What happened next clearly exceeded Qiu Chengcai’s expectations. He wanted to refuse his mother’s so-called “showdown,” but Bai Ping’s hot-and-cold attitude over the past two months made him hesitate.
Zhou Caimi didn’t give him a chance to hesitate. She pushed him into the side room, pulled the door shut, and then called out to Bai Ping, who was still downstairs, “Come up!”
—
“Auntie…”
“Stop right there. At work, call me Officer Zhou…”
“Officer Zhou…”
Bai Ping was a bit disoriented by the situation unfolding before her. But her tension was visibly rising. Because she knew—Qiu Chengcai’s mother was formidable. In both her dreams and reality, this woman was anything but simple.
Zhou Caimi didn’t beat around the bush with Bai Ping. She said directly, “I know you’re an ambitious young woman. And our Qiu family is too small a temple—keeping you here would be doing you a disservice. Your writing is excellent. You’re also very sharp. Given the right opportunity, you could reach heights you can’t even imagine.”
These empty, grand words somehow struck a hidden chord in Bai Ping. Her face visibly brightened.
Zhou Caimi continued, “I know you don’t actually like my Chengcai at all…”
“That’s not true…”
“Don’t rush to deny it. I know my own son. Someone like him is suited for a girl who enjoys a peaceful, ordinary life. An ambitious girl like you—my foolish son isn’t worthy of you. A woman’s youth is limited. And you clearly have a clear vision for your future.”
Bai Ping was truly smart. After listening to Zhou Caimi’s provocative words and seeing the determined expression on her face, Bai Ping knew she had reached a moment of decision.
In an instant, her expression turned remarkably cold.
“I don’t like Qiu Chengcai. I wouldn’t say I hate him, but I don’t like him either.”
Saying something so provocative in front of someone she had always been wary of gave Bai Ping a secret thrill.
“You’ve always wanted me to break up with your son, and I don’t object. Because I want to break up too. Him pestering me every day about getting married is a real headache for me. So, breaking up is fine, but I need you to help me change jobs.”
Zhou Caimi raised an eyebrow. “What kind of job do you want?”
Bai Ping stood up, spread her hands on the desk, and looked down at the seated Zhou Caimi. Her face was full of confidence.
“I want to join the City Women’s Newspaper.”
Originally, her goal had been the city Women’s Federation. But now that things had come to this—this kind of bare-faced negotiation—if she joined the Federation, she’d be crushed by Zhou Caimi immediately. The newspaper was different. Although Zhou Caimi had connections there too, the Women’s Newspaper and the Women’s Federation weren’t part of the same system. Once she got in, she could look for opportunities to move up.
Zhou Caimi inwardly sighed—just as expected. This girl was indeed a schemer. The only sensible thing was to send her packing as quickly as possible. Her foolish son wouldn’t last two rounds against someone like this.
“No problem. Prepare your personal documents in the next couple of days. Within three days, I’ll send a transfer notice to the Women’s Newspaper. But… I expect you to make things clear with my foolish son today. Break it off completely.”
Since ancient times, writers have looked down on one another, and the personnel dynamics at the newspaper were especially complicated. Zhou Caimi was looking forward to seeing whether Bai Ping could navigate that world.
She hoped Bai Ping wouldn’t quit right after joining.
Zhou Caimi laughed coldly inside, but on the surface, she stared intently into Bai Ping’s eyes and stressed, “And I mean crystal clear. Don’t try to fool me—otherwise, you’ll get nothing.”
As long as Bai Ping got what she wanted, she was easygoing about everything else. She immediately nodded in agreement. She even offered to call Qiu Chengcai right then.
Zhou Caimi shook her head. “No need to call. He’s right here.”
With that, Zhou Caimi opened the door to the side room, bringing the two people who had been dating for over two years face to face.
—
“Third Brother, this place is nice! How did you find it?”
In the evening, Bai Lan followed Xu Jianbei to a quiet alley. The alley was lined with homes, but one small door was open. Xu Jiannan was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, waiting for them.
Hearing his younger brother’s question, Xu Jiannan looked up with a smile. “Your third sister-in-law was worried you wouldn’t find the place. I said you’re smarter than that!”
Xu Jiannan teased his younger brother and waved to Bai Lan.
Bai Lan smiled and called out, “Third Brother Xu…”
Xu Jiannan touched his nose. He wanted to ask, Shouldn’t you be calling me ‘Third Brother’ too? But then he thought better of it. If he ran his mouth, his younger brother would probably beat him to a pulp.
The three of them quickly entered the small courtyard. There weren’t many people inside. As they walked in, they could see several side rooms with open doors, each containing a square eight-immortal table.
This was a private, residential-style small restaurant—something like a hidden private kitchen. Given the special era they were in, it seemed quite mysterious.
Bai Lan had only ever seen such places on TV shows. She never thought she’d actually get to eat at one. She’d heard that these places wouldn’t even let you in unless you were a regular.
As soon as they sat down, Xu Jiannan explained, “This place is run by someone your third sister-in-law knows. The food is really solid and delicious. They got some fresh yellow beef today. I ordered braised beef. Take a look and see what else you want.”
Liu Meiling also smiled and told them to look at the menu. The place didn’t have many customers, but the ingredients were fairly abundant. As long as it wasn’t something too hard to source, they could make it here.
Bai Lan didn’t stand on ceremony. She consulted with Xu Jianbei and ordered a steamed fish and sweet and sour pork. For the main course, they ordered jiancai (shepherd’s purse) and pork dumplings.
The four of them got along easily. After deciding on the menu, their conversation grew even more lively.
It was only then that Bai Lan learned that although Liu Meiling didn’t have a formal job, she was doing some small business on the side. Her frankness surprised Bai Lan. She knew that speculation and profiteering were still heavily cracked down upon in these times.
“I trust your character, and I trust my little brother’s judgment. Besides, he’s invested money in my business too.”
Bai Lan knew that Xu Jianbei had some private channels for making money, but she hadn’t realized they were connected to Liu Meiling.
Seeing Bai Lan’s surprise, Xu Jianbei laughed. “Well, this involves Third Sister-in-law. Since she hadn’t said anything, I couldn’t really talk about it either. But Third Sister-in-law is incredibly capable. I’ve already recouped my investment. Now I just lie back and count the money.”
Bai Lan found this amusing. Catching a ride on the female lead’s coattails—this was the kind of good fortune she wouldn’t mind having more of, no matter how many times.
Seeing Bai Lan’s reaction, the other three all breathed a sigh of relief.
Liu Meiling felt that her honesty had earned her Bai Lan’s approval, which confirmed that her judgment of people was pretty good.
Xu Jiannan was pleased that his younger brother’s girlfriend got along so well with his own wife. It was a stark contrast to how his eldest sister-in-law and his wife failed to get along.
And Xu Jianbei was just glad that his little white lie of omission no longer needed to be kept secret.
—
Just as the four of them were in high spirits, they suddenly heard a man’s sobbing coming from the next room.
Bai Lan had never actually heard a man cry before. The unexpected sound surprised her. Xu Jiannan immediately stood up and headed outside. Less than a minute later, he returned, dragging a familiar-looking person along with him.
“What’s Qiu Chengcai doing here?” Bai Lan asked Xu Jianbei in a low voice, though her eyes were fixed on the haggard figure of Qiu Chengcai.
Just a few days ago, when she’d seen him, he had been all smiles, looking forward to marrying Bai Ping. Now, only a few days later, he looked like this. Had they actually broken up for real?
Immediately, Qiu Chengcai answered Bai Lan’s unspoken question.
“Jiannan, tell me—wasn’t I good enough? Why did Bai Ping say she never even liked me? Am I really such a loser?”
Xu Jiannan looked a bit overwhelmed. He had recognized Qiu Chengcai’s voice as soon as he heard the crying. They had been high school classmates and close friends. Worried something had happened, he had gone next door to check. Then, after hearing that Bai Lan was here, Qiu Chengcai had followed him over.
“Little sister—oh, I can’t call you that anymore. Comrade Bai Lan, tell me. Am I a loser? Didn’t your third sister constantly complain about me at home—about this being wrong, that being wrong…”
Bai Lan opened her mouth, genuinely unsure how to handle this situation. But she really wanted to say: had Bai Ping suddenly found a conscience? What kind of merciful medicine had she taken? Since when did Bai Ping come clean like this? Given Bai Ping’s usual character, shouldn’t she have kept Qiu Chengcai dangling on a string, profiting off him whenever she could?
It was clear Qiu Chengcai wasn’t actually looking for an answer from Bai Lan. He had already figured it out in his heart.
After throwing his drunken tantrum, he seemed to sober up. He apologized profusely to everyone there. Refusing Xu Jiannan’s offer to see him home, he staggered off on his own.
“That guy is really…”
Liu Meiling shook her head, somewhat exasperated. “He’s so immature. And Bai Ping is no good. Shouldn’t he be thanking his lucky stars that she broke up with him? Oh, Bai Lan—I didn’t mean anything by that.”
Bai Lan: I get it. I completely get what you mean. Bai Ping really isn’t a good person. The fact that Qiu Chengcai could break up with her now and stop being her blood bag was already a stroke of luck for him.
As for Bai Ping no longer stringing Qiu Chengcai along, Bai Lan guessed that Qiu Chengcai’s mother must have stepped in. Wasn’t she supposed to be a formidable woman?
Bai Lan was just curious—what kind of deal had made Bai Ping willing to lay all her cards on the table with Qiu Chengcai? It must have been quite an enticing offer.
And soon enough, Bai Lan found out exactly why Bai Ping had come clean with Qiu Chengcai.
Three days later, Bai Ping returned home, transfer notice from the Women’s Newspaper in hand, brimming with smug satisfaction.
—
“Has the Bai family’s ancestral grave been emitting green smoke or something?”
The neighbors in the courtyard were all dumbfounded that Bai Ping had managed to land a job at the newspaper.
“If there really were green smoke, the Bai family wouldn’t have ended up without a male heir! And the Bai family’s eldest daughter wouldn’t have gotten divorced!”
“Our family has struggled endlessly to find a job for our kid. But the Bais? They just toss aside a department store sales clerk job like it’s nothing. And now she’s joining a newspaper. Heaven is so unfair…”
“Don’t talk about heaven—that’s feudal superstition…”
The neighbors’ chatter grew louder and louder. Their sour, envious remarks were enough to make everyone’s teeth ache.
Bai Ping accepted the comments with smug satisfaction, and she also announced to the family that she was planning to move to the newspaper’s dormitory. The newspaper hadn’t just sent her a transfer notice—they had also arranged housing for her. With that kind of treatment, it truly was a good workplace.
What could the family say?
No one refused. They all felt that with all of Bai Ping’s recent dramatics, moving out early might actually bring some peace to the household.
As for her proud, self-satisfied words, the Bai family collectively ignored them.
Bai Mama, however, still patiently tried to get to the bottom of how Bai Ping had gotten this job.
Bai Ping didn’t hide anything. After all, she had already promised Zhou Caimi that she would publicly announce the breakup between her and Qiu Chengcai.
So very soon, the neighbors in the courtyard heard another explosive piece of news.
“Oh my! She lands a great job, and just like that, her wonderful boyfriend is gone.”
“In life, you just can’t have all the good things at once.”
“I told you—the Bai family’s ancestral grave hasn’t been emitting any green smoke!”
Before the crowd’s chatter could even die down, the people in the courtyard heard another even better piece of news.
The Bai family’s divorced eldest daughter had made the newspaper again!
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