Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Chapter 161 Good things come to those who wait

An Yaping smiled and said, "Okay. You guys go ahead. We don't dare move around here, in case we can't find anyone later."

"There are too many people; it's really hard to find someone if you get separated from them."

"Yes, it's better to wait here."

Although Zhao Fengying and Xu Juan were somewhat disappointed, they could understand.

After offering a couple of agreeing remarks, he reluctantly bid farewell to Zhou Qingwan.

Xu Juan, in particular, whispered that her family was moving to a place near the No. 1 Middle School in the city the next day.

Since Zhou Qingwan met Xu Bei and his family of three, they have only exchanged simple pleasantries and played riddles; they haven't had a chance to talk about these things yet.

Therefore, she was quite surprised and subconsciously looked at Xu Bei.

But because her aunt was still watching her closely, she didn't say much to reveal the fact that they were very close.

All we could do was politely wave goodbye.

Xu Bei never expected that such a brief encounter would be ruined by Zhou Qingwan's aunt.

However, there's plenty of time in the future. Once we move to the city, I believe we'll have more time and opportunities to spend together, so there's no rush to get married.

After everyone parted ways with their own thoughts, An Yaping, who said she would stay and wait, actually took Zhou Qingwan's arm and went to talk to her under a tree where there weren't so many people gathered.

"Wanwan, tell your aunt the truth, has that boy named Xu Bei taken a liking to you? And are you a little bit smitten yourself?"

Even if Zhou Qingwan already had a definite answer in her heart, she would definitely not admit it in front of her strict elders.

"Auntie, you can't assume someone of the opposite sex likes me just because they're around me, right? Besides, all I'm thinking about right now is preparing for the preliminary exams in May; I don't have any other thoughts at all."

An Yaping sighed softly and patted her niece, who was growing more and more beautiful, on the shoulder. "If that's really what you think, then your aunt is quite pleased. It proves that I've raised you well all these years and haven't let your mother down."

However, if you are lying, then I can only say that you have not only let yourself down, but also let down me and your mother who have put in so much effort!

Once you successfully get into the university in Haicheng, the campus will be teeming with outstanding and handsome young men. Especially you—never mind, let's not talk about that anymore.

In short, even your sister knows that the primary criteria for finding a partner are family background and social standing, and there's your mother's cautionary tale to tell. If you still act impulsively and do something foolish, then I really am—"

Zhou Qingwan frowned slightly, and just as she was about to speak, a voice came from behind her.

"Mom, you found Wanwan!"

It turned out that Zhou Qingwan's cousin, Liang Shengjun, had come looking for her.

"Found him," Anya responded, but not seeing her husband, she asked again, "Where's your dad?"

"My dad ran into someone from his workplace, and he sent me over to look for him first."

Liang Shengjun had a good relationship with his cousin, and seeing this situation, he thought she was being scolded for getting separated, so he quickly came to her rescue, saying, "There are too many people, it's normal to get separated. I've seen quite a few people going back and forth looking for each other."

Now that we've found him, let's go find my dad now, otherwise we might not be able to find him again.

An Yaping glanced deeply at her son and niece, then swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue. "Then let's go. But I think we shouldn't go ice skating on the big river; let's just go home early."

"Since we're already here, let's join in the fun." Liang Shengjun paused, then said, "Besides, my dad is still chatting with his colleagues by the river. We're almost there, just a few steps away."

An Yaping cursed inwardly, unable to voice any further objection.

A conflict flickered in Zhou Qingwan's lowered eyes; she both longed to see Xu Bei and the others again, and feared doing so.

Meanwhile, Xu Bei, her mother, and her sister were walking and talking about Zhou Qingwan and her aunt.

"Son, to be honest, I've seen a lot of people. Just by looking at their face and listening to their voice, I can tell they're not easy to get along with. Little Zhou must be having a hard time living under someone else's roof. It's so pitiful."

"I noticed it too. Sister Xiaowan was very open and generous in front of us, but she changed as soon as her aunt came."

"Hey bro, when are you finally going to win her over? Mom definitely treats Xiaowan like her own daughter, and I consider her my own sister too."

Xu Bei looked up at the full moon in the night sky with a hint of helplessness, and also revealed some of his thoughts, "I've thought about it seriously. There are only two months left until the preliminary exam. No matter how anxious we are, we shouldn't disturb other people's minds at this time."

If you don't pass the preliminary exam, you won't even have the chance to take the college entrance exam. If you can't even wait this long, then you don't truly like it.

Zhao Fengying and Xu Juan both fell silent after hearing this.

Putting ourselves in their shoes, both the parents of the future test-takers and the test-takers themselves understand the importance of these two months, as they are crucial to a person's entire life.

"Good things come to those who wait. If fate brings us together, a few more months won't make a difference."

"Yes, if she's meant to be my sister-in-law, it doesn't matter how late I pursue her."

The mother and daughter processed it themselves and came to terms with it, saving Xu Bei a lot of trouble.

The three of them followed the flow of people toward the river.

Even from some distance, I could already hear lots of laughter and the sounds of firecrackers and fireworks.

As you get closer, you can see bonfires reflecting off the ice.

Many men and women were rolling and laughing on the ice, creating a lively scene.

Xu Bei led his mother and sister down the steps from the riverbank to the solidly frozen ice, and soon found a clearing where they could move around.

However, only the brother and sister lay down and began the traditional ice rolling custom.

Zhao Fengying simply stood aside, refusing to lie down on the ice no matter what.

She watched with a smile as her two children rolled left and right on the ice a few times, while chanting things like "Roll, roll, ice, no pain in your waist or legs" to help them along.

After Xu Bei and Xu Juan finished rolling around a few times, following their mother's rule that men roll odd numbers and women roll even numbers, they immediately stood up from the ice and brushed the snow off their bodies with their gloved hands.

Using the firelight from the nearby ice surface and the bright moonlight, Xu Bei rolled up his coat sleeve and glanced at the time on his watch.

"It's almost eight o'clock, let's head back, we still have to move tomorrow."

"Yes, let's go. It will take some time to walk since we're not riding bikes."

The mother and her two children quickly helped each other walk carefully on the ice, and then climbed the steps to the riverbank.

Unexpectedly, they ran into Zhou Qingwan and her group again.

Having seen two men accompanying them many times, one of the younger ones was Liang Shengjun, whom Xu Bei and his group knew and had even watched a movie together at the cinema.

Later, when the store opened, the other party was brought by a colleague to buy jeans and received gloves as a gift.

So, after exchanging greetings and pleasantries, they parted ways.

Unaware of the situation, Liang's father withdrew his gaze from Xu Bei and the others' retreating figures, and said with a chuckle, "That young man is quite dashing."

Liang Shengjun also chimed in with a smile, "He is indeed energetic, and quite good at speaking and handling affairs."

Anya glared at her husband and son, whose appearances were unreadable, but not wanting to confront them directly, she could only look at her niece with a probing gaze.

Zhou Qingwan buried her face deeper into her scarf; no one but herself knew she was trying her best to suppress a laugh.