Chapter 41 "The Flower of Love"

Wu Meifang, Zou Qingshu's blind date, was walking slowly with the matchmaker toward the No. 35 courtyard in Xiaohuaihua Hutong. However, she was not as uneasy and nervous as the Zou family.

Wu Meifang was not very willing to go on this blind date.

When the matchmaker introduced them, the two families exchanged photos. Zou Qingshu had a tough and sharp appearance, and looked like he was not easy to get along with.

She preferred the refined, handsome, and cultured young intellectual. Zou Qingshu didn't fit her expectations for a future partner at all.

Hearing that Zou Qingshu was a workshop worker in a machinery factory, Wu Meifang looked down on this kind of rough worker who was covered in machine oil and sweat every day, and was somewhat reluctant to go on this blind date.

Unfortunately, her parents and older siblings all felt that Zou Qingshu was a good catch and didn't want to let go of such a fine young man. So, due to family pressure, Wu Meifang had no choice but to come with the matchmaker.

Wu Meifang thought sadly, was her love about to wither before it even blossomed, and then she would numbly follow the crowd into the grave of marriage?

She was unwilling to accept it, she was really unwilling to accept it, but she had no choice.

Wu Meifang could only slow down and try to delay the inevitable in order to express her resistance.

Her slowing down made the matchmaker anxious. The older woman urged, "Xiao Wu, we need to hurry. It's already past the agreed time. Although we women should be reserved, we can't be late and make people think we're being pretentious."

What's wrong with this girl? She usually walks normally, so why is she walking so slowly today?

And she was getting slower and slower; even her three-year-old grandson could walk faster than her. Was she kidding herself?

Wu Meifang: "..."

She was just about to say that she wasn't being coy when suddenly a figure flew towards her.

"ah!"

Wu Meifang was knocked to the ground with a heavy thud, her palm burning with pain. "Hiss..."

The person who hit someone didn't even apologize and quickly disappeared.

Wu Meifang: "!!!"

Tears welled up in Wu Meifang's eyes from the pain, and she angrily cursed, "Who is it that's barging around in the street like that? They have no manners at all!"

The matchmaker was also stunned by this turn of events. Seeing that her hand was injured and her pants were covered in dust, she was extremely anxious.

"Oh dear, Meifang, are you alright? What are we going to do? The guy is waiting for us for the blind date!"

"What are we going to do?!"

Wu Meifang was never one to have a good temper, and hearing this only made her more furious. She retorted irritably, "What can we do? Just let it be!"

If it weren't for this ridiculous blind date, would I have gotten hurt? And now she's blaming me for not showing up on time for the blind date?

Who is this person?!

Wu Meifang's anger flared up, and just then, a warm and pleasant voice suddenly reached her ears:

"Comrade, do you need any help?"

Wu Meifang looked up and met a pair of gentle and concerned eyes.

The young man in front of her was fair-skinned, handsome, and refined. He wore black-rimmed glasses and looked very cultured, exactly the kind of cultured intellectual she admired.

Wu Meifang's words of cursing stuck in her throat.

"Comrade, you don't seem to be doing well. Do you need any help?" The young man glanced at her bleeding hand with concern and spoke politely.

Looking into those gentle eyes, Wu Meifang felt her heart pounding.

"Splash!" "Splash!"

Oh no, it's the feeling of falling in love!

Is her love finally about to arrive?!

Wu Meifang's face turned bright red, and she subconsciously tightened her grip, not wanting him to see her disheveled state.

She instantly became shy and quickly waved her hand, saying, "No need, no need, I'm fine. It's just a little scratch. I'll rinse it with water when I get back."

The young man frowned slightly, disapprovingly saying, "How can this be?"

"If you don't treat this wound immediately, it will leave a scar. A woman's hands are the most precious thing, how can you leave a scar?"

He thought for a moment and said gently, "Comrade, if it's inconvenient for you to walk, I can take you to the hospital. This wound needs to be bandaged up as soon as possible."

When Wu Meifang heard that she would have unsightly scars after touching her hands, she immediately became anxious and said she wanted to go to the hospital.

"Comrade, then I'll trouble you!" Wu Meifang glanced shyly at the refined and handsome face in front of her. In fact, she also wanted to spend more time with this man, which is why she agreed so quickly.

As for blind dates, she had long since forgotten about them.

"Hey, Meifang, you're going on a blind date? This isn't appropriate!" The matchmaker panicked when she saw the girl about to leave with someone.

Wu Meifang's face darkened, and she said irritably, "What blind date? Do you think I can go on a blind date looking like this?"

Wu Meifang's palms were covered in blood, and there was a gray stain on the back of her newly changed shirt and pants, making her look rather unsightly.

The matchmaker thought it wouldn't be appropriate for them to go on a blind date looking like this, so she could only go to the hospital with the two of them. "Alright... then I'll go to the hospital with you."

I brought this girl out myself, I can't just let her go with a strange man alone.

She thought about going back to the machinery factory's residential compound again to explain the situation to the Zou family.

There was nothing we could do about it. We heard that the Zou family elders were kind-hearted people, and they probably wouldn't hold a grudge against the woman.

At the corner, Aunt Yan, who had been watching the progress over here, breathed a sigh of relief. She said that her son was no less capable than Zou Qingshu!

Look, look, he's already completely bewitched that girl after just one meeting. Now he has no interest in the blind date with the Zou family.

She just saw it; the girl's face turned as red as a monkey's bottom the moment she saw her son. Who would believe she didn't have some thoughts about him?

Jiang Qiubai, the "shadow" in the other corner, also breathed a sigh of relief; things were probably going well!

That way, I'll have more confidence to ask Aunt Yan for salted fish.

This experience gave her a taste of success, and Jiang Qiubai's eyes gleamed.

If things go smoothly, she will have a handle on the Yan family, and she won't have to worry about going hungry anymore.

...

At the hospital, Qin Ziwen patiently helped Wu Meifang finish bandaging her hand wound. When he heard that her leg was hurting, he strongly suggested that she make another appointment with the orthopedics department for a check-up.

Wu Meifang's buttocks were in severe pain, but after hesitating, she still listened to his advice.

Qin Ziwen helped her register, ran around tirelessly, and even volunteered to pay for her medical expenses.

This whole process won Wu Meifang's favor. She just felt that this person was too enthusiastic.

By the time they left the hospital, the two were already quite familiar with each other.

Seeing that Wu Meifang was walking with a slight limp, Qin Ziwen gently suggested, "Comrade Wu, how about I support your arm? That way you can save some effort."

Before she could refuse, he casually pulled out a black leather notebook and said, "Could you please hold this for me?"

Wu Meifang's attention was indeed diverted, and she asked curiously, "What is this?"

Qin Ziwen said casually, "It's nothing, just some random notes." But he accidentally revealed pages of neatly written poems in his hand.

At that time, educated youth admired poetry, and Wu Meifang considered herself a literary young woman, so she naturally admired people who could write poetry.

Her eyes lit up instantly. "Wow, Comrade Qin, did you write all these poems?"

Wu Meifang looked at Qin Ziwen with admiration, "You are so talented!"

Qin Ziwen smiled modestly, "It's just a humble piece of work; I hope you'll forgive my poor writing."

"You're so modest! This poem is wonderful!"

“My heart is a bird in the wilderness, and it has found its sky in your eyes…” Note 1 Wu Meifang recited with a look of rapture.

"My God, how did you write such a beautiful poem!"

Qin Ziwen was very modest, saying, "It's just something I wrote casually, I don't deserve such praise from you."

Wu Meifang didn't think this was something that could be written casually; she just felt Qin Ziwen was being too modest.

Qin Ziwen didn't want Wu Meifang to keep talking about this, so he changed the subject, saying, "Comrade Wu, let's hurry up and go. Your family will worry if we stay any longer."

After saying that, he had the matchmaker support Wu Meifang's other arm, and the three of them walked together toward Wu Meifang's house.

Along the way, Wu Meifang kept asking Qin Ziwen questions, clearly very interested in him. Qin Ziwen also revealed some information about his family and himself.

In short, one was intentionally flirting, while the other was blinded by the halo she had imagined, and the two quickly became ambiguous with each other.

When they were about to part ways outside the Wu family's house, the two gazed at each other with deep affection, their eyes almost brimming with tears; their love was palpable.

The matchmaker, watching from the side, felt a sudden unease; something just felt off.

Could it be that the young lady of the Wu family has taken a liking to this man?

Oh dear! What should we do now!

What a fine young man the Zou family has!

No, I have to tell the Wu family elders about this!

She was the one who brought the man out, but he didn't go on the blind date and instead fell for another man whose background she didn't know. What if something happens and the Wu family blames her instead?

...

In the courtyard, Aunt Hao, Uncle Guo, and a group of other aunties were eagerly anticipating meeting Zou Qingshu's blind date, but they waited and waited at home, and no one came.

Aunt Hao paced anxiously, worriedly asking, "Why haven't they arrived yet? Could something have happened to them on the way?"

Aunt Yan approached at some point and said in a soft voice, "Maybe she's found someone better and doesn't want to come over anymore."

Aunt Hao glared at her. "Old Yan, what nonsense are you talking about? If you say anything unlucky to me on such a fine day, go back to your own home. You're not welcome here!"

Aunt Yan lowered her head, looking utterly resigned. No wonder she couldn't possibly come; her son had already lured her away!

Cheng Jiajia glanced at Aunt Yan a few more times, feeling that this person was a bit strange.

This person doesn't usually have any conflicts with Aunt Hao, so why is he making sarcastic remarks when they're having a good time? Isn't he afraid of offending people? After all, Uncle Zou is their caretaker.

Zou Qingshu wholeheartedly agreed with Aunt Yan's words, "Mom, don't wait anymore, they probably won't come."

We arranged a time in advance, what could possibly happen on the way? Even if something did happen, couldn't you have asked someone to let them know? Why make them wait like this?

He guessed that the woman probably didn't want to be with him.

Zou Qingshu didn't care that others refused to go on blind dates with him, but when they agreed to meet and then stood them up at the last minute, this behavior made him lose his impression of the woman.

"You brat, what are you saying..." Aunt Hao slapped him irritably, and was about to continue speaking when a cheerful, loud voice came from outside the door. Everyone saw a woman of medium build enter with a beaming smile.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting. Unfortunately, Xiao Wu had a bit of an accident on the way. She looked quite frightening, so I rushed her to the hospital. Now that I've brought her home, I just wanted to let you know. I'm so sorry to have taken up your time!"

The matchmaker apologized repeatedly. Although Aunt Hao felt a little uncomfortable, there was nothing she could do but make an appointment to meet again next time.

"Okay, there's nothing we can do about it. Let's arrange another time to meet next time."

The matchmaker smiled awkwardly. Judging from the Wu family girl's expression, it seemed unlikely she'd get another chance. But she couldn't say it outright, so she could only laugh it off and quickly slip away.

After the matchmaker left, everyone comforted Aunt Hao and Zou Qingshu, saying, "Aunt Hao, don't worry. This was an accident. The two boys will definitely like each other next time they meet."

"Yes, yes, as long as it wasn't intentional, that's good."

Aunt Hao's expression softened slightly, but Zou Qingshu still had a bad feeling about the next blind date.

Cheng Jiajia subconsciously glanced at Aunt Yan, and sure enough, she saw her purse her lips, looking quite dismissive. Then, as if she remembered something, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

She was actually laughing!

No, something's definitely up here!

When Yu Junsheng came home from get off work, he asked Zou Qingshu about his blind date.

Cheng Jiajia sighed, "Oh, don't even mention it, they didn't come. It's a pity that the Zou family elders and all those aunties put so much effort into the arrangements."

Yu Junsheng raised an eyebrow, "You got stood up?"

"Not really, they said she had an accident on the way and went to the hospital. But let me tell you, that Aunt Yan is a bit strange..."

Cheng Jiajia chattered on and on about her discovery.

Yu Junsheng is cunning and thoughtful.

His mind raced, and he thought of something: "Are Aunt Yan and Qin Ziwen here today?"

Cheng Jiajia tried hard to recall, "Qin Ziwen isn't here... Aunt Yan wasn't here at first either, she only came over later." Anyway, she didn't see her when she went to help.

She suddenly realized what was happening and put down her chopsticks.

"You mean these two are trying to steal someone else's partner? No way!" Although she said no, her eyes were shining.

Yu Junsheng slapped the man's forehead in an annoyed tone, "Eat your food now, you'll find out in a few days!"

Cheng Jiajia, after all, came from the modern world and wasn't as perceptive as him, so it was normal that she didn't think of this place. Unlike him, who had lived in this courtyard for over twenty years and knew the nature of certain people well, they were absolutely capable of intercepting something like this.

Cheng Jiajia hesitated for a moment, "Should we tell Aunt Hao?" After all, Aunt Hao had been good to them, and they felt a little guilty if they didn't tell her.

Yu Junsheng thought for a moment, "Let's not. After all, this is just our guess, and we don't have any evidence. They might not believe us even if we tell them." Aunt Hao and Aunt Yan have a good relationship, and people might not believe them if they were to say something like this.

Then, he smiled mysteriously, "And I think there should be some activity from the Third Hospital in a few days."

Author's Note: Note ①: Based on Tagore's *Stray Birds*