Chapter 124
The ship of time will carry everyone who wants to return to their dream hometown.
Qian Ziyi was one of the first educated youths to go to Xinyao County. His family was poor and he had been leading a hard life in Batou Village. It was normal for him to have little food and clothing.
But for the educated youth, the most difficult thing was not material but spiritual.
The confused young educated youth had no education, no future, and could not see where their future lay.
To want to get a book in a place like Batou Village was simply a fool's dream. Qian Ziyi endured poverty and hunger, lying on his head in the desolate utopia, and was self-absorbed.
Until one day, Song Xiaohong found him a book by Dostoevsky. She didn't know the writer, let alone what the book was about. She just saw the dryness in Qian Ziyi's eyes and wanted to help this young man.
That's how the two met.
Later, Song Xiaohong often borrowed books for Qian Ziyi and they gradually became familiar with each other.
Later, the dormitory for educated youth in Batou Village collapsed. Qian Ziyi stayed at Zhang Cuihua's house. Song Xiaohong divorced and returned home. The two had more contact and their relationship gradually deteriorated.
Qian Ziyi has been doing research and development abroad in recent years. He devoted all his energy to scientific research and thus delayed the important events in his life.
Last month, someone wanted to be a matchmaker for Qian Ziyi, but Qian Ziyi just couldn't take this step.
He suddenly realized that he couldn't let go of Song Xiaohong.
Even though they haven't seen each other for many years, he still keeps a place for Song Xiaohong in his heart.
Song Xiaohong was married and had children, but this was nothing to Zhen Zhen.
However, their educational levels were very different, and Qian Ziyi had lived abroad. If they had no common topics, it would be a torture for them to get along with each other.
Qian Ziyi was not worried. "Auntie Zhen, Song Xiaohong didn't go to college, not because she was incapable, but because of the limitations of the times and her family background. This did not affect her personality. I know very well that she is a kind person."
How could an old woman like Zhen Zhen possibly stop a young man from falling in love?
"Ziyi, Xiaohong hasn't married yet. Like you, she has devoted herself to her work over the years and is now an outstanding fashion designer."
Qian Ziyi was surprised and said, "She is indeed better than I thought."
Zhen Zhen told Qian Ziyi about Song Xiaohong's growth over the years.
Song Xiaohong helps Batou Village and Focus Women's Wear make clothes. She goes out for further studies regularly and has also studied in France and Italy. She is a girl who has seen the world.
"Her family has also escaped poverty. Your aunt Cuihua follows me to make chili sauce. Xiaoyu is in charge of selecting locations for the Focus Women's Clothing Store. She often travels on business and has a good salary. Song Xiaohong's brother has also started a family and makes a living by growing medicinal herbs. He just bought a few tumble machines last month and plans to make sweaters part-time."
Qian Ziyi sighed that over the past decade, Xinyao County has undergone tremendous changes, and it is no wonder that so many buildings have been built in the county center.
"I want to meet Song Xiaohong, is that okay?"
Zhen Zhen pondered:
"Of course I can, but I need Xiaohong's consent. You can stay at my house first, and let me say hello to your aunt Cuihua."
Qian Ziyi nodded repeatedly. He was very tired after taking a plane and then a train.
Cheng Su cooked two dishes for him, and Zhen Zhen helped him clean up the guest room and let him stay at home.
Qian Ziyi looked around the Meng family's house. It was not luxurious at all, but it was very tidy. There was a small flower bed on the first floor and two rocking chairs on the terrace on the third floor. It was obvious that they lived a comfortable life there.
Qian Ziyi imagined what Song Xiaohong looked like, and fell asleep with his head resting on the warm quilt.
Zhen Zhen drove to Batou Village and told Zhang Cuihua about this.
Zhang Cuihua didn't react for a moment, and was stunned for a long time before she said:
"Qian Ziyi? Did that guy go abroad for further studies? Did he become an expert? My God, Guizhi, our little village is really full of hidden talents, and has produced many talented people."
Zhen Zhen couldn't stand her. "Is this the main point? The main point is that Qian Ziyi likes your daughter Song Xiaohong and wants to meet her to ask her what she thinks. What do you think as a mother? Do you agree or not?"
How could Zhang Cuihua not agree!
Qian Ziyi is a good person and is willing to serve his country. How could she find fault with him?
She said that Song Xiaohong refused to go on a blind date no matter what, and it turned out that she had Qian Ziyi in her heart.
"Oh my God! Look at these two! If they like each other, why didn't they say it earlier? They have been so hesitant for so many years, and they have wasted so much time!"
Zhen Zhen was also quite emotional. If Song Xiaohong didn't want to get married, that would be fine. But if she still had Qian Ziyi in her heart, these years had indeed not been easy.
Zhang Cuihua went to the wool sweater workshop and called Song Xiaohong back. Song Xiaohong thought Zhen Zhen came to her to discuss clothing styles, but when she heard the name "Qian Ziyi", she was stunned.
"Auntie Guizhi, who are you talking about?"
"Qian Ziyi."
Seeing her like this, Zhen Zhen knew that Song Xiaohong had Qian Ziyi in her heart.
But people these days are very reserved. If you don’t speak up, I won’t speak up either. Transportation and communication are inconvenient, so it’s common to miss each other for decades.
"Xiaohong, true lovers are hard to come by in this world. If you and Qian Ziyi have feelings for each other, don't delay any longer. Get to know each other and get things done quickly!"
Song Xiaohong got on Zhen Zhen's horse and went to the county town with a heavy heart.
She felt like she was dreaming. After so many years, Qian Ziyi hadn't gotten married and had come back to find her?
Zhang Cuihua also followed, and when she saw Qian Ziyi coming down from the upstairs, her eyes blurred.
In the past, Qian Ziyi wore a rustic blue cloth shirt and glasses and looked silly. He didn't have the elegant and elite style he has now!
"Zi Yi!"
"Aunt Cuihua!" Qian Ziyi walked up quickly and gave Zhang Cuihua a big hug.
This foreign style made Zhang Cuihua feel embarrassed.
Zhang Cuihua's eyes were moistened. "After more than ten years, we can still see each other. What kind of fate is this!"
The educated youth were like trapped birds, eager to return to the city, leaving only memories of them to the poor villagers.
After the hug, Qian Ziyi turned his gaze to Song Xiaohong.
Song Xiaohong was thinner than before. She wore a black down jacket and her skin was well-maintained, but time still left some marks on her. Strangely, Qian Ziyi felt that these marks made him feel at ease.
If you love someone, you shouldn't just love her young appearance.
Qian Ziyi feels that his love can cross mountains and seas. He still thinks that Song Xiaohong is charming and has the unique beauty that time has given to women.
Cheng Su nudged Qian Ziyi and said, "There's a cafe and restaurant next to the Zhenxin Department Store. You can go to the fifth floor to watch a movie after dinner. Do you have any RMB? Do you want me to give you some money?"
"I have money, thank you, Cheng Su."
Zhen Zhen smiled and said, "Do you have a driver's license? You can drive my car out."
Qian Ziyi did not refuse. He not only learned professional skills abroad, but also learned the romance of a gentleman.
He hoped that his reunion with Song Xiaohong would be easy and happy.
Cheng Su called Meng Nan to gossip about this matter. Meng Nan was so excited that he almost bought a ticket back to witness her aunt Xiao Hong's romantic history.
Who would have thought that just after Qian Ziyi left, Xu Wei's car drove to the door of the house.
His face was full of excitement. "Sister Zhen, I heard that Mr. Qian Ziyi, the expert who just returned from abroad, came to your house?"
“Here we go, and then away again!”
"What? How could you let him go?" Xu Wei looked as if the sky had fallen.
"Why can't you leave?"
Xu Wei regretted slapping his thigh, "Do you know what kind of technology he has? The higher-ups just gave me a heads-up, saying that we must keep him for China! As long as he needs it, the country can provide all the economic and technical support, and equip him with a full team so that he can give full play to his strengths and serve the country!"
Only then did Zhen Zhen know that Qian Ziyi was well-known abroad and was actually a leader in a cutting-edge industry.