"I gave it to you before I even had a chance to wear it myself. That’s what a good friend I am! Who would’ve thought Zhenbao would buy the large size..." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Song Zhenbao’s face went pale, and she couldn’t stop herself from standing up. "Xia Zhaoyun, He Qingran, don’t go too far! Is this any way to bully people?"

Xia Zhaoyun steadied her breathing and chuckled softly. "And what is it we’ve done?"

"The moment we got on this bus, Tong Yuanbin came over and started spouting some nonsense. I couldn’t quite follow all his veiled insults, but I got the gist: you, Miss Song, are far too domineering!"

"So, let me get this straight. A store sells clothes, but only you are allowed to wear them? Others can buy them, but not put them on? Wearing the same outfit isn’t a big deal. The only one who should be embarrassed is the one who doesn’t look as good. So just because I look better in it, I’m suddenly in the wrong? I’m the bully? That’s completely ridiculous."

"And you," she shot a glance at Tong Yuanbin, "is this bus some private route for your Tong family? Are you the only ones allowed on? Does anyone else who gets on automatically mean they’re chasing after you?"

"And another thing—my name is Xia Zhaoyun. Make sure you remember it. Xia, as in Xiahua. Zhao, as in the Zhaoyang Clothing Factory. And Yun, as in Yunyun, of ’the teeming masses’!"

Her words made everyone on the bus start to think.

’That’s right. It was Tong Yuanbin who came up and started berating that young woman first. What’s wrong with her being pretty? Why did we just go along with what he was saying?’

’They hadn’t seen what happened with the Song Family themselves, only heard rumors. Only those directly involved knew what was true and what was false.’

Just then, two young men stood up and said with an abashed smile, "You two can have our seats. We’ll go to the back!" Before anyone could refuse, they moved in unison to the last row and sat in the empty seats there.

Xia Zhaoyun smiled. "Thank you so much." She pulled He Qingran down into a seat, then abruptly stood up again, twisting to face Tong Yuanbin and arching an eyebrow.

"What now?" Tong Yuanbin’s face was taut. He thought she was playing hard to get, trying to make him jealous and prove her importance. He put on the arrogant air of a factory owner’s son, lifting his chin in what he thought was a handsome pose.

"Oh, nothing. Just letting everyone on the bus bear witness," Xia Zhaoyun’s smile was dazzlingly sweet, an expression Tong Yuanbin had never seen on her. ’It’s as if a once still, gem-blue lake had suddenly started to sparkle, its breathtaking beauty ascending to an entirely new level.’

’Yes, she had been beautiful before, but it was a deliberate, calculated beauty. Every smile and frown had been as if measured with a ruler. Now, it was like a puppet had been given a soul. She was vibrant and free-willed, separated from him by an impassable gulf...’

"He Qingran and I are going to the auditorium in the city for a concert. So," she continued, her sweet smile still in place, "you all wouldn’t be shameless enough to follow us there, would you?"

At this, the expressions on the faces of Tong Yuanbin’s group soured. One of the other two women with them couldn’t help but snap, "Song... Xia Zhaoyun, this isn’t funny anymore. Who on this bus at this hour *isn’t* going to the concert?"

He Qingran gasped theatrically. "Oh, so you knew about it too?"

Someone on the bus let out a snort of laughter, setting off a chain reaction. Others started chuckling and waving their hands dismissively. "Sorry, sorry, we’re not laughing at you! We’re just happy. Yes, we’re all going to the concert, isn’t that great!"

Tong Yuanbin’s body was rigid as he walked back to his seat. His group didn’t say another word.

He Qingran gave Xia Zhaoyun another big thumbs-up. The two of them pulled out some snacks and began to nibble away contentedly, like a pair of little hamsters.

"First thing when we get off, we’ll go to the guesthouse and get a room. I hope they have a vacancy. If we have time, I’ll treat you to a meal at the state-owned restaurant. Tomorrow, we’ll get up early to watch the flag-raising ceremony at the square, check out the biggest department store, and then catch the bus back..."

Xia Zhaoyun nodded repeatedly, her face filled with anticipation.

In those days, there weren’t too many cars on the streets—at least not like in later years, when they’d be packed bumper-to-bumper in traffic so slow that walking would be faster.

However, the streets of the Capital City were swarming with bicycles, darting about like ants. The crisp ringing of their bells and the warm greetings exchanged between acquaintances wove together into a black-and-white photograph, frozen in time and etched into memory. In the future, a single ring of a bell would be enough to summon the entire scene.

Xia Zhaoyun leaned against He Qingran and dozed off for most of the ride. When they arrived, there were still sleep-creases on her fair, delicate face. Her dazed, adorable expression was utterly heart-melting.

He Qingran took one look at her and couldn’t help but shake her head with a sigh.

They were in luck. After getting off the bus, they jogged to the guesthouse and managed to snag the very last standard room. They walked away arm-in-arm with their heads held high, leaving a pale, carsick Song Zhenbao and Tong Yuanbin to watch them go, fuming but helpless.

At the state-owned restaurant, they ordered stewed pork ribs with potatoes, braised chicken wings, and bean sprouts with glass noodles, along with two steamed buns and a corn soup. Xia Zhaoyun didn’t eat her fill. ’If I’m going to pursue a career in dance,’ she thought, ’a disciplined and moderate diet is essential. Eating until I’m about seventy or eighty percent full is perfect.’