Volume One, Chapter 19: No Margin for Error

“What’s this supposed to mean? You’re actually trying to bribe me for your boyfriend?” Fang Fang looked at Zhou Ling and chuckled quietly.

“Say whatever you want, but you have to get me those materials today, or I’m not leaving!” Zhou Ling retorted, her tone impatient.

“Alright, alright, your ladyship—bribing and now playing hardball—how can I not help you?” Fang Fang accepted the scented cream, pondering aloud, “I’ll go check in the back storeroom. The warehouse staff sometimes set aside sample materials for their friends and relatives. I’ll see if I can get a set for you.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful! I knew you’d have a way!” Zhou Ling exclaimed, giving Fang Fang an excited smack.

“Wait here for a bit...” Fang Fang headed toward the back of the Xinhua Bookstore.

Only then did Zhang Shengli come over, frowning. “If it’s too much trouble, then forget it. I can look at some high school textbooks; they should be about the same.”

“What are you thinking? If high school textbooks were enough, why would all the review materials be sold out?” Zhou Ling shot Zhang Shengli a look. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve already arranged everything. Fang Fang’s my high school classmate, and her father is the county’s publicity chief. Getting a set of materials is nothing for her.”

“This...”

Zhang Shengli was left speechless.

Though he’d been standing behind the bookshelf earlier, he had overheard the conversation between Zhou Ling and Fang Fang.

Zhou Ling had gone out of her way to get him the materials, which moved Zhang Shengli deeply.

But Zhou Ling had also taken it for granted that he was her boyfriend, which made him uneasy.

Before this, Zhang Shengli had only been guessing at Zhou Ling’s feelings, but now it was clear. The reason she was so anxious to help him get study materials was to help him get into the correspondence technical secondary school, get recruited for a job, and promoted—so they could be together, making everything fall naturally into place.

But if he failed to get into the correspondence school, their backgrounds and families would be worlds apart. No matter how much Zhou Ling liked him, it would never work.

Zhang Shengli knew this better than anyone.

But he had dropped out of school four or five years ago and had long forgotten what he learned. Was it even possible for him to get into the correspondence technical school?

And even if he did, would he get a job and promotion afterward?

Even if he managed all that and became a proper government worker, as a farmer’s son, he and Zhou Ling would still be worlds apart. Could they ever truly come together?

Leaving aside what others might say, Zhou Ling’s mother, Su Qiong, would never agree.

Even if Zhou Ling was determined to marry him, would their life together really be happy?

Their habits, social circles, and values were just too different.

Though “matching families” was an old-fashioned idea, it had its reasons.

Most importantly, there was still Li Ying.

Li Ying had grown up with him; they were childhood sweethearts, their feelings deep and true. If he let her down, how heartbroken would she be?

If he abandoned Li Ying for Zhou Ling, would he not become the scoundrel that everyone despised?

Besides, Zhou Ling’s feelings for him were likely just a passing fancy. Once she lost interest and cast him aside, he’d become the fool that everyone laughed at.

Thinking all this over, Zhang Shengli felt like he was playing with fire and would one day be burned to ashes, his reputation ruined.

Coming from a poor family, being the eldest, Zhang Shengli always took things step by step, thinking ahead, never daring to take risks he couldn’t afford.

He carried the hopes of his entire family, struggling to keep their battered lives together, helping his parents raise his siblings and hoping to give them a better future.

He couldn’t afford to make mistakes, so he simply couldn’t make any.

The children of the poor grow up fast. At twenty, Zhang Shengli was already shouldering burdens that others his age should not have to bear.

“What’s got you frowning like that?” Zhou Ling saw how troubled he looked and gave him a playful slap. “Relax. With these study materials, you’ll definitely get into the correspondence school. As for everything that comes after... you don’t need to worry. I’ve already got it all planned out. Just listen to me, and you’ll be fine!”

“I...” Zhang Shengli had no words in the face of Zhou Ling’s burning enthusiasm.

Everything Zhou Ling did was for his own good—how could he refuse?

He was nothing but a poor country boy. To have Zhou Ling look upon him with favor was fortune enough for three lifetimes; how could he not appreciate it?

Just then, Fang Fang reappeared from the back of the bookstore, empty-handed.

Zhou Ling immediately became anxious. “What, you couldn’t get them?”

“Look at you, so worked up you’re like a monkey! I got them...” Fang Fang smiled, lowering her voice. “I gave your box of scented cream to Auntie Shen in the warehouse and sweet-talked her for ages. She finally agreed to let me have a set for you—including one of the internal reference books. I heard that’s where the correspondence school exam questions come from!”

“Where is it?” Zhou Ling asked urgently.

“Auntie Shen is packing it up in the back. I told her to bring it to the rear entrance so you can pick it up directly—better that no one else sees.”

“Exactly, no one can see! How much do I owe you?” Zhou Ling fished out her dainty little wallet.

“Are you kidding? These are internal samples they’ve set aside, not for sale. How could they take your money?” Fang Fang whispered. “Go get the materials from the back door—settle up later!”

“Alright, we’ll talk about it another day!” Zhou Ling grabbed Zhang Shengli and headed out the bookstore’s back entrance. There, they spotted a plump woman holding several large kraft paper bags stuffed with thick books and review materials.

“You must be Auntie Shen? I’m Zhou Ling, Fang Fang’s classmate!”

Zhou Ling introduced herself directly.

“So you’re the daughter of County Chief Zhou and Director Su?” Auntie Shen looked her up and down, smiling. “These materials are heavy. I’ll deliver them to your home for you.”

“Oh no, you’ve already helped us so much. I couldn’t possibly trouble you further,” Zhou Ling replied politely.

“Nonsense, it’s no trouble at all. In fact, I have a favor to ask you...” Auntie Shen paused, then smiled. “My daughter-in-law is due next month, and I’ve heard that beds in the county hospital’s maternity ward are in high demand...”

“That’s no trouble at all!” Zhou Ling immediately understood. “Don’t worry, I’ll have my mother arrange the best bed for her and personally help deliver the baby! When your daughter-in-law is due, just have Fang Fang let me know.”

“Wonderful! Then I won’t bother anyone else. When the time comes, I’ll ask you for help directly!” Auntie Shen beamed. “Here, take these materials... once my grandson is born, I’ll thank you properly.”

“Thank you!” Zhou Ling accepted the materials. “Then I won’t stand on ceremony. If you ever need anything, just let me know!”

“If you need any more books or materials, just tell Fang Fang, and I’ll deliver them to your home... Now I’d better get back before anyone sees and starts gossiping.” Auntie Shen smiled and left in high spirits.

“Ha! Searched high and low, only to find it fell right into our hands!” Zhou Ling weighed the heavy kraft bags, grinning. “I thought I’d have to spend quite a bit of money on these materials, but as it turns out, we got the internal reference book without spending a cent!”

“Didn’t you give up a box of that fancy cream? That’s not cheap, is it?” Zhang Shengli smiled wryly.

“That cream is rare, but it’s not expensive when my mother buys it in Shanghai. We have plenty at home.” Zhou Ling laughed.

“Alright then, I won’t pretend to insist on paying you...” Zhang Shengli sighed.

“I never intended for you to pay for the materials!” Zhou Ling placed the review books in the basket on her bicycle.

“Let’s head back and get ready to return to Qinghu Township,” Zhang Shengli said, taking up the bicycle.

“It’s still early! Let’s go for a walk in Desert Park,” Zhou Ling suggested. “It’s on the way, and we’ll head home after a little stroll.”