It was Xu Haili who smoothed things over. She couldn’t just let him leave like this. If he walked away feeling humiliated, he might take the things back—what would she do then?
“Just now, he misspoke accidentally. Go on, tell us, what’s the good news?”
As soon as Xu Haili stepped in to mediate, Feng Jiaye quickly seized the opportunity to back down, afraid that Lin Chuanbai might say something unpleasant again and leave him embarrassed.
How could he act like this?
Feng Jiaye had written so many letters to him during this time, and Lin Chuanbai hadn’t replied to a single one. They were supposed to be friends. Now that he had finally come to visit, Lin Chuanbai was treating him with such indifference.
Feng Jiaye felt a little aggrieved. He slowly sat back down, lowering his previously raised chin. “Since you want to know, I’ll tell you.”
Lin Chuanbai: “…”
As if afraid Lin Chuanbai might say something he didn’t want to hear, Feng Jiaye quickly continued, “Weren’t you originally recommended to attend the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University? Your name was almost finalized, but then someone suddenly took your spot and pushed you out. That person went to university, supposedly with a bright future ahead, but now he’s been kicked out and has come back in disgrace. Isn’t that good news?”
Lin Chuanbai remained expressionless.
Xu Haili chimed in, “How did he get kicked out of university? Did he offend someone?”
She couldn’t help but feel a little excited. Even so, seeing that person suffer was somewhat satisfying.
Feng Jiaye shook his head. “I’m not sure about the details. I only heard about it by chance. I thought he’d come back for the New Year, but people say he was expelled. Apparently, the good grades he used to get recommended were faked. Maybe he offended someone.”
Hearing all these vague “maybes” and “perhaps,” the corner of Lin Chuanbai’s mouth twitched slightly—so uncertain.
Feng Jiaye noticed their skepticism and cleared his throat. “This is definitely confidential. Someone’s trying to keep it under wraps, so there’s no way to verify. But the outcome is confirmed. So, isn’t this good news?”
Lin Chuanbai was silent for a moment. “This has nothing to do with me.”
Feng Jiaye raised his voice. “How can it have nothing to do with you? If it had been you going, you wouldn’t have come back in disgrace like that. If you’d graduated, you could’ve gone to any unit you wanted! Not like now, stuck in a small hospital pharmacy dispensing medicine.”
Lin Chuanbai replied, “I’m satisfied with my current job.”
Feng Jiaye pressed, “That’s just you comforting yourself. I know you must feel resentful. Why don’t you come back to the city? I can’t promise much, but if you come to the grain store, I can arrange a temporary position for you. After a year or so, I’ll get you a permanent position. You’re a high school graduate—it’ll be no problem.”
Xu Haili’s eyes suddenly lit up. She stepped forward and grabbed Feng Jiaye’s arm. “You can arrange jobs? He already has one at the county hospital, but his cousin doesn’t have anything yet.”
She then grabbed Lin Chuanbai’s arm. “You could work with your classmate—it’d be good to have company. Why don’t you let your cousin take your current job? That way, both of you would have work.”
Lin Chuanbai gave her a deep look and couldn’t help but pour cold water on her enthusiasm. “I’m very satisfied with my current job. I won’t change.”
Only someone with their head slammed in a door would agree to this suggestion.
Feng Jiaye looked back and forth between them. “You really don’t want to? Working at the grain store is better than a small hospital. You grew up in the city—you haven’t even come back to visit your friends. We all want what’s best for you. If there’s anything we can do to help, we will.”
He sounded sincere.
Lin Chuanbai inwardly scoffed. He checked his watch. “I have things to do. Are you done? I need to go back.”
Fortunately, there weren’t many people coming for medicine today, so he could return quickly without issue.
Xu Haili knew his stubborn nature. “Then go back first. Come home during your lunch break. Auntie will make good dishes—you must come back. Your friend is waiting here. If you don’t come, I’ll send someone to fetch you.”
She knew reasoning with Lin Chuanbai was pointless. Better to talk to his classmate first and then ask the old man to intervene. After all, the old man was also her son’s grandfather—he’d surely want the same thing.
Lin Chuanbai saw through it. He left with a final remark, “I like this job. Grandpa also wants me to learn medicine from him. I won’t change jobs.”
Xu Haili’s expression instantly darkened, as if she’d been stabbed in the heart.
Right. The old man wanted a grandson to inherit his medical knowledge. Looking around, apart from the uncle’s young son, who was only a few years old, Lin Chuanbai was the only one with the talent and willingness.
Why would the old man let him work at a grain store?
And as for the hospital job… She knew her son. He dozed off at the sight of medical books and probably couldn’t recognize most of the herbs. If he took the job, he’d likely be transferred to hard labor.
In that case, it’d be better to persuade this classmate to let her nephew take the grain store job. That would be ideal.
She was willing to endure the pain of separation if it meant her son had a brighter future.
The key now was this classmate. If he agreed, everything would fall into place.
Thinking this, Xu Haili’s smile grew even warmer. “Come, have some sweet soup. He’ll be back for lunch soon. You two are classmates—you must be close, right?”
Feng Jiaye gave a noncommittal hum.
Seeing this, Xu Haili’s eyes gleamed. “Do you want to know what’s happened since he came back? I can tell you anything you’re curious about.”
This was exactly what Feng Jiaye wanted to know.
In the past, he had envied this classmate. Lin Chuanbai had admirable military parents, a respectable doctor grandfather, and accomplished older siblings. His future had seemed bright. But who could’ve guessed his parents would divorce, remarry quickly, and each have another child?
Divorce—especially among military personnel—was like dropping a bomb in their social circle. Overnight, Lin Chuanbai went from being envied to being mocked.
As everyone predicted, he became the child neither parent wanted. Even when his recommendation to the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University fell through, no one cared or helped him. Eventually, he slunk back to the small county town with his grandfather.
Once, Feng Jiaye had looked up to him. Now, he looked down on him. The contrast was intoxicating.
If Lin Chuanbai had worked under him, Feng Jiaye could’ve ordered him around—the satisfaction would’ve been addictive. But alas, he refused.
Feng Jiaye’s interest waned. No matter how eager Xu Haili was, he remained indifferent. Plenty of people begged him for jobs. Only when she mentioned knowing about Lin Chuanbai did he perk up.
“Oh? Then tell me—how has my old classmate been since he returned?”
Xu Haili wasn’t sure what he wanted to hear. If this was concern, why was this Feng Jiaye’s first visit since Lin Chuanbai’s return? And why did Lin Chuanbai’s tone sound off, as if they weren’t real friends? But then again, the gifts Feng Jiaye brought were lavish—would someone with a bad relationship bring such things?
Should she praise Lin Chuanbai or criticize him?
Unable to decide, Xu Haili opted for honesty.
“He’s always been quiet. After coming back, he studied medicine with his grandfather, learned how to prepare herbs, then took the county hospital’s exam. He ranked first and was hired smoothly. Now he’s a permanent employee—a respectable job, not too busy. He seems to genuinely enjoy medicine. Every night, he studies by lamplight, very diligently.”
Hearing about Lin Chuanbai’s dedication to medicine, Feng Jiaye’s eyes curved. Doctors used to be respectable, but nowadays, one misstep could lead to public scorn. Like his grandfather—wasn’t he once a renowned physician?
Yet he had to retire abruptly to protect himself from being implicated.
Choosing to be a doctor—what future did that hold?
Feng Jiaye’s mood suddenly improved. “What else? Has he made any friends?”
Xu Haili shook her head. “No, he keeps to himself. I’ve never heard him mention anyone close. He just reads all the time.”
Feng Jiaye pressed, “Not a single friend?”
Xu Haili nodded. “Not one.”
Feng Jiaye was surprised but, upon reflection, not entirely shocked. Even back in the city, Lin Chuanbai hadn’t gotten along well with others. If not for their early acquaintance, they’d have had no interaction at all.
“Oh, is Dr. Lin not home?”
“He went to visit an old friend. He’s rarely out, but today was a coincidence.”
Xu Haili rubbed her hands. “I heard you’re the director of the grain store. So capable at such a young age—you’re not even twenty yet, are you? Truly remarkable…” She showered him with praise until Feng Jiaye was practically floating with delight.
He loved hearing such honest flattery.
*
After arriving in the city, Yu Xiang’an didn’t bother orienting herself. She found a spot to change outfits, pulled her collar up to cover half her face, then left with a bamboo basket, heading to where she’d sold apples before.
She had woven some grass rope into net bags. If customers bought in bulk, they could carry them easily, and it looked nicer.
Previously, apples sold for 40 or 50 cents each. Now, they went for 1 yuan.
Those willing to pay did; those who haggled were turned away—no bargaining. Premium apples even sold for 1.5 yuan, and people still bought them.
Some customers were wealthier than she’d expected. Few haggled, and most who were tempted by the apples were willing to pay the fixed price, especially since they were buying them as gifts.
Apples made for a respectable gift with good symbolism.
Pears couldn’t command such high prices—giving pears for the New Year sounded unlucky.
But grapes sold for a surprisingly good price.
Yu Xiang’an thought that if she had more time, she could hire someone to weave nicer baskets and sell them as fruit baskets at an even higher markup.
Seeing how things were going, Yu Xiang’an decided to hold off on selling the ducks she’d planned to. She had enough for now—she’d keep them for eggs or meat.
In less than two hours, she sold out of fruit. It went so smoothly that Yu Xiang’an was almost surprised.
With the fruit gone, she moved on to her homemade date cakes and sponge cakes—no ration tickets required.
1.3 yuan for one, 2.5 yuan for two.
The cakes were fluffy and large, with a sweet aroma. She even let people sample them. Many passersby were tempted.
No one who tasted them walked away.
Yu Xiang’an sold one basket, then moved to another spot, circulating through the area. Maybe because of the New Year, the authorities cracking down on street vendors were nowhere to be seen.
Everything went so smoothly that she finished selling by noon—earlier than expected. Yu Xiang’an ate two pieces of sponge cake in a secluded spot, changed clothes, and put on a wide-brimmed hat that hid half her face. Now, she headed to the black market—no longer a seller, but a buyer.
Near the train station, she stumbled upon a cast-iron pot. Her XiXi Farm finally had a proper cooking pot!
Because of the New Year, goods were plentiful, though prices had risen sharply. She didn’t buy much rice or flour since she still had some in the farm, planning to restock after the holiday.
Aside from the pot, the real find was a small portion of lamb and three pounds of beef—rare delicacies. Despite the high price, Yu Xiang’an bought them immediately.
She also wandered near the house where she’d once seen deliveries being made, hoping for an extra stroke of luck. But when she arrived, the door was shut tight. Yu Xiang’an turned away.
With her shopping mostly done, Yu Xiang’an changed clothes again.
She’d prepared five outfits in the farm for today.
Next stop: the department store. Her top priority was sanitary pads. Other things could be compromised, but this was the one modern convenience she insisted on. Using paper was nerve-wracking—she was constantly worried about leaks, to the point of walking awkwardly.
She stocked up on six months’ worth.
Then, she looked for red scarves and red yarn for Yan Yuzhe and Song Shujing.
She’d considered trying to knit a scarf herself but quickly abandoned the idea—she had no talent for it.
This New Year, Grandma took the fabric she bought and said she’d help make clothes. Grandma’s clothes are beautiful, so she wasn’t planning to buy any here—they’re expensive and not worth it. Besides, the clothes available now are all pretty similar, and wearing something too flashy might attract trouble. Better to spend on food instead.
The department store was different. Here, she spotted red silk scarves with several styles to choose from. Yu Xiang’an looked left and right before settling on one at a mid-range price.
The red yarn was down to its last skein, and if she hesitated any longer, it might sell out. Yu Xiang’an quickly grabbed the final one.
She also bought a jar of snowflake cream since the one she was using was nearly empty.
Then she headed to the food section.
The first thing that greeted her wasn’t the aroma of various foods but the bustling crowd. The variety of candies here far surpassed the supply and marketing cooperative, and so did the number of people…
Yu Xiang’an navigated the city with ease. Meanwhile, Lin Chuanbai had shifted his mindset. Since he was already here, and no matter what he intended to do, as long as he remained unmoved, nothing would come of it.
Once he made up his mind, Lin Chuanbai returned to the hospital for his usual work. During his lunch break, he went back home.
The original owner hadn’t fallen out with him, and leaving someone unattended would surely earn him a scolding from his grandfather when he returned.
For this potential job opportunity, Xu Haili had spared no expense. Aside from serving the roast chicken Feng Jiaye brought, she also took out some of her treasured cured meats and sausages to make a fragrant claypot rice, paired with an egg drop soup. While “fragrance wafting for miles” was an exaggeration, the aroma certainly carried far.
On his way home, a gust of wind brought the rich scent of cured meat to Lin Chuanbai. When he reached his doorstep and realized it was coming from inside, he paused briefly before pushing the door open as if nothing was amiss.
Xu Haili hadn’t just prepared a feast—she’d also arranged for her working daughter and school-going son to be present, insisting they attend.
Her daughter had taken over her job and hadn’t found a partner yet. If she and Feng Jiaye hit it off, her future would be secure, and she could even help her brother land a job. What could be better?
Lin Nanxing observed Feng Jiaye—well-dressed and impressive—and listened as Xu Haili praised his capabilities, responding with gentle charm.
If possible, she’d naturally prefer a better life in the city. She believed she was attractive enough to make it happen.
Lin Chuanqiong, however, remained quiet. Though his mother urged him to be more alert, he genuinely didn’t know how. Moreover, the atmosphere between his cousin and his classmate…
He seriously doubted they were actually good friends. His cousin treated him with even more indifference than he did strangers—if someone told him they were enemies, he’d believe it.
How was he supposed to “be alert”?
Xu Haili was skilled at flattery, making people feel at ease. But no matter how comfortable Feng Jiaye felt, he held his ground. This job was specifically reserved for his old classmate—if Lin Chuanbai refused, it would be meaningless.
Over the meal, Feng Jiaye talked extensively about the bright future ahead, but his old classmate remained unmoved, insisting he was content with his current job and had no desire to change.
By the time Feng Jiaye’s throat was dry from talking, Lin Chuanbai still hadn’t budged.
Defeated for now, Feng Jiaye shifted to discussing their classmates’ current situations. “…Out of all of us, you’re the one who ended up worst—leaving the city for a small hospital to dispense medicine. The others all have respectable jobs, enviable even if they haven’t been promoted like me.”
Lin Chuanqiong: “…”
Under his cousin’s expressionless gaze, he trembled internally. These were definitely not good friends. What kind of good friend spoke like this? If this was friendship, what did true friendship look like—a soulmate?
Yet his mother and sister seemed oblivious, even chiming in: “Exactly! Staying in the city would’ve been ideal. Coming back here, everything feels so limited.”
Lin Chuanqiong: “…”
He finally understood what despair felt like. The meal was lavish, but it left him with a stomachache.
The moment lunch ended, he rushed back to school, not wanting to stay a second longer.
When Lin Duzhong returned and learned what happened, he asked Lin Chuanbai, “Do you want to go back to the city for work?”
If his grandson wished, he had connections to make it happen.
Lin Chuanbai shook his head. “No need, Grandpa. I’m truly satisfied with my life now. The city is too noisy—I prefer a quiet environment where I can focus on learning more.”
Lin Duzhong nodded approvingly. Xu Haili, however, was unwilling to let it go. “Dad, Chuanbai’s classmate said he could provide a job. Our Chuanqiong doesn’t have work yet—if he’s willing, the two boys could each get one. Even if Chuanbai doesn’t want to switch, he could ask his classmate to give the position to his brother. We’re family—no need to be so calculating.”
Lin Duzhong frowned. “This isn’t about being calculating. Favors require repayment—what are you planning to offer in return?”
“Why repay anything? Aren’t they classmates? A few kind words should suffice.”
Wishful thinking. Lin Duzhong gave her a long look before waving his hand. “Enough. This ends here. Chuanqiong still has over a year before graduation—there’s no need to rush.”
He was already making arrangements for him.
Xu Haili wanted to argue, but seeing her father’s expression, she reluctantly fell silent and redirected her frustration by pinching Lin Jiqing’s waist hard. That was his son—why was he acting like a statue?
Lin Jiqing gasped in surprise but endured it without a word.
Lin Chuanqiong couldn’t take it anymore. “Mom.”
Only then did Xu Haili let go.
Lin Duzhong sighed inwardly before turning to Lin Chuanbai. “Prepare these herbs tomorrow—someone will come to collect them.” He handed over a prescription.
Lin Chuanbai glanced at it and recognized it as the medicine for the girl with menstrual issues. He understood.
When Yu Xiang’an returned, she didn’t carry large bags—that would’ve drawn attention. Yan Yuzhen and Song Shujing were already waiting for her, delighted with the items she’d bought for them.
Yan Yuzhen examined her purchase with satisfaction—it was a style not found at the supply and marketing cooperative. The city really was different.
Song Shujing was also pleased. Though the yarn was a bit scarce, it would suffice for embellishing a sweater she planned to knit for her daughter. Adding it to the collar and sleeves would make it beautiful—her daughter would surely love it.
Yu Xiang’an returned the extra money they’d given her, as they’d provided more than necessary in case of shortages.
Song Shujing and Yan Yuzhen accepted it. Song Shujing seemed no different from usual, except for slightly reddened eyes, as if she’d been crying.
Yu Xiang’an didn’t ask.
She’d just put her things away when Gao Yimei arrived. Regretful upon learning Yu Xiang’an had gone to the city, she said, “If I’d known earlier, I’d have asked you to bring me something.”
After a moment’s thought, she added, “Ah, never mind. You were right not to tell me—I need to save money.” With ongoing medical expenses, her finances were tight, and the New Year was another costly occasion. After consideration, she decided against unnecessary spending.
“Tomorrow, I’m going to get medicine. Will you come with me? Afterward, I’ll take you to our factory—we might find some hidden deals.”
Yu Xiang’an nodded. “Sure. What kind of deals?”
“There’s a batch of flawed fabric. I’m not sure if any’s left, but if there is, we can buy some.” She winked meaningfully.
Yu Xiang’an caught on and nodded.
The next day, she made sure to carry enough money. First, she accompanied Gao Yimei to Dr. Lin for a follow-up and medicine.
After checking her pulse, Dr. Lin said, “You’ve improved, haven’t you?”
Gao Yimei nodded eagerly. “Yes! This time was much better—only the first day was bad, and the second was bearable.” Beaming, she squeezed Yu Xiang’an’s hand excitedly. Yu Xiang’an smiled in response.
“I’ve adjusted the prescription. Take this for seven more days.”
Just then, someone entered. “Grandpa, I’ve brought the herbs.”
Yu Xiang’an looked up—and her smile froze when she saw the newcomer’s face.
Lin Chuanbai’s heart skipped a beat: It’s her?!
Both thought: “…”
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