Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Xu Bei thought the name sounded familiar.

It sounds like the voice of Zhou Qingwan, Song Guomei's classmate in the repeat class.

But at the same time, I also felt that it couldn't be such a coincidence.

However, the Beishan Forestry Bureau only has one staff bathhouse, so it's normal to come and take a bath during the warmest time of day.

Soon, the white curtain with red lettering printed on it in the women's bath was lifted.

The younger sister, Xu Juan, was the first to come out.

The little girl's face was flushed from the heat, like a ripe apple.

She spotted Xu Bei sitting on the bench immediately and waved to him with her free hand.

Next to emerge was the mother, Zhao Fengying.

She was carrying a net bag containing her clothes and a soap dish, and her face showed the unique comfort and relaxation that comes after a shower.

Behind Zhao Fengying, besides the old lady holding her arm and Xu Dahong, were two young girls.

Xu Bei raised an eyebrow; one of them was indeed Zhou Qingwan!

Unlike the others who had their long, wet hair haphazardly coiled on their heads, the little girl obediently let it fall loosely down her back.

Her originally fair skin now had a rosy glow, so delicate that not a single pore could be seen.

Especially her slightly red eyes, which seemed to hold a pool of spring water, with a misty glow as they moved, giving one the urge to protect them.

It's the same simple, plain-colored cotton coat, but it doesn't look dowdy on her at all.

It feels like a white magnolia blooming in the snow and ice, clean and aloof, yet with a vibrant and delicate beauty that makes one almost afraid to look directly at it.

The person next to Zhou Qingwan was her cousin.

Xu Bei couldn't possibly forget that he shared White Rabbit candies with them when they watched the movie "Shaolin Temple" together at the cinema that day.

However, even though this cousin had just taken a shower, she wasn't much prettier than a lotus emerging from the water. Her appearance was far inferior to Zhou Qingwan's, giving the impression of a green leaf standing next to a red flower.

Xu Bei stood up and politely nodded slightly to the two cousins ​​in greeting.

Before he even arrived, Zhao Fengying asked, "Son, have you been waiting for ages?"

"We didn't have to wait too long." Xu Bei looked at Zhou Qingwan and the others and smiled. "I didn't expect it to be such a coincidence that we would run into each other here."

"Yes, it was quite a coincidence. And thankfully, I ran into you, Auntie." Zhou Qingwan said to Xu Beiqian with a smile, then turned to Zhao Fengying with a grateful expression and said, "Thank you so much! If it weren't for you, I really don't know what I would have done..."

Xu Bei was slightly taken aback and asked curiously, "What happened?"

Liang Huihui chimed in, "Wanwan was frantic in the changing room just now! Her jade pendant was missing. It was left to her by her mother, and she treasured it like the back of her hand, even reluctant to take it off when she took a shower."

She accidentally slipped into a gap while changing clothes, and she didn't even notice... Thank goodness your aunt helped find it.

Xu Bei was surprised that such a thing could happen, and suddenly realized why the little girl's eyes were red and looked like she had been crying.

Especially after learning a bit about the other party's background from Song Guodong, she felt even more sympathy and pity.

"Yes. When my aunt gave me the jade pendant inside just now, I couldn't believe I could find it again."

As Zhou Qingwan spoke, she carefully took out a handkerchief pouch from her coat pocket, opened it layer by layer, and inside lay a warm and lustrous jade pendant.

Xu Bei noticed that the jade pendant was only the size of a thumbnail, carved into a rounded peace buckle shape, and as clear as a pool of solidified water.

Perhaps because it had been worn for many years, the red string had faded and turned white, which is why it broke.

Zhou Qingwan looked at Zhao Fengying with gratitude in her eyes and said again, "Auntie, I have to say thank you so much."

Zhao Fengying waved her hand with a smile, looking completely unconcerned. "It's no big deal, Miss Zhou. There's no need for such polite thanks."

Even if we didn't know each other at all, let alone that we know each other through Guodong's sister, it's no big deal! You really don't need to take it to heart.

However, since this jade pendant is so precious and meaningful, be careful in the future and don't lose it.

Zhou Qingwan nodded vigorously, "I will be even more careful."

Because the old lady and Xu Dahong were still there, Zhao Fengying had to temporarily put aside her desire to give her son and Zhou Qingwan more opportunities to spend time together.

So, everyone quickly waved goodbye outside the staff bathhouse and went their separate ways.

The group remained the same as when they arrived: Xu Bei carried his younger sister and Xu Dahong on his back, while his mother carried the old lady on her back.

The old lady and Xu Dahong, who hadn't had a chance to speak until now, also started talking.

"That girl was really pretty, like someone from a calendar."

"Who says otherwise? I think she's even better looking than those celebrities on the calendar."

In an attempt to ease tensions, Xu Dahong deliberately said to Zhao Fengying, who was riding alongside him, "Second sister-in-law, I never imagined that your forest area could produce such a beautiful girl."

Zhao Fengying is not one to hold grudges, especially since her sister-in-law is an ingrate. No matter how good you are to her, it's useless; she'll turn her back on you.

She deliberately said, "Our forest area has beautiful mountains, clear waters, and stunning scenery. The soil and water are especially nourishing, so of course, many beautiful girls have emerged from here."

And there are plenty of handsome young men out there, like my son. Everyone who sees him says he's got the looks and the charm.

Someone introduced me to a nice girl who works in the landscaping sector a while ago, but we didn't get together.

Of course, what Zhao Fengying didn't say in front of her mother-in-law and sister-in-law was that she was now increasingly certain that Zhou Qingwan was the person her son liked, and that she also really liked and liked this beautiful and kind girl.

Xu Bei naturally knew that his mother's words had a hidden meaning, but he wasn't a mind reader, so he never expected that the misunderstanding would deepen.

"Mom, your praise makes me blush."

Xu Dahong and the old lady, because they still needed Xu Bei's help, spoke up even if they weren't sincere.

"Xiao Bei, your mother was right to praise you."

"Exactly. He does look very energetic."

The group exchanged words, each with their own thoughts, and their conversation was far from fruitful.

When they got home, Xu Dashan was fast asleep, snoring so loudly that the window frame rattled.

The old lady and Xu Dahong had been traveling a long and tiring journey, and although the bath washed away the dirt and some of their fatigue, they were both extremely sleepy.

So the mother and daughter quickly lay down on the kang (heated brick bed) in the east room to catch up on their sleep.

Inside the west room with the door closed.

Zhao Fengying had a washbasin and a washboard in front of her, and she sat on a small stool washing the clothes that the mother and her two children had changed out of.

As for the old lady and Xu Dahong, she didn't care for them for the time being.

Xu Juan sat on a small stool next to her and helped rinse it with clean water.

Xu Bei was responsible for fetching and pouring water, as well as wringing out and hanging clothes.

Zhao Fengying glanced at Xu Bei in a good mood, then lowered her voice and said, "Son, tell me the truth, when are you planning to start pursuing that young lady, Zhou?"

Xu Bei paused in his wringing of clothes, then smiled helplessly, "Mom, I've already told you it's a misunderstanding, why won't you believe me?"

Zhao Fengying brushed the stray hairs from her forehead with her slightly damp hands. "Just now at the staff bathhouse, did you think your mother didn't see it? Your eyes were practically glued to that girl."

If it weren't for your grandma and your aunt blocking the way, I'd definitely let you two chat a bit longer.

Xu Juan, standing to the side, smiled and said, "Yeah, brother, I've never seen you look at anyone like that before."