Wenyan contact Qin Yuanzheng.
On the afternoon of the third day, snow had begun to fall. Qin Yuanzheng hadn't taken the car; he rode his bicycle to the entrance of Yang Wenyan's residential compound.
By then, the snow was already heavy, accumulating in a thick layer on the ground.
He found himself wondering: I wonder if Comrade Xiao Qiao is cold in the guesthouse? She's from the south and has never seen snow. She's probably delighted, right?
Yang Wenyan, Deng Xiaozhen, and Wang Huiping were already inside the room.
It was much like the first time they had met, the difference being that Xiao Yuan wasn't present this time.
Qin Yuanzheng found it a bit strange. Why hadn't Xiao Yuan come this time?
But he didn't ask, nor was there any need to.
Wang Huiping walked over with a smile and said, "Regiment Commander Qin, you're here. Everyone was waiting for you."
As she spoke, she reached out to take the overcoat he was taking off.
However, Qin Yuanzheng avoided her hand and hung the coat on the wall himself.
Seeing this, how could Wang Huiping not understand?
Was Qin Yuanzheng truly not intending to pursue a relationship with her?
Clearly, the feelings during their first two meetings had been quite positive.
Looking at Qin Yuanzheng's tall, broad back, she pressed her lips together and brought out the wine glasses she had prepared earlier.
Deng Xiaozhen had already set out the dishes. Wang Huiping went over with the glasses and wine, saying with a smile, "It's snowing heavily today. Let's have a drink together to warm ourselves up."
