Chapter 351
“Xiaoxiao, you really came back! When Zhenzhen told us yesterday, we didn’t believe it,” two female comrades exclaimed as they approached Su Xiaoxiao, holding her hands and examining her from all angles.
They then remarked with surprise, “How is it that you went to the countryside and came back looking even more beautiful?”
Su Xiaoxiao smiled and replied, “Because my fiancé and future mother-in-law take special care of me; they don’t let me do anything.”
Since Su Xiaoxiao was more familiar with these two female classmates, it felt more natural for her to talk about Jiang Yexun. Seeing Su Xiaoxiao’s sweet smile, the two female classmates only had a hint of concern in their eyes but refrained from making sarcastic comments.
“No matter what, finding a reliable partner is a good thing. As long as they care for you, life will only get better and better.”
“Yes, I feel the same way,” Su Xiaoxiao agreed. “Have you had breakfast? I didn’t eat, waiting to have breakfast with you.” Wrapping her arms around them, she smiled cheerfully.
Out of the corner of her eye, Su Xiaoxiao glanced at Gui Zhenzhen, who stood to the side like a transparent person, and noticed she seemed a bit distracted. She raised her brows slightly but didn’t say anything as the four of them first headed to a state-owned restaurant.
They chatted away during breakfast, and after finishing, they immediately went to the recycling station. The elderly man who had been working there before was still in charge.
Seeing Su Xiaoxiao and her friends approaching with smiles, he also smiled kindly. “It’s been a long time since you came to buy books and newspapers,” he remarked.
“Yes, we were too busy with weddings before. This time Xiaoxiao came back from the countryside to visit her family, so we made plans to come together,” Gui Zhenzhen said somewhat sheepishly.
The elderly man looked at Su Xiaoxiao with a bit of pity, never imagining that the most delicate of the girls would be the only one sent to the countryside.
“Time really flies. It feels like just yesterday you were little girls visiting here, and now you’re old enough to get married,” he sighed before stepping aside, revealing a half-hidden iron door behind him. “Go ahead, the clean books and newspapers are still in the usual spot.”
After thanking him happily, Su Xiaoxiao and her friends hurried inside.
In her previous life, Su Xiaoxiao had never thought about looking for old items when visiting the recycling station—her mind was solely focused on books. But this time, it was as if her eyes were equipped with radar. The moment she entered, she quickly scanned the area.
What she saw shocked her.
This is Shanghai after all, she thought. Among the piles of junk, she immediately spotted a set of carved tables and chairs. She didn’t need to get close to know that these were from a hundred years ago. They were covered in dust, but in the clean spots, she could tell the set was made of rosewood.
If these were sold thirty years from now, they would be worth at least one or two million.
Unfortunately, the set was too large. Even if she could hide it in her space, there would be no way to explain where it came from if someone asked.
Su Xiaoxiao sighed internally, regretting that she couldn’t take the furniture. Just then, she felt a hand slap her shoulder.
“Xiaoxiao, what are you looking at?” Gui Zhenzhen asked curiously, following Su Xiaoxiao’s gaze.
Su Xiaoxiao quickly averted her eyes and smiled apologetically. “It’s just been so long since I’ve been here—it feels like another lifetime.”
“You’re speaking so poetically,” one of the other girls teased with a laugh.
Su Xiaoxiao didn’t respond, and the four of them headed to the inner section where a makeshift shed stood. Since books and newspapers couldn’t get wet, the place had to be protected from the elements. However, with the thick rainproof tarp covering it, the space inside was dark and the air felt thin.
As soon as they entered, they began searching through the stacks.
Before long, Gui Zhenzhen mysteriously handed a book to Su Xiaoxiao.
Instinctively, Su Xiaoxiao looked down and heard Gui Zhenzhen whisper, “Look, it’s a collection of essays. Although it’s written by a local author, it’s still a rare find.”
Hearing this, Su Xiaoxiao’s mind buzzed. She was just about to push the book away when another girl leaned in.
“Wow, you found something good! You’ve got some good luck today!”
Gui Zhenzhen chuckled softly. “Yes, I’ve been thinking about what to give Xiaoxiao as a wedding gift, and I never expected to find something like this.”
Her words made the other two girls lose interest in the book.
“You’re right. This book would make a great wedding gift for Xiaoxiao.”
Hah, what a convenient excuse.
Having lived another lifetime, Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t as gullible as she once was. She wasn’t the type to believe whatever people told her. Books like these from decades ago weren’t even allowed to be read anymore. If caught, you could be publicly criticized and sent to the farm for re-education. Who would risk selling such a book at a recycling station for a few cents?
“This book isn’t for me,” Su Xiaoxiao said as she pushed it back into Gui Zhenzhen’s hands. “I don’t like these kinds of things anymore. I’m just here to see if there are any science and math textbooks.”
Gui Zhenzhen looked startled, and the two other girls were equally surprised that Su Xiaoxiao would refuse.
“You’ve already graduated high school. Why are you still looking for science and math books? Don’t tell me you want to attend a workers’ and farmers’ college?” Gui Zhenzhen asked, perplexed.
Su Xiaoxiao shook her head. “I’m about to get married, so I’m not planning on going to college. I just enjoy studying science. Sometimes, sitting down to solve a problem can actually be quite relaxing.”
Her friends couldn’t quite understand Su Xiaoxiao’s logic, but one of the other girls grinned. “If you don’t want the book, I’ll take it, then?”
Su Xiaoxiao hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should intervene.
But before she could decide, Gui Zhenzhen spoke up hurriedly, “I was planning to give this book to Xiaoxiao as a wedding gift. If you take it, I won’t have anything else to give.”
“When giving a gift, it should be something the person actually likes. Xiaoxiao just said she wanted science books. Why don’t we help her find one? With all these books here, we’re bound to find something,” the other girl replied, reaching for the book again.
Gui Zhenzhen’s expression turned anxious, but she couldn’t find a reason to refuse. In the end, the other girl took the book.
Su Xiaoxiao, seeing how happy the girl was to hold the book, offered a warning. “I think you should reconsider. You shouldn’t let the old man sell you this book. Taking something without asking is stealing. Besides, this book is banned. If someone reports you, you could get into trouble. Even if no one else finds out, your in-laws might, and they’ll see it as you causing trouble.”
The girl’s smile froze.
Although she understood that what Su Xiaoxiao said made sense, she still hesitated, clinging to the book reluctantly.
“I’ll be careful. I’ll read it in secret and then burn it when I’m done,” she said.