[Gold Powder GL] True Elegance Comes with Knowledge - Chapter 39

In the Republic of China era, universities were far from being mere ivory towers. Quite the opposite—new information always reached them first, new ideas were often born here, and new trends spread outward from these very grounds.

Everyone within these institutions carried a deep sense of pride and confidence, believing that if not them, then who? They paid close attention to everything happening in the outside world.

So, when tensions between the North and South began to escalate, they were naturally among the first to sense the change.

Opinions on the matter varied, but no one truly expected the situation to deteriorate so rapidly. The Northern government collapsed with barely any resistance, and in less than a year, the Northern Expedition forces swept across most of the country like a tidal wave, marching straight toward Beijing.

The shadow of war loomed over everyone. The city was filled with anxious, confused citizens, rushing about like headless chickens, searching for a way out that might not even exist.

Yan Hui listened to her classmates’ debate whether to leave or stay and let out a heavy sigh.

A gentle warmth spread across the back of her hand—Qingqiu had quietly placed her hand over hers.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Yan Hui turned to meet Qingqiu’s worried gaze and quickly forced a smile. “I’m fine,” she said.

It was a poor lie, and Qingqiu didn’t believe it for a second. But this wasn’t the place for deeper conversation, so she simply patted Yan Hui’s hand lightly and said no more.

At school, neither of them was particularly prominent figures. Though female students were relatively few and naturally drew some attention, most of the time, they buried themselves in their studies and stayed away from the heated activities and debates. As a result, they blended into the crowd over time.

But Qingqiu knew that Yan Hui harbored many thoughts of her own. She was just very cautious about expressing her views, as if still waiting or watching for something.

Most of the time, Yan Hui was steady and composed—just as Qingqiu had always known her to be.

But this time was different.

Ever since the political turmoil began, Yan Hui had seemed especially troubled. She would often stare off into space for long stretches of time, lost in thought. Seeing her like this weighed heavily on Qingqiu’s own heart as well.

Maybe it was time to talk to her, Qingqiu thought.

Even if she didn’t know as much as Yan Hui or think things through as thoroughly, two people worrying together had to be better than one person worrying alone. No matter what happened, Qingqiu wanted to be the one standing beside Yan Hui, facing it all with her.

Even if the part she could shoulder was only a small one.

After class, Qingqiu sat on the back of Yan Hui’s bicycle as she pedaled them home.

Though her family owned a car, it felt too ostentatious to drive it to school every day. Besides, their home wasn’t far from campus, so Yan Hui had bought a bicycle and used it to commute.

This daily ride had once been something Qingqiu looked forward to with great anticipation. She had even turned down Mrs. Leng’s offer to buy her a bicycle of her own, pretending she couldn’t learn how to ride—just so she could keep being the one taken home by Yan Hui each day.

But lately, even sitting on the back seat of the bicycle ridden by the person she cared about, Qingqiu found it hard to entertain any romantic thoughts. Her gaze kept drifting to corners of the streets she hadn’t paid much attention to before.

The city was becoming more and more chaotic. Beggars, vagrants, and homeless children were appearing in increasing numbers.

From time to time, trucks loaded with supplies would speed past them, heading toward the city gates. These were the families with “connections,” slowly moving their assets out of the city.

The chaos had already begun, quietly and without warning.

But it wasn’t until they returned home and saw Peifang waiting for them that Qingqiu realized: the chaos had now reached their doorstep.

Peifang had come to discuss what they should do next.

Although she said it was a discussion, she had clearly already made up her mind. “Beijing’s about to fall into disorder. Anyone with the means is trying to get out. We need to start planning ahead. You know the factory doesn’t run solely on our own strength. Without someone protecting us from above, it’s only a matter of time before trouble comes knocking. So, I’m thinking—should we move our factory south?”

Qingqiu didn’t know what to feel. She looked at Yan Hui, who remained silent, and finally asked, “Peifang… You’re planning to leave too?”

“If I had any other choice, I wouldn’t want to leave either,” Peifang sighed.

The once-glamorous Jin family had already crumbled after Premier Jin Quan’s death the previous year. Though Peifang had divorced early and owned her own assets and factory—things that kept her mostly separate from that drama—the collapse still left a deep impression on her.

In the grand tide of history, individuals and even families were mere grains of sand. If even a family as powerful as the Jins could fall so easily, what about them?

So rather than feeling secure about the assets in her hands, Peifang had become even more sensitive and alert.

She’d never seen war with her own eyes, but she’d heard plenty about it. No matter what army came or why, their actions were usually the same—pillaging, looting, destruction—to cover their losses.

In those times, it wasn’t the truly powerful families that were targeted, nor the destitute who had nothing to lose. It was families like theirs—those with some assets but no protection—who were most vulnerable.

If it were just about losing money, that would be one thing. But they were all women here, and what might happen to them… was far more terrifying.

So, the only option was to leave before things spun out of control.

Qingqiu was stunned. She had thought of many things, but not this. Just listening to Peifang’s explanation sent a chill through her.

Madam Leng had turned pale as well. “Then we should go too,” she said urgently. “If there’s nowhere else, we can return to our hometown in Suzhou.”

Leaving one’s hometown was never easy. As women and elders with no real strength, staying in Beijing was dangerous. But moving to an unfamiliar place wouldn’t necessarily be safer either. At least in Suzhou, they had relatives and old friends who might help.

“Yan Hui, what do you think?” Peifang asked.

Yan Hui took a deep breath to steady herself.

She knew why Peifang had come to her—leaving wasn’t as easy as just deciding to go. They’d have to liquidate the factory and other assets, converting them into portable valuables like gold bars and jewelry. That alone required significant connections. More importantly, the journey southward from Beijing wouldn’t be safe.

The only thing that could deal with one army was another army.

Cao San was the adjutant to Yan Hui’s brother, Yan Kai. He was still stationed in Beijing on assignment and must have a sizeable force under his command. If they could arrange for his men to escort them out of the city, the trip would be much safer.

In fact, they didn’t even have to go all the way south. Following Yan Kai’s army could also be a viable option.

Her long silence drew the attention of everyone in the room, their gazes pressing in on her. Yan Hui felt a rare sense of invisible pressure. She opened her mouth. “I…”

But before she could finish, a sudden commotion erupted outside the door.

Then came Cao San’s excited voice: “Miss Yan! The young master is here—he’s arrived in Beijing!”

Yan Hui sprang to her feet.