Chapter 130: The Listener
The next morning, as soon as she woke up, Ning Xiyue entered her space to check on the pot of meat she had cooked.
Lifting the lid, a pot of golden-brown braised pork appeared before her eyes. The steam rising from it carried a rich, savory aroma that immediately set her stomach rumbling.
At breakfast, Ning Xiyue brought her meal into the space and couldn’t resist slicing up a plate of the braised meat to eat with her rice.
Pouring some of the rich sauce over the white rice and mixing it with the meat — in a word, divine.
She even brought Little Grey into the space for a treat, cooking a small piece of plain pork for it to eat with its food.
She had to admit, the automatic kitchen was unbelievably convenient — and the taste wasn’t bad either. There was none of that usual pork smell, just the fragrance of the braising sauce and the meat itself.
After she finished eating, Ning Xiyue sliced the remaining braised pork into thin slices, pulled out four aluminum lunch boxes, and filled them to the brim. She then took out a mesh bag and carefully packed everything up.
She didn’t even have to wash the pot and dishes herself — just put them in the sink, and the kitchen would handle everything. Not only were the pots, bowls, and stovetop cleaned spotless, they’d also be returned neatly to their places.
It was truly a lazy person’s dream come true.
Once she was done tidying up, Ning Xiyue hugged Little Grey and left the space.
Back in her room, she saw that Chen Yechu had regained some of her strength. Although her stomach still hurt, the painkillers were helping her endure it for now.
Chen reminded Ning Xiyue not to forget to research dysmenorrhea medicine after visiting the clinic today.
Ning Xiyue smiled and agreed. Although she had already developed it, she would have to wait a few more days before giving it to Chen Yechu — for her own safety and to keep a low profile, Chen would have to endure the pain a little longer.
But the moment Ning Xiyue stepped outside her room, she could immediately feel the heavy atmosphere hanging over the educated youth compound. Only their group of new arrivals was outside and active; the three remaining older educated youths were still moping over their lost “Worker-Peasant-Soldier University” quotas.
One by one, they stayed silent, shut up in their rooms, unwilling to come out. They hadn’t even reacted to Li Yang and Wu Zhigang being taken away — they were too deeply trapped in their grief, their hearts choked with frustration.
That day, Ning Xiyue’s first patient at the clinic was none other than Comrade Wu Guifang from the educated youth compound.
Before her stood Wu Guifang with a face full of sorrow, dark circles hanging heavily beneath her eyes. It was as if some spirit had sucked all the life out of her — she looked utterly drained.
It had only been one night, but she already looked much more haggard than before, even slightly older. A few strands of white hair had appeared at her temples.
Ning Xiyue hadn’t expected the news to hit her so hard.
It was all Xia Zhipeng’s fault — if he hadn’t spread the news so early and raised everyone’s expectations, the blow might not have been so devastating.
Wu Guifang sniffled, her voice hoarse. “Xiyue, do you have any medicine for insomnia? I didn’t sleep a wink last night.”
“I do, but I think you might also need something for a cold. I’ll give you some herbs for nasal congestion — I’ll mix in a bit of a sleep aid too.”
Just by looking at her condition and hearing her voice, Ning Xiyue could tell it was excessive worry and a sleepless night that had led to a cold.
“Alright, give me some.”
Wu Guifang glanced around and, seeing that Li Xiuxiu wasn’t there — that it was just the two of them — hesitated for a moment. Then, with red eyes, she looked at Ning Xiyue’s back and spoke softly:
“Xiyue, could I talk to you for a bit? I really can’t take it anymore. I need someone to listen.”
Ning Xiyue’s hands paused as she picked up the herbs. She set them down, sat back in her chair, and looked seriously at the exhausted Wu Guifang. “Alright. Go ahead — I’m listening.”
Wu Guifang’s low, trembling voice slowly poured out her frustrations.
“I’m twenty-four this year, and I’ve been here for seven years. I’ve held on this long purely out of stubbornness. I’m the only one from my original group of female educated youths who hasn’t gotten married yet. I’m still just a zhiqing in the compound. My family is in the city, and I’ve always had my pride… Honestly, I can’t accept the thought of staying here forever, completely cut off from city life.”
Wu Guifang’s expression was a strange mix of laughter and tears — proud yet sorrowful.
“But this time, watching the opportunity slip right through my fingers… I started wondering if my persistence even means anything anymore. All those who got married used to tell me to find a simple, honest man to marry, at least I’d have someone to rely on. Even my family writes letters, subtly or openly telling me I’m getting old. I’ve started wavering. Should I just accept my fate?”
“Xiyue, I feel like I can’t hold on anymore.”
Wu Guifang let out a long, helpless sigh, and a single glistening tear rolled from her eye.
That tear fell straight onto the back of Ning Xiyue’s hand as she handed her a tissue, its warmth seeping into her skin and into her heart.
She wondered — if she didn’t know what the future held, like Wu Guifang… would she feel just as lost? Would she also consider marrying someone just to settle?
After passing her the tissue, Ning Xiyue gently clasped Wu Guifang’s hand, giving her strength.
“You’ve held on for seven long years. Do you think it’s worth giving up now? You’re only twenty-four — your life is just beginning. There’s still so much time ahead of you. Don’t let your future self look back with regret. Some things… there’s always hope.”
Just two more years. It wasn’t far away.
“Mm. No regrets,” Wu Guifang whispered, wiping her tears with one hand while gripping Ning Xiyue’s firm, strong hand with the other. Feeling that strength, she nodded resolutely.
“Talking to you really makes me feel better. You’re right — I’ve held on this long. If I gave up now, I’d regret it forever. And if another opportunity like this came along… I’d die of frustration.”
What she really wanted was for someone to acknowledge her perseverance. As long as one person did, she’d have the strength to keep going.
“I’m glad you understand now. Sometimes, you just have to wait for the clouds to clear and the moon to appear. Be true to yourself.” Ning Xiyue withdrew her hand and gave her a gentle smile.
After venting all her grief and resentment, Wu Guifang’s entire demeanor improved. The gloom that had clung to her face vanished completely.
“Thank you, Xiyue.”
Ning Xiyue handed her two packets of herbs. “Don’t mention it. Here, take your medicine.”
After Wu Guifang left, Ning Xiyue finally relaxed. Sometimes, being a listener wasn’t as easy as it seemed.
After slacking off for a bit, another visitor arrived at the clinic.
It was her second brother — the one she had planned to visit in the afternoon.
Even before he stepped inside, she heard his bright, cheerful voice calling out loudly:
“Sis, I’m here to see you!”
Ning Qingyuan’s warm, sunny voice instantly swept away the traces of sadness that had lingered in Ning Xiyue’s heart from Wu Guifang’s story.
