The Stunningly Beautiful and Delicate Darling in the 1980s Military Compound - Chapter 45

Zhang Jingjing was a warm-hearted person; knowing the girl was Chen Che’s cousin only made her more concerned. She pushed open the door to the ward and saw Jiang Manman lying there with her eyes open, looking lifeless. “Sister, do you feel any better? Should I call the doctor?”

Song Mingyue followed behind her. She didn’t feel guilty at all; if anyone should feel guilty, it was the one trying to break up a marriage. On the surface, Mingyue acted as if she knew nothing. “Are you doing better?”

“Much better. Thank you, Sister-in-law.” Jiang Manman’s voice was weak, and she looked haggard.

Internally, however, she was calculating. Since Chen Che and Song Mingyue were currently on such good terms, being aggressive would only backfire and make him dislike her more. If she couldn’t win by force, she would win by retreat.

Jiang Manman dropped her cold attitude and became warm and apologetic. “I’m so sorry you both had to come to the hospital to take care of me. I hope I didn’t cause too much trouble.”

She was already petite, and the paleness from her illness made her look incredibly fragile. Zhang Jingjing’s heart melted. “No trouble at all! Your fever just broke; don’t overthink it. Just focus on getting well.”

After a quick introduction, Jiang Manman learned who Zhang Jingjing was and took her hand. “Sister Jingjing, you’re such a good person. Thank you.”

“Oh, don’t mention it! Meeting you is fate. Do you have an appetite? I’ll go to the canteen and get you some porridge.”

“I actually am a little hungry. Thank you, Sister Jingjing.”

As they left the ward to go to the canteen, Zhang Jingjing couldn’t help but praise her. “Mingyue, the Commander’s cousin has such a good personality. You’re lucky; his family seems very nice.”

Mingyue wondered if a high fever could really change someone’s personality that much. Today’s Jiang Manman was a far cry from the one she met yesterday. While she couldn’t quite read the girl now, Mingyue wasn’t afraid.

The canteen sold plain white porridge with pickles for eighty cents. They bought a bowl along with an egg and two buns.

On the way back, Mingyue brought up Pei Xiaoyu. “The competition starts next week. We need to finalize the watermelon order with Xiaoyu.”

“Don’t worry about the watermelons,” Jingjing assured her. “I’ve already settled things with her.”

“Jingjing, what do you think of Xiaoyu?”

“She’s great! Smart and capable. Even with her difficult family situation, she manages to go to school and run the household. It’s inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time.”

Mingyue nodded. She had a “Future Richest Woman” filter on Xiaoyu and trusted her implicitly. “Jingjing, I have an idea. Instead of just paying Xiaoyu for the goods, why don’t we invite her to be a shareholder? She has the supply source. We’re selling watermelons now, but we can sell other things later.”

It was a good idea, but Jingjing lacked confidence. “What if we don’t make money? We can afford to fail, but Xiaoyu’s family depends on her.”

Mingyue was confident. Pei Xiaoyu was a natural-born businesswoman; having her join with “stock” (her goods) was a win-win situation. “Next time we see her, ask her. She might be willing.”

Back at the ward, they found Jiang Manman standing by the window, her long hair draped over her shoulders, staring out in deep thought.

“Mingyue, do you think something happened to her?” Jingjing whispered. “She seems like she has a lot on her mind.”

“I’m not sure. Whatever it is, I hope she can work it out for herself.” To Mingyue, making oneself miserable over a man—even Chen Che—simply wasn’t worth it.

After Jiang Manman ate, she seemed to regain her energy. She had a plan. In her previous life, her father had a comrade who worked at the research institute here. Though she wasn’t an expert, having lived through decades of future development gave her knowledge that was incredibly advanced for the 1980s.

She planned to find that “Uncle,” get a job at the institute, and become Chen Che’s colleague. In her memory, Chen Che was obsessed with his work. Conquering him through professional intellect would be far more effective than anything else.

“What are your plans now?” Mingyue asked her once she finished eating.

Jiang Manman sensed the “hurry up and leave” undertone in Mingyue’s voice. She put on a pathetic look. “Sister-in-law, Sister Jingjing, I don’t want to hide it from you. I came to find my cousin for a reason.”

“What reason?” Jingjing asked.

“I just finished university and I want to contribute to our country. We are still far behind the US and the Soviet Union. Every citizen has a responsibility. I want to be like my cousin—join the institute and contribute to the research.”

No one knew she was reborn. In the 1980s, such a patriotic sentiment was highly respected. Mingyue felt a bit of doubt—would a regular college student really speak this way if she weren’t serious? If Jiang Manman truly cared about the country, maybe she wouldn’t try to steal Chen Che?

But Mingyue also knew the institute had strict selection criteria. Jiang Manman looked physically weak; she likely wouldn’t pass the physical exam. If she couldn’t get in, she’d have to go home eventually.

By the afternoon, Jiang Manman was well enough to walk, so Mingyue went back to practice her music. The arts competition had been finalized for next week.

Zhao Xing and Wang Mo came to the compound’s reporting hall to rehearse with Mingyue. While Mingyue had been busy with her “family drama,” Zhao Xing and Wang Mo had been practicing their waltz three or four days a week.

The more they practiced, the more Zhao Xing found Wang Mo charming. He had a radiant confidence on stage that no one else in the troupe could match. In reality, Wang Mo’s position in the troupe was awkward; he was an “outside contractor” who got in because his parents were disabled. His “novel” dance style was considered weird by most traditionalists.

Today, Wang Mo arrived on his bicycle to pick up Zhao Xing. She was wearing a red dress that glowed brilliantly in the sun.

“Wang Mo, sorry, my bike is broken,” Zhao Xing lied. “Can I hitch a ride?”

“Sure.”

As they rode into the compound, an older woman recognized Zhao Xing. “Oh, Xingxing, who is this young man?” She pulled Zhao Xing aside and whispered, “You’re a grown girl; your mother would kill you if she saw you on the back of a man’s bike!”

“My bike broke, I had no choice!” Zhao Xing explained.

“You should have borrowed one from a colleague! A girl has to watch her reputation.”

Zhao Xing realized the auntie was right—everyone in the troupe had a bike. Wang Mo surely knew that, yet he hadn’t told her to borrow one. The thought made her heart flutter.

As they walked toward the hall, Zhao Xing said, “Wang Mo, those aunties grew up watching me, so they nag a bit. Don’t mind them.”

“I don’t mind,” he said quietly. Then, just before they reached the hall, he added, “After this competition is over, I’m going to the capital.”

Zhao Xing’s heart sank. “You’re going to the capital?