Even caught red-handed, Aunt Cai still tried to deny it. But the woman holding her down was fierce. She reached straight into the front of Aunt Cai’s shirt and pulled out two bulging little bags.
“Good heavens! You actually sewed two pouches into your shirt!”
The woman who had pulled them out was stunned for a second, then shouted loudly.
By now, the entire canteen had gathered around. Everyone’s eyes were wide. Some even teased that no wonder Aunt Cai’s chest sometimes looked big and sometimes looked small.
Master Chu, the head cook, was furious at the scene. The fact that Aunt Cai had hidden the goods in such a sensitive place made it hard for him to even speak about it.
Seeing that her pouches had been exposed, Aunt Cai still tried to argue: “That rice is from my own home! Who gave you the right to search me?”
But no one was stupid. No one paid any attention to her excuses.
Master Chu immediately said, “I’ll give you two options. One: return all the grain you’ve stolen and get out on your own. Two: we send you to the police station. You can explain to them how much you’ve stolen!”
Master Chu knew there was some petty thieving in the canteen. But Aunt Cai had been this brazen and was caught in the act. As the canteen manager, being strict and impartial was the only way to protect his own interests.
Bai Lan was thoroughly satisfied with this outcome. No matter which option Aunt Cai chose, the end result was the same—she was out of the canteen. Then Bai Lan wouldn’t have to work cautiously every day, always on guard against being targeted.
Of course, Aunt Cai chose the first option. If she were sent to the police station, her whole family would lose all face.
Still, she insisted she had only stolen this once. But since she had never been caught before and the stolen goods were long gone, the final punishment was immediate dismissal plus a fine of one month’s wages.
Watching Aunt Cai slink away from the food factory, Bai Lan’s mood stayed sunny all day.
When she got home that evening and saw Bai Ping’s still-unpleasant expression, her mood got even sunnier.
—
Ever since her elder sister’s divorce a few days ago, Bai Ping’s face had been sour.
The family assumed it was because she was upset about the divorce. After all, everyone knew Qiu Chengcai’s mother had never really approved of Bai Ping. And with her eldest sister divorced, that disapproval might jeopardize their relationship.
But Bai Lan knew that wasn’t the truth.
Yes, Bai Ping hadn’t wanted her elder sister to divorce. But it had nothing to do with the Qiu family. The real reason was that Bai Ping was worried about her own reputation being tarnished by her sister’s divorce.
Bai Lan had come to this conclusion because of what Bai Ping had said in her sleep that night.
In her murmurs, Bai Ping had cursed Qiu Chengcai as a useless man, her voice dripping with deep resentment. It had given Bai Lan goosebumps.
Bai Lan didn’t think that Bai Ping, barely in her twenties, could have that much love or hate with Qiu Chengcai. So it was more likely that her dream that night had something to do with the future.
She herself had transmigrated and had dreamed of her elder sister’s life in flashback. So Bai Lan had reason to suspect that Bai Ping’s dreams were also connected to the future plot. She didn’t know exactly what Bai Ping had seen, but it surely involved her future with Qiu Chengcai. And that future didn’t align with Bai Ping’s hopes.
So Bai Ping must have been wanting to dump Qiu Chengcai. And Bai Lan suspected this idea had been brewing for quite some time.
She still remembered the day of Xu Jiannan’s wedding, when Qiu Chengcai had come by to ask Bai Ping to a movie. Bai Ping had seemed impatient with him.
Looking back now, Bai Lan realized just how calculating Bai Ping was. She had wanted to get rid of Qiu Chengcai that long ago, yet she had endured all this time without acting on it.
Her elder sister’s divorce had apparently thrown a wrench in Bai Ping’s plans. Bai Lan had thought her sister would hold off on breaking up with Qiu Chengcai for a while. But judging by Bai Ping’s expression these past few days, it looked like she was about to do it any moment.
How interesting.
—
Bai Ping had no idea that Bai Lan had guessed some of her plans.
Her sister’s divorce was now a done fact. Not only had she failed to stop it, but she had also been scolded by her parents for days because of it. So Bai Ping had learned her lesson. She wouldn’t reveal her thoughts in front of the family anymore.
“Pingping, Pingping, I’m asking you! Has Qiu Chengcai’s mother said anything to you these past few days?”
At the dinner table, Mother Bai looked earnestly at her third daughter. Despite being dissatisfied with some of Bai Ping’s actions, she still cared deeply for the daughter who had been frail since childhood.
Bai Ping put on the same miserable face and shook her head pitifully at Mother Bai.
Mother Bai’s heart sank. Big Sister Bai Lian felt even more guilty, believing she had brought trouble to her third sister.
Seeing the pleasant dinner atmosphere turn so gloomy, Bai Lan resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She cleared her throat lightly and said:
“Third Sister, don’t be so sad. I happened to run into Brother Qiu at the department store the other day. He was secretly asking me what style of watch you like. He didn’t say it outright, but I think he’s preparing a betrothal gift to marry you.”
This wasn’t actually made up. When Bai Lan had been keeping an eye on Aunt Cai, she had truly run into Qiu Chengcai at the department store.
Qiu Chengcai—how to describe him? He was the type of carefree, vibrant young man. Bai Lan had only exchanged a few words with him, yet she could already feel the genuine affection he held for Bai Ping.
But someone like Bai Ping didn’t really deserve Qiu Chengcai.
So Bai Lan fully approved of Bai Ping’s idea to dump him.
“Lanlan, is that true?” No sooner had Bai Lan finished speaking than Mother Bai and Big Sister Bai Lian exclaimed in surprise.
Bai Lan nodded with a bright smile. Glancing at Bai Ping’s increasingly sour expression, she said sweetly, “So, Third Sister, you really don’t need to worry. Brother Qiu is so devoted, and the two of you both have good jobs. After you get married, you can apply for a unit from your workplace. You’ll have a wonderful life together.”
“That’s right, that’s right. Your little sister is absolutely right.”
Mother Bai nodded in agreement. She thought that although her youngest daughter wasn’t married yet, having a boyfriend really made a difference—this advice was excellent.
Big Sister Bai Lian eagerly joined the conversation, even starting to discuss what dowry gifts to prepare for Bai Ping’s wedding.
Second Sister Bai Li had always felt a sense of compensation toward Bai Ping since childhood, so she naturally chimed in as well.
Father Bai, the head of the family, sat back with a smile, watching his wife and daughters chatter.
Bai Lan took her credit in silence. She sat there eating her meat while observing Bai Ping’s contorted face.
So you don’t want to keep dating Qiu Chengcai, but you string him along anyway. And you play the victim to get the family’s sympathy. Now everyone’s eagerly anticipating your happy news—let’s see how long you can hold out.
—
As it turned out, Bai Ping couldn’t hold out for long. Because she knew that dating was one thing, but if things only fell apart when marriage was on the table, her reputation would suffer even more.
Her future life plans couldn’t afford a bad reputation.
So early the next morning, Bai Ping rushed out the door. Seeing this, the Bai family was delighted, all assuming she was going on a date with Qiu Chengcai.
Mother Bai even said to Father Bai, “The moment the weekend comes, Pingping is rushing out. Looks like things are getting close with Chengcai. I wonder when the Qiu family will come to propose. You should find some time to sound out Old Qiu.”
Bai Lan didn’t dampen Mother Bai’s enthusiasm. Judging by Bai Ping’s mood yesterday, Bai Lan suspected there might be a good show today.
After breakfast, she strolled over next door to find Qin Yan. They had planned that today she and Xu Jianbei would treat Qin Yan and Datou to lunch.
No sooner had she exchanged a few words with Qin Yan than Xu Jianbei showed up with Datou, both smiling as they entered the backyard.
Lately, Xu Jianbei’s visits to the courtyard had become increasingly frequent. When the neighbors saw him come in, they teased, “Ooh, Jianbei. Coming over so early? All this running back and forth every day must be exhausting. Ever thought about moving back in?”
“Yeah! If you don’t come back soon, your room might get taken over by your sister-in-law.”
Xu Jianbei gave Widow Hu, who had made the remark, a faint glance and didn’t answer the question.
Whether to move back to the courtyard was something he needed to discuss with Bai Lan. As for his room being taken over by his sister-in-law—that was impossible. The family’s rooms had been divided before his elder brother even got married. His sister-in-law couldn’t take it even if she wanted to. His mother, Miao Daju, wasn’t one to be trifled with.
Sure enough, Miao Daju was at the washbasin doing laundry and naturally heard Widow Hu’s remark. She planted her hands on her hips and gave Widow Hu a thorough scolding.
Afterward, though, she did secretly hope her younger son would move back home. He had gone to work at the screw factory with his grandfather as a child—a result of the conflicts between her and her in-laws. Now that the grandparents were gone, Miao Daju genuinely wanted to live closer to her younger son.
But she also knew her son had a mind of his own. So instead of pushing, she simply told him, “If it gets late at night, just come home and stay.”
—
“Do you want to move back?”
After leaving the courtyard, Bai Lan naturally walked beside Xu Jianbei and quietly asked about what had just happened.
Xu Jianbei thought for a moment and said, “Let’s wait a while—until the weather cools down. I’ll fix up my room a bit and see.”
Xu Jianbei worked at the screw factory. The place he was living in now was the small western-style house the factory had allocated to his grandfather. After his grandfather passed away earlier that year, the factory hadn’t reclaimed it yet. But his rank wasn’t high enough to qualify for such a house.
The factory hadn’t kicked him out yet, but Xu Jianbei had already applied for housing. Once his new place came through, he would move out of the small western-style house. At that point, he could move some of his things to the courtyard. That way, he could stay both in the courtyard and near the factory.
He hadn’t yet gone into these arrangements with Bai Lan. Mainly because he had previously considered transferring to Haicheng. But after meeting Bai Lan, that idea had gradually faded.
Bai Lan had no idea that her presence—like a butterfly flapping its wings—had kept a man who should have gone to Haicheng right here in Beicheng.
This was precisely why Xu Jianbei, despite being so outstanding and the younger brother of the male lead Xu Jiannan, never appeared in the short drama.
Of course, Bai Lan didn’t know this yet. She just listened attentively to Xu Jianbei’s explanation while thinking about where they could “coincidentally” run into Bai Ping and Qiu Chengcai today.
—
“Chengcai, I really think we need to take a serious look at this relationship. Your mother was right—our families were never a good match to begin with. And now that my elder sister is divorced, I’m even less worthy of you. I don’t want to hold you back…”
Bai Ping looked at Qiu Chengcai with an expression of heart-wrenching sorrow and forced cheerfulness. She looked so pitiful that Qiu Chengcai’s heart nearly shattered.
“Pingping, stop. Don’t pay any attention to what my mother said. You know I love you. My mother’s opinions aren’t mine. We both have jobs and incomes. I will give you a happy life.”
Hearing this, Bai Ping’s expression flickered between happiness, pain, and reluctance to let go.
Bai Lan truly hadn’t expected this. She had barely stepped out, hadn’t even gone far, and she was already treated to such a spectacular scene.
Watching this scene, Bai Lan wanted to give a standing ovation. The Oscars were missing a gold statuette for Bai Ping. Such acting talent was truly wasted in the 1970s!
Here was Bai Ping, who desperately wanted to break up with Qiu Chengcai, putting on a performance full of tortured, deep affection—the kind that had Qiu Chengcai howling in agony.
Sure enough, over there, Qiu Chengcai had already pulled a women’s wristwatch from his pocket.
“I came out early today to wait for you by your place. I wanted to give you this watch. Do you like this style? I asked your youngest sister, and she said you do. I bought this watch for you. I want to marry you. Besides this watch, I’ve also prepared a bicycle and a radio as betrothal gifts—I managed to get them all myself. I already have the ration tickets. Do you have time today to come with me to buy them?”
—
“Wow, Lanlan. Your third sister is so lucky!”
Qin Yan, standing beside her, was green with envy. Sister Bai Ping was about to break up with Qiu Chengcai because of his mother, yet Qiu Chengcai dared to defy his mother and prepare all the betrothal gifts himself.
In the eyes of eighteen-year-old Qin Yan, this was nothing short of heroic.
But in the eyes of eighteen-year-old Datou, these two were just dragging things out.
The woman was wailing about breaking up, but she wasn’t slow at all when it came to taking the watch.
The man was howling about getting married, but he couldn’t convince her to agree—he just kept dumbly giving her things.
It was unbearable, even for Datou.
Bai Lan had just been about to tell Qin Yan not to be so naive when Datou’s remark made her burst out laughing. She thought to herself that a straight-shooter like Datou would probably have a hard time finding a girlfriend.
Xu Jianbei saw how ridiculous the three of them were being and, suppressing a laugh, gently patted Bai Lan’s arm. He knew Bai Lan and her third sister didn’t get along, though he wasn’t sure exactly why.
But watching this scene, he felt he was starting to understand.
Meanwhile, the two people lost in their own little world had no idea that their conversation at the corner of the alley was being overheard by four acquaintances.
By now, Bai Ping had the watch in her hand, examining it carefully. She could tell it was imported, cost over two hundred yuan, and required foreign exchange certificates as well. Her family could afford something like this, but they would never buy it for her.
Yet Qiu Chengcai was willing.
—
A flicker of hesitation crossed Bai Ping’s face. But then she remembered the dream that hadn’t changed in over two months.
When that dream first appeared, Bai Ping had dismissed it as nonsense. After all, Qiu Chengcai was the best catch she had managed to find. To date him, she had consciously gotten close to him since middle school. She had worked hard to make him her boyfriend in high school and had only just begun to enjoy the benefits he brought.
Her job—Qiu Chengcai had had his family help arrange it. There had been many complications along the way, but in the end, she had gotten a satisfactory position.
In daily life, Qiu Chengcai was generous. His family was exceptionally well-off.
He was an only child. His father was the purchasing director of the department store, and his mother was a cadre at the city’s Women’s Federation. They lived in a small courtyard in the city center—no need to cram into a crowded communal courtyard with everyone else.
These were the best conditions she had access to.
But that recurring dream had taken Bai Ping from doubt to skepticism to certainty. She was certain that if she married Qiu Chengcai, even if she was happy at first, she would eventually become a mediocre, laboring woman, haggling over every penny of grocery money.
That wasn’t the life Bai Ping wanted. She had chosen Qiu Chengcai in order to live a better, much better life—not to suffer.
Remembering the dream—how the department store would eventually close, how Qiu Chengcai’s father and Qiu Chengcai himself and she would all lose their jobs, how the family’s livelihood would depend on Qiu Chengcai’s fierce mother—Bai Ping shuddered with fear. And she steeled her resolve.
But before breaking up, she still needed Qiu Chengcai’s help to arrange a few things she had in mind.
Qiu Chengcai had no idea what Bai Ping was thinking. Seeing her shiver, he thought she was cold. He quickly said, “Let’s not stand at this windy alley corner. Come on, I’ll take you to the state-run restaurant for some beef noodles to warm you up.”
As they walked, Qiu Chengcai thought to himself that Bai Ping hadn’t insisted on breaking up with him in the end. That was wonderful! But he needed to speed things up and convince his mother as soon as possible.
Bai Lan watched them leave without having witnessed a breakup. She couldn’t help but wonder what Bai Ping was up to. Was she really going to keep stringing Qiu Chengcai along until she found her next prospect?
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