The Engineer Falls for His Sweet-Scented Maid - Chapter 27: Hurry Up and Settle the Match

Chapter 27: Hurry Up and Settle the Match

“Keep the shirt.”

Huai Shen steadied the bicycle against the wall, one hand resting on the handlebar. His reply was curt and left Nianhe Su no room to return it.

Nianhe stood at the mouth of the alley clutching the white shirt, bewildered. “But if you go home without it, what will Auntie Liu say?”

“I’ll use the back gate.”

“Someone will still see you.”

“Worry about yourself first.”

That silenced her. She could only drape the shirt over her shoulders again and walk beside him with her head lowered. Her steps were light, as though she feared even the sound of her cloth shoes against the gravel.

Huai pushed the bicycle on the outer side of the lane, half a step away from her. He neither moved closer nor urged her on. The wheels rolled slowly along the base of the wall, while his body and the bicycle shielded her from the wind blowing in from the alley’s mouth.

Nianhe’s thoughts were in turmoil. She already regretted the things she had said.

She was only a maid living beneath someone else’s roof. What right did she have to burden Huai with her hardships?

Yet Huai had not scolded her or used his status to silence her. He simply cleared the road before her and accompanied her without a word.

Near the back gate of the Municipal Party Committee Compound, Nianhe stopped and removed the shirt. Offering it with both hands, she said, “Engineer Shen, there’s a guard post ahead. If I go in wearing your shirt, they’ll ask even more questions.”

Huai looked at the shirt she held against her chest, then at the dress pulled hopelessly out of shape around her. He took the shirt but did not put it on.

“Once you’re inside, go straight to your room and change.”

“Mm.”

“If Liping Wang asks you anything, don’t mention me.”

Nianhe twisted the strap of her bag between her fingers. “I understand.”

Huai draped his shirt over the handlebar and lowered his voice. “If she pressures you to meet Yi Lu again tomorrow, don’t agree too quickly.”

At Yi’s name, Nianhe’s heart fluttered in confusion once more. “Comrade Lu isn’t a bad person.”

“I didn’t say he was.”

“Then why shouldn’t I agree?”

Huai’s hand rested beside the bicycle bell. Only after a long moment did he answer. “You don’t know which street he lives on, how many people are in his family, or what his temper is truly like.”

Nianhe pressed her lips together. “Isn’t that what people slowly learn after they’re introduced?”

Huai raised his head, his throat shifting. In the end, he compressed everything into one sentence. “Take your time getting to know him, but don’t give yourself away.”

The words were too direct. Heat rushed to Nianhe’s ears as she retreated a fraction, hugging the old canvas bag. “I wasn’t planning to move that quickly.”

Seeing her embarrassment, Huai softened his tone. “Go inside.”

Nianhe nodded. After two steps, she stopped again. “Engineer Shen.”

Huai remained where he was. “What is it?”

“Was Ping’an truly crying?”

The alley fell silent. From the guard post came the wavering operatic strains of a radio broadcast.

Huai did not answer at once.

Nianhe already had her answer. She lowered her head and rubbed her thumb lightly over the bag strap. “I see.”

Huai’s brows drew down. “Nianhe Su.”

She dared not listen. After a hurried “I’m going in,” she turned toward the back gate.

The guard recognized the Shen family’s little maid. Seeing her return alone, he merely asked, “Out this late?”

Nianhe hastily hugged her bag across her chest. “I went to have a look around the workers’ club. Sister-in-law Wang gave me leave.”

He waved her on. “Get home. A young woman shouldn’t linger outside at night.”

“Yes.”

Only when she was beyond the guard’s view did she brace a hand against the wall and slowly release her breath.

The lights were still on in the Shen family’s living room.

When Nianhe opened the door, Liping was the only person there. She sat on the sofa in slippers, a plate of sunflower seeds beside her, as though she had been waiting especially for Nianhe.

“You’re back?”

Liping tossed a seed shell onto the plate and leaned forward. “Why are you alone? Where’s Lianhua?”

Nianhe closed the door and hugged her canvas bag. “Lianhua is still there. She met a Comrade Li from the Security Section, and the two got along well, so I came back first.”

Liping looked her over. Nianhe still wore the dress, and though the neckline was somewhat wrinkled, Huai was not with her. The knot of worry in Liping’s chest loosened.

“Has Xiao Huai come home?”

Nianhe’s heart leaped. She hurriedly shook her head. “I didn’t see Engineer Shen.”

Liping studied her face for a moment. Finding no flaw, she patted the seat beside her. “Come sit down. Tell your sister-in-law—did any men talk to you tonight?”

Nianhe did not want to sit, but Liping had made it impossible to refuse. She moved over and perched on the edge of the sofa.

Liping smiled warmly. “Don’t be shy. Men and women have to marry sooner or later. You’re eighteen, exactly the age to start meeting prospects.”

Nianhe gathered the skirt over her knees. “Some men came over, but I didn’t really know what to say.”

“Who? Which workshop? A formal worker or a temporary one?”

“Comrade Yi Lu from the foundry.”

The sunflower seed in Liping’s fingers went still. “Yi Lu?”

Her reaction made Nianhe anxious. “You know him, Sister-in-law Wang?”

“Everyone at the factory knows the Lu family.”

Liping shoved the plate of seeds onto the tea table, her voice suddenly animated. “His parents are veteran workers, and he earns a skilled worker’s wage. His family has two proper rooms, and I hear they’ve saved a great deal of money for him.”

Nianhe had not realized Yi’s circumstances were so good and had even less idea how to respond. “He only bought me some orange soda and asked me for a dance.”

“You danced?”

Liping clapped her hands, unable to conceal her smile. “Wonderful! Did he ask where you live? Did he say he wanted to see you again?”

Nianhe remembered Yi offering to escort her home. Afraid Liping would misunderstand, she chose her words carefully. “He said that if I ever had trouble near the factory, I could mention his name.”

“Then he’s interested.”

Liping leaned back, her mind calculating rapidly. “Yi is terribly selective. He has turned down plenty of formal female workers. If he took the initiative to say all that to you, he most likely has his eye on you.”

Heat rose into Nianhe’s face. “Please don’t say that, Sister-in-law Wang. We’ve only met once.”

“So what if it’s only once? Marriage is about whether your circumstances suit each other.”

Liping looked her over from head to toe, the familiar barb returning to her voice. “A girl who looks like you shouldn’t remain a maid in someone else’s home. Marry into the Lu family, and you’ll never lack food or clothes. You can settle in the city too. You couldn’t pray for better fortune.”

Nianhe bowed her head. “I’m not worthy of him.”

“At least you understand that.”

The answer soothed Liping’s pride, but she pressed harder. “Still, a pretty face can turn a man’s head for a few days. Settle the matter while his blood is hot. Once his family comes to its senses, getting through their door won’t be so easy.”

Nianhe’s heart sank as she listened. “Sister-in-law Wang, surely this shouldn’t be rushed?”

“You mean to be choosy?”

Liping’s expression shifted, and her fingers tapped against the sofa’s arm. “With the Lu family’s circumstances, his willingness to speak to you is already an honor. Don’t imitate those city girls and play so hard to get that you lose a good match.”

Nianhe raised her head and said quietly, “I’m not playing hard to get. I only think marriage is for a lifetime.”

Liping scoffed. “A village girl like you, and suddenly you’re particular.”

Nianhe swallowed her reply and wiped her palms against her skirt. “I have to care for Ping’an tomorrow. If you don’t need anything else, Sister-in-law Wang, I’d like to change and wash the clothes.”

Seeing her lowered eyes and obedient manner, Liping decided not to waste any more breath. She stood and straightened the collar of her nightdress. “Fine. Tomorrow I’ll ask around at the hospital and see if someone from the trade union can pass a message to Yi.”

“Sister-in-law Wang.”

Nianhe jumped to her feet in alarm. “Please don’t speak to anyone yet. I haven’t decided.”

“What’s there to decide?”

Liping turned and glared. “If you’re capable enough, find yourself a cadre’s son. Do you imagine one would want you? The Lu family is already a stroke of extraordinary luck.”

The words drained the color from Nianhe’s face. Her lips moved, but in the end, she did not argue again.

Taking her silence for fear, Liping headed upstairs in satisfaction. “Don’t damage the dress. Wash it tomorrow and return it to me.”

“I know.”

Her footsteps faded along the stairs. Only the ticking of the wall clock remained in the living room.

Nianhe stood for a while, then slowly sank back onto the edge of the sofa. Her shoulders slumped, all strength drained from her body.

Ping’an had not been crying.

Huizhen had not sent for her.

Huai had not come to the club because the family needed her.

He had lied.

But why?

Nianhe raised a hand to her chest, where the dress pinched painfully. The ache crept upward, bringing with it every grievance she had forced down throughout the day.

She remembered Huai telling her not to give herself away. She remembered how carefully he had avoided touching her as he draped the shirt over her shoulders. Her heart was tangled with ache and confusion, and she scarcely dared breathe.