Chapter Nine: He Yushui

Chen Liang shot a glance at Old Zhang, who had just walked away—what a character! Does he really need me to lose my temper like an idiot before he gets the message?

Originally, Chen Liang had planned to walk to the school, but considering the distance and the fact that he had little Chen Hong with him, it was clearly not practical. That’s why, after spotting Old Zhang, he got the idea to ride a bicycle to the school instead.

This old black bicycle was quite large; if an average person sat on the saddle, their feet wouldn’t even touch the ground. But Chen Liang, at over 1.9 meters tall, was no ordinary man.

He swung his leg over the saddle, tucked little Chen Hong into his big cotton coat, and told her to hold on to him. Chen Hong wore a look of utter reluctance.

Why should I have to crawl inside a big coat? Who does he think he’s looking down on? I could sit on a bike bar by the time I was three!

But her protest was swiftly suppressed by Chen Liang. The sky was already darkening, and the journey to school was a long one. Chen Liang had decided to ride quickly—otherwise, by the time the school bell rang for dinner, he’d be delivering food to an empty hall.

Once Chen Hong was settled inside the coat, Chen Liang gave a powerful pedal, and the bicycle shot forward with a whoosh!

Inside the coat, all Chen Hong could hear was the wind roaring past. Curiosity gnawed at her like a cat, and she couldn’t resist poking her head out for a peek—only to shrink back immediately!

Well, her dear second uncle hadn’t lied—this cold wind felt like knives slicing across her face. Fine, she’d forgive him this once for disrespecting her. But if he pulled this again, she’d give him the silent treatment for three days—no, two days…maybe just an hour.

With his head down, pedaling like a man possessed, Chen Liang managed to reach the school gates in less than fifteen minutes.

The school’s dinner bell was about to ring. Chen Liang parked the bicycle to the side, unbuttoned his big coat, and lifted his little charge down with care. After locking the bike, he escorted Chen Hong to her special seat.

At the entrance of Red Star Middle School’s gatehouse, he handed a premium cigarette to the middle-aged guard—who, unlike the composed old man at the kindergarten, looked rather flustered upon receiving it and hastily ushered Chen Liang into the gatehouse to rest before scurrying off to fetch someone.

Once inside, Chen Hong looked around in distaste and whispered, “Uncle, this place is so run-down—worse than my kindergarten!”

Of course it was. Her kindergarten, though also called Red Star, was affiliated with the Red Star Steel Mill and had first-class facilities for that era.

But this Red Star Middle School? Just a struggling public school. Back then, the whole education system was scraping by, tightening their belts just to get through. For its time, this school was already considered the best in all of old Beijing.

Not in the mood to argue, Chen Liang handed over two White Rabbit candies, successfully sealing her incessant chatter.

A while later, the same middle-aged guard returned, leading Chen Rong in.

“Brother, why did you bring Hong along?” Chen Rong, surprised to see her second brother visiting, immediately spotted Chen Hong perched on Chen Liang’s lap and broke into a wide smile.

Little Chen Hong truly was the family’s joy.

“Here, Mom asked me to bring you your dinner. Make sure to heat it up before you eat…” Chen Liang pulled a large lunchbox from his shoulder bag, his expression flickering with surprise.

How was it still hot? So much time had passed since they left home—surely the food should have cooled by now. Could the entire supermarket be in a time freeze?

But then Chen Liang thought, what’s the big deal? Time travel itself had already happened—what’s a little time freeze compared to that? Newton’s coffin had been rattling ever since he crossed over; what’s one more miracle?

“What’s hot?” Chen Rong was teasing Chen Hong but paused at her brother’s odd remark.

“Mom wants you to drink more hot water and less cold,” Chen Liang replied, handing over the lunchbox as he prepared to leave. Chen Rong, not knowing what was inside, opened it for a casual glance—and was dumbstruck.

Inside were a big chicken drumstick, marinated tea egg, red sausage, and pork cracklings.

Once the star of the show, pork cracklings had been relegated to a mere sidekick ever since Chen Liang started spoiling his sister.

Having come to value family so highly, Chen Liang was determined not to shortchange his little sister.

On the way over, he had used the supermarket microwave to heat up a feast of marinated treats just for her.

“All right, you eat up while you have the time. Remember to drink plenty of hot water before bed!” Chen Liang, carrying Chen Hong, turned to go.

After a few steps, he pulled two apples from his bag. “These are a little extra from me—have some fruit after your meal. By the way, what do you want for dinner tomorrow?”

“You mean I can choose?” Chen Rong didn’t bother being polite and immediately asked for her favorite, braised pork. “Then I want braised pork. Tell Mom for me!”

“As if—when would Mom ever make braised pork for you? Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it myself; just focus on your studies.” Handing another cigarette to the guard, Chen Liang finally left with Chen Hong, who was clamoring for an apple.

“Those apples are for your aunt. I’ll buy you some when we get home,” he assured her.

Oh, sure—you think you can fool me just because I’m a kid? Tell me, is your little shoulder bag connected to some magic wishing machine? How else do you keep pulling apples out of it?

After watching Chen Liang and Chen Hong bicker playfully as they left, Chen Rong returned to her dormitory. The schoolyard was chaotic with students being released for dinner.

Not wanting to eat her rare treat in the noisy yard, and with no need to queue for food, she decided to head back to her dorm to enjoy her meal.

When she arrived, she found her good neighbor and best friend, He Yushui, already eating.

No one in the Chen family was stingy; now that she had something delicious, it was only right to share with her close friend.

Of course, Chen Rong wouldn’t admit she also just wanted to show off in front of He Yushui—and maybe share a little culinary happiness. “Some best friend,” she thought with a smile.

In theory, Chen Rong’s family was much better off than He Yushui’s. All of Chen Rong’s family members worked and earned money, unlike He Yushui, who had only her foolish brother to rely on.

But that “Fool Zhu,” well, he was a cook, always eating at work, never spending money on food, and frankly, a bit of a slob. Apart from caring for his sister, he had few expenses. So, when it came to food, Chen Rong could never outdo her.

After all, her two older brothers had truly legendary appetites!