It is quite obvious that there is a generational difference in values ​​between Aunt Fang and her daughter. The older generation wants their children to be more down-to-earth and settled, but the children have their own dreams to pursue.

After lunch, Aunt Fang disappeared. Song Xiaorui skipped her lunch break and chatted with Shen Xuyue and Zhao Mingyue. Shen Xuyue said, "Xiaorui, do you still want to join the army?"

Song Xiaorui leaned over the cabinet and tuned the radio. A very mechanical female announcer's voice came from the radio. She turned the volume down, turned her face to Chen Xuyue and smiled: "Back then, my mother was afraid that I would suffer in the army, so she secretly changed my physical examination form and said that I was not qualified. This is my lifelong regret. Now that I have the opportunity to take the postgraduate entrance examination for military academy, I must pass it."

Shen Xuyue asked, "What about Brother Wei Qin?"

Song Xiaorui paused, then lowered her head and said, "I don't know where he went. He's probably doing his research in some remote mountain village. It's been almost two years since I heard from him. Even my dad won't tell me anything. All I know is that he's still alive. Humph, even if he doesn't come back, I'm going out too. Why should I wait at home? If I go to military academy, maybe I can be assigned to the same unit as him in the future."

Zhao Mingyue, unaware of their relationship, listened quietly. It seemed that Wei Qin was Song Xiaorui's boyfriend, probably a researcher in the military. He hadn't returned for a long time and there had been no news of him. She couldn't help but feel some sympathy for Song Xiaorui; this aimless waiting was truly agonizing.

Shen Xuyue said, "Brother Wei Qin must have his own difficulties and can't contact you, which is why there's been no news. He'll definitely come back once he's done with his work. Even if you are assigned to the same place as him, the conditions will be very tough. He definitely wants you to stay in Beijing and doesn't want you to suffer. Maybe he'll be transferred back to Beijing in less than two years?"

"But I'm just waiting here at home like an idiot, when will this ever end?" Song Xiaorui propped her forehead with her hand, staring blankly at the counter. Zhao Mingyue watched her figure, already enveloped in a sorrowful aura. Song Xiaorui sniffed, then looked up at Shen Xuyue: "Xiaoxu, why did I have to be so fixated on that blockhead Wei Qin?"

Shen Xuyue laughed: "Brother Wei Qin isn't a blockhead, he just doesn't like to express himself. He's a very talented person. His current situation is that he has to obey the needs of the country and the arrangements of the organization, so he's a bit powerless. He's probably more anxious than you are, so don't overthink it." Of course, Wei Qin isn't a blockhead, otherwise how could he have kept Song Xiaorui, that tomboy, completely under his thumb since childhood?

Song Xiaorui looked up at the chandelier on the ceiling, blinked, and said, "I think he's prepared to dedicate himself to science and hasn't even thought about getting married and having children. I'm almost 30 years old and I'm still wasting my time with him." Her voice was a little choked up.

Shen Xuyue said, "Nonsense. Isn't he only 26 this year?"

"I'm already 28 by the Chinese age reckoning, how much longer until I turn 30?"

Shen Xuyue stood up, walked over, patted her shoulder, took out a handkerchief and handed it to her: "Wipe it off."

Song Xiaorui took the handkerchief, wiped away her tears, then wiped her nose, stuffed the handkerchief back to Shen Xuyue, and giggled, "Go wash it yourself." Remembering something, Song Xiaorui turned to look at Zhao Mingyue, walked over and sat down next to her, "Can I call you Mingyue?"

“Okay, Sister Xiaorui.” Zhao Mingyue nodded.

Song Xiaorui asked, "How old is Mingyue this year?"

Zhao Mingyue said, "I'm turning 19 this year."

Song Xiaorui looked at Shen Xuyue and said, "Wow, an old cow eating young grass. This old cow, Shen Xuyue, is already 28."

Shen Xuyue was both amused and exasperated: "I'm not even 26 yet, okay?"

Song Xiaorui glanced at him sideways: "That's an old ox, seven years older than Mingyue. Mingyue, don't you mind that he's so old?"

Zhao Mingyue couldn't help but laugh: "He's not old. It's better to be a little older. My mom says that older men know how to take care of women."

Song Xiaorui nodded: "That's true. My dad is ten years older than my mom, and he always gives in to her. Wei Qin in my family is only three years older than me, and he sometimes teases me."

"Alright, let me be fair. Brother Wei Qin, why wouldn't you give in to him?" Shen Xuyue said from the side.

Song Xiaorui raised an eyebrow at him: "Where did he give in to me? He was partly responsible for not letting me join the army, insisting that I go to university. But he went and took the military academy entrance exam himself. It makes me angry just thinking about it. I think he's just a chauvinist who thinks women are born to be protected by men, that they should just be good wives and mothers, and that fighting on the battlefield is a man's job. Even Mu Guiying led troops, and her husband still listened to her, didn't he?"

Zhao Mingyue couldn't help but smile. Shen Xuyue said, "That Mu Guiying is just a fictional character from novels and plays. You actually believe there was a real Mu Guiying?"

Song Xiaorui was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to respond to Shen Xuyue. After a while, she said, "Then, Qiu Jin, she was a woman, right?"

Shen Xuyue said, "According to you, [the leader of the Communist Party] is also a woman. We don't prevent female comrades from engaging in the revolution. Everyone can do what they can, and each person should fulfill their duties. This is the greatest contribution they can make to the country and society. For example, our parents' generation, all our fathers were engaged in the revolution, while our mothers stayed at home taking care of the children and their daily lives. Do you think what our mothers did was meaningless? Weren't they contributing to the country and society? You work in a research institute, but you're not being supported by men. You still earn your own living."

Song Xiaorui was speechless for a moment, then looked at Zhao Mingyue, who smiled and said, "Sister Xiaorui, the jobs men and women do are different, which is determined by our human nature. For example, women give birth while men cannot. This does not mean that women are inferior to men. They want to give birth but cannot. Everyone has a different social role, and what they do has its meaning. Not everyone has to do the same thing to demonstrate human equality."

Song Xiaorui looked at Zhao Mingyue, then at Shen Xuyue: "How can you two be together? You talk in the same tone, so eloquent. Alright, alright, I give up on you two."

Shen Xuyue and Zhao Mingyue both smiled a little embarrassedly.

The three chatted very congenially, and Song Xiaorui's impression of Zhao Mingyue improved more and more. She felt that even though she was a country girl, she was not an ordinary country girl and was worthy of Shen Xuyue.

Aunt Fang pushed open the door and came in: "Xiao Rui hasn't gone to her tutoring class yet?"

Song Xiaorui glanced at the wall clock: "It's about time. Mom, Mingyue is such a smooth talker, she's really good with Xiaoxu." She got up, picked up her schoolbag, turned around and winked at Zhao Mingyue, then waved her hand, "I'm leaving now. Come visit us often when you have time, or I can come to your school to visit you."

"Okay." The two of them waved goodbye to Song Xiaorui.

Aunt Fang placed the net bag she was carrying on the cabinet: "Our Xiaorui has a temper just like a boy, she's so restless, it's driving her dad and me crazy."

Shen Xuyue said, "Aunt Fang, don't worry. Xiao Rui just wants to be with Wei Qin, she doesn't have any other thoughts."

Aunt Fang sighed, "That Wei Qin is something else. After his father underwent labor reform, he volunteered to go to the base to participate in scientific research. But there's still no progress on his research. We don't know when it will end or when he can come back to the city. They're getting older and should get married. So we're worried about this too. Xiao Rui is determined to be with Wei Qin, and we can't object. Wei Qin is a good boy, and we can't just let Xiao Rui break up with him without saying a word."

"Let them decide this themselves. Wei Qin's work outside will eventually come to an end, so Aunt Fang, don't be too anxious. The one who's most anxious is actually Xiao Rui. As her family, we must support her unconditionally." Shen Xuyue knew that elders always wanted their children to live a more comfortable and respectable life, but they often overlooked the children's inner thoughts.

Aunt Fang nodded and sighed, "That's all we can do. You're still playing here this afternoon? Wait for your uncle to come back, have dinner, and then go back."

Shen Xuyue said, "Aunt Fang, I was just about to tell you. Mingyue and I have to go back first. We came too hastily today, without any preparation. It was too abrupt. Mingyue and I will come to visit Uncle Song and Aunt Fang more formally next time. We came with our classmates. They went back first, and they must be worried about us. We should go back as soon as possible to give everyone an explanation."

Aunt Fang looked at them and nodded, "Alright then. These things are for you to take home and eat. Take them." As she spoke, she handed the net bag that had been on the cabinet to Shen Xuyue.

Shen Xuyue declined several times, but finally accepted the clothes. Zhao Mingyue, carrying her changed clothes, bowed to Aunt Fang and said goodbye: "Thank you for your hospitality, Aunt Fang. I'm sorry to have bothered you. I'll come to see you again next time! I'll bring Xiaorui's clothes over next time I wash them."

"You can wear any of these clothes. Xiao Rui has clothes to wear. Don't be too polite. Xu Yue is like my nephew; we're all family." Aunt Fang saw them off into the courtyard and waved goodbye from the entrance of the courtyard house.

As the two left the compound, a gust of wind caused Zhao Mingyue to sneeze twice. Shen Xuyue looked at her and asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Zhao Mingyue sniffed and shook her head: "It's nothing."

"Then let's hurry up and get our clothes and go back."

The two were heading to Beihai Park across the street to retrieve the cotton-padded coats that the two children had taken from them. As they walked, Shen Xuyue said, "I also grew up in this compound when I was a child."

"Huh? You didn't tell me which courtyard you live in?"

Shen Xuyue said calmly, "It's meaningless now, other people live there. Uncle Song is a commander, my dad is a political commissar, and Wei Qin's dad is also a commander. Our families all live in the same compound, with more than a dozen children of all ages in one compound. There are more boys than girls, so the girls play with the boys and their personalities are somewhat like the boys'."

"Like Sister Xiaorui?" Zhao Mingyue sensed a hint of disappointment in Shen Xuyue's voice when he mentioned his family, and felt a pang of heartache.

“Yes. Xiao Rui only has one sibling, and she's the youngest in her family, so she's especially precious. She was quite mischievous when she was little, like a boy. Although she's only three months older than me, she never liked playing with me and always followed her brother around. Her brother and Wei Qin are the same age, and together with my brother, the three of them were inseparable best friends. But now they're scattered all over the place. My brother went to the South China Sea, Hai Ge is in Beijing, and Wei Qin is probably hiding somewhere out there.” Shen Xuyue smiled bitterly as he said this.

Zhao Mingyue comforted him, saying, "The Cultural Revolution is over now, and the country is restoring order. Everything will return to normal, and the day you two reunite shouldn't be far off."

“I hope so.” Shen Xuyue sighed softly, then continued their story, “Wei Qin is an exceptionally intelligent person, but he doesn’t talk much. Xiao Rui is the cutest girl in our courtyard, with a very outgoing and fun personality. All the boys in our courtyard are very nice to her, but she only has eyes for Wei Qin. She follows him around every day, and we jokingly call her Wei’s Little Tail. When I was in high school, they started dating secretly. We were too young to go public, and Wei Qin even made me run errands and deliver messages for him. I never imagined that after so many years, they would still be together. It’s quite touching.”

Zhao Mingyue said, "It's so enviable, childhood sweethearts." She wondered if Shen Xuyue had ever had a crush on Song Xiaorui when they were little, then shook her head. What did that have to do with her? They seemed like very good friends and brothers now. Song Xiaorui had Wei Qin, and Shen Xuyue had her; everyone had their own life path.

“Yes, their bond is stronger than the Great Wall. That’s why Aunt Fang is having a real headache right now. Wei Qin’s future is uncertain, and she doesn’t want her daughter to wait aimlessly, but she doesn’t dare to suggest that they separate. She’d probably turn on anyone who does,” Shen Xuyue said with a sigh.

Zhao Mingyue said, "Sister Xiaorui is truly admirable."

"yes."

When the two arrived at Beihai Park, they inquired about their clothes. The management office had indeed already collected them; the tourists who had fallen into the water were safe and had gone home. When the two asked for their clothes back, the staff asked them to leave their personal information, saying the tourists wanted to write a thank-you letter to their school.

Shen Xuyue felt embarrassed and said, "Forget it. It's just a small favor, it's what we should do."

The staff at the management office said, "Young comrades, I understand your desire to do good deeds anonymously. What you did today is truly touching. Moreover, this incident might leave a mark on your future records, which may not be a bad thing." Not everyone is willing to go to the lake to save someone.

Shen Xuyue looked at Zhao Mingyue, who smiled and said, "Then let's keep it."

Shen Xuyue nodded: "Okay." Leaving a name might earn him some extra points in his file. Shen Xuyue was very thoughtful; he wrote down the names of his classmates from both dormitories. Although they hadn't gone into the water, they had helped out, and they deserved some credit for doing a good deed.

The bus was quite crowded on the weekend, and there were no seats left. Zhao Mingyue boarded the bus, and the stuffy air made her sneeze twice. Shen Xuyue quickly came over and asked, "Do you have a cold? Your face is so red."

Zhao Mingyue blinked, her eyes feeling a little dry: "I feel a bit dizzy."

Shen Xuyue reached out and touched her forehead; it was indeed a little hot. Everyone around them turned to look at them. In front of everyone, a man and a woman were actually touching each other—it was utterly shameless. Shen Xuyue raised his head and glared back at all the questioning gazes: What are you looking at? My partner caught a cold while saving someone. Is it so immoral for me to show concern?

Zhao Mingyue held onto the handrail with one hand, trying hard not to think about the uncomfortable things, but her nostrils felt like they were on fire, and her breath was scalding hot. She looked listless, hanging from the handrail with her head drooping, and seemed to be in great pain.

Shen Xuyue saw this and felt a pang of heartache. He glanced around, wanting to find someone to offer her a seat, but almost everyone sitting around was elderly or a child, so he gave up the idea. He moved closer, put his things down at his feet, grabbed the handrail with one hand, and put his arm around Zhao Mingyue's waist with the other: "Mingyue, let go of my hand and lean on me. We'll go back to see the doctor in a bit."

Zhao Mingyue inhaled and exhaled forcefully, feeling as if she could no longer open her eyes. She let go of her hand, reached out and grabbed Shen Xuyue's coat, pressing her forehead against his chest.

The people around them stared at them as if they'd seen a ghost; this couple was becoming increasingly shameless. People started pointing and whispering. Shen Xuyue, with a stern face, said unhappily, "My partner is sick."

One sentence silenced all the accusations. Everyone turned away, and an old man said, "Is that girl sick? Come and sit here."

Shen Xuyue shook his head: "Thank you, sir. Please sit down. It's alright for us young people to stand. I'm supporting her." He was unwilling to accept the other party's kindness, firstly because the old man was indeed very old, at least seventy or eighty years old, and secondly because Zhao Mingyue had a legitimate reason to lean on his chest, and he was also a little reluctant to let this warm and soft beauty leave his embrace.

So, in full view of everyone, the two of them clung to each other, clinging to one another, and swayed all the way back to the Normal University.