Chapter 15: Losing Before Love Even Begins

A primary school student, he actually called her a primary school student?

Although she was a bit short and tanned from labor, she didn't look like a primary school student at all.

Xia Xiao glared with anger, tilting her head back and said, "No wonder auntie said no girl would like you, with that mouth of yours, you'll be a bachelor for life."

Xia Xiao huffed, stepped on Gao Jiaxing's foot, and left without giving him another glance, truly infuriated.

If it weren't for holding back, she almost impulsively threw the rock in her hand at Gao Jiaxing's nasty mouth.

Gao Jiaxing watched Xia Xiao storm off, curled the corner of his mouth, and scoffed, "Just a little squirt who hasn't grown up yet, trying to act all spring-hearted like those women, utterly ugly."

Xia Xiao didn't hear this; otherwise, she might have run back to stomp on him again. Now, she had found Yang Xuehua and the others, who were talking about the He brothers.

Now Xia Xiao's heart couldn't be as carefree as before, inexplicably paying attention to He Xuebing—the stage for the cultural evening was already set up, and right across from Xia Xiao and the others was He Xuebing.

"Look, He Xuebing is over there."

"He's so handsome."

"Li Shengmei was pretty good-looking to begin with; it's hard for her sons to be anything but."

"The most handsome guy in the village is He Xuebing, not any worse than those city boys."

Listening, Xia Xiao somewhat agreed. He Xuebing would still be comparable to those male celebrities even in later times. Maybe she had seen too few soldiers, but Xia Xiao thought He Xuebing was the handsomest soldier she had ever seen; she couldn't help but sneak a glance at him now and then.

Ah, Xia Xiao clutched her chest, inwardly despising herself. Considering her real age, she was several years older than He Xuebing, yet now she was smitten by a soldier who was younger in heart. Could it be because she was reborn at a younger age?

Xia Xiao couldn't understand why she wasn't interested in those good-looking educated youth, or Gao Jiazhi, Gao Jiaxing, even He Xuegang. And it's not like Gao Jiazhi or Gao Jiaxing were bad-looking; the masculine and tall Gao Jiaxing standing next to He Xuebing didn't pale in comparison at all.

So why was she fixated on He Xuebing? It would have been better if she had fancied Gao Jiaxing—at least Zheng Xianghong would be a far better mother-in-law than Li Shengmei.

Slap, Xia Xiao suddenly smacked her own head. Why on earth was she thinking about mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law? That was so shameless. Even if she took a fancy to him, it wasn't certain that he would fancy her.

Xia Xiao looked down at her small stature, a bit deflated. No wonder Gao Jiaxing said she was underdeveloped; she now had the body of a thirteen-year-old, eleven years younger than in her previous life.

"But I think Gao Jiaxing looks more spirited, while He Xuebing seems like an artsy soldier," Yang Xuehua said.

Wang Aihua shook her head: "Although He Xuebing isn't as tall as Gao Jiaxing, he's not bad either, you can't just label him an artsy soldier because he's handsome."

Dong Meihua whispered, "I think He Xuebing is more handsome."

"I think Gao Jiaxing has more of a manly presence," Feng Ying said.

"Xia Xiao, what do you think?" Dong Meihua nudged Xia Xiao.

Xia Xiao whispered, "Everyone has their own strengths."

Sun Yuhua spoke up, "No matter what, once you're discharged from the military, you'll have to return to rural life. Make sure you've thought it through."

Sun Yuhua's words made the quietly whispering Feng Ying and Dong Meihua, and others, pause, and their voices faded.

Which young girl doesn't harbor dreams of romance? Only Xia Xiao was the anomaly, but that was a matter of her past life. In her past life, Xia Xiao, with her exceptional mother, dared not fall in love.

From a young age, whenever she got a bit close to male classmates while studying, her mother would investigate the boy's family background. Even female classmates were no exception; if their families weren't well-off, her mother wouldn't allow her to associate with them, causing Xia Xiao great embarrassment and making her classmates keep their distance.

Moreover, those schoolmates knew Xia Xiao had a difficult mother and kept away from her. Lonely and friendless, except for studying and finding ways to earn pocket money, Xia Xiao hardly had female friends, let alone male friends.

Now, suddenly feeling an attraction to a handsome soldier, yet incompatible with his mother's expectations—wasn't Xia Xiao just feeling unsuitable, just as Li Shengmei felt about her, always picking at her faults and disapproving of her?

Looking at herself now, not to mention that soldier's mother might look down on her, amidst the presence of so many beautiful women, that soldier brother surely would not take a second look at her.

Xia Xiao's heart was filled with various grievances, and she didn't look in He Xuebing's direction anymore. The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

She longed for a sincere, beautiful, and sweet romance. Why was it so difficult?

Now, the age difference was also inappropriate. Others only saw her as a child. By the time she was old enough, He Xuebing might already be taken.

Xia Xiao lamented that she had experienced heartbreak just as she started to develop feelings and asked Sun Yuhua, "Yuhua, what sort of person are you looking to find?" Compared to the other people in the dormitory, Sun Yuhua was more realistic and didn't think much of the men here, whether they were from the village or Youth Point.

Xia Xiao hoped that Sun Yuhua, with her practical criticism, would help her cool down and see more clearly.

Sure enough, Sun Yuhua said, "What kind of man is not important. We are ultimately going back to the city. None of the people here are suitable for us. When the time comes, we won't stay here, and they won't adapt to going back with us. We can find someone better in the city, a match in social status. Why would we choose someone from here?"

Xia Xiao wanted to tell Sun Yuhua returning to the city was difficult; if she didn't marry a soldier or an educated youth, she would end up marrying someone from here. Waiting to return to the city could take decades, and by then, it might not be easy for anyone to qualify.

Right now, Xia Xiao didn't want to shatter Sun Yuhua's hopes. She knew everyone clung to such thoughts, and in fact, several older educated youth women at Youth Point were still waiting, trying any possible way to return to the city.

Dong Meihua might enjoy fawning over handsome men, looking as if she was infatuated, but if she had the chance to return to the city, she would certainly leave without a second glance, leaving all those handsome men behind without a trace of regret.

Once those older educated youth women realized returning to the city was a fruitless dream, Sun Yuhua and others might come to their senses and see how difficult it actually was.

Soon, everyone had enjoyed what was considered a sumptuous New Year's meal and started performing.

First came the lion dances and acrobatics performed by members of the production brigade. Although unpolished, they were quite impressive for that time.

The crowd excitedly cheered and applauded, even Xia Xiao joined in clapping her hands.

Then came the time for the mass choir, with everyone joining in. The educated youth, villagers—those who knew the songs—sang together, creating a very pleasant atmosphere.

Xia Xiao had only joined the Youth Point in singing "My Motherland" when she was called out, "Educated Youth Xia, it's your turn."

"Am I not later in the program?" said Xia Xiao.