The sudden voice startled Zhang Xue. Uncharacteristically, she didn't yell at him, but instead said somewhat guiltily, "No, nothing."
Fortunately, Li Zhiwei was also rather oblivious and continued on his own, "I'm going home tomorrow. A relative of mine who emigrated abroad is visiting. If there's anything delicious, I can bring some for you."
Establishing overseas connections made returning home very convenient, and many overseas Chinese were also starting to visit their home country.
Chen Lishu smiled, "Then I'll thank you in advance."
"Given our relationship," Li Zhiwei didn't finish before seeing the teacher's figure approaching from the hallway. He returned to his seat.
...
Ever since learning she would be going to Chen Lishu's house for a blind date tomorrow, Zhang Xue had become nervous. After finally enduring the end of class, she pulled Chen Lishu aside and asked, "Isn't meeting tomorrow a bit too rushed? I'm a little nervous. What should I wear?"
Although she usually acted quite bold, Zhang Xue was uncharacteristically anxious when facing someone she liked.
Chen Lishu comforted her, "My shop just got a new batch of clothes. After lunch, I'll take you to pick out a couple of outfits. Don't be nervous; besides, you've met Li Weimin before."
"I knew you were the best to me. When we get married and have kids, I'll have you be their godmother."
Chen Lishu: "..." Her thoughts were jumping a bit too fast.
Li Weimin was equally nervous.
"So soon? Leader, what do you think I should prepare? What are some things to pay attention to for my first blind date?"
Gu Xingdong sized him up from head to toe. "Maintain personal hygiene. Don't come here still smelling of sweat after training. As for everything else, be generous and enthusiastic, mind your phrasing, and don't curse. Other than that, it should be fine."
He hadn't been on a blind date himself, so he felt this should be about right.
"Old Wu has experience in this area. Why don't you go learn from him later?"
Suddenly remembering that Wu Zheng and his wife had met through a blind date, Gu Xingdong suggested.
"Learn from me for what?" Speaking of the devil, Wu Zheng pushed the door open and walked in right after Gu Xingdong finished speaking.
Li Weimin's eyes lit up. "Old Wu, you've come at the perfect time."
After Li Weimin explained the blind date situation, Wu Zheng's spirits immediately perked up.
"You've come to the right person for this. Let me tell you, when I went on a blind date with your sister-in-law back then, you've seen my looks. As the saying goes, three parts looks and seven parts grooming. When the foundation is already good, and you spruce yourself up with a decent outfit, your sister-in-law was stunned the first time she saw me. She was speechless for a long time, and later she clamored to follow me into the army."
Gu Xingdong pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers, ultimately holding back from interrupting.
"Really?" Li Weimin, however, was mesmerized and couldn't help but urge, "Old Wu, Brother Wu, tell me quickly what you wore that day and what you talked about with sister-in-law?"
"I wore my military uniform that day. What other clothes have the prestige of this military uniform? As for what we talked about..."
Wu Zheng faltered slightly, too nervous at the time, he couldn't quite recall.
"It mainly depends on your performance on the spot. We're not even afraid of enemies, so how can we not handle a young girl like her?"
Wu Zheng, the dog-headed strategist, finally proved somewhat useful. With an experienced person imparting advice, Li Weimin was no longer as nervous as before.
"Tomorrow evening at six o'clock. Just don't be late," Gu Xingdong reminded him once more at the end.
At the meter factory, Shi Nan was also inviting Chen Liyuan to his home for dinner.
"This is too sudden. I haven't even prepared myself," she hadn't told Chen Lishu about her relationship with Shi Nan, and now going to meet his parents felt a bit inappropriate.
"It's just a casual meal. My parents are very nice people, so you don't need to be nervous."
As Shi Nan spoke, he reached out to hold her hand, but Chen Liyuan pulled hers away, her face flushing. "There are so many people at the factory. It wouldn't be good if someone saw."
"What's wrong with me holding my girlfriend's hand?" Looking at Chen Liyuan's shy and delicate face, Shi Nan felt an urge to kiss her, but they had only just confirmed their relationship, and doing so would seem too abrupt to Chen Liyuan.
"I've already spoken to my parents, and they also want to meet you. I'll pick you up after work tomorrow."
"Shi Nan, maybe we should forget about it. I think it's still too fast."
"Don't overthink it. I'll pick you up after work tomorrow." With a few words, Shi Nan made the decision. Chen Liyuan's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and she finally nodded lightly, "Alright then."
...
Because the Mid-Autumn Festival was not yet a statutory holiday like it would be later, students still had to attend classes as usual.
Chen Lishu and Zhang Xue only had morning classes. They first went to buy some ingredients. After picking up Rui Rui from school, they greeted Zhao Qiuyue and then the three of them returned to the military dependents' area.
It was Zhang Xue's first time entering the barracks. Seeing the soldiers on guard at the gatehouse, she was still a bit reserved. It wasn't until they reached Chen Lishu's home that she completely relaxed.
"Auntie Xiaoxue, do you want to watch TV?" Chen Lishu went to put away their things, and Rui Rui, like a little adult, began to earnestly entertain Zhang Xue.
"You watch it yourself. I'll go help your mom cook."
Chen Lishu changed her clothes and came out of the bedroom. Hearing Zhang Xue's words, she couldn't help but laugh and tease, "I wouldn't dare use you. Don't end up causing more trouble. Just sit there and wait for the food."
Hearing Chen Lishu say that, Zhang Xue chuckled twice. "You understand me the best."
Rui Rui turned on the TV but then went back to his room to do his homework.
Zhang Xue wasn't really paying attention to the television either, her gaze frequently drifting towards the movements outside.
Lin Xiaohui, having stormed out yesterday in a huff, returned not long after because she had nowhere else to go. Thinking that today was the Mid-Autumn Festival, she decided to go to the village to buy some vegetables, considering it a way to apologize to her sister.
Just as she returned with the groceries, she happened to see her brother-in-law Wu Zheng, Gu Xingdong, and another unfamiliar man walking towards her.
"Brother-in-law." Lin Xiaohui spoke, her gaze settling on Gu Xingdong. He had barely changed over the past two years, with a tall physique and a stern face. She unconsciously began to compare Gu Xingdong with Lu Chengming.
Lu Chengming was also good-looking, with a fair complexion and delicate features. She had liked him so much back then, but now she thought of him as having a face like Chen Shimei, who was fickle and unrighteous.
She had heard her sister say that Gu Xingdong had even been promoted recently. It was a pity that she hadn't met such a good man. She wondered why Chen Lishu was so lucky.
"Old Wu, we'll be going then." Gu Xingdong said, leading Li Weimin towards home.
"Brother-in-law, who is that person next to Brother Gu?" She had spent a considerable amount of time in the military dependents' area and didn't seem to have ever seen him before.
Hearing her question, Wu Zheng glanced at her. "Li Weimin."
"He's Li Weimin?" Lin Xiaohui had naturally heard the name. Lin Xiaoyue and Wu Zheng had wanted to introduce him to her before.
Seeing him unexpectedly today, she didn't think he looked too bad. He had thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a square face. It was just that his skin was too dark, and he wasn't very tall either, standing a full head shorter than Gu Xingdong.
"I remember he's a company commander, right?" Looking at the receding figures, Lin Xiaohui fell into deep thought.