Xia Xiaolan could only pretend to be clueless.

Zhou Cheng was being far too obvious.

Yesterday he had walked her home.

This morning he waited alone at the crossroads.

When its about her family, he followed her in calling Liu Yong “Uncle,” 舅舅 (jiùjiu) yet corrected Kang Wei to say “Uncle Liu.” 劉叔 (Liu shū)

Clearly, Zhou Cheng understood social boundaries perfectly well.

Having a man show interest in her felt strangely novel to Xia Xiaolan.

In her previous life, when she was young, she had been busy just trying to survive, her mind filled entirely with work. There had been no time for romance.

She had neither outstanding looks nor a strong family background, and no young man had ever pursued her persistently. There had been one client who admired her intelligence and wanted her as a daughter-in-law. She agreed to a blind date out of politeness, but the small-time rich second-generation factory owner turned around and left after seeing her, complaining she wasn’t pretty and seemed stiff and old-fashioned.

After she became successful in her career, she had tried dating. With wealth and professional success enhancing her appeal, her prospects improved... but mature men cared more about practical interests. Before anything serious even began, they suggested buying several school-district apartments, having children early, or letting them manage her finances.

What kind of nonsense was that?

Xia Xiaolan distanced herself from them.

Zhou Cheng was handsome, by outward standards alone, he was already more than qualified.

Being courted by a young man like him left Xia Xiaolan unsure what to do.

Wasn’t the social climate supposed to be conservative?

She felt Zhou Cheng was far too bold.

---

“Let’s just make do with breakfast for now. At noon I’ll treat the two comrades to a proper meal to thank you for helping Xiaolan.” Liu Yong said.

He wanted to visit the police station to ask about the investigation, but didn’t feel comfortable taking Xia Xiaolan along. At the same time, he worried the hooligans might have accomplices.

Zhou Cheng stepped in at once.

“I’ll go with Xiaolan to sell the eggs. Once she’s done, we’ll meet back at the guesthouse.”

Holding his portion of dumplings, Kang Wei felt miserable, knowing he had been left behind again.

“Uncle Liu, how about I go with you to the police station? I was there yesterday too. The officers will remember me.”

Liu Yong hesitated. “What about your cargo?”

In those days, anyone hauling goods over long distances was making money. Liu Yong didn’t know whether the two young men were independent traders or hired drivers, but either way, people and truck couldn’t be separated.

Even when staying at a guesthouse, someone usually had to sleep in the vehicle in shifts.

“At night we guard against thieves. During the day it’s fine. The back of the truck has a locked steel enclosure.” Liu Yong looked over.

Parked in the guesthouse courtyard was a Dongfeng truck whose cargo bed had been enclosed with steel bars as thick as a baby’s wrist, secured with a large lock.

His eyelids twitched.

What exactly were these two transporting that required such tight security?

He grew wary.

Zhou Cheng didn’t explain, so Xia Xiaolan hurried to smooth things over.

“I’ll go sell the eggs by myself. It’s outside the factory where people are coming and going. I won’t go to remote places today! What could happen in broad daylight? Thank you for the concern, Brother Zhou…”

Zhou Cheng said nothing, just looked at her.

His gaze almost melted her.

Kang Wei suddenly spoke with unusual seriousness. “Uncle Liu, I think yesterday’s hooligan incident really should be investigated carefully…”

Half-pulling Liu Yong along, Kang Wei led him away.

Soon only Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng remained in the guesthouse courtyard.

“Let’s go. If we’re any later, we’ll miss the people buying vegetables.” Zhou Cheng said, pushing her bicycle ahead.

Xia Xiaolan had no choice but to follow.

At first they walked in silence.

When they reached the noodle stall where Xia Xiaolan often ate, Aunt Huang recognized her immediately.

Seeing Zhou Cheng pushing the bicycle today, she wanted to tease Xia Xiaolan but wasn’t sure if she had misunderstood.

From a distance, she called out, “Same as usual this morning?”

Xia Xiaolan shook her head. “Auntie, I already ate.”

After parking the bicycle, Zhou Cheng said, “We’ve walked a long way. Even if you’ve eaten, you must be hungry again.”

“Please make two bowls of noodles! With eggs in both.”

Afraid she might refuse, he added, “Even if you’ve eaten, keep me company. I was waiting on the road from five in the morning. The dumplings probably weren’t enough. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you brought too little. I just eat a lot.”

Xia Xiaolan blushed.

If she hadn’t eaten a few dumplings herself, he probably would have had enough.

They sat down. Aunt Huang helped steam the dumplings again and served them with the noodles.

Zhou Cheng put a dumpling in his mouth. The sour-spicy flavor was appetizing, and he nodded.

“You’re a good cook. These dumplings are delicious.”

People in the north loved pickled cabbage dumplings, while pickled-radish filling had a different flavor. Since the pickled-vegetable pork filling was made by Xia Xiaolan, Zhou Cheng regretted letting Kang Wei have half.

Xia Xiaolan flushed slightly.

“My mother rolled the wrappers and wrapped them. I’m not very good with flour dishes.”

“Oh.”

Though Zhou Cheng said nothing more, Xia Xiaolan inexplicably added:

“I made the filling.”

He didn’t respond, but he started eating faster.

Xia Xiaolan truly hadn’t eaten enough earlier. In those days people had large appetites, there was little oil or fat in their diets, and most work was physical labor. The few dumplings she’d eaten at home didn’t help much.

She finished the large bowl of noodles, soup and all.

Her eating wasn’t slow, but her movements were gentle and refined, which Zhou Cheng found pleasing to watch. Only after she put down her chopsticks did he quickly finish the remaining dumplings and noodles.

When Xia Xiaolan reached for money, Zhou Cheng paid first.

Aunt Huang seemed to understand something and accepted his payment.

“Xiaolan, your boyfriend is quite handsome... and he treats you well.”

“He’s not my—”

“Thank you for taking care of Xiaolan, Auntie. Your cooking is truly excellent. One day you’ll open a big noodle shop.” Aunt Huang beamed from ear to ear.

Hearing such auspicious words early in the morning made anyone happy. The young man was not only handsome but sweet-talking too.

Xia Xiaolan had good taste!

Zhou Cheng didn’t let Xia Xiaolan continue speaking. After paying, the two left.

Xia Xiaolan felt annoyed.

Zhou Cheng was a bit sly and self-assured. President Xia didn’t like people making decisions for her without respecting her wishes. Such male chauvinism!

Seeing her angry expression, pink-cheeked and indignant. Zhou Cheng found it completely lacking in intimidation. Even her anger had a certain charm.

Still, he hadn’t meant to upset her.

Suppressing his excitement, he explained seriously.

“The authorities are cracking down right now. If Auntie misunderstood, there’s nothing we can do. If I’m unrelated to you and still walk around town with you, I’ll be the next person the Anqing police arrest.”

Xia Xiaolan’s expression softened.

After yesterday’s incident, public security in the county probably was stricter today.

Charges of “hooliganism” were no joke. Even young men and women standing too close together in public could cause trouble.

But once they reached the area outside the agricultural machinery factory, the aunties who came to buy vegetables crowded around them, clicking their tongues in amazement.

“So you’re Xiaolan’s boyfriend?”

“You should’ve come with your girlfriend sooner! She’s so pretty, bad people might target her.”

“Where are you from, young man?”

The eggs sold quickly, but the gossip spread even faster.

Zhou Cheng neither confirmed nor denied being her boyfriend. When people asked him questions, he answered politely. Soon the women buying eggs all knew...

Xia Xiaolan had a boyfriend from Beijing, he drove a big truck and even had a Beijing household registration.

One regular customer pulled Xia Xiaolan aside.

“My goodness, those are incredible conditions! I always said you were clever and pretty... I was even thinking of introducing you to my nephew. Guess that’s no longer an option.”

How could Xia Xiaolan explain?

She felt like she’d been completely set up.