Chapter 33: Love Token

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

“Grandma, take your time. I’ll help you up! Be careful…” Bai Xue supported the old lady from under her armpit and almost dragged her up.

“Thank you, young lady…” The old lady was in so much pain that she was almost sweating. Her entire body was almost leaning against Bai Xue.

Bai Xue looked at the well-dressed old lady who appeared near the hospital alone. She did not know what she was doing here.

“Grandma, where’s your family? Why are you going out alone? The roads are covered with snow and it’s so dangerous! Where do you live? Why don’t I send you home?” Bai Xue looked around and could not see anyone.

“I came here to see my granddaughter. It’s almost the new year, but the child threw a tantrum and came out to stay in the staff dormitory refusing to go home. I had to come over to see her personally!” The old lady said sadly, “Young lady, just help me into the hospital!”

“Alright, I’ll send you to the hospital!” Bai Xue supported the old lady and did not forget the sack beside her. She dragged her forward with difficulty with one hand.

Fortunately, there was snow on the ground, so the sack could slide on its own, and helped to make it easier.

They were near the hospital, so they arrived after walking for a while. Bai Xue helped the old lady into the hospital.

“Grandma? Xue… Grandma, what’s wrong?” Just as they entered the hospital, Chen Qiyue, who was at the cashier’s office, saw them and quickly ran out.

“My dear granddaughter! I can finally see you! Look at you. I know you’re angry with your parents, but you can’t forget about me, right?” The old lady opened her arms happily when she saw Chen Qiyue. However, her tailbone hurt so much that she could only bend over as Bai Xue supported her.

“Grandma, what’s wrong? Why are you here with Xue?” Chen Qiyue quickly supported her.

“Qiyue, I came to town to buy New Year’s goods. When I walked here, I happened to see Grandma fall, so I helped her over! Is she your grandmother? You should get her checked out as soon as possible! She had quite the fall!” Bai Xue said from the side.

“So the two of you know each other? This is really fate! You’re called Xue, right? You’re a good kid! If it weren’t for Xue, I don’t know how long I would have been lying in the snow! You might not have been able to see me!”

“Grandma, what are you talking about? Stop talking nonsense! Come, let me help you to the doctor!” Chen Qiyue covered her mouth. “Xue, thank you for saving my grandma! Don’t go yet. Come home with us for dinner later!”

“No, no! It’s only right for me to help an old lady. I have to respect the old and love the young! I still have to rush home. I have to travel a long way and daylight won’t last in winter. If I don’t leave quickly, it will be dark!” Bai Xue quickly waved her hand when she heard that Chen Qiyue wanted to treat her to a meal.

“You have to come over to our place to eat! If it gets too late, you can just spend the night here. I will get someone to send you back tomorrow morning instead! You are carrying so much stuff, how could I let you go back alone?” The old lady refused to let Bai Xue leave and held her hand tightly. “How could your parents make you buy new year’s goods on your own?”

“Grandma, Xue’s father was injured two days ago. Her mother is probably taking care of him at home. Xue, after dinner, I’ll ask my father to send you back in a car! Don’t worry!” Chen Qiyue also glanced at the big sack on Bai Xue’s back and said.

“There’s really no need for that. I hitched a ride with someone from our battalion. He’s probably already waiting for me outside! Next time, I’ll come again next time!” After Bai Xue finished speaking to Chen Qiyue, she said to the old lady, “Grandma, take care of yourself first. You have to be extra careful after taking a fall at your age! I’ll come and see you next time!” Chen Qiyue pulled her hand out of the old lady’s hand.

“Xue…” The old lady only had time to shout before Bai Xue rushed out with a big sack on her back.

“Grandma, you’d better follow me to the doctor! Xue’s father is about to remove his stitches soon, so she’ll definitely come again in the next few days. We have to thank her properly. When the time comes, we’ll treat them to a meal!” Chen Qiyue coaxed the old lady and brought her to the doctor’s office.

As for Bai Xue, she had just run out of the hospital when she saw Zhang Yuan pushing a bicycle from the west. There was still half a sack on the bicycle.

“Zhang Yuan, over here!” Bai Xue carried the sack and walked over.

“Why are you carrying so many things on your back? Are they heavy?” Zhang Yuan took two hurried steps toward Bai Xue.

“The supplies cooperative has cheap clothes today. I bought some for my family! What did you buy?” Bai Xue looked at the sack on Zhang Yuan’s bicycle and asked.

“Cotton! A friend was selling them, so I bought some, but I don’t really need them. Do you need any? If you want them, help yourself!” Zhang Yuan said indifferently.

“Yes, I really want them! You don’t have to sell them all to me! I need some for quilts!” Bai Xue was extremely happy.

“Making quilts? Aren’t you going to make cotton clothes? Your clothes are too thin. It’s better to make cotton clothes!” Zhang Yuan was anxious when he heard that Bai Xue wanted to make quilts. The cotton that he had painstakingly snatched from Zhao Qiang was for this girl to make cotton clothes, but she wanted to make quilts.

“I’ll have cotton clothes soon enough, but I really need cotton bedding. I can’t even fall asleep from the cold at night. I have to make a blanket quickly. How much is it? I’ll pay you now!” Bai Xue said as she took money from her pocket.

“Is this bit of cotton enough to make a quilt?” Zhang Yuan did not mention money and asked.

“This is enough! I just need a little more!” Bai Xue blurted out, but she regretted it as soon as she finished speaking. She looked at Zhang Yuan who was looking at her in confusion and stammered an explanation.

“It’s just that… I still have some at home, so these are enough! Hehe…”

“I see! Then take it! Don’t bother paying me. I eat at your house anyway. If you have good food, just save some for me. This cotton is my gift to you!” Zhang Yuan gave the cotton away without batting an eyelid.

“How can I do that? Tell me how much it is. I must give you the money!” Bai Xue insisted.

“Are you very rich?” asked Zhang Yuan.

He remembered that a few days ago when her father was injured, her second uncle went to the battalion to exchange work credits for $10. Judging from the girl’s tone, she sounded especially rich and did not seem to be pretending. Moreover, she had bought so many things.

Zhang Yuan sized up Bai Xue and was extremely puzzled.

“No… Even if I don’t have money, I can’t take your cotton for free, right… Hahaha…” Bai Xue had said the wrong thing in front of Zhang Yuan several times and was starting to get a headache.

“Do you know how to knit scarves?” Zhang Yuan suddenly changed the topic.

“Yes… Yes, I do!” Bai Xue was already nervous enough when she saw Zhang Yuan’s face. Now, she started stuttering.

“If you don’t want my things for free, then knit me a scarf! I’ll get you some yarn later!” Zhang Yuan looked at Bai Xue seriously and said.

“Don’t you have a scarf? Here… here!” Bai Xue tugged at the scarf around her neck.

“You can have mine! I want you to knit one for me! Is that okay?” Zhang Yuan took a step closer to her, his eyes filled with desire.

Bai Xue suddenly felt that the two of them were exchanging love tokens. At the thought of this, her face turned completely red.

“Can you knit a scarf for me?” Zhang Yuan took another step closer and asked gently. His teasing made Bai Xue take a step back and almost could not breathe properly.

“Y-yes, I can!”