Chapter 19: Flashlight Fight

Is this his way of relenting?

Shen Qingyao was not entirely sure, so she could only nod vigorously.

"If Jiang Yan ever bullies you, remember to tell me. Though I know he wouldn't do such a thing, but still..."

Shen Qingyao understood her brother’s concern. She kept nodding in response to him.

With that, the matter was settled.

By the time Shen Qingye finished shelling a bag of peanuts, it was already nine o'clock in the evening. He tidied up the shells and prepared to leave. Shen Qingyao immediately chased after him, using the excuse of carrying a flashlight for him.

"Where did you get this?" Shen Qingye looked at the flashlight in her hand, finding it somewhat familiar. Qiao Yufen had one, but it wasn't this model.

Shen Qingyao smiled. "I took it from home."

"You usually sleep until the sun is high in the sky. Why would you take a flashlight for no reason? And you appeared at the factory so early this morning—what time did you leave the house?"

Shen Qingyao tried to change the subject. "Wow, brother, you really have such logical reasoning skills."

"Don't try to distract me. You're about to get married, yet you still act like a child." Shen Qingye frowned, a rare expression for him.

Shen Qingyao answered honestly, "Around four or five this morning. It wasn't actually that early; it was already getting light out."

"Why did you leave so early?" Shen Qingye’s tone was genuinely angry. "You don't know that there are kidnappers and such lurking around these parts. If I had known you were going to head out alone so early, I would have preferred you stay home and sleep until noon."

Shen Qingye reined in his tone, but he couldn't help but voice his exasperation.

"Brother, I want to help you. I don't want to keep being a good-for-nothing."

Shen Qingye countered, "Who said you were a good-for-nothing?"

Well, plenty of people had said that.

Shen Qingye was a good man. When everyone else called Shen Qingyao lazy and gluttonous, he was the only one who felt that his sister was just fine the way she was. In this era, labor was considered the highest honor, and many children from poor families who couldn't afford school began learning a trade at sixteen. Yet, Shen Qingye always treated Shen Qingyao like a child, willing to go without food or drink just to provide for her.

"True. By the way, brother, I’m planning to find a job, too." Shen Qingyao scratched her head. Having been here for a few days without a single cent in her pocket wouldn't do.

Hearing this, Shen Qingye took out the fifty cents he had left—the money Qiao Yufen had insisted he take back.

"Brother, keep it for yourself. You already gave your money to Grandma; don't give everything to me." Shen Qingyao said, trying to push the money back into his pocket.

"If you run out of money, just tell me." Shen Qingye didn't insist further. After a moment, he sighed, "It’s good to have your own job. In case Jiang Yan doesn't treat you well in the future, at least you can look after yourself."

Shen Qingyao laughed. "Can't you wish me some good luck, brother?"

"Fine, fine. Of course, I hope Jiang Yan spoils you rotten and that you’re happy every single day." As he spoke, Shen Qingye couldn't help but chuckle, and Shen Qingyao laughed along with him.

The country paths had no streetlights, and some stretches were lined with dense woods. Shen Qingye didn't want Shen Qingyao to walk him any further; he patted her head and told her to go back. "That’s enough, don't walk me any further."

"Alright then, brother. I won't see you off, I really am sleepy." Having woken up so early, of course she was tired. Shen Qingyao yawned, her eyes welling with tears.

Shen Qingye nodded and watched her walk back.

No sooner had he turned around than he saw two men standing not far away, holding flashlights. They looked as if they had been standing in the darkness for a long time; the ground was littered with cigarette butts.

It wasn't until Shen Qingye got closer that he recognized Jiang Yan's face. As their gazes met, Chen Zheng stepped aside.

"Commander Jiang."

Jiang Yan spoke slowly, "With Yao Yao, there is no Commander. There is only Jiang Yan."

Shen Qingye stared at Jiang Yan, remaining silent.

"Yao Yao brought you this far. Let me take you the rest of the way."

Shen Qingye retorted, "I thought a man of Commander Jiang’s status would at least travel by car. I didn't expect a Commander to be walking."

"Because I have many things I would like to discuss with Yao Yao’s brother." Jiang Yan responded calmly.

Hearing this, Shen Qingye restrained himself. As it happened, he had things to say to Jiang Yan as well.

"You hid your identity from Yao Yao. Was it because you were afraid she would be after your family’s money or your status?"

"I was afraid that Yao Yao wouldn't think highly of me."

Shen Qingye sneered. "You are the only son of the Jiang family. Who doesn't know the fine reputation of Chief Jiang?"

A smile touched the corners of Jiang Yan’s mouth. "Yao Yao doesn't know. For the first time, someone treated me as an individual existence, rather than just 'someone from the Jiang family'."

Shen Qingye had a thousand retorts ready, but he swallowed them. That was just how Shen Qingyao was—she could strike a chord in someone’s heart without even realizing it. Sometimes she was silly, and sometimes she was clever. On this point, Jiang Yan was right.

"Then have you never thought about coming clean with Yao Yao?"

"I have, but the time isn't right yet." Jiang Yan’s answers were always concise.

Shen Qingye suddenly felt a sense of agitation. At that moment, Chen Zheng tactfully offered him a cigarette—a pack of Da Qian Men, a brand name.

"Commander Jiang certainly knows how to do things in style." Shen Qingye took a deep drag, then slowed down, unaccustomed to it. "I talked to Yao Yao about the wedding today. She was somewhat resistant, and I suspect it’s because of you."

Shen Qingye did not object. It wasn't wrong for his sister to consider her own interests. It was only when she *didn't* consider her own feelings that Shen Qingye felt angry.

"So, you want to win me over now, so it will be easier to marry Yao Yao?" Shen Qingye raised his voice, glancing at Chen Zheng behind him.

"I don't expect to change your opinion of me with a single conversation. Many things were indeed handled incorrectly, and I was wrong to hide things from Yao Yao. I truly love her, and it’s not a perfunctory kind of affection. You said you hope Yao Yao marries someone who treats her well—I will strive to be that person."

Jiang Yan’s demeanor was overly sincere, and Shen Qingye looked away. He feared that if he looked at Jiang Yan any longer, he would waver. People are most vulnerable when they hear heartfelt words, and Shen Qingye was no exception, especially after being kicked out by Wang Guihua, which made him realize how rare true sincerity was.

"We'll see. It takes two to tango." The implication was that if Shen Qingyao insisted on the marriage, he wouldn't be able to stop her.

The two men walked in silence for a while before Shen Qingye suddenly laughed. "When Yao Yao first told me she was getting married, I thought it was to someone from the textile factory or some other plant. Who could have guessed it would be Commander Jiang?"

"I thought, marrying a worker wouldn't be bad—at least he could provide for the family. My sister isn't that delicate; as long as she doesn't go hungry, that's enough. But, Commander Jiang, if it's you, my standards can't be that low anymore."

Shen Qingye’s fluctuating tone made Chen Zheng break into a cold sweat. So, this was the most troublesome part of getting married. Chen Zheng took smaller steps, and the light shining on Shen Qingye and Jiang Yan grew dim.