Chapter 5: A Brief Parting Beats a New Marriage

"From what you said, does that mean you got together with him?"

Zhou Zhifeng caught up to her daughter and said in an irritated tone.

"Yes, we got together; I was planning to tell you in a little while."

"Never mind, Mom, I'm leaving."

Chen Qiaoqiao said lightly, slipped on her shoes as she spoke, and trotted out of the house with a brisk step, like a bird eager to return to its nest.

Zhou Zhifeng didn't bother to change shoes, hurried up to the stairwell, and called out anxiously, "He's unemployed, and you're still with him?"

Chen Qiaoqiao had already descended several steps, but stopped when she heard her mother's words, lifted her face with unwavering resolve, and said, "He just hasn't returned to the city yet; I'm still with him."

After saying that, she ran down the stairs.

"Sigh!"

Zhou Zhifeng had intended to keep pouring cold water on her daughter, but seeing she had already gone down the stairs, she gave up, her mood sinking into anxiety.

Xu Yuexin quit his job and has no income; if his daughter marries him in the future, wouldn't she suffer?

A man without a job means no social standing; after graduation, would the daughter be looked down upon at her workplace? In the blink of an eye, Zhou Zhifeng already imagined how they'd handle having children later, growing increasingly worried.

It's not that she's overthinking; these days, couples date with marriage in mind, and without special circumstances they generally don't break up.

Zhou Zhifeng seemed to already see Chen Qiaoqiao's once‑bright, happy life being dragged into a bleak abyss by Xu Yuexin.

At this moment, Xu Yuexin, clutching his manuscript fee, had just returned home, never expecting a middle‑aged lady to worry about his future child‑rearing.

Oh right, there's another middle‑aged lady also worrying about him.

In the Xu Family's two‑bedroom, one‑living‑room house, Wu Yan was fidgeting in the living room when she saw her son come home carrying a bag, and she immediately looked at him anxiously, "Where did you just go?"

"Tell Mom the truth, this time did you actually take leave to come home?"

"Or have you already quit?"

Wu Yan's three‑pronged soul‑piercing barrage left Xu Yuexin momentarily speechless.

On his way home he bought a bottle of Beijing Yang soda, intending to lie in bed and enjoy it, but he hadn't expected to be grilled the moment he stepped inside.

He didn't know whether she had heard rumors from outside or had deduced it herself.

"I did quit, and plan to pursue a creative career from now on."

Regaining his composure, Xu Yuexin answered calmly.

"Sigh, writing isn't that easy; many people submit dozens of times and never get accepted even once."

Wu Yan couldn't help but place a hand on her forehead, her face full of anxiety, and said, "Besides, in recent years, haven't there been plenty of unlucky people because of writing articles?"

"I think you should honestly look for a regular job. Tomorrow I'll contact an old classmate; she's the Organization Department Head at Shougang, maybe she can help you find work."

"You probably can't stand the hardships of the coal mines? I'll try to find you a relatively light job."

Hearing his mother's words, Xu Yuexin felt a warm glow inside.

Since he was transported here, his parents have always treated him well. During his stint in the queue, he received money from his parents every month. When they learned he quit, they immediately expressed understanding and tried to help him find a job.

Of course, he couldn't accept that. A steel mill is a mining enterprise; even a light position wouldn't give him the peace to type.

Moreover, in a famous period drama, the whole Four-Courtyard House was populated by low‑level workers who all worked at a rolling‑steel plant under Shougang.

If you ran into the real‑life counterparts of those people, you'd have no chance of a peaceful life, spending every day battling them.

He refuses to go, absolutely refuses. No one can stop Xu Yuexin's typing.

"Mom, don't say that, I got accepted on my first submission this time. Look, here's the manuscript fee."

Xu Yuexin confidently took out the envelope, placed it on the table, and said.

Only half a month after quitting, and he already has a work ready for public release?

That's really fast!

Wu Yan was slightly startled, not expecting her son's writing career to progress so smoothly.

She works at the District Finance Bureau; even senior officials there may submit ten manuscripts without a single success. Could it be that her own son truly makes a living from this? "But he still needs a stable job as a backup."

Wu Yan muttered softly, still feeling the randomness of manuscript fees is too great.

Their generation has been terrified by countless upheavals; the word "stability" holds a near‑sacred status in their minds.

Xu Yuexin smiled, patting the envelope, "A total of 651 yuan 6 jiao 8 fen; for an old senior in the unit, that's about all one earns in a year."

"With this money, could I spare you a year without nagging?"

Six hundred fifty‑one yuan! Wu Yan couldn't believe her ears, wondering if she had misheard.

Her own son, so impressive… just starting a creative career and already earning such a high income! By old standards, could he be a literary star descended to earth?

Wu Yan was profoundly shocked, and a weight lifted from her heart.

Having a stable job is indeed extremely important… but if the money is truly that much, it can be set aside for later.

Just as her son said, with this money, he'll have the confidence to pursue full‑time writing later.

From now on she won't have to worry about colleagues in the unit gossiping that her son is an idle drifter; anyone who dares say that, she'll smash the Manuscript Fee Slip in their face!

Wu Yan is traditional but not pedantic, and she has a strong heart for protecting her son.

"You little brat, Mom is caring for you, and you still dare call it nagging."

Wu Yan tried to feign displeasure, but couldn't suppress a smile, reaching out to Xu Yuexin, "Give me the Manuscript Fee Slip."

Mrs. Wu's action caught Xu Yuexin a bit off guard.

"Mom, what are you doing with this?"

Xu Yuexin replied, a little bewildered.

He had originally thought his mother might ask him to hand over some money for household expenses; if that were the case, he could give her a hundred or eighty yuan, since nowadays unmarried children handing over income is routine.

He never expected her to ask for the Manuscript Fee Slip.

"To protect your reputation."

Wu Yan said confidently, "Everywhere there are old women who love to gossip. When anyone dares to say it, I'll pry open their eyes and show them your Manuscript Fee Slip."

"It's not a big deal; people shouldn't live under others' gaze."

Xu Yuexin disagreed, saying, "Besides, if you really cared, tomorrow I'll buy a new watch for you, for my dad, and for myself. Once you wear it on your wrist, it'll be far more eye‑catching than a manuscript fee slip."

Wu Yan felt very gratified by her son's words.

"Good child, you understand how to care for your parents."

"Just keep all the money with you; you're not married yet, so you'll have many places to spend it later. Of course, don't be too stingy—young women nowadays generally dislike being cheap."

"Also, stay focused when you write, unlike a few people in our department whose articles always go awry."

"Don't complain about my nagging. Ever since you went down to the countryside for labor, Mom hasn't been able to sleep at night. Now, finally, the policy lets the family reunite, so don't …"

Wu Yan's eyes involuntarily reddened as she spoke, unable to bear recalling the years when the five members of the family were scattered.

Xu Yuexin hurriedly comforted, "Mom, don't be sad; that's all in the past, and nothing like this will happen again."

"At the end of last year we just held a meeting that set the overall tone for societal development, no longer making struggle the main line. That means from now on national policies will improve day by day." "The book says the economic base determines the superstructure; since the economic sector now permits sole proprietorships, literary policies will likewise become increasingly relaxed. Take the novel 'Class Teacher' from two years ago—have you read it? The author doesn't shy away from those issues at all, yet lives just fine."

Wu Yan listened in a daze, and combining what she had seen in recent months, gradually found her son's words quite reasonable.

"Since you've already achieved success in your writing, Mom won't say much more; I'll let you go ahead on your own."

"If you ever feel creative pressure later, remember to tell us; we will always be your strongest backing."

Wu Yan, after a brief thought, said with full confidence.

At that moment, she felt her son had truly grown up, able to analyze social trends coherently, like a junior bureau chief.

After comforting his mother, Xu Yuexin returned to his room and put the money away safely.

He has an older brother who is already married and works in a public institution.

He also has a younger sister in the second year of high school; her grades are decent, but getting into university is a bit vague because admission rates are now so low.

The elder brother rarely lives at home; the four of them squeeze together okay, but it will be hard for Xu Yuexin to start his own family later.

After securing the manuscript fee, Xu Yuexin went to the living room, surveyed the cramped home by modern standards, and resolved to save up quickly and buy his own apartment.

At this moment, Wu Yan was cooking in the kitchen.

"Mom, you don't need to cook; let's go out to eat together…"

After lingering in the living room for a while, Xu Yuexin called toward the kitchen, intending to go out for a good meal.

"No need, I still have to go to work in a bit; going out would make me late."

Wu Yan shouted from the kitchen, "The higher‑ups have been inspecting our department's conduct lately; they're being strict."

"Alright, looks like I can't take Mom out to eat today."

"I can pick up some tasty food on the way back tonight, and then the whole family will eat together."

Xu Yuexin thought to himself.

Before leaving, he made sure to take the unopened Beijing Yang soda and a straw with him.

Downstairs, Xu Yuexin gave a "thunk" as he snapped the bottle cap, stuck in the straw, and drank with pleasure.

A burst of sweet, refreshing taste shot down his throat, making Xu Yuexin feel exhilarated, as if every cell in his body was activated.

It only cost two dimes, yet provided an exceptionally refreshing experience.

Xu Yuexin drank the soda halfway, quickened his pace toward the bus stop, intending to go to Moscow Restaurant for a meal.

Moscow Restaurant, commonly known as Lao Mo, has been the most coveted eatery for Jing youths since it opened in 1954.

With money in his hand, Xu Yuexin instinctively wanted to give it a try.

Just as he neared the bus stop, a bus rolled in and stopped, and a tall figure with shoulder‑length short hair stepped down.

"How did she get here?"

Seeing the familiar delicate face that had appeared countless times in his memories, Xu Yuexin halted, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

Chen Qiaoqiao also spotted Xu Yuexin, instantly lifting the corner of her mouth into a charming smile: "I was just about to come over to your place."

"Here, look, I even bought you something."

"You look really good…"

"Wait, where did my principles and stance go?"

Xu Yuexin almost fell under Chen Qiaoqiao's gentle smile, but quickly reminded himself to stay clear‑headed.

It seemed she intended to use these gifts as hush‑money, to keep me from revealing that we had dated and then broken up, lest it damage her reputation and future. These days, relationships are still quite conservative; if one party is blameless but the other initiates a breakup, a bad reputation follows.

This is strikingly similar to the "breakup" trope in a later web novel, where the heroine starts by offering a Qi‑gathering powder to dissolve the marriage contract. Chen Qiaoqiao, however, brings two big bags of gifts…

Thinking of that made Xu Yuexin feel irritated and scoff.

Even if I'm the male version of Xiao Fang, I still have dignity!

"Don't worry, even if we break up, I won't speak ill of you."

"Take the stuff back with you; from now on, let's keep our waters separate."

Xu Yuexin looked upward, his demeanor cool and aloof.

The streets are crowded; don't take advantage of a poor youngster, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—whatever, better not say it.

Chen Qiaoqiao's once radiant, peach‑blossom smile froze.

"Um, I'm sorry…"

Chen Qiaoqiao lowered her head, her voice soft and syrupy, a stark contrast to the firm resolve she showed earlier with her mother, "The school assigned us to intern in Hai Li; during the period we aren't allowed any communication with the outside."

"The order came so suddenly, I didn't have time to tell anyone, including you…"

After speaking, she looked timidly at Xu Yuexin, her expression like that of a misbehaving elementary student.

"Hai Li?"

Xu Yuexin's pupils flickered.

These two characters have different meanings in different regions. In Jing, they have only one meaning.

He recalled that later history books recorded that after the year‑end conference last year, to cultivate future pillars of the nation, the bigwigs decided to select outstanding students from the 77th and 78th cohorts of Yanjing University and Renmin University for internships, to familiarize them with central agency operations.

So it turns out my girlfriend went to serve the People…

Unwittingly, Xu Yuexin's way of addressing Qiao Qiao changed.

"Oh, not staying in touch is fine; a short parting beats a fresh marriage."

Clever as Xu Yuexin, his shift in demeanor is supremely smooth; outwardly his tone remains light, yet he makes Qiao Qiao blush all over her face.

"I won't let you say that… who married you…"

Qiao Qiao's cheeks flushed; she lifted a hand and gently nudged Xu Yuexin, feeling very pleased inside.

He finally understood himself.

Xu Yuexin, seeing Qiao Qiao's coquettishly shy, girlish demeanor, chose to stop while ahead and didn't say anything improper: "You're still in school; next time, don't bring so many things."

Mid‑sentence, Xu Yuexin took two large bags of gifts from Qiao Qiao's hands and led her toward the Faculty Building.

There's nothing to be embarrassed about; later I'll just take her to eat.

"The school gives a subsidy, nine yuan a month; the last internship also paid a subsidy."

Qiao Qiao rubbed the red imprint left by the bag on her hand, trailing behind Xu Yuexin like a little tail, and introduced the gifts' contents, "Inside there's a pair of leather shoes and a shirt suitable for this season; you can try it on when you get home later."

"The rest are edibles, some mahua, and also…"

Qiao Qiao kept talking, but Xu Yuexin had already lost interest in listening, his gaze occasionally falling on her delicate jade‑like hands.

His girlfriend's hand bore a mark from the bag; he felt a pang of sympathy.

Breaking up and such was the idea of the Xu Yuexin from three minutes ago; don't blame the current him for it.

(End of chapter)