Traveling back to 1952, starting a comeback from a relief station

Cai Quanwu often hung out on Qianmen Street.

He was naturally very familiar with the name Chen Xueru.

The owner of Xue Ru Silk Shop is a striking and elegant woman who dresses fashionably, has a fiery personality, and is a shrewd businesswoman. These are the defining characteristics of Chen Xue Ru.

But the little actions she took in front of Ping Ge'er just now were just like those of a timid wife, showing no trace of the domineering nature of a female boss.

Moreover, judging from this situation, Boss Chen clearly knows about Qin Huairu's existence!

In the yard this morning.

Cai Quanwu had already seen Qin Huairu.

That woman's appearance and personality were both enviable.

Putting everything else aside, Cai Quanwu admired Wang Anping's abilities with the utmost respect, especially when it came to women.

He's already twenty-two this year and still doesn't have a wife. If Ping-ge could give him some pointers, maybe his life's most important matter would be settled!

Cai Quanwu carried the sewing machine downstairs, and Wang Anping asked:

"Xiao Cai, do you know Chen Xueru?"

Cai nodded without hesitation.

"I've met Xue Ru, the owner of the silk shop, before when I was out doing business."

He spoke frankly, without any unnecessary curiosity or pressing for details about the relationship between Wang Anping and Chen Xueru; he was quite tight-lipped.

Cai Quanwu pedaled his tricycle all the way back to the entrance of the courtyard house.

They stopped the car and then diligently helped carry it inside.

There were already quite a few middle-aged women chatting and relaxing in the courtyard. Hearing the commotion at the door, they all curiously came over. After asking around, they learned that Wang Anping had bought a sewing machine.

This is a big deal these days.

Especially older women are most interested in this.

At this moment, everyone rushed to the front yard, wanting to see for themselves what the first sewing machine in the courtyard looked like.

Looking at the brand-new sewing machine, everyone chimed in with curiosity.

"Oh my, so this is what the newly bought sewing machine looks like. It's so bright and shiny!"

"Anping is really capable; he can afford a sewing machine."

"I heard that if you throw a piece of cloth into this sewing machine, it will turn into a garment in no time. From now on, Anping and Huairu won't need to spend money on clothes!"

"Really? How does it know whether we want to make clothes or pants?"

"Who knows? Otherwise, you could say this thing is amazing!"

People were talking animatedly outside Wang Anping's door.

His eyes were full of envy.

Standing in the crowd, Jia Zhangshi felt frustrated and anxious upon seeing this scene.

She had already planned it out. When Jia Dongxu got married, her family would also buy a sewing machine—the first one in the entire courtyard. How prestigious that would be!

Unexpectedly, Wang Anping snatched the title of "first" from the list.

He was also the owner of the first bicycle in the entire hospital.

Jia Zhangshi felt as if she had swallowed a fly, and couldn't say that the sewing machine was bad.

After all, even though they lost the top spot, her family would still have to buy one sooner or later. If they dared to say a bad word about the sewing machine now, and then had to buy one themselves later, wouldn't that be a slap in their own face?

Her eyes darted around, and her gaze landed on Cai Quanwu, who was standing next to her.

A smile immediately spread across his face, and he stepped forward to greet them:

"Xiao Cai, are you delivering a sewing machine to Anping?"

"My son Dongxu is getting married in a few days, and we're planning to buy one too. I'd appreciate it if you could deliver it to him then."

Cai Quanwu was stunned for a moment.

They were still unsure about the situation at the moment.

He had just arrived at the courtyard and didn't know how everyone was doing, so he didn't dare to agree rashly and subconsciously looked at Wang Anping.

Wang Anping raised an eyebrow.

Jia Zhangshi is trying to take advantage of my connections.

He asked Cai Quanwu to do the work because of his relationship with Lao He. Cai Quanwu was unaware of the situation. If he casually agreed now, Jia Zhangshi would dare not pay him later!

Thinking of this, Wang Anping smiled and turned to Cai Quanwu, saying:

"Xiao Cai, this is Aunt Jia from the courtyard."

"Jia Dongxu's mother."

"They're all old neighbors from the same courtyard."

"If you're delivering goods to Aunt Jia's house, charge her 50 cents for delivery. Don't charge more, or people will gossip."

Cai Quan wasn't particularly shrewd, but he instantly understood Wang Anping's meaning and quickly replied with a smile:

"Yes, sir!"

Jia Zhangshi was dumbfounded.

She had no intention of paying him at all; she intended for Cai Quanwu to work for free.

At this moment, he couldn't help but mutter:

"We're all neighbors in the same courtyard, why should I pay you for helping out?"

Having just been reminded by Wang Anping, Cai Quanwu roughly understood what was going on. After all, people like Jia Zhangshi could be found everywhere.

With an embarrassed smile:

"Aunt Jia, I'm so sorry, I share this tricycle with someone, and I have to pay rent to them every day. I'm just trying to make a living."

Please bear with me.

Everyone else just watched from the sidelines, and no one said a word.

They could guess that He Daqing had agreed to host a wedding banquet for Wang Anping free of charge, indicating that the two families had a very good relationship.

It's highly likely that Cai Quanwu helped Wang Anping without charging him anything.

But they offer it for free because of the relationship.

Jia Zhangshi was simply being shameless.

With Wang Anping's interference, it was difficult to gain any advantage, so he could only stand aside dejectedly and no longer mention having Cai Quanwu deliver the goods.

……

library.

Wang Anping is studying with peace of mind.

As noon approached, more and more people came to the library to study.

Ran Qiuye came over with her schoolbag after class and immediately spotted Wang Anping in the corner. Her eyes lit up for a moment, but she quickly suppressed her joy and walked calmly toward the study area.

Wang Anping also saw her, put down his pen, and waved to her.

Hand over the two books that Ran Qiuye had borrowed earlier:

"Thank you for your book."

"I've finished reading it, thank you very much."

Ran Qiuye took the book, her throat bobbing slightly. The restraint and airs she had been deliberately maintaining instantly crumbled.

He naturally pulled over a chair and sat down next to Wang Anping.

After a moment of silence, Ran Qiuye couldn't help but speak:

Congratulations!

"I saw your article in 'Primary School Teacher' magazine."

"That's amazing!"

Wang Anping raised his head, smiled, and said:

"Hi, I didn't expect it to be published so soon either."

"By the way, you gave me a lot of suggestions when I was writing the article. I'll treat you to lunch; you can choose whatever you like."

Ran Qiuye shook her head slightly, silently took out her textbook, and prepared to review.

A hint of melancholy, though barely perceptible, lingered in his eyes.

Wang Anping saw this.

He shrugged, lowered his head, and continued studying.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the side, and a moment later, a neatly folded note was gently pushed to Wang Anping's side.

He unfolded it with a puzzled look, and there was a line of delicate handwriting on it:

"The first glimpse of spring was a mistake; the second glimpse was too late."

Wang Anping almost burst out laughing—she really is a young girl, and a sentimental, artsy type at that.

He turned the note over, picked up a pen, and quickly wrote a line on the back:

Wow, you're a poet too! That's amazing! [smiley face]

After writing it, he handed the note back.

A moment later, a huffing sound came from the side.

Wang Anping turned his head and saw Ran Qiuye staring at him with her almond-shaped eyes, her cheeks puffed out, and a huffy expression.

Wang Anping wondered:

I was just praising her!

Hey, this girl, why doesn't she know how to be flattered?