Chapter 8: Beating Around the Bush

Chapter 8: Beating Around the Bush

Zheng Qiaoling was doing laundry at the communal sink in the courtyard.

As the eldest daughter in her family, she was responsible for washing the clothes for the whole household. Other tasks were manageable, but her two younger brothers were like little mud-covered monkeys—their clothes were so dirty that you couldn’t even tell what color they originally were.

Zheng Qiaoling’s fingers were red and raw from the cold water as she gripped a brush, scrubbing fiercely on the washing board.

"Qiaoling!" Song Xilan walked over and casually helped by rinsing a few small pieces of clothing that Zheng Qiaoling had already washed.

Zheng Qiaoling quickly said, "Don’t bother, the water’s freezing. I’m almost done here."

With that, she threw the freshly scrubbed clothes into the basin and began vigorously rinsing them.

Song Xilan always admired her quick and efficient way of doing things—it reminded her of her own mother. She, however, was much slower and more methodical in her tasks.

"By the way, why did you return alone last night? I went to see Yang Jingyu, and he asked me to check on you..."

Song Xilan interrupted her, "Qiaoling, I’ve decided. I don’t like Yang Jingyu anymore, and I don’t want you to relay messages or deliver things for him either. I don’t want to hear anything about him from now on."

Zheng Qiaoling paused, as if she wanted to ask something, but in the end, she didn’t. Instead, she said straightforwardly, "Alright, then we’ll just ignore him. Honestly, I don’t enjoy visiting him either. If it weren’t for my mom always making me deliver things, I wouldn’t bother!"

Song Xilan suddenly remembered that after their last visit to the backstage to see Yang Jingyu, when he had complained, Zheng Qiaoling hadn’t said anything, but she had refused to go backstage ever since.

It was unfortunate that she had been so preoccupied with Yang Jingyu at the time that she hadn’t noticed her friend’s discomfort.

Zheng Qiaoling continued, "When you were so infatuated with Yang Jingyu, I didn’t feel comfortable telling you this, but I think he’s not a very considerate person. Remember when he first came to the city? My mother treated him very well—she bought him bed sheets, blankets, a lunchbox, and a thermos. He would come over to our house for meals whenever he had a day off, and my mom would always buy meat for him. But now that he’s established himself, he doesn’t even show any gratitude. He doesn’t even visit anymore—probably worried that we’ll try to take advantage of him in the future!"

Song Xilan asked, "Why didn’t you tell me this before?"

"At that time, you were so obsessed with him that you wouldn’t have listened. Even if I had told you, you would’ve just said it was because he’s an artist with his pride."

Song Xilan smiled sheepishly, "Yes, I was really confused back then. I won’t be like that anymore."

"Exactly! When it comes to choosing a partner, you can’t just focus on looks. Being good-looking doesn’t put food on the table or clothes on your back. With your qualities, you’ll definitely find someone better eventually."

Song Xilan blushed slightly, "Alright, let’s not talk about that. Last time, you mentioned you’d teach me a new knitting pattern for a scarf. Can you show me later?"

"You don’t like Yang Jingyu anymore, yet you still want to knit a scarf?"

"Who said I’m knitting it for him? I can knit it for myself, can’t I?"

"Of course, of course. A few days ago, my cousin crafted two pairs of thick bamboo knitting needles for me. I’ll give you one—they’re ideal for knitting scarves."

As they chatted, Zheng Qiaoling finished washing the clothes. Song Xilan helped her wring out the heavier items, and the two of them walked back to the Zheng household together.

"Oh, we have a guest?" Zheng Qiaoling noticed an unfamiliar bicycle parked in front of her house.

As soon as they stepped inside, they were stunned to see Yang Jingyu—the very person Zheng Qiaoling had just criticized for being inconsiderate.

Yang Jingyu stood up, "Qiaoling, you’re back? It’s a holiday today, so I brought some apples that the company gave out for your mom. Oh, Lan Lan, you’re here too?"

Song Xilan’s expression turned cold, "Qiaoling, I have something to take care of at home. I’ll head back now."

With that, she turned and left.

Yang Jingyu quickly chased after her. He had come here today specifically to see Song Xilan, and he couldn’t let her leave just like that.

"Lan Lan, wait! I need to talk to you."

Song Xilan frowned: "Mr. Yang Jingyu, we’re not related, so please don’t be so familiar."

"Lan Lan, is there some misunderstanding between us? If I’ve upset you, just tell me. I’ll fix it if I can, or be more mindful if I haven’t."

Song Xilan smiled: "You’ve always looked down on me, haven’t you? You think I’m fat, unattractive, and not up to your standards."

Yang Jingyu was anxious: "How could that be? That’s not true, of course..." He was still young, and saying "I like you" wasn’t easy.

Song Xilan: "You’re suddenly nice to me because you found out my uncle is the deputy director of the Provincial Cultural Bureau, right?"

Yang Jingyu’s face changed: "How did you..."

"It’s okay, you don’t have to feel ashamed because I guessed your thoughts. I get it—people aim high. But I have to tell you, you’re mistaken. My uncle is the most principled person and would never pull strings for family. Even if you married me, it wouldn’t help."

"Besides, I deserve someone who truly likes and cherishes me, not someone who’s just settling. I will definitely be happy in the future," Song Xilan said seriously.

"Exactly, if Yang Jingyu doesn’t like Song Xilan, then he shouldn’t marry her. In the end, it just makes everyone unhappy. What’s the point?"

"This chubby girl’s got her head on straight."

"I’m starting to really like this chubby girl. I don’t want her to be replaced by a time-traveling woman, I don’t want such a life-loving soul to disappear. What should I do?"

"You flip-floppers, can’t you see? She’s playing hard to get—just wait and see. In the end, she’ll still marry the male lead."

Yang Jingyu’s face turned red and then pale. After all, he was still a young man fresh out of the gate, his skin not yet thick enough to do something too shameless, so he could only watch as Song Xilan walked away.

He looked pretty down.

Zheng Qiaoling was hanging clothes nearby and deliberately pointed at the hole in her brother’s clothes to criticize indirectly: "You little troublemaker, you’re like a porcupine—always poking holes in your clothes and not taking care of them. We’ve finally saved up fabric coupons for new bedding—where are we supposed to get fabric for your clothes?"

Yang Jingyu’s face turned even uglier: "Uh, I’ve got stuff to do at the troupe. I’ll… I’ll head out now."

He hurriedly went to push his bicycle.

Zheng Qiaoling pouted: "What a cheapskate."

In these times, who doesn’t save money and coupons from their teeth? Anyone with a bit of sense would know that when someone helped you in your time of need, now that you’re in a better position, you should find a way to repay them.

He’s really good at playing dumb.