Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

There were just too many people gathered there; it was difficult to even squeeze in, let alone push a bicycle—it would be impossible to move an inch.

So Xu Bei told his mother and sister to get off their bicycles and wait nearby, not to go too far, and then he locked the bicycles near the square.

Afterwards, the three of them, now unburdened, walked together toward the square.

During this time, I hadn't walked far when I passed by an old man who was very good at business and didn't even take a break on the first day of the Lunar New Year to sell candied hawthorns.

Xu Bei stopped walking without his sister asking.

"Grandpa, give me three skewers of candied hawthorn."

"Alright, young man, do you want hawthorn or jujube? Hawthorn is 15 cents a bunch, and jujube is 10 cents more expensive."

The old man, holding a bundle of straw adorned with candied hawthorns, had his exposed cheeks and nose red from the cold.

But because there were many customers, the sales were good, and the money was plentiful, he was happy. When he spoke, his cloudy eyes became bright, and the wrinkles on his face deepened as he smiled.

Xu Bei knew that at this time of year in the Northeast forest region, the candied jujubes used for candied hawthorns were dried red dates transported from other places.

Due to inconvenient transportation and increased costs, the purchase price is definitely much higher than that of local hawthorns.

Therefore, selling it for an extra penny is perfectly normal.

He was about to speak when his mother tugged at his arm.

"Son, just buy food for the two of you, Mom won't eat."

Xu Bei knew his mother didn't like sour food, so he smiled and persuaded her, "Eat up, Mom. There are dates in it, so it's not as sour as hawthorn."

"Then let's buy hawthorn instead. Jujubes are too sweet and more expensive."

Seeing that even though his mother had become a boss and her business was doing well, she still couldn't change her frugal nature anytime soon, Xu Bei chuckled. "When we're out having fun, we don't need to skimp on a penny or two, Mom. Don't forget, you're Boss Zhao now."

Xu Juan echoed her brother's tone, "Mom, you, Boss Zhao, would you really be short of money?"

Zhao Fengying was amused by her own subconscious action. "Okay, then I'll have the jujubes. I'm not short of money."

Xu Bei and Xu Juan exchanged a smile. "That's right. Juan, what are you eating?"

Xu Juan smiled without hesitation, "My brother is treating, so of course I have to eat the expensive stuff."

Xu Bei shook his head with amusement, "It has to be my little sister, I don't even need to persuade her. Grandpa, then give me three skewers of candied jujubes."

Although the price difference between the two candied hawthorn skewers is only one cent, many people still prefer to buy hawthorn berries at this time. The old man agreed louder, "Okay, you can choose for yourselves."

Just as the mother and daughter each received a string of candied hawthorns, and Xu Bei was holding a candied hawthorn in one hand and taking the change from the old man in the other, Xu Juan called out excitedly to the person behind him, "Sister Xiaowan!"

Upon hearing the name "Sister Xiaowan," Xu Bei knew without turning around that it must be Zhou Qingwan, and a ripple inevitably stirred in his heart.

I was planning to find an opportunity to ask the girl out for a meal or a movie after the New Year, but I didn't expect to see her outside on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

When Xu Bei quickly turned around, he indeed saw Zhou Qingwan wearing a brand-new dark-colored down jacket, a red hat, and a scarf.

Beside her was Liang Huihui, who was wearing the same color and style, but due to differences in height, temperament and appearance, they created two different effects.

Zhao Fengying also hurriedly looked over, and when she saw that it was her ideal future daughter-in-law, she immediately became extremely enthusiastic.

"Oh, Miss Zhou, Miss Liang, Happy New Year! What a coincidence to meet you all, it's truly fate."

Zhou Qingwan never expected that she would run into Xu Bei and his family by chance while going to the movies with her cousin and passing by the police station building.

She glanced subtly at Xu Bei, who was dressed even more smartly than usual, before smiling and saying, "It is quite a coincidence. Happy New Year, Auntie."

Liang Huihui had a good impression of Xu Bei and his family, especially knowing that they all liked her cousin. However, she still thought it was impossible, but she still politely wished them a Happy New Year.

Xu Bei noticed that Zhou Qingwan didn't seem to want her cousin to know more about their close relationship in private, so he wasn't as enthusiastic and just chatted with her in a normal social manner.

After exchanging New Year's greetings and a few more pleasantries, they casually asked, "Are you here to watch the Yangko dance too?"

Zhou Qingwan wanted to appear natural and poised, but for some reason, she still felt a little flushed when facing Xu Bei.

"No, my sister and I are planning to go to the movies."

Liang Huihui immediately chimed in with a smile, "Yes, we all think the Yangko dance is too noisy and not worth watching. We'd rather go see a movie."

Zhao Fengying was worried about not being able to find an opportunity for her son to have contact with Zhou Qingwan, and spoke up even more anxiously than Xu Bei.

"You bet! We wanted to watch some Yangko dancing before heading to the cinema, otherwise it's quite cold, and we can't stand being outside for too long. What movie is showing today?"

Facing Xu Bei's mother, Zhou Qingwan felt very grateful and close. She immediately smiled and said, "The movie 'Romance on Lushan Mountain' that was re-released is quite good."

Zhao Fengying excitedly patted herself with the hand that wasn't holding the candied hawthorn, "Oh my, the movie 'Romance on Lushan Mountain' is really good! Son, let's go see it too! We don't need to see the Yangko dance!"

Xu Juan looked at Xu Bei with expectant eyes, "Brother, this movie is really good, why don't we go together?"

Xu Bei didn't want his mother and sister to be so obvious and cause Zhou Qingwan any trouble, after all, he knew some of her background and how difficult it was for her to live under someone else's roof.

But the words have already been spoken, and if she hesitates or acts coy, it will only arouse suspicion and make her cousin overthink.

"Okay, let's watch the Yangko dance for a bit and then go see it. But there are so many people, I don't know if we can get tickets. We'll just have to see how it goes."

"Yes, actually we haven't bought tickets yet. We'll just go there and see what happens."

As Liang Huihui spoke, she looked at the old man selling candied hawthorns next to her, "Wanwan, would you like some candied hawthorns?"

Zhou Qingwan also looked over, but before she could say anything, Xu Bei handed her five cents.

"Grandpa, two more skewers, please."

"Brother Xu, we don't need you, we have money."

Zhou Qingwan blurted out words that carried an undisguised intimacy, while simultaneously pulling money out of her coat pocket.

Xu Bei genuinely wanted to treat her, so he wasn't about to let her pay. "It's not much money, so don't argue. If there are tickets at the movie theater later, you can pay for them, okay?"

Movie tickets during the Lunar New Year period are discounted compared to usual, so for three people it's less than 50 cents, which is just enough to offset the cost.

Zhou Qingwan had no choice but to put the money she had already half-emptied back in her pocket. "Alright then."

Xu Bei and the others were used to it and didn't think anything of it, but Liang Huihui still noticed something was amiss.

She looked left and right at Xu Bei and her cousin, feeling that some of her previous thoughts were somewhat flawed...