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After leaving Annan County Experimental High School, the two of them went to the textile factory to find Li Shengnan and Ouyang Xiaxue. This time, they also brought along their boyfriends, Yao Wei and Zhang Qiang, and headed to Beer Duck across from the factory gate. Hu Ruoyun wanted to take charge of the arrangements but was firmly stopped by Li Shengnan: “I didn’t pay for the last time at Misty Star, so this meal is on me!”
Hu Ruoyun couldn’t argue with her and let her take over the planning. This time, Mao Na boldly announced to the four of them that she and Hu Ruoyun had established a relationship!
Ouyang Xiaxue and Li Shengnan were momentarily stunned before simultaneously asking, “Are you serious?”
Mao Na nodded earnestly.
Yao Wei chimed in, “What about your parents...”
Li Shengnan shot him a glare: “Don’t say that; this is something Mao Na has to handle herself!”
Mao Na continued, “After I went back last time, I told my parents what happened that day. My mom didn’t say anything, but my dad was really angry and said, ‘Even if he’s the King of Heaven, I won’t let my daughter marry into their family!’”
Ouyang Xiaxue gave a thumbs up: “Uncle Mao is right about that; he’s better than my dad!” Then she turned to Zhang Qiang: “You should have a drink alone with Hu Ruoyun!”
Zhang Qiang didn’t say anything but filled both his and Hu Ruoyun’s glasses. The two clinked their glasses and drank.
Last time at Mao Na’s house for dinner, Yao Wei had been a bit tipsy, probably getting scolded by Li Shengnan afterward. This time he seemed well-behaved and didn’t drink much. Since he wasn’t drinking much, neither did Zhang Qiang or Hu Ruoyun; there was still half a bottle of Lao Bai Fen left.
Hu Ruoyun guessed that these people must have other stories to tell.
After finishing their meal, they discussed their plans for the afternoon. Mao Na looked at Hu Ruoyun and said to everyone, “Let’s sing! Let Xiao Hu take the lead!”
Zhang Qiang said, “You choose the place; I’ll handle it!”
Ouyang Xiaxue was in high spirits: “Let’s go back to Misty Star and see if that Fat Boss still recognizes us!”
Yao Wei hesitated a bit: “Where else can we go?”
Li Shengnan seemed to be sulking: “Yes, let’s go there!”
Once the women made their decision, the men had little say in it.
The six of them took two tricycles and quickly arrived at Misty Star. The boss wasn’t at the front desk, and the receptionists and cashiers clearly didn’t recognize the sharply dressed Hu Ruoyun. They normally showed them to a private room and sent over fruit platters, sunflower seeds, beer, and other snacks according to their order.
The girls started singing first. Mao Na performed "Love Song 1990," followed by Li Shengnan with "The Sound of Waves Still Echoes," and then Ouyang Xiaxue sang "Carefree Walk." They began urging the guys to sing next, with Yao Wei performing "The Days We Walked Together," full of charm.
The refined Zhang Qiang passionately interpreted "Sailor":
"The bitter sand stings my face,
Like the scolding of a father and the weeping of a mother, forever unforgettable.
In my youth, I liked to be alone by the sea,
Rolling up my pants and walking barefoot on the beach.
I always imagined that at the end of the ocean lay another world,
Always thought that brave sailors were true men,
Always appeared weak and timid,
When bullied, I often heard sailors say,
They said, 'What’s a little pain in the storm?
Wipe your tears, don’t be afraid,
At least we still have dreams.'
They said, 'What’s a little pain in the storm?'
..."
In the voice, there was a profound sense of weariness.
Amidst the applause of the crowd, Hu Ruoyun caught a glimpse of hidden sorrow in Ouyang Xiaxue's eyes.
Time passed quickly; tomorrow Mao Na had to go to work, and Hu Ruoyun had to return to school. The six of them went out together. This time, Fat Boss was at the front desk. When Hu Ruoyun approached to settle the bill, the boss stood next to the cashier, watching him closely with squinted eyes as if he had realized something. Just as Hu Ruoyun handed money to the cashier, it seemed like a light bulb went off in Fat Boss's head. He stepped forward and blocked the cashier's hand: "Little brother, I recognize you... Give Brother a chance; this time it’s really on me!"
Hu Ruoyun did not withdraw his hand: "Last time is in the past; you’re running a business..."
Fat Boss insisted and pulled Hu Ruoyun aside: "Those few cowards used to harass my customers every day; they’re just loafers on the street. I can deal with them openly, but I’m afraid they’ll cause trouble behind my back. Those bastards have affected my business quite a bit. Ever since you dealt with them last time, they haven’t come back... I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart! Give me some face this time; let it go!"
Without waiting for a response, he pushed Hu Ruoyun toward the exit and called out to the cashier as they passed: "Get six VIP cards—the best ones!"
After sending everyone outside, he shoved six cards into Hu Ruoyun's hands: "Brother, that’s it for today!"
As they got into the returning tricycle, Hu Ruoyun handed the cards to Li Shengnan and Ouyang Xiaxue: "Sister, we don’t come often; you keep them."
“Didn’t they collect our money today?” Li Shengnan asked.
Hu Ruoyun nodded.
Ouyang Xiaxue said, “This boss really knows how to handle things.”
When they arrived at the back door of the textile factory, Ouyang Xiaxue pulled Mao Na aside and whispered a few words. Soon after, they saw Mao Na blushing, not daring to lift her head as she tugged at Hu Ruoyun and walked away, while the two girls behind her laughed heartily, completely disregarding their image.
Yao Wei and Zhang Qiang, who were nearby, were left puzzled about what had just happened.
It wasn’t until they boarded the bus back to Gaoqiao Town that Hu Ruoyun cautiously asked, “What did they say to you that made you react so strongly?”
Mao Na’s face turned even redder as she muttered angrily, “Those two little brats, I’ll get back at them sooner or later!”
Seeing her fuming like that, Hu Ruoyun decided not to press further.
Once the bus reached the Provincial Road outside Gaoqiao Town, the two of them got off hand in hand and strolled towards Town.
Mao Na said seriously to Hu Ruoyun, “I’m going to tell my parents about us when we get back!”
Hu Ruoyun looked worried. “What if they don’t agree?”
Mao Na stopped and countered, “What will you do if they don’t agree?”
Hu Ruoyun replied, “As long as you don’t change your mind, I’m determined to marry you!”
Mao Na tightened her grip on Hu Ruoyun’s hand. “Don’t be fooled by my two sisters’ playful demeanor; they have their struggles too. Zhang Qiang is from a rural area in another county. Although he works hard and strives for success, he has no roots in our county town. Xiaoxue’s father opposes their relationship and wants her to marry the son of the County Director of the Bureau of Industry and Commerce. Xiaoxue absolutely refuses, which has created a rift between them. Eventually, she moved out of her home to live at the factory.
— The Director of the Education Committee and the Director of the Bureau of Industry and Commerce are relatives; you don’t know how much Xiao Zhang has been targeted at work, feeling wronged and frustrated!
Li Shengnan didn’t particularly like Yao Wei; she thought he was decent but a bit superficial. However, she couldn’t go against her father’s arrangements… Out of spite, she dragged her feet on getting married…”
She sighed. “Now it’s our turn. I don’t know if we’ll face pressure! But you don’t need to worry about me; I’ve made up my mind about you—there’s only you for this lifetime!”
Then she playfully tugged at Hu Ruoyun’s ear. “From now on, keep your distance from that Zhang Meina!”
Hu Ruoyun nodded repeatedly. “Don’t worry, don’t worry!”
Feeling a bit shy, he said to Mao Na, “I’m not quite sure how to face Mao Jie. We were good brothers, and now we’re… in this kind of relationship!”
A smile spread across Mao Na’s face. “You think my brother is foolish? Do you know what he said when he rode his bike to drop me off this morning?”
Hu Ruoyun shook his head.
Mao Na proudly recounted, “He shone his flashlight on you waiting for me and told me to get off and walk over myself. He said to me: ‘Sister, as long as you’re happy and fulfilled, just go ahead boldly!’”
Unknowingly, they soon arrived at the Post Office. Mao Na released Hu Ruoyun's hand and said, "I'm going home now. Haven't you noticed that your school has been less strict these days? Let's find another place to have some fun."
She leaned closer to Hu Ruoyun's ear and whispered, "Those two girls said we can't come back today. They've arranged a room for us..."
Before she could finish her sentence, she covered her face with both hands and ran away.
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