Chapter 4: It's Not Like I'm Anyone to You

The corn wasn't easy to divide, so Huang Ying told them to keep it for the three siblings to share later.

Mother and two sons divided the sweet potatoes, taking turns eating bite by bite, enjoying them thoroughly.

They didn't notice the three people approaching from the side.

"Big Sister, look who I brought for you!"

Gao Qingya bounced in front of Gao Qinghe, startling the half-eaten sweet potato right out of her hand onto the ground.

Gao Qiaomiao glanced toward his little sister's back.

Seeing Zhou Zhenghua in a black executive jacket and an unfamiliar young woman, his heart sank.

He hurriedly looked back, only to see his big sister calmly pick up the fallen sweet potato, blow on it, and pop it into her mouth in one bite.

He didn't know if it was an illusion, but Gao Qiaomiao always felt she ate that bite with vicious relish.

But looking closely, his big sister showed not the slightest hint of being bothered by the pretty young female comrade beside Zhou Zhenghua.

"Ying Auntie." Zhou Zhenghua smiled and nodded at Huang Ying.

Huang Ying quite liked this young man from next door; otherwise she wouldn't have tacitly allowed her eldest daughter to carry on an ambiguous courtship with him.

But thinking of how her eldest daughter had fainted and been hospitalized, and he was clearly in the county seat yet never showed up...

Huang Ying's warm smile instantly vanished, replaced by a suspicious look at the young woman beside Zhou Zhenghua.

Sensing Huang Ying's gaze, the young woman gave her a polite but distant smile.

But the disdain in her eyes wasn't perfectly concealed.

She looked about the same age as Gao Qinghe, not tall, about 1.55 meters, with delicate features.

But she dressed fashionably, wearing a goose-yellow wool coat, her hair permed in big waves, a white plastic headband, carrying a red leatherette satchel.

Youthful and radiant, she carried a confident, poised air that small-town girls lacked.

Young men and women passing by couldn't help stealing extra glances at her.

Feeling those gazes, she tilted her chin up even more proudly, with two parts hostility, scrutinizing Gao Qinghe.

But she soon discovered that those envious eyes on her...

The moment they landed on Gao Qinghe in her red jacket and black trousers, they turned into stunned admiration.

Even she herself felt a pang of inferiority before that strikingly beautiful face.

Gao Qinghe was tall and slender; the most countrified red jacket and black trousers looked retro-chic on her.

A lazy braid draped diagonally across her shoulder; her complexion hadn't fully recovered, her face slightly pale, lips red without rouge, a pair of bright eyes like autumn water rippling with what seemed like pure innocence.

Noticing the obvious bruise on her forehead, it tugged at the heart.

"Qinghe." Zhou Zhenghua stepped forward with concern, "Are you alright?"

He had a kind face, the rugged masculine ideal of the era, thick sword brows giving him a righteous air.

A late-eighties university graduate, assigned to the grassroots as village party secretary for polishing.

Then noticed by higher-ups, specially sent to the county cadre school for further study.

At the peak of his ambition, his eyes full of grand plans; indeed more charismatic than those mediocre second-generation peers.

Gao Qinghe admitted her taste in men was indeed good.

Character aside, whether the current Zhou Zhenghua or the later Jiang Baohei, at least they were both pleasing to the eye.

She had thought seeing Zhou Zhenghua from forty years ago again would trigger violent emotional swings.

She might even lose control and rush up to beat him senseless.

But in fact, seeing this man showing her concern...

Gao Qinghe only felt fortunate.

Being back at twenty was great; she could live good days without scumbags ever again.

"How did your forehead swell like this."

Zhou Zhenghua was genuinely distressed, eyes full of worry.

Gao Qinghe tilted her head, dodging his hand reaching to examine her forehead.

Zhou Zhenghua's movement froze; he looked at her.

Seeing her pretty face expressionless, he thought she was angry he hadn't come visit sooner.

She'd always been like this—regardless of outsiders present, she'd turn cold in an instant.

Zhou Zhenghua helplessly withdrew his hand, proactively introducing the fashionable female comrade beside him.

"This is Comrade Ouyang Yan, a new teacher at County No.1 Middle School, studying at the cadre school with me."

Zhou Zhenghua introduced Gao Qinghe to Ouyang Yan: "This is my neighbor's girl, we grew up together."

Neighbor's girl?

Gao Qiaomiao and Gao Qingya simultaneously looked at Zhou Zhenghua in surprise.

Shouldn't he say she's his girlfriend?

Everyone in Shanghe Village Second Production Team knew the eldest sister was waiting for university student Zhou Zhenghua to graduate and return to marry her.

Though the two never publicly acknowledged their relationship, in both the Gao and Zhou families' eyes, they were in a courtship.

So in Zhou Zhenghua's eyes, big sister was just his good neighbor girl?

A ball of fire instantly flared in Gao Qingya's belly; she wanted to remind Zhou Zhenghua.

But was stopped by Gao Qiaomiao.

Gao Qingya whispered: "What are you doing?"

Gao Qiaomiao didn't speak, just signaled her to watch big sister's reaction.

Zhou Zhenghua also noticed Gao Qingya's little move; he guiltily glanced at Gao Qinghe.

Based on his understanding of her, she'd definitely be unhappy.

But in fact, what he said wasn't wrong—they'd never formally gone public.

Now was a critical period for his career; he didn't want colleagues and leaders knowing he had a girlfriend, afraid they'd think he was distracted by romance and couldn't accomplish great things.

Qinghe liked him so much; she'd surely understand his helplessness.

Later when there was a chance, he'd explain properly.

Seeing Zhou Zhenghua's placating gaze, Gao Qinghe's lips curved in a proper smile.

That was right; he knew Qinghe would understand.

Zhou Zhenghua was about to breathe in relief.

Then he heard Gao Qinghe politely say: "Right, Zhou Zhenghua and I are just ordinary neighbors, we have no relationship whatsoever."

"Never did before, never will in the future." Gao Qinghe deliberately added.

Zhou Zhenghua's heart shook; he looked at her in shock: "Qinghe?"

Gao Qinghe didn't look at him, as if they really were just ordinary neighbors.

Joy flashed in Ouyang Yan's heart; the hostility in her eyes vanished instantly. She stepped forward two steps, extending her hand to Gao Qinghe.

"Hello Qinghe, may I ask where you work? If there's time later we can all hang out; I'd like to get to know Big Brother Zhou better through you."

Finished, she shyly stole a quick glance at Zhou Zhenghua.

Even a blind person could see Ouyang Yan liked Zhou Zhenghua.

Gao Qinghe shook her head. "No need for hangouts. If you want to know Zhou Zhenghua, ask him yourself; we're not close."

"Qinghe, you're angry?"

Zhou Zhenghua laughed awkwardly, terrified Gao Qinghe might say something more.

He hurriedly apologized, saying he should've come visit earlier but work was too busy to get away.

Gao Qinghe smiled politely: "It's fine, I'm not anyone to you anyway."

The three-wheeler arrived.

Gao Chongyi shouted from the vehicle for the mother and daughters to get on.

Seeing Zhou Zhenghua there, he wanted to greet this successful future son-in-law, but then saw the radiant Ouyang Yan beside him.

Then looking at the strange atmosphere between his wife and children.

Gao Chongyi decisively suppressed the urge to greet Zhou Zhenghua, telling his son and youngest daughter to help big sister onto the vehicle—time to go home.

"Wishing you happiness."

Gao Qinghe gave a shallow smile to the young couple who would become husband and wife.

Pulling her bewildered mother onto the vehicle.

Gao Chongyi barked at the stunned siblings: "If you don't want to ride, walk back yourselves!"

No way!

Gao Qiaomiao and Gao Qingya scrambled onto the three-wheeler.

New book released, same rule: updates every morning at 8 AM sharp. Welcome to collect and recommend.

(End of Chapter)