At her call, Liang Qiurun instinctively glanced over.
Through the bustling crowd, he immediately spotted Jiang Meishu. She was dressed plainly today, wearing a faded blue coat with patches and loose-fitting trousers, paired with black Old Beijing cloth shoes.
Though these were utterly ordinary clothes, on her they carried an air of delicate elegance.
There was no other reason.
It was simply because her face was too striking.
In the blink of an eye, Liang Qiurun stood up and waved, “Over here.”
Jiang Meishu’s wandering gaze focused, instantly brightening as she jogged over. “Factory Director Liang.”
She called out, “Have you been waiting long?”
Liang Qiurun shook his head, “Just arrived myself.”
This was a lie.
“Have you eaten?”
Jiang Meishu shook her head. She had been too angry to eat before leaving home, and after running into her sister, she felt too embarrassed to eat the buns Shen Zhanlie had bought for her.
“Then see what you’d like to eat.”
Liang Qiurun was very considerate. Worried Jiang Meishu might be unfamiliar with the place, he personally accompanied her to the cafeteria window where meals were ordered.
Outside the small window hung a square blackboard listing today’s dishes and rice, with additional notes beside them.
Staring at the menu on the blackboard, Jiang Meishu couldn’t help but swallow saliva. “Can I really order anything I want?”
Noticing her eager expression, Liang Qiurun nodded, “Of course.”
Rubbing her hands together eagerly, Jiang Meishu said, “Then I won’t hold back.”
“I’ll have these meat buns, doufunao.”
“And this roast duck.”
But wouldn’t roast duck be too greasy for breakfast?
Never mind – her stomach had been lacking oil anyway. Why worry about greasiness when her waist had shrunk to less than 1.7 chi from hunger?
As Jiang Meishu pinched her waist, she looked up to see Liang Qiurun smiling at her. She paused, her ears growing warm. “Do you think I’m ordering too much?”She felt like one of those modern blind date women who take advantage of free meals during blind dates.”
But, heavens above.
She wasn’t intentionally trying to take advantage.
She was simply starving.
“Not at all.”
Liang Qiurun even recommended, “Their lüdagunr is quite delicious too.”
“Would you like to try some?”
When it came to food, Liang Qiurun was clearly more knowledgeable than Jiang Meishu.
Jiang Meishu’s eyes lit up, “Really?”
“Certainly.”
“Comrade, please add one portion of lüdagunr to our previous order.” Liang Qiurun scanned their menu. “These are all rather dry. How about a bowl of small wontons with dried shrimp?”
“This is the newest offering at the State-Owned Restaurant, quite popular.”
Jiang Meishu nodded eagerly like a pecking chick.
Seeing her agreement, Liang Qiurun told the server, “Then two bowls of small wontons as well, please deliver them to table number two later.”
The server initially wanted to say they didn’t offer delivery service, but noticing Liang Qiurun’s authoritative presence, she changed her tone. “Certainly, comrade. Please wait a moment.”
Indeed, while people said servers at State-Owned Restaurants and Supply and Marketing Cooperatives looked down on everyone, this wasn’t entirely true – they too judged people by their appearances.
While Liang Qiurun was settling the bill, Jiang Meishu had already taken a seat at table two, gazing curiously at the documents he had left on the table.
Some were processed, others were not.
She only glanced briefly before looking away, knowing it would be impolite to stare further.
Jiang Meishu worried many of those documents might contain confidential information.
In reality, they did not.
Truly confidential documents would never be brought outside for handling—those left in public view were all common knowledge.
Jiang Meishu glanced around curiously and realized she hadn’t seen Secretary Chen, who was usually inseparable from Liang Qiurun.
“Looking for Secretary Chen?”
Liang Qiurun approached carrying a white ceramic plate with six plump, soft da rou baozi.
Jiang Meishu’s attention was instantly diverted.
“Yes.”
“That was quick.”
Liang Qiurun nodded. “The buns were already steamed—just picked them up.” He slid the plate toward her. “Eat them while they’re hot. You can try one now.”
Jiang Meishu swallowed discreetly, still feeling a little embarrassed.
Liang Qiurun picked one up with chopsticks and offered it to her, his gaze gentle and expression understanding. “They’re not as good when cold.”
He was too easygoing.
Too gentle and accommodating.
It made Jiang Meishu’s heart warm and swell with emotion. Without further hesitation, she took the bun and bit into it. The Fuqiang flour wrapper was soft and subtly sweet, while the savory broth inside burst forth, splashing across her mouth. The heat made her tongue curl.
Tears welled in her eyes.
“Crying again?”
Liang Qiurun sighed softly, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and offering it to her. Jiang Meishu refused. “It’s all grease—it’ll stain your handkerchief.”
“Do you have a tissue?” she asked, trembling slightly from the burn.
Her fair skin flushed a dewy pink from the heat, like a ripe peach, plump and juicy to the point of overflowing.
Liang Qiurun’s eyes darkened slightly. He stood. “Wait a moment.”
He returned with a tissue and handed it to her. After wiping her mouth, Jiang Meishu felt a sting on her tongue and noticed Liang Qiurun’s concerned gaze.
She explained sheepishly, “It was too hot—I ate too quickly.”
Since arriving in this time, it was her first time tasting da rou baozi made with Fuqiang flour.
For ordinary people, this was like a New Year’s feast. Even for the Jiang Family, it was a rarity—their monthly ration of fine grain was always sold off by Wang Limei in exchange for coarse grains, just so the family could scrape by with watery fullness.
As for meat, that was even more out of the question.
Seeing her like this, Liang Qiurun simply smiled kindly. “Save some room. The wontons and lǘdagunr are also quite good.”
“And the roast duck is exceptional.”
Jiang Meishu knew he was reminding her to pace herself. She nibbled on the bun’s skin, reluctant to swallow. “Thank you.”
Watching her, Liang Qiurun sighed inwardly.
He didn’t touch his chopsticks.
Instead, he quietly observed as Jiang Meishu devoured two da rou baozi in quick succession.
The wontons had yet to arrive.
Liang Qiurun stood and approached the server, returning with a glass of water. “Drink this.”
Jiang Meishu accepted it. “Thank you.”
She drank half the cup in one gulp before finally feeling some solidity in her stomach.
“Would you like more?”
Liang Qiurun pushed the plate of buns forward slightly.
Jiang Meishu shook her head, then hesitated. “Could I take one to go?”
Her sister had two buns and had brought one for her.
She had six buns here—though this portion included Liang Qiurun’s share—and she wanted to pack one for her sister too.
Actually, after what happened this morning,
Jiang Meishu realized that perhaps the only person in this world who treated her well without expecting anything in return, who always put her first, wasn’t her mother—Wang Limei— but her sister—Jiang Meilan.
Because only her sister could accurately sense every subtle shift in her emotions each time, understand her, guide her, and even think from her perspective to help solve her problems.
In this regard, even her mother Wang Limei couldn’t measure up.
Hearing this request suddenly, Liang Qiurun was momentarily stunned, then immediately nodded. “Of course, these were originally bought for your breakfast.”
Jiang Meishu pressed her lips together and said very seriously, “Factory Director Liang, you’re a good person.”
“When I make my fortune someday, I’ll definitely repay you.”
She meant every word.
Liang Qiurun couldn’t help but laugh. His features were exceptionally gentle, and when his affectionate eyes curved slightly, they carried an indescribable allure.
Even Jiang Meishu was momentarily captivated.
Liang Qiurun said, “It’s just a meal, Comrade Jiang. There’s no need to be so polite.”
Just then, the small wontons arrived. Liang Qiurun pushed three bowls toward her. “These are said to be Shanghai-style fresh meat wontons. You should try them.”
He had ordered a bowl for himself as well.
Jiang Meishu made a soft sound of acknowledgment and took a sip of the wonton broth. It was incredibly flavorful—a bone broth simmered with dried shrimp and seaweed, cooking the thin-skinned, generously filled wontons.
One sip warmed her all the way to her stomach.
Jiang Meishu felt that even if this blind date didn’t work out, the trip wouldn’t have been in vain.
In the impoverished, difficult 1970s, being able to eat a bowl of fresh meat wontons followed by Da rou baozi made her feel it would be worth dying for.
Liang Qiurun watched her eat before speaking slowly, “While you eat, let me introduce myself.”
Jiang Meishu took a bite of wonton and nodded like a pecking chick. “Go ahead, I’m listening.”
She truly had none of the usual reservations about meeting a stranger for a blind date.
Neither shyness nor awkwardness—her mind was completely occupied by the food.
Liang Qiurun’s gaze lingered on her stuffed cheeks for a moment before his peach-blossom eyes sparkled with amusement. He cleared his throat lightly. “Then I’ll be direct.”
“I’m thirty-three this year, currently employed as the factory director at the Capital Meatpacking Plant. My monthly salary is two hundred twenty yuan.”
At this, Jiang Meishu stopped eating her bun, her eyes widening. “How much?”
“Two hundred twenty.”
Liang Qiurun repeated.
Jiang Meishu took a bite of her bun and mumbled, “Your salary is so high.”
Her father had worked as a master craftsman at the meatpacking factory his entire life, and his monthly salary had only just broken forty yuan.
Liang Qiurun’s salary alone was four times her father’s.
Liang Qiurun thought for a moment. “It’s not particularly high, but not low either. I’d say it’s enough for basic needs.”
If this was just “basic needs,” then Jiang Meishu felt she must be practically begging.
“You continue with your introduction. After I finish eating, I’ll introduce myself as well.”
She was remarkably composed, showing no trace of self-consciousness despite wearing shabby clothes.
Liang Qiurun gave an acknowledging hum. “After covering work, let me share my personal situation. I’m unmarried but have an adopted son—my comrade-in-arms’ child.”
He paused briefly here. “Comrade Jiang, since we’re sitting here together, I’ll be direct. Liang Rui’s father once saved my life, so I will only ever have this one child.”
He was testing whether Jiang Meishu could accept this, observing her reaction to determine his next steps.
Jiang Meishu took a bite of her steamed bun, considering. “You mean because Liang Rui’s father saved your life, if our matchmaking succeeds, I should treat him as the child of your savior?”
“In other words, I should pamper him like a little emperor, right?”
Liang Qiurun, “??”
Was that what he meant?
He studied Jiang Meishu’s face intently, searching for any hint of jest, but found none.
She genuinely seemed to interpret it that way.
After a moment of silence, Liang Qiurun responded, “Comrade Jiang, that’s not what I meant.”
“My main purpose in matchmaking is to find a wife who can help discipline the child in my absence, as I may frequently be away on business trips.”
“Understood.” Jiang Meishu said, “So you want me to be an emotionless stepmother.”
Liang Qiurun hesitated briefly. “You could put it that way.”
Jiang Meishu licked her lips—the soup was particularly delicious. “That should be no problem at all.”
An emotionless, wicked stepmother.
That was right up her alley.
Seeing her comprehension, Liang Qiurun moved to the next point. “Now about my family situation. Both my parents are alive. I have three siblings and am the youngest. But this isn’t particularly relevant since if we succeed, we wouldn’t be living with them.”
Jiang Meishu understood. “So if we marry, we’d live separately, correct?”
“Correct.”
“Where would we live?”
This would determine whether she agreed.
“A Siheyuan in Dongcheng. Only Liang Rui and Comrade Wang, who handles cooking, live there.”
Jiang Meishu, “Hmm, no problem.” Marrying into a large house with someone to cook—Comrade Wang.
Setting aside Liang Qiurun’s impotence and Liang Rui’s rebelliousness, these seemed like minor issues now.
Noting her neutral expression, Liang Qiurun continued in his gentle voice, “That’s basically my situation.”
Jiang Meishu, “Now let me introduce myself.”
For once, she stopped eating and set down her chopsticks. “My name is Jiang Mei…lan.” How close—she nearly revealed her true identity.
But at the critical moment, she caught herself, lacking confidence—both in herself and regarding her sister.
Her sister had just married and couldn’t afford any complications.
Neither could she.
Having sorted this out, Jiang Meishu took a sip of water and continued more smoothly, “Jiang Meilan, twenty-two years old, high school graduate. Currently working as a temporary employee in the Trade Union at the Meatpacking Factory.”
She realized that from the moment she swapped identities with her sister, there was no going back.
Because one lie required countless more to sustain it.
“I also have three siblings.”
“That’s basically my situation.”
Her personal circumstances were actually much simpler than Liang Qiurun’s.
Moreover, everything she introduced about herself was already known to Liang Qiurun, just as Jiang Meishu was aware of Liang Qiurun’s circumstances.
“You’re twenty-two?”
Liang Qiurun asked softly.
Jiang Meishu nodded. “Yes.”
Liang Qiurun silently calculated their age difference. “I’m eleven years older than you.”
Jiang Meishu replied, “I know.”
She had known before coming, which was why she had been calling him Old Liang.
“Can you accept that?”
Liang Qiurun seemed to be giving Jiang Meishu a chance to reconsider. Sitting there, he looked down at her, his peach-blossom eyes slightly upturned at the corners, pupils dark as ink.
Jiang Meishu nodded. “I suppose so. If I couldn’t, I wouldn’t have come to this blind date.”
As she finished speaking, the waiter happened to bring the roast duck.
Jiang Meishu’s eyes lit up, her attention instantly diverted.
Liang Qiurun smiled faintly. “Eat the roast duck while it’s hot—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.”
“Additionally, if everything so far is acceptable, let’s proceed to the next step.”
He treated the blind date like handling work tasks, dividing it into three stages. Though the process was intricate, each step was undeniably well-timed.
Jiang Meishu asked, “What?”
Liang Qiurun replied, “It’s about setting three rules.” He wasn’t perfect, so certain issues needed to be laid out clearly.
Otherwise, it would be a fraudulent marriage.
Jiang Meishu nodded. The roast duck had been sliced, and she picked a piece with golden skin attached to meat, taking a small bite. The skin was crisp, the meat tender, and the flavor rich and aromatic.
“Go ahead,” she said softly.
Liang Qiurun looked up at her, his voice gentle. “I have a very busy work schedule. Whether before or after marriage, I may not come home often or may return very late.”
“Of course, I know this falls short as a husband’s duty, so I’ll make up for it by handing over all my salary, including the household savings.”
Jiang Meishu stopped eating the roast duck and took a bite of a meat bun instead. “As you wish.”
Of course, as he wished!
A husband who works hard and doesn’t come home but hands over his salary?
For Jiang Meishu, this was absolutely a good deal.
Not to mention him not coming home due to work—if he ever found a mistress outside, as long as he provided enough money, she might even consider helping the mistress during postpartum confinement.
After all, she only cared about money, not emotions.
Seeing her agree so readily, Liang Qiurun paused. “Then let’s move to the second condition. You’re aware of my relationship with Liang Rui. He will be my only child in the future.”
“So after marriage, we’ll live separately and not have children.”
When he made this request, he was prepared for Jiang Meishu to potentially refuse.
But she didn’t.
Jiang Meishu nibbled on the roast duck. “As you wish.”
Anyway, she neither wanted to fulfill marital duties nor have children.
Liang Qiurun’s demands aligned perfectly with every one of her secret wishes.
Liang Qiurun was somewhat taken aback. “Comrade Jiang, do you understand what I’m saying?”
Jiang Meishu nodded, wiping her mouth with a napkin. “Of course I do.”
“Living separately after marriage and not having children means we don’t interfere with each other and each go about our own business, right?”
Liang Qiurun said, “Yes.”
“Then do you still agree?”
In his experience, no female comrade would agree to such harsh conditions. That’s why, until now, Liang Qiurun hadn’t been enthusiastic about marriage through blind dates.
“Agree, why wouldn’t I?” Jiang Meishu retorted. “How do you know your excessive demands aren’t exactly what I prefer?”
“Factory Director Liang, not every female comrade is willing to marry, nor is every female comrade willing to have children.”
At the very least, she wasn’t.
She had no other path to take.
Her family wouldn’t even leave her a single 1.2-meter bed.
Without a job, this meant she could only marry.
And Liang Qiurun was the best option within her available choices—without exception.
Liang Qiurun looked at Jiang Meishu as if seeing her for the first time, studying her carefully for a moment. “Comrade Jiang, you’re quite different.”
Jiang Meishu replied, “Thank you.”
“The roast duck you ordered is delicious.”
Liang Qiurun clenched his fist and chuckled softly. “Since you’ve agreed to the previous conditions, I’ll now mention the final issue.”
Bringing this up, his expression turned more serious. “Comrade Jiang, I won’t hide it from you.”
Liang Qiurun tentatively reached his hand toward Jiang Meishu, but as soon as his fingers barely brushed against hers, goosebumps instantly covered the back of his hand all the way to his wrist.
“Comrade Jiang, do you understand?”
He didn’t want to bring up this private issue, but if he didn’t mention it and allowed Comrade Jiang to marry him like this, he would feel like he was deceiving her into marriage.
It wouldn’t be fair to her.
Jiang Meishu was still somewhat dazed. “What?”
Only then did she look down and see Liang Qiurun’s jade-like skin covered in goosebumps. Her gaze traveled upward to his deliberately restrained expression.
“You can’t touch women?”
Jiang Meishu asked almost involuntarily. This seemed to explain why, in her previous life, after her sister married Liang Qiurun, he never touched her.
It wasn’t that he was impotent.
But rather, he simply couldn’t touch women?
Was that it?
Liang Qiurun shook his head. “Not just that—I can’t have physical contact with anyone.”
“That includes men, women, old, and young.”
This—
Jiang Meishu suddenly laughed. “Before I came here, my family told me not to marry a man who hits his wife.”
“Factory Director Liang, not being able to touch people seems quite good. At least I don’t have to worry about being beaten by my husband, right?”
There were too many men who committed domestic violence these days.
She had previously worried about how to avoid that.
Well.
This solved it.
Old Liang was so perfect, she almost thought he was tailor-made for her.
Liang Qiurun never expected that his unspeakable flaw would become an inexplicable advantage in her eyes.
This stirred indescribable feelings in Liang Qiurun’s heart. He looked directly at her, his eyes dark and profound like ink, deep and obscure. “Comrade Jiang, this is a flaw.”
“A fatal flaw.”
A man, a husband, unable to touch his wife, his lover.
That was the greatest humiliation for a man.
Jiang Meishu said, “Advantages and flaws are just human judgments. Treat what others say as nonsense.”
“For example, in my eyes, Factory Director Liang, this isn’t a flaw—it’s an advantage.”
Not being able to touch people was good.
No worry about domestic violence, no need for marital intimacy, ahem, and she wouldn’t even have to bear children.
Liang Qiurun had never met anyone like Jiang Meishu. Even the biggest flaws turned into advantages in her words.
His pitch-black eyes fixed on her, filled with unresolved complexity. “Comrade Jiang, since you don’t mind…”
“Then I’ll state the last of the three conditions.”
Jiang Meishu felt her face grow warm under his gaze. She twisted her fingers awkwardly and said, “Just say it.”
“Liang Rui is an Academic Scum and rebellious. While I’m away, I need you to discipline him more.”
Jiang Meishu, “?”
Disciplining a child – here comes the perfect opportunity to be vicious.
But this wasn’t about disciplining a child.
This was her golden goose.
So, Jiang Meishu readily agreed, “No problem, Factory Director Liang. You can rest assured about Liang Rui while you’re away.”
With that assurance,
Liang Qiurun was completely at ease. He stood up and reached out to shake Jiang Meishu’s hand, only realizing his habit after extending it.
Just as he was about to withdraw,
Unexpectedly, Jiang Meishu tucked her hand into her sleeve, made a fist, and lightly bumped the back of his hand through the fabric.
“Is this alright?”
She blinked, with a mix of playfulness and consideration.
Instantly dissolving Liang Qiurun’s embarrassment.
Liang Qiurun was somewhat surprised by Jiang Meishu’s quick wit. He nodded, realizing that the touch through clothing didn’t trigger any adverse reaction in him.
“Thank you.”
Jiang Meishu pointed to the table full of dishes, “It’s me who should thank you.”
She said earnestly, “This is the most sumptuous meal I’ve ever had.”
It was also the fullest and best meal she’d had since arriving here.
Liang Qiurun, “So, does this mean our blind date was successful?”
At least so far, he was quite satisfied with Jiang Meishu.
Similarly, his shortcomings were all acceptable to Jiang Meishu as well.
Jiang Meishu, “Of course it was successful.”
She was very pleased with Liang Qiurun.
“Then, would it be convenient for me to visit your home?”
Liang Qiurun clearly intended to settle matters in one go.
Jiang Meishu nodded, “But I’d like to inform my parents first?”
Of course, the most important thing was her father, who was still in the hospital, making a home visit inconvenient for now.
Liang Qiurun, “That’s fine.”
“Once you’ve confirmed the time on your end, you can let me know anytime.”
Jiang Meishu hummed in agreement. As she was about to leave, she glanced down at the Da rou baozi on the table. There were six in total; she had eaten two, leaving four.
Meaning Liang Qiurun hadn’t touched any.
Liang Qiurun noticed something and called over a waiter, “Could you bring me a paper bag, please?”
The State-Owned Restaurant waitstaff were usually quite arrogant, always looking down on others, but for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse Liang Qiurun’s request.
After fetching two paper bags and handing them over,
The waiter felt she must have seen a ghost, because normally she would have snapped back with a retort or two.
After the waiter left,
Liang Qiurun didn’t hand the bags to Jiang Meishu directly. Instead, he packed the Da rou baozi and the roast duck, which had only been slightly touched.
Jiang Meishu thought he was taking them home, feeling a bit awkward and unsure how to bring it up.
Then she saw Liang Qiurun hand the packed paper bags to her.
Jiang Meishu was surprised, “These are for me?”
Liang Qiurun nodded, “Naturally.”
“But these have been touched. Should I get you another roast duck that hasn’t been touched?”
Though it was a bit late, he wasn’t sure if any were left.
Jiang Meishu hurriedly said, “No, no, these are plenty.”
Whether it was the meat buns or the roast duck, Liang Qiurun hadn’t touched any; she had eaten them all herself.
How could these be considered leftovers?
They hardly counted.
Liang Qiurun thought for a moment, “Next time, I’ll come earlier to buy some.”
Jiang Meishu thought he was just being polite, unaware that Liang Qiurun meant it sincerely.
Stepping out of the State-Owned Restaurant, the November weather was slightly chilly, with a cool wind whistling through.
However, Jiang Meishu felt alright. Having eaten a bowl of warm wontons, she was quite warm, unlike before when she had been cold.
But—
It was only after they stepped outside that Liang Qiurun noticed how plainly Jiang Meishu was dressed. In this near-frost weather, she still wore only a thin coat.
When the bleak cold wind blew, she appeared even more slender and fragile, like a delicate reed.
She looked cold just to behold.
“Do you have time?” he asked.
Jiang Meishu paused, “What’s the matter?”
“If you’re free, I’ll take you to buy some clothes.”
Jiang Meishu instinctively waved her hand, “No need, really.”
Liang Qiurun said gently, “Comrade Jiang, there’s no need for formalities between us. Since the matchmaking was successful, these are things I ought to do.”
“If you won’t even accept a piece of clothing, how can we talk about handing over salaries in the future?”
He lowered his gaze, his high brow bones and deep eye sockets accentuating his peach-blossom eyes that tapered at the corners. With pupils dark as ink and such a serious expression, no one could refuse him.
Jiang Meishu was no exception.
She hesitated, “Won’t it be too expensive?”
Where had she ever heard of a man buying clothes right after a successful matchmaking? In both her lifetimes, this was a first.
“It won’t be.”
Liang Qiurun opened the car door for her, and only after she got in did he turn to Secretary Chen, “Take me to Mao’er Hutong.”
Secretary Chen was stunned for a moment, “Sir, you have a meeting at eleven o’clock.”
Director Zhu was still waiting.
Liang Qiurun gave him a cool glance, and Secretary Chen immediately lowered his head, “I’ll take you there now.”
He had forgotten.
Between him and Factory Director Liang, the latter was the one in charge.
Jiang Meishu opened her mouth, wanting to say that if Liang Qiurun was busy, he didn’t need to take her clothes shopping.
But Liang Qiurun seemed determined not to listen.
From the State-Owned Restaurant to Mao’er Hutong, even by car, it took a full twenty minutes. By the time they arrived, it was already half past ten.
Clearly, there wasn’t much time left before Liang Qiurun’s meeting.
But Liang Qiurun didn’t seem concerned. He simply led Jiang Meishu out of the car and straight into the depths of the hutong, stopping only when they reached an old wooden door. He knocked.
Soon, an elderly man with graying hair emerged. Seeing Liang Qiurun standing at the door, he was surprised, “Qiurun, what brings you here?”
They were clearly very familiar.
“Uncle Lin,” Liang Qiurun greeted him, “I’ve brought my beloved to have some clothes made.”
So, the place he had brought Jiang Meishu to was actually a long-established tailor shop.
At this, Uncle Lin looked at Liang Qiurun with great surprise, “Your beloved?”
“Qiurun, you’re married?”
As far as he knew, Liang Qiurun had previously shown no interest in marriage.
Liang Qiurun shook his head and smiled, “Not yet. I just had a successful matchmaking with Comrade Jiang this morning and wanted to bring her here to have some clothes made.”
He stepped aside, revealing Jiang Meishu.
Hearing Liang Qiurun refer to her as his “beloved,” Jiang Meishu felt her face grow warm, but she still greeted Uncle Lin, “Hello.”
She felt the nervousness of meeting a stranger.
Uncle Lin looked at her curiously. Her features were delicate as if painted, with red lips and white teeth—exceptionally beautiful. Her temperament seemed gentle and soft.
However, when Uncle Lin noticed the clothes Jiang Meishu was wearing, he frowned slightly. Perhaps he understood why Qiurun had been in such a hurry to bring her here for new clothes.
It was already November, and the weather was chilly. He himself was wearing a thin padded jacket, but this female comrade before him was still dressed in lightweight clothing.
Uncle Lin let out a soft sigh and beckoned, “Come on in, all of you.”
“Only regular customers come to my place these days.”
With the rise of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives and Department Stores, people were buying fabric to make clothes themselves, and tailor shops were beginning to struggle.
That’s why Uncle Lin’s Tailor Shop remained closed even during broad daylight.
After entering the room, the courtyard wall blocked most of the wind, and Jiang Meishu finally felt a bit warmer.
Inside was a large open space, with various fabrics hanging from the beams in the main hall.
It was quite exquisite.
This was the first time Jiang Meishu had seen such a comprehensive collection of fabrics outside of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative and Department Store.
Seemingly noticing her surprise, Liang Qiurun explained quietly to her, “Uncle Lin was a tailor before liberation, with nearly forty years of experience. Later, during the public-private partnership era, even the directors of the Fang Zhi Factory and cloth factories had their clothes made here in the early years. That’s why he can source some special fabrics.”
It’s just that ordinary people didn’t know about it.
No wonder.
Uncle Lin could have so many fabrics here.
Jiang Meishu suddenly understood—he had powerful connections.
“Uncle Lin, Comrade Jiang needs clothes urgently. Do you have any ready-made outfits that might suit her?”
Liang Qiurun thought for a moment, “The style doesn’t matter much, as long as they’re warm.”
The temperature had dropped, and Jiang Meishu’s clothes were too thin. She needed a warm set to avoid catching a cold.
Uncle Lin pondered, “I made a set for my Lin Yu earlier, but she didn’t like the style I made. She prefers wearing the factory’s blue work uniform, so this set was left unused.”
“Let me get it for you to see.”
These days, the most popular attire was the blue work uniform issued by factories. Anyone wearing it outside would be looked upon with respect.
Uncle Lin was quick; in just a moment, he fetched a set of clothes from the rack.
The top resembled a Western-style blazer, but the color was more mature—a navy blue that was very stain-resistant.
“When I made it, I put four liang of cotton inside, flattened it out, so it’s not visible, but feel it.”
Uncle Lin handed the set to Jiang Meishu, “Can you tell?”
Jiang Meishu tried, “I really can feel it.”
The fabric looked somewhat stiff, but it felt very soft to the touch.
“Comrade Jiang, if you don’t mind, you can try it on.”
Jiang Meishu looked at Liang Qiurun.
Liang Qiurun nodded, “You can try it. Don’t worry about the style, just focus on warmth.”
That was true.
Jiang Meishu thought about how cold it would be outside later and didn’t refuse. She took the clothes and went behind the curtain to try them on.
While she was changing, Liang Qiurun spoke with Uncle Lin, “Later, Uncle Lin, could you help take her measurements to make a properly fitting set of clothes?”
Hearing this, Uncle Lin was surprised for a moment, “Qiurun, are you taking this seriously?”
Liang Qiurun smiled, his expression candid, “Whether I am or not, since she agreed to be with me, I should take responsibility for her.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Meishu came out in the changed clothes.
The navy blue blazer paired with matching trousers.
It seemed tailor-made for her. Her 1.65-meter frame perfectly filled out the outfit, making her a natural clothes hanger.
Coupled with her milk-white skin, the dark color suited her exceptionally well.
This dark-toned outfit didn’t overwhelm her in the slightest; instead, it added a touch of elegance and liveliness to her demeanor.
“Comrade Jiang looks extremely suitable in this outfit.”
“However, the waist seems a bit loose.”
“This child is simply too thin.”
As Uncle Lin finished speaking,
Liang Qiurun felt somewhat dazed. It seemed he had never seen Jiang Meishu dressed up before—she had always been plain, either in school uniforms or loose, oversized clothes.
Even though this outfit wasn’t a perfect fit, she still looked beautiful wearing it—her waist slender, limbs long and graceful, skin fair and luminous, with features as delicate as a painting.
“It looks very nice.”
Liang Qiurun complimented her.
Jiang Meishu’s ears grew warm. “Uncle Lin’s craftsmanship is excellent.”
“Is it warm?” Liang Qiurun asked her.
Jiang Meishu nodded eagerly like a pecking chick, her eyes sparkling as she said, “It’s very warm. My chest and back feel cozy as soon as I put it on.”
It was different from wearing thin clothes.
Clothes padded with cotton truly kept one warm.
Liang Qiurun said, “Then we’ll take this set.”
“Uncle Lin, please take her measurements again and make a well-fitted red outfit.”
At this, Jiang Meishu was somewhat startled. She waved her hands, “Comrade Liang, there’s no need. This set is enough.”
She and Liang Qiurun weren’t even married yet—how could they start buying outfits one after another?
Unlike in later times, when every household lacked fabric ration coupons, having one set of clothes to wear was already quite good.
Hadn’t he noticed that she and her sister shared a single set of clothes?
Liang Qiurun lowered his gaze to look at her. “Comrade Jiang, you need two sets of clothes to have something to change into.”
“And—” he paused slightly, his expression gentle and sincere, “I feel that I’ve wronged you by marrying me, so I always want to compensate you more in other ways.”
“So, please don’t refuse me, alright?”