Chapter 43 Silver-haired Senior Citizens Group

"I don't want to watch her match!" Qu Chen blurted out, his voice filled with embarrassment and annoyance at having his secret exposed.

He deliberately avoided that name, as if the inexplicable concern would disappear if he didn't say it.

Qu Mingyuan was not surprised, but simply said, "Haven't you always wanted to find the answers to certain things? Perhaps, after watching their performance, you can find some clues."

Qu Chen didn't believe it. What kind of answer could a stage for singing and dancing possibly give him?

He felt his uncle was just speaking well of Ling Wei, and he awkwardly turned away, trying to appear magnanimous: "I won't hate her because of what happened before. If you two... want to be together, I won't object..."

“Xiao Chen,” Qu Mingyuan’s voice suddenly turned serious, “If you think like that, you not only look down on me, but you also insult her.”

He looked directly into his nephew's eyes, each word ringing with conviction:

“My feelings for her are based on respect. She is an independent individual with her own dreams and pursuits. How our relationship develops depends on our choices and the test of time, not on anyone’s approval or opposition.”

Looking at his nephew's bewildered eyes, he continued, "If I, Qu Mingyuan, need to rely on my nephew's lack of objection to maintain our relationship, then such a relationship is better off not existing."

Qu Chen was stunned. He had never imagined that his uncle would talk to him so seriously about respect in relationships.

Moreover, he understood that what his uncle said was essentially just one sentence: My people are not for you to judge.

This almost domineering favoritism made Qu Chen clearly realize that his uncle was truly taking this to heart this time.

Qu Mingyuan saw through his thoughts and gave him a goading move: "Besides, even if you want to go, you might not be able to. This time it's a real-name lottery, fair and just. Apart from the contestants, even I can't provide you with a special ticket."

The thought of using technical means had just surfaced in Qu Chen's mind when Qu Mingyuan's seemingly casual yet weighty words completely extinguished it: "Don't even think about it. If you try to challenge the rules again, I don't mind having my friends in cybersecurity invite you back for a cup of tea under the guise of assisting with an investigation, so we can have a proper chat about the specific details of the Cybersecurity Law."

Qu Chen: "......"

He was completely speechless; his uncle was serious this time.

On the day of the competition, Qu Chen stayed alone at his seaside residence. The surroundings were noticeably more lively than usual, with a constant stream of tourists and scattered discussions about the evening's performance and support activities.

He did not win the lottery.

It doesn't matter, he doesn't really want to go anyway.

He tried to tell himself that, but the inexplicable unease in his heart wouldn't go away.

In the afternoon, the sea breeze grew stronger, and the waves were noticeably more turbulent than usual.

Qu Chen walked alone in the relatively secluded bay, only to see chaos in the distance.

A temporary stage backdrop used for evening community events, along with several rows of folding chairs in front of it, collapsed under the relentless onslaught of the sea breeze.

The wooden frame of the backdrop groaned under its own weight, the canvas advertising banner whistled in the wind, and dozens of metal folding chairs became tangled together, blocking the road.

A dozen or so uncles and aunts, who seemed to be from the same senior citizen tour group, were standing around the pile of wreckage, looking helpless.

"Don't just stand there, get moving!"

A clear and powerful voice pierced through the wind and noise.

There stood an elderly woman dressed in neat casual clothes, with her white hair neatly combed, standing on a fallen speaker.

She was surrounded by four elderly people of similar age, clearly a group of close friends centered around her.

"Old Wang, Old Li! You two take our men and clear out the chairs that can be moved to the side of the road to make way for the people behind!"

Her instructions were clear, and the two elderly men who were called upon immediately responded, calling on the others to start cleaning up the folding chairs.

"Sister Zhang, Sister Liu, go check if anyone has been bumped or bruised. The first-aid kit is in my blue backpack." The two elderly women quickly got to work.

The old lady herself walked quickly to the rickety backdrop and carefully examined its structure.

"We need someone to straighten and secure it, otherwise it will be completely ruined if the wind gets any stronger." She frowned, knowing that this required sufficient manpower and skill.

Then the old woman raised her voice, not directed at any one person, but as if issuing a rallying cry:

"Old folks, anyone who can still manage, come on over! Young tourists, please lend a hand too. Let's work together and not let this mess interfere with our important business tonight!"

Her voice had a natural credibility, and not only did her group of friends immediately put down what they were doing and gather around, but even several young tourists who were watching nearby were infected by her momentum and came over.

Qu Chen had already planned to take a longer route, but Ling Wei's words, "My first impression of you was very bad... I won't have any concern for someone who shows hostility upon meeting you," suddenly echoed in his mind.

He stopped and turned to walk towards the crowd.

Just then, with a "crack", the supporting wood on one side of the backdrop broke, and the entire structure suddenly tilted towards the crowd.

Qu Chen was closest, and almost instinctively rushed forward, using his shoulder to brace against the most dangerous corner. The heavy pressure made him groan.

"Good lad, you've got guts." The old lady's eyes lit up, and instead of panicking, she seized the opportunity.

"Come on! Did everyone see where this young man was putting his effort? Just follow his movements!"

She quickly directed the others who arrived: "You, go hold that side! You few, go find a sturdy rope or an extra securing rope! The rest of you, listen to my command, pull together!"

In an instant, under the old lady's clear and loud commands, a chaotic crisis was transformed into an orderly collective effort.

Her group of friends each had their own role: some were responsible for providing support, some for passing tools, and some for comforting other tourists.

Qu Chen was directly appointed by her as the temporary head of the support point, and under her unified command, he played a key role.

A dozen minutes later, the tilted backdrop was successfully straightened and reinforced with ropes that were found, and the passageway was cleared.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as they watched the scene return to order, casting admiring glances at the old lady and her silver-haired rescue team.

The old lady wiped the sweat from her brow, a contented smile spreading across her face. Turning to her old friends, she praised them generously: "My old buddies are still the best. In a pinch, one of them is worth two!"

Then she patted Qu Chen on the shoulder: "Well done, young man. Thanks to your strength today!"

Qu Chen, caught off guard by the tap on the shoulder, gasped and swayed, instinctively protecting his right shoulder that had just borne the weight.

The old lady immediately stopped smiling and reached out to support him: "Oh dear, look at my memory! That bump was quite hard, wasn't it?" As she spoke, she gently pulled away his hand that was protecting his shoulder, "Let Grandma see, are any bones broken?"

Her calloused fingers gently pressed on his shoulder joint.