Chapter 3: Celestial Being

Shen Qingyao paced back and forth, her heart filled with anxiety. After considering ten thousand possibilities, she reached a conclusion. It must be that she was too beautiful, causing Jiang Yan to want to turn their act into reality. Yes, that was it!

She earnestly advised Jiang Yan, "I know you're anxious because you think you're getting old and can't find a spouse, but you shouldn't just grab at anyone in desperation."

"I'm anxious because I can't find a spouse?" Jiang Yan couldn't help but laugh after hearing this.

"Hey, hey, hey, I hit the nail on the head, didn't I? Trying to cover it up with a smile, I see." Shen Qingyao breathed a sigh of relief. At least this person was still capable of communication.

Just as she was about to continue, Jiang Yan coughed. A man who had been huddled in the bushes stepped out. "The leader is looking for you..." Jiang Yan nodded with a serious expression. Wait, there was someone hiding in the bushes? While Shen Qingyao was still distracted by the person who had suddenly appeared, Jiang Yan spoke slowly.

"Miss Shen, I will inform my parents about the marriage when I return today. We will meet again very soon." After saying this, Jiang Yan walked away. He glanced at the Soviet-made jeep awkwardly parked by the roadside and strode forward.

"Brother Jiang, the car is right here."

"I'm walking back today."

Jiang Yan looked back once. Shen Qingyao was still standing where she was, staring blankly at the jeep. She couldn't get in that car. Watching Jiang Yan walk away and the person from the bushes drive off, Shen Qingyao returned home, feeling quite satisfied.

However, she wasn't heading back to her own home this time; she was in a hurry to find someone at the steel mill. If her memory served her right, the original owner of her body had a brother who adored her dearly. His name was Shen Qingye, an excellent student who was hardworking and resilient. After Du Tang passed away, Wang Guihua had used the family's poverty as an excuse to stop Shen Qingye from continuing his studies. Enraged, Shen Qingye had gone to find work at the steel mill, where he lived in a dilapidated dormitory.

The steel mill had already finished its shift. Following the descriptions in the book, Shen Qingyao found her way to the dormitory building.

"Qingye, your sister is here to see you again!" a middle-aged woman in the building shouted, and Shen Qingye came down from upstairs.

Shen Qingyao clutched a flower she had just plucked from a neighbor's yard, intending to hand it to him. "What happened to your face?"

Shen Qingye’s face was dark, and he didn't reach for the flower. "It's nothing. Shen Dongsheng was having another one of his fits."

Shen Qingyao waved the flower, urging him to take it. "That dog-brained Shen Dongsheng laid a hand on you!?" He clenched his fists, looking ready to go and settle the score.

Shen Qingyao grabbed hold of Shen Qingye. He was, after all, a young man in his twenties—at an impulsive age. "Brother, I came here today to tell you something..." she said timidly, and Shen Qingye reluctantly held back.

After they went upstairs, Shen Qingyao immediately put the flower in a jar. The walls of Shen Qingye’s dormitory were shedding plaster, with the worst spots covered by newspapers. On the cabinet, there were a couple of posters of Teresa Teng, giving the room a strong sense of the era.

As soon as Shen Qingyao sat down, Shen Qingye shoved a pile of things toward her. "Take these. I had someone buy them for me in the city. And this..." A bag of candy, two cans of fruit, and ration coupons for grain and oil.

These items weren't heavy in her hands, but Shen Qingyao felt a warmth in her heart. Shen Qingye had to work hard at the factory for months to afford such things, saving them just to give to her. The original owner had been unfortunate, yet she was also truly blessed.

Shen Qingyao placed the items on the table and looked into Shen Qingye's eyes. "Brother, I might be getting married."

"Might?" Shen Qingye’s hand, which was pouring tea, trembled.

"Brother, I want to go back to the city. I don't want to stay in this mountain valley anymore. That man is a soldier; when he gets transferred back to Beijing, I will go with him."

A brief silence hung in the air. Shen Qingye didn't know how to respond. "Yaoyao, have you thought this through?"

Shen Qingyao gave an awkward smile and scratched her head; she really hadn't thought it through.

"Whose family is he from? What does he do?"

"I don't know." Shen Qingyao smiled innocently.

"You don't know, yet you're willing to marry him?" He gritted his teeth, his tone filled with unconcealable shock.

Shen Qingye wanted to dissuade her, but hearing her next sentence made the words die in his throat. "Mom's dream was for us to return to Beijing."

"Bring him to see me next time."

"I knew you were the best, Brother." Shen Qingyao sat beside him and leaned on his shoulder to eat the canned fruit. Shen Qingye's eyes were filled with worry, and he sighed repeatedly.

"Brother, you have some too." She held out a piece, but Shen Qingye was in no mood to eat. He pushed it back toward her.

"Old Shen, hurry to the factory! Something’s happened at the steel mill!" The door was pushed open, and upon hearing this, Shen Qingye changed his clothes and ran toward the factory.

Shen Qingyao didn't chase after him. She hid the ration coupons he had given her under her pillow, locked the door, and left.

...

"Leader, Brother Jiang is back!"

"My son has finally returned!" Xie Meiyi hurriedly stood up to welcome Jiang Yan. "Your father wants to talk to you about marriage again. Regardless of whether you like it or not, don't upset him this time..." Xie Meiyi chattered on as she guided Jiang Yan into the study.

When the door opened, Jiang Feng was standing in front of a portrait of Chairman Mao, lost in thought. Hearing the movement, he began to speak without turning around. "You're already twenty-seven. You used to say you were busy with your career, but now that the organization has brought you back, you need to settle your marriage matters for me immediately!"

"Father, I have already submitted a marriage application."

Jiang Feng turned around quickly. "Who are you marrying?"

"Shen Qingyao, the daughter of Shen Dongsheng from the textile factory." Jiang Yan stood before Jiang Feng and lit a Qunying cigarette for him.

"You’ve only just returned here; where would you have met someone from the textile factory?"

"Love at first sight." Jiang Yan replied fluently, leaving Jiang Feng speechless.

"As long as her political background is clean, as long as you like her, that's fine." Jiang Feng blew a smoke ring and waved his hand for Jiang Yan to leave.

Xie Meiyi, who had been eavesdropping at the door, excitedly grabbed Jiang Yan's hand, clamoring for information about Shen Qingyao. "What does she look like? Show your mother a photo."

"Mom, I'll take you to see her in person next time."

Xie Meiyi smiled brightly. "Oh my, my son has finally blossomed; he’s even capable of love at first sight."

Xie Meiyi’s teasing reminded Jiang Yan of the woman's face and everything about her. Shen Qingyao had a clear, pure face. Her eyes were watery, and she always seemed to be looking at people with deep affection. But she was also clumsy. She wasn't even good at spitting out melon seeds, yet she insisted on acting like she had no manners. She even loved to cause trouble.

She was also very bold. She actually dared to just pick a man to marry. However, it felt like fate. Thinking of this, Jiang Yan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Laughing like that, are you thinking of a fairy?" Xie Meiyi was itching with curiosity and wanted to meet this Shen Qingyao even more.

Jiang Yan nodded solemnly, "She really is a fairy, fallen from the heavens."