Chapter 80

Chapter 80

"Beijing has changed a lot lately."

Gu Jiang stared in surprise at the small stalls set up in the alley and the crowds stopping by to shop.

"Shouldn’t someone like you who travels everywhere know better about these changes than someone like me stuck in one place?"

Gu Jiang had driven trucks for years. In his early days, things were still pretty tense.

Now though, road warriors like them felt the difference most keenly.

Jiang Yiwei and Gu Jiang walked into the alley, taking in the lively scene.

"Things are way better now," Gu Jiang remarked. "At least we don't have to hide anymore."

No more constantly looking over your shoulder.

"Yup," Jiang Yiwei nodded emphatically.

It really was better now. People could run businesses out in the open without fear of being arrested or having to pay off those who ran the black market.

Jiang Yiwei hadn't come around here in a while.

This place had been discovered by her and Zhang Jiahui together—they used to come here often to buy stuff.

Especially little knickknacks.

She noticed a stall packed with girls.

Eagle-eyed, she spotted that it was selling lipsticks.

Unable to resist, she went over. Crouching down, Jiang Yiwei checked out each lipstick shade. Most of the time, she bought cosmetics at the department store.

But she'd seen a shade she loved, and that's what made her elbow her way in.

"I'll take this one," she told the vendor, pointing to a particular color.

"You mean this lipstick?"

Their eyes met in mutual shock.

"Sister Liling!"

"Yiwei!"

Jiang Liling and Jiang Yiwei never dreamed they'd run into each other like this under such circumstances.

But at that moment, Jiang Yiwei remembered Gu Jiang standing behind her.

The main character energy was strong.

As for why things were different from the novel again, Jiang Yiwei didn't sweat it.

Even if the story went totally off-script, she wouldn't care.

Unlike Jiang Yiwei, Jiang Liling took one look at the shade she had pointed to, then plucked it out and pressed it into her hands.

"Here—this is for you."

She went right back to helping other customers.

Jiang Yiwei felt a lipstick thrust into her hand, but waited, and no mention of the price came from Jiang Liling. Instead, she saw Jiang Liling continue selling lipsticks.

Jiang Yiwei got what Jiang Liling was doing.

She was giving her the lipstick for free.

But Jiang Yiwei didn’t want to take advantage of her.

She watched as Jiang Liling answered questions, collected money, and searched for the right lipstick shades or other cosmetics for them, without even a breather.

Jiang Yiwei glanced back at Gu Jiang behind her.

"Gu Jiang, I can't hang with you today."

"No worries, I wasn't that interested anyway."

Gu Jiang understood what she meant.

"Do your thing then!"

Then Jiang Yiwei slipped the lipstick into her pocket.

She walked over to Jiang Liling’s side and took the items from her hands. "Li Ling, I've got this. You go take care of other things."

Jiang Liling paused, surprised, before watching Jiang Yiwei step in front of the girl who had just asked about buying a lipstick, now suggesting shades that would suit her.

"How much is this?" A girl on the right held up a lipstick and asked Jiang Liling.

"Seventy-eight cents."

Jiang Liling was swamped again in no time.

Gu Jiang stuck around, standing beside the sisters. Occasionally, when Jiang Liling was overwhelmed, he’d pitch in to help.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yiwei mainly helped by recommending suitable lipstick shades and sharing some makeup tips.

They kept at it until the sky darkened and the alley thinned out, with people gradually packing up their stalls and heading home.

Jiang Liling looked down at the gray cloth spread on the ground, now with just a few scattered cosmetics left. It was the first time she had sold so much.

Whenever she had time off, Jiang Liling would set up shop here—it was faster than going door-to-door at school.

But today was the first time she had almost cleared out all the cosmetics she brought.

Jiang Yiwei, worn out and thirsty, sat down on a stone to rest, while Jiang Liling packed up what was left with Gu Jiang helping beside her.

Watching their easy teamwork, Jiang Yiwei smiled to herself.

She might just escape Zhang Cuifen’s scolding.

Either way, anything that worked in her favor was something she gladly accepted.

"Thank you," Jiang Liling said, feeling Gu Jiang’s earnest gaze and blushing slightly.

"You're welcome," Gu Jiang replied, his heart pounding nervously.

She kept sneaking glances at Jiang Liling.

"Yiwei."

"Gu Jiang, let me buy you dinner to thank you for helping me today!"

Without their help, she wouldn't have sold nearly this much makeup.

"Don't mention it," he said. "It was nothing."

Gu Jiang could tell Jiang Liling was skilled at selling—she probably did this regularly.

His mother had told him that Jiang Yiwei was in university now and also took sewing commissions, even making costumes for theater groups. She might be making as much as he was each month.

And here was Jiang Liling, running a small stand selling cosmetics.

Both Jiang Liling and Jiang Yiwei were really something.

"No way—I wouldn't have finished selling all of this without your help today."

Because Jiang Liling insisted, Jiang Yiwei and Gu Jiang ended up at the government-run diner.

"Here, take this," Jiang Yiwei said, pushing one yuan and fifty cents toward Jiang Liling.

"What's this about?" Jiang Liling asked, staring at the money on the table.

"For the lipstick I got!"

No matter what, Jiang Yiwei didn’t want to take advantage of her.

Seeing Jiang Liling about to speak, Jiang Yiwei spoke up first: "I don't like taking advantage of others, so just take the money."

"If you don't take it, I'll return the lipstick."

If she refused the money, Jiang Yiwei would have no choice but to give the lipstick back.

Hearing this, Jiang Liling finally accepted the money.

Just then, their food arrived, and the three began eating. Maybe because they were tired, they dug right in at first.

When they'd eaten their fill, they slowed down.

"Yiwei, is Gu Jiang your friend?"

Jiang Liling wasn't thinking along romantic lines, since she knew Jiang Yiwei liked Fu Xunian. Although unsure of the details, Jiang Liling had a gut feeling Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian would end up together.

Jiang Yiwei stopped mid-bite. "My aunt brought him along."

This clearly signaled to Jiang Liling that Gu Jiang was part of a matchmaking setup.

Jiang Liling gave Gu Jiang a surprised look.

Wait, so this was a setup?

But didn’t Jiang Yiwei like Fu Xunian?

Perhaps worried about misunderstanding, Gu Jiang explained, "I had no idea this was a setup before I got here."

Actually, both Gu Jiang and Jiang Yiwei had no idea they were being set up for a blind date. He only found out when he arrived that his mom had brought him there to meet someone.

"Yiwei's personality is actually pretty similar to my sister's," Gu Jiang said.

Jiang Yiwei smiled faintly and surprisingly spoke up to explain herself to Jiang Liling.

He even said she reminded him of his sister.

Wasn't that just seeing her as a little sister?

Jiang Liling’s gaze shifted. For some reason, hearing those words from Gu Jiang gave her a quiet, secret thrill.

The three made small talk over dinner until it was completely dark outside.

Afterward, Gu Jiang walked Jiang Yiwei and Jiang Liling home before lingering a bit and finally leaving.

As soon as they got back, before Jiang Yiwei could even sit down, Zhang Cuifen jumped in asking how things went with Gu Jiang.

"So? How'd it go?"

"We went to a movie! Then we went for a walk, bumped into Sister Liling on the way, did her a favor, and she took us out to eat. Then we came home."

Jiang Yiwei said honestly.

"That's it?" Zhang Cuifen frowned.

"That's really all there was."

Zhang Cuifen looked skeptical.

"So what do you think of Gu Jiang?"

"Like a brother-in-law."

Well, Jiang Yiwei wasn’t wrong—Jiang Liling was her cousin, so wouldn’t Gu Jiang technically become her brother-in-law someday?

But this response earned her a smack from Zhang Cuifen. "Brother-in-law? He's supposed to be your boyfriend!"

What was she even saying?

"I'm not wrong! He treats me like an older brother-in-law, looking out for a younger sister."

Whether or not Zhang Cuifen believed her, that's exactly how things were right now. Gu Jiang was way more into Jiang Liling than her.

"He even said I remind him of his sister."

"Mom, he thinks of me like a kid sister."

Those words made Zhang Cuifen’s heart drop.

Was Gu Jiang not going to be her son-in-law after all?

No way—Zhang Cuifen wouldn’t accept that.

"Did he say anything about dating you?"

"Nope, Mom. Don’t read into it."

"Gu Jiang sees me as a sister." So there's absolutely no chance between her and Gu Jiang. Why can't she just drop it?

Zhang Cuifen gave Jiang Yiwei a conflicted look.

Calling Yiwei "sister," even saying her personality resembles his sister’s—could Gu Jiang really see Yiwei only as a sister?

But with such a great catch, Zhang Cuifen wasn’t ready to give up.

To her, Gu Jiang and Jiang Yiwei were made for each other. If they married, their lives would only improve.

Besides, it’s normal not to develop feelings on the first day of meeting.

In their time, they’d only met once before marriage, had no feelings at all, and still managed to grow close after marriage, didn’t they?

"Don’t worry. It’s just your first meeting. You young people didn’t click right away? That’s okay. The more time you spend together, the closer you’ll get."

Spend enough time together, and feelings will come naturally, won’t they?

Seeing how stubborn Zhang Cuifen was, Jiang Yiwei didn’t want to be scolded or upset her, so she just nodded along for now.

She just hoped Gu Jiang would hold his ground.

And just as Jiang Yiwei had hoped, the next day, Zhang Cuimiao arrived looking grim.

Especially when she looked at Jiang Yiwei, Zhang Cuimiao kept giving her pitying looks.

Seeing Zhang Cuimiao like this, Zhang Cuifen knew it must be bad news.

"Cuimiao, just say it! I can take it."

It just didn’t pan out, that’s all.

"Gu Jiang said he sees Yiwei as a sister and that there’s no possibility beyond that." Meaning he and Jiang Yiwei aren’t happening.

"Last night when Yiwei came back, she also told me Gu Jiang said she’s a lot like his sister. I should’ve realized then that nothing would happen between them."

She’d clung to hope, but who knew he’d have Cuimiao deliver the news the next day?

Looks like Jiang Yiwei and Gu Jiang just aren’t meant to be.

"Cuimiao, don’t be upset," Zhang Cuimiao said. She knew Zhang Cuifen must be feeling terrible right now.

After finally finding someone who checked all the boxes—someone who was perfect for Jiang Yiwei—it still didn’t work out.

"Yeah, Mom, don’t take it so hard."

Jiang Yiwei also knew Zhang Cuifen must be hurting.

But her and Gu Jiang? No chance.

"You’re pretty, educated, and financially independent—how could Gu Jiang not want you?" Zhang Cuifen couldn’t understand why Gu Jiang didn’t fancy Jiang Yiwei.

"Because we’re just not into each other."

Besides, Gu Jiang’s the male lead.

She and Gu Jiang simply didn’t have feelings for each other—no chemistry, no nothing. How could they ever work?

"We only grew to love each other after marriage back in the old days."

These kids these days always say they have to be attracted to someone before they even consider dating.

"Sis, that's just how young people are nowadays."

Plenty of boys and girls in Zhang Cuimiao’s neighborhood wait until they’re into someone—or at least like them—before they start dating or getting married.

"Sister, Yiwei’s still in school. No need to rush into matchmaking for her. I promise I’ll find her a good one later—one that’ll make you happy, I swear."

She assured Zhang Cuifen she’d line up a few more matches for Jiang Yiwei, making sure it’d all work out to her satisfaction.

"Aunt, don’t bother setting me up right now. I’m still studying."

Jiang Yiwei just wanted them to drop it. She wasn’t in a rush—didn’t even want to—and yet that earned her a few dagger looks from Auntie Zhang.

"Mom, Aunt! Why are you only looking for someone for *her*? What about me?"

Jiang Yuexin suddenly burst in from outside.

She was absolutely furious. Lucky she got home early today, otherwise she wouldn’t have heard them already setting up another match for Jiang Yiwei.

What’s the deal with that? Always pushing for Yiwei and ignoring her completely.

"Mom, didn’t you promise to help me find someone before?"

Jiang Yuexin shoved Yiwei aside and plopped down next to her mother.

Yiwei gave Yuexin a side-eye and said coolly, "Weren’t *you* the one who said you’d find your own guy? Now you want Mom to do it for you?"

Yuexin had been clear last time—she didn’t need Jiang Sanjie’s help at all.

"I was just talking. You weren't supposed to take it seriously."

Still, if Mom actually found her a decent guy, she wouldn’t exactly say no.

"Didn’t I tell you I’m on the lookout for you?"

Zhang Cuifen *had* been trying to find matches for Yuexin, but every time she mentioned it, the other side politely suggested Yiwei instead, basically writing Yuexin off completely.

It had Zhang Cuifen losing sleep for days.

"On the lookout? Then what’s going on now? Why is Yiwei meeting someone again?"

If they were really looking for *her*, why was Yiwei the one being set up this time?

"Yue Xin, originally I meant to introduce Gu Jiang to *you*. But when Aunt Muchun went around asking about you herself, he wasn’t into you—he liked Yiwei instead. So he insisted on meeting her."

At first, Zhang Cuimiao had planned to pair Gu Jiang with Yuexin, but Aunt Muchun came sniffing around and made it clear: either Yiwei, or forget the whole thing.

"They’re out of their minds, passing me up!"

How could they turn *me* down and then ask for Yiwei? They must be nuts.

"What’s she got that I don’t?"

"Yue Xin," Zhang Cuimiao snapped, "I suggest you rein in that temper of yours. The second word gets around about you, and any decent guy will run the other way." She was clearly fed up with her niece.

"When a family brings in a daughter-in-law, they want someone who’ll pull her weight—not another high-maintenance princess to wait on."

If Jiang Yuexin weren't her niece, Zhang Cuimiao wouldn’t lift a finger to find her a husband.

"What's wrong with my temper? It's perfectly fine."

"If they don't like me, the feeling's mutual."

Jiang Yuexin didn’t think there was anything wrong with her temper—in fact, she thought it was quite good. As for those who had inquired about her but didn’t take a liking to her, it was their loss.

Snatching up her belongings, she stormed off to her room in a huff.

"Sister, I have to say, you really need to get Yuexin’s temper under control! Otherwise, there’s no way to find her a match."

Zhang Cuimiao couldn’t understand why Jiang Yuexin had such an awful attitude—Jiang Lingxin and Jiang Yiwei weren’t like this at all.

"I’ll talk to her."

Zhang Cuifen also knew that Jiang Yuexin’s temper was getting worse, so she could only advise her to rein it in.

Seeing that Zhang Cuifen and Zhang Cuimiao had something to discuss, Jiang Yiwei quietly retreated to her room to continue sewing.

Autumn gave way to winter.

Even in the capital, the year's first snow began to fall.

Jiang Yiwei, wearing a hat, gazed up at the snowflakes drifting through the air.

She exhaled a breath and picked up her pace.

Today, she was meeting Fu Xunian near the bookstore.

But as she walked, she got the distinct feeling she was being followed.

She stopped and turned to look behind her, her eyes darting left and right.

There were only ordinary pedestrians, and their faces revealed nothing unusual.

Yet just moments ago, Jiang Yiwei could've sworn she felt someone following her.

Doubt flickered in her eyes.

Frozen in place for a beat, she decided it must be her imagination and continued walking. But soon, she slowed her steps again.

Tucking a hand in her pocket, she walked a short distance before pulling it out again—the handkerchief "accidentally" dropped to the ground.

Bending down to pick it up, she used the opportunity to casually glance behind her.

Her eyes locked onto something, then quickly returned to normal as she resumed walking.

In that brief moment, Jiang Yiwei had indeed spotted something suspicious.

When she looked back, a man had ducked out of sight.

Definitely up to no good.

If she really had a tail, it had to be him.

But why would he be tailing her?

Jiang Yiwei couldn’t understand why someone was tailing her.

She was unnerved, relieved it was still daylight. She hurried to meet Fu Xunian.

After about twenty minutes, she finally reached the area near the bookstore.

She spotted Fu Xunian right away—standing not far from the store, his dark blue scarf standing out.

Seeing him melted her anxiety into relief. It felt like as long as he was there, she’d be safe.

Yi Wei sprinted toward him.

Fu Xunian had been idly studying a three-story building nearby when he heard running footsteps and instinctively turned—only to see his beloved.

Before he could move, the woman he loved was already in front of him.

Seeing her breathless, Xu Nian grinned. “I wasn’t going anywhere. No need to rush.”

But Yi Wei held his hand, catching her breath before explaining.

“Just seeing you calmed me down. I wanted to fly straight into your arms. I only feel safe with you.”

That’s why she had rushed to him without hesitation.

Mindful of the stalker, she pressed closer to Xu Nian.

“Xu Nian, someone is following me—a man wearing a black hat, in ratty, patched-up clothes.”

Xu Nian’s face tightened for a split second but quickly smoothed over, betraying nothing to onlookers.

He casually glanced behind Jiang Yiwei and immediately looked away.

“Yeah, that guy’s still on your tail.”

Jiang Yiwei grew tense. “I don’t know why he’s following me.”

“Don’t worry. Got your back,” Fu Xunian reassured her.

“Play it cool. Don’t let him know we’re onto him.”

“We’ll catch him tonight.”

The key now was not to alert the stalker that they were aware. They had to make the guy drop his guard so that when night fell and the streets emptied, he would slip up.

Jiang Yiwei immediately understood Fu Xunian’s plan.

“Alright. We’ll stick to our routine—movie, then shopping.”

Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian headed toward the nearby cinema.

They didn’t care if the creep followed them in.

However, the stalker didn’t enter the theater. Even when they went to a government canteen for dinner, the guy loitered outside instead.

Noticing this, Jiang Yiwei said to Fu Xunian, “He didn’t follow me inside the cinema or even the restaurant. Isn’t that weird?”

Xu Nian stayed cool, dropping meat into her bowl.

“Eat up. We’ll get answers tonight.”

By evening, Fu Xunian and Jiang Yiwei stood at the street corner.

"Xu Nian, my home isn’t far from here. You can stop here—it’s fine, I’ll walk the rest of the way myself."

"Alright, you go ahead first. I’ll wait a bit longer before leaving."

"Okay!"

Their voices clearly reached the ears of the person who had been following them.

Jiang Yiwei reluctantly parted ways with Fu Xunian. As soon as she saw him leave, the person lurking in the shadows quickly began trailing her.

The alley was quiet and dim, the sound of Jiang Yiwei’s boots filling the space.

The figure behind her held a sack and a stick. As he drew closer, a predatory grin spread across his face.

His footsteps quickened. Just as his hand was about to reach her, it was wrenched away—and he found himself staring into a pair of icy, piercing eyes.