Back To The 80s-Chapter 78 - 77: Touching_1

"You’re transferring away? Why? Isn’t it better to work in a familiar place?" Gu Xiaobei was a bit puzzled.

"Because I’m going to change jobs next year, and there’s currently no suitable position for me here. Besides, the proverb says ’the barrack’s permanent, the soldiers just pass by’. No matter where I am, work is the same." Lu Zhanguo replied patiently.

Gu Xiaobei nodded with some comprehension, figuring that she was better suited to be a freelancer.

"Let’s visit Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang tomorrow. We don’t know when we’ll be back in the city next." Gu Xiaobei suggested.

Lu Zhanguo looked at his wife who could sometimes be childish yet understood the significant matters and nodded, saying, "Okay, you choose what we should buy."

Gu Xiaobei chuckled and said, "Why do I find you so endearing when you’re being obedient?" Lu Zhanguo was at his wit’s end. The girl was starting to talk nonsense again.

Qin Li decided she needed to take the initiative; otherwise, Jin Cheng would slip away from her like a fish.

As soon as Jin Cheng walked into the municipal government’s family compound, Qin Li sprung out from the shadows, blocking Jin Cheng’s path.

Jin Cheng widened his eyes, "You crazy girl, you trying to scare me to death?"

Qin Li rolled her eyes, "Don’t worry, even if you die, it won’t be because I scared you."

"Spit it out, what do you want?" Jin Cheng shoved his hands in his pockets and glowered at Qin Li.

"I just want to ask you one question," Qin Li stood her ground, pouting stubbornly, "do you like me or not? Don’t brush me off like last time."

Jin Cheng stared at Qin Li’s face, a mischievous smile sneaking to his lips. After a while, he said, "Girl, just how much do you like me? You’re so persistent. But I genuinely don’t like you."

Qin Li’s face reddened, and her eyes slowly welled up with tears, she stayed silent, defiantly staring at Jin Cheng without blinking.

Jin Cheng sighed, "Girl, quit it. Go home and find someone to marry. I’m never going to fall for you."

Choking back sobs, Qin Li said, "Jin Cheng, I won’t give up, not until you start liking me."

Jin Cheng shook his head, "It’s impossible. Even in the next life, I wouldn’t like you." Having said that, he walked past Qin Li, leaving her crouched on the ground, burying her face in her knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

Jin Cheng paused for a moment and then continued walking towards his home.

Qin Li wiped her tears, her face ashen as she stood up, silently swearing to the retreating figure of Jin Cheng: even in the next life, Jin Cheng, I will still love you.

As Gu Xiaobei and Lu Zhanguo stepped out of their community gate in the morning, they saw Qin Li standing at the entrance, downcast.

Gu Xiaobei walked up and asked, "What happened? You look like you’ve been stewed." She didn’t even have to ask; she knew it had something to do with Jin Cheng.

Qin Li looked at Lu Zhanguo, and pulling Gu Xiaobei aside, she said, "Sister Xiaobei, Jin Cheng said he won’t like me in this life or the next. What should I do?" Her little face was filled with regret.

Gu Xiaobei looked at this pitiful child, sighed and said, "If I told you to let go, would you listen?"

Qin Li shook her head, "No, I will absolutely not give up."

Gu Xiaobei, intrigued, asked, "Do you like Jin Cheng that much? Or is it just a grudge?"

Qin Li nodded seriously, "I really, really like him a lot. Whenever I think of a life without Jin Cheng, it feels like my heart is bleeding."

Gu Xiaobei patted Qin Li’s shoulder and said, "Since you’re determined, be ready to get hurt, and maybe hurt even worse in the future."

"It’s okay, I know. I can handle it. I always say my biggest strength is being persistent." Qin Li grinned, her smile even uglier than her crying face.

"Alright, I won’t hold you up from shopping with Gun God anymore." Qin Li waved her hand and left.

Gu Xiaobei and Lu Zhanguo lamented, "How can such an excellent girl like Jin Cheng, such a loser? What a waste of a good girl."

Lu Zhanguo gazed into the distance thoughtfully and said, "Sometimes, what the eyes see may not necessarily be the truth."

"What do you mean?"

"Let’s go, hurry and buy something. It’ll get hot soon." Lu Zhanguo didn’t answer Gu Xiaobei’s question, only urged her on.

"Okay, I want to buy some fabric for Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang." Gu Xiaobei initially wanted to buy two sets of clothes but thought it would be better to get some fabric so they could make their own custom-fitted clothes.

"Okay, buy a few pieces for yourself too." Lu Zhanguo noticed that Gu Xiaobei had not bought any new clothes since the last time they got fabric to make clothes.

"Okay." Gu Xiaobei didn’t hesitate; she had planned to buy clothes anyway.

Once they reached the department store, they bought fabric for Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang to make suits. She also bought some fabric to make a dress for herself. After wrapping up their purchases, they headed to Uncle Wang’s shop.

The business at the noodle shop was as slow as usual. Seeing Lu Zhanguo and his wife, Aunt Wang hurried to the backyard to make some haw jelly.

Uncle Wang sat and chatted with Lu Zhanguo, smiling warmly. Once Aunt Wang came back with two bowls of jelly, Gu Xiaobei stepped forward and grabbed Aunt Wang’s somewhat rough hand, saying, "Aunt Wang, we’re heading back to the unit tomorrow. It might be a while before we’re back."

Aunt Wang paused, then quickly said, "Zhanguo, your work comes first. As long as you visit us when you’re in town, that’s enough."

"Okay." Gu Xiaobei agreed happily. "We got some fabric for you and Uncle Wang."

Aunt Wang quickly waved away the offer, "We can’t accept this."

"Aunt Wang, listen to me. You and Uncle Wang have to accept this fabric. We don’t consider you outsiders; we see you as our own parents. When a child buys clothes for their parents, isn’t it a natural thing?" Gu Xiaobei explained sincerely.

Aunt Wang felt a warmth spread in her heart, but her eyes welled up with tears. She lifted her apron to wipe her eyes, and said, "I know you kids are good. I’ll accept the clothes then."

Uncle Wang sat silently smoking his pipe. His face showed an undeniable emotion.

Lu Zhanguo watched his wife, thinking about how pleasing her words sounded.

Aunt Wang swiftly prepared two large bowls of jelly noodles and some sour and spicy radishes.

Gu Xiaobei ate, continuously praising how delicious it was—it really was too tasty.

After the meal, Aunt Wang pulled Gu Xiaobei aside and said, "I had two sons who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield, but I have no regrets. You see, most soldiers come to eat at my shop, some even call me ’mom’. It makes me so happy; it’s as if I have gained so many good sons."

Gu Xiaobei’s eyes reddened. This kind of bond, this warm, touching friendship amongst war comrades, can only be deeply understood when experienced firsthand.

Uncle Wang coughed twice off to the side, "Why bother the kids with all this? It’ll just upset them."

Lu Zhanguo started, "Uncle Wang, let Aunt Wang express her feelings. Otherwise, she’ll feel uncomfortable holding it all in. If you ever face any difficulties, you can call me or any of our comrades. No one will abandon you."

Uncle Wang laughed sheepishly, "We don’t have any problems. We just hope you visit us more often. As two old folks, we aren’t in need of food or clothing, we’re living well."