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Chapter 76: Young People These Days
Chapter 76: Young People These Days
Jiang Xia didn’t return to the city. She got off the tractor halfway.
What would she do back in the city? She didn’t even know which way the front door of her house opened, or what her parents looked like! If she went to the city, she wouldn’t recognize her own parents on the street.
She couldn’t return to the Zhou family either.
Adults and children live in different worlds. A child who is chased out by their parents would cling to their parents’ legs and cry, "No, no!" But adults can’t afford to lose face or their dignity.
So, Jiang Xia found herself wandering the streets.
Even though she was homeless and alone, she walked slowly, enjoying the picturesque scenery of the fields on both sides. It wasn’t until the dark clouds loomed closer and lightning bolts began to strike that she lost her calm and started running.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t outrun the storm clouds. The heavy rain drenched her from head to toe.
But Jiang Xia made it to the town. She quickly took shelter in a seafood noodle shop and ordered a bowl of seafood noodles.
Breathing slightly heavily, she sat at a table, waiting for the owner to cook her noodles. She watched the torrential rain outside, as if it were trying to engulf the entire world.
I wonder if Zhou Chenglei has returned from his sea voyage? With such heavy rain, it must be dangerous out there.
There were no other customers in the shop at this time, and the seafood noodles were quickly prepared. The owner’s wife brought the bowl to Jiang Xia.
Jiang Xia thanked her and looked at the white noodles covered in a thick sauce, topped with squid rings, baby octopuses, oysters, shrimp, and clams. The sight was enough to make anyone’s mouth water.
She picked up her chopsticks and dug in.
Outside, the rain poured down, quickly turning the town’s roads into a muddy, yellow mess.
Zhou Chenglei sped through the streets on his bicycle, splashing water everywhere. The rain pounded against his face, obstructing his vision, but he didn’t slow down as he raced towards the town’s inn.
The town had an old inn and a newly opened Lotus Inn.
He arrived at the new inn, parked his bicycle, and rushed inside, asking urgently, "Excuse me, did a woman named Jiang Xia check in this afternoon?"
"No. Only two men checked in this afternoon," the receptionist replied without looking up from her knitting.
Zhou Chenglei thanked her and hurried out, heading to the other inn. But he didn’t find Jiang Xia there either.
His heart sank. She didn’t stay in town? Did she go back to the city?
If she stayed in town, it meant she was willing to wait for him.
If she went back to the city, she might have given up and decided not to continue their marriage.
He rode his bicycle back into the streets, determined to search the town before heading to the city.
Jiang Xia wasn’t familiar with the town. She might not have found an inn yet, or she could be hiding from the rain in some shop.
Right, she probably didn’t have lunch. Maybe she went to eat first.
So, Zhou Chenglei rushed to the state-owned restaurant. Finding no one, he continued to search every restaurant, noodle shop, and eatery in town.
By the time Jiang Xia finished her seafood noodles, the rain was still pouring.
The strong wind blew rain into the shop, and the owner went to close the door.
Then he saw a white figure riding a bicycle through the rain. "What a lunatic, not even taking shelter! Is he crazy?"
Hearing this, Jiang Xia stood up and went outside to take a look. She saw the tall figure disappearing into the rain and shouted, "Zhou Chenglei! Zhou Chenglei!"
Seeing him pedal away, she ignored the rain and chased after him. "Zhou Chenglei!"
The rain was so heavy that Zhou Chenglei, who had poor hearing, didn’t hear her. But for some reason, he instinctively looked back and saw the figure that had been etched into his heart, one he could never forget.
Zhou Chenglei squeezed the brakes, planted his foot on the ground, and swerved the bike. The rear of the bicycle swung neatly, sending a splash of water flying far away.
In one swift motion, he coasted up to Jiang Xia, jumped off the bike, and pulled her into his arms.
The noodle shop owner watched the two of them hugging in the rain. "Are they crazy?"
He shook his head. "Young people these days! They're all crazy!"
Another burst of rain blew in, and he quickly shut the door. The rain was so heavy that it drenched the owner's clothes in an instant.
Five minutes later
Drenched to the bone, Zhou Chenglei brought the equally wet Jiang Xia to the newly opened inn. Under the watchful eyes of the receptionist, he presented the introduction letter and checked them in.
Jiang Xia’s letter was a bit damp, but it was wrapped in money, so it wasn’t completely soaked.
Zhou Chenglei had also taken precautions and obtained an introduction letter before leaving the production team. He had even borrowed a hundred yuan from the team leader and wrapped the letter and his wallet in plastic to protect them from the rain.
Once the door to their room closed, Zhou Chenglei pulled Jiang Xia into his arms again, holding her tightly. His face buried in her neck, he whispered, "I'm sorry."
This time, Jiang Xia didn’t return his embrace. Instead, she pushed him away. "Talk properly!"
Zhou Chenglei’s body tensed, and he obediently released her. He stood straight, his hands at his sides, eyes fixed on her, waiting for her to speak.
If she were to demand a divorce, he would never agree.
Jiang Xia looked at Zhou Chenglei, drenched and looking like a forlorn puppy, his eyes pleading. Despite his military posture, which was as perfect as a soldier awaiting his superior’s reprimand, he looked incredibly vulnerable.
His appearance made the lingering resentment in Jiang Xia’s heart dissipate. She found herself saying, "You’re all wet. It’s uncomfortable to hold you."
Jiang Xia scowled and glared at him.
Zhou Chenglei felt a wave of relief but also a deeper sense of sorrow. He was touched by her quiet strength, how she swallowed all her grievances without a fuss. He couldn’t help but pull her back into his arms, holding her tightly. "It won’t happen again. I promise I will never let you suffer any more, I swear!"
Jiang Xia didn’t respond, but she didn’t push him away either.
Worried about her getting cold, Zhou Chenglei held her for a bit longer, then kissed her forehead. "I’ll go buy you some dry clothes."
He glanced into the bathroom. "Go take a shower. There’s hot water, and don’t catch a cold. I’ll be back soon."
With that, Zhou Chenglei pulled open the door and strode out.
Jiang Xia looked around the room.
The inn was clearly new. The walls were pristine white, the checkered curtains were fresh, and the bed looked clean. There was a desk and a fan, and the room even had a bathroom.
She stepped inside and noticed a brand-new old-style water heater on the wall, confirming that she could indeed take a shower.
But Jiang Xia couldn’t possibly take a shower now. What if he came back and found her in the middle of it?
(End of Chapter)
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