After returning the books, Comrade Chen Jianye went to the bookshelf where he had last read.
He picked up a new Carpentry book, found a random seat, sat down, and began to flip through the book.
Comrade Ran Qiuye took an English book and came to the reading area. She stood there searching for a while, and after seeing Comrade Chen Jianye, she stepped forward and sat down next to him: “What book did you borrow this time?”
Comrade Chen Jianye held up the book in his hand for Comrade Ran Qiuye to see: “What about you?”
Comrade Ran Qiuye smiled and also held up the cover of the book in her hand.
This time, it was no longer an English book, but “Camel Xiangzi” by the Chinese author Lao She.
It was clear that Comrade Ran Qiuye enjoyed books with strong literary merit.
“Very good.”
“I've read this book; the character portrayals are excellent.”
Comrade Chen Jianye said with a smile.
“You’ve read this book too?”
Comrade Ran Qiuye was shocked again.
“Yes, I’ve read both Mr. Lao She’s ‘Teahouse’ and ‘Camel Xiangzi’.”
Comrade Chen Jianye nodded.
“You're not quite like the Carpentry I imagined.”
Comrade Ran Qiuye blinked her eyes.
“What kind of Carpentry do you imagine?”
Comrade Chen Jianye asked softly.
“Hmm… wearing work clothes, very rigid, with a resolute face, and likes to smoke.”
“Doesn’t like reading or listening to music.”
Comrade Ran Qiuye thought for a moment and said.
“Most of the older generation of Carpentry are like that. I’m young, so I’m different from them.”
“Maybe when I get older, I’ll slowly become like that too.”
Comrade Chen Jianye replied.
“You are a very interesting person; even when you get older, you won’t be like those people.”
Comrade Ran Qiuye’s beautiful eyes sparkled.
“Perhaps.”
Comrade Chen Jianye remained noncommittal, lowering his head to continue reading.
Comrade Ran Qiuye also lowered her head to read.
Occasionally, when her eyes got tired, she would turn her head to look at Comrade Chen Jianye’s profile beside her.
An hour later, other readers around them began to take out dry food and hot water from their bags to fill their stomachs.
Comrade Chen Jianye opened his cloth bag, took out two sweet potatoes, and handed one to Comrade Ran Qiuye beside him: “Try a sweet potato.”
“Thank you.”
Comrade Ran Qiuye took the sweet potato and, as a return gift, took out a white steamed bun from her own cloth bag.
Comrade Chen Jianye ate the white steamed bun first and found it to be very well made.
It was very fluffy and had a slight sweetness.
Comrade Ran Qiuye ate the sweet potato, her eyes slightly bright: “It’s so delicious, I’ve never had such a tasty sweet potato.”
“I have more in my bag; I guarantee you’ll be full.”
Comrade Chen Jianye patted his cloth bag.
“Where did these sweet potatoes come from? Where did you buy them?”
Comrade Ran Qiuye asked, then added: “I want to buy some to take back for my parents.”
“I grew them myself; you can’t buy them anywhere else.”
“If you want some, I can bring a few catties next time.”
Comrade Chen Jianye took a sip of water.
“You can grow sweet potatoes too?”
Comrade Ran Qiuye’s eyes widened.
“Just a little bit.”
Comrade Chen Jianye said vaguely.
“Then next time, please bring me five catties, and I’ll give you money.”
Comrade Ran Qiuye said.
“Your white steamed buns are delicious; next time, how about you exchange three catties of buns with me?”
Comrade Chen Jianye shook the bun in his hand.
“It’s delicious, isn’t it? My mom made it.”
Comrade Ran Qiuye’s face showed a proud smile: “Then it’s settled.”
After a simple lunch, the two lowered their heads to read again.
Comrade Ran Qiuye read half of “Camel Xiangzi” and felt great sympathy for Xiangzi’s suffering, feeling a bit uncomfortable.
She turned her head to look at Comrade Chen Jianye beside her, who was still steadily reading and taking notes.
Like a tireless robot.
A First-Level Fitter from the Rolling Mill who knew martial arts, farming, and English.
Comrade Ran Qiuye was quite curious about Comrade Chen Jianye’s family situation.
However, it was their first meeting, so it wasn’t appropriate to delve too deeply.
“If you’re tired, you can go home first; you don’t have to wait for me.”
When Comrade Ran Qiuye rested again and secretly glanced at Comrade Chen Jianye, he turned his head and said with a smile.
“Ah, my neck is a bit sore; I’m just stretching.”
Comrade Ran Qiuye found an excuse to cover her embarrassment.
“Then let’s go home. I’m going to borrow this book, what about you?”
Comrade Chen Jianye said.
Normally, Comrade Chen Jianye could read for another hour or more.
To accommodate Comrade Ran Qiuye, he decided to leave early.
He also had things to do at home.
“I’ll borrow this one too.”
Comrade Ran Qiuye held “Camel Xiangzi” in her hand.
The two processed their book loans, putting the borrowed books into their cloth bags.
Then they walked out the door.
“I have another sweet potato here; it’s for you.”
“Don’t forget our agreement for next week.”
Comrade Chen Jianye took a sweet potato out of his cloth bag.
“Hey, where do you live? Maybe we’re not far apart and can walk together.”
Comrade Ran Qiuye was a bit reluctant to part.
“South Gong and Drum Lane No. 95 Courtyard.”
Comrade Chen Jianye said.
“My home is near Dongzhimen; it’s less than three kilometers away, quite close.”
Comrade Ran Qiuye took the sweet potato and put it into her bag.
The two walked and chatted.
When it was time to part, Comrade Chen Jianye waved his hand: “Comrade Ran Qiuye, see you next week.”
“Comrade Chen Jianye, see you next week.”
Comrade Ran Qiuye stood in place, waving goodbye.
Watching Comrade Chen Jianye leave, Comrade Ran Qiuye turned and walked towards her home.
At the entrance of the Siheyuan (Courtyard).
Comrade Chen Jianye strode up the steps.
“Jianye is back?”
Third Aunt greeted him at the door.
“Yes, I’m back.”
Comrade Chen Jianye smiled.
Upon returning home, he removed the duvet cover and the cotton quilt cover from the bed, put them into a wooden bucket, and carried it to the front yard to wash.
“Jianye, washing bedding, are we?”
Third Aunt spoke again.
It must be said that Four Nine City people always liked to speak redundant words.
Seeing someone return, they’d say, ‘Back?’
Seeing someone washing clothes, they’d ask, ‘Washing clothes, are we?’
Why ask about something that can be seen with one’s own eyes?
But saying these words didn't seem abrupt; instead, it brought the two parties closer.
“Yes, washing bedding.”
Comrade Chen Jianye drew water.
“You really should find a wife. With a wife at home to help with chores, you wouldn’t have to be so busy as a man.”
Third Aunt said with a chuckle.
“Indeed, a woman is essential in a home.”
Comrade Chen Jianye echoed Third Aunt’s words.
Suddenly, the image of Comrade Ran Qiuye popped into his mind.
After thinking about it, Comrade Chen Jianye felt that Comrade Ran Qiuye was not suitable to be his wife.
She was an only daughter; no matter who she married, she would have to honor her parents later.
Moreover, she had no siblings to rely on.
Another downside of an only daughter was that she did fewer household chores.
A girl who didn't do housework wouldn't suddenly become diligent and hardworking just because she got married.
Most importantly, the Ran family’s background was not good.
The problem was that the Ran family was an overseas Chinese family and engaged in artistic creation, belonging to the petty bourgeoisie.
After 1965, there would be too many disadvantages.
‘I still need to find a girl from a normal family; I really can’t rush into marriage.’
Comrade Chen Jianye thought to himself.
“Don’t worry, I’ve already asked someone to find a match for you. I expect to have news in a few days.”
“Look at you, so handsome, with a good job, and good character.”
“Whoever marries you will truly be blessed.”
Third Aunt offered one compliment after another.
Like Yan Fugui, she freely threw out flattering words that cost nothing.
“Then I thank you very much, Third Aunt.”
Comrade Chen Jianye replied perfunctorily, focusing on scrubbing the duvet cover in the bucket.
A moment later, Qin Huairu came over carrying a bucket.
