1979: My fiancée is a goddess

It was 10 a.m. in early September.

Some of the dark clouds in the sky dispersed, revealing a corner of summer.

The scorching sunlight easily pierced through, baking the post-rain air and earth, making it humid and sweltering, making it hard to breathe.

Today is the first day of school, and the campus of Beijing Normal University is exceptionally lively.

The teaching buildings, small gardens, pavilions along the paths, and the shady playground were all filled with these young people who had just left their hometowns to attend university in Beijing.

Young men dressed in white shirts, belts, and pens clipped to their chests gathered in small groups, gesturing and discussing their future ideals with great enthusiasm.

The girls, with their hair in ponytails or pigtails and wearing skirts, chatted and laughed, humming the decadent tunes recently imported from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The young people were immersed in the excitement and joy of coming to university and the new environment, their faces beaming with pride, joy, and youthful vitality.

The scorching sun overhead, the rich fragrance of flowers in the garden, the buzzing of bees fluttering their thin wings, and the soft hems of girls' skirts fluttering in the breeze...

Everything was quietly brewing on this sunny morning, everything was so beautiful.

"I wonder how many people will meet for the first time on this day."

In the tree-lined path.

Cheng Kaiyan and Zhang Chun walked side by side, looking at the bustling campus in front of them, and sighed softly.

School is a place where farewells and first encounters coexist, always making people sentimental while also experiencing the vitality and beauty of youth.

"What's wrong... why are you suddenly being so sentimental?"

Comrade Zhang Chun smiled and asked, feigning curiosity.

"No, it's nothing."

Cheng Kaiyan chuckled and shook her head, changing the subject: "Speaking of which, Zhang Chun, with your excellent grades, which professor did you choose as your advisor? Our Chinese Literature department professors are all quite good, but there are differences in academic ability and character..."

The implication was clear: they were worried she hadn't made a good choice.

"My advisor was Mr. Qi Gong. I originally wanted to choose Professor Jiang Ting, but... Professor Jiang is no longer accepting students."

The girl didn't ask any further questions. Hearing this, she felt a warmth in her heart and glanced at Cheng Kaiyan with a mixture of resentment and envy.

At Beijing Normal University, who doesn't know that Professor Jiang is beautiful and highly capable?
It's a pity that the person is too indifferent.

"Haha. Mr. Qi Gong is also very good. I remember you used to practice calligraphy with Mr. Qi Gong."

Cheng Kaiyan felt relieved.

"Yes, I'm very good at calligraphy now. I write all the Spring Festival couplets for my family."

Comrade Zhang Chun puffed out his chest with some pride, "He's a very kind old man, but that's just his personality..."

"However, he seems a bit like a quirky, unreliable old man?"

"How could you make such a fuss about him?!"

"Haha... I was just teasing him before, telling him I was a martial arts master..."

As Cheng Kaiyan recounted amusing anecdotes about her mentor, Zhang Chun's quiet and delicate face gradually broke into a smile.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns that made their dark hair feel slightly hot, but this did not dampen their enthusiasm for conversation.

The two walked and talked, with Cheng Kaiyan intentionally trying to liven up the atmosphere.

The distance between them, which had been a little too long since they'd seen each other, gradually diminished during their casual conversation.

"By the way, Comrade Zhang Chun, have you been in contact with Ji Qinglan and Yang Mengshan recently?"

Cheng Kaiyan also noticed the change and began to inquire about the whereabouts and current situation of the others from Comrade Zhang Chun.

"Yes, I just wrote to Qinglan a few days ago. Mengshan's hometown is quite far away, so we don't keep in touch as frequently, but we still exchange one or two letters a month."

Thinking of her two good friends, Zhang Chun couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic.

After finishing their graduation theses last winter, they all started looking for internships or preparing to go back to their hometowns for the Chinese New Year.

Therefore, everyone leaves school very early.

We only met once more at the graduation ceremony, and then went our separate ways.

Therefore, they hadn't seen each other for quite a while, even longer than Cheng Kaiyan.

"Let's start with Qinglan... Before graduation, she worked hard to secure a spot for her school to study in Japan..."

At this point, Zhang Chun couldn't help but turn and glance at Cheng Kaiyan.

"Um……"

Cheng Kaiyan paused slightly. Japan?
Zhang Chun said with a tone full of emotion and regret: "The number of places for studying abroad has increased from three in the past two years to five, but the number of people competing for them has also increased a lot. It is said that there are several hundred people competing for them in the entire department."

I remember during that time, Qinglan was under a lot of pressure and would study until very late every day.

Sometimes I'd wake up and find Qinglan still sitting at her desk studying a foreign language, her sleeves tucked in, holding a cold thermos, shivering from the cold...

I really don't know why?
Ugh……

Logically speaking, given her grades and hard work, there shouldn't have been any major problems, but the final result was not as expected...

Qinglan, she still failed to be selected.

It's said that there was a girl from the foreign language department whose grades were similar to hers, but her parents were both university teachers, and her mother was a foreign language professor. Growing up in that environment...

Therefore, Qinglan lost to her cleanly and decisively in terms of spoken language...

Ever since then, Qinglan has become much more depressed, and the smile on her face has disappeared...

Comrade Zhang Chun paused for a moment and said in a low voice: "After graduating and returning home this year, she fell seriously ill and stayed in the hospital for several months."

Moreover, due to illness, I had to miss out on a good job offer from the school.

"Sigh... This girl has really had a tough time. If she needs anything, just let me know."

Cheng Kaiyan sighed and made a suggestion.

"Hehe, Cheng Kaiyan, you don't need to worry too much."

The regret and emotion on Zhang Chun's face quietly faded, and she explained, "She is, after all, a graduate of our school, and an excellent student in both character and academics. Now Qinglan is a high school teacher in her hometown county, teaching English."

Now things have stabilized, and my monthly salary plus subsidies is quite good, around forty or fifty yuan.

"call……"

Cheng Kaiyan breathed a sigh of relief.

As if suddenly remembering something, Zhang Chun said with a smile, "Oh right, she just sent a letter a few days ago saying that the school leaders introduced her to a potential partner."

It is said that his family is well-off, and both his parents are leaders.

The man was two years older than Qinglan. He was a nice person, honest, and not very talkative, but he wasn't very educated, only having a primary school education. He had served in the army before, but retired a few years ago and is now a cadre in the county..."

"Are you about to start dating?"

Cheng Kaiyan was quite surprised.

In his memory, Comrade Qinglan was still that little girl with two pigtails, chubby cheeks, and a cute and interesting personality.

In the blink of an eye, she has experienced so many ups and downs, and now she's starting to date.

Then the two emerged from the shady cobblestone path in the woods, the scorching sun shining on their faces, turning them slightly red.

"Yes, Sister Mengshan has been..."

Zhang Chun raised her hand to shield her forehead and then recounted in detail the recent situation of Comrade Yang Mengshan.

This outgoing and feisty young woman now works in the editorial department as an intern editor, specifically handling submissions from writers.

In the recent photos she sent, she was wearing glasses, a dress, and sandals. Perhaps influenced by the artistic atmosphere of the editorial department, she has become much quieter and more artistic.

"I see... It seems everyone has changed a lot, and life is slowly getting back on track. That's great!"

Listening to Comrade Zhang Chun's gentle and quiet voice, and hearing the information in his words, Cheng Kaiyan gradually sketched out the lives of several of her former friends in her mind.

"That's right, they're all from different parts of the country, so it's really difficult for them to meet."

But maybe in a year or two, when everyone is getting married and having children, we'll be able to get together again for a wedding feast.

Zhang Chun was filled with emotion, a faint expectation and longing, along with lingering sadness, flashing in her clear, stream-like eyes.

"Hey! Speaking of which, Cheng Kaiyan, you were the first one to get married. When I reported for duty a couple of days ago, I heard from the teachers in the department that Sister Xiaoli had already given birth? Was it a boy or a girl?"

But Zhang Chun quickly composed himself, smiled, and looked at Cheng Kaiyan, asking a question.

Liu Xiaoli is Cheng Kaiyan's partner. She had met her many times at school and had some simple conversations with her.

In Zhang Chun's memory, she was a very good person with a gentle and kind personality.

Because of Cheng Kaiyan's relationship with her, Zhang Chun called her "Sister Xiaoli" very naturally.

"It was about two weeks ago, they were twin girls!"

When Cheng Kaiyan mentioned his wife and two lovely daughters, a faint smile and happiness unconsciously appeared on his face, an emotion that could not be hidden.

This scene, this detail.

Zhang Chun, a meticulous young woman, noticed all of this and sighed softly in her heart.

But now, that incident, that girl, and that relationship are all in the past.

The girl, heartbroken and devastated, left them far away, hiding in some unknown foreign country, never to return.

However, the friendship between her and herself, and between herself and Cheng Kaiyan, should be viewed separately and cannot be generalized.

Zhang Chun understood the difference very clearly.

Congratulations! You have a wonderful daughter!

Zhang Chun cupped her hands in greeting to Cheng Kaiyan, her voice filled with curiosity and amazement as she said, "They're actually twin daughters! That's so rare! I've heard that twin babies all look alike!"
correct!

You and Xiaoli are both so beautiful, the babies must be gorgeous too! Could you take me to your house to see them later?

"Sure, let's skip lunch at school and go straight to my house. I'll treat you to a nice welcome."

Cheng Kaiyan readily invited her to her home, and then said, "The little ones look almost exactly alike, and they are all very cute and beautiful. Even I can't tell them apart... I guess only Xiaoli can tell them apart at a glance."

"Hehe! That looks so fun! I'll go check them out later!"

Seeing Cheng Kaiyan's helpless and troubled expression, Comrade Zhang Chun chuckled and said with some excitement, "But it will definitely be much easier to tell in the future. You don't need to worry too much about personality, mannerisms, and preferences."

"By the way, have you named the little ones yet?"

"The older sister is named Cheng Zhizi, and the younger sister is named Cheng Xiyi. Their nicknames are Xiao Zhizi and Xiao Xixi."

"Little Gardenia and Little Qianqian? They sound so nice, I can tell you named them just by listening to them."

"Haha! No, Xiaoli named my sister."

"Awesome! Hey! Remember to invite me to the baby's one-month celebration!"

"Sure, I'll definitely invite you! But remember to bring a gift!"

"Haha! I'll definitely give you and the little ones a big gift! But I'll have to be their godmother!"

"No problem, no problem."

……

The short distance of a few hundred meters from the teaching building to the girls' dormitory took them almost half an hour to walk and talk.

Cheng Kaiyan was also satisfied to learn about the recent situations of her former friends. As for herself...

Cheng Kaiyan and Zhang Chun had a great understanding.

He didn't ask, and Zhang Chun didn't say anything.

As for whether they are still in contact, Cheng Kaiyan has no way of knowing.

However, no news means no bad news, which is the best news of all.

……

The girls' dormitory came into view.

A mottled red brick wall encloses several six-story Khrushchev-style buildings.

The walls were covered with numerous red propaganda slogans:

"Be civilized, polite, hygienic, orderly, and moral!"

"Both politically sound and professionally competent, serving the motherland!"

Now is the time when the country is vigorously promoting the "Four Stresses and Five Beauties," and it is broadcast on the school radio every day.

The dormitory entrance is a small iron gate painted with rusty red paint, which is open and creaks in the wind.

Looking from a distance at the bottom of the building.

The balconies on each floor, as well as the rooftop terrace, were covered with sheets and clothes still damp with water droplets.

Like rolling white waves, surging in the wind.

Even from a distance, you can feel the damp coolness in the air and smell the fresh scent of laundry detergent.

Cheng Kaiyan and his companion entered with practiced ease.

Since it was the start of the new semester, the dormitory supervisor only glanced at them through the glass window and didn't pay much attention to them.

"Phew... We've finally arrived. I'll leave the rest to you."

Comrade Zhang Chun wiped the fine sweat from her forehead with a plain white handkerchief, but tactfully refrained from wiping Cheng Kaiyan's face. Instead, she turned to look at his profile and asked softly, "Do you remember which dormitory it was?"

"Room 502".

Cheng Kaiyan spoke slowly.

"Looks like... your memory is pretty good." Zhang Chun's tone was somewhat meaningful.

"Ah."

Cheng Kaiyan took the lead.

He didn't know what he was feeling as he stepped onto the stairs, gradually making his way to the fifth floor and through the stairwell.

Before I knew it, I stopped in front of a dormitory room with a metal sign that read "502".

The wooden door, covered with sheet metal, was tightly shut, but a faint light shone through the crack in the corner, casting its glow on the ground.

The light flickered gently, sometimes bright, sometimes dim, as if a figure was walking through the dormitory.

"Whew...I'm exhausted, slow down!"

Zhang Chun followed, bending over and resting her knees on her hips, panting slightly.

Following Cheng Kaiyan up five floors in one go, it was really a bit too much for them.

"Open the door."

Cheng Kaiyan said without turning her head.

"it is good."

Comrade Zhang Chun hurriedly took out his key from his pocket, stepped forward, opened the rusty brass lock, and pushed the door open.

"Creak—Bang!"

The hinges of the bedroom door were even screech louder than those of Cheng Kaiyan's balcony door. The door was pushed against the corner of the wall and made a dull thud.

The gray specks swirling in the sunlight rushed towards the two of them, followed by a damp, musty smell.

It's been raining lately, and the dorm room hasn't been cleaned for a long time, so it's normal for it to smell.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Zhang Chun was caught off guard and choked on a mouthful of ash, coughing violently while covering her mouth.

As she fanned away the dust as she entered the house, she said haltingly, "Come in... cough cough! This dust is really thick. I'll go and do a quick... clean it up. Cheng Kaiyan, you pack your things and move them out first."

After saying that, Zhang Chun went to the balcony to open the door for ventilation, and then picked up the broom and mop as if she knew what she was doing, ready to fill them with water and start cleaning.

As for Cheng Kaiyan, she stood quietly at the door, her calm gaze sweeping around the dormitory.

Four single beds, pencils and papers on a low wooden desk against the wall, several stacks of books on a bookshelf, slippers, rags and other small miscellaneous items scattered on the floor...

My gaze eventually fell on the right, on the bed near the balcony window.

Golden light streamed in through the window, falling on the dusty wooden bed, where specks of dust swirled in the air like fireflies…

Cheng Kaiyan stood motionless by the bed, calmly and naturally observing everything before her.

It felt both familiar and strange.

He didn't come here often, but perhaps due to his exceptional natural memory, memories of each visit flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.

That long, glossy black hair, reaching to her waist, seemed to leap and dance before my eyes, as if I were there in person.

I could almost still smell that faint, cool, familiar scent of snow.

Cheng Kaiyan stood there, stunned.

It feels so familiar.

Gradually, my heart tightened, as if it were being gripped by an invisible hand.

Gently, cool, and very tender.

Like snow falling into the palm of your hand.

"Cheng Kaiyan!"

A familiar voice faintly reached her ears, clear and cold as snow, dreamlike and ethereal, the lingering notes of which conveyed a woman's melancholy and sorrow.

"Cheng Kaiyan!"

Zhang Chun stood behind him, carrying a bucket of water, and looked at his motionless back, calling out in confusion.

"what?"

Cheng Kaiyan seemed to wake from a dream and quickly turned around to look.

"Are you okay?"

Zhang Chun asked with concern in a gentle voice.

"It's alright, let's move our things. Just these books, and these luggage, right?"

Cheng Kaiyan shook her head, pointing to the bookshelf and the things on the bed.

"Hmm... there are quite a lot of books, many of which were bought by Qinglan. She left in a hurry and didn't take them with her, so she left them to me..."

Zhang Chun looked at him for a while to make sure there was no problem before putting down the bucket and starting to clean.

Cheng Kaiyan followed her instructions and began to organize her things.

First, gather all the bedding, mattress pads, and other luggage together and tie them up with rope.

Then, the clutter scattered around the dormitory was collected. Useful items were put into a bucket and taken away, while useless items were swept away by Zhang Chun.

Finally, there were stacks of books piled on the desk, tied with rope in a cross knot for easy carrying.

As they were lifting the thick stack of books to move them out, the knot in the rope couldn't bear the weight and came undone with a whoosh.

"thump!"

Several books fell to the ground with a dull thud.

Cheng Kaiyan bent down to pick it up, her gaze sweeping from bottom to top.

Suddenly, a bright white flashed before my eyes from under the bed by the window on the right, on the simple iron rack where shoes were placed.

Pure white, like snow.

Even under the dim light of the bed, it was extremely noticeable.

"what?"

Cheng Kaiyan leaned closer for a closer look and discovered it was a book.

He reached out and took it out.

"love letter?"

The two calligraphy characters on the cover made Cheng Kaiyan's heart skip a beat, and she froze on the spot.

Soft, warm fingertips trembled slightly as they reached out to touch the book cover.

Unconsciously, I gently stroked the body of the girl who was shouting with her head up in the snow.

Hard and cold, like ice and snow.

He opened the snow-white cover, revealing the papers inside.

The handwriting was somewhat blurred, and the paper was no longer snow-white, but a faint oxidized yellow. There was a slightly musty, rotten smell, which made one frown.

"Splash..."

Cheng Kaiyan, as if possessed, turned the book back, the pages fluttering under the tension, emitting a quiet white noise.

The book automatically turned to page 120. The paper on this page was dry and peeling, as if it had been wet.

The pages turned automatically, not because of magic or human coincidence.

It's just because there's a bookmark tucked between the pages of this book.

The wooden bookmark has a simple design with a "福" (fortune) character carved on it, and it's even a bit ugly, but the wood is nice and feels warm to the touch.

Cheng Kaiyan's eyes flickered, and she opened her mouth as if to say something, but it seemed as if some emotion was blocking her, and she couldn't say anything.

woohoo...

Take a deep breath and slowly calm down.

He turned to look at the girl behind him, who was patiently sweeping the dust under the bed with a broom.

Cheng Kaiyan silently closed the book and tucked it into her belt behind her back.

……

It took about half an hour.

Cheng Kaiyan and Zhang Chun packed up all their things and cleaned the dormitory room thoroughly.

The two of them, carrying large and small bags, stood at the dormitory entrance, taking one last look at it.

"Let's go."

Cheng Kaiyan said in a calm voice.

"Ah."

The two turned and left, their backs to the camera clean and efficient.

The new dormitory is in the building next door, but it's not on a high floor.

I delivered the things and then sat in Zhang Chun's new dorm room for a while.

"It's still early, it's eleven o'clock now, let's go."

Cheng Kaiyan took Zhang Chun away from the school and took the bus home.

Passing by a department store, Zhang Chun insisted on going in to buy some gifts and children's clothes and toys, spending a few dozen yuan here and there.

It was a considerable expense for her, but Cheng Kaiyan couldn't stop her, so she had no choice but to let her have it.

……

"Sister Xiaoli! Qianqian is so cute!"

"We were teasing her just now, and she actually rolled her eyes at us. That was really funny."

"That's it."

"Ouch! Why is Little Gardenia kicking people? You little rascal!"

"Hehehe! Let me do it! You don't even know how to play... take care of a child!"

Cheng Kaiyan opened the door.

The living room was filled with the lively chatter of girls.

"Hey~ My brother-in-law is back!"

It turned out to be Xiaoli's classmate from the Beijing Dance Academy. Her good friends came to visit her after they heard the news when school started.

"Brighten up!"

Liu Xiaoli sat on the sofa holding her child and called out with a smile.

"I'm back! Hello everyone, thank you all for coming to visit Xiaoli today..."

Cheng Kaiyan greeted everyone with a smile, then led Zhang Chun into the house and introduced him to his wife, saying, "Xiaoli, this is my friend Zhang Chun. He came especially to visit you..."

"Oh, it's Comrade Zhang Chun! It's been a long time!"

Liu Xiaoli smiled, stood up, greeted them, and exchanged pleasantries with Zhang Chun for a while. Then, she tiptoed and whispered sweetly in Cheng Kaiyan's ear:
"With so many guests today, I'll have to trouble you with lunch, Xiao Cheng. The food is all in the fridge, that should be enough."

"..."

Cheng Kaiyan turned to look at the girls who were almost filling the living room and smiled helplessly.

There are almost fifteen people now, right?
Well, he's destined to be a hard worker.

I went to the bathroom to wash my hands, and then obediently went to the kitchen to cook.

It was almost one o'clock when we finished making lunch, and everyone sat around the table to eat.

The woman had a small appetite, drank some beer and soft drinks, and the food was barely enough for her.

After finishing her meal, Cheng Kaiyan held the baby and fed him formula.

I guess there were too many aunties today, and they kept Xiaozhi and Qianqian entertained until they were almost out of energy. The two little ones fell asleep almost as soon as they finished eating.

They took the two sisters back to their bedroom to sleep.

Cheng Kaiyan walked to the desk, opened the love letter, and found the bookmark at the very back of the desk drawer.

I remember it was two years ago, it was a birthday present she gave me, and also the last one...

With her thoughts wandering, Cheng Kaiyan quietly placed the two wooden bookmarks together.

He put it back on page 120 of the love letter.

Cheng Kaiyan suddenly remembered that her birthday was January 20th...

He stood quietly in front of the desk and finally put the book on the top shelf of the bookshelf.

After doing all this.

Cheng Kaiyan walked to the crib, bent down and kissed her daughters' little faces, then quietly closed the door and came out.

He continued to sit on the sofa and chat with everyone.

Regarding the new book, regarding Xiaoli's health, regarding when she will return to school to continue dancing, regarding everything concerning the children...

Time passed quietly, bit by bit, peaceful and beautiful.

Five years passed in the blink of an eye, and the winter of 1987 arrived. (End of Chapter)