Chapter 22: Hmm, Very Smooth

"Sure, I still have a monthly ticket for Beihai Park."

"Chen Qiaoqiao hadn't rowed a boat before, but she gladly agreed as soon as she heard."

"The distance from Donglaishun to Beihai Park is 4 kilometers; walking feels long and taking the bus requires waiting for a while."

"At that moment Xu Yuexin's newly bought bicycle proved useful. He rode it with Chen Qiaoqiao, and in no time they arrived at the entrance of Beihai Park."

"A wooden sign stood in front of the park ticket office: a single-use ticket costs 8 cents, a monthly ticket 20 cents, an annual ticket 2 yuan."

"Xu Yuexin went forward, obtained an annual ticket, and together with Chen Qiaoqiao went to the gate to have their tickets checked and entered the park."

"Beihai Park has been a royal garden since ancient times, painstakingly maintained through successive dynasties; within it are strange peaks, bizarre rocks, overlapping ridges, endless rows of verdant willows, and ancient buildings densely packed."

"After the founding of the nation, the government repaired the garden for public visitation; during a chaotic period it was closed for several years, and it reopened last spring."

"After the conference ended at the end of last year, the city invested funds to renovate the park, adding long benches and stone tables and chairs for pedestrians, and providing brief introductions for some ancient structures."

"\"How nice, I haven't been here for half a year, and Beihai Park has changed again. \""

"\"Last time I came with my sister, these facilities weren't here. \""

"Seeing the park's improvements, Chen Qiaoqiao felt very delighted."

"\"All parties involved in the construction can earn money from it, and it can also stimulate economic circulation. \""

"Xu Yuexin, seeing the brand‑new facilities, felt this was the 'new atmosphere' people often speak of."

"\"Economic circulation? \""

"Hearing this unfamiliar term from her boyfriend, Chen Qiaoqiao thought for a moment, then, inspired, said, \"Construction workers receive wages and spend them, boosting the sales of the supply‑and‑marketing cooperative. When the cooperative's performance improves, it gives workers higher welfare bonuses, raising their income, which they then spend on shopping…\""

"\"That's the development cycle you mentioned, right? \""

"\"Exactly, a youngster can be taught. \""

"Xu Yuexin looked at Chen Qiaoqiao and shared a knowing smile with her."

"Xu Yuexin plans to occasionally introduce Chen Qiaoqiao to some popular modern professional concepts; this is the core of his girlfriend‑development plan."

"With the spring breeze blowing, the two drew nearer to Beihai; the lake's rippling clear water unfolded before them, and the small boat tied to the embankment swayed gently with the waves."

"Xu Yuexin stepped forward, showed his annual ticket, and the boatmaster untied a rope on the boat for him."

"The annual ticket includes three rowing opportunities, a benefit the single‑use ticket lacks."

"There was a height difference between the embankment and the boat; Xu Yuexin first stepped onto the boat and steadied it, then extended his arm to grasp Chen Qiaoqiao's hand and encouraged her: \"Don't be afraid, the boat is steady. Jump onto the bow. \""

"Chen Qiaoqiao clutched Xu Yuexin's large hand tightly, mustered courage, leapt down, and stood on the bow."

"Seeing that Chen Qiaoqiao was still a bit scared, Xu Yuexin steadied her waist with his arm and helped her step down from the bow."

"\"You sit on this side, I'll sit on that side. \""

"After saying that, Xu Yuexin moved to the front of the boat and grasped the oars with both hands."

"The boatmaster then took a bamboo pole, leapt onto the bow, pointed toward a spot on the shore, and the small boat immediately left the dock and headed forward."

"Next, the master vaulted onto the embankment, leaving only Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao on the boat."

"The afternoon at Beihai was unusually tranquil; lazy sunlight spilled onto the water, gilding the rippling reflections."

"Xu Yuexin swung the oar forward, cutting two pure‑white wakes across the surface."

"Occasionally, one or two brilliantly colored waterbirds flew away as the bow approached, like ribbons drifting into the sky."

"Each time he rowed, Xu Yuexin's arms, which had once swung a hoe and hefted an iron pick, displayed distinct, powerful muscles."

"Chen Qiaoqiao and Xu Yuexin sat facing each other, her slender jade‑like hands resting on her skirt, immersed in his athletic rowing posture."

"\"Are you tired? Want to rest a bit? \""

"After rowing for a while, Chen Qiaoqiao took out a handkerchief and said gently,"

"\"Not tired, let's row to the center of the lake first. \""

"Xu Yuexin freed a hand, took the clean white handkerchief, and dabbed the sweat on his forehead."

"The small boat carrying the two continued forward, and before long arrived at the misty, boundless, silent center of Beihai Lake."

"The water at the lake's heart was crystal clear, revealing uneven aquatic plants below; ahead lay Qionghua Island and the white tower above it."

"Chen Qiaoqiao scooped a handful of water from the lake surface, feeling its temperature: \"The water is so cold. \""

"After Chen Qiaoqiao poured the water back into the lake, Xu Yuexin handed her the handkerchief again."

"When Chen Qiaoqiao took back the handkerchief, Xu Yuexin gently pinched her delicate jade hand, lightly tracing her palm twice."

"\"Ah, it tickles…\""

"Chen Qiaoqiao squealed, trying to pull her hand back."

"At that moment, Xu Yuexin kissed Chen Qiaoqiao's forehead, inhaling a fresh fragrance, then placed two more kisses on her skin‑smooth cheek."

"Chen Qiaoqiao covered her flushed pretty face, turned her cheek aside: \"Not afraid of people seeing…\""

"\"The heavens and waters are vast, only you and I are here; who could see us? \""

"Xu Yuexin looked at his girlfriend's charming appearance, smiled faintly, and increased the rowing force, heading toward Qionghua Island."

"\"Let us swing both oars,"

"The little boat pushes aside the waves."

"\"The sea surface reflects the beautiful white tower, surrounded by green trees and red walls... \" The white tower in the song is on Qionghua Island; Xu Yuexin recalled the familiar childhood melody and felt he must go see it."

"As for the green trees and red walls, that's what the people of Jingcheng often call the sea."

"Qionghua Island lies on the eastern side of Beihai, its shore a riverbank of fine sand."

"When Xu Yuexin's small boat reached the sandbank, he set down the oar and stepped ashore with Chen Qiaoqiao."

"The boat stopped a short distance from the shore; he and Chen Qiaoqiao removed their shoes and socks, waded through the shallow water forward."

Xu Yuexin's small boat reached the sandbank, he set down the oars, and went ashore together with Chen Qiaoqiao.

The boat stopped a short distance from the shore; he and Chen Qiaoqiao took off their shoes and socks, waded through the shallow water forward.

"Chen Qiaoqiao lifted her skirt with both hands, revealing elegantly straight calves; her white tender feet stepped in the water, clearly visible through the crystal surface."

"I'll lift you up."

Xu Yuexin watched Chen Qiaoqiao gingerly lift the hem of her skirt, fearing the water would splash onto it, looking a bit strained, and simply said.

"How should I hold you?"

Chen Qiaoqiao asked.

"It's simple."

After speaking, Xu Yuexin stepped forward, supporting Chen Qiaoqiao's slender waist, his other arm cradling her leg bend, a standard Princess Hug.

"Eh?"

It was Chen Qiaoqiao's first time being held like this, and she quickly wrapped her hand around Xu Yuexin's neck for added security.

Their faces thus drew even closer, and Xu Yuexin could hear Chen Qiaoqiao's nervous breathing.

Half of Chen Qiaoqiao's body pressed tightly against Xu Yuexin, and at this moment Xu Yuexin had only one feeling.

Hmm… very smooth.

After landing, Xu Yuexin set Chen Qiaoqiao down and went to the island's center to visit the white tower.

The island's trees were lush and verdant, the paths winding and secluded; by the time the two finished touring, it was already evening.

The two sat on the riverbank warmed by the day's sun, Chen Qiaoqiao resting her pretty face on Xu Yuexin's shoulder, watching the sunset together.

Xu Yuexin wrapped his arms around Chen Qiaoqiao's fragrant shoulder, the sunset spilling over them, cloaking the pair in a warm pale gold.

"Facing Da Hai (song), spring warmth and blossoms."

"Feed the horses, chop firewood, travel the world"

Xu Yuexin whispered.

"What a romantic sentence."

Chen Qiaoqiao murmured, hugging his arm again.

…

After the outing ended, Xu Yuexin escorted Chen Qiaoqiao home, then returned on his own.

When he arrived home, it was already the time when lanterns first lit; his father Xu Qiang and mother Wu Yan, along with his elder brother, elder sister‑in‑law, and younger sister, were gathered around the table waiting for him to eat, the house bright.

"Xiao Yue, congratulations on publishing your novel; from now on you're a writer."

"Your writer's stationery consumption must be fast; the two of us bought you ten fountain pens."

Upon entering, elder brother Xu Li and elder sister‑in‑law Gu Qiuyun smiled and offered congratulations.

Xu Li and Gu Qiuyun married three years ago; after marriage, he served as a lecturer at the Central Finance Cadre Academy, specializing in fiscal studies, which in a sense is continuing his mother's profession.

Gu Qiuyun took over a position from her family last year, working in an office of a state‑owned enterprise.

"Thank you, elder brother and elder sister‑in‑law; I've been busy lately and haven't had time to come over to share the good news."

Xu Yuexin walked to his elder brother's side, took the hot water kettle from his elder sister‑in‑law's hand, poured himself a glass of water, and refilled some for his parents.

"Yuexin, you're making progress now; your dad and I were still delighted when we talked about this last night."

Wu Yan said cheerfully, "Let's eat."

After speaking, Wu Yan went to the kitchen to bring dishes to the table, with fish and meat, a plentiful spread.

The family ate and chatted, soon the conversation turned to Xu Qiang's reinstatement at work.

In 1958, Xu Qiang was a Second-Grade Professor; now he has only been reinstated as a lecturer, and the whole family feels it's very unfair.

"I think dad should be restored to Second-Grade Professor; since he started working he's contributed so much to the country, this is too unfair!"

Xu Li said, filled with righteous indignation, showing a hint of scholarly spirit.

Wu Yan, when she spoke, was also very sad: "Alas, unfair, truly unfair. Old Xu, for the nation's major scientific research, often stayed overnight in the lab, so why is it that just saying a couple of truths leads to…"

"Enough. Compared with those who died midway, never seeing this day, I'm already very lucky."

Xu Qiang furrowed his brows, saying, it's clear he's restraining his emotions, "Even as a lecturer one can contribute to the country."

"Why don't you report to the school? They've handled so many reinstatements, they wouldn't leave just you alone."

Wu Yan said, unusually unwilling.

"Alas! The problem isn't on the school's side; they've done their best."

Xu Qiang sighed, still shaking his head, "In my current situation, going to the school is useless; the county official is more effective. Some matters they shouldn't meddle in."

"Dad, where exactly is the snag in your title reinstatement?"

Xu Yuexin kept listening quietly, then asked.

(End of chapter)