Chapter 90 Thriving

After the family split up, the Liu family's lives were completely different.

Liu Xiangyang and Shen Hongmei didn't dare to rest for a moment. One worked hard to earn work points, while the other carried the child and dug wild vegetables all over the mountains. The villagers watched with sighs, saying that the eldest son's family must have done something that angered both heaven and man to be kicked out by the old couple.

On the other hand, Liu Zhixia's life is thriving.

The kitchen was filled with delicious aromas.

Just as Liu Zhixia finished bottling the stir-fried twice-cooked pork, Xu Zhigang couldn't resist reaching out and stealing a piece, chewing it until his mouth was dripping with oil.

"Sister-in-law, your cooking is absolutely amazing! (chewing)! It's so delicious!"

Shen Yi gave him a disdainful look: "This bottle is yours, don't ruin the others!"

"Really?!" Xu Zhigang was overjoyed.

Liu Zhixia laughed and said, "These were originally prepared for you guys. Take them back to the army and share them with your comrades!"

"Yes, sir!" Shen Yi immediately stood at attention and saluted.

While bottling the food, Liu Zhixia casually asked, "Where's Kai? Why didn't he come over for dinner today?"

Xu Zhigang chuckled mysteriously, "He's busy going on blind dates!"

"A blind date? With whom?"

"The educated youth ordered it! The one who came to eat last time, he was quite lively!"

Shen Yi thought for a moment: "Quite active... Xu Zhiqing?"

"Really? Xu Zhihong and Kai Ge are going on a blind date?!" Liu Zhixia was so shocked that she almost dropped the spoon in her hand.

"Clang!"

A crisp sound interrupted their gossip.

Everyone turned around and saw Liu Xuejun standing blankly in the yard, an enamel cup lying on the ground beside him, water splashed everywhere.

"Fourth brother? What are you doing?" Liu Zhixia asked.

Liu Xuejun looked flustered, his eyes darting around: "I...I suddenly remembered that I haven't figured out the exam yet! I have to go to the educated youth settlement! Sister, Erbao, you two keep an eye on things, I...I'll be right back!"

After saying that, he ran away without looking back, as if his backside was on fire.

"Didn't Zhao Zhiqing like Brother Kai? How come Xu Zhihong is going on a blind date with Brother Kai again?" Liu Zhixia was completely confused.

Immediately, she and Shen Yi exchanged a glance and instantly understood Liu Xuejun's unusual behavior.

Liu Zhixia's heart skipped a beat: "Oh no! This silly boy won't do something stupid, will he? He can't even beat me, he's not even a match for Brother Kai!"

Shen Yi made a quick decision: "Let's go! Let's go see a show!"

Xu Zhigang, always eager for chaos, grabbed his second child and rushed out, shouting, "Hurry up! If you're late, you'll miss the show!"

The group chased after the educated youth all the way to their settlement.

As soon as I entered, I heard Xu Zhihong's cheerful voice: "Old Liu, what brings you here?"

Liu Xuejun said sourly, "What? You don't want me to come? Afraid I'll ruin your good time?"

Just as Xu Zhihong was about to explain, she saw the large group of onlookers behind her.

"Sister Liu, you're here too!" She suddenly realized, "Oh! You're here for that, right?"

Liu Zhixia walked in with a smile: "Yes, I hope I didn't disturb you?"

"It's alright, Aunt Zhang borrowed the room next door."

"My mother?" Liu Xuejun was even more confused. "Why would she need to borrow from next door?"

Xu Zhihong leaned closer mysteriously: "A blind date, huh!"

Liu Xuejun's face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot: "You seem pretty happy?"

"Of course I'm happy!" Xu Zhihong covered her mouth and chuckled. "After waiting for so long, someone has finally brought us together! Now it's up to fate, and I wonder if Brother Kai will actually like it!"

"I don't like it!" Liu Xuejun blurted out. "Brother Kai likes my sister's type, not the loud and boisterous type!"

After saying that, he realized his mistake and looked at Shen Yi with a wronged expression: "Brother-in-law, I didn't mean that..."

Shen Yi, however, added with a mischievous grin, "It's alright. I think Mother's arrangement is quite good; they're a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman."

Xu Zhihong looked at Shen Yi excitedly: "You think so too?"

"Yes. It's just that life with the military is tough, so we need to be prepared."

"Don't be afraid!" Xu Zhihong waved her hand. "What hardships haven't we educated youth endured? As long as we can be together, this is contributing to the construction of our motherland!"

Liu Xuejun's face turned completely pale, and his lips trembled: "You...you even thought this through?"

"Of course! It's just that I'll definitely be lonely when I'm all alone in the future..."

"Fine!" Liu Xuejun's eyes reddened with anger. "I respect your choice! I wish you happiness!"

After saying that, he turned to leave.

Just then, Aunt Zhou walked in beaming: "Oh, everyone's here?"

"Auntie," Liu Zhixia asked tentatively, "Brother Kai has also taken a liking to you?"

Aunt Zhou beamed from ear to ear: "They said they wanted to spend more time together and get to know each other better!"

"But isn't he about to return to his unit?"

"Write a letter!" Aunt Zhou instructed Shen Yi and Xu Zhigang. "My son, Xiao Kai, doesn't know many characters, so I'll have to trouble you two to help him out! Once it's done, I'll definitely invite you to my wedding!"

Xu Zhigang readily agreed: "Don't worry, Auntie! We'll take care of it! Anyway, Old Shen has a wife now, and he has to write it too, so it's just a side thing!"

"Shut up!" Shen Yi glared at him, then solemnly promised, "Don't worry, Auntie, this is indeed a good match, we will definitely help!"

Aunt Zhou nodded happily, then noticed Liu Xuejun's gloomy face and patted him on the shoulder:

"What's wrong? Everyone else is in pairs, and you're the only one single, so you're feeling down? Don't worry, your auntie will find you someone! Your mother was a great matchmaker this time, and your auntie will also arrange a great match for you!"

Liu Xuejun's expression turned sour: "Thank you for your kindness, Auntie, but I don't need it!"

"Oh right!" Aunt Zhou slapped her forehead. "You still have to prepare for your exams, you can't let that interfere with your studies! Once you pass, what kind of good girl can't you find? I'll pick the best one for you!"

Liu Xuejun's eyes reddened: "That's not necessarily true... Alright, you guys are busy, I'm leaving!"

Seeing the silly boy so aggrieved, everyone finally couldn't hold back anymore.

Shen Yi grabbed him: "Since you're already here, why don't you go and see Kai's blind date?"

"Can't you see it all?" Liu Xuejun pointed at Xu Zhihong, annoyed. "What else do you want to see?"

"Pfft!" Liu Zhixia couldn't hold back any longer and asked Aunt Zhou with a laugh, "Auntie, are they done talking? Where's my mother?"

"We finished talking a long time ago, and your mother has already gone home." Aunt Zhou waved her hand. "Xiao Kai is taking a walk in the village with Zhao, the educated youth!"

“We should give them some space, so we won’t bother them.” Liu Zhixia turned to Liu Xuejun, who was completely frozen in place. “Fourth brother, didn’t you have some questions for Xu Zhiqing about the exam? Remember to come home for dinner after you’re done. We’re leaving now!”

"Taking a walk? Zhao, the educated youth?"

Liu Xuejun finally realized what had happened. He looked at the innocent-looking Xu Zhihong, then at the grinning trio, and instantly understood the huge blunder he had just made!

His face turned bright red instantly, like a ripe tomato, and he wished he could dig a hole and crawl into it right then and there!

"Okay... then I'll ask my questions before I go back!" he stammered, not daring to look Xu Zhihong in the eye.

Aunt Zhou smiled and said to Xu Zhihong, "Xu Zhiqing, we owe you so much for helping us make this connection! I'm going back now, I still need to pack Xiao Kai's things!"

After saying that, the group of people left laughing and joking, leaving behind Liu Xuejun, who was filled with shame and indignation, and Xu Zhihong, who looked completely bewildered.