"Qingqing, wait a minute," Xiang Qiu called out urgently to Xia Qingqing, who was about to leave the classroom.

Xia Qingqing stopped in her tracks upon hearing the sound, turned around, and asked in confusion, "Sister Qiu, what's wrong?"

"I have something to tell you, let me pack my things first," Xiang Qiu said, quickly starting to tidy up the things on the table.

Xia Qingqing nodded: "Okay, you guys take your time packing, I'm not in a hurry."

After Xiang Qiu and the other two finished packing their things, they walked out of the classroom together.

"Qingqing, you're really quick. I just wrote a line of notes and when I looked up, you were gone," Xiang Qiu said with a hint of helplessness.

Xia Qingqing said with a smile, "No, I already told you. If you don't believe me, you can ask Sister Huimin and Xiuxiu."

She usually goes straight home after school in the afternoon, while her three roommates go to the cafeteria for meals, which isn't on their way, so she usually packs up her things first and leaves.

“That’s right, Qingqing said goodbye to us when she left,” Liu Huimin and Chen Xiu said in unison.

Xiang Qiu smiled sheepishly: "That's because I was too focused on taking notes. Anyway, let's not talk about that. Um... I have something to tell you guys. Wang Zhihong and I would like to invite you to lunch tomorrow. Are you free tomorrow?"

Tomorrow is Sunday, a day off, and Xiang Qiu plans to formally introduce her boyfriend to Xia Qingqing and the others, and also ask them to give their opinion.

"Yes, of course! Even if I don't have time, I have to make time for it," Xia Qingqing readily agreed.

Liu Huimin and Chen Xiu both agreed, and the dinner was arranged.

"Then let's meet at the school gate at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Qingqing, remember the time," Xiang Qiu instructed worriedly.

She knew that Xia Qingqing loved to sleep in during her rest time, and it wasn't impossible for her to sleep until 11 a.m.

Xia Qingqing gave a no-questions-asked gesture and said with a grin, "Yes, ma'am, I'll be there on time."

"If there's nothing else, I'll head back now. You guys should go to the cafeteria for lunch too, or you'll have to wait in line for a long time," Xia Qingqing waved to the three of them.

"Okay, be careful on your way."

When Xia Qingqing returned home, Zhang Hongyan was already cooking. After putting down her schoolbag, she went into the kitchen and asked, "Mom, what are we having for dinner tonight?"

Without looking up, Zhang Hongyan replied, "Cabbage, winter melon, and stir-fried eggs with chili peppers."

Xia Qingqing nodded indifferently. At least there was some stir-fried eggs with chili peppers, which was a decent meal.

“There’s nothing we can do if you don’t like it. These are the only dishes we have at home. Is there anything you want to eat? We’ll have your dad get up early tomorrow to buy it,” Zhang Hongyan asked with a smile.

She knew without asking that her daughter definitely didn't like these dishes, but Xia Heping didn't go to the grocery store to buy groceries this morning, so there was only some cabbage and winter melon left at home. Fortunately, she always had eggs on hand, and she would occasionally cook some eggs for her two children for breakfast.

Hearing Zhang Hongyan's words, Xia Qingqing quickly shook her head: "Mom, I won't be eating at home for lunch tomorrow. You should ask Gou Dan to see if there's anything he wants to eat."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hongyan looked up at her and asked, "Not eating at home? Are you going out to eat with Xiao Song?"

"No, my roommate's boyfriend treated us to dinner at a state-run restaurant," Xia Qingqing explained simply.

Zhang Hongyan also knew that Xiang Qiu had a boyfriend. When she heard that Xia Qingqing went out to eat with him, Zhang Hongyan's gossip spirit immediately kicked in: "Then come back tomorrow and tell me about the situation. I can also help you check it out."

"Okay, I'll tell you when I get back tomorrow," Xia Qingqing agreed with a smile.

......

The next morning, Xia Qingqing was woken up early by Zhang Hongyan.

Xia Qingqing glanced at her watch and realized it was only a little past 7 a.m. She lingered in bed, unwilling to get up.

After more than ten minutes, Zhang Hongyan saw that Xia Qingqing still hadn't come out, so she knocked on the door again: "Qingqing, get up quickly. Didn't you make plans with your roommates? Go over there early so they don't wait for you."

"Okay, I know~", Xia Qingqing rolled over on the bed with her eyes closed. She had made an appointment to have lunch with someone, not breakfast!

However, after being woken up twice, she was no longer sleepy and had no choice but to obediently get out of bed.

When she came out of the room, Zhang Hongyan and Xia Heping were just about to leave. Before leaving, Zhang Hongyan didn't forget to tell them, "Remember to drink the porridge on the table, Qingqing. Gou Dan, you have to stay home and do your homework. Your dad and I are leaving now."

"Okay, be careful," Xia Qingqing nodded to them.

While slurping his sweet potato porridge, Gou Dan asked, "Sis, Mom said you're going out later too?"

Wouldn't that leave him all alone at home?

"Okay, I'll go eat with Sister Xiangqiu and the others," Xia Qingqing replied, but she didn't suggest bringing Gou Dan along. After all, Wang Zhihong was treating them to this meal, and she didn't know him. It would be impolite to bring someone else to freeload.

"Okay," Gou Dan pouted unhappily, but he had already decided in his heart that he would go to Tian Hongjun's house to play later. He didn't want to stay at home alone.

Xia Qingqing ate dinner around 8 o'clock, then went back to her room and fussed around for a while before leaving around 10 o'clock.

She slowly rode her bicycle to the school gate and saw her three roommates waiting there.

Upon seeing her, Xia Qingqing smiled and praised, "Sister Qiu looks so beautiful today."

She wasn't just making things up; Xiang Qiu had indeed dressed up specially today, wearing a light yellow dress, her hair braided into a fishtail braid, her eyebrows done, and her lips painted with lipstick.

Xiang Qiu blushed slightly upon hearing Xia Qingqing's praise: "Go away, stop teasing me."

"No, she really is very beautiful. Don't you think so, Sister Huimin and Xiuxiu?" Xia Qingqing looked at Liu Huimin.

Liu Huimin gave her a reproachful look: "What do you think? Xiuxiu braided my hair, and I did my eyebrows and lipstick."

Saying it doesn't look good is like questioning your own skills.

The four of them were chatting and laughing in the shade when Xiang Qiu suddenly waved to someone not far away: "Zhihong, over here."

Xia Qingqing and the other two turned their heads in that direction in tacit agreement and saw a man in his twenties walking towards them.

The man had a neat buzz cut and was at least 1.8 meters tall, which was considered very tall in those days of food and drink shortages. He also had regular features and slightly dark skin, indicating that he had probably spent a lot of time in the sun.

Wang Zhihong was clearly very happy to see Xiang Qiu, and when he smiled, two dimples appeared on his cheeks: "Xiao Qiu".

"Let me introduce you. These are my three roommates: Xia Qingqing, Liu Huimin, and Chen Xiu," Xiang Qiu said, pointing to each of them as she introduced them to Wang Zhihong.