Era: Starting with the struggle to refuse being taken advantage of

Chapter 312 The Unsent Letter

With a sweet smile, Xia Mingyue's lips curled up slightly, revealing a row of neat, white teeth. Her eyes curved into two crescent moons, and the corners of her eyes even had a touch of playful fine lines from her overly bright smile.

Her smile was like the spring sunshine, warm but not dazzling, making people feel bright and cheerful.

Her cheeks flushed slightly from smiling, like a light layer of rouge, making her even more vibrant.

"Okay, I'll ride my bicycle back first and take the books back. You can come over a little later."

The sound was as clear and crisp as a mountain stream, carrying a youthful vigor.

"Okay, then be careful on the road, don't ride too fast," Wang Chengpeng instructed, his tone tinged with concern. "I'll take you to your bicycle."

Xia Mingyue nodded, slung her cloth bag over her shoulder, and turned to walk out of the courtyard.

Her back was slender yet upright, her steps light and quick, as if carrying a spirit of defiance, yet also subtly revealing a hint of awkwardness and embarrassment.

It wasn't a cool day; the afternoon sun was still scorching, making the ground scorching hot, and even the air seemed to be distorted by the heat.

Wang Chengpeng had just returned from a run outside; his clothes were soaked with sweat and clung to his back, outlining the lines of his strong shoulders.

Sweat beaded on his forehead, sliding down his cheeks and dripping onto his collar, leaving a dark stain.

The warehouse was already somewhat stuffy, and the air was filled with the smell of old book pages and damp mold, mixed with the sweat emanating from Wang Chengpeng, creating an indescribable odor.

Xia Mingyue was also drenched in sweat. Although she found a shady corner, she couldn't change the fact that it was scorching hot outside.

Fine beads of sweat clung to Xia Mingyue's forehead, glistening like tiny, sparkling ornaments.

Looking at her, Wang Chengpeng suddenly felt an urge to reach out and wipe the sweat from her forehead.

But he didn't move in the end, just stood there, letting the ambiguous atmosphere flow between the two of them.

The light from the electric lamp cast dappled shadows on their faces, and a faint scent of ink filled the air, mixed with the subtle smell of soap emanating from Xia Mingyue, making one want to get closer and closer.

That is why Xia Mingyue's seemingly steady steps were somewhat disordered.

Wang Chengpeng nodded and followed behind her, but his heart felt like it had been gently tickled, itchy, yet he couldn't put it into words.

After wrapping the book in newspaper and tying it tightly to the back seat of the bicycle with hemp rope, Wang Chengpeng watched Xia Mingyue leave.

Only after Xia Mingyue's figure had completely disappeared did Wang Chengpeng murmur:
"It's really hot today, I need to take a shower first."

……

Magic City.

This city and the village where Wang Chengpeng lives are like two different worlds.

The bright lights and flashing neon signs made even the bright moon in the sky seem somewhat dimmed.

The skyscrapers on the Bund seem to be edged with gold, and the cruise ships on the Huangpu River slowly pass by, their colorful lights reflected on the water like scattered gold dust.

On the streets, traffic flows like a river, and the sounds of car horns, bicycle bells, and pedestrians' laughter intertwine to form a never-ending urban symphony.

In a rather magnificent building, An Qiuyun rested her hands on the windowsill, staring blankly at the bright moon by the window, lost in thought.

Her room was spacious and bright, with several posters of model operas on the walls, a Red Lantern brand radio on the bedside table, and a well-worn copy of "Song of Youth" next to it.

On the desk by the window, there were piles of review materials and mimeographed test papers, the pages of which were covered with notes.

Her gaze, however, bypassed all of that and stared straight at the bright moon outside the window, her eyes somewhat dazed.

"Qiuyun, come down and eat."

Then came the voice of her father, An Haitao, a loud and authoritative voice.

"Hey, I'll come."

An Qiuyun snapped out of her thoughts, responded, and hurriedly ran downstairs.

Her steps were light, yet tinged with a hint of panic, like a young girl caught doing something wrong, her cheeks slightly flushed and her eyes flickering uncertainly.

Perhaps due to her panic, An Qiuyun bumped into the desk as she left the house, causing the items on the desk to wobble slightly and make a "clang" sound.

Her gaze involuntarily fell on the desk, where an aluminum lunchbox stood out from its surroundings.

The lunchbox was brand new and shiny, without a single scratch on the surface, and the lid was tightly closed, as if it had never been opened.

This lunchbox appears to be the very one that Wang Chengpeng gave me back then.

Next to the lunchbox was an unmailed letter, the paper covered with neat handwriting, beginning with the words "Comrade Cheng Peng".

The letter was not finished; the last line was only half-written, as if it had been suddenly interrupted.

The edges of the letter were curled, clearly indicating that it had been repeatedly rubbed, and there were even a few faint fingerprints visible.

An Qiuyun looked at the lunchbox placed on the desk, her eyes filled with a complex emotion.

Her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes, and her lips were slightly pursed, as if she was suppressing something.

She bit her lip, but ultimately didn't go over. Instead, she turned and hurried downstairs. Her footsteps thumped on the wooden stairs, like hammering against her heart.

On the dining table downstairs, there were several steaming dishes, including braised pork, stir-fried vegetables, and a bowl of egg drop soup.

An Haitao sat in the main seat, holding a copy of the People's Daily, frowning as he read the news.

Seeing An Qiuyun come down, he put down his newspaper and said in a serious tone, "Qiuyun, how's your studying going lately?"

"The college entrance examination is a major event and cannot be taken lightly."

“You’re the only girl in our family. If you want to take control of your own destiny, you’ll have to work hard.”

Seeing his daughter like this, An Haitao's already furrowed brows furrowed even more.

He put down the People's Daily, his gaze sweeping sternly across An Qiuyun's face, his tone tinged with displeasure:

"Qiuyun, what's wrong with you?"

"You seem distracted; are you thinking about those nonsensical things again?"

An Qiuyun was startled by her father's words, and almost dropped her chopsticks on the table.

She quickly raised her head and forced a smile: "No, no, Father."

"I'm just a little tired, probably because I studied too late and didn't get enough rest."

An Haitao snorted, clearly not believing her explanation.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said in a serious tone, "Qiuyun, I know you have something on your mind, but now is not the time to let your imagination run wild."

"The college entrance exam is your top priority right now. Some unimportant things are best left in the past and not to be worried about."

An Qiuyun lowered her head, her fingers gripping the chopsticks tightly until her knuckles turned white.

She bit her lip and whispered, "I understand, Father." "I will study hard, don't worry."

An Haitao nodded in satisfaction and picked up the newspaper again to read.

An Qiuyun felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on her chest, and she couldn't move it.

She lowered her head and took a bite of rice, but found her mouth bitter, even the aroma of braised pork tasteless. She murmured softly:
"If Wang Chengpeng were to face the college entrance examination, he probably wouldn't be as distressed as I am."

……

As agreed with Xia Mingyue, Wang Chengpeng took a good shower, left a note for Wang Meiyan telling her to prepare dinner herself, and then leisurely left the house.

Wang Chengpeng's steps were steady, yet tinged with a hint of hesitation; it was rare for him to have something on his mind.

After about an hour, Wang Chengpeng finally walked from his home to the educated youth settlement.

Even from a distance, Wang Chengpeng could smell the fragrance coming from ahead.

The aroma wafted over on the breeze, carrying a smoky, homely scent, like the smoke rising from a stove, mixed with the smoky aroma of hot oil, filling the nostrils and making one want to take a deep breath.

The aroma of cooking oil is mixed with a hint of egg fragrance, the fresh scent of eggs bursting forth the moment they are cracked into the hot pan, along with the refreshing taste of scallions, enough to whet your appetite.

It's clear that Xia Mingyue's cooking skills have improved a lot recently; at least they're now quite tempting.

He walked to Xia Mingyue's door and saw a long, thin figure through the kitchen window.

Smoke curled from the kitchen chimney, the aroma of cooking oil mingling with the fragrance of scrambled eggs, growing ever stronger.

Wang Chengpeng stood at the door, hesitated for a moment, then raised his hand and knocked. In a deep voice, he asked:

"Xia Zhiqing, do you need my help?"

"Coming!" The door opened, and Xia Mingyue stood in the doorway, wearing a faded apron and holding a spatula.

"No need for help, just sit at the table for a while, the food will be ready soon."

Wang Chengpeng nodded and followed her into the house.

The room wasn't big, but it was kept very clean.

On the table was a plate of freshly scrambled eggs, golden and tender, still steaming hot.

The edges of the eggs are slightly browned, garnished with chopped scallions, and they emit an enticing aroma.

There was also a plate of stir-fried green vegetables on the side, so vibrant and fresh that it looked incredibly appetizing.

"Please sit down first, I'll cook another dish." Xia Mingyue said, turning around and returning to the stove, skillfully stirring the vegetables in the pan.

Her movements were nimble, as if she were used to doing these kinds of work; the spatula flew through the pot, making a "scratching" sound.

As the spatula danced, a delicious aroma of meat wafted out, making Wang Chengpeng sniff and exclaim, "It smells so good!"

Hearing Wang Chengpeng's praise, Xia Mingyue's face turned slightly red, a rare occurrence.

She knew her cooking skills were nowhere near Wang Chengpeng's, so she could only say embarrassedly:
"It's alright, at least it's edible."

Before long, Xia Mingyue brought over the last dish and placed it directly on the table, only to find that Wang Chengpeng had already prepared rice for the two of them.

Wiping the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve, Xia Mingyue picked up the chopsticks and handed them to Wang Chengpeng, saying:

"Let's eat, don't let it get cold."

Wang Chengpeng took the chopsticks, picked up a piece of scrambled eggs, and put it in his mouth.

The eggs are tender and delicious, with a hint of scallion aroma. The warm egg flavor melts on the tongue, making you want to eat more.

The edges of the egg are slightly browned, giving it a crunchy texture when you bite into it. The aroma of scallions perfectly balances the greasiness, making it not greasy at all.

He picked up another slice of meat. The meat was thinly sliced ​​and stir-fried just right, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. With each bite, you could taste the savory sauce.

The fat from the meat slices melts in your mouth, bringing a sense of satisfaction that makes you want to squint your eyes.

Finally, he picked up the bowl and scooped out a spoonful of egg drop soup.

A few bright green scallions float on the surface of the soup, and the egg flowers are scattered in the soup like clouds. With a gentle stir, the egg flowers swirl around in the soup.

He blew on the steam and carefully took a sip.

The soup has a light yet flavorful taste; the savory aroma of the egg and the freshness of the scallions blend perfectly together. After drinking it, my stomach felt warm, and I felt much more comfortable.

Although Xia Mingyue's cooking skills are far inferior to Wang Chengpeng's, you can see how much effort she puts in. Compared to before, her cooking skills have improved by leaps and bounds.

The atmosphere between the two was still somewhat awkward, and they didn't speak, just kept their heads down and ate their meal.

Wang Chengpeng let out a satisfied sigh, wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth, and said with a smile:
"Xia Zhiqing, thank you so much for your hospitality. You made me enjoy such a sumptuous dinner."

"Just because of this meal, if you ever want to borrow any books in the future, don't hesitate to ask me for them. I guarantee I'll lend them to you."

Xia Mingyue nodded vigorously and replied in a low voice:
"Okay, I'll definitely ask if I need it."

Looking down at his watch, Wang Chengpeng glanced apologetically at Xia Mingyue and said:
"It's getting late, and I have something to do, so I'll head back now."

Xia Mingyue didn't try to stop him; she just stood by the window, watching Wang Chengpeng's figure grow smaller and smaller as he walked away.

Shaking her head slightly, Xia Mingyue dispelled the distracting thoughts in her mind and turned to tidy up the messy table.

She was quick and efficient, and soon she had cleaned the table spotless and even washed the dishes.

Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Xia Mingyue sat back down at the table and took out a textbook she had borrowed from Wang Chengpeng to read.

Upon opening the homepage, Xia Mingyue saw three powerful characters: Wang Chengpeng.

Seemingly to assert his sovereignty, or perhaps for other purposes, Wang Chengpeng's name is written on the title page of his textbooks.

Not only that, but he even wrote quite a bit in the middle.

Calming her mind and falling silent, Xia Mingyue immersed herself in the world of the book.

……

Wang Chengpeng did that by writing his name extensively in his textbooks, naturally to assert his presence.

These books will inevitably end up in the hands of students preparing for the college entrance examination.

Wang Chengpeng used a simple trick to deepen their impression of his name, which might be a crucial favor when needed in the future.

Looking at the gradually full moon on the horizon, Wang Chengpeng turned his gaze toward the location of Wang Degong's house.

Perhaps even Heaven couldn't bear to see their family so happy and reunited, and Wang Chengpeng managed to find a way to break the deadlock before the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Tomorrow? Or the day after tomorrow? Perhaps the time will come to reveal the whole truth.

(End of this chapter)