Qiao Lanshu was originally testing Guan Wenjun, but after just a few exchanges, Guan Wenjun’s little glances kept darting toward Zhong Mei several times.
Well, that clearly showed he had some interest in Zhong Mei.
Qiao Lanshu had never seen Guan Wenjun sneak such furtive looks at any girl before.
Qiao Lanshu said bluntly, “Hey, do you see my friend Zhong Mei? I want to set someone up for her. Do you want to meet Zhong Mei?”
Guan Wenjun coughed a couple of times. He shoved his hands in his pockets and said quite primly, “This doesn’t seem quite right, does it? I need to think it over.”
Qiao Lanshu: “…”
One look at Guan Wenjun like this, and Qiao Lanshu knew he was putting on airs again.
But she could understand it—after all, with Guan Wenjun’s qualifications, what kind of girl couldn’t he find?
If he wanted to, he could even chase after a female college student from a cadre family.
Never mind. Qiao Lanshu sighed and said, “You’re right; you two really aren’t a good match. Zhong Mei’s situation is a bit complicated... By the way, Director Guan, you’ve been in Dragon City for so long—do you happen to know any young men around? Could you introduce one to Zhong Mei?”
Guan Wenjun’s eyes widened. He stared at Qiao Lanshu, disbelief written all over his face.
Come on, when setting someone up with a match, was it this casual?
Shouldn’t there be back-and-forth refusals, at least two or three rounds?
After all, this was about matchmaking—he felt shy about it too, you know.
Guan Wenjun stood there, glaring at Qiao Lanshu, and said nothing for a long while.
Mostly because he didn’t know what to say.
Just then, Zhong Mei walked over. She stood beside Qiao Lanshu and said, “Xiao Qiao, let me speak with Director Guan for a bit.”
Qiao Lanshu nodded, not intending to step away. She stayed right beside Zhong Mei, waiting for her to speak.
Guan Wenjun was also waiting for Zhong Mei to speak.
But Zhong Mei stood there, only fixing her eyes on Guan Wenjun without saying a word.
Guan Wenjun glanced at Zhong Mei once, then again.
He noticed that Zhong Mei was just staring straight at him. Her big, pitch-black eyes were riveted on him, and he had no idea what she meant by it.
Stared at until his skin crawled, Guan Wenjun fumbled nervously, not knowing what to do with his hands.
Zhong Mei stared at Guan Wenjun for a good long while, watching him turn red from ears to cheeks, and then she suddenly burst out laughing. She exchanged a glance with Qiao Lanshu.
Qiao Lanshu also covered her mouth and laughed.
Director Guan was just too innocent—look, his face was redder than a monkey’s rear end.
Qiao Lanshu and Zhong Mei were both laughing heartily, which made Guan Wenjun even more awkward.
But they were both very pretty. Qiao Lanshu had fair skin and dimples when she smiled, looking very cute; Zhong Mei wasn’t as fair-skinned, but she had almond-shaped eyes, an oval face with a pointed chin, and a little canine tooth when she smiled—very beautiful.
Seeing these two gorgeous girls laughing uncontrollably, being a man, Guan Wenjun couldn’t bring himself to get angry.
He looked at Qiao Lanshu, then at Zhong Mei, feeling like a monkey in a zoo.
He scratched his head and asked, “What are you laughing at?”
As he spoke, he stole another glance at Zhong Mei and asked, “So, what did you want to say to me?”
Zhong Mei looked at him with a smile and said directly, “I’m the straightforward type. I don’t like beating around the bush. Director Guan, I’ll just come out and say it: I think you’re a good man, and I’d like to be with you. Will you go out with me?”
Qiao Lanshu covered her mouth, staring at Zhong Mei in shock.
Guan Wenjun was even more dumbfounded. He stood there staring at Zhong Mei, unable to speak for a long while.
Both of them were stunned by Zhong Mei’s bold bluntness.
This girl, she didn’t have any reserve at all!
Qiao Lanshu had been the one to pursue Qin Yuanzheng actively, but even she hadn’t dared to be this direct.
What if Guan Wenjun turned her down outright?
Wouldn’t that leave no room for turning back?
Qiao Lanshu blinked her eyes and turned to look at Guan Wenjun.
And there he was, red-faced and stammering, “This, this, we don’t really know each other yet…”
Even though he did think Zhong Mei was pretty good, to decide so hastily whether to start dating—wasn’t that a bit too rash?
He seemed to think of something and said, “Aren’t you dating Lai Hongmao?”
He looked at Zhong Mei: “Did you two break up?”
The smile on Zhong Mei’s face faded slightly, and she said, “Lai Hongmao? That man has moral flaws. I thought he was unsuitable, so I told him never to come looking for me again.”
When Guan Wenjun heard this, his heart lifted a little. He said a bit guiltily, “Then you can rest assured, my moral character definitely has no flaws.”
Zhong Mei smiled and said with sincere expression,
“I know. I heard from Lanshu that you regularly support orphans, bought lots of winter clothes and shoes for the orphanage, helped fix their leaky roof, and repaired their smoky heating bed. You’re a kind and good person.
Director Guan, your wonderful virtue really moved me. But I have no education, no job—I’m afraid I don’t deserve such a good person as you. Director Guan, what do you think of me? Can you give me a chance to get to know you?”
After she said this, Qiao Lanshu was completely stunned.
She covered her mouth, turned around, and stared at Zhong Mei in disbelief.
Zhong Mei had entered society early. Qiao Lanshu had gone through junior and senior high school, but Zhong Mei hadn’t even finished elementary school before she went out to work.
She took care of her younger siblings, did housework, washed clothes, cooked, and went out every day for odd jobs to help support her family.
She was very good at reading people.
She probably said all this because she thought Guan Wenjun was a good prospect and was ready to go for it.
Still, this was the first time Qiao Lanshu had heard Zhong Mei compliment a man like this. For some reason, she felt like laughing.
She bit her lip, covered her mouth, and lowered her head, not daring to look at the smug little expression on Guan Wenjun’s face. She was afraid she’d burst out laughing.
Zhong Mei, seeing how red Guan Wenjun’s face was, shyly added a few more words: “Director Guan, you’re such a good man, so warm-hearted, and your abilities are excellent. I heard you were recently transferred to the Supply Department? That’s really impressive! It must be because you’re exceptionally capable that you got this opportunity, right?”
Zhong Mei then added, “I wonder if such an outstanding man like you could give me the chance to get to know each other and see?”
Guan Wenjun, completely swept away by Zhong Mei’s barrage of praise, was so dizzy he almost forgot his own name—let alone who he was.
The corners of his mouth involuntarily curled up. He covered his mouth, coughed, and said a bit bashfully, “Oh, it’s nothing, nothing. I’m not that great actually.”
As he spoke, he unconsciously stepped forward two steps, and Zhong Mei immediately followed.
She walked beside him, speaking with ease, “Director Guan, we’ve met a few times now, so let me formally introduce myself. My name is Zhong Mei. I’m nineteen this year, the same age as Lanshu. She’s my childhood friend and old classmate. Our hometown is both in Yangcheng.”
"However, her conditions are better than mine. Her father is a department store manager, while my parents are just temporary workers without formal jobs. I also have two younger sisters and a younger brother at home, and my household registration is still at the labor camp..."
As she spoke, Zhong Mei's eyes reddened, and she lowered her head as if about to cry. She asked Guan Wenjun, "Director Guan, would you look down on me for having been in a labor camp? I can really explain this matter, but if you don't want to hear it, then I won't say anything. After all, when Lai Hongmao found out about my labor camp history, he refused to listen to my explanation..."
Lai Hongmao actually had no idea about this; Zhong Mei deliberately said it because Guan Wenjun cared about his reputation and considered himself a righteous man. He surely wouldn't judge someone with prejudice, and certainly wouldn't want to be outdone by a "bad person" like Lai Hongmao.
Sure enough, Guan Wenjun immediately said, "Comrade Zhong Mei, you are a very proactive and hardworking female comrade. I heard Old Qin mention your labor camp situation. You must have been a victim too. It's not your fault."
Zhong Mei immediately lifted her head, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. "So, you mean you don't mind this?"
Guan Wenjun nodded with a serious expression. "Of course, how could I mind? I already told you, it's not your fault."
Zhong Mei then gazed at Guan Wenjun with an admiring look, sincerely praising him, "Director Guan, you are truly a good person."
Guan Wenjun coughed, adjusted his collar, and felt quite pleased with himself.
The two walked side by side through the alley. Zhong Mei asked again, "Then, Director Guan, can we, you know, start dating?"
Looking at Zhong Mei's admiring yet expectant eyes, he instinctively replied, "Alright, let's give it a try."
As soon as he said it, Guan Wenjun regretted it inside. Oh dear, why did he agree so quickly?
He had originally planned to take things slowly, learn about her character and temperament first, and then start dating when he felt it was suitable.
But under Zhong Mei's flattering words, he gradually lost track of himself and nodded in agreement.
Something was off, really off.
He felt his ears were too soft; that wouldn't do.
While Guan Wenjun was still pondering this, Zhong Mei suddenly reached out and looped her arm through his.
Guan Wenjun: "!!!"
Guan Wenjun instantly tensed up, feeling as if all the blood in his body had congealed in his arm.
He stood rigidly, staring at Zhong Mei in panic.
Zhong Mei: "..."
Zhong Mei quietly withdrew her hand, then looked at Guan Wenjun with a bit of embarrassment. "Director Guan, didn't you agree to date? I've seen other couples holding hands."
Guan Wenjun: "..."
Guan Wenjun felt things were moving too fast, so fast he was getting nervous.
After all, he had no experience dating, had never held a young woman's hand before, and suddenly being linked arm-in-arm startled him.
Looking at Zhong Mei, he thought his reaction earlier was a bit poor and embarrassing.
He coughed, pretending to be calm, and said, "Of, of course we can hold hands. Do you want to now?"
With that, he stared at Zhong Mei's face, then shifted his gaze to her hand.
He was tempted to reach out and take her hand.
But he felt he needed to be reserved and not too eager, to avoid making a fool of himself.
Zhong Mei studied his expression, amused inside, while feigning shyness on her face. She lowered her head and said, "Director Guan, I promised Lan Shu I'd go with her to the supply cooperative to buy things for the Mid-Autumn Festival, so I need to go now."
Guan Wenjun was taken aback, feeling a bit disappointed. He nodded. "Ah, I see. Well, alright then."
Zhong Mei smiled and asked, "So tomorrow, for the Mid-Autumn Festival, will Director Guan come to find me?"
Guan Wenjun's ears reddened again. Tomorrow was the Mid-Autumn Festival. If he came to see her, just the two of them alone... that would be a date, right?
What could people do on dates?
Oh my, just thinking about it made him a bit embarrassed.
Guan Wenjun said very reservedly, "I'll see how my schedule is."
Zhong Mei smiled again. "That's wonderful, Director Guan. I hope you'll have time tomorrow, so we can see each other again."
Hearing those words – 'I hope you'll have time' – tsk, it was clear Zhong Mei really liked him.
Zhong Mei turned and walked away, glancing back every few steps as if reluctant to part from him.
Guan Wenjun wanted to follow them to the supply cooperative, but didn't want to seem too eager, as that would hurt his pride.
Still, after standing there for a while, he ended up chasing after her. He pulled a stack of ten-yuan notes from his pocket and handed them to Zhong Mei, saying, "Here, buy more food to nourish yourself. You're too thin."
Zhong Mei was somewhat surprised.
This time, it wasn't an act; she was genuinely taken aback.
Everyone had always asked her for money; it was the first time someone had handed her money.
Zhong Mei stared blankly at Guan Wenjun, momentarily forgetting to say sweet words to flatter him.
Guan Wenjun, however, looked a bit awkward. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, coughed, and said to Zhong Mei, "What are you standing there for? Go ahead and shop at the supply cooperative with Comrade Xiao Qiao."
With that, he ran a hand through his hair, assuming a cool pose, and turned around, walking off stylishly.
Zhong Mei watched his retreating figure, then looked down at the money in her hand, stunned for a long time.
Qiao Lanshu had been standing at the end of the alley, watching them talk.
When she saw Guan Wenjun leave, she quickly ran over. "Zhong Mei, what are you spacing out for?"
Zhong Mei seemed a bit dazed as she looked at Qiao Lanshu. "Director Guan agreed to date me."
Qiao Lanshu was shocked, her mouth slowly falling open. "Ah? He agreed so quickly? Are you serious?"
So Guan Wenjun was that easy to win over?
Qiao Lanshu was truly surprised.
Zhong Mei then handed the money to Qiao Lanshu to show her. "He also gave me money, saying I should buy more things to nourish myself."
Zhong Mei added, puzzled, "Why did he suddenly give me money?"
Qiao Lanshu fell silent for a moment. Then she took the money, counted it carefully – seven ten-yuan notes in total, along with a one-jin candy voucher, half a jin of meat vouchers, and five jin of food vouchers.
Qiao Lanshu: "..."
Qiao Lanshu said softly, "Could he have given you all the Mid-Autumn Festival subsidies he just received?"
A few days ago, Qin Yuanzheng had also brought home Qiao Lanshu's Mid-Autumn subsidies, which included food and candy vouchers.
But Qin Yuanzheng's subsidies were more generous – three jin of meat vouchers, plus non-staple food and fruit vouchers.
Of course, it was also possible that Guan Wenjun had only brought what he had on him.
But the fact that he willingly gave Zhong Mei so much already showed he was quite generous.
He was far better than that Lai Hongmao, who only blabbered without doing a thing.
Qiao Lanshu stuffed all the money and vouchers into Zhong Mei's coat pocket, smiling as she said, "This is a good thing. It proves Director Guan is serious about dating you. Ah Mei, Director Guan is a decent person. You should make the most of this opportunity."
Zhong Mei certainly knew she had to seize the opportunity.
But just now, she had deliberately gone along with him, trying to cheer him up, without much sincerity behind her actions.
Now, looking at such an earnest Guan Wenjuan, Zhong Mei instead began to feel a pang of guilt.
On top of that, she had injured Guan Wenjuan earlier and never apologized for it. She felt she had done him wrong.
