Zhong Mei took Guan Wenjun's money, and though she felt a bit guilty, she had no intention of letting go of a wealthy catch like Guan Wenjun.
She set aside her conscience for now—her priority was to secure the man, get the marriage certificate, and resolve her household registration issue.
This man was so capable and held such a high status that she could whisper sweet nothings in his ear and coax him into sorting out her job as well.
By then, even if he grew to despise and detest her, she wouldn't care.
Life wasn't just about a household registration or a job?
Men were actually lower on the list.
Zhong Mei thought this way, and the rare flicker of conscience vanished again.
She had a goal and knew what she wanted—that was enough.
Besides, once they were married, she could give Guan Wenjun a son, and no matter how much he regretted it later, it wouldn't matter.
He wouldn't dare divorce her, would he?
These days, cadres couldn't easily get divorced; a divorce would tarnish their character and cast a shadow over their future.
With that thought, Zhong Mei tucked Guan Wenjun's money into her pocket and said to Qiao Lanshu, "Let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative. I want to buy some meat and liquor and treat Director Guan to a meal tomorrow."
Qiao Lanshu found it amusing and kept covering her mouth as she laughed.
Zhong Mei, embarrassed by her laughter, glared at her and said, "Stop laughing, you're making me feel guilty."
Qiao Lanshu barely held back her laughter. She linked her arm with Zhong Mei's, and they walked while chatting in low voices.
She asked softly, "Have you made up your mind? Are you really going to date Director Guan?"
Zhong Mei nodded. "Of course, he's already agreed."
Though she had charmed him into saying yes with a few sweet words, and once he calmed down and thought it over, he'd probably regret it.
But since he'd agreed, he couldn't back out now.
So she planned to strike while the iron was hot and go all out.
Qiao Lanshu added, "Think it over carefully. Director Guan might look young, but he's 29, ten years older than you."
Even though Qiao Lanshu felt that her own older man was pretty great—older men knew how to be caring and how to tease.
But compared to Qin Yuanzheng, Guan Wenjun wasn't as outstanding.
Zhong Mei didn't mind at all. "It's only ten years, not a big deal. He can give me what I want, and that's enough."
She paused and then said, "Besides, if I found someone my age, they probably wouldn't even have a job. What could I expect from them?"
Qiao Lanshu nodded, agreeing with Zhong Mei. "You're right, you've thought it through more thoroughly. I never considered any of that."
Back when she pursued Qin Yuanzheng, it was purely because of her past-life experience, not for any practical motives.
Zhong Mei had gone out into society early and experienced the ups and downs of human relationships; she knew how to choose to make a good life for herself.
Qiao Lanshu patted Zhong Mei's arm and encouraged her. "Go for it! Get Director Guan locked in soon! A cadre his age who isn't married is really rare. It's probably because Director Guan was in the Revolutionary Committee that it was hard for him to find a match."
After all, in the past few years, the Revolutionary Committee might have been formidable, but it was also a place everyone feared.
People in the committee might not be dared to be provoked publicly, but behind their backs, countless people cursed them.
Now that Guan Wenjun had moved to the Supply Department, it was a proper good unit. After the reforms and opening up, he wouldn't be implicated.
With his work and life stable, it made sense that Guan Wenjun was looking for a partner.
Zhong Mei smiled and whispered, "Don't worry. Tomorrow, I'll show him what I'm capable of!"
Hearing this, Qiao Lanshu felt a bit regretful. "So you won't be coming to my place for dinner? Niwa was just talking about you the other day, saying he hadn't seen you in a while."
Zhong Mei thought of Niwa and laughed. "That little rascal, as energetic as an ox, running around everywhere. Didn't you say you'd send him to kindergarten? Did you?"
Qiao Lanshu nodded. "I've already signed him up. He'll start after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Director Han is still out of town, and I don't know when he'll be back. Sigh, with a dad like that and no mother, I don't know when this kid will be taken back home."
Qiao Lanshu secretly wondered if she might end up raising this child permanently.
Wouldn't that be a huge win for her?
Getting a grown son for nothing, and with a bureau chief dad to boot—a solid backer.
…
Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, so tonight, Qiao Lanshu brought Zhong Mei over for dinner.
Because Zhong Mei had her 'date' with Guan Wenjun tomorrow, she said she needed to prepare properly to make sure she'd reel in Director Guan.
So she couldn't come tomorrow.
Tonight was her only chance to gather.
Yang Wenyan and Deng Xiaozhen, the couple, also came over for dinner.
Deng Xiaozhen was nearly six months pregnant, with a prominent belly. In previous years, she always had Qin Yuanzheng over for the meal.
But this year, she didn't plan to host. Besides, for the Mid-Autumn Festival, she and her husband were going back to her parents' home with Deng Weijun and his wife to celebrate.
So they came a day early for the meal.
Since becoming pregnant, Deng Xiaozhen hadn't returned to her in-laws' place.
Yang Wenyan was wholly focused on the arrival of their child and was completely obedient to Deng Xiaozhen.
When his mother wrote to ask him to come home for the festival, he refused.
Shi Sao set up two tables in the courtyard, and together with Qiao Lanshu, Zhong Mei, and Deng Xiaozhen, they started making dumplings stuffed with cabbage and pork.
Qiao Lanshu saw Qin Yuanzheng picking vegetables in the yard. She walked over and whispered in his ear, "Didn't I ask you to invite Director Guan for dinner? Did you?"
Qin Yuanzheng plucked the greens, tossing them into a basket, and nodded. "I already called him. He should be here soon."
Qin Yuanzheng glanced at Qiao Lanshu and asked in a low voice, "What's up? Why did you suddenly think of inviting him to dinner?"
Because Guan Wenjun used to stare at Qiao Lanshu, Qin Yuanzheng was always wary of him.
Whenever Qiao Lanshu mentioned Guan Wenjun, Qin Yuanzheng would subtly probe with extra questions, fearing that his young wife might change her mind and run off with another man.
Qiao Lanshu leaned close to Qin Yuanzheng and lowered her voice. "Zheng Ge, let me tell you something, but you probably won't believe it."
Qiao Lanshu couldn't help but laugh. Qin Yuanzheng looked at her smiling face and almost reached out to pinch her cheek.
But his hands were dirty from picking vegetables, so he held back.
Qiao Lanshu leaned against him, wrapping her arms around his, and whispered in his ear, "Director Guan—he's dating Zhong Mei!"
Qin Yuanzheng was silent for a moment, truly taken aback.
He asked quietly, "Really? They're already together?"
Qiao Lanshu nodded and told Qin Yuanzheng everything that had happened that afternoon.
After hearing it, Qin Yuanzheng smiled and said, "Director Guan really should get married. He's getting on in years."
Guan Wenjun wasn't from Longcheng either; his parents lived elsewhere, and as a transferred cadre, the three of them were scattered across different places.
His family never worried about his marriage. His parents didn't even necessarily know where he was and what he was doing.
Guan Wenjun had been used to freedom since childhood. After breaking up with his first girlfriend, he never thought about getting married.
But perhaps due to his advancing age, he began to yearn for a wife and a son.
After all, even Qin Yuanzheng, who suffered from infertility, had a son. How could he not?
Qin Yuanzheng could probably guess some of Guan Wenjun's thoughts.
He glanced at Zhong Mei. Zhong Mei was making dumplings with Sister Shi and the others. Niu Wa was running around in the yard, and An An was sitting on a chair between Sister Shi and Zhong Mei, kneading a piece of dumpling wrapper for fun.
Qin Yuanzheng lowered his voice and said to Qiao Lanshu, "Your friend is quite capable. Director Guan is no match for her."
Qiao Lanshu just smiled and said,
"That's exactly what it should be. Zhong Mei is already in a disadvantaged position. If she can't keep him in check, then it's better not to continue the relationship. Director Guan is generally a good person, but sometimes he can be a bit muddle - headed. It's the best that Zhong Mei can keep him in line."
Qin Yuanzheng didn't comment.
He squatted on the ground, holding a basket in one hand and gently putting his arm around Qiao Lanshu's waist with the other. He whispered, "What about me? What do you think of me?"
Qiao Lanshu gave him a reproachful look and said, "Of course, you're the best."
Qin Yuanzheng whispered again, "Can you keep me in check?"
Qiao Lanshu: "..."
Qiao Lanshu suspected that Qin Yuanzheng was being a hooligan. She glared at him and turned to leave.
Qin Yuanzheng quickly chased after her and said with a smile in her ear, "You can keep me in check. I just like being under your control."
Qiao Lanshu was so annoyed that she reached out and hit him. "Get out of here. You're so annoying."
There were so many people in the yard, and he was saying such things.
Qiao Lanshu was really afraid of being heard. How embarrassing that would be!
Qiao Lanshu turned around and hurriedly ran to where Sister Shi and the others were.
Qin Yuanzheng watched her back and happily carried the vegetable basket into the kitchen.
Qiao Lanshu came back to help make dumplings. Deng Xiaozhen joked with her, "Oh, you're the only one who dares to hit Brigade Commander Qin, Xiao Qiao."
Qin Yuanzheng was top - notch in martial arts in the army, and considering his rank, there were probably few people who could hit him.
Hearing Deng Xiaozhen's words, Qiao Lanshu blushed shyly. She didn't know what to say and just said, "Oh, cousin - in - law, stop teasing me. You've hit the factory director plenty of times too."
While the women were chatting and laughing, Guan Wenjun finally arrived.
...
Since he had a heart - to - heart talk with Zhong Mei at noon.
Guan Wenjun had been thinking about dating Zhong Mei all the time.
It was like a dream. He walked with his head held high and looked extremely pleased with himself at the unit.
After all, he was no longer a bachelor. He also had a girlfriend.
Before long, he would be able to live a happy life with a wife and children.
He no longer had to envy Qin Yuanzheng.
When a passing colleague saw him, he politely said, "Oh, Section Chief Guan, why are you so happy? Is there any good news?"
Guan Wenjun immediately stopped and said proudly, "What? Even you know I have a girlfriend? The news spreads really fast."
Colleague: "..."
Guan Wenjun stood there, smoothed his hair with his hand, put one hand in his pocket, frowned, and said,
"Well, it's okay. Her conditions are average, but she's a nice girl. The most important thing is that she admires me very much. She's very sincere when we get along. I thought, well, I might as well give her a chance. After all, it's normal for her to admire a man as good as me."
Colleague: "..."
Guan Wenjun said with a smile, "By the way, do you have a girlfriend?"
Colleague: "..."
The colleague shook his head. "No..."
Guan Wenjun clicked his tongue and said to him, "No girlfriend? Forget it. I can't explain it to you."
With that, Guan Wenjun turned around and left.
He left the colleague standing there, looking utterly confused and thinking that this new Section Chief Guan was a bit crazy.
However, thanks to him, the news that Guan Wenjun had a girlfriend spread throughout the Supply Section in just one afternoon.
Even the Revolutionary Committee, his old unit, heard about it.
Many people were quite disappointed that the older single man Guan Wenjun had a girlfriend.
Some people came to quietly inquire if the news was true.
After Guan Wenjun was transferred to the Supply Section as the section chief, he suddenly became very popular.
Many people who had no grudges against him were inquiring about his marriage, hoping to marry their daughters to him.
It was just that Zhong Mei took the initiative. She made her move not long after Guan Wenjun was transferred to the Supply Section.
Otherwise, if it was delayed for a few more months, the people who came to propose marriage to Guan Wenjun would probably have crowded the Supply Section's office.
By then, Guan Wenjun would probably have been grinning from ear to ear.
...
Guan Wenjun came to Qin Yuanzheng's house for dinner, of course, not empty - handed.
He bought a pound of fruit candies, a pound of biscuits, two bottles of canned yellow peaches, and a bag of apples.
When he came, he guessed that Zhong Mei would probably be there too.
So, he went back to his dormitory to take a shower, change his clothes, and even greased his hair to make it shiny. He looked quite flashy.
Fortunately, he had fair skin and was tall and handsome. He could carry off any flashy look.
As soon as he entered the door, he saw the women sitting around the table on the steps, making dumplings.
He scanned the area with his eyes and saw Zhong Mei sitting there.
Zhong Mei was still wearing the same clothes as in the daytime and looked no different from the daytime.
Guan Wenjun felt a bit regretful. He regretted going home to change his clothes and dress up!
It made him look so eager!
However, his regret didn't last long because Zhong Mei also saw him.
Then, Zhong Mei, who had been expressionless, immediately broke into a surprised smile.
Under the dim light, her eyes seemed to be shining, and her smile was so sweet.
She put down the dumpling in her hand and took a few steps towards him in surprise. Then, as if she had realized something inappropriate, she stopped in her tracks and didn't dare to walk towards him anymore.
She stood in the yard, smiling shyly at him, and said softly, "Director Guan, you're here. Was work tiring today? You've worked so hard. Come and sit down and have a rest."
With that, she came over to take the things from Guan Wenjun's hands and whispered in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "I made dumplings for you..."
As she said that, she looked up at Guan Wenjun, gave him a coy smile, and then carried the things and quickly walked into the house.
Guan Wenjun was left standing there with a red face and ears, sweating all over with a hot feeling.
He thought to himself, look, how much she liked him!
She even made dumplings for him specially!
