The first snow of 1963 came suddenly, and the earth was covered in white overnight. Tang Cuixiang had just started working at the Urban Construction Bureau. Although she was just a junior staff member, college students were a rare breed in those days, so she was highly valued in the department.
With the experience accumulated over two lifetimes, she is quite adept at dealing with people and situations. Although she has the body of a woman, she has the heart of a man.
She speaks and acts with the composure of a mature man and knows how to handle things. When she first arrived, the dormitory was for ten people, but within a few months, she was moved to a four-person dormitory. Her roommates all had high school, vocational school, or junior college education and were relatively easy to get along with. The only downside was that she couldn't cook.
The food in the cafeteria was just enough to fill her stomach. She was a college student, and her monthly internship salary was 48.5 yuan. Since she had money and was alone, she naturally wanted to eat better. So, for dinner, she would go out and treat herself to something special.
No matter how heavy the snow, as long as I put on my hat, wrap myself in my cotton-padded coat, and hunch my shoulders, I would head out of the company gate.
Because it snowed today, she specially changed into a pair of worn-out cotton shoes, so she wouldn't feel bad even if they got wet.
She had just started working and shouldn't be too high-profile. Although she had the money to buy leather cotton boots, she still had to be careful since everyone around her, regardless of age, wore cloth cotton shoes.
Unlike her sisters who have a knack for making money, even though her salary isn't low, she still has to be discreet about saving money where possible.
But she didn't expect to see a familiar figure as soon as she stepped out, and the security guard even said something happily.
"Comrade Tang, you've come at the right time! This Comrade Huangfu is looking for you!"
Tang Cuixiang was somewhat bewildered when faced with Huangfu Biao, who had chased her from Kaishi to Luoshi.
How did you know I was here?
"We've known each other for a while now, so I should be able to find out about your new job through some connections. Are you heading out?"
Seeing that Huangfu Biao had been covered in snow and his face was frozen stiff, even though Cuixiang disliked him, she couldn't bring herself to send him away immediately.
He immediately scoffed, "What relationship? Isn't it all because of Meng Dalong's connections?"
Meng Dalong was a full-time employee at the state-owned restaurant where she worked part-time, and he was also her friend. She had said goodbye to them before she left.
"Hehe, I knew I couldn't hide it from you," he said awkwardly, scratching his head. The 1.8-meter-tall man stood in front of her, who was only 1.6 meters tall, looking rather simple-minded.
"Hey, let me treat you to dinner. I'm starving too. But you should take this to your dorm first. It's inconvenient to carry around, and your hands will get cold."
Tang Cuixiang then noticed that he was carrying a canvas bag with the words "Shanghai" printed on it. At first, she thought it was his luggage.
"Give me?
"I can't accept it. I already refused you last time, Brother Biao."
He interrupted her before she could finish speaking.
"Look at what you're saying. If you can't be in a relationship, can't you even be friends?"
Look how far I've come, carrying all this stuff; it's quite heavy.
The two of them argued at the door for a long time. As people from the company came out one after another after get off work, they all cast curious glances at the two of them.
Tang Cuixiang didn't want to be gossiped about so soon after starting her job.
With a sigh, she reluctantly accepted it, and the weight in her hand surprised her.
"What did you bring me? It's so heavy!"
"There's nothing special, just local specialties. Take them back and try them."
If you like it, just let me know, and I'll bring it for you next time I come.
Upon hearing this, Tang Cuixiang wanted to return the bag immediately.
What's wrong with this person? He hasn't even explained things clearly this time, and he's already thinking about the future?
"Alright, hurry up and take it in. Look how long I've been waiting, it's so cold."
Seeing that her expression had changed, Huangfu Biao quickly urged her on.
Cuixiang didn't know that she couldn't postpone this any longer, so she could only say so.
"Then wait for me here for a while,"
Huangfu Biao was overjoyed to see that she accepted it.
"Hey, don't rush. The roads are slippery from the snow, so be careful."
See, with this back and forth, his opportunity has come, hasn't it?
He had finally found a wife who suited his taste, a college graduate, and even had a good job; he couldn't give her up so easily.
When Cuixiang returned to her dormitory, she locked herself in the closet without even checking what was inside.
When she came out again, she was surprised to see Tao Qing standing not far from Huangfu Biao.
"Brother Tao Qing, what brings you here?"
Logically, you shouldn't call someone by their full name, but "Brother Qing" sounds like a love song, which just feels awkward.
Tao Qing's school wasn't far from their workplace, and they were like family now, so they would visit Cui Ju every few days to have a meal together.
Tao Qing, who was carrying a cloth bag, handed it over upon hearing this.
“My mother made cotton shoes for us when she had time. These are for you and Sister Cuiju. Take them back and try them on to see if they fit.”
Cuixiang accepted it somewhat embarrassedly.
"Thank you for troubling my godmother again,"
"Xiangxiang, who is this?"
Huangfu Biao's sudden interruption reminded Cui Xiang of this guy, so she turned around and pulled Huangfu Biao, who was still standing aside observing Tao Qing, over.
"Brother, let me introduce you. This is Huangfu Biao, a friend I met in Kaishi. He's from Qingdao, and he's been here for three or five years. He's older than you and works as a truck driver."
Then he introduced Tao Qing to Huangfu Biao, saying, "This is my older brother Tao Qing, whom I grew up with. He is a high school teacher."
This was the first time Tao Qing had seen a member of the opposite sex around Tang Cuixiang, and she immediately looked over curiously.
Although the burly man in front of me had a resolute appearance, the fatigue in his eyes suggested that he had come directly from the front lines.
In front of Tang Cuixiang, although he appeared light-hearted and persistent, no matter how tired he was, he always stood up straight.
They have several family members who are soldiers, so I asked out of curiosity.
"The surname Huangfu is quite rare. Is your brother a demobilized soldier?"
Today, Tao Qing was dressed in a proper gray cadre uniform, looking like an old scholar. Although he didn't look very old, his serious and meticulous manner was in line with his professional characteristics.
Huangfu Biao saw that he had hit the nail on the head and immediately nodded in approval.
"I've been out of the military for three years, how could you tell?"
"That's right. It seems that even though you've changed careers, you're still very disciplined in your daily life. Just your calm, composed, upright, and resolute demeanor is enough to impress me."
Huangfu Biao was a little embarrassed by the praise he received right away.
"Brother Tao, you really know how to talk. No wonder you're a teacher. You and Xiangxiang grew up together, didn't you?"
As Tang Cuixiang listened, her face instantly darkened.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Don't call me Xiangxiang. Even my family doesn't call me that cheesy."
Tao Qing calls her Cuixiang. Who gave this guy the right to call her Xiangxiang?
How could a grown man like her have such a effeminate name?
Huangfu Biao chuckled shamelessly after being bluntly confronted by Tang Cuixiang.
"Look, your brother's here, can't you give me some face?"
Be gentle! I've never seen your voice soften since I've known you!
Tang Cuixiang's eyes widened suddenly, clearly not expecting Huangfu Biao to be so bold as to say such disgusting things in front of Tao Qing.
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