It was about six o'clock in the afternoon, which was the time when all the units and factories were getting off work. The bus stops were crowded with people, and there were groups of people riding bicycles on the streets. People were coming and going in a constant stream.

Seeing Han Jingchen, Pei Manning turned her head subconsciously, and had the urge to turn around and leave.

But that was obviously impossible, because Han Jingchen saw her from a distance, and then set his eyes on her. That look was so unbearable that she didn't dare to act rashly.

She is now feeling both lucky and regretful.

Fortunately, after reselling things in the black market, she found a secluded place, changed her clothes and shoes, and wiped off the brown and yellow pearl powder on her face. Otherwise, Han Jingchen would definitely suspect what she was doing in disguise.

What she regretted was that if she hadn't taken off her disguise, Han Jingchen might not have recognized her at first glance in the crowded streets.

Pei Manning took a deep breath, suppressed the shock in her heart, and then walked over as if nothing had happened.

Han Jingchen was not wearing a military uniform like he did in the past, but a black cashmere sweater with the white shirt collar turned up. His two legs were straight and slender, making him look even taller. He stood out like a crane among chickens in the crowded bus station.

"Comrade Han, what a coincidence, I can see you in Shanghai." Pei Manning tried hard to smile.

Han Jing stared at her for a while. It seemed that he and Jiang Ye had been worrying for nothing these days. Pei Manning looked so happy that she didn't want to leave. Did she look like someone would bully her? A little girl dared to walk around alone in a strange big city.

After not seeing each other for a while, Pei Manning's elbow injury healed, her face looked much rosier, and her brows and eyes relaxed a little. It was obvious that she had been living quite well during this period.

He narrowed his eyes. "Really? I see you're not very happy to see me."

"..." Pei Manning was stunned for a moment. Was her expression so obvious?

"No, I was so surprised to see you from this side. Comrade Han, how did you come up here?" She explained quickly, "I didn't come up here privately. I sent a letter to the troops to explain the situation."

Han Jingchen: "I know."

Pei Manning breathed a sigh of relief. It looked like they were not here to arrest her. "So what are you doing?"

It was not appropriate to reveal too much about the military to Pei Manning. Han Jingchen picked out what he could say and said, "I have some missions in Shanghai recently. Today is my day off. It's a good time..." He paused, his expression grim, "It's a good time to go out for a walk."

Pei Manning pursed her lips: ...Just turn here?

She didn't know whether it was just a coincidence or she was just unlucky.

At this time, the bus finally arrived. It was a very long bus. As soon as the door opened, everyone crowded towards the middle door. Pei Manning and Han Jingchen were also squeezed to the center by the crowd coming from all directions, and they were able to get on the bus along the crowd.

"Comrades who are on the bus, please move to the back a little bit, move to the back, don't stand in the middle and block the people behind you."

"Make way, make way."

Pei Manning and Han Jing followed the crowd and walked to the back of the car. Many people got on one after another, filling up the aisle in front. There was no place to move.

Han Jingchen was tall and strong, and he helped her carve out a small space in her own little world.

At this time, Pei Manning suddenly realized something and reminded him, "Comrade Han, this train goes to Yan'an East Road."

Han Jingchen lowered his eyes to look at her and said, "I'll take you back first."

It was the beginning of the next month and it still got dark early. The sky had already turned gray, and it was not safe for Pei Manning, a little girl, to go home at night.

There are many old houses on Yan'an East Road, and the guesthouse is relatively small and not strictly managed. Some people who are "familiar" with the guesthouse can sneak in without looking at the letter of introduction by quietly paying a little more money.

"Oh." Pei Manning thought that maybe Han Jingchen still had doubts about her, so she didn't ask any more questions.

There were many people in the car, and she was very close to Han Jingchen. All she could see was his broad chest, and she could smell the faint scent of soap powder on his body. This made her feel a little uncomfortable, so she couldn't help but step back a little and lean her upper body back a little.

But at this moment, the car suddenly started, and all the people in the car leaned back to the rear of the car like wheat waves blown by the wind.

Han Jingchen stood in front of her with his back to the direction the car was moving, and leaned towards her.

Fortunately, he reacted quickly, moved swiftly, and was tall. He stretched out his hands and directly supported the top of the car to stabilize his body.

The person behind him didn't react that quickly, and the weapon hit him directly on the back with a dull sound, like hitting a wall, and it didn't even move him at all.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." The person who bumped into him apologized repeatedly.

"It's OK."

Pei Manning breathed a sigh of relief. When Han Jingchen's tall figure leaned towards her just now, she almost thought he would hug her and was startled.

The car drove a few stops, and people in front of them got off and people got on one after another.

Time seems to be very long.

Pei Manning took out a map from her bag. It showed every street and bus route. After this stop, there were probably several more stops to go.

She had just put the picture away when the car suddenly braked. Everyone in the car was jolted towards the front of the car. Someone bumped into her back from behind. Pei Manning was caught off guard and threw forward into Han Jingchen's arms, with her hands on Han Jingchen's thin waist.

Her entire face was smashed into his solid chest, which was as hard as a copper wall or an iron wall. The tip of her nose was hurt, and at the same time, the strong scent of soap powder and masculine aura hit her face.

She was confused.

Han Jingchen was also confused.

His straight back stiffened for a moment, and the woman's soft and warm body came over, with two boneless hands still pressing against his waist and abdomen. From his angle, he could see the skin behind her ears and on her neck, which was as white and tender as mutton-fat jade, and the curves were fragile and seductive.

Han Jingchen had both his hands on the ceiling of the car, and he had no hands free to steady her. For a moment, he didn't know what to do. He stared at the delicate and soft woman in his arms, his mind going blank.

"You're asking for death! How can you not ride this broken bike properly? What are you doing on the street?" The person in front was making a fuss.

"Hong Kong drug addicts are competing. If you want to die, go far away and die, Mr. Xiaobian!"

Pei Manning's nose was hit and it hurt a lot. After the inertia passed, she felt the man's body become tense and stiff, especially his waist. She quickly let go of his hand and stepped back to keep some distance.

"I'm sorry, Comrade Han." Pei Manning pursed her lips, her ears were red as blood, and she was extremely embarrassed.

"Yeah," Han Jingchen responded lightly, then looked at her slightly red cheeks, which were as pink as if they were delicate, like the bright and beautiful peach blossoms in the full moon. He didn't dare to look at her again after just one glance, and moved his eyes to the side unnaturally.

The car started slowly, people were crowded and swaying, inevitably bumping into each other. Pei Manning couldn't stand steadily several times and almost fell into Han Jing's arms.

Han Jingchen saw that she had nowhere to grab with her hands, and frowned: "Hold my clothes and stand still."

"Puchi——" An auntie next to them couldn't help laughing.

Han Jingchen and Pei Manning couldn't help but look over.

The aunt waved her hands and said, "It's nothing, it's nothing, don't bother me." She suddenly remembered her youth.

…

After the car arrived, Han Jingchen took Pei Manning back to the guesthouse and checked the door locks and windows for her.

"Remember to lock the door at night. Don't put too much water in the kettle. It will burst easily. Don't go to remote places when you have nothing to do. Don't trust strangers. If you get lost, don't ask passers-by. Go directly to the state-owned stores. I'll leave you my phone number. If you encounter something you can't solve, call me. Even if I don't, someone will pass on the message."

Han Jingchen couldn't help but start to worry. Pei Manning was young, looked flamboyant, and went out alone and didn't come back until dark.

Doesn't she realize the danger?

Pei Manning listened patiently, "I know, Comrade Han."

Pei Manning felt a little relieved until Han Jingchen left. She always felt a little uncomfortable when he was here.

It's not that Pei Manning didn't know the danger, but when she was in An County, she had no home to return to and no introduction. She was used to wandering around during the day, trying to understand the world by observing people's words and deeds, and at night she would find a remote and deserted place to return to Xumijie.

In this era, it is generally safe, especially in Shanghai. The security joint defense teams drawn from various units will often patrol everywhere to crack down on illegal and disorderly phenomena.

Every night when it was quiet, the security team would patrol parks, roads, train stations, docks, and even narrow alleys with a flashlight. When they found a "case", they would shout, "What are you doing!"

The "hooligans", "rabble" and "little couple" were all scared out of their wits and fled away in panic when the bright flashlight shone on them.

However, Han Jingchen meant well when he said this. After all, the joint defense team would also be lazy, otherwise those opportunists would not find opportunities.

Early the next morning, Pei Manning went to the publishing house on time. Now the work has entered the final stage, and the first few volumes have been finalized.

Once a few volumes have passed review and are published, she will be able to receive royalties.

She was sitting by the window, concentrating on drawing in the seat assigned to her by Editor-in-Chief Liu. Then a lady from the editorial department, surnamed Xu, came over, saw how seriously she was drawing, smiled, patted her on the shoulder, and handed her a bag of things.

"Xiao Pei, you will be going back in two days. These are sent to you by Aunt Xu. They are local specialties of Shanghai. They are butterfly cakes and pear paste candies. These pear paste candies are made with a lot of medicinal herbs. I heard that eating them is good for health. Many people like them. Take them back and let your family taste them together."

Pei Manning was stunned for a moment: "Thank you, Aunt Xu, these cakes are too expensive, I can't accept them."

"Take it! Why are you being so polite to Aunt Xu?" Aunt Xu refused and put the bag on the table, then said awkwardly, "Actually, Aunt Xu also needs your help with something."