Chapter 25: Goodbye, Lover (Requesting Monthly Votes!)

The girl was an actress with the General Political Department Drama Troupe; after months of nonstop work, she had not only rehearsed her unit’s play but was also borrowed out to star in a film.

It was certainly busy, but she had no moment to rest—now, finally, she had a short break before National Day and could return home to visit her parents and siblings.

Oh, she was from the Magic City.

Seeing no seats in the waiting hall, she went straight to the front of the line, even though she might have to stand for a while.

And she carried two bags that looked anything but light—left was her clothing and personal items, right was Beijing specialties she had bought for her family.

But she wasn’t afraid of fatigue; she had been sent to the countryside in Jiangxi at age fifteen, then served years as a cultural soldier—she had endured hardship before; this was nothing.

There was still over half an hour until boarding, but once she stood at the head of the line, a long queue quickly formed behind her, with many men craning their necks forward—some married, some nearly in their graves.

Wei Ming didn’t join the crowd; it was just Gong Yu, what a bunch of weaklings.

Yes, this woman was Gong Yu—Wei Ming had full confidence in his eyes.

After all, she would become a nationwide sensation in the coming years, then vanish from the screen just as quickly; though her works were few, she left an indelible memory and regret in countless men born in the 1960s and 1970s.

Wei Ming had even bought her calendar; every December, it was all Gong Yu—he cleverly tore the twelve sheets apart and pasted them on the walls, instantly bringing color and life to his shabby room.

Luckily, he had never done anything improper to her calendar; otherwise, meeting her face-to-face would’ve been so awkward.

But she probably wasn’t famous yet—if she were, the commotion would’ve been much bigger.

Just as he was thinking this, a little girl of two or three darted out from the side, walked up to Gong Yu, hugged her thigh, and suddenly cried out, “Mama!”—her voice trembling with tears.

That single cry of “Mama” made Wei Ming feel as if he heard the hearts of countless young men shatter.

Gong Yu turned bright red; she frantically denied it, tried to soothe the child, and in her embarrassment, her flushed cheeks looked even more lovely.

Fortunately, the misunderstanding was quickly cleared up—a middle-aged woman who looked nothing like her and wore different clothes rushed over, picked up her daughter who had mistaken her, and apologized profusely.

Shortly after this small incident, the gate opened and passengers began streaming onto the platform.

Wei Ming and Professor Qu lagged behind; at first, Wei Ming kept his eyes locked on Gong Yu, but soon she vanished into the sea of people—he didn’t know which carriage she boarded.

Wei Ming first escorted Professor Qu to Carriage No. 1, a soft-sleeper compartment: four people, two bunk beds; Professor Qu took the upper berth, the other three were all older than her and radiated strong official energy.

Although this special carriage was open to professors, experts, engineers, and foreigners, it clearly carried more cadres.

Professor Qu was deeply moved by Wei Ming’s meticulous care; she asked him: “Xiao Wei, you’ve never been to the Magic City, have you?”

Wei Ming shook his head—he’d never been to the Magic City in the 20th century, but he’d visited a few times in the 21st: neon lights, wine, and decadence.

Professor Qu said: “I’m half a native of the Magic City; once we get there, just follow me. If you want to visit any place, feel free to ask me.”

“That’s wonderful!”

She was from Zhejiang; her father was a senior official at the Magic City branch of the Bank of Communications. She lived in the Magic City throughout the Republic era and the early years of the PRC, enjoying a privileged life, until she went to Beijing for university as an adult.

So her “background” was considered very poor, and with her blunt personality and refusal to write badly about her teachers, she suffered greatly in her youth.

Only when the train started and all passengers were seated did Wei Ming leave; the chaos had made crossing four carriages difficult.

Wei Ming left his suitcase here, taking only a shoulder bag and a thermos.

Carriages two and three were hard-sleeper; they were nearly full. Even in this era, there were still wealthy people—forty yuan for a ticket, roughly a month’s wage for a factory worker.

Wei Ming walked slowly, looking around.

Not her.

Not her.

Others were staring at him too—what was that thing around his neck? He even spotted the little girl at the ticket gate who had mistaken Gong Yu for her mother—still no sign of Gong Yu.

When he reached.

After all, he had many dream girls—what was she to him?

Just as Wei Ming found his seat and was about to eject the fat man who had taken it, the man spoke first.

“Young comrade, this seat is yours, right?”

“Yes.” Wei Ming showed his ticket.

“Oh, what a coincidence—we’re also going to the Magic City! This is my girlfriend. Could we switch seats? You go to Carriage No. 10, I’ll take this one.” He pulled out his ticket.

Wei Ming didn’t want to switch—he feared Professor Qu might come looking for him and couldn’t find him, and Carriage No. 10 was too far.

“Comrade, I’m truly sorry, but I can’t switch. I have to look after an elder in the sleeper carriage—she’s unwell—and Carriage No. 10 is too far.” Wei Ming adopted an expression of “I’d love to help, but circumstances won’t allow.”

“Ah, I see,” the fat man by the window had no reply—the excuse was too strong. “Then maybe your wife could go to Carriage No. 10 and ask if anyone there would be willing to switch? Women are easier to persuade.”

So his wife left; the fat man seemed unwilling to move and closed his eyes to enjoy the breeze. Wei Ming simply sat down in his girlfriend’s seat, next to the aisle.

!

A long journey, accompanied only by books.

Wei Ming brought five books—more than enough: The Jin Jin Fairy Tales Collection, edited by Jin Jin, under the supervision of Lu Xiaoyan and others.

Lao She’s lesser-known novel, The Story of Niu Tianci.

Wang Meng’s newly published novel, Youth Forever.

A volume of Selected Works of Mao Zedong.

The final book was the third volume of the long novel The Morning of the Magic City, serialized over twenty years ago in Harvest.

Wei Ming started with The Morning of the Magic City—he had just finished reading the first two volumes at the library, while the memory was fresh.

It was a panoramic novel depicting the socialist transformation of capitalist industry and commerce, helpful for understanding the Magic City.

The third volume hadn’t even finished the story—there should be another volume after this.

Amid the fat man’s snoring, Wei Ming quickly became absorbed.

But just as he settled into the rhythm, a clear, gentle voice sounded beside him.

“Comrade… Comrade~”

Wei Ming looked up.

The woman clearly froze—surprised by Wei Ming’s youth and handsomeness—then apologized: “Comrade, your lover is waiting for you—go join her quickly.”

Wei Ming smiled at Gong Yu: “Then where’s your daughter? Just leave her behind like that?”

Gong Yu turned crimson—That little girl isn’t my daughter! I’m a pure, unmarried girl!

“Just kidding. You’re not looking for me,” people in this era had no sense of humor—he feared he’d make her cry—so he nudged the fat man beside him. “Comrade, your lover’s found a new seat—go reunite with her.”

When the fat man opened his eyes and saw Gong Yu’s lovely face—half the size of his girlfriend’s—he was instantly dazed.

Lover? What lover? When did I get a lover?

Goodbye, lover!

(Please post more pictures of Sister Xue—none? Steal some from the Golden Age next door~~)

(End of Chapter)