Xia Xiaolan knew 1983 was a time of rapid change. In the future, smartphones would be everywhere, but right now, even pagers have only just entered the Chinese market.

Coming back to herself, she couldn't help feeling a little hopeful.

“ A reliable way to communicate will definitely spread to Henan sooner or later. If I can move to the city next year, I'd like to apply for a landline. ”

Poor communication was a constant headache. Her business was still small enough that it wasn't a major issue, but she had no intention of staying in Qijing Village forever. 

Rural transportation and communication were simply too inconvenient. Naturally, Xia Xiaolan knew exactly how communications technology would develop in the future.

The surprising thing was that she and Zhou Cheng could talk effortlessly about it. Even though he was discussing the newly introduced pager system, she could easily keep up with the conversation.

Zhou Cheng had no idea why she understood so much, but talking with her felt incredibly natural. And she'd even mentioned moving to the city. Wasn't that practically discussing their future together?

Zhou Cheng had already told her about his recent life through his telegrams. Now he wanted to know what had been happening on her side. He already knew through other channels that Zhang Erlai and the three thugs had been sentenced.

But hearing that Xia Xiaolan planned to take next year's gaokao stirred something in him. She wanted to go to university? Was it because of Wang Jianhua?

Zhou Cheng tried to recall Wang Jianhua's face. Northerners were generally tall, and Wang Jianhua's features had been decent enough.

Still, handsome? No one could compare to Zhou Cheng.

“ What university do you want to attend? ”

“ Beijing or Shanghai, probably. It'll depend on my score next year. Zhou-ge, you don't think I'm aiming too high, do you? ”

Beijing had Wang Jianhua. But Beijing was also where Zhou Cheng's family lived.

“ You're smart. ” Zhou Cheng said. 

“ If you want to go to university, then do it. Just don't put too much pressure on yourself. Take care of your health too. ”

After a pause, he added: “ Aim for Beijing. The universities there really are different. ”

He meant it. China's best universities were in Beijing. The opportunities after graduation were better too. Though he thought Xia Xiaolan had a real talent for business, and southern China had a more open commercial atmosphere, Beijing wasn't a bad place to build a future either.

Besides… They'd be able to spend more time together. That mattered. His Xiaolan was far too beautiful. 

Zhou Cheng couldn't help worrying that someone else might try to steal her away. Keeping his future wife within sight felt much safer.

Besides, she was already scoring over four hundred points. Why wouldn't she be able to get into university?

Unlike Kang Wei, Zhou Cheng didn't look down on Beijing Normal College. Earning admission to any university from a small county with limited educational resources was impressive.

Still, a school like Beijing Normal College wasn't enough to impress someone like Zhou Cheng.

He had never attended university himself and normally paid little attention to such things. But since Xia Xiaolan wanted to go, he quietly made a mental note to learn more.

Knowing this would be her first long-distance trip, he spent some time explaining train travel precautions.

Most of it she already knew. Still, she appreciated the thought.

At that moment, Kang Wei finally returned from the restroom.

“ It's done, Cheng-ge. ”

Seeing Xia Xiaolan's confusion, Zhou Cheng explained casually:

“ I had Kang Wei help convert your ticket into a sleeper berth. Looks like there was still one available. ”

Kang Wei nearly rolled his eyes. Still available? He'd made calls all the way to Beijing and pulled countless favors before finally securing that sleeper ticket.

Yet Zhou Cheng said it as if it had been effortless.

Just like with Zhang Erlai's case, he and Zhou Cheng had quietly handled everything behind the scenes, and Xia Xiaolan still had no idea.

When you liked someone, of course you treated them well. If Kang Wei ever got a girlfriend, he'd treat her well too. But wasn't the whole point letting her know about it?

How else would she appreciate him more? Kang Wei simply couldn't understand Zhou Cheng's approach.

What he didn't realize was that Xia Xiaolan wasn't really an eighteen-year-old village girl. President Xia understood how favors worked.

Changing a hard-seat ticket into a sleeper berth wasn't necessarily a matter of power, but it definitely required connections and effort. Whether it was railway staff or someone else, somebody had done Zhou Cheng a favor.

And since neither Zhou Cheng nor Kang Wei lived in Shangdu, arranging it must have required considerable trouble.

Zhou Cheng brushed it off casually. But Xia Xiaolan felt, once again, that he was taking extraordinary care of her.

Where had he learned this? The man really knew how to win a woman's heart.

Not that she disliked it.

A handsome man treating her sincerely, without being creepy or overbearing— It was hard to dislike someone like that.

Her eyes were naturally bright and expressive. The slightest shift in emotion made them seem even softer, more affectionate.

Kang Wei suddenly sensed something strange. As an experienced single man, he could feel the atmosphere changing between them. Was getting a sleeper ticket really that effective?

If so, then he'd definitely helped Zhou Cheng score some points. If even Kang Wei felt pleased, Zhou Cheng, as the person involved, noticed the change even more clearly.

At a moment like this, failing to press his advantage would be foolish.

“ Xiaolan. ” he said. 

“ I know you're smart, but you can never be too careful when traveling alone. The train ride from Shangdu to Guangzhou takes over thirty hours. You'll arrive before we do. ”

He paused. “ I'll try to find a local guide for you. Someone trustworthy who can help you get familiar with the area before I arrive. ”

He hadn't actually found anyone yet. But he was confident he'd solve that problem before her train reached Guangzhou.

Xia Xiaolan nodded. The trip was long, but she had her reasons for making it. She wasn't impressed by the clothing sold in Shangdu's wholesale markets.

Guangzhou's styles were likely the newest in the country. She would rather spend more money and see things for herself. 

Besides, southern China's economy was far more open. Clothing wasn't the only business opportunity she was interested in.

Originally, she had planned to investigate something else while she was there. But now that Zhou Cheng had become involved, it wasn't as convenient.

There would be another chance. Next time.

After explaining how the guide would contact her, Zhou Cheng took her to exchange the ticket for the sleeper berth at five-thirty. Then he escorted her all the way to the platform.

She had already packed food for the trip, but Zhou Cheng still bought her a bag of pears and red dates. Henan's dates were famous, and pears were perfect for quenching thirst during a long train ride.

Finally, it was time to board.

“ See you in Guangzhou, Xiaolan. ”

He accompanied her all the way to her sleeper compartment. The train whistle sounded. Just before departure, Zhou Cheng suddenly pulled her into a brief embrace.

His breath brushed lightly against her ear. It was a perfectly ordinary farewell. Yet somehow, his voice carried a teasing warmth. As though worried she might get angry, he immediately jumped off the train and stood outside the window, waving.

Xia Xiaolan swore she caught a flash of satisfaction and mischief in his eyes. This man… was he flirting with her?

Wasn't that just a little unfair?

— — —

Translator's Note:

Gaokao (高考): China's national university entrance examination.

Zhou-ge (周哥): Literally "Brother Zhou," a familiar and affectionate way of addressing an older male.