Back To The 80s-Chapter 61 - 60: Worship_1

Liu Cuicui was also aware of this, but every time her sister begged her for money behind Li Hao’s back, it seemed like she was ready to reach into Liu Cuicui’s own pocket to take out the cash. She let out a sigh, "Li Hao and I are also without a roof over our heads or a patch of land to our names. We are still trying to figure out how to get a place of our own."

Gu Xiaobei didn’t feel it was appropriate to say much more, so she simply comforted, "It’s alright. Things will get better gradually. After all, both of you are earning money now." But in her heart, she was skeptical about the future of these sisters’ marriages.

In the afternoon, she had nothing to do, so Gu Xiaobei went to the tax office to file her taxes. Seeing that it was almost time to finish work, she decided to head straight home.

As she walked in the door, she saw Lu Zhanguo sprawled across the table writing something. Gu Xiaobei changed into her slippers, took a seat on the sofa and asked, "What are you writing?"

"A task summary and performance report," Lu Zhanguo replied, gathering the papers from the table into a folder.

Having lived with Lu Zhanguo for a little while now, Gu Xiaobei had come to understand that his work involved a great deal of secrecy, so she didn’t probe any further.

There was something Lu Zhanguo withheld: he was also drafting a self-criticism because he had acted on his own without permission from his superiors during his confinement. Saving a life would generally be commended, but the fact that he had saved his own wife had complicated matters.

Gu Xiaobei had come home early, so after sitting for a while, she decided to head to the bedroom to change her clothes. As she walked, she casually asked, "What are we having for dinner?"

"I prepared some fish in cold water this afternoon. I can whip up a sauce later," Lu Zhanguo replied.

Gu Xiaobei bounced out of the room, throwing her arms around Lu Zhanguo’s neck in delight, "How can you be so domestically inclined?"

Lu Zhanguo couldn’t help his eye twitching in response. He had to support Gu Xiaobei’s waist and bottom with his hand to prevent her from falling.

"Lu Zhanguo, you claimed there’s nothing you can’t do. But you’re nothing like the privileged offspring of a high-ranking official," Gu Xiaobei remarked. Had it not been for her memories from the original host, she would never have believed the man before her was the son of a high-ranking official, showing none of the stereotypical traits.

Silent, Lu Zhanguo picked up Gu Xiaobei and placed her on the sofa, "Sit here for a bit. I’ll go and cook."

Gu Xiaobei reached out to grab his arm, "Wait, first tell me about your childhood." Lu Zhanguo, recognizing he had no choice, sat back down beside her.

"Why did you grow up with your grandfather?" Gu Xiaobei asked, curious.

"Because I was a boy. My grandfather believed that men should bear the responsibility of defending the family and country from birth. Therefore, I lived with soldiers throughout my childhood," Lu Zhanguo replied, seeming to agree with this view.

"What about school? Didn’t you play hide and seek with your classmates?" Gu Xiaobei didn’t know much about what leisure activities would have been available to someone of Lu Zhanguo’s age during his childhood.

"I went to school for lessons. After school, I had to train. I began practicing shooting and stealth tactics when I was just eight years old," Lu Zhanguo said, realizing that he really hadn’t played much in his youth.

"Gosh, if I ever have a son, I’ll definitely not let him join the army. That doesn’t sound like a happy life at all," Gu Xiaobei said, looking at Lu Zhanguo sympathetically.

Lu Zhanguo looked back at her, his eyes suddenly deepening, "I feel very fulfilled, especially when I saw you through my rifle scope the day before yesterday. All those years of hardship felt completely worthwhile. Not only was I able to protect my country, but also my loved one."

Gu Xiaobei’s eyes welled up, she reached out to slap Lu Zhanguo lightly, "Why are you so detestable, stirring up emotions like this."

Lu Zhanguo patted her head gently, "Alright, I’ll go and cook."

Gu Xiaobei’s heart was filled with both sweetness and bitterness, realizing her worldview was just too narrow. All she had ever hoped for was a loving husband, a cute and cuddly child, and a warm home.

Lu Zhanguo whipped up a spicy and sour sauce to serve with cold fish. It was tangy and refreshing, perfect for hot days when one has no appetite.

As Xiaobei was eating, she suddenly remembered that Ling Yun and Qin Li were due to come for dinner the following day. "You’ll need to buy extra groceries tomorrow afternoon. Qin Li and Ling Yun are coming for dinner."

"Okay," Lu Zhanguo replied, serving Gu Xiaobei some more food and dumping the rest into his own bowl.

"By the way, Ling Yun mentioned ’panic unhinges’. Were you flustered when you were saving me?" Gu Xiaobei asked, biting her chopstick.

"That’s nonsense. I don’t trust anyone, so there was no chance of getting flustered," Lu Zhanguo responded, frowning.

"Oh, how I adore you. What should I do?" Gu Xiaobei teased, giggling.

Lu Zhanguo took a bite of his food and gazed at Gu Xiaobei, "In that case, how about giving me a son?"

Gu Xiaobei almost choked, "What if it’s a girl?"

Lu Zhanguo glanced at her without uttering a response, only breaking the silence when cleaning up the dishes with, "That doesn’t matter. It’s the process that counts."

Gu Xiaobei was choked again, now by her saliva this time. She had been teased instead of teasing him. I thought his words were supposed to be clumsy. How could they suddenly become so functional?

The following morning, she discovered it was raining. This region was usually dry, with very little rainfall. Gu Xiaobei enjoyed the rain because it was cooling. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Before heading out the door, she showered Lu Zhanguo with kisses and nibbles. After all, the ’wolf’ had been studying the ’process’ of having a son last night.

As she reached the gate of her residential complex under her umbrella, she saw Qin Li waiting for her, also holding an umbrella.

"What time did you leave the house? It’s so early." It took about thirty to forty minutes to walk from Qin Li’s home.

"I just wanted to share with you about my blind date last night," Qin Li said with a strangled expression on her face.

Gu Xiaobei laughed, "Alright, go ahead." They made their way to the office together,

"Actually, the guy was quite good. He is even a university student," Qin Li shrugged her shoulders deceitfully.

Gu Xiaobei knew that the college entrance examination hadn’t been restored for many years, and hence college students were a rarity, "So, do you have feelings for him?"

Qin Li was frustrated, "Of course not, I can’t have feelings for him as long as there is someone else filling up my heart, right?"

"Maybe you could try to forget Jin Cheng and start a new life," Gu Xiaobei suggested.

"Impossible. Don’t you remember what I’ve told you before? My best quality is persistence."

"I’m afraid that your persistence will lead to despair," Gu Xiaobei was surprised by how stubborn this young girl could be when it came to relationships.

Qin Li was agitated, "The worst part is that my mum really likes him. You should’ve seen her yesterday. She would’ve been thrilled if he called her mom right there and then."

Gu Xiaobei looked at Qin Li sympathetically, "It’s like they’re pushing you into a marriage."

"I won’t marry. I would rather die than marry him," Qin Li asserted stubbornly.

Gu Xiaobei cursed Jin Cheng silently again. What on earth was he thinking, shooting people with a slingshot?

Qin Li continued, "Anyway, I’m only 20. What’s the rush to get married? If my mum keeps pressuring me, I’ll just move into the dorm at work."

"Or perhaps you could just let Jin Cheng know, whether to live or die, make it a clear decision," Gu Xiaobei gave a lousy suggestion.

Qin Li gave her a look as if she was an idiot, "He would definitely reject me, saying, he doesn’t like talkative young girls. Then, I wouldn’t even have a sliver of hope."

To Gu Xiaobei’s surprise, Jin Cheng had indeed said just that. Qin Li knew him too well. Qin Li sighed, her face stubborn and defiant, "I refuse to believe that I can’t win Jin Cheng over."

The revolution has not yet succeeded, comrades still need to strive hard. Gu Xiaobei started to admire Qin Li’s courage. They passed by the police station where Qin Li worked first. Qin Li waved goodbye cheerfully, "Okay, hurry off to work. I’ll be here waiting for you to finish work."