Zhuang Zhixi was helping out in the Propaganda Department, where he was practically doing the work of three people.
Of course, it wasn't just Zhuang Zhixi who was like this; everyone else was the same. People in this era were generally more simple and honest. Counting every penny was a sign of truly tough times, but when it came to work, they were full of energy and enthusiasm.
However, when it came to learning how to operate the film projector, Zhuang Zhixi politely declined.
His refusal was well-reasoned; he was assisting Old Huang with props and backdrops, leaving him with no spare time.
Director Song agreed to this, as he saw that while people weren't keen on working with Old Huang, they were eager to learn how to operate the film projector. So, finding someone for the film projector role wasn't difficult, but Old Huang's side was harder to staff.
Since Zhuang Zhixi had informed him in advance that he was too busy, Director Song didn't take it personally.
Thus, Director Song didn't pay much attention to it.
Zhuang Zhixi's decision to decline the film projector role didn't concern him about who would take his place; instead, he focused on assisting Old Huang with props and drawing posters. The reason Old Huang was busier was not only because he had to prepare props for skits and create backgrounds but also because he was responsible for drawing posters for the factory.
Of course, the Propaganda Department wasn't entirely reliant on just one person. Others could also draw, but their skills weren't as good as Old Huang's. Additionally, they were short-handed, and to put on a decent show, one person often had to perform multiple roles, leaving everyone busy with rehearsals.
Old Huang, being introverted and unwilling to perform, ended up shouldering most of the logistical tasks.
Zhuang Zhixi, assisting Old Huang, found himself quite at ease. He was in good spirits, though not everyone shared his mood. Little Xu, who was hospitalized, was particularly unhappy. He saw that the person learning to operate the film projector from him had been replaced by Old Cao from their department, and he felt extremely uncomfortable.
Little Xu valued his technical skills the most, fearing that someone might learn from him and eventually replace him. After all, there were significant benefits to be had from being the one who operated the film projector during rural screenings. Although this wasn't openly discussed, everyone knew it.
When the opportunity arose, Old Cao didn't hold back. Unlike Zhuang Zhixi, who wasn't a formal employee of the Propaganda Department, Old Cao was.
Little Xu asked unnaturally, "Why did they replace you? Director Song wasn't supposed to have Zhuang Zhixi learn from me? How could they change plans at the last minute? It doesn't seem proper, does it? Doing things halfway like this lacks the spirit of young people striving upward. Besides, Old Cao, don't you have your own work? Won't this delay things?"
Old Cao smirked and said, "Zhuang Zhixi is busy helping Old Huang and doesn't have the time to come back and forth. Director Song thought I already had some experience and would learn faster, so he assigned me to this task. What? Are you that unhappy about it?"
Don't think he didn't know; he was well aware that Zhuang Zhixi didn't want to learn from Little Xu.
Director Song might not have paid attention to the small details, but they were all in the same department and knew each other well. Little Xu was known for being greedy and always trying to take advantage of situations. They all knew it.
Zhuang Zhixi, just helping out, didn't rely on Little Xu for anything, so it was no surprise he didn't want to deal with him. That's why he immediately backed out.
This gave Old Cao the chance to step in. He had long been eyeing the benefits of Little Xu's role and saw this as an opportunity to get a piece of the action. He said, "This was Director Song's arrangement. You're not going to object, are you? That would be too selfish and not considering the bigger picture. Do you really think this is your private property?"
Little Xu was startled by Old Cao's words. He quickly said, "Of course not."
After a pause, he almost gritted his teeth as he said, "This isn't easy to learn. It might be harder for someone older..."
Old Cao replied, "I already have some experience. You forgot? I have a foundation."
He didn't give Little Xu any chance to argue, and Little Xu knew he couldn't pull any tricks on Old Cao.
Both men had their own agendas. Little Xu couldn't help but resent Zhuang Zhixi. If Zhuang Zhixi hadn't backed out, Old Cao wouldn't have had the opportunity to step in. Little Xu felt extremely frustrated. Besides having to deal with Old Cao, his plans had also fallen through. He had originally intended to use Zhuang Zhixi to boost his own reputation.
After all, they weren't in the same department, so if he offended Zhuang Zhixi, it wouldn't matter much. They could just avoid each other in the future.
Little Xu didn't fear someone who just worked in the medical office collecting fees.
To his surprise, Zhuang Zhixi had withdrawn, leaving him with a dark expression but still having to deal with Old Cao. Old Cao had learned some basics of operating the film projector years ago from his father, who had used some underhanded tactics to get him the job. However, Old Cao had been tricked and didn't end up getting the position, which was eventually taken by Little Xu.
So, the two had a "grudge," and Little Xu knew he couldn't easily outmaneuver Old Cao.
Old Cao, having been deceived by his father, was especially cautious and experienced, making it impossible for Little Xu to pull any tricks.
Little Xu was unhappy, while Old Cao felt quite satisfied.
In fact, Director Song had initially wanted to assign Old Cao to the role, as he had some experience. However, considering their strained relationship and Little Xu's strong recommendation of Zhuang Zhixi, Director Song had chosen Zhuang Zhixi instead. But plans changed, and since Zhuang Zhixi was too busy, Director Song decided to go with Old Cao after all.
As long as the work got done and they didn't come to blows, the rest didn't matter to a leader.
Zhuang Zhixi wasn't aware of what was happening with Little Xu, but even if he didn't know the details, he could guess the general situation. During the time he had been learning from Little Xu, the man's behavior had clearly shown him to be a petty and calculating individual.
It would be strange if such a person didn't hold a grudge.
Zhuang Zhixi was well aware of this and knew that Little Xu wouldn't dare to do anything overt against him. The most he might do was try some small tricks, but since they weren't in the same department, Zhuang Zhixi wasn't worried. Besides, even if they were in the same department, it wasn't as if anyone could just do as they pleased.
Zhuang Zhixi was a smart man, but his life experience was far less than that of Lan Sihai.
However, since he no longer had to learn how to operate the film projector, Zhuang Zhixi was able to leave work at a normal time and return home. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he noticed that it was unusually crowded.
Zhuang Zhixi exclaimed, "Oh, what's going on here?"
Curious, he asked his mother, Zhao Guihua, who whispered, "Old Man Lan is going on a blind date. Everyone's just curious, that's all."
Aunt Wang had gone to pick someone up, while the others gradually gathered in the courtyard, their eyes glued to the entrance of the Lan family's house.
Zhuang Zhixi: "..."
He chuckled and said, "It's just a blind date. What's there to be curious about?"
Despite his words, his neck was stretched out, clearly eager to watch the excitement.
Zhao Guihua glanced at him sideways, thinking that her son was being anything but honest. However, she too soon became engrossed in the spectacle, even though the person hadn't arrived yet.
Next door, Aunt Su was even more curious and asked, "What kind of person is he meeting? What does she look like? Where is she from? Is she from the countryside? Is she a widow or divorced? A widow, right? How many husbands has she lost?"
One could see how malicious her intentions were, hoping for the worst for others.
Zhuang Zhixi smirked at Aunt Su, inwardly cursing the old woman for being so unkind. He said, "Aunt Su, you've got it all wrong. The person is much better than you. She's from the city and has a job."
Aunt Su's face immediately darkened, looking quite displeased.
She felt somewhat unhappy. She and Zhao Guihua were of the same generation, a few years older than Zhao Guihua but much younger than Old Man Lan. She had initially thought that with another old man in the courtyard, her pool of admirers would grow. However, she was disappointed to find that he showed no interest in her and was even quite rude. This left Aunt Su feeling very dissatisfied. She wondered if he was playing some kind of... what was it called?
Ah, yes—playing hard to get!
She deeply suspected that the old man was secretly attracted to her and was deliberately being cold to gain her attention.
After all, if he didn't do this, how could he hope to win her favor? She had some rumors with Old Man Bai, and it wasn't easy to dig someone else's corner. Aunt Su was quite confident in her charm with men.
She had been young until now, and although her looks were not particularly outstanding, her personality had won over many men. If a man fell for her, it wouldn't be surprising at all.
While she was lost in thought, Aunt Wang brought in another woman of a certain age. She looked to be in her fifties, dressed in faded clothes that were clean and neat. Her face was expressionless, with a few silver strands in her meticulously combed hair. One could tell at a glance that she was not a warm and gentle old lady; her stern demeanor spoke volumes without a single word.
Aunt Wang introduced, "This is a two-courtyard house. Uncle Lan moved in this year and lives in the room between the front and back courtyards. The house was assigned to him by the factory. Although it's not large, it's been cleaned and tidied up, and all the necessary furnishings are in place. See, the windows have new glass, and the walls have been freshly painted. It feels like a brand-new house as soon as you step in."
In those days, housing was of utmost importance, and no matter what, this detail had to be made clear.
The woman nodded, indicating she understood.
Aunt Wang continued, "Here, this is the room. Uncle Lan..."
Lan Sihai immediately came out. He had changed into a white shirt, gray trousers, and wore a watch. His hair was freshly washed and looked neat and tidy.
Aunt Wang wasn't surprised, as Uncle Lan was known for his meticulous and presentable appearance.
She said, "Let me introduce you. This is Uncle Lan Sihai, and this is Luo Xiaohe."
Lan Sihai extended his hand, "Hello."
Luo Xiaohe was polite and shook his hand in greeting.
The three of them entered the room, and the neighbors in the courtyard were eager to crowd outside Lan Sihai's door to watch the excitement, but as adults, they felt it was inappropriate. Except for one person... Ming Mei.
Ming Mei had followed Aunt Wang and Luo Xiaohe into the house. She handed her bicycle to Zhuang Zhixi and immediately leaned against the wall to eavesdrop.
Yes, she was eavesdropping openly.
The neighbors: "..."
Ming Mei didn't care what others thought. After all, Lan Sihai was her grandfather.
Zhuang Zhixi parked the bicycle and also crept over, pressing himself against the wall like a large gecko, alongside Ming Mei. The neighbors' mouths twitched, feeling it was a bit improper, but they couldn't quite pinpoint why.
After all, they were family.
Zhao Guihua also happily sat at the door, glancing over to watch the excitement.
Not just her, but others were doing the same. Today, the courtyard was unusually lively.
Everyone wanted to see if this matchmaking would succeed.
They had originally thought they would be the first to receive wedding candies from Aunt Su and Old Man Bai, or at least from Wang Xiangxiu and Bai Fendou. Unexpectedly, neither of those pairs had made any progress, while Uncle Lan had started dating.
This was a case of the latecomer surpassing the early bird.
The Bai father and son were truly spineless, useless!
Inside the room, Aunt Wang, as a seasoned matchmaker, diligently introduced both parties. Both sides already had a general understanding of each other's circumstances, as modern matchmaking involved thorough background checks before meeting.
Of course, there were some deceptive matchmakers, but Aunt Wang prided herself on her integrity and would never engage in such practices.
She said, "Uncle Lan Sihai is from Jinling. He was transferred this year to our Forward Machinery Factory to serve as a master craftsman. He is currently in a rehired status, specializing in mentoring apprentices. He plans to settle down in Beijing. He has a son and a daughter; his son is in Jinling, and his daughter is in Beijing. However, they don't visit often. Ming Mei, the young wife of the Zhuang family in our courtyard, is the granddaughter of Uncle Lan. Having a relative in the neighborhood can be a source of mutual support."
After introducing Lan Sihai, she turned to Luo Xiaohe, "This is Comrade Luo Xiaohe. She has a mother and siblings at home. She has never been married but was once engaged. Her mother currently lives with her siblings."
These details were already known to both parties, as they had been thoroughly investigated beforehand. Now, they were merely being formally stated.
Aunt Wang smiled and said, "Some backgrounds are already known to everyone. You're not young girls or boys anymore, so feel free to discuss things directly. As the saying goes, 'The matchmaker brings you together, but your fate is in your own hands.' Why don't you get to know each other a bit?"
Lan Sihai coughed and said, "Since we're here for a matchmaking meeting, I think it's best to share my full background with you."
Luo Xiaohe nodded, "Please go ahead."
Lan Sihai: "I am from Suzhou. When I was six or seven, my family passed away, and I followed elders from the village to Shanghai City to make a living. I apprenticed at a goldsmith's shop and worked there for decades. After liberation, the owner fled to Hong Kong, but I stayed. As a master craftsman, I was assigned to a factory in Jinling, where I moved. I had three children with my late wife, but my eldest son passed away in childhood, leaving me with a son and a daughter. After my wife's death, I remarried several times. My second wife passed away unexpectedly, my third wife died of illness, and my fourth wife and I divorced. If you find me acceptable, I would be your fifth husband."
Luo Xiaohe's mouth twitched. She already knew about these details, as her younger brother had been hospitalized with Aunt Su, Aunt Zhou, and Bai Fendou, who had gossiped about Lan Sihai extensively. The Luo siblings were well aware of his history.
However, no one was without flaws. Lan Sihai's reputation in this regard was somewhat tarnished, but Luo Xiaohe's wasn't much better. She had been pregnant out of wedlock and had lost the child, rendering her unable to have more children. In many people's eyes, she was even more disgraceful.
Yes, life was often unfair.
She hadn't been at fault, yet everyone looked down on her.
Luo Xiaohe said, "You should know about my situation—I can't have children."
Lan Sihai smiled, "Whether you can have children or not has nothing to do with me. I'm at this age."
He continued frankly, "Since we're here to meet, it means we both have some understanding of each other and are willing to give it a try. In a matchmaking meeting, I believe we should be upfront. I'm a bit selfish and self-centered. Even my children know not to meddle in my affairs. I enjoy smoking and drinking, and I value good food and comfort. I'm not the type to deprive myself, nor do I seek someone to control me. My children don't even try to control me."
Luo Xiaohe asked seriously, "Will you get violent or abusive when you drink?"
Lan Sihai replied, "No, I only drink a little—just enough to savor the flavor. Drinking is about appreciation, not guzzling like a beast."
Aunt Wang: "..."
I suspect you're implying something about me, though I have no evidence. How is being hearty and straightforward considered guzzling?
Lan Sihai continued, "As for getting violent or abusive under the influence, I would never do something so uncouth. I may be selfish, but I would never sink to that level. A man hitting a woman is utterly disgraceful. If I were that kind of person, the machinery factory wouldn't have hired me. It would be too embarrassing."
Luo Xiaohe felt more at ease.
She then asked, "Your granddaughter lives in the same courtyard as us. Will she look down on me or cause trouble?"
At her age, she wasn't a starry-eyed girl dreaming of romance. She asked practical questions, as one would expect from someone with life experience. The idea of falling in love at first sight was absurd.
Lan Sihai waved his hand, "No, she won't have the time to bother you. Over time, you'll see that she has a good personality. Although she's in her twenties, she's quite naive. She's soft-spoken but straightforward, not cunning. If you don't scheme against her, she won't harm you. But if you do scheme against her, she does have a bit of a stubborn streak."
Ming Mei, who was eavesdropping, pointed at herself and pouted, looking a bit childish. Zhuang Zhixi chuckled and ruffled her hair. The two continued to eavesdrop.
Lan Sihai spoke up at this moment: "I don't like my life being disturbed. Whether it's my children or others, I don't want any interference. I know you have a mother, so what are your plans for her?"
Luo Xiaohe's tone turned colder: "She will live with my younger brother and sister, and she won't bother us."
After a pause, she said very seriously: "I've worked hard for my family for half my life. Now, I want to live for myself."
Lan Sihai chuckled: "You're not just saying one thing and doing another, are you?"
Luo Xiaohe: "No, I'm not!"
Both of them were straightforward people, and after laying out their intentions, they found each other quite agreeable.
Lan Sihai didn't like people who were indecisive and overly clingy. Although Luo Xiaohe was a bit tough, she clearly wasn't a weak woman. She seemed capable of managing a household well. Similarly, Luo Xiaohe had a good impression of Lan Sihai. He wasn't the sloppy old man she had imagined but was quite energetic and straightforward.
No matter how they usually behaved, she was happy to meet someone straightforward during a blind date. Whether it was a good or bad match, they made it clear from the start, so there was no room for misunderstandings.
Compared to such people, although their directness might feel uncomfortable, it was actually very suitable for her.
As they continued to communicate, Aunt Wang, the matchmaker, felt something was off. It was just... off.
Lan Sihai: "I'm quite a bit older than you. If we get together, it's really me who's benefiting. But I'll also provide you with security. When I meet the King of Hell, this house will be yours. Don't worry, my son and daughter won't try to take it. If we can be together, I'll write you a document for some security. But don't try to off me early for the house, okay?"
Luo Xiaohe twitched her mouth, saying: "You're overthinking it. Murder is illegal."
She said: "It's not about age. It's not easy for me to find a suitable partner, but I need to make it clear that I'll keep my relatives from causing trouble or interfering in my life. You also need to control your family... I don't want anyone nitpicking at me. If that happens, I'd rather not marry. After all, even at my parents' house, my mother was like that."
Lan Sihai: "I can guarantee that. Those little rascals won't dare to cause trouble."
"That's good."
Lan Sihai: "Although you say it's not about age, I am older. If my health declines in a few years, we can hire someone to help out. Every family has a few poor relatives, and hiring someone like that to assist wouldn't make you too tired. I won't burden you with the weight of life."
It was undeniable that Lan Sihai's words hit the mark. No matter how things turned out, his clear planning made her feel at ease.
Luo Xiaohe: "You're a good person."
Lan Sihai: "I'm not very good at saying nice things."
Luo Xiaohe: "What a coincidence, neither am I. We're even, so let's not judge each other."
Their eyes met, and they both knew they were no pushovers.
Lan Sihai: "I heard you got interested in me after hearing people gossip about me at the hospital. Why? Most people would stay far away from someone like that."
Luo Xiaohe: "Those two gossips weren't worth listening to. If they said something bad about you, you must be a good person. Besides, I'm not exactly known for my good reputation either."
Lan Sihai nodded, appreciatively: "You're quite straightforward."
Luo Xiaohe: "I'm not good at saying things that please others."
"Why should we please others? People aren't living for others. Life is short, and we should live for ourselves. Otherwise, we won't eat or drink well, and life will be miserable. What's the point? Are we here to endure hardships?"
Lan Sihai had a lot to say on the matter.
Luo Xiaohe laughed, saying: "You're right. I used to be so stuck in my ways, wasting so much time and feeling so frustrated. Listening to you is like reading ten years' worth of books."
Lan Sihai smiled, then said: "Actually, I haven't read many books, but don't underestimate me. I've seen a lot. As they say, 'Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.' A broad experience opens up one's horizons."
Luo Xiaohe agreed deeply: "That makes sense."
She kept agreeing, clearly finding common ground with Lan Sihai. Lan Sihai asked: "By the way, do you like watching movies?"
Luo Xiaohe nodded sincerely: "I do, but my family has been tight on money, so I don't go often. There are too many places where money is needed."
Lan Sihai: "Then I'll take you sometime. In the fall, we can go to the Fragrant Hills to see the maple leaves. I've only heard about it, never seen it."
Luo Xiaohe: "Oh, I've been there. Although life has been dull, I sometimes find little joys on my own. Free joys..."
Lan Sihai: "That's right. There are ways to enjoy life with money, and there are free ways too. Both are beautiful..."
The two of them kept chatting.
It was clear that their rapport had improved significantly since they first met.
Aunt Wang: "..."
She had introduced many blind dates, both young and old, and there was usually some reserve. But today, she had never seen anything like this. However, it was clear that these two difficult people were quite compatible.
Didn't they start discussing entertainment together?
Aunt Wang felt a bit out of place sitting there, but she couldn't just leave. That would be inappropriate. So, she sat there like a statue.
Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Mei, who had been eavesdropping at the door for a while, exchanged glances and finally stepped away from the wall.
They returned to their own doorstep and whispered to Zhao Guihua, Ming Mei gesturing: "My grandpa seems to have taken a liking to her."
Zhao Guihua: "That's great."
Although she didn't understand why someone would marry multiple times, everyone has their own way of living. People can't even figure out their own lives, so it's not wise to judge others. If someone finds joy in companionship, that's a good thing.
She said: "It's good for your grandpa to have someone to support each other."
Ming Mei nodded naturally: "I know. I'm just expressing my feelings, not unhappy. No one in our family objects to my grandpa finding a companion."
Zhao Guihua nodded, truly admiring the Blue family siblings, especially Ming Mei's mother and uncle. They truly let their father do as he pleased. Even when Lan Sihai gave his previous house to his ex-wife, they didn't object.
Now, he promised to give this house to his new wife, and the Blue siblings still didn't care.
After all, this was a house. In decades, people would go crazy for houses, and now it was even more intense. How many families had been torn apart over a house, how many brothers had fallen out?
This was a house in Beijing, yet the Blue siblings had such a generous attitude.
Zhao Guihua thought of her previous life, where Aunt Zhou and Aunt Su had sabotaged Lan Sihai's blind dates. This time... she glanced at Aunt Su, who was washing sweet potatoes, and whispered to Ming Mei: "Tell your grandpa to be careful of Aunt Su and Aunt Zhou."
Ming Mei glanced over and nodded immediately.
Zhao Guihua was just reminding her, not overly worried. After all, this time was different from the past. This time, Luo Xiaohe already knew about Aunt Su and Aunt Zhou's gossip. If she still believed them, then she must be really naive.
Zhao Guihua hadn't expected such a twist of fate, but a good twist was always a happy thing.
Zhao Guihua was lost in thought when Aunt Su spoke up first. She said, "Oh, Uncle Lan's blind date has been going on for quite a while. I wonder how it's going and if it will work out?"
She secretly hoped it wouldn't. If it didn't, maybe she could groom him into her own lapdog? Old Man Bai was loyal and all, but his salary certainly couldn't compare to Uncle Lan's. Since Zhou Qun and Wang Xiangxiu stopped interacting, their family's income had taken a hit.
She hoped it wouldn't work out!
A few days ago, she had been too narrow-minded.
How could she not have realized earlier that Uncle Lan was wealthy?
"Little Zhuang's wife," Aunt Su continued, "you were just over there listening, weren't you? How is it going?"
Ming Mei smiled sweetly. "Aunt Su, are you envious? You and Old Man Bai have such a good relationship. Why not just get married already? There's no need to drag it out like this."
Old Man Bai walked in just in time to hear this and grinned from ear to ear, giving Ming Mei a thumbs up. This young wife of the Zhuang family sure knew how to talk—what a great person!
Ming Mei received Old Man Bai's "good person card" and thumbs-up, her smile even brighter. She said, "I see how deep your feelings are. You're not young anymore, so why care so much about what outsiders think? Look at my grandfather—he's at that age and still pursuing a new life. You should think about yourself too. Otherwise, Old Man Bai is so pitiful, pouring out his heart but always alone, unable to be with you."
Zhuang Zhixi nodded. "Exactly, Aunt Su. Everyone at the factory knows how good your relationship with Old Man Bai is. People are all for it. This isn't the old society anymore. Pursuing a new life is perfectly acceptable."
Aunt Su: "..."
Who asked you busybodies to meddle in my affairs?
Why do you have to be so nosy and pushy?
She cursed in her heart but still said, "My children are still young. If they knew about this, they definitely wouldn't be happy. I can't ignore my children. Besides, Old Man Bai and I are clear as water. It's not like what you think."
But before she could finish, Zhuang Zhixi interrupted. He said sternly, "Aunt Su, if you say that, I have to criticize you. You can't always indulge the children. They're young and don't understand. This kind of spoiling won't do. How can adults let children lead them around by the nose? Kids don't know anything. Adults should know better. And if you marry, they'll have a grandfather to help discipline them. It might even be good for them. Otherwise, with the way they run around stealing things, they'll end up ruined. I know I'm being a bit harsh, but you know I mean well. I care about the children."
Aunt Su: "..."
Who asked you to care about me?
Her expression was very unpleasant, but Zhuang Zhixi continued with a smile, completely unaware of how annoying he was.
"Good kids and bad kids are just a moment apart. You can't let them lead you around. If you do, where does that leave Old Man Bai, who has been pouring out his heart for you? He's waited for you for over twenty years. How could you bear to treat him like this? You're letting down a heart that loves you."
"Exactly!" Ming Mei chimed in.
Zhao Guihua watched the two of them sing in harmony, then glanced at Aunt Su, whose face was about to crack with anger, and Old Man Bai, whose eyes were red with emotion. She lowered her head, struggling hard not to laugh out loud.
It was true—this was quite effective against Aunt Su.
Zhao Guihua stifled her laughter, but Old Man Bai was genuinely moved. He said, "Sister Su, I... I really have poured out my heart..."
Aunt Su: "..."
Just give me money, why do you want a title too? Do you even deserve it?
She took a deep breath and said, "Old Man Bai, I can't! My family's burdens are too heavy. I can't drag you down. And I can't drag down your son, Bai Fendou. If we got together, the pressure on your family would be too much. How could Bai Fendou ever find a partner?"
The shrewd and eloquent Aunt Su was back in action.
However, she didn't expect a few nosy people to be around.
Ming Mei's eyes were wide and sincere as she said, "What does it matter? Even though I haven't been here long, I know Bai Fendou has deep feelings for Sister Su. Perfect—you two old ones get married, the young ones get married, and the two families become one... it's so perfect!"
Zhuang Zhixi nodded. "Right, wife, how did you get so smart? This way, two pairs of lovers can finally be together."
Ming Mei smiled. "I could see they were true loves from the start."
Zhuang Zhixi: "Of course. Do you remember when they fell into the cesspool? The Bai father and son fought through the filth, not afraid of the stench or hardship, all for the Su family. Truly moving. If that's not true love, then what is?"
Ming Mei: "Exactly. And when Jinling stole something, Bai Fendou even kicked Zhou Qun into the hospital for the kids."
"Love, it's all love," they both said in unison, almost like a comedy routine.
Aunt Su felt they were just too detestable.
Wang Xiangxiu rode into the courtyard on a bike, just hearing the word "love." She asked, puzzled, "What are you...?"
Zhuang Zhixi's gaze fell on Wang Xiangxiu's bicycle, and he let out a mischievous chuckle. "Isn't this Bai Fendou's bike? I knew it."
Wang Xiangxiu played it cool. "I had to go shopping today and was afraid I'd be late, so I borrowed the bike from Fendou. He's such a great guy, never nitpicks about things like that."
"Of course," Zhuang Zhixi said with a smirk, his tone even more suggestive.
Wang Xiangxiu hesitated, looking around. She felt there were too many people in the courtyard, and their gazes were strange.
She asked, "Is something going on?"
Jiang Lu, who had been watching the excitement, finally spoke up. "Wang Xiangxiu, when are you and Bai Fendou getting married?"
Wang Xiangxiu was stunned. "What are you talking about? What marriage? Fendou and I have a deep brother-sister relationship. How did this turn into marriage? You can't spread such rumors."
Jiang Lu: "A brother-sister relationship? That's funny. Who would believe that?"
Usually, Jiang Lu wouldn't bother joining in such conversations. In her eyes, it was low-class chatter, something only idle gossipers would engage in. She came from a cadre family and mingling with these people felt degrading.
But after half a year of constant embarrassments and setbacks, her skin had thickened. Plus, she particularly hated Wang Xiangxiu, finding her fidgety demeanor insincere. So, she seized the opportunity to jab at Wang Xiangxiu.
Wang Xiangxiu, however, wasn't easy to deal with. She immediately retorted, "Whether you believe it or not, we are clear as water. Saying such things is really inappropriate."
Jiang Lu lazily replied, "It's not just me saying it. Everyone's saying it. Besides, if you have no relationship, why do you ride his bike so often? That bike belongs to Bai Fendou. You've used it a lot. I've even seen him giving you a ride to work in the mornings."
"Don't slander me! We help each other out—is that wrong? I don't like Bai Fendou at all. We are clear as water!" Wang Xiangxiu didn't want to get entangled and raised her voice, her gaze shifting toward Zhuang Zhixi.
Her target was Zhuang Zhixi, so she had to distance herself from Bai Fendou publicly.
Of course, even if she said this, she was confident she could smooth things over with Bai Fendou before he heard the rumors. He was under her control. For now, she had to present herself as a virtuous woman in front of Zhuang Zhixi.
"I know there are some unflattering rumors about me outside, but we've been neighbors for over ten years. Don't you know what kind of person I am? I am clear as water! There is absolutely no relationship between me and Bai Fendou!"
Everyone stared at Wang Xiangxiu.
Seeing the strange looks, Wang Xiangxiu said, "I swear, I don't like him! The person I love will never be him! If you keep spreading these rumors about us, you're trying to drive this widow to her death!"
Oh ho!
Everyone's expressions grew even more peculiar.
Wang Xiangxiu frowned in confusion as she noticed her mother-in-law giving her a meaningful glance. Her heart skipped a beat, and when she turned her head, she saw Bai Fendou standing not far behind her. His face was pale, and he was staring at her with a look of shock and disbelief. It was unclear how long he had been standing there, but it was evident that he had overheard her loud declaration.
Wang Xiangxiu panicked. Although she had been confident that she could persuade Bai Fendou, she certainly didn't want him to witness the scene firsthand. The impact would be entirely different.
Hadn't Bai Fendou gone to the black market to get meat for her? Why had he returned so quickly? And where was the meat?
She tensed for a moment, then quickly said, "Fendou, sis..."
Bai Fendou wiped his face as if all the energy had drained out of him. He said, "I'm tired. Just leave the bicycle at my door."
With that, he turned and went into the house.
The neighbors looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
Bai Fendou walked into the house with his head hanging low, looking like a frost-bitten eggplant. The onlookers remained silent and still, watching as the door slammed shut with a loud bang, shaking everyone.
Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Mei exchanged a glance, their hands intertwining.
Love, oh, how it tests one's patience.
How fortunate they were to be with the ones they loved.
The two of them looked sympathetically at the closed door of Bai Fendou's house, feeling that he must have been deeply hurt.
What a scoundrel, meeting a scoundrel indeed!
Not just them, but everyone else also looked at Wang Xiangxiu with reproach.
Look at her, not marrying but still flirting!
Wang Xiangxiu didn't pay attention to the others. She hesitated for a moment, considering whether she should step forward to explain herself. However, with everyone's eyes on her, she found it difficult to act immediately, leaving her in a dilemma. Old Man Bai coldly stared at Wang Xiangxiu, snorted, and said, "Give me the bike keys!"
Wang Xiangxiu: "I'll just give them directly to Fendou later..."
"Enough nonsense, hand them over!"
Old Man Bai's anger was directed solely at Aunt Su, not at Wang Xiangxiu in the slightest.
He secretly looked down on Wang Xiangxiu. He snatched the bike keys and said, "In the future, don't always borrow our bike. If you can't afford one, don't ride."
Wang Xiangxiu: "But..."
Her eyes reddened, but she didn't know how to explain.
Aunt Su sighed inwardly, thinking that this daughter-in-law of hers was truly useless. Despite her fox-like appearance, her brains were lacking. She always fell apart at critical moments. She quickly said, "Old Man Bai, don't be so cold. Our families have a good relationship; there's no need to speak so harshly. I know what kind of person my Xiangxiu is. Don't be angry with her. She's not being cold to Fendou; she's just struggling to get over that mental hurdle..."
Old Man Bai: "You don't have to feel sad. Seeing you like this, I feel sad too..."
Aunt Su: "Then don't be angry with Xiangxiu. Xiangxiu, hurry up and go explain to Fendou. Even if it's not love, it's still a bond closer than family."
Wang Xiangxiu: "Oh."
With the step, she quickly went to knock on the door.
Bai Fendou refused to open it.
Everyone watched in unison...
Lan Sihai, though not coming out himself, also stood by the window in his house, looking outside. Beside him was Luo Xiaohe, who was equally engrossed in the drama.
What a coincidence, these people, she knew them all.
They had met at the hospital!
She was quite familiar with the general love-hate story.
Luo Xiaohe: "Your courtyard is so lively!"
I want to move in!
