Chapter 24: Yan Rushan Arrives

Xu Hongqi smiled and shook her head. “No need to pour water for me. I’ll be leaving in a moment—I still have to go back to school for lunch. I just wanted to know where you live, so next time I can drop by for a visit.”

“All right, then let’s have a chat,” replied Zhong Yuxiu, thinking that serving plain water to a guest wasn’t quite right.

The two entered the main room. Xu Hongqi surveyed the layout; there was a door on each side of the central hall, clearly leading to two separate rooms.

“The courtyard is big, and the house is spacious too. Aren’t you afraid living here alone?”

“What’s there to be afraid of?” Zhong Yuxiu replied, not understanding the concern. “The security around Huada University is quite good.”

Xu Hongqi sighed inwardly. “You’re right. I really envy you, being able to live alone in such a large courtyard.”

“When we graduate and work hard, we’ll have our own houses and money as well. We’re the first batch of university students after all—the future holds endless possibilities for us.” It would all depend on effort. She vaguely recalled from historical records that, after the decade of turmoil, the first generation of graduates went into various fields and many became leading figures.

“Yes, I’m working hard for the future now,” Xu Hongqi said, only a little envious. She wasn’t the type to covet what didn’t belong to her. “Zhong, how did you feel about today’s class? Could you follow along? I felt a bit muddled.”

Zhong Yuxiu replied calmly, “I understood it.”

“How did you manage that? Why is it that I can’t understand? I’m confused about so many things.”

As they spoke, the conversation shifted to academics. After a while, Xu Hongqi’s confusion cleared, and she couldn’t help but feel admiration.

“Zhong, how is your mind so sharp?”

“Our school should have a library. We should visit often and read the relevant books.” After so many years of disruption, there was a vast gap in knowledge; many were strangers to subjects like physics, lacking even a basic understanding. Besides consulting professors, the only place to seek answers was the library.

Xu Hongqi nodded earnestly. “You’re right. I should go find out where the library is. Zhong, I’ll head off now. I’ll come visit you again next time.”

“All right.”

She saw Xu Hongqi out, watching her disappear in the distance. Just as she was about to return inside, she noticed a familiar figure passing by Xu Hongqi and coming this way.

“Comrade Yan?!”

When he approached, Zhong Yuxiu asked, “Comrade Yan, long time no see. Are you here looking for someone?”

“Aren’t you supposed to call me Brother Yan?”

“Oh,” Zhong Yuxiu sighed helplessly. “Brother Yan.”

Yan Rushan’s eyes glimmered with a hint of amusement, though his face remained expressionless. “I am indeed here to see someone.”

“Well, then, I won’t keep you. Goodbye.” With that, Zhong Yuxiu moved to shut the courtyard gate. Yan Rushan’s expression deepened. “I came to see you, especially to see you.”

“Me?” Her hand paused on the gate, eyes full of surprise. “Is there something you need, Brother Yan?”

Yan Rushan nodded lightly. “Can we talk inside?”

“Come in.” Zhong Yuxiu stepped back to let him into the courtyard and led him into the main room. “Would you like some water, Brother Yan?”

“Yes, please,” Yan Rushan replied naturally.

Zhong Yuxiu hesitated, then said, “I’ll fetch you a cup. I just moved in and haven’t boiled any hot water—only cool water for now, is that all right?”

“Anything is fine.”

“Just a moment.” Zhong Yuxiu left for the kitchen and returned with a bowl of cool water. “I’m afraid the hospitality is lacking. Please forgive me.”

Yan Rushan shook his head slightly, a soft smile at the corner of his lips. “No matter. I know you’re not used to housework or cooking. Are you settling in well here?”

“It’s fine—quiet, and the courtyard is big enough for one person.” Wasn’t he supposed to have something to discuss? Why was he asking such unrelated questions?

“That’s good. Take good care of yourself.”

Zhong Yuxiu grew more puzzled. “Brother Yan, didn’t you say you needed something from me?”

Yan Rushan took a sip of water. “Nothing in particular. I just wanted to check on you. You’ve just arrived in the capital, and you’re all alone…”

The words hung unfinished, but Zhong Yuxiu understood. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t moved. When they were sent down to the countryside, Yan Rushan had always looked out for her, and even more so upon their return. Now, even in the capital, he still thought of her. By comparison, she seemed so unfeeling.

“Since you’re settled in, I can set my mind at ease.” Yan Rushan set down his bowl and stood up. “I should be going.”

“I’ll see you out,” Zhong Yuxiu said.

“No need.” As he waved her off and walked out of the main room, Yan Rushan paused, turned back to her, and said, “If you ever need help, just ask. I still have some connections in the capital.”

Zhong Yuxiu hesitated—for she needed iron and research materials.

Yan Rushan’s eyes softened. “If you lack anything, just say so. You’ve just arrived and don’t know your way around. There are things you can’t get without the right connections.”

“I need iron—can’t get new iron, but scrap iron would do.”

“I have a childhood friend at Capital Steel. He can get new iron. How much do you need? I’ll have him arrange it.”

“Is that possible? I heard iron can’t be bought or traded freely,” Zhong Yuxiu said uncertainly, unfamiliar with the rules of the era.

Yan Rushan nodded firmly. “It’s possible. He has some standing at Capital Steel—it won’t be a problem for him to get a bit of new iron.”

“That’s wonderful.” Zhong Yuxiu expressed her gratitude. “Could you trouble him for ten pounds of new iron? If there’s scrap iron, please get some of that as well. I need both.”

“What do you need so much iron for? Iron isn’t food, and it’s heavy. If there’s something you want made, I could take you to Capital Steel and find someone to make it for you.”

Zhong Yuxiu hesitated a moment. Under Yan Rushan’s steady, composed gaze, she finally spoke. “I want to do some research. Lately, I’ve been working on something new; if I can succeed, it’ll save me a lot of trouble—give me more time for research.”

Seeing this, Yan Rushan understood that she wouldn’t reveal anything until her research succeeded.

“I’ll bring it to you tomorrow. When you succeed, let me be the first to know—deal?”

“That won’t do,” Zhong Yuxiu replied with a playful smile as Yan Rushan frowned. “The first to know will of course be me.”

Yan Rushan’s frown eased, his handsome face breaking into a bright, infectious smile, one hand clenched behind his back.

“Then can I be the second to know?”

“You look so good when you smile. Just for that, I agree.”

Yan Rushan laughed softly, feeling a rare delight in his own expression. “It’s a deal?”

“It’s a deal. As soon as I succeed, I’ll notify you first.”

After seeing Yan Rushan off, Zhong Yuxiu felt cheerful. She ate a simple dinner, washed up, and lay on her bed. Recalling all that had happened since she arrived in this world, she suddenly realized how much Yan Rushan seemed to have relaxed, so different from the days at the educated youth point.

Back then, he had suppressed his true nature, even stifling all his interests, working hard to get through each day. The Yan Rushan she’d seen today—how to put it—seemed at ease, as if he’d laid down every burden, his body and mind both lightened.

She didn’t know why Yan Rushan had gone to the countryside in the first place—whether out of passion or due to circumstance—but she had to admit, his adaptability was remarkable. No matter where he ended up, he managed to live well.