Chapter 24: If You Like Wen Zhiqing Too, I Can Help You

""Woo woo, Mom, I feel so awful, really awful.""

After work today, she had gone to the department store and carefully picked out a gift. She planned to ask Li Shuyao to help her arrange a chance to meet Li Tingxuan after the Spring Festival, so she could give him the present and confess her feelings.

But as soon as she got home, she suddenly heard that Sheng Zexi had already married a woman from the countryside. That meant Li Shuyao would have no more chances, and wouldn’t help her anymore.

Did that mean she and Li Tingxuan had no hope at all?

No one knew how Fang Manping was feeling.

It was as if someone had stabbed her hard, as if the beautiful dream she’d been having all this time had shattered in an instant.

""No, no, Pingping, Mom will definitely help you.""

""You came out of Mom’s belly, of course I want you to marry well.""

""Mom understands you.""

Fang Manping choked up and didn’t say anything.

She knew her mother didn’t understand—not how, after being saved by Li Tingxuan, this man had taken root in her heart, growing deeper and deeper ever since.

All these years, she’d been watching Li Tingxuan from afar.

That seed had long since grown into a towering tree.

If someone tried to tear that tree out by force, how could she bear it?

With Fang Wanrong’s soothing words, Fang Manping gradually calmed down.

The next day, after arriving at the performing arts troupe, Fang Manping saw Li Shuyao rehearsing a dance on stage.

She knew Li Shuyao was working so hard because this was her solo dance, and she would be performing it at the Northwest Military District’s New Year’s Eve gala.

Li Shuyao wanted to rehearse well and amaze Sheng Zexi.

Watching Li Shuyao on stage, so confident and radiant like a proud white swan, Fang Manping felt a pang of envy.

Most of the time, she felt like an ugly duckling—she could only hide her feelings for someone deep in her heart, always cautious, not even daring to confess.

""Shuyao, I need to talk to you about my brother,"" Fang Manping said after Li Shuyao finished her dance.

Hearing it was about Sheng Zexi, Li Shuyao immediately came over, her eyes full of anticipation. ""What is it? Tell me quick—is Brother Sheng coming home on leave?""

""No, Shuyao. I just heard from Uncle yesterday—my brother, he’s married!""

When Fang Manping finished, Li Shuyao’s pretty face darkened, as if clouds had rolled in.

""Are you serious? He really married some country woman?""

""Yes.""

""Fine, I got it.""

Fang Manping felt that something was off about Li Shuyao’s expression and couldn’t help but ask, ""Shuyao, are you still going to the Northwest Military District?""

Li Shuyao smiled, but the smile was a little chilling. ""Of course I’m going.""

She wanted to go to the Northwest Military District and see for herself what kind of vixen had bewitched Sheng Zexi into marrying her.

Sheng Zexi could only be hers. If any other woman dared to touch him, she’d tear their skin off—even if they were already married, so what?

At that moment, far away in Huaihua Village, Gu Jianing, who was standing in front of someone’s house, suddenly shivered.

She pulled her cotton-padded jacket tighter and muttered to herself, ""It’s already snowing at the Northwest Military District, it must be even colder than here. I’m already sensitive to the cold—should I prepare some thicker clothes?""

Just then, the door in front of her creaked open, interrupting her thoughts.

A young woman in a gray padded jacket stood before her.

Unlike most girls of this era, who were slender, this girl was even sturdier than most men. Even through her thick clothes, you could see the muscles bulging underneath.

Her skin was a deep wheat color, and compared to the delicate beauty of other girls, her features were rather rough.

She had short hair, only a little longer than a man’s crew cut.

This was Bao Shanyan. In the 1960s, she’d fled famine with her mother Bao Yingzi from another place, and they’d settled in Huaihua Village for over a decade now.

Back then, Bao Shanyan had been just a child, but now she’d grown into a 21-year-old woman.

Through the doorway, Gu Jianing could vaguely see another sturdy figure busy at the stove inside.

She knew that must be Bao Shanyan’s mother.

Because the Bao family consisted of just the mother and daughter.

When Bao Shanyan and her mother first arrived in Huaihua Village, she’d been skinny and small.

She’d grown so strong, people said, because the Bao family had hunter genes.

Apparently, the Bao family specialized in raising female hunters.

And after Bao Shanyan grew up, Bao Yingzi had taught her how to hunt.

So, whenever the village organized a wild boar hunt, Bao Shanyan always led the way—her hunting skills were even better than the men’s.

Even when working in the fields, she and her mother always fulfilled their quotas.

Maybe it was because Bao Shanyan looked so rough and sturdy, lacking any feminine charm, or maybe it was because her family insisted any man who married in would have to join their household, but even though she’d announced her intention to marry years ago, she was still single.

At 21, she was considered an old maid by village standards.

But Gu Jianing knew Bao Shanyan was no simple person—or rather, she hid herself well. She was much more than what she appeared on the surface.

Almost the instant the door opened, Gu Jianing felt as if she were prey, locked onto by Bao Shanyan.

A sharp, jealous glint flashed through Bao Shanyan’s eyes. She quickly asked, puzzled, ""Gu Jianing, you’re looking for me?""

It wasn’t surprising Bao Shanyan was confused. Although they’d lived in the same village for over ten years, they’d barely interacted, let alone spoken alone.

Knowing Bao Shanyan’s background, Gu Jianing was honestly a little intimidated, but she quickly composed herself.

She got straight to the point. ""Yes, Bao Shanyan. You like Wen Zhiqing, don’t you? Don’t deny it—I’ve seen you watching when I talk to Wen Zhiqing.""

At these words, Bao Shanyan’s face tightened, her eyes narrowing instantly.

Gu Jianing’s heart skipped a beat, but she pressed on. ""So, do you want to be with Wen Zhiqing?""

Bao Shanyan pressed her lips together and frowned. ""What are you getting at?""

Gu Jianing started her pitch. ""You’ve probably heard the news that I’m engaged to an officer, right? To be honest, I did like Wen Zhiqing before, but now I’ve met someone more suitable. I’m worried my fiancé might get jealous if he finds out I used to like Wen Zhiqing, so I think if Wen Zhiqing got married, I wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore.""

""I know all the female educated youths at the settlement like Wen Zhiqing, but I think he’s a good guy. Rather than letting those girls have him, why not keep it in the family?""

""So, if you like Wen Zhiqing too, I can help you."""