Back To The 80s-Chapter 33: Friends_1

When Gu Xiaobei got up early in the morning, Chen Qiumei had already set breakfast on the table. Millet porridge, steamed buns, and some pickled vegetables.

Liu Mei sat down, not looking at anyone, and started peeling an egg for herself. Chen Qiumei glared at Liu Mei and passed the remaining egg to Gu Xiaodong.

Gu Xiaobei secretly curled her lip, thinking about the preference for sons over daughters. However, Liu Mei gave Gu Xiaobei a meaningful glance.

After breakfast, as Gu Xiaobei grabbed her bag and was about to leave, Chen Qiumei exclaimed, "Xiaobei, you’re really moving out?"

"Yeah, didn’t I tell you? I went looking for a place last Sunday," Gu Xiaobei replied nonchalantly.

"It’s so dangerous for you to live out there on your own, and your brother too, how could he agree to this," Chen Qiumei complained to Gu Xiaodong.

"Moving out is good. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even want to come back to this house," Liu Mei dropped the remark and left with her bag.

Chen Qiumei was frustrated, "Look at the wife you’ve picked, you’re such a pushover, can’t even control your own wife." Gu Xiaodong frowned but said nothing.

Gu Xiaobei didn’t want to listen to another round of complaints, mentioned she’d be late for work, and hurried out the door.

At the bus stop, she found Liu Mei as well, wearing a white mid-sleeve dress, staring blankly into the street. Already thin, she looked somewhat pitiable from this angle, exuding a faint sadness, unlike her cold and sharp demeanor at home.

When Liu Mei noticed Gu Xiaobei sizing her up, she just glanced over indifferently and turned her head away.

Gu Xiaobei knew Liu Mei didn’t like her and wouldn’t go out of her way to invite snubs. She just waited quietly for the bus on the side.

By the time Gu Xiaobei arrived at the company, Ling Yun was already there, wiping down the desks. Gu Xiaobei quickly put her bag down to help clean up. Ling Yun smiled and said, "No need, there isn’t much to do. Oh, I heard your man is in the military?"

"Yes, I came here as a military spouse," Gu Xiaobei replied while organizing the files on the desk.

"Also stationed at our city’s military base?"

"No, he’s over at the Red Star team. It’s about a two-hour drive from here," Gu Xiaobei didn’t mind Ling Yun’s probing questions.

"You were living with your brother and sister-in-law?"

"I found a place yesterday; I’m planning to move there today."

"It’s not easy for your man, you being here all by yourself, if you need anything, just come to me," Ling Yun offered without asking why she was moving.

"Thank you, Sister Ling," Gu Xiaobei rather liked Ling Yun, who wasn’t nosy and made casual conversation comfortable.

The morning wasn’t very busy, and Gao Dailin didn’t come to the office. Ling Yun told Gu Xiaobei that the boss usually only came once or twice a week. He mostly stayed at the factory. Gu Xiaobei wondered why the company and the factory weren’t at the same location, as that would make business much more convenient.

As if reading her thoughts, Ling Yun explained, "The factory is in a more remote area, with most people living on-site. If we had to do something in the city, there’d be no transportation. The owner had bought this yard earlier, so he built this temporary office and warehouse. It also allows us to entertain clients here first."

Gu Xiaobei nodded, somewhat understanding. Ling Yun continued, "If you have free time, you could learn some accounting—the boss mentioned it. In the end, learning more skills won’t harm you. With a high school education, learning accounting shouldn’t be too hard. By the way, do you know how to use an abacus?"

An abacus... Gu Xiaobei was at a loss; she really didn’t know how to use it, having never encountered one in her previous life, with everyone using computers instead.

Sensing Gu Xiaobei’s expression, Ling Yun knew she couldn’t use an abacus. She passed one to Gu Xiaobei, "It’s not too difficult; it just takes practice. Whenever you can, practice with it using the chants."

Gu Xiaobei held the abacus with a feeling of wanting to cry, but Ling Yun meant well. So, in the afternoon with nothing else to do, she practiced the finger movements according to the chant, one bead up for one, two beads up for two... The more she practiced, the more interesting she found it.

There wasn’t much else to do anyway; Ling Yun was there to guide her, pointing out errors and demonstrating the correct method. Before they knew it, it was time to clock out.

"You’re going to be home alone anyway, so why not come over to my place for dinner?" Ling Yun invited warmly.

"I’d better not today, I still need to tidy up the place. Can I take the abacus home with me to practice tonight?" There wasn’t much else to entertain her in the evenings, so she might as well fiddle with the abacus.

"Sure, no rush, this all comes with practice." Gu Xiaobei liked how Ling Yun cared for her like an older sister, as Ling Yun was the first person in this era who had been genuinely kind to her.

"Thanks, Ling Jie. Once I’ve cleaned up, you should come over to my place for dinner," Gu Xiaobei sincerely thanked Ling Yun.

"Ok, you go ahead and clean up. I’ll pick up my kid from the school next door later; he gets out a little late," Ling Yun responded cheerfully.

"Your kid goes to the school next door? That must be convenient," Gu Xiaobei was also a bit nosy.

"Yeah, a boy, eight years old, in second grade. A real handful," Ling Yun said, but her face couldn’t hide her pride.

Gu Xiaobei chatted with Ling Yun a bit more before gathering her things and heading to her rented room, picking up a small bunch of spinach along the way. Even though she was alone, she didn’t like to skimp.

Moreover, Gu Xiaobei had already been lonely living by herself in her past life.

A few old ladies sat chatting at the entrance of the community. Seeing Gu Xiaobei, they stopped her, curious, "Girl, you’re new here, which building do you live in?"

"Granny, I live in Building 2, Door 3, Unit 302. Just moved in today," Gu Xiaobei wasn’t annoyed.

"Oh, that’s Old Li’s place. Make sure you lock your door when you’re living alone. If there’s trouble, just shout; we’re all from the old neighborhood," another old lady chimed in.

Gu Xiaobei didn’t think much of the advice in her heart, but she smiled and thanked them. Little did she know that these old ladies would save her life in the future.

Compared to the comfortable life Gu Xiaobei was leading, Chi Xiaoyue was living in turmoil.

Sitting pale in the office at that moment, her period was late, and she had a sinking feeling that she was pregnant.

After much deliberation, she called Gao Dailin: "I’m pregnant."

"Get rid of it," Gao Dailin’s voice was cold, devoid of emotion.

"I’m scared. If the hospital finds out, I’m done for," Chi Xiaoyue harbored some resentment toward the man on the other end of the call.

"Are you trying to use the child to threaten me?" Gao Dailin’s eyes narrowed, glinting dangerously.

"No, I know what to do," Chi Xiaoyue indeed intended to use the child to persuade Gao Dailin to give her a status, but considering Gao Dailin’s ruthlessness, she swallowed her words.

"Come to the city on Friday, I’ll take you to take care of it."

"I’ve taken too many leaves recently, and it’s not good for me to take more," Chi Xiaoyue spoke hesitantly.

"Sort it out yourself," Gao Dailin said coldly before hanging up the phone.

Chi Xiaoyue listened to the dial tone spread out from the phone, tears streaming down her face.