After the play ended, everyone dispersed. Jiang Wanqing touched Cheng Ran's hand, and he grasped her hand in return.
She didn't need to explain further; all he saw was trust.
"You've had a hard day, time to go home."
"Um."
A few months may not seem like a long time, but Jiang Wanqing felt that a certain unspoken understanding had developed between the two of them.
She smiled and pushed her wheelchair home.
The next day, Liu Chang hired people to move his things. He heard that he was going to send his wife and children back to their hometown, and he would give them enough money every month. He only asked that she not cause trouble everywhere. It would be one thing if it affected her, but if it affected his reputation and future, his whole family would be ruined.
Liu's wife must have struggled to weigh the pros and cons in her mind. She only heard them arguing all night, but the next day she still packed her bags and boarded the bus back to her hometown.
From then on, Yuan Zhong was constantly reported and complained about, which gave the school a headache. Logically, he should have been sent back to Xiyang Village Brigade for labor reform, but he refused to leave. They had no choice but to suspend him from his post and let him do some work that did not involve teaching.
Jiang Wanqing enjoyed a period of peace, and Cheng Ran's leg recovered to about 80-90%.
One day, an uninvited guest arrived at our home...
The weather was slightly cool in the evening as autumn approached. Jiang Wanqing had just returned home from school and heard voices inside before she even entered the house, along with occasional laughter from a woman.
The voice sounded somewhat unfamiliar to her. She paused at the doorway for a moment, then pushed the door open and went inside.
As soon as the door opened, the sounds inside stopped abruptly. Cheng Ran was sitting in a wheelchair, and on the sofa opposite him sat a stylishly dressed woman with slightly curly hair cascading down her back. She wore a V-neck blue shirt and an A-line skirt, with a small shoulder bag beside her.
Upon seeing her enter, the woman's smile vanished, only to reappear with a forced, insincere grin.
Before Cheng Ran could speak, she spoke first, got up and walked to Jiang Wanqing, extending her hand.
"Hello, I'm Cheng Ran's friend. We grew up together. My name is Guo Xueyun. You must be Comrade Jiang Wanqing. I know you."
This woman appears gentle and well-mannered, but behind her gentleness lies an undeniable strength. With just a few words, she takes the initiative, making Jiang Wanqing seem like a mere guest visiting.
Jiang Wanqing gently touched the other person's fingertips, quickly released them, and looked at Cheng Ran.
"Where did Comrade Xueyun come from?"
“I came from the Beijing area and happen to have a job here. Uncle Cheng and Aunt Cheng asked me to come and see Cheng Ran.”
Cheng Ran nodded to Jiang Wanqing, confirming Guo Xueyun's words.
"Since you're Cheng Ran's friend, why don't you stay for dinner?"
"No need to trouble yourself. I've booked a table at the restaurant. I'll treat you and Cheng Ran to dinner. He's been injured for so long, he deserves a good meal. Is there anything you need to pack? If not, let's go."
At first glance, her words seemed flawless and even quite understanding, but Jiang Wanqing found them unpleasant. What did she mean by saying that Cheng Ran should have a good meal after being injured for so long?
She hasn't treated him badly these past few months!
She gave Cheng Ran a resentful look. This Guo Xueyun wasn't very friendly to her, but she was different from Qiao Xuemei; their childhood friendship carried more weight.
"Cough cough... Wanqing has been taking care of me these past few months, and I'm doing quite well."
"Oh, sorry, did I say something wrong?"
Guo Xueyun pretended to cover her mouth.
The atmosphere quieted down, and neither Jiang Wanqing nor Cheng Ran spoke. Seeing that no one was responding to her, she quickly tried to find a way to make amends.
"I'm used to talking to my students like this. If I say something wrong, please don't blame me, Comrade Wanqing. Just point it out and I'll be more careful."
Was this an attempt to portray her as an unreasonable, complaining woman? Jiang Wanqing saw her seemingly sincere face, but with a hint of undisguised hypocrisy in her eyes. She didn't immediately expose her, but instead replied with a sarcastic smile.
"It seems your students are quite tolerant."
Jiang Wanqing's calm reaction surprised Guo Xueyun; she neither got angry nor showed any jealousy...
"Hehe, maybe it's because I teach college students, and they're all pretty smart."
She lowered her head slightly, raised her hand to smooth her hair, and glanced at Cheng Ran, only to find that his gaze was entirely on Jiang Wanqing.
"Going to a restaurant would be too expensive for you, so Wanqing and I won't go."
Cheng Ran calmly declined her invitation and smiled at Jiang Wanqing.
Her heart sank when she heard him say he wouldn't go to dinner with her.
"It's because Comrade Wanqing doesn't want to go, so you want to go with her? But this is my first time here..."
“Who said I didn’t want to go?” Jiang Wanqing put down her textbook and pushed Cheng Ran out: “Let’s go, I’ll go try the restaurant’s food too.”
He glanced back at her, his brows furrowing slightly. He could tell that she and Guo Xueyun were secretly competing, and he didn't want to upset her, but she had already agreed.
“How can I let you old friends not have a meal together?” She patted Cheng Ran on the shoulder.
Guo Xueyun came from the Beijing area and carried the entrustment of Cheng Ran's parents. If they didn't eat this meal today, who knows what message she would pass on when she got back.
It's not good for a daughter-in-law to have a stereotype of her in-laws before she even meets them. Besides, this Guo Xueyun is shrewd and more sophisticated than Qiao Xuemei. She's a university teacher with social standing, so Jiang Wanqing needs to figure her out to prevent any problems from arising.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, Guo Xueyun greeted the owner, and the two exchanged a glance.
"Boss, please serve the dishes as I told you beforehand."
"Okay!"
As soon as they sat down, Guo Xueyun diligently helped Cheng Ran wash the dishes and chopsticks, poured him water, and kept moving the stool closer to him. Jiang Wanqing saw all of this.
"Comrade Wanqing, I won't help you. Just eat whatever you want later, don't be shy. Here, Cheng Ran, this is for you..."
As she spoke, she tried to place the drink in Cheng Ran's hand, but he deliberately avoided it, his expression darkening.
“My leg is injured, not my hand. You don’t need to feed me water. I’m not used to it, and I don’t like it.”
“I…I didn’t mean that. You took care of me like this when I was injured before, so I thought…”
She brought it up on purpose, but Cheng Ran immediately explained and exposed her.
"That was when you were four or five years old. I only treated you as a little sister. It's different now."
He took Jiang Wanqing's hand and pulled her closer to him, so they sat side by side.
“If I need anything, I will tell my wife. You are a guest and do not need to take care of me.”
Guo Xueyun's face was filled with anger and resentment, and she forced a smile.
"It seems that Comrade Wanqing has indeed taken good care of Cheng Ran these past few months. No wonder he didn't take the opportunity to be transferred back to the Beijing area despite his meritorious service!"
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