Section 3

Gui Xiao kept nodding at the uncle through the windshield, placing her right hand in front of her forehead, continuously gesturing to apologize

Cried? Meng Xiaoshan certainly would not know about those events in Inner Mongolia, but upon hearing this location on the phone, she could guess the reason for Gui Xiao's unusual behavior.

A woman outside is calling the name Lu Yancheng

Gui Xiao smiled and nodded at Zhao Minshan, catching a glimpse of Lu Yancheng in her peripheral vision, but she did not look at him again. She turned her head and walked out of the room. She retraced her steps back, got into the car, and reversed it.

The person outside likely lost patience after waiting for a long time without a response from Lu Yancheng, and took the initiative to open the door

When Meng Xiaoshan came to find Gui Xiao, she had already gotten out of the car, sitting on the muddy ground by the riverbank in the middle of winter. Her tears had dried, but the wind stung her cheeks painfully, and her eyes also hurt.

Wiping her face with the back of her hand, it was all water: "Outside Lu Chen's factory... that little alley."

When she was in elementary school, she had already heard of Lu Chen's great reputation. Later, when she entered middle school, she was often surrounded and pursued by several delinquents after school. This was not a big deal for her, and she handled it with ease, but even so, there were still times she could not avoid it. On one occasion, it was Hai Dong who came to her rescue, and beside Hai Dong was the renowned Lu Chen.

But her hands were trembling uncontrollably, making it impossible to grip the steering wheel. She had no choice but to step on the brake and pull over under the large poplar tree by the canal, rummaging through her bag for her phone

It was difficult for Gui Xiao to cope and explain: "It belongs to his comrade-in-arms, and he entrusted me to arrange for a borrowing of study."

She heard herself softly asking him: "Bai Tao told me yesterday that you are getting married?"

This brand of box is very famous, and its aluminum alloy appearance is also very recognizable. Given that Gu Xu has spent so many years in the military, it is unlikely that he would have had the time to pay attention to such things.

At that time, Zhao Minshan preferred to play with the lively delinquents, as it was more interesting

As she touched the steering wheel, she sighed, saying that a good car simply feels different. Look at this central control panel, look at the sound quality... Over the years, she has earned quite a bit of money and has driven decent cars, but it was purely to tease Gui Xiao. Gui Xiao shook her head and reluctantly forced a smile, saying, "If you want to drive, I will switch with you."

Gui Xiao returned to her senses, her eyes feeling sore, yet she still made an effort to calm her emotions: "Uncle Lu is getting married and will be very busy. You must also keep in mind what I reminded you on the way. And..." She originally intended to say that Qin Xiaonan should be a bit more considerate towards Lu Yancheng's future wife, after all, they would be living together for several years, but she felt she had no standing to say so.

Scattered and disorganized, various small items rolled out, and finally, the phone was found. I dialed Meng Xiaoshan, who was closest to her in this town. On the other end of the line, Meng Xiaoshan was reprimanding an employee: "That table's order has been canceled, make a proper apology—Gui Xiao?"

Gui Xiao took a couple of deep breaths and said in a trembling voice, "I am hungry"

Zhao Minshan was taken aback and, not wanting to ask too many questions in front of Gui Xiao, murmured, "I haven't heard Lu Chen mention it."

"You continue to be busy," Gui Xiao said, "I am leaving"

... ...

Meng Xiaoshan left his car by the canal and drove back in Xiao's car

By the canal

I just feel that this life has come to an end

The two looked at each other, and Zhao Minshan was also surprised: "You are... Gui Xiao? Do you still remember me? Zhao Minshan from Class 2?"

"Are you not coming out? Do we have guests?"

A gust of cold wind slipped in through the crack of the door, blowing against Gui Xiao's head, and the door was pushed open just right by Qin Xiaonan

The child must have been eavesdropping outside the door the entire time, and when he came in, his gaze was bewildered as he cautiously moved to Guixiao's side: "Auntie."

Something surged up in her throat, choking her: "When?"

After speaking, I couldn't help but sigh; one cannot compare people to one another

He shook his head and said nothing more

"It's almost time for lunch, let's eat first before we leave," Zhao Minshan took out her phone to check the time and shot Bai Lu Yanchen a glance, "They came all the way here, and you don't even invite them to eat."

The wife, who is getting married next month, stands before me, and a sense of guilt suddenly arises within her. Just moments ago, the conversation between the two of us in the room was utterly disgraceful, shameless, and filled with ambiguity.

Zhao Minshan took off her cotton jacket. Dressed in a thick black cashmere sweater and long pants, she wanted to show Lu Yancheng her best side, but she couldn't hold on for even half a minute. In the complete silence of the room, she pulled the clothes back on, propped her chin up, and began to observe her surroundings and the child who was also filled with thoughts.

Which canal? Which entrance?

"Wait a moment," Lu Yancheng opened the drawer under the TV cabinet and took out a black wallet. "Here is the money from the box, how much do you need?"

Finally, she patted Qin Xiaonan's head and casually wiped away a small patch of dirt from his face: "Also, if you get bullied, remember what I said. Every transfer student has to go through this hurdle. It's nothing; in time, everyone will accept you."

A big man treated her as if she were air, even the child was the same, and Zhao Minshan's initial enthusiasm was largely extinguished.

The two individuals gazed at each other

Ke Luchen is much older than her, and there is simply no way to get close. Moreover, Zhao Minshan is a realistic person; she enjoys being surrounded by others and being pursued, and she has no extra feelings for such a distant boy. Especially since he and Hai Dong were well-known in middle school for their antics, and after Hai Dong dropped out of high school, he also became more restrained, making him a figure who has "retired from the world".

It is truly lamentable to think that no matter how glorious one's youth may be, in the end, everything returns to the mundane. No matter how beautiful she is, she must marry; once married, if there are disagreements, the once-admired temperament can lead to a swift divorce. However, in the town, divorced women attract many suitors, yet the number of those genuinely interested is pitifully small

Gui Xiao pressed her forehead against the car window and retorted, "There is no question of life or death."

The mist swirled before my eyes, and I dared not blink, fearing that a single movement would cause the tears to flow. "I am indeed hungry. I haven't eaten since I left this morning. I happened to pass by here and thought of what you said last time about treating me to a meal"

"Is this your child?" Zhao Minshan asked kindly as she looked at Qin Xiaonan.

Congratulations

The uncle at the door was startled and pushed the door open, shouting: "Miss, are you alright? Are you hurt?"

The car drove out onto the narrow road and turned onto the canal.

Indeed, Lu Yancheng did not suspect anything. He pulled out five or six red bills from his wallet, but before handing them to her, he changed his mind and emptied all the red hundred-yuan notes from his wallet, handing them to her: "For Qin Xiaonan's clothes, and for staying at your home these days, thank you for your trouble"

It was Meng Xiaoshan's turn to be choked.

"There is no need to be so precise," she symbolically drew two cards, "You have also helped me in Erenhot."

Ah... Meng Xiaoshan and Zhao Minshan were not on good terms during their studies, and because of the incident involving Hai Dong, Meng Xiaoshan had reprimanded her, leading to a complicated relationship for over ten years. Upon hearing Gui Xiao's words, she decided not to insist any longer, saying, "Then forget it"

Such a good car, yet I don't know how to drive it carefully. Sigh, truly lacking in the ability to live life wisely

Unable to express it, unable to say that I do not love, yet I cannot go against my conscience to tell a man who is about to get married that I love him

Next month

The uncle, seeing that there was nothing wrong with the person, immediately felt sorry for the car

In this moment of silence, she seemed to see the young boy from the past pulling her up from the ground and protecting her behind him. All the suppressed and forcibly forgotten emotions surged forth, overwhelming her reason—Gui Xiao's hands, tucked into her pockets, gripped the lining of the fabric tightly, causing every joint in her fingers to ache and swell painfully.

Upon reconsideration, this man has always been like this in the past, appearing indifferent and aloof towards everyone he encounters

Zhao Minshan spoke for a long time, but Lu Yancheng did not respond with a single word. She awkwardly brought two cups of water, poured water for herself and Qin Xiaonan, and pushed them in front of the child: "Are you coming to Beijing to study? What about your parents? Are they coming too?"

Lu Yanchen finally raised his eyes and gave a self-deprecating smile: "Indeed"

No need, Guixiao said hurriedly, "I have an appointment with Meng Xiaoshan."

Gui Xiao replied with a soft "Hmm": "You really haven't changed, still so beautiful"

Zhao Minshan chuckled softly: "You are the one who has become more attractive, I almost didn't recognize you. So the friend that Lu Chen's mother mentioned is you? What a coincidence, Lu's mother said that a friend of his would come today. I thought to myself that I had never met any of the friends he has made over the years, so I came to take a look and get to know everyone. I didn't expect it to be you, what a coincidence."

She felt a chill all over her body and did not want to stay any longer. She mumbled, "The child has been sent over, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave now"

In that era, the term "rich second generation" did not exist, yet everyone knew that Lu Chen came from a wealthy family, was good-looking, and had a mother from the military. In short, he was the kind of person who would make girls feel a flutter in their hearts upon hearing or seeing him.

Zhao Minshan kept exclaiming, while Lu Yancheng silently stuffed his wallet into his pants pocket

Gui Xiao looked at the boys and girls skating on the river surface and said, "I am hungry"

Meng Xiaoshan took two cushions from her car, pulled Gui Xiao up, and stuffed them under her. She then sat down herself and said: "If you were a local, you would have married at around twenty-three or twenty-four. Dragging it out until twenty-seven without getting married, and still crying over a first love from your teenage years... Don't blame me for scolding you, Gui Xiao. Do you still think you are sixteen?"

Seeing Lu Yancheng staring at that box, he glanced at it as well and exclaimed in surprise: "Your comrade is so wealthy, giving a child such an expensive box? Last time my aunt went to Taiwan, I wanted her to bring one back for me, but when I heard it would cost over 7,000, I couldn't bear to spend that much."

Where could one deceive that old hand? Meng Xiaoshan did not waste much time talking, and upon seeing the person, asked: "Where are you?"

Zhao Minshan glanced at Lu Yancheng, also in a daze, not expecting that after all the twists and turns, it would be him who ended up marrying her

This delay has extended to the age of 28. While it may not be a significant issue in the city, it carries a negative connotation when mentioned in rural areas. A first marriage can be explained away, but a second marriage is even more troublesome

At that time, the most famous individuals in their grade were Gui Xiao and Zhao Minshan: one was a young girl surrounded by friends who were prominent figures having retreated from the world, giving an inexplicable impression of being someone not to be trifled with; the other was a girl who became famous for her beauty since elementary school, and upon entering junior high, she blossomed further, attracting the admiration of young boys from seven or eight nearby villages, often being pursued and confronted by them.

Qin Xiaonan was filled with the words spoken by Gui Xiao and Lu Yancheng, and she could not help but want to cry, she just wanted to cry

"One hundred," she said

He has returned from the frontier and is indifferent to this chill, yet he appears as if frozen, with a bone-deep cold that penetrates from within.

During the factory expansion, the heating in this room was not properly installed, rendering it virtually non-existent

No response

Gui Xiao, you have gone too far

... ...

Zhao Minshan's divorce became known throughout the town, bringing great shame to her family. Eager to remarry, she struggled for several years. Although she remained beautiful, finding a suitable partner in the countryside proved difficult. Therefore, ever since she became engaged to Lu Chen's family and accepted the betrothal gifts, she was eager to hold the wedding immediately, determined to make it a grand affair, inviting familiar faces from seven or eight nearby villages.

... ...

"You go to the lobby quickly, I need to take a call here!" After the sound of a door slamming, Meng Xiaoshan asked curiously, "Gui Xiao, your tone doesn't sound right, is something wrong at home? Do you need to borrow money? Should I bring it to you?"

Lu Yancheng threw the crushed cigarette into the plastic trash can, then reached for his pants pocket, completely forgetting that half a pack of cigarettes was being held in his other hand. Gui Xiao watched him do all this, then saw him stop all movements, freeze for a moment, and then crush the cigarette pack in his palm before tossing it into the trash can.

"At that time, when Hai Dong told me to break up, wasn't it done thoroughly?" Meng Xiaoshan spoke calmly as if discussing someone else's affairs, "You should have cried when you broke up. Who hasn't had a first love? If you keep dwelling on your first love, can you still carry on with your life?"

Bumped violently against the steps of the reception area at the entrance

As I turned back at dawn, the face that caught my eye was Zhao Minshan. Her long black hair fell over her shoulders, and she wore a simple black cotton coat paired with a matching scarf, which was both simple and beautiful. The key was her beauty; no matter how she dressed, it would always be appropriate.

The best restaurant in town is Meng Xiaoshan's family restaurant, how could she not know that

No need, Meng Xiaoshan was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, "You still want to live or die, how could I take advantage of the situation?"

... ... Lu Chen?" she called him

After Gui Xiao left, Lu Yanchen sat alone on the single sofa, his hands crossed and resting on the bridge of his nose, obscuring most of his face, staring blankly at the box.