Chapter 3

The setting sun painted the clouds on the horizon a fiery red, and the sea rippled with golden reflections. Qin Yao stood in line, waiting to board the ship. She gazed out at the distant ocean, tears silently welling up in her heart.

It was said that this journey would take approximately twenty-four to thirty hours, with the exact arrival time uncertain.

She had never experienced such a long sea voyage before, and just the thought of it was enough to make her scalp tingle and want to turn back.

Should she not go? Turn back to Bei City.

"Let's go," Gu Cheng said, carrying her luggage and urging her forward. Besides the two of them, there were a group of young educated youths from Yangcheng in the ticket inspection line, both young men and women, wiping their tears as they bid farewell to their families who had come to see them off.

After the tickets were checked, Gu Cheng went straight up the gangway, and Qin Yao called out "Hey!" behind him, forcing herself to follow.

Standing on the deck, Qin Yao felt her whole body sway rhythmically. It wasn't a violent shake but a rhythmic rocking, as if she was swaying with the waves, the rhythm slow and soothing, like a melodious violin.

This swaying sensation came and went. The more she focused on it, the more obvious it became, accompanied by a slight sense of weightlessness.

"Wait for me." Qin Yao steadied herself by holding onto Gu Cheng's arm, and they walked towards the cabin together.

The cabin was very simple, with only rows of fixed long benches. She and Gu Cheng sat on one, with their luggage placed aside.

Gu Cheng asked, "First time on a ship?"

Qin Yao nodded.

There were only the two of them in the cabin, while the other youths remained on the deck, waving and crying farewell to their relatives and friends on shore, the scene noisy and bustling.

The light was dim, and the glow of the setting sun shone through the glass windows into the cabin, casting a light on Gu Cheng's face. He was wearing light yellow trousers and a white shirt, the collar button undone, and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, sitting lazily on the bench.

He claimed to be an employee of the Fishing Company on the island.

In the early 1970s, the fishing companies were all state-owned, so he was a formal employee with a secure job, though his daily work often required him to be out at sea for many days, unable to return home.

"Have some." Qin Yao opened an oil-paper package and pushed it in front of Gu Cheng. It contained honey-glazed walnuts, fragrant and crispy, packed by her family before she left. The plump walnuts coated with honey candy were sweet and addictive.

Her father, a chef, had made these snacks, choosing the best walnuts and excellent wild honey, all-natural and pollution-free food.

They interfered with her weight-loss plan.

She had to finish all these snacks before she could start her diet again, or all her previous efforts would be in vain.

These high-quality snacks couldn't be wasted, and she couldn't just give them away like a generous child.

Gu Cheng had been her porter, so giving him some to eat wasn't a loss.

"I don't need it." Gu Cheng glanced at the sweet-smelling walnuts, thinking that this chubby girl really lived up to her nickname.

Just as he was about to turn his head away, predictably, the chubby girl seized the opportunity to stuff a walnut into his mouth.

Gu Cheng's lips twitched slightly upwards.

The farewell ceremony outside was over, and the others had entered the cabin. Qin Yao promptly packed her snacks, stowing them in her bag. Seeing this, Gu Cheng felt much better.

Several young educated youths sat in front and behind Qin Yao, all around the same age, in their teens. After the ship's whistle blew, signaling departure, several young men and women with flashlights started making noise about having an "activity."

"We're all young people; let's get to know each other."

"It's a long journey; we won't arrive until tomorrow. Let's think of some ways to pass the time."

"Anyone with talents, sing or recite something, let's see what you've got."

...

As they discussed, they decided to have a talent show on the sea. Qin Yao actively chatted with the nearby young people and even volunteered to be the host.

"I'll be the host. I've hosted many events at school before." Qin Yao was preparing for her time on the island, planning to get to know several young educated youths, gather more information, and find a job on the island.

The bespectacled young man, Xu Wei, who had started the commotion, asked her, "What's your name?"

"I'm Qin Yao."

"Your voice is really sweet, like someone from the Jiangzhe area, with an accent similar to that of Shucheng."

Qin Yao shook her head. "No, I'm from Bei City."

"Oh."

Qin Yao chatted enthusiastically with this young man named Xu Wei, even changing seats to talk to him, asking about the educated youths going to the countryside and various things about middle school in the 1970s.

The young man who sat next to Xu Wei, Zhou Liang, sat next to Gu Cheng. He rubbed his arm and suddenly felt a bit cold. He glanced at the young man next to him and felt even colder.

Gu Cheng's face was hidden in the shadows, his sharp, sword-like eyebrows and peach-blossom eyes piercing. His high nose was as straight as a military spear, and though there was nothing in his mouth, his teeth clicked together, up and down.

He sneered. He had thought this girl was enthusiastic and clinging to him, but it turned out she was enthusiastic with everyone.

Gu Cheng closed his eyes to rest, not wanting to deal with anything related to Qin Yao, but her voice kept reaching his ears.

The chubby girl's voice was really sweet, her accent soft and sweet, some words a bit blurred and sticky, very pleasant to listen to.

Just as Xu Wei had said, she didn't seem like someone born and raised in Bei City at all.

"Hey, is that so? What about your school..."

Qin Yao asked question after question, but at that moment, Gu Cheng sat up straight, his arms crossed, his eyes open. The educated youths around didn't notice anything wrong with Qin Yao's words, but he sensed a problem.

Qin Yao's appearance of innocence and curiosity, as if she didn't understand anything around her, was also like she was probing for something.

What is she here for? Did someone send her to gather information?

Qin Yao's identity documents and background introduction letter were all in order, but she had been traveling south all the way. She might have encountered something on the road or been promised some benefit to come and inquire about information.

Many ordinary people become spies and agents under the lure of high profits without even realizing it.

"Alright, next is Comrade Zeng Hong's harmonica performance. Everyone, enjoy the song 'Farewell,'" said the host.

Amidst the laughter and playful banter of the young people, Qin Yao sang along with Zeng Hong's harmonica, earning enthusiastic applause from the entire cabin of youths.

Even as a 140-pound woman, Qin Yao showed no lack of confidence on her face, easily winning everyone's affection.

Qin Yao took the opportunity to check the favorability rating that the educated youth Xu Wei had towards her.

"His favorability towards you is 50 (He finds you very likable)," the system displayed.

Qin Yao nodded in satisfaction. Through her attempts, she had discovered that it was quite easy to raise someone's favorability towards her to 60, but it became increasingly difficult after that.

At least this favorability system had no downsides; it helped her know who harbored ill intentions towards her.

"Qin Yao, how much do you weigh? You look like you're twice the size of Lily," a girl from the third row asked maliciously.

Tian Shuyun couldn't stand how Qin Yao was chatting enthusiastically with the young men and secretly mocked her for being as fat as a pig, yet still so flamboyant.

Qin Yao's face couldn't be considered ugly, but her face and figure were like those of an ordinary girl, only larger.

Naturally, Qin Yao wasn't afraid to respond, "140 pounds."

Gasps filled the air, "Oh my, 140 pounds, that's almost twice my weight."

"That's too heavy; she's heavier than the male comrades."

Some of the female educated youths were small and thin, weighing only about 70 to 80 pounds. Qin Yao's weight was truly double theirs.

A 5'4" young man in the fourth row sneered, "140 pounds, isn't that the size of a pig? When pigs are raised to 140-150 pounds, they're ready for market. If you eat so much, who would dare marry you?"

He was short and skinny, harboring immense hostility towards Qin Yao, who was tall and big.

"Since you're so heavy, let's give you a nickname, 'Zhuangzhuang' (Strong Strong)," the young man said sarcastically. His sharp voice pierced through the cabin, making his words even more cutting. "Zhuangzhuang, Zhuangzhuang Comrade, what a fitting name. It's clear who it is. Zhuangzhuang Comrade, you just did a great job hosting."

Xu Wei raised his hand slightly and said, "This isn't quite appropriate."

At that moment, Tian Shuyun chimed in, her voice crisp, "Zhuangzhuang? That name sounds cute and lovely. It's just a name; she probably doesn't mind. We young people aren't so petty."

"...Zhuangzhuang, it really is cute."

Sitting there, Qin Yao barely maintained a smile on her face. Having never been fat before, she now understood why some people resort to extreme weight-loss methods that harm themselves.

Because she was fat, she was more susceptible to malicious attacks and public humiliation. People would joke and give her nicknames openly. If you showed any dissatisfaction, they would call you oversensitive.

The sound of "Zhuangzhuang" echoed around her, mixed with a "Yaoyao." Qin Yao turned around and, as expected, heard Gu Cheng from behind calling her "Yaoyao."

His voice, filled with masculine depth, made his Adam's apple roll after he spoke.

Qin Yao locked eyes with him.

"Yaoyao," Gu Cheng stood up. Among all the male comrades in the cabin, he was the tallest. Standing in the corner with a flashlight, his shadow rapidly elongated like a giant's.

Walking over to the young man who gave the nickname, Gu Cheng leaned on the chair back with his long arms, looking down at the young man condescendingly, and mercilessly mocked, "Are you a man? So short? Short and skinny, like a little radish head. How about the name 'Ai Deng' (Short Stool) for you?"

"You—" The short young man couldn't accept such humiliation. He clenched his fists. If it were any other man, he would've thrown a punch.

Gu Cheng, tall and lean, appeared slim, but his exposed arms revealed hard, smooth muscle lines.

As tensions rose, Xu Wei, anxious, urged Qin Yao, "Comrade Qin, you're her friend. Can you go up and persuade her?"

Qin Yao stood up and, under Xu Wei's gaze, walked to the third row. She looked at Tian Shuyun and declared firmly, "You're ugly, both inside and out. How about we call you 'Chouchou' (Ugly Ugly)? It sounds better than 'ugly freak,' and it suits you."

"Chouchou, hear how cute it is?"

Tian Shuyun was stunned and then angrily retorted, "You're the ugly one!"

Xu Wei, wide-eyed, thought, I told her to persuade, not to add fuel to the fire.

Qin Yao smiled and tugged at Gu Cheng's clothes, "Do you think she's ugly?"

Gu Cheng straightened up and said indifferently, "They're both ugly, ugly face, ugly heart."

Some people laughed softly, whispering among themselves:

"Ugly people cause trouble. Serves them right for giving nicknames."

"You only feel the pain when the knife cuts you. If you love giving nicknames so much, be careful. Call him 'Short Stool' a few more times, so he doesn't give you a nickname next."

"The girl thinks 'Zhuangzhuang' sounds lovely. Let's call her that."

The short young man and Tian Shuyun looked miserable, their faces burning with embarrassment as they listened to the whispers around them.

Qin Yao and Gu Cheng returned to their seats. The boat swayed slightly, but Gu Cheng walked steadily, clearly accustomed to being on a boat. Qin Yao almost stumbled when she sat down, but Gu Cheng steadied her.

Once seated, Qin Yao looked at the young man beside her with a smile. His side profile, hidden in the shadows, still outlined his handsome, sharp jawline.

The young man from the Fishing Company standing next to them looked kind and had a gentle demeanor.

Qin Yao took out a light pink solid-colored handkerchief from her bag and handed it to him. Gu Cheng raised his eyebrows, quite surprised.

"Thank you for your kindness just now, we're friends now," Qin Yao said with a smile, blinking.

People in the 1970s had the habit of exchanging handkerchiefs as gifts; many middle school students would exchange handkerchiefs with their close friends before leaving school.

They hadn't reached the island yet, but Qin Yao was already planning to befriend Gu Cheng. She was even considering making him a potential marriage prospect. He was handsome, kind, and an employee of the Fishing Company, which meant he was a state-owned enterprise worker. All his qualities were quite impressive.

Fishing might lead to wealth in the future, after all.

Gu Cheng accepted her handkerchief, and Qin Yao asked him for the address of the Fishing Company, saying she would visit him when she had time after arriving on the island.

Gu Cheng wrote down the address in a flowing hand and handed it to Qin Yao, his lips curving into a smile.

Tian Shuyun, sitting in the back, overheard that Gu Cheng was just a fisherman and couldn't help but sneer. She spoke up ostentatiously to the stranger next to her, "Unlike you all, I'm not here as a sent-down youth. I'm here to visit a relative on behalf of my distant cousin. She married a naval officer. When I go see her, she's going to introduce me to someone."

The other female sent-down youths couldn't help but ask her more details with curiosity.

Listening to this, Qin Yao couldn't help but feel a subtle sense of something.

Could it be that she was being set up as a contrast to this so-called "perfect friend"?