[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-rising-in-1979":3,"chapter-rising-in-1979-rising-in-1979-chapter-227":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Rising in 1979",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2260935,4412,"Chapter 227: Spending the Night Away with Snow Sister","rising-in-1979-chapter-227",227,"\u003Cp>Gong Ying and Zhu Lin; Zhu Lin had long been aware of Gong Ying’s existence and had always been wary of this woman from the Magic Capital, one year her junior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gong Ying knew nothing of Zhu Lin; her greatest hidden anxieties about her relationship with Wei Ming were only two: age, and Mei Linda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before these two mountains, regional differences between north and south meant nothing; if she truly decided to be with him, she was willing to be the one who made sacrifices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pregnant woman sewing at the entrance of Dongfang Xintiandi was Lan Qin; she and her husband were both sent-down youth, and since her husband had yet to find work, she had to go out and earn for the family—now she was packing up to go home, as Manager Mei had allowed her to store her belongings in the store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she spotted a customer hesitating at the door, she immediately urged them: “Comrade, come in and take a look—we’re the most popular clothing store in all of Yanjing, a true landmark of the city!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lan Qin had already come to see herself as one of Xintiandi’s own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying nodded; as she stepped inside, Lan Qin let out a soft “Huh?” and hurried farther away to stare at the poster on the left—wasn’t that the same person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were a few other customers inside; two sales assistants were attending to them, and another young girl sat at the counter taking notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying had expected to see Wei Ming the moment she entered, but she didn’t find the person she was looking for—she was hesitating whether to ask a salesperson, when a gasp came from behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you Comrade Gong Ying?” asked Huang Ying, who had just been recording accounts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying had become famous before she’d even released much work, thanks to her appearance on the back cover of *Massive Cinema* as the female lead in *The Herdsman*—she was already somewhat well known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Huang Ying recognized her now mainly because of the poster outside the store, visible every day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying nodded, her expression as gentle as the waters of Jiangnan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I came to take a look—is Comrade Wei Ming not here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ying knew Wei Ming was also one of their bosses; though she didn’t know the exact shareholding, Boss Wei’s word carried weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said: “Manager Mei took Wei the writer’s two younger sisters out to eat—they’re probably dining with Wei the writer himself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know where they went?” Gong Ying refused to accept that she wouldn’t see Wei Ming today; they’d only just confirmed their relationship and had been apart for nearly a month—she ached for him, her heart clawing at her insides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think they said they were eating at home,” Huang Ying thought for a moment and replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying thanked her and left; she was too eager to see her lover to linger—she’d have to come back another day to properly browse this novel self-service clothing store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as she left, the two sales assistants who had finished serving other customers immediately gathered close to whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Manager Huang, who was that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ying blushed: “What manager? I’m just helping the manager with accounts—he’ll be back soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other said: “Don’t change the subject—she’s so beautiful, like the girl on our poster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ying said: “That’s her—the Gong Ying on the left poster, the actress even prettier than Zhang Yu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, really her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is she also the one Wei the writer is seeing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who do you think is prettier—Gong Ying or Zhu Lin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing her chattering colleagues, Huang Ying sighed: “Who’s prettier isn’t any of our business—I only care whether we get a bonus next month.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mentioning the sales-linked bonus rekindled the sales assistants’ enthusiasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the scent of roasting meat drifted through the Sihe courtyard in Beichi Zi; Xi Zi, who had just tried climbing the ginkgo tree, was now happily munching skewers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Le Le ate more elegantly, taking small bites, and refused spice—Teacher Gu had said to protect her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Anping praised: “Didn’t know you had this skill, Xiao Ming—excellent, reminds me of when I used to roast cicada nymphs with your father when you were little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the cicadas chirping nearby, Wei Ming exclaimed: “You reminded me! I’ve been feeling like something was missing this summer—tonight I won’t sleep, I’ll go to Fangshan and catch some cicada nymphs to fry up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Anping pointed at Wei Ming, smiling wryly—this kid, no wonder he was Wei Jiefang’s son, just as fond of food and fun, a true heir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Xiaoyan also praised: “Xiao Ming, your barbecue seasoning is perfect—I think even if you didn’t open a clothing store, you could get rich running a restaurant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wenhua, who was helping out nearby, thought to himself: You have no idea how profitable our clothing store is, Comrade Lü!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of our garments can bring in more revenue than a whole table of dishes at a big restaurant, but a table requires so much labor, so many ingredients, takes up so much space, and consumes far more time—and the profit may not even match ours. So what can a mere restaurant possibly compare to us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These days, Mei Wenhua didn’t even respect Quanjude or Donglaishun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming grilled a few more chicken wings and called out Xiao Hong and Yunyun, who had been touring the new home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Hong marveled: “This new home is so big—I feel like if our mom came, she could even raise chickens and pigs here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “Absolutely not—I left a patch of ground un-paved for our mom, where she can grow vegetables—we won’t do animal husbandry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Hong sighed: “What a pity—such a big courtyard, feels empty without something living in it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wenhua suggested: “You could keep a dog—it could guard the place, especially since you don’t live here often.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xi Zi quickly chimed in: “Brother Wei, get a Black Cat Detective! I’ll fish for him every day!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After watching *Black Cat Detective*, he’d always wanted a cat, but his mother wouldn’t allow it—too small a house, the cat would make it messier—so he could only count on Brother Wei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming genuinely liked small animals, whether for eating or keeping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gnawed on a chicken wing: “We could get a cat or a dog—if we get a dog, I’ll ask Dad to pick one for me when he’s free—he’s an expert.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Wei Ming was seriously considering it, Wei Anping revealed a piece of news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feng Lao’s Meier is pregnant!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah!” Wei Ming froze—had the old man’s tight guard been breached by that yellow-haired rascal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Wei Ming’s shock, Xiao Hong’s eyes widened: “What? Premarital pregnancy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming, Wei Anping, and Lü Xiaoyan burst into roaring laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming said: “Meier isn’t human—she’s a very beautiful lion cat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Hong blushed, then asked: “Then who’s Feng Lao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “The philosopher Mr. Feng Youlan—he lives in Yannan Garden at Peking University.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah!” Now it was Wei Hong’s turn to be stunned; as a high school graduate with decent reading habits, she certainly knew Feng Youlan: “Brother, you know Mr. Feng?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “Yes—he was stuck in a tree, and I rescued him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Anping said: “With that connection, he’d surely give you a kitten without a word.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming nodded: “Should be fine—I’ll talk to the old man tomorrow at work, and maybe cheer him up a bit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming smiled as he spoke, almost able to picture Feng Lao’s expression upon hearing the news; being elderly and low on energy, he’d likely keep just one kitten and give away the rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anping Uncle asked again: “When do you plan to take Xiao Hong back to your hometown?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “The day after tomorrow—the 31st. I’ll buy the train tickets tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anping Uncle said: “I’ll tell the library—when you come back, transfer you there, and give you a long vacation in between.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving his current post again made Wei Ming a little reluctant, but from every angle, the library suited him better now—easier to find books and research materials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had finally reached this special position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks, Uncle, for always worrying about these things for me.” There was no wine today, but there was Beibingyang—he clinked his bottle with Anping Uncle’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wenhua had already finished eating and was busy finalizing accounts and inventory, so he left first; Xiao Hong and Yunyun would be taken home by Wei Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another half-hour passed; Xi Zi, his belly full, had run around the courtyard enough to digest his meal, and now Wei Anping and his wife prepared to leave with the child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming extinguished the charcoal fire, ready to lock up and head home; Xiao Hong and Yunyun had had a wonderful evening and chattered nonstop all the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Hong: “Brother, I’ve only been here for half a month, but I feel like I’ve gained weight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yunyun: “Me too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “You were both too thin—gaining a little weight is good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Xiao Hong—she was already fourteen and hadn’t started her period; Wei Ming feared she’d suffered malnutrition from her hard past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they neared the neighborhood on their bikes, Wei Ming vaguely noticed a familiar figure by the roadside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t stop—he first dropped the two sisters at their door and said: “I just remembered I left something at the Sihe courtyard—I’ll go get it. You two go home, wash up, and sleep—better take a shower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, aren’t we going to catch cicada nymphs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “We’ll do it later—summer isn’t over yet, plenty of chances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, Wei Ming turned back—but he didn’t see Snow Sister, only a bus pulling away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming hurried after the bus; when it reached the next stop, it departed, leaving behind a slender girl with a backpack and a smiling mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming exhaled in relief: “I knew I didn’t imagine it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the darkness gave Gong Ying courage—she threw herself into Wei Ming’s arms: “I thought I wouldn’t see you today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming quickly pulled her tightly into his embrace, gently stroking her hair: “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wrote a letter—but I arrived faster than the letter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “Did you return to your unit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes—I dropped off my luggage first, then came to find you. Called home, no one answered, so I went to Xintiandi—but you weren’t there either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After such a long train ride and such a long journey to find him, Snow Sister had dark circles under her eyes; Wei Ming felt heartbroken and didn’t want to send her back to the dormitory so soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Snow Sister, do you know cicada nymphs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “They’re the larvae of cicadas—no wings, can only crawl—deep-fried or stir-fried, they’re delicious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying’s eyes widened—she’d never heard of them before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming asked: “You can only catch them at night, mostly in June and July—interested?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying nodded—she hadn’t cared before, but with Xiao Wei, she was interested, and suddenly wasn’t even tired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying got on the bike, wrapped her arms around Wei Ming’s waist, and the motorcycle roared off. No way to Fangshan—it was too far. Wei Ming remembered a poplar grove along the road to Peking University—he’d try his luck there, and his bike had a flashlight and a woven sack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way, Gong Ying told Wei Ming: “There’s something from Ah Long in my bag for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it the illustrations from the fourth issue of *Black Cat Detective*?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes! I brought it home and my nephew found it—don’t you mind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would I mind? Ah Long still has spare copies—he can let your nephew see them too,” Wei Ming said carelessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying smiled: “Then only Ah Ying can ask Ah Long—he’s gotten quite close to him now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying smiled: “They even went to the movies together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Whoa!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying: 'We just happened to meet at the cinema, so we watched together.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Hi.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming went from surprise to anticipation, then to disappointment—Ah Long was slower to mature, and now he was fully focused on his career.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They arrived at the place, where the sound of cicadas was clearly audible—a good spot. They parked the bike, held hands, and entered the poplar grove, turning on their flashlights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Gong Ying, doing this for the first time felt thrilling, like an illicit affair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Mmm~'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she thought this, Wei Ming embraced her and kissed her, switching off the flashlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a breath, Gong Ying asked him: 'Aren’t we here to catch cicada nymphs?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'They won’t run away, no rush~' Wei Ming said, kissing her again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, ten minutes passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Wei Ming begin catching insects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gong Ying was delighted—this place wasn’t like the streets of the Magic City, where you had to worry about being seen; they’d both been completely absorbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were lucky—this was a small grove barely touched by development. Wei Ming found one cicada nymph and two cicada shells on a single tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming picked the nymphs off the trunks; Gong Ying helped search. Girls were afraid of insects, but these were fine—it was the long, wriggling ones that were terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming smiled as he explained to Gong Ying: 'These cicada shells are also called chan tui—a traditional Chinese medicine. They dispel wind-heat, clear the eyes, and relieve itching. When I was little, my dad often took me and Xiao Hong into small groves. We roasted the nymphs to eat, and sold the shells. Our village was close to Anguo, where people bought them.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying laughed: 'Listening to you, rural life doesn’t sound so bad.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming shook his head: 'These were among the few bright spots in a life of poverty. Most of the time, we worried about having enough to eat.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take the cicada nymphs—they weren’t very tasty roasted, but our home had so little oil we had to make do. They only became fragrant after being fried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Wei Ming thought about it, his mouth watered again. Maybe this was why he was such a food lover—a kind of compensation for childhood. Women too—he only experienced the beauty of sex in his thirties, and since then, he’d been unable to hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they caught cicada nymphs, they exchanged stories from the past few weeks. After describing the booming success of Dongfang Xintiandi, Wei Ming added: 'You came back just in time—otherwise, I’d be heading home the day after tomorrow.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Huh?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: 'The college entrance exam scores are coming out soon. Xiao Hong and I are going home to wait. Then we’ll bring my mother and grandmother to Beijing to live.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought of parting from Wei Ming again filled Gong Ying with reluctance; she couldn’t help gripping his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, Wei Ming had filled a large bag with cicada nymphs—more than enough for himself, and some left over to give to Uncle Ping’an.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These things were truly abundant now. In another twenty or thirty years, when Wei Ming returned to his hometown to relive childhood memories, he’d catch only a handful of nymphs in a whole night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That’s enough for today,' Wei Ming said, glancing at his luminous wristwatch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Oh no, isn’t it too late to take you back to the dormitory now?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying stared at the watch: 'What can we do? There’s nowhere else to go.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d wanted to visit the Overseas Chinese Apartments again, and see Qi Baishi’s insect-and-herb paintings, and she had a gift for him—but two little sisters were staying at her home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming smiled: 'I’ll take you somewhere. Come on.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overseas Chinese Apartments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yunyun had just finished her bath and came out to find Xiao Hong reading in her pajamas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her cousin emerge, Xiao Hong muttered: 'Why hasn’t Brother come back yet? I still have questions for him.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What kind of questions?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Finance-related ones.' Xiao Hong waved the book in her hand—it was the one Wei Ming had borrowed for her from Peking University’s library, the first time she’d ever heard of finance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the book, this seemed more profitable than running a clothing shop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Influenced by her brother, Xiao Hong had become a little money addict—unlike some young people today who thought talking about money was shameful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the unfamiliar word 'finance,' Yunyun felt helpless. No wonder college students studied such profound things—she only knew Kong Rong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Ah!' Yunyun, brushing her hair, suddenly cried out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What’s wrong? Is there a rat in the house?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yunyun pointed at the sofa where Xiao Hong sat: 'Xiao Hong, you—you’re bleeding!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Hong looked down and nearly fainted: 'Sister Yunyun, am I going to die?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yunyun burst out laughing: 'Die? No, you’ve become a woman.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luckily, there was someone who’d been through it—Xu Yunyun explained to Xiao Hong what was happening, and even lent her a sanitary pad. It was one Xiao Ming had bought her recently—far better than the menstrual cloths she’d used back home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Xiao Hong, this was completely unknown—school had never taught it, her mother had never explained it. Compared to Hong Kong girl Amin, who was experiencing it for the first time, she was as innocent as a fool. It was Sister Yunyun who helped her 'install' it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Hong sighed with relief, blushing: 'Thank goodness Brother didn’t come back—if he had, I’d be so embarrassed.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yunyun wiped the sofa: 'I bet Big Brother is staying at the Sihe Academy.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Hong nodded: 'That must be it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming reopened the Sihe Academy gate and invited: 'Welcome.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming placed a wooden plank across the threshold and pushed the motorcycle inside: 'Come in—this is my home.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'You bought another house?' Gong Ying exclaimed in disbelief. As a small-town resident of the Magic City, the vast courtyard and surrounding buildings overwhelmed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming sighed: 'Xiao Hong and Yunyun will probably stay at the Overseas Chinese Apartments long-term. Xiao Hong and I need somewhere to meet and talk in private.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he locked the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying’s heartbeat quickened—Little Wei’s words sounded incredibly wealthy and carefree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d originally planned to return to her dormitory, but it was too late now, and she’d mindlessly followed Wei Ming back to his home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This—was this really appropriate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming sealed the bag of cicada nymphs and hung it outside the gate, then opened the only renovated bedroom. The bed and bedding were new; the other furniture was carefully selected secondhand antiques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying stepped in: 'This is my first time inside a Sihe Academy. Didn’t we pass the Forbidden City just now?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming smiled: 'From the roof, you can see the corner towers of the Forbidden City. I plan to do a major renovation later and build a terrace—the view should be great.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming already had some preliminary ideas for restoring the entire Sihe Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying looked at the fresh red quilt and pillow on the bed, and blushed, lowering her head—this seemed like a long-planned setup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Are there other rooms here?' Her voice was barely a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming heard and replied: 'Yes, but this is the only room with a bed.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying: 'Then how will we sleep?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming gently wrapped his arms around her, lightly touching her forehead and ears: 'What, you’re afraid I’ll eat you tonight?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuejie’s hands nervously pressed against Wei Ming’s chest: 'Then be good tonight—we’ll just sleep simply. I’ve been on hard-seat for over twenty hours without closing my eyes.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words struck Wei Ming’s soft spot—he’d truly intended mischief, but now he couldn’t bring himself to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Alright, we’ll just sleep. I’ll heat some water for a foot soak.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying yawned as she sat on Wei Ming’s new bed, running her fingers over the sheets and smiling—she was starting to like this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The house had a gas cylinder; Wei Ming boiled water, filled two hot-water bottles, and carried a basin into the room—only to find Xuejie already asleep, her calves dangling off the bed, her lips slightly parted—not pretending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A girl traveling alone by train probably didn’t dare sleep. After arriving in Beijing, she’d come to find him, then followed him into the grove—she must have been exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Wei Ming skipped washing his feet, took off her shoes, gently laid her straight on the bed, covered her with the quilt, then quietly climbed in himself, leaving a small space between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was asleep—but Little Wei and Little Little Wei suffered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, when Wei Ming woke, he and Gong Ying were wrapped in each other’s arms, face to face, his leg draped over hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since his own hair wasn’t long enough, he used her hair to tease her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuejie finally woke and sensed something amiss—Wei Ming was wearing shorts, but they seemed no longer sufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Little Wei, are you in a lot of pain?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming was surprised: 'Sister, you know about this?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Ying: 'During our rural re-education, we read hand-copied copies of The Girl’s Heart.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t expected Xuejie’s reading list to be so extensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming took her hand and guided it downward: 'Sister, help me out a little, okay~'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(12,000 words completed—Old Buddha finally didn’t soften today!)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3557,"2026-06-19T16:30:58.707Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","350d5c54012cafcb72a23567c9a9314715607d3948b8a73d76d8e5f8eb3e9037","rising-in-1979-chapter-228","rising-in-1979-chapter-226",509,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frising-in-1979-cover.jpg"]