That’s not because your family conditions are too good. Who would believe that you casually pulled a girl off the street and just decided on a lifelong commitment, and your family didn’t have even the slightest objection?
Zhao Xiangdong secretly complained in his heart but didn’t dare say it out loud.
However, seeing Meng Junchuan’s relaxed and casual attitude, he knew there definitely wasn’t any problem.
That girl really was not only beautiful, but also had a unique temperament. Even though she dressed very simply, it couldn’t hide her elegance and charm.
Look at how she chatted with Meng Junchuan—natural and at ease, fully keeping up with his topics. There wasn’t the slightest hint of the awkwardness or shyness most girls showed when meeting him.
And people who could actually keep up a conversation with Meng Junchuan were truly rare.
This girl really wasn’t inferior to those elite young ladies from the capital.
No wonder even Meng Junchuan, that “iron tree,” was finally blooming.
……
Xu Gong rode his bicycle to the entrance of the state-run bookstore and got off. After locking his bike, he went inside.
“Xu Gong,” the clerk greeted him with a smile.
“Is your manager here?” Xu Gong asked.
“He’s in his office. Please go ahead,” the clerk nodded.
Xu Gong nodded and went upstairs toward the manager’s office.
“Xu Gong, you’re here,” Manager Cao said as soon as he saw him and quickly stood up.
“I’m here to pick up some documents,” Xu Gong said directly. He was familiar with Manager Cao, so there was no need for formalities.
“Sorry about the delay. We’ve really been too busy,” Manager Cao said apologetically as he handed over the materials.
“It’s fine. I’m not in a hurry anymore. I’ve already found someone to translate them,” Xu Gong said with a smile.
“Oh? Where did you find someone? Translators are hard to come by these days,” Manager Cao said in surprise.
“It’s the child of Engineer Lin and Engineer Li. They taught the child English before, and now it’s come in handy. The kid is very capable,” Xu Gong said with a satisfied expression.
“That’s really rare,” Manager Cao sighed.
It really wasn’t easy to find someone who could translate these days. They were severely short-staffed and couldn’t even complete the tasks assigned from above.
He also knew Engineer Lin and his wife—both were extremely outstanding people. What a pity.
“Now I’m much more relaxed. No more worries,” Xu Gong said with a smile.
Manager Cao could only feel envious, but he started thinking to himself.
“I won’t chat any longer. I need to go,” Xu Gong said, picking up the documents and leaving.
“Wait, Xu Gong,” Manager Cao called out. “Once your materials are finished being translated, you probably won’t be so busy anymore. If I get overwhelmed here, could that kid help us too?”
“That can be discussed later. I still have a lot of materials,” Xu Gong replied and left in a hurry.
……
Lin Qianyi’s life was now fulfilling yet not exhausting. The translation work was going smoothly.
She planned her time well—everything was organized and orderly, without making herself overly busy or stressed.
The pressure of reputation was gone, she now had a good potential partner, her factory job was stable and relaxed, and her coworkers were easy to get along with.
Even her neighborhood relations had become harmonious.
Lin Qianyi genuinely felt that life in the 1970s wasn’t bad at all.
The sky was blue, the air was fresh, the food was safe, and people were relatively simple and honest.
The only thing was that the new female coworker occasionally looked at her with an unreadable gaze.
Well, as long as she didn’t openly provoke her, Lin Qianyi simply ignored it.
“Lin Qianyi, your boyfriend is on the phone,” the gatekeeper uncle was already very familiar with the situation. He could tell who it was just by hearing the voice.
Everyone in the office looked at her with teasing smiles.
“Qianyi’s boyfriend is really attentive, calling every few days.”
“Young couples are always like that, all sweet and sticky.”
“Ah, youth is wonderful.”
“……”
Lin Qianyi calmly walked out. Lin Liping stared tightly at her back.
When she returned, everyone burst into laughter again.
“Qianyi, is your boyfriend coming again tomorrow?” Everyone guessed since tomorrow was a rest day.
“Yes,” she replied openly with a smile.
“He can’t go even one rest day without seeing you.”
“Look at how devoted he is.”
“Qianyi is so pretty, of course her boyfriend is anxious.”
She let them tease her with a light smile.
No one thought anything inappropriate about her boyfriend visiting her home anymore, since the military investigation letter had already arrived.
And everyone knew he always came and left on the same day.
Wang Lan looked at her with pure envy.
“Qianyi, why don’t you and your boyfriend come to my house for dinner tomorrow? My parents want to thank you properly,” Lin Liping said with a smile.
“No need. It’s just a small matter,” Qianyi refused gently.
“Then I’ll bring my younger brother to visit you tomorrow instead, so he can thank you,” Lin Liping tried again.
“Really no need. We might go out tomorrow; it’s not convenient,” Qianyi declined directly.
“Let them be. Young couples rarely get time together anyway,” Wang Lan casually added.
Lin Liping’s face reddened slightly. “Sorry, I didn’t think it through.”
Qianyi smiled lightly at Wang Lan, while the girl blinked playfully at her, completely unaware of the situation.
……
Meng Junchuan finished training and went straight to the battalion commander’s office to request leave.
The battalion commander, surnamed Wu, was only one rank above him but much older in age.
Meng Junchuan was mainly responsible for training matters, while Commander Wu handled more administrative affairs.
Looking at the leave request, Commander Wu sighed for a long time. This officer, who used to be entirely focused on work and rarely took leave, was now frequently requesting time off.
It was all for going to the county to see his girlfriend. Everyone already knew about Meng Junchuan submitting two reports just to visit her—it had become a major topic in the military district.
After getting approval, Meng Junchuan headed out. Even though they had rest days, leaving the base still required a formal leave request.
Rest-day leave didn’t affect training.
Their unit specialized in special missions, and their training load was much heavier than other units.
Back in the dorm, Zhao Xiangdong was already waiting at the door, talking with the guard.
“Junchuan, come to my house for dinner tomorrow. It’s been a while since you last came,” Zhao Xiangdong said.
“No. I’m going to Yuanshan County tomorrow,” Meng Junchuan replied while opening the door.
“Again? Didn’t you just go last week?” Zhao Xiangdong was surprised.
“Yes.”
“This is already the second time this week—why again?”
“It’s been a week. How can I not go?” Meng Junchuan turned around.
Zhao Xiangdong froze. Who said Meng Junchuan was cold? Look at him—he was practically on fire.
He truly admired that girl. She really had skills.
“You’re leaving early tomorrow morning again?” Zhao Xiangdong asked, sitting down.
“Yes.”
He almost wanted to leave tonight, but since they weren’t married yet, he didn’t want to cause trouble for the girl.
Zhao Xiangdong stayed for a while, chatted a bit, then left.
He felt that even if he told their friends about Meng Junchuan’s behavior, none of them would believe it.
……