Chapter 19 Blind Date (Some content added during revision...)

Li Yan had been trying to get Yan Ruyi to change her hairstyle in order to increase her chances of success in blind dates.

Last time she failed to get Ye Hongzhen to be her ally, so this time she tried to get Ye Hongjuan to stand on the same side as her. "Auntie, do you think Ruyi's hairstyle is a bit outdated? Anyway, it's still early, why don't you take her to get a new hairstyle?"

Ye Hongjuan, "What kind of one would you like to change to? Something like this?"

Li Yan tossed her hair. "Isn't it pretty? It's the most fashionable style right now."

Ye Hongjuan said disdainfully, "Give me a break. Every time I see you, I want to call you 'Auntie'."

Li Yan, “…”

Ye Hongjuan said, "You got your hair permed by that guy surnamed Cai at the end of the alley, right? I'm not trying to be mean, but don't go to him next time. His surname is Cai, and his skills are terrible. He didn't even graduate from his hairdressing apprenticeship. He can cut a short haircut like a dog chewed it. And he tries to be a master hairdresser and perm people. Anyone who comes out of his shop will look ten years older. If you can't get a perm from anyone else, go to him."

Li Yan was so angry that she didn't want to talk to Ye Hongjuan anymore.

No wonder she and Ye Hongzhen are sisters; they share the same tasteless aesthetic!

Yan Ruyi came out of the house. Ye Hongjuan looked at Li Yan, then at her own niece, and felt that her niece's head was more pleasing to the eye.

Of course, the main reason is that my niece is good-looking. With that kind of appearance, even a choppy haircut would look good on her.

My niece looks just like her!

Ye Hongjuan straightened Yan Ruyi's collar with satisfaction and instructed her, "Commander Song has probably arrived by now. Go over and have a good chat with him. You're all young people, you have common ground and can talk to each other."

Yan Ruyi really didn't want to go on a blind date. She didn't like the format of blind dates and had no interest in chatting with her blind date.

Two complete strangers who had never met before, what common ground could they possibly have?

Forcing a conversation can be quite awkward.

Moreover, all she wants to do right now is make money; making money makes her happier than dating.

I'll be a millionaire in no time, why bother looking for a partner?

But her mother and aunt kept nagging, and her second sister-in-law also chimed in from the sidelines.

When she said she didn't want to be in a relationship, they said she was stuck in past relationships and couldn't get out of them.

She was busy counting money; she didn't have time to dwell on the past.

But none of them believed it.

Originally, only her mother was nagging her, but now there are two more, and she can't take it anymore, so she has to go through the motions.

Since it was still early, she wasn't in a hurry and leisurely rode her bicycle out the door.

I ran into Wang Lanying as soon as I stepped out of the family compound gate.

Wang Lanying was also riding a bicycle. When she saw her, she pedaled quickly and caught up with her. "Ruyi, why didn't you come to work today?"

Before Yan Ruyi could reply, she answered her own question, "Oh right, I heard from Zhimin that you went to dig a kiln, Ruyi. Does the bureau want to transfer you to the archaeological team? That would be troublesome. The archaeological team is not a place for women. Look at you, you've only been there a few days and you're already tanned. Why don't you ask your dad to pull some strings and see if you can stay at the antique shop? Even if it's just working behind the counter, it's still better than being exposed to the wind and sun in the archaeological team. But then again, I doubt your dad has any connections. How about I ask Yanna to think of a way for you?"

Yanna is a kind-hearted girl. A few days ago, when I had a cold and felt a bit weak, she went to the department store and bought me two cans of malted milk powder. She insisted that Zhimin take them home for me. I couldn't just take her things for nothing, so I told Zhimin to bring Yanna home for a meal. It was Yanna's first time visiting my home, so I couldn't treat her badly. That's why I went to buy some vegetables and meat early in the morning. The early arrival meant the meat and vegetables were fresh.

Speaking of which, Ruyi, you haven't been to my house yet, have you? When you have time, you're welcome to come over. Even though you and Zhimin aren't dating anymore, you're still classmates. Besides, he works in an office now; if there's anyone suitable in the office, he can introduce you. People these days are all materialistic; even if you're very pretty, if you don't have a good job, you won't find a good partner.”

Seeing that Yan Ruyi remained silent, she assumed that Yan Ruyi was hurt by her words, so she raised her voice a little higher and said to Yan Ruyi, "Ruyi, I'm only doing this for your own good!"

Yan Ruyi turned her head, looking puzzled. "What did you just say?"

She was preoccupied with figuring out how to get the TV tickets and genuinely hadn't heard what Wang Lanying was saying. She just felt a constant buzzing in her ears, but she dismissed it as a fly and ignored it.

Wang Lanying, "..."

It didn't seem like she was acting; she genuinely wasn't listening. Wang Lanying angrily slammed on the pedals a few times, leaving Yan Ruyi behind.

Yan Ruyi, not understanding what was going on, leisurely rode her bike to the movie theater.

First, go to the parking lot and park your car. It costs two cents to park it once.

After parking my bike, I noticed a comic book stall next to the parking area, so I decided to go over and read some comic books.

I was thinking of going in just before the movie started, and then making an excuse to leave after the movie was over.

If her mother or her aunt asks, she will say that the two are not suitable for each other.

Arranged marriages are no longer in vogue, and she said it wasn't suitable, so we can't force her to date someone.

Once I made up my mind, I settled down to read the comic book, and ended up reading for more than half an hour.

I checked my watch; the movie was starting in 5 minutes.

If she weren't worried about the impoliteness of finding a seat after the movie had started, she could have watched it a little longer.

She paid for the comic book and got up to go to the movie theater.

Seeing a patch of green from afar at the movie theater entrance, she wondered if the People's Liberation Army comrade she was on a blind date with had already arrived.

Although she didn't want to go on a blind date, she didn't want to keep the People's Liberation Army comrade waiting for her, so she quickened her pace.

When she got closer and saw the faces of the People's Liberation Army comrades clearly, she suddenly froze.

Before going to Ningyi, her mother showed her a photo of her blind date. She glanced at it haphazardly and couldn't even make out what the person looked like.

She dreamt of Song Yiping at night simply because he was the only soldier she knew, and she projected that image onto him.

In fact, she never considered Song Yiping as a potential blind date.

When she saw Song Yiping, she was quite shocked. She thought she had been reading comic books for too long and her eyes were blurry, so she rubbed her eyes and looked again, but it was still the same person.

Could it be such a coincidence? Could that dream have been real, and the blind date really be him?

Song Yiping also saw Yan Ruyi and walked over to her, his voice low and gentle, "Comrade Yan Ruyi, hello."

Oh no, they've called him by his full name; that blind date is probably him.

The problem is that she can't remember the person's name.

When her mother told her, she didn't listen carefully; she only knew that his surname was Song and that he was a regimental commander.

It's perfectly fine to call him Commander Song.

Her heart was pounding, but she remained calm on the surface and smiled as she replied to Song Yiping, "Commander Song, hello."

Song Yiping glanced at his watch and said to Yan Ruyi, "Just call me Song Yiping. The movie is about to start, let's go inside."

Yan Ruyi still wanted to struggle a bit more, and said to Song Yiping, "You go in first, I'll cool off outside for a bit."

After saying that, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket and fanned himself a few times. He looked up at the sky and made conversation, saying, "It's really hot today."

Song Yiping took out an exquisite folding paper fan from his pocket and handed it to Yan Ruyi, "Use this."

It was hot today, and the movie theater was crowded with poor air circulation. On his way here, he made a special detour to the department store to buy a fan, some medicated oil, and a handkerchief, just in case.

This is where it came in handy.

He gave the fan to Yan Ruyi, and didn't go in himself. He stood outside with Yan Ruyi, standing ramrod straight.

Yan Ruyi, “…”

The movie is about to start. If we wait until the lights are off before going in to find a seat, it will disturb other people's viewing experience.

Yan Ruyi had no choice but to say to Song Yiping, "I'm not so hot anymore, let's go inside."

The two entered the movie theater one after the other.

Passing by the convenience store at the entrance, Song Yiping also bought two bottles of orange-flavored soda.

The soda was just taken out of the freezer, and it was steaming with wisps of white vapor.

Once the two found their seats, Yan Ruyi completely gave up hope.

Song Yiping was seated in row 8, seat number 11, and she was seated in row 8, seat number 12; the two seats were right next to each other.

Just like her aunt said.

Moreover, Yan Ruyi had already seen it when they came in; Song Yiping was the only one in the entire room wearing a green military uniform.

Her blind date was definitely him.

No wonder my right eyelid kept twitching this morning; it turned out to be true.

It seems that sometimes it's okay to believe in feudal superstitions.

She regretted not checking the photos beforehand; if she had known it was him, she would have made an excuse not to come.

After the two sat down, Song Yiping handed the soda in his hand to Yan Ruyi, saying, "Have some soda."

Yan Ruyi took it, "Thank you."

Then the atmosphere became a bit awkward, even colder than the bottle of soda in her hand.

Song Yiping didn't know what to say.

Aside from female soldiers, he had hardly ever interacted with any female comrades. He didn't know what topics to talk about, and he was afraid that if he said the wrong thing, he would lower his impression score and leave a bad impression on Yan Ruyi.

Yan Ruyi didn't know what to talk about, and she was also a little nervous.

It's all her mother's and Sihe's fault.

Yesterday, her mother kept telling her how brave Commander Song was in battle, how valiantly he killed the enemy on the battlefield, and how he fought with bayonets... She described it vividly, as if she were watching someone else fight.

Sihe was also playing along on the sidelines. Her mother said that Sihe was acting, holding a stick and shooting at people. The two of them talked all night like they were performing a double act.

Not only did it cause her to dream of being shot at with a gun at night, but she also felt a little uncomfortable seeing the real person now.

She glanced at Song Yiping furtively: his face was serious, his eyes were fixed straight ahead, his hands were on his lap, and he was sitting upright.

Judging from his demeanor, Yan Ruyi suspected that he had been forced to come by his family.

A slight awkwardness spread between the two.

A note from the author:

----------------------

I expect to enter the paid version the day after tomorrow, so please cheer me on in advance!