The next day, Cheng You planned to go to the supply and marketing cooperative with Qi Chengyan's tractor.
She braided her hair into two pigtails, wore a floral dress, and white cloth shoes, looking charming and pretty.
As she left, Aunt Six cautioned her repeatedly, "You must not touch your wound; be careful."
Cheng You felt a warmth spread through her heart and replied obediently, "I know. I'll take the tractor there and be back soon."
However, a hint of melancholy settled in her heart. She had been staying for several days, and she suspected Cheng Tianhua would soon send her home.
Cheng You waited at the village entrance early, watching Qi Chengyan drive his tractor over.
There was an empty seat beside him, which she had her eyes on for a while.
Just as she was about to get on, someone nudged her, causing her to stumble.
She watched helplessly as Sun Xiaowan beat her to it and sat down next to Qi Chengyan.
Duan Liping gave her an apologetic look. "Cheng You, she didn't mean to. Are you alright?"
Cheng You shook her head. "I'm fine. It's okay."
She didn't have many friends, and she had a good impression of Duan Liping.
Duan Liping was about to get on the back when she realized she hadn't brought her wallet.
"Qi Zhiqing, could you wait for me? I need to go back and get my wallet."
Qi Chengyan nodded.
Cheng You glared at him, not wanting to watch him and Sun Xiaowan chat there. She turned away huffily and walked to the side.
Before long, she saw Cheng Tao approaching.
She was probably also going to the supply and marketing cooperative and got on the back of the tractor.
Glancing back at the person next to Qi Chengyan, she saw someone with pigtails and mistakenly thought it was Cheng You. She deliberately raised her voice, "Cheng You, you're already engaged. Can you please be more mindful? If Aunt Wang saw you like this, she'd definitely be angry."
Sun Xiaowan, still unaware that Cheng Tao was talking to her and focused on how to strike up a conversation with Qi Chengyan, was oblivious.
Her demeanor, in Cheng Tao's eyes, was one of arrogance.
Cheng Tao reached out from behind and poked her head. She reprimanded her with displeasure, "Cheng You, did you hear me? You need to keep your distance from Qi Zhiqing!"
Sun Xiaowan's head was poked, and she turned around angrily, her eyes practically spitting fire.
"You were talking to Cheng You, why are you poking me! Are you crazy!"
Cheng Tao's face turned pale. "It's you?"
Cheng You walked over slowly, her face radiant, a smile playing on her lips.
"Sister, I'm here. Why do you always like to link me and Qi Zhiqing together? Since you know it's bad for my reputation, why do you keep doing this?"
Cheng Tao stammered an explanation, "I... I mistook her for you. I thought she was you."
Cheng You tugged at her lips. "Is that so?"
Did you really think I'd believe that?
Zhang Yunmei climbed up and directly exposed Cheng Tao's intentions. "Cheng You, are you stupid? Once your reputation is ruined, the Zhao family will naturally break off the engagement, and then she can marry him, right?"
Cheng Tao gritted her teeth. "That's not true! Aunt Zhang, how can you say that about me?"
Cheng You narrowed her eyes at her. "If you don't want people to say that, then stop staring at me and wishing you could pour dirty water on me at any moment!"
Just as Cheng Tao was about to retort, she heard Sun Xiaowan say, "Exactly. I'm the one sitting next to Qi Zhiqing, and you insisted on saying it was Cheng You. I don't know what your intentions are."
Sun Xiaowan wasn't defending Cheng You; she simply disliked anyone being associated with Qi Chengyan.
Cheng Tao bit her lip, unable to find words to clarify herself, and fell silent.
By the time Duan Liping returned, the tractor bumped its way towards the supply and marketing cooperative, the uneven road jolting Cheng You's internal organs.
When they arrived at the cooperative, her face was pale, and she felt a bit dizzy.
Zhang Yunmei asked, "Qi Zhiqing, how long will you be stopping here?"
"One hour."
Zhang Yunmei hurried off. "Then I need to be quick."
The others rushed to do their own tasks.
Cheng You had only come to buy some daily necessities and didn't need to rush. She walked forward slowly.
Coincidentally, she was heading in the same direction as Qi Chengyan.
A moment later, Sun Xiaowan caught up.
"Brother Chengyan, why didn't you wait for me?"
Hearing the voice, Cheng You's lips pursed even higher, almost enough to hang an oil can.
She walked forward with large strides, not wanting to listen to the two of them talk.
However, after a while, for reasons unknown, Sun Xiaowan ran off crying after Qi Chengyan said something.
She secretly glanced back. The man remained stern and cold, showing no sign of emotion.
In an instant, the man's sharp, hawk-like eyes caught her gaze.
Cheng You was caught and guiltily turned her head.
Qi Chengyan's long legs quickly caught up to Cheng You's short ones.
"Does your wound hurt?"
Cheng You shook her head, her tone unconsciously carrying a hint of娇气. "I'm just a little dizzy. The road was too bumpy."
Qi Chengyan looked around, his thick eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"Wait for me here."
Saying that, he ran off.
Cheng You, not understanding why, stood in place waiting for him.
A pretty young woman like her standing there attracted many curious glances.
Soon, Qi Chengyan returned, holding a bottle of soda.
"Drink this."
Cheng You's eyes lit up. She had drunk soda before, but that was years ago!
Seeing her dazed, Qi Chengyan thought she couldn't open it either and specifically unscrewed the cap for her.
Cheng You's lips curved into a smile. Before drinking the soda, she already felt a sweetness.
"Thank you."
She took it and took a small sip. It tasted just like it did when she was a child.
"Do you want some?" Cheng You offered him the bottle.
Qi Chengyan looked down at her, remaining silent.
Cheng You, thinking of something, blushed and snatched the bottle cap from his hand.
"I'm going to buy things now!"
Qi Chengyan watched her enter the daily necessities store before turning to leave.
Cheng You bought shampoo and soap, then turned to look at fabrics.
Tashan Commune was a small place, and there weren't many special fabrics.
She found a piece with good drape and color and bought it, as it was more suitable for making dresses.
Girls loved beauty, and she was no exception.
After buying what she needed, she waited by the tractor earlier than planned.
After a while, Qi Chengyan also finished his errands.
Cheng You originally intended to sit in the back, but she saw Qi Chengyan holding a cushion and placing it on the small seat beside him.
"Sit here."
Cheng You hesitated for a moment. "Sun Zhiqing hasn't come back yet."
Someone like Sun Xiaowan would make a scene if things didn't go her way.
Cheng You wasn't afraid of arguing, but she was too lazy for it.
Qi Chengyan said calmly, "This is not her exclusive seat."
Cheng You's eyes curved into crescents, and she pointed at the cushion. "What about this? Did you buy it specifically for me?"
Qi Chengyan remained silent, but Cheng You was determined to get an answer.
"Is it? Is it, tell me!"
Qi Chengyan rested one arm on the handlebar, his strong bicep muscles tensing, and a faint curve appeared at the corner of his lips.
"Yes, I bought it for you."