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

“Alright, then please have Xia Zhiqing help me test my brewing skills.”

Since Xia Mingyue had no objections, Wang Chengpeng withdrew his hand from putting the beet wine back, grabbed the three bottles of wine, and went into the house.

Xia Mingyue was right. Sitting at the familiar table again, the food, though not luxurious, was much more plentiful than last time, and felt especially heartwarming in the cold winter.

The braised pork belly with pickled cabbage and glass noodles features thickly sliced ​​pork belly that is fatty but not greasy, and amber-colored pickled cabbage shreds that have absorbed the savory aroma of the broth. The glistening glass noodles are slippery and cling to the tips of chopsticks, with a tangy and fragrant aroma that warms you from head to toe after eating it.
Stir-fried garlic sprouts with cured pork: The cured pork, with its alternating layers of fat and lean meat, is sliced ​​thinly and stir-fried until it becomes translucent and shiny. Paired with freshly cut tender garlic sprouts, the oily aroma wafts straight into your nose.

Braised cabbage with frozen tofu: The frost-bitten cabbage is exceptionally sweet, paired with frozen tofu with honeycomb-like texture, and the soup is milky white.

Braised chicken with potatoes: Home-raised free-range chicken chopped into pieces, braised with cellar-stored potatoes, resulting in a rich, dark sauce.

Steamed white flour buns, fresh out of the steamer, are steaming hot, and you can smell the fragrance of wheat even without breaking them open.

Looking at the table full of delicious-looking dishes, Wang Chengpeng couldn't help but praise them:

"Xia, the educated youth, has such excellent skills!"

Xia Mingyue was very happy to receive Wang Chengpeng's praise, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons as she said:

"Comrade Wang, I'm glad you like it."

"The dishes on my table are just for show; they can't compare to the meal you treated me to in town, nor can they compare to the help you gave me."

Xia Mingyue handed over two bowls and added:
"You can use the other bowl to drink from."

Taking the bowl from Xia Mingyue, Wang Chengpeng didn't start eating immediately. Instead, he opened the bottle of concentrate, poured a small half-bowl of wine, and placed it in front of Xia Mingyue.

"Xia, you should try this wine."

"This is the original liquid that has not been distilled, so the alcohol content will be much lower."

"Although it's not as fragrant, it has a flavor that distilled spirits don't have. You should try it."

Wang Chengpeng wasn't some kind of wicked person, so he naturally wouldn't have intended to get Xia Mingyue drunk. The original beet wine was even specially reserved before distillation.

Smelling the aroma of wine in the air, Xia Mingyue hesitated for a moment before finally taking a sip of the beet wine.

The moment the liquor enters your mouth, a sweet and refreshing taste unfolds on your tongue, like tasting aged honey in winter, with a subtle fruity aroma and the rich flavor of grains.

The liquor glides down your throat, spreading warmly, but unlike the pungent and harsh taste of baijiu, it has a mellow and sweet aftertaste that makes you want to take another sip.

Xia Mingyue's eyes lit up slightly, and her cheeks flushed slightly from the alcohol, like a red plum blossom suddenly blooming in the snow.

She exhaled a soft puff of white breath and smiled, "Comrade Wang, your wine is really well made!"

"It's sweet but not cloying, mellow but not strong, much better than the blended liquor sold in the supply and marketing cooperative."

She took another small sip, savoring it carefully: "This wine has a beetroot-like sweetness, with a subtle caramel aftertaste. Is there some special method used?"

Perhaps because too many sugar beets were planted this year, Xia Mingyue immediately recognized the familiar aroma in the bowl of wine in front of her.

Seeing that she liked it, Wang Chengpeng's face immediately lit up with a smile, and he rubbed his hands together, saying:

"The factory had a lot of beet pulp left over from sugar production. I figured that we shouldn't waste it, so I just messed around with it and came up with a way to brew wine from beet pulp."

“If Xia Zhiqing likes it, I’ll pack a small jar for you later.”

Upon hearing Wang Chengpeng's explanation, Xia Mingyue's beautiful eyes lit up, and she exclaimed in admiration:
"Comrade Wang is really a capable person. No wonder he was able to become a technician in the factory. His ability to turn waste into treasure is something that no one else has."

After taking a sip of wine, Xia Mingyue felt her heart warm up.

Savoring the taste of the original beet wine, Xia Mingyue nodded and said:
"Comrade Wang has helped me so much, I don't need to be fussy about such a small thing."

"Then I'll trouble Comrade Wang to send me a jar of your product later, so that I can get a better understanding of your skills."

Looking ahead, Xia Mingyue noticed that the wine in front of Wang Chengpeng was clearly different from the one she had just drunk; at least in terms of color, it was much more crystal clear.

"Comrade Wang, why do you keep all the good stuff to yourself instead of sharing it with me?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Xia Mingyue poured herself half a bowl of wine.

It was at this moment that Wang Chengpeng's exclamation finally arrived:

"Xia, you can't just drink any kind of alcohol here."

"Although they are both beet wines, the wine here is distilled and is stronger, so it may not be suitable for you ladies to drink."

Xia Mingyue subconsciously stopped pouring the wine and tried to appear calm as she said:
"If Comrade King of Wine can drink this, then I, Xia Mingyue, can certainly drink it too."

Seeing the worry in Wang Chengpeng's eyes, Xia Mingyue smiled gently:
"Comrade Wang, don't worry, I'm not one of those sheltered young ladies. It's just a small bowl of wine, no problem at all."

After saying that, as if to prove her ability, Xia Mingyue picked up the bowl and took a sip.

Xia Mingyue regretted it as soon as she took that small sip of wine.

Distilled beet wine is far from as mellow as it smells; instead, it's like a fire that suddenly explodes in your mouth.

The pungent sensation rushed into her nasal cavity, choking her so much that she immediately bent over and coughed violently, tears welling up instantly.

"Cough...cough..."

She covered her mouth, her slender shoulders trembling uncontrollably, and her fair face flushed bright red in an instant, even the tips of her ears turning crimson.

Seeing this, Wang Chengpeng panicked and hurriedly handed over a bowl of warm water:
"Xia, I'm so sorry, educated youth!"

"This concentrate is undiluted, it's very potent..."

Frustrated, Wang Chengpeng slapped his forehead and muttered to himself:
"It's my fault, I should have brought the original solution."

Xia Mingyue did not take the bowl of water that Wang Chengpeng offered. After taking several deep breaths of fresh air, she finally managed to suppress the effects of the alcohol and calm down.

"N-nothing... I just drank a little too fast."

After the spiciness, the deliciousness of the beet wine unexpectedly spread in Xia Mingyue's mouth.

The burning sensation gradually transformed into a warm current, and a sweet fragrance rose on the tip of my tongue, like tasting a ripe wild fruit in the snow, with a unique mellow aftertaste after fermentation.

"Hmm... this wine is really good, my dad will definitely like it."

She smacked her lips lightly and unconsciously stuck out her tongue to lick the remaining wine from the corner of her lips.

This unconscious movement gave her lips a moist sheen, making them look especially alluring in the dim light of the kerosene lamp.

Wang Chengpeng happened to look up and see this scene, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

He hurriedly turned his head away, his rough fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of the coarse porcelain bowl, and his resolute face seemed to be flushed with an unnatural blush due to the alcohol.

"Um... if Xia Zhiqing doesn't like it, don't force yourself..."

Wang Chengpeng stared at the frosty window crack in the corner, his voice eight octaves lower than usual, and continued to persuade:
"Just pour this bowl of wine out. Just drink the original liquid; don't harm your health." Hearing Wang Chengpeng's advice, Xia Mingyue gently shook her head and moved the bowl closer to herself.
"No need for that. Wasting food is not a good habit."

She ran her fingertips along the rim of the rough porcelain bowl, her cheeks still flushed from the alcohol, and said:
"Don't worry, I know my own alcohol tolerance."

"I'll just drink this small half bowl of wine, and I won't ask for more after I finish it. Nothing will happen."

As she spoke, she picked up a piece of chicken with her chopsticks and placed it in Wang Chengpeng's bowl, a smile playing on her lips.

"Hurry up and eat, why are you so busy drinking?"

Xia Mingyue's tone was naturally familiar, as if the two had been old friends for many years.

Wang Chengpeng paused for a moment, then grinned, revealing a row of neat white teeth:

"That's true, that's true."

"Let's eat first; we can't let Xia Zhiqing's good intentions go to waste."

“Since Xia Zhiqing also likes this distilled beet wine so much, I will send a jar over later.”

"In the dead of winter, even sleeping under two blankets isn't warm enough for one person. A little wine can help warm you up."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Chengpeng felt that his words "sleeping alone" seemed a bit ambiguous. He immediately looked up at Xia Mingyue, only to find that she didn't seem to notice and was just eating the food in her bowl.

The two of them became much quieter after that, and for a while, the only sounds at the dinner table were the two of them eating and drinking.

When the food was almost gone, Xia Mingyue finally couldn't hold back and asked Wang Chengpeng:

"Comrade Wang, I have a question for you. After you become a technician in the factory, will you still go to university?"

When Xia Mingyue asked this question, her eyes were full of nervousness, as if this was an extremely important question to her.

Wang Chengpeng, however, didn't know why Xia Mingyue would ask that question, and immediately blurted out:

"Yes, of course I'll go. I'll definitely go as long as I can get into university."

"The country has good policies now, which encourage workers to pursue further education. Even though I am a technician in the factory, it will not affect my ability to go to university."

Hearing Wang Chengpeng's confident answer, Xia Mingyue's lips curled up, looking very happy, and she said with a smile:
"Comrade Wang, you're so talented, you'll definitely get into university."

Although Wang Chengpeng shared the same opinion, he felt it was better to keep a low profile, so he only gave a somewhat uncertain answer:

"I hope so."

At this point, Wang Chengpeng subconsciously looked down at the watch on his left wrist—it was already late.

Through the corner of the glass in Xia Mingyue's house that wasn't covered by newspapers, Wang Chengpeng saw a crescent moon hanging in the sky.

After thinking for a moment, he finally stood up and said:
"Xia, it's getting late, I have to go back now. Let's get together again next time if we have the chance."

At this point, Wang Chengpeng seemed to remember something and solemnly gave Xia Mingyue some instructions:

"Xia Zhiqing, don't come after me to protect me this time."

"Don't worry, even if I encounter a bear, it can't hurt me."

Wang Chengpeng had expected Xia Mingyue to refute his point of view, but to his surprise, she simply nodded obediently and said:

"Comrade Wang, I know you're the best."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xia Mingyue seemed to suddenly remember something, and her already rosy face instantly became even redder.

How could she not know how formidable Wang Chengpeng was?

That towering, mountain-like body once protected him fiercely, ensuring he suffered no harm even when facing ferocious wolves.

Most importantly, when Xia Mingyue was bandaging Wang Chengpeng, she truly felt how strong he was—even stronger than the description An Qiuyun had given her.

Thinking of this, Xia Mingyue subconsciously looked at Wang Chengpeng, but was immediately disappointed by his body, which was wrapped tightly in a cotton-padded coat.

Wang Chengpeng was unaware that Xia Mingyue had thought of so many things in such a short time. Seeing that she had no objections, he got up and left.

The moment Wang Chengpeng pushed open the door, a biting gust of cold wind rushed into the room. He immediately turned to Xia Mingyue and said:
"Xia, don't see me off, it's cold outside."

Xia Mingyue, however, seemed not to have heard Wang Chengpeng's words at all, and still went to the door to keep watch over Wang Chengpeng.

Only after Wang Chengpeng's bicycle figure completely disappeared into the darkness did she close the door and return to her own room.

Looking at the empty wine bottles on the table, Xia Mingyue shook her head inwardly. For the first time, she felt that being able to drink too much was not a good thing.

With a sigh, she concealed her disappointment and began tidying the table, muttering to herself in a very low voice:

"Let's get together again next time. I'm afraid there won't be another chance, at least not in Wangjia Village."

Thinking this, Xia Mingyue subconsciously looked at her pillow, where a letter was lying underneath—a letter sent to her from home.

This college entrance exam is a rare opportunity, a chance to legitimately return to Shanghai, and her family has already started urging her to do so.

Xia Mingyue shook her head vigorously, banishing any inappropriate thoughts from her mind.

Just like the story in her favorite novel, "La Dame aux Camélias," love is always as beautiful as morning dew but fleeting, unable to withstand the erosion of reality.

Fantasy will eventually be defeated by reality!

Moreover, Wang Chengpeng is so outstanding. If she stagnates and slows down her progress, she will truly lose the chance to stand with him.

Thinking this, a beautiful figure appeared in Xia Mingyue's mind again, and she murmured:

"An Qiuyun, how are you doing in Shanghai?"

"It should be okay, after all, your family isn't ordinary."

……

Despite the biting cold wind, Wang Chengpeng rode his bicycle at a brisk pace and soon returned home.

At this time, everyone in the family had finished dinner and were gathered around the radio listening to a program.

In an era when entertainment options were scarce, listening to the radio was a rare form of entertainment.

Although the radio modified by Wang Chengpeng had an extra long tail, it was freed from the constraints of batteries, making it more convenient and affordable.

Even though the college entrance examination is over, the fervor hasn't completely cooled down.

When Wang Chengpeng entered the room, he happened to hear a program discussing the college entrance examination:

"Next, please welcome our colleague, Ms. Kong, who plans to share her views on the psychological issues of college entrance examination candidates." (End of Chapter)