Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Chapter 167 Everything is understood without words

Zhou Qingwan moved her lips, as if to say that it was really not necessary.

But faced with Xu Bei's deep, firm, and affectionate gaze, her cheeks and ears burned, and she didn't dwell on the matter any longer. Instead, she changed the subject and pointed to the side.

"I remember there were some books suitable for Xiaojuan on that bookshelf. They had many example problems and detailed explanations, making them especially suitable for building a foundation."

"Really? Then please help me pick out a few more books later." Xu Bei reiterated, "Qingwan, it's so great to have met you. I was afraid of buying a bunch of books that I wouldn't even need in the end."

"Brother Xu, you don't need to be so polite with me," Zhou Qingwan changed the subject. "By the way, I heard you moved to the city the other day. Aren't you going back to the Forestry Bureau?"

When Xu Bei was with the girl he liked, he wanted to tell her more about himself so that she could understand him, so he spoke frankly.

"I will still go back, since my sister and brother-in-law still work and live there, but I will definitely only go back occasionally. After the Forestry Bureau shop is transferred to my sister, the focus will still be on this place after the shop in the city opens."

Zhou Qingwan nodded gently and smiled tenderly, "When the store opens in the city, be sure to let me know so I can go and have a look."

Xu Bei smiled and joked, "Of course I'll tell you. But I absolutely won't sell you anything like last time."

Zhou Qingwan also thought of the time when the Forestry Bureau's shop opened, when she and her cousin went there and bought a few dozen yuan worth of things, and were even given a lipstick as a gift, and smiled.

Both of them were quite tall and good-looking, making them a perfect match.

Therefore, their quiet conversation and laughter as they walked together quickly attracted the attention of some people reading and selecting books in the Xinhua Bookstore.

Xu Bei was already used to being looked at by others. After all, people have the right to look or not look.

Zhou Qingwan's personality is also somewhat aloof, and she doesn't care much about others.

However, things are different now.

Xu Bei, walking beside her, exuded a strong personal aura, with a faint, clean, and refreshing scent of soap that was impossible to ignore.

As Xu Bei followed the little girl toward the bookshelf, his keen sense of smell detected a sweet fragrance—a mixture of shampoo, laundry soap, and cosmetics—that he couldn't quite place. It was pleasantly sweet.

When they reached the bookshelves, Zhou Qingwan's slender, fair fingers swept over some books, and she quickly pulled out three.

Then, while looking around the bookshelf, he pointed to the book on the top shelf, "A Guide to Solving Mathematical Problems".

Xu Bei immediately and skillfully pulled out the book.

"Is this the one?"

"Yes, Brother Xu. As for extracurricular books—"

Zhou Qingwan's gaze swept over the rows of books on the bookshelf next to her, and finally stopped on a book called "How the Steel Was Tempered".

"This book is good; it's perfect for Xiaojuan."

As Xu Bei watched Zhou Qingwan intently turning the pages of her book, an indescribable flutter welled up in his heart, and the smile in his eyes deepened.

"Qingwan, why don't you go all the way and pick out a few books for me to read as well?"

Zhou Qingwan looked up and met Xu Bei's bright and affectionate eyes, and her heart skipped a beat for no reason.

A deeper blush crept onto her cheeks, and she quickly looked away, saying softly, "Okay. But I'm not quite sure what kind of books you like to read, Brother Xu."

"Any novel will do."

Xu Bei was also closely observing the other party's every move, and naturally saw clearly the evasive eyes, the reddened ear tips and face, which deepened his confidence.

But the thought of the preliminary exam in May greatly reduced the urge to break through that barrier.

Even if you can't be a help to a girl on her path to education, you shouldn't become a stumbling block for your own selfish desires.

Afterwards, Zhou Qingwan also selected two currently best-selling novels for Xu Bei.

Then, the two of them took the selected books and review materials to the counter to pay.

By the time they left the Xinhua Bookstore, the sun was already setting.

As the chilly early spring wind blew by, Zhou Qingwan subconsciously shrank her neck and hugged the heavy books in her arms even tighter.

"Brother Xu, I'll head back to school now; I still have evening self-study to attend."

Seeing this, Xu Bei, who was also carrying a lot of books, took a half step forward very naturally and stood in the way of blocking the wind.

"How are you getting back to school? I'll take you there on my bike."

Zhou Qingwan didn't want to be seen by her classmates or teachers again, which would only further provoke Song Guomei, so she quickly waved her hand and said, "Brother Xu, no need. I'll just take the bus."

Xu Bei instantly thought of many things and didn't insist any further. "Then I'll take you to the bus station."

Zhou Qingwan didn't refuse again, "Okay."

The two then walked and talked to the nearby station.

Back in the 1980s, what we called a bus stop was just a sign erected on the side of the road.

Xu Bei stood beside Zhou Qingwan, insisting on watching her get into the car before leaving.

Zhou Qingwan could only nod in agreement.

As time went by, the afterglow of the setting sun became especially beautiful, shining on this land still covered in snow.

Xu Bei and Zhou Qingwan stood facing each other chatting, and naturally they saw the scene where each other's faces and eyes were stained red.

Although there were some things they didn't say aloud, their eyes met and conveyed a lot of information that they both understood.

It gives the impression that everything is understood without being said.

Just then, a bus slowly pulled up, breaking the ambiguous atmosphere.

Xu Bei watched as Zhou Qingwan's tall and beautiful figure boarded the bus with the others.

The two got into one car and got out of the other, waving goodbye to each other, and almost simultaneously felt a strange mix of emotions.

Even after the bus drove away, Xu Bei was still savoring the moment.

Compared to fast-food style relationships, this subtle, shy, hazy, and restrained feeling is what he wants to pursue.

Later, when Xu Bei returned home with a bag full of books, Zhao Fengying was at the kitchen stove, wielding a spatula to make potato pancakes.

Xu Juan had already returned from school and was doing her homework at the kang table.

"Brother, what did you buy this time?"

Xu Bei casually placed the bag on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and said with a smile while taking off his coat, "I ran into your sister Xiao Wan at Xinhua Bookstore, and asked her to help us pick out books and review materials."

Xu Juan immediately put down her pen excitedly, exclaiming, "Oh dear, you two met again! I wish I were here too! I miss Sister Xiaowan so much!"

Zhao Fengying heard the commotion inside the house from the kitchen, so she came in with a spatula, feeling both surprised and puzzled.

"How did you two manage to run into each other? Didn't Miss Zhou go to school today?"

"Oh, Qingwan said she had something to do and asked for leave."

7

To avoid further questioning from his mother and sister, Xu Bei quickly announced that the business license had been issued and sent for framing.

Sure enough, Zhao Fengying and Xu Juan's focus immediately shifted.

"Oh my god, that's wonderful!"

"Yeah, bro, now that you have a business license, aren't you going to start stocking up on goods?"

Xu Bei smiled and praised his younger sister, "Smart. I'll set off in a few days once everything is arranged."