Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

"Why are you being so polite with me? Come on, warm your hands while they're still hot."

Xu Bei took the roasted sweet potato, wrapped in rough yellow paper, from the old man. It was still steaming hot.

However, because I was wearing cotton gloves, I wasn't afraid of getting burned.

He handed the larger one to Zhou Qingwan, keeping the smaller roasted sweet potato for himself.

"Thank you." Zhou Qingwan took the piping hot roasted sweet potato. Even through the straw paper and cotton gloves, the scorching heat seemed to burn all the way from her palm to her heart.

"No need to thank me, I should be the one saying thank you. You helped me, but you wouldn't even let me treat you to a meal, just a roasted sweet potato to get rid of you, I really feel bad for you."

Xu Bei chuckled as he searched for a suitable place to eat.

After all, the roasted sweet potatoes sold at this time are not wrapped in plastic bags, so they are not very convenient to carry, and they taste best when eaten hot.

Zhou Qingwan hurriedly said, "Brother Xu, I feel embarrassed by what you're saying. Compared to the help you and my aunt have given me, this is hardly a help at all. There's no grievance on my part."

Xu Bei didn't argue with the girl anymore. Instead, he pointed to the department store and said, "Let's go inside the building and find a place to eat. It's cold outside, and we might get a stomachache from eating something chilly. It's not worth it."

Zhou Qingwan's eyes widened instantly. "Huh? That's not a good idea."

Xu Bei looked at Zhou Qingwan, who seemed like a bewildered fawn in the forest, and couldn't help but laugh.

"What's wrong with that? We did spend some money inside, it's normal to just find a place to eat."

Zhou Qingwan had never done anything like this before, especially since her aunt An Yaping was very strict with her, even more so than her cousin.

She was both surprised by Xu Bei's self-righteousness and excited to be free from the old rules and regulations, so she obediently followed in his footsteps.

Xu Bei turned his head to look at Zhou Qingwan. The more he got to know her, the more he truly felt how adorable the little girl was, and a smile appeared on his lips again.

The two quickly went up the steps and re-entered the department store.

The first floor was still bustling with people, but perhaps because it was lunchtime, there were fewer people than before.

Although Xu Bei was fearless, he wouldn't go looking for trouble, especially when he was with others.

So, with a clear goal in mind, he led Zhou Qingwan through some counters and people, directly to the vicinity of the stairwell.

It's quite quiet here right now, and there's hardly anyone going up or down, making it a perfect spot to grab a bite to eat.

"Let's stay here."

This was the first time Zhou Qingwan had done something like this, and she looked around furtively like a thief, whispering, "Is it okay?"

"Why not? Eat it while it's hot, otherwise it won't taste as good when it gets cold."

After Xu Bei finished speaking, he immediately set an example by tearing off a piece of roasted, charred, and dry sweet potato skin.

The golden, soft, and tender sweet potato flesh was revealed, covered with a layer of crystal-clear syrup. Because not much time had been wasted, steam was still rising from it.

He took a bite and immediately found it exceptionally delicious, his eyes narrowing in satisfaction.

Seeing this, Zhou Qingwan also carefully followed suit.

She blew on it before taking a small bite.

The soft and chewy texture melts instantly in your mouth, without a trace of chewiness, only a mouthful of sweetness and warmth.

However, because it was bigger than Xu Bei's, it was also hotter, and he subconsciously hissed.

Xu Bei quickly leaned closer, "Hey, did you burn your mouth?"

His eyes were fixed on the sweet potato in her hand and her rosy lips, while his nose was filled with the pleasant fragrance he had smelled before, emanating from the little girl.

I don't know if it's the smell of shampoo or cosmetics, but it's faint and not too strong, yet it makes you want to keep smelling it.

Zhou Qingwan's already flushed cheeks and ears turned even darker now. "I'm not burned, Brother Xu."

"There's no one else here, we can eat slowly, no rush," Xu Bei said, then, noticing the girl's embarrassment, he changed the subject, asking, "Is it good?"

Zhou Qingwan's attention was instantly diverted, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons as she nodded vigorously and said, "Mmm, delicious, especially sweet. Brother Xu, you should have some too."

The girl, who was already exceptionally beautiful and charming, became even more captivating with her smile.

Xu Bei was momentarily dazzled by the bright smile before him, but he quickly recovered and laughed heartily, "It's good that it's delicious. Mine is sweet too."

Zhou Pingwen raised his delicate eyebrows and smiled, "Really? No wonder this old man's roasted sweet potatoes sell so well."

The two continued to eat and chat as they devoured the roasted sweet potatoes.

A subtle, ambiguous undertone flowed between them amidst the relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

No one bothered them until they finished eating all the roasted sweet potatoes, and Xu Bei felt very satisfied.

He took the straw paper that had contained the sweet potato peels, intending to throw it away.

Just then, they noticed that Zhou Qingwan was rubbing her hands, which still had some sticky syrup on them, and was trying to wipe them off with a dry handkerchief.

"You can't get it clean. Come on, I'll take you to a place to wash your hands."

Because of Xu Bei's thoughtfulness and consideration, Zhou Qingwan felt even warmer inside than the hot sweet potato she had just eaten. She hummed in agreement and obediently followed.

When the two walked out of the department store again, they didn't feel cold anymore, whether because they had food in their stomachs or for some other reason.

After they finished what they wanted to do, they didn't linger in the city. Instead, they took the small train back to the Forestry Bureau together.

During the hour-long drive, they sat together again, and Xu Bei naturally wouldn't waste such a rare opportunity to spend time together, making Zhou Qingwan, this young girl, laugh several times.

When they got off the train at the station and waved goodbye, they both sensed that the other was reluctant to part.

But it must be admitted that before the unspoken understanding is revealed, this kind of ambiguous tug-of-war is actually a pretty good experience.

Xu Bei hummed a little tune as he strolled back to the department store clothing shop.

However, as soon as they entered, in addition to the Xu sisters, Xu Li and Xu Juan, who were selling goods at the counter and a few customers, they also saw people from their workplace in the store.

He was sitting at a folding table next to the small kang (a heated brick bed), chatting with his mother who was wiping her eyes.

Because it was so long ago, he vaguely remembered that they were from a labor union and a women's federation, but he couldn't recall their exact surnames for the time being.

The older man spoke first, "Xiao Xu, you're finally back. We've been trying to persuade your mother for ages, but she just won't accept mediation."

As children, do you really want your parents to divorce and your happy family to fall apart? I don't think so.

Another woman with permed hair chimed in, "Yes, you and your father both work in our factory, and you'll be the ones taking over the business in the future."

Every couple argues and bickers sometimes. There's no deep-seated hatred, nothing that would lead to divorce. A harmonious family is the foundation of everything.