Chapter Twenty-One: Rival in Love

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Developing, fixing, washing—the moment Liu Weidong held the freshly printed photos, a sly smile crept across his face. His skills weren’t bad at all. The photos captured Li Baotian and Li Hong’s terrified expressions and their barely clothed bodies with striking clarity.

Liu Weidong carefully loaded the negatives into the dark box, then packed up his camera and equipment before hurrying downstairs to the Municipal Party Committee.

Zhao Lijun happened to be at the committee, so naturally, Liu Weidong didn’t bring up Lou Yanru’s matter directly. Instead, he first reported on the progress of the past few days’ work, especially the castor bean experimental field and the flood relief efforts.

“Good work, Xiao Liu. I’m even considering transferring you to the county or commune as a cadre. The grassroots really need someone like you—educated, responsible, wholeheartedly serving the people,” Zhao Lijun praised.

Startled, Liu Weidong quickly stood up. “Secretary Zhao, helping the oil factory innovate was just a coincidence—I happened to have seen some materials. The castor bean planting was actually suggested by my father-in-law. I don’t really have any special skills. Without your support, none of this would have been possible. I’m just a little sharp, but with little formal education or experience. I’m not cut out for government work. It’s better for me to act as a free agent like I am now—helping people in a way that truly matters.”

“A ‘free agent,’ huh? That’s a novel way to put it. I’m just saying this casually, don’t get nervous—I won’t force you into government work. But your spirit of selfless dedication impresses me even more. If it were someone else, they’d probably jump at the chance to become a cadre. If you face any difficulties, just tell me—I’ll step in to coordinate.”

Liu Weidong hesitated. “Secretary Zhao, may I bring up a personal matter?”

Zhao Lijun was taken aback. “A personal matter? Is it about your father-in-law’s rehabilitation?”

Liu Weidong shook his head. “I wouldn’t burden you with such a heavy issue. It’s about my wife’s status as a private school teacher—her transition to a formal position.”

Without embellishment or casting blame on Director Zha Ma or Li Baotian, Liu Weidong simply explained Lou Yanru’s real situation.

“You want your wife to take the college entrance exam? That’s easy. I’ll call Secretary Yu of Yongchuan County Committee right now. Your wife meets the conditions for formalization; we’re not asking for anything unreasonable.”

Liu Weidong was surprised by Zhao Lijun’s prompt agreement and stood there stunned.

“I’ve always felt guilty for not saving your father-in-law back then. If I can help him now, I feel some peace. I didn’t expect a rural youth like you to have such noble ideals. I’m glad for Lou Nan.”

After leaving the committee, Liu Weidong finally felt his worries lift completely.

Having a deputy secretary of the municipal party committee personally handle this matter left no room for errors—it would be a joke otherwise.

Double assurance: his wife’s dream of university was drawing closer. Now, it all depended on how well she studied.

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Fearing that his wife might go straight home after school, Liu Weidong arrived early at the front gate of No. 1 High School and sat on the curb to wait.

He hadn’t seen her for two days and felt as if something was missing, uneasy all over.

The clock at the bridge tower struck five times, and students gradually began to emerge from the school. Liu Weidong hurriedly stopped one to ask about the evening tutoring schedule—it ended as late as nine o’clock.

As dusk approached, having not eaten all day, Liu Weidong hurried toward Beijing Road, where a state-run restaurant open around the clock stood not far from the school.

Inside, he ordered a bowl of wonton soup and bought several steamed buns. After filling his stomach, he returned to the school gate and sat on the curb, smoking.

In his previous life, Liu Weidong had also attended university—though a vocational college—and later earned an MBA. His knowledge base was sound, but his youthful campus experience remained a regret in his life.

As night fell and the school building’s lights came on, a faint hope stirred within him.

The dreams he had failed to realize himself, he was determined to see fulfilled by his wife. He didn’t want either of them to carry regrets in life.

At nine o’clock, the gate of No. 1 High School opened again. Liu Weidong stood, dusted off his pants, and walked to the gate.

Those leaving were students attending the tutoring class, many pushing bicycles. Soon, he spotted Lou Yanru, wearing a floral shirt and carrying a backpack.

“Yanru, wait! I’ll ride with you home.”

Before Liu Weidong could reach her, a boy pushing a bicycle caught up to Lou Yanru.

“No need, Chen Hao. I live close by; you go ahead,” Lou Yanru said without stopping.

But Chen Hao pushed his bike to block her path again.

“Chen Hao, don’t be like this. I’m married. It’s not good if people see you like this,” Lou Yanru said, dodging the bicycle to move forward, only to be blocked once more.

“Yanru, rural roots are a product of a special era—not love. Now that such a good opportunity is before you, why refuse it? I want to attend the same university. I’ll wait for your divorce. We’re meant for each other.”

Several classmates passing by turned their heads to watch Lou Yanru and Chen Hao. Embarrassed and ashamed, Lou Yanru pushed the bicycle away and tried to walk forward. As Chen Hao reached to grab her, someone caught his wrist.

“Weidong? What are you doing here?”

Lou Yanru looked surprised, then quickly glanced at Chen Hao, her expression uneasy.

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Liu Weidong pulled his wife behind him, expressionless as he stared at Chen Hao. “Kid, do you know what love is? You’re harassing my wife in front of so many people. Don’t you think it’s time you learned what love really feels like?”

Liu Weidong raised his fist. Lou Yanru hurriedly grabbed his arm. “Weidong, don’t misunderstand. Chen Hao is my high school classmate. I...”

Before Liu Weidong could respond, Chen Hao snapped.

“So you’re that drunkard husband of Yanru? Are you here because you have no money for booze again? Next time you show up, could you at least clean yourself up? This is Binjiang, not some rural field. Let go, don’t dirty my hands.”

Wearing a red tank top, green military pants, and yellow rubber shoes, Liu Weidong looked like he came from another world compared to Chen Hao’s white shirt, blue trousers, and leather sandals.

“Damn it, you’re asking for it…”

Liu Weidong’s hot temper flared; he grabbed Chen Hao’s collar, ready to fight. Lou Yanru pulled him away firmly.

“Weidong, don’t misunderstand. There’s nothing between Chen Hao and me. You don’t need to stoop to his level.”

Dragging Liu Weidong some distance away, Lou Yanru did not dare release him.

Liu Weidong still couldn’t let it go. “I’m just curious—how does he know I’m a drunkard? You only started tutoring two days ago.”

Lou Yanru hesitated, then said, “He... probably heard it from his mother. She works at the central hospital too. Maybe it was my mother who told her…”

She trailed off. Even if a mother disapproved of her daughter’s marriage, it wasn’t decent to speak ill of her son-in-law in front of others.

Liu Weidong looked helpless but said nothing. The two just happened to reach the entrance of the state-run restaurant. He pulled Lou Yanru inside.

After ordering two bowls of noodles with large chunks of meat, Liu Weidong finally asked, “Are you going home tonight? Why didn’t you ride your bike? Don’t you have one?”

Lou Yanru sighed. “My mother needs the bike for work. My father’s bike is with my younger sister, who went to Yangmu. We don’t live far—it’s just a short walk. I’m not going home tonight. I’ll call my mother later. Don’t be mad at her. I heard you’re fully supporting my university plans, and you bought me several new clothes. She’s stopped pressuring me about the divorce.”