When I got off work in the afternoon, Zhao Weiguo came to pick me up again, bringing with him a packed lunch. Where did he get the lunchbox? It must have been borrowed.

"When I was browsing the supply and marketing cooperative, I happened to see apples and bought some. These apples are big and sweet, unlike the wild apples from the mountains, which are very sour."

He was carrying not only a lunchbox but also a bag of apples. There seemed to be seven or eight apples, which wasn't a small number, considering the quantity displayed wasn't extensive. It was basically first-come, first-served; those who arrived later wouldn't get any.

I used to think apples were a boring fruit, but that thought changed after I came into this world. There really aren't many fruits to eat; being able to nibble on a couple of cucumbers is considered a treat.

"You're so thoughtful." Lin Jingyue smiled gently at him, but her mind was elsewhere.

She still felt a little uneasy about always letting him make the sacrifices. Although it was a test, she couldn't take it all for granted. So, secretly, she bought a few pounds of yarn, intending to knit him a sweater.

The weather is just right for this outfit, and it won't be too noticeable underneath. A scarf is out of the question; it's too obvious.

Along the way, she subtly gathered a lot of information about him. Zhao Weiguo was also very cooperative, answering her questions directly and honestly.

For the second time, Lin Jingyue was treated with such wholehearted devotion, and for a moment she felt as if that person had returned to her side.

She knew she shouldn't dwell on the past, but she just couldn't help it, after all, it hadn't been that long ago.

But this is a bit unfair to people nowadays.

"Did I say something wrong? You seem a little unhappy." Zhao Weiguo noticed her mood very carefully, scratched his head a little embarrassedly, and spoke cautiously.

Lin Jingyue snapped out of her daze and shook her head at him. "Wait a moment, I'll go get the lunchboxes for lunch."

"good."

After going inside, she first found the bowls and chopsticks, poured out the food from the lunchbox, then washed the lunchbox and took out the food from lunch.

"Here you go. These are some steamed buns I made earlier. I can't eat too many, so I'll have to ask you to finish them."

I tried making steamed buns a few days ago, and they turned out pretty well, but I didn't control the quantity well, so I made too many. Xiaomingyue even took two to school to share with her best friend.

The steamed buns are white and tender, big and round, and look very successful. They're just a little cold and a bit hard; I'll have to heat them up when I get home before I can eat them.

"Let the children eat these steamed buns; I won't fight with them for food." He didn't even glance at them before refusing.

These days, it's very difficult for most households to buy whole wheat flour. They usually mix whole wheat flour with other flours to make pasta. These steamed buns are so white, they must have been made with whole wheat flour.

"Just take it when I tell you to. Stop nagging. According to you, I shouldn't accept your food. Isn't that like taking food from you?"

"That's not what I meant at all. I've accepted them all, I've accepted them all." Zhao Weiguo hurriedly accepted the steamed buns, smiling a little foolishly. "Just accept whatever I'm giving you. It's all from my own free will."

Besides, once she becomes his wife, wouldn't his be hers too? But he dared not say this aloud, for fear that he would truly have no chance.

Lin Jingyue certainly had the money to eat at a state-run restaurant. It was just a matter of his attitude; the matter was practically settled on the surface. What unmarried girl would readily accept someone's invitation to dinner?

This is pretty much the default assumption.

What she needed was a catalyst, and that catalyst was Xiaomingyue. Only when the little one accepted her could she truly overcome the chaotic thoughts in her mind and accept this person who looked exactly like her deceased husband.

"Be careful when you go out tomorrow. If my daughter doesn't agree, then you won't have a chance." She had already given him a heads-up; what he did next was up to him.

"Okay, I will definitely make the children happy!" His tone was so firm, it was almost like he was giving a military salute.

After learning that she was going to have dinner with the uncle her mother was going to meet the next day, Xiaomingyue immediately hid in the closet.

"Mom, which outfit looks best on me? There are so many clothes, I'm having trouble choosing." She never had this problem before.

In the Chen family, they only had a few sets of clothes. On rainy days, they wouldn't even take a bath, for fear that if they washed their clothes, they would have nothing to wear. This is why people in the past rarely bathed. Firstly, there wasn't enough water, and secondly, there weren't enough clothes. Men were better off; they could just jump into the river to wash, but it was more difficult for women.

After leaving the Chen family, Lin Jingyue became quite enthusiastic about dressing up the little one. If she had money, she would buy clothes; if she didn't, she would use the flawed fabrics issued by the factory and have them made by a tailor. After half a year, she had accumulated half a box of clothes.

However, the winter clothes were made late this year, so there weren't many sets. But Xiaomingyue didn't beg for new ones; instead, she carefully selected from the existing clothes.

"Just wear the outfit you just bought a while ago. Didn't you like it a lot before? Wear whatever you like."

"But I want to make a good impression on that uncle so that he will know that I am a cute and well-behaved child."

After being nurtured with love, the body grows flesh and blood rapidly. Similarly, the once taciturn Xiaomingyue now utters a few witty remarks. However, she only acts this way in front of her mother; in front of others, she remains a quiet and reserved young girl.

Lin Jingyue walked over and gently tapped her head. "We're just going out for a meal, not to discuss anything important. Besides, your mother hasn't agreed to marry him yet. If he's going to nitpick about me before we get married, then I think this marriage is pointless."

There's no need to please anyone; dressing appropriately is enough. Besides, these clothes haven't been worn for very long. Nowadays, people wear the same clothes for years. Xiaomingyue wearing new clothes to meet people is already quite a show of respect, okay?

The little one didn't quite understand what her mother was saying, but she knew her mother was right, so she didn't dwell on it too much. She learned a lesson: clothes are for yourself, not for others.

On the other hand, Zhao Weiguo was also looking forward to tomorrow noon, as this was a great opportunity for him to get rid of his single status.

The comrade standing next to him didn't quite understand why, instead of choosing so many young girls, he chose a divorced woman with a child.

But they will never understand that fate has already been secretly priced, and that some destinies are destined to be encountered but not sought.