Chapter 111: Discussing the Travel Plans (Seeking First-Day Subscriptions)

Tian Shangguo was gone for more than an hour before he returned, carrying a great many paper goods and writing supplies: fountain pens, pencils, notebooks, graph paper pads, folded sheets of white paper, everything he could think of.

“Why did you buy so much?” Zhong Yuxiu asked in puzzlement.

“You’ll need them, so I bought extra.”

She took it all in stride and gave a slight nod. “Then put them in the storeroom. Come and take them when you need them. You’ve worked hard; Hao Nan probably still has a while before he comes back. Put things away and rest for a bit.”

“All right.”

The purchases were carried to the storeroom and set on a small table there. They were still sealed, and there was no intention of opening them yet; there was no rush.

Tian Shangguo washed his hands in the bathroom before going to sit on the sofa. Across from him, the young woman was seated with a book in her hands, reading with complete concentration.

“Comrade Zhong.”

“What is it?” Zhong Yuxiu looked up.

“Nothing.” Tian Shangguo shook his head. “Are you going out again this afternoon?”

“Hard to say. It depends on whether Comrade Yan can recover this afternoon.”

“That works too. You’ve been studying at the medical college lately, and it’s been a long time since you last went to Hua University. Would you like to take a walk there? Hua University still hasn’t broken up for the holidays.”

The medical college went on vacation as soon as the exams were over, but Hua University was different; even after the exams, classes would still continue for a day or two.

“Hua University should be soon as well.” Zhong Yuxiu hesitated, then said, “If Comrade Yan doesn’t come this afternoon, then we’ll go to Hua University. If he does recover, then we’ll go tomorrow.”

She had already promised Yan Rushan first.

“All right.”

The hall fell quiet, each absorbed in their own affairs. When Hao Nan returned, this was the scene he found.

“Comrade Zhong, I’ve handed the things over to Xi Nian. He said he’d have someone make them as quickly as possible and send them to you.”

As he spoke, his gaze swept around the room. “Where’s Goudan?”

Zhong Yuxiu pointed toward the kitchen. “Inside.”

“Is Goudan already making lunch?” Hao Nan glanced toward the kitchen, then decisively headed that way. “I’m going to take a look.”

Zhong Yuxiu made no comment. Tian Shangguo stood up. “Comrade Zhong, I’ll go help in the kitchen.”

“Go ahead.”

Once the two of them left, the hall became truly still.

Zhong Yuxiu had poured all her attention into her medical texts and had drawn up a preliminary list of substitute herbs. Still, the possibility remained that the substitutes might fail.

At noon, Yan Rushan stepped into the Zhong residence wearing a Zhongshan suit. Zhong Yuxiu was still reading a medical book.

“Yuxiu, I’m here.”

“Hm?” She looked up in confusion, then smiled when she saw him. “Did you sleep well?”

“I did. This afternoon I’ll take you out to have some fun.”

She nodded. “All right. Have you eaten lunch? If not, eat here.”

“I haven’t.”

Yan Rushan shook his head, then called out familiarly, “Goudan, add another set of bowls and chopsticks for me. I’m having lunch here.”

Beep, beep, beep.

After answering, the voice did not come out, but Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo soon emerged from the kitchen carrying dishes. One held a basin of red soup; the other carried a plate of stir-fried cured pork.

“Hello, Comrade Yan.”

“Hello, Comrade Yan.”

Yan Rushan nodded to the two of them. “You’re both well. Thank you for your trouble. I’ll help set the table. Yuxiu, it’s time to wash your hands and eat.”

His practiced tone and easy manner made it clear he was often here to share meals, as though this were all perfectly ordinary.

“All right.” Zhong Yuxiu held her book and insisted on finishing the page at hand. She folded the corner and closed it, but did not immediately go to wash her hands. Instead, she leaned back on the sofa and savored what she had just read.

One could not expect to memorize everything at a glance. If she did not study carefully and delve into the text properly, especially in books on traditional medicine, then in the end she would only grasp the superficial surface of things; the meanings within would never carve themselves into her mind.

By the time Yan Rushan and the others had set the dishes on the table, Zhong Yuxiu was still reclining on the sofa with her eyes closed.

“Zhong—” Hao Nan started to call out, but Tian Shangguo quickly tugged him back.

Not understanding, Hao Nan looked at him. “What are you doing?”

“Don’t make trouble,” Tian Shangguo said hurriedly, steering him away.

Yan Rushan glanced at them, then walked to Zhong Yuxiu’s side and took her hand.

Only then did she open her eyes. “Is it time to eat?”

“Yes, it’s on the table.” Holding her hand, Yan Rushan led her toward the bathroom. At the doorway he gently nudged her inside. “Wash your hands and come eat.”

“Oh.”

After washing up and coming out, Zhong Yuxiu looked at the tall, composed man standing before her. Ever since he had returned, he had changed. He was no longer the restrained educated youth who had gone down to the countryside; by now, he seemed like a man capable of bearing every burden and every responsibility. After all, he was the eldest grandson of the Yan family.

The third generation of the Yan family had no one serving in the military. Yan Rushan’s parents were both in the armed forces, yet there was no successor to take their place.

“What is it?” Yan Rushan extended a hand.

Looking down at the water still beading on her fingers, Zhong Yuxiu placed one hand into his palm without the slightest hesitation. She watched as Yan Rushan’s expression shifted, then, with admirable composure, he closed his fingers around her hand.

Zhong Yuxiu laughed softly. Then, with a sudden playful motion, she reached out and wiped his face with her hand before slipping free of his grasp. Tilting her head, she gave him a mischievous smile and strode briskly toward the dining room, her bright laughter drifting behind her and leaving him standing there alone.

Yan Rushan touched the water on his face, only to realize that her hand had been even wetter. His eye twitched almost imperceptibly. He went into the bathroom, took the towel he usually used to wipe his hands and face, then took out a small white cloth afterward, the one Zhong Yuxiu used exclusively for drying her hands.

When he reached the table, he met her smiling gaze, took her hand, and carefully wiped it clean. He set the towel on the chair beside him, then picked up the chopsticks in front of him and placed them in her hand, speaking under her amused, teasing look.

“Eat.”

Hao Nan rubbed his stomach, feeling oddly full already, even though he had not eaten a single bite.

Tian Shangguo lowered his head in silence, but when his eye caught Hao Nan’s dumbfounded expression, he suddenly had the urge to press a hand to his forehead. He raised his gaze again and saw that the two opposite them were perfectly at ease: one cool and reserved, the other bright with laughter. What a beautifully affectionate young couple.

There were four dishes and one soup on the table. The soup was beef in red chili oil, with potatoes and radishes nestled underneath. It was fine mixed with rice, but to drink it straight would have been far too greasy. Two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes: not many, but generous in portion.

After eating and drinking her fill, Zhong Yuxiu leaned lazily back in her chair. “What should we have for dinner?”

“We’re going out to play this afternoon, so we’ll eat outside tonight.” Yan Rushan said, “We’ll go to Quanjude and have roast duck. I already made a reservation.”

“You reserved it this morning?”

Yan Rushan nodded. “Yes. I went before I came back. It’s booked for tonight. I had originally planned to take you to the Great Wall and then to Tiananmen Square. One day would have been enough; after we finished sightseeing, we could have gone straight to eat. Unfortunately, I delayed matters, so we won’t make it to the Great Wall today.”

“It’s all right. I live in Shangjing; when isn’t there time to go?” The original owner of this body seemed to have gone there before, too.

“I’ll take you tomorrow.” Yan Rushan pressed his lips together. Once he had promised something, he could not go back on it.

Zhong Yuxiu let out a soft sigh, a trace of guilt stirring in her heart. “Unfortunately, tomorrow won’t do. I have to go to Hua University. It’s a busy season there, and I need to go back and lend a hand.”

“Did they ask you to return?”

“No.” Zhong Yuxiu shook her head. “They didn’t ask me to go back, but I can’t just pretend I know nothing.”