Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Zhou Qingwan was taken aback by the news from Song Guomei. After a moment of surprise, she asked, "How did you know?"

Song Guomei closely observed Zhou Qingwan's every move, and naturally noticed her micro-expressions.

She deliberately probed with certainty, "I heard it from Brother Xiao Bei himself, and he also said that I know the person he likes."

Zhou Qingwan frowned slightly as she listened.

Although she hadn't spent much time with Xu Bei, she didn't think he was an unreliable person who would say such things to Song Guomei. She moved her lips, about to speak.

Just then, Liang Huihui also pushed open the door and came out.

"Wanwan, it's quite cold outside, why don't you bring your classmate inside?"

Song Guomei quickly greeted her, "Hello, sister."

"Hello. Please don't talk in the yard, come inside."

Liang Huihui had a decent impression of Song Guomei and treated her with considerable hospitality.

So the three of them quickly went inside.

The layout of the Liang family's house is such that there is a living room as soon as you enter, and a large bedroom on the right.

Further inside are a kitchen and a small hut.

Zhou Qingwan led the person to sit on the sofa in the living room, and then went to get the thermos to pour water and the fruit plate to put melon seeds and candy.

Liang Huihui then spent the time chatting idly with Song Guomei.

Even if Song Guomei had a lot to say, she could only keep it to herself for now.

After Zhou Qingwan finally placed the water and fruit platter on the coffee table, Liang Huihui tactfully left the living room.

Song Guomei glanced furtively at the closed bedroom door before whispering, "Xiao Wan, I've racked my brains but I still can't figure it out. Who is this person I know?"

Zhou Qingwan couldn't be sure if her cousin's guess was true, and she was even more unsure whether Xu Bei liked her.

If it turns out to be a misperception or wishful thinking, and she still personally claims it, wouldn't she be incredibly embarrassed?

Therefore, he could only pretend to know nothing and say gently, "If you can't figure it out, there's even less reason for me to know."

Song Guomei sighed softly, half-believing, half-doubting. "That's true. Oh, right, I haven't told you yet, Xiao Bei's parents are having such a big divorce that people from their workplace have come to the store to mediate. I don't know if it will fizzle out or if they'll really get divorced!"

Zhou Qingwan had already guessed the reason for the move when Xu Bei appeared to help her after she was robbed that day.

Now, hearing Song Guomei say this again, all the clues from before and after have been connected.

"Is that so? But if someone really wants to leave, they won't just let it go, will they?"

"Actually, I feel that although Xiao Bei's parents often quarrel, they should make up quickly like my parents. The main reason this time is that Xiao Bei's grandmother and aunt stirred things up, which made my aunt completely heartbroken. Otherwise, it wouldn't have gotten this serious."

Song Guomei changed the subject and probed, "Tell me, if Xiao Bei's parents really get a divorce, do you think the person he likes won't care at all? Getting a divorce these days is a pretty shameful and disgraceful thing that people talk about behind your back."

Zhou Qingwan was not oblivious; she also realized that Song Guomei's words had a hidden meaning, and that she was being tested and targeted at her.

"Who knows? It depends on what the person he likes thinks. Some people care, some don't, it's all normal."

Xiaomei, let's talk about something else. How's the college entrance exam paper you took from me going? My sister's here too, you can ask her if you have any questions.

Song Guomei had no interest in studying or answering questions right now; she couldn't even concentrate on reading. "No need," she said, "I'll study and answer them myself when I have time. Especially since your sister is a college student and finally on winter break, she shouldn't touch these things."

Liang Huihui happened to come out to refill water and overheard some of the conversation. She said warmly, "It's okay. I'll help you with the questions and review the high school curriculum at the same time. This will help you solidify your knowledge. Feel free to ask me anything."

Even if Song Guomei wanted to stay a little longer to test Zhou Qingwan, she had no choice but to slip away now.

After seeing the person off, Liang Huihui asked curiously, "I wasn't very soundproof in my room, and I overheard your classmate talking about Xu Bei's parents getting a divorce, and asking if the person she likes cares. What's going on? Does she know Xu Bei likes you too?"

Zhou Qingwan paused involuntarily as she was clearing away the teacups. "Sister, please don't be so sure that Brother Xu likes me anymore, okay?"

Luckily, my classmate had already left, otherwise the misunderstanding would have escalated further. She likes Brother Xu, and I guess she came to my house today to test me.

Liang Huihui shrugged dismissively. "So what? I'm not making this up. Xu Bei likes you. Anyone with eyes can see that. I can guarantee it!"

As for your classmate, her liking Xu Bei is her own problem, and it has nothing to do with you.

Besides, you don't like Xu Bei, so feel free to test him however you want.

Zhou Qingwan pursed her lips and remained silent.

She couldn't fully tell her cousin about the things that happened between her and Xu Bei that only the two of them knew, and naturally she couldn't reveal her true feelings.

Perhaps many young women have a romanticized notion of a hero rescuing a damsel in distress, and she was no exception.

When she encountered the danger of being robbed, Xu Bei appeared like a god, and she felt not only gratitude but also excitement.

Even if I don't like the other person, I at least have a lot of good feelings towards them, otherwise I wouldn't...

Xu Bei was unaware of what Song Guomei was doing behind the scenes, and naturally, he was also unaware that the girl he liked was caught in a dilemma.

To celebrate Xu Li's confirmed pregnancy, they had lunch at a state-run restaurant with Zhu Wenliang's parents.

Originally, because the department store and clothing store was short-staffed when it opened before the Lunar New Year, Xu Li took a long leave from her company to help out for a while.

Now that she's pregnant, working in the woodworking factory is even less suitable for her.

Therefore, Zhu Wenliang, who also knew about the conversation between Xu Bei and Xu Li about opening a shop, blurted it out at the dinner table without thinking too much about it.

"After the New Year, let my younger brother help us open a shop in this area. Then, even though Xiaoli is heavily pregnant, she won't have to do any hard or tiring work. She can just relax and collect money as the boss's wife."

Xu Li had no intention of bringing up the matter of opening a shop in front of her in-laws so soon. She glanced at her husband, whose face was flushed from drinking, with some dissatisfaction. "You make it sound so simple. Being a boss isn't just about collecting money. There's a lot more to do."

Zhu's father was the typical type who only knew how to go to work and earn money, then handed over all his salary and didn't care about anything else. After hearing this, he chuckled and neither supported nor opposed it.

The head of the Zhu family is still Zhu's mother, who also works to earn money but doesn't have a formal job.

She put down her chopsticks and laughed, "Who says otherwise? You're probably dreaming. Opening a shop is just child's play!"