As the capital city of Mingnan Province, Rongzhou’s development was far ahead, vastly different from the dusty, gray atmosphere of small county towns. Now, it had gradually taken on the early silhouette of a metropolis filled with towering buildings from later generations.
The roads were wide and clean, with cars, buses, and bicycles moving in an orderly fashion. People on both sides of the street were neatly dressed, walking with straight backs, their faces full of energy and vitality, and their hair thick and abundant.
Cheng Fangqiu had already woken up. She lay on the windowsill, staring intently outside, feeling as though a dozen little figures inside her heart were holding hands, spinning in circles, and screaming wildly.
She had finally entered the city!
“When we get there, we’ll first go home to drop off our things, then head straight to the Civil Affairs Bureau,” Zhou Yinghuai said, watching her look around like a curious little baby, unable to get enough of the view. The corners of his lips couldn’t help but lift slightly. “If we have time, we can also walk around and explore.”
“Alright.” Cheng Fangqiu nodded.
Not long after, the vehicle slowly pulled up in front of a large iron gate. After the driver showed the necessary documents, the security guard allowed them to pass. The moment the familiar gate came into view, the bus instantly became lively, with many passengers standing up to retrieve their luggage from the overhead racks.
“We’re finally back.”
“What’s the rush? Eager to see your wife?”
“Get lost.”
Amidst the cheerful banter, the bus came to a stop in front of a few dormitory buildings. A crowd had already gathered there, likely family members. As soon as the doors opened, the people on and off the bus converged—some crying, some hugging—creating a heartwarming scene of joyful reunions.
Just then, someone with sharp eyes spotted something unusual and jabbed their companion in the arm as if they had seen a ghost.
“What are you doing?”
“Isn’t that Comrade Zhou? Why is there a girl with him?”
That one sentence caused an uproar, instantly drawing everyone’s attention toward the two people who had just stepped off the bus. When they finally got a clear look, their mouths fell open in unison, and for a moment, the entire scene fell into silence.
Zhou Yinghuai was wearing a neat set of work overalls, a black belt cinching his lean waist, with black boots on his feet. Though his outfit was identical to those of other technicians, he somehow made it look exceptionally commanding, making everyone else’s presence fade into the background—only he remained in sight.
At this moment, he was carrying multiple bags, his head slightly lowered as he spoke to the girl beside him, his expression softer than ever before.
The girl wore a light cyan long dress. She was tall, her slender waist swaying gracefully as she walked, outlining an enchanting silhouette. Her long hair cascaded down to her waist, her face as fair and smooth as a freshly peeled egg. Her peach blossom eyes were bright and alluring, her nose elegantly high, and her red lips carried the delicate hue of a tender cherry blossom.
When she smiled, she was both charming and alluring, pure yet seductive.
She was mesmerizing—making it impossible for anyone to look away.
“Who is she?” Someone grabbed a newly returned technician and questioned him urgently. At the same time, their gaze involuntarily drifted toward Shen Xilian at the other end of the crowd. Everyone in the factory knew that she had specifically followed Zhou Yinghuai to the countryside this time.
They had thought she might, to some extent, melt his cold and indifferent heart. But now, it seemed she had made a wasted effort! Otherwise, why would he bring back such a beautiful girl instead?
“She’s Comrade Zhou’s partner.”
Everyone turned toward the voice—astonishingly, it was Shen Xilian who had spoken!
This—this—this was like the sun rising from the west! If that girl was really Zhou Yinghuai’s girlfriend, why did Shen Xilian look so calm? Shouldn’t she be causing a scene or at least crying her heart out?
Faced with the bizarre harmony before them, the crowd felt utterly confused, as if they had suddenly lost all sense of direction.
Even Cheng Fangqiu couldn’t help but glance at Shen Xilian in surprise. The latter, noticing her gaze, merely gave her a faint smile before following the middle-aged woman beside her and walking away, leaving behind all the murmurs and speculation.
Cheng Fangqiu pondered the friendliness hidden in Shen Xilian’s smile and slowly curved her lips as well.
“This is my partner, Comrade Cheng Fangqiu. We still have to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get our marriage certificate, so we’ll be on our way first.” Zhou Yinghuai looked at the large crowd blocking their path, his brows slightly furrowing.
This statement was like a heavy hammer smashing down on everyone’s hearts. They had initially thought that even if she was his partner, she was probably just visiting for a couple of days. But now, they were going to get their marriage certificate?
“Please make way.”
Hearing the impatience in Zhou Yinghuai’s tone, as if he was in a hurry, the others dared not delay his important business. They quickly stepped aside, opening a clear path for the two of them.
Only after watching them disappear at the staircase entrance did their gossiping hearts dare to reignite, and the chattering discussions broke out.
When they learned that the woman was actually someone from the rural village they had been supporting, everyone was so shocked that their eyes widened. They had all assumed she was a girl from Zhou Yinghuai’s hometown in Beijing who had specially come to find him. Who would have thought she was from the countryside?
But with that appearance and that temperament, she didn’t look like someone who had grown up in a rural village at all!
Yet, since so many people confirmed it, they had no choice but to believe it. Even so, they couldn’t help but click their tongues in amazement—she had only known Zhou Yinghuai for just over a month, and she had already managed to secure the most outstanding senior technician in their factory. Climbing the social ladder like this was no simple feat.
Hopefully, she hadn’t used some underhanded, seductive tricks…
But without interacting with her in person, they couldn’t make any rash judgments. For the time being, everyone’s curiosity about Cheng Fangqiu skyrocketed.
“I knew something was up when Comrade Zhou moved into the apartment across from mine a few days ago—it turns out he was getting married,” someone remarked while holding a little girl in their arms, watching Zhou Yinghuai and Cheng Fangqiu’s departing figures with a thoughtful expression.
Ever since her two daughters had grown up, her family’s living space had become cramped. She had also been hoping to have a third child—a son—so she had long wanted to apply for a housing exchange with the factory leadership. The apartment across from hers was exactly the one she had her eye on.
Even though it was in the same building and on the same floor, the difference between the two units was huge. Her current place was barely fifty square meters, with no direct sunlight. There were only a few moments in the day when the house was bright, and for the rest of the time, it was dark and gloomy. The electricity bills were expensive, so they were reluctant to turn on the lights, leaving them to fumble around in the dimness.
But the apartment across from hers was completely different. She had seen it before—not only was it nearly twice the size, but it also had a small balcony for drying clothes, with plenty of sunlight. It was the perfect, comfortable place to live.
Previously, the unit had belonged to the factory’s logistics department manager. He had been transferred to the neighboring province last month, leaving the apartment vacant.
But exchanging housing wasn’t so simple. The factory had hundreds, if not thousands, of employees who still hadn’t been assigned their own housing. Just getting any allocation was already considered a blessing after several lifetimes of good fortune.
Their current apartment had only been obtained after much pleading and negotiating.
When they had first moved in, it was just her, her husband, and their eldest daughter, and life had been quite comfortable. Back then, she had never even thought about changing houses—she had felt grateful just to have a place to live, which already put them above most people in the factory.
But things changed when she got pregnant with her second child. Her in-laws used the excuse of “helping take care of her” to move in, and suddenly, everything was different.
Now, with four adults and two children crammed into the tiny space, there was no privacy at all. Even using the bathroom required waiting in line! She had tried to persuade her in-laws to return to their hometown, but they adamantly refused. If she pushed too hard, the elderly couple would throw tantrums, crying and wailing that she was unfilial! Her husband, being a filial and spineless man, only told her to endure it.
She had barely been able to sleep properly and felt that life had become unbearable.
Since she couldn’t get rid of the people, the only option was to find another way. That was when she had started thinking about switching apartments. She knew that the chances were slim, but how would she know if she didn’t try? Asking wouldn’t cost her anything, after all.
That day, she had finally mustered up the courage to plead with the factory leaders again. She had planned to exaggerate her hardships and offer some small gifts in hopes of swaying them. But before she could even finish speaking, the leadership had bluntly told her that even if they wanted to help, it was impossible—the apartment had already been assigned to someone else.
And just like that, she had been turned away. The gifts she had brought were wasted, and her trip had been in vain. Worse still, her mother-in-law seized the opportunity to scold her relentlessly when she returned home.
Frustrated, she had kept an eye on the vacant unit, and to her shock, she finally discovered who had been assigned to it—Zhou Yinghuai! A single man, without a wife or even a girlfriend, had somehow managed to get that spacious apartment?
It had to be favoritism from the factory leaders!
She was so furious that she wanted to march right up and demand an explanation. But then she remembered that Zhou Yinghuai was a senior technician whom even the factory director held in high regard, and suddenly, she lost the courage to confront him. Still, she couldn’t just let it go…
“Then why didn’t you say something earlier, Yang Liqun?”
“How was I supposed to know?” Yang Liqun rolled her eyes at the person complaining, shifting her daughter in her arms before turning to leave. Her husband hadn’t been on the list of workers sent to the countryside, so she had only come here to watch the excitement. Now that the biggest drama had played out, there was no reason for her to stay any longer.
Furthermore, she needed to quickly destroy that report letter at home—if anyone found out…
At this thought, Yang Liqun hastened her steps.
“In such a hurry, running like she’s rushing to be reincarnated.” An older woman spat in Yang Liqun’s direction, her words sharp and unforgiving. The others who heard it remained silent, not wanting to get involved. This woman had always had a sharp tongue—getting on her bad side was never a good idea.
Peng Yanying turned her head toward the direction Shen Xilian had walked, but after assessing the latter’s seemingly uncommon status, she only dared to mutter under her breath, “A little girl shamelessly chasing after a man—what’s the use? She still ended up with nothing.”
“Mom! Stop talking already.” Her son, standing beside her, nearly blacked out upon hearing those words. He quickly pulled her away.
In the blink of an eye, there were hardly any people left at the parking lot.
—
The family apartments of the machinery factory had only been built a few years ago and looked quite grand. Their home was located in the second building, on the third floor. Several ginkgo trees had been planted downstairs, their lush greenery creating a pleasant view.
Cheng Fangqiu followed Zhou Yinghuai up the stairs, stopping in front of a door. Zhou Yinghuai took out his keys, unlocked the door, and let her enter first before closing it behind them.
The entrance led directly into the living room. The furniture inside was sparse—only a few wooden chairs and a matching table. A small cabinet stood in the corner, and beyond that, there was nothing else. To the left was the kitchen, while the right side housed two rooms and a bathroom. Cheng Fangqiu only gave a quick glance around before her attention was completely drawn to the balcony ahead.
Bright sunlight streamed in through the slightly open window, illuminating the entire room. She took a few quick steps forward, opened the door leading to the balcony, and stood by the waist-high iron railing, taking in the scenery before her.