Chapter 110 Satisfaction

Seeing that his mother was about to fall into another round of speculation, Zhou Anping said, "Mom, anyway, it's settled."

Song Lanxin was interrupted and somewhat displeased, but the topic returned: "Gu Xiao is no good, so the Gu family only has Gu Yan left..."

Her tone immediately carried undisguised disdain, "I'm warning you, Zhou Anping, don't you dare get involved with Gu Yan. He's always slacking off, never serious, abandoning his good job in the army to go south and do some speculation! Even if he's Commander Gu's son, it's still no good! This kind of person is unreliable and not a good match!"

Zhou Anping felt as if something was blocking his throat.

Her mother's words were like a dull knife, cutting back and forth in her heart.

To cause trouble? Gu Yan… he probably hadn’t even considered that possibility. In his eyes, she would probably always just be “Anping’s little sister.”

She twitched the corner of her mouth but didn't reply.

After venting her frustrations, Song Lanxin saw that her daughter was still unmoved by her words, so she reverted to her usual commanding tone: "Alright, alright, I'm too lazy to argue with you. Remember, from now on, you need to be home on time after get off work! I'll pick you up at the entrance of the cultural troupe tomorrow. I've already made arrangements with Deputy Political Commissar Chen's nephew, you have to go!"

Zhou Anping felt as if all his strength had been drained, his shoulder throbbed with pain where it had been slapped, and his chest felt tight and constricted.

She didn't argue further and nodded silently.

Compromise is the only way she can breathe in this house.

Seeing that she had agreed, Song Lanxin's expression softened slightly, and she turned and went into the kitchen: "Come and bring the food!"

Nothing was said that night.

The following day, Zhou Anping was distracted while working at the cultural troupe.

The lunchbox was opened and closed again, and the food inside was barely touched.

When it was time to leave work, she dawdled as she packed her things and slowly walked out of the cultural troupe's gate.

Fine snowflakes were still falling.

Not far from the entrance, Song Lanxin, the mother, was holding an umbrella and looking on expectantly.

The cold wind whipped up the hem of her coat, and snowflakes landed on her temples, melting into tiny water droplets.

Seeing his mother waiting in the wind and snow, Zhou Anping felt a gentle pang in the softest part of his heart.

Over the years, my father has been in the military for most of the year, and my mother has been managing the household on her own, taking care of her and her brother as they grew up. They have never lacked anything in terms of food, clothing, or shelter, and my mother has been the one who stayed up all night to take care of them when they were sick.

Besides her suffocating possessiveness, there was also her stubbornness regarding marriage, to which the mother poured all her heart and soul.

Zhou Anping suppressed the lump in his throat and quickened his pace to his mother: "Mom, I've kept you waiting."

Song Lanxin glanced at her from head to toe, her brows furrowing: "Why are you dressed so plainly? Didn't I tell you to look more presentable today? This drab military-style cotton-padded jacket..."

It's always like this.

Zhou Anping twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a bitter smile, but said nothing.

Seeing that her daughter was still as docile as ever, Song Lanxin stopped arguing, turned around and led the way, tilting the umbrella towards Zhou Anping.

"Let's go, it'll be in a small private room at the state-run restaurant."

On the way, she kept nagging and giving instructions: "...I've met him. Battalion Commander Chen, his name is Chen Hong. He's young but became a full battalion commander. He's the nephew of Deputy Political Commissar Chen. He's handsome and well-mannered...When you meet him, be warm and outgoing, don't have a long face! Speak up when you need to, don't be a silent gourd! Remember, leave a good impression, don't embarrass yourself..."

Zhou Anping followed mechanically.

My mother's voice seemed to come through a thick pane of glass, buzzing loudly.

"Never mind... let it be..." she thought numbly, "I can't escape anyway."

Her eyes felt hot, and she blinked hard to force the moisture back down.

When they arrived at the entrance of the state-run restaurant, Song Lanxin stopped.

She looked around to make sure no one was watching, then took out a tube of lipstick from her handbag, unscrewed it, and applied it twice to Zhou Anping's pale lips. She was already a pretty girl, and this slight blush accentuated her delicate features.

"A little color makes you look more energetic."

Song Lanxin examined it for a moment, and was somewhat satisfied.

Just before entering the door, she lowered her voice and gave one last instruction: "Remember what Mom said, and do your best!"

“…Hmm.” Zhou Anping squeezed out a syllable from his throat.

The private room was warm and cozy, filled with the aroma of food mixed with a faint smell of smoke.

Aunt Wang, the matchmaker, and a young man were sitting at the table. When they came in, the young man immediately stood up.

He was wearing a crisp military uniform with two bars and a star on his shoulder insignia, a typical battalion-level officer.

With regular facial features, thick eyebrows and big eyes, and an upright posture, he fits the current definition of "young and promising".

Chen Hong smiled and said, "Aunt Song, Comrade Anping, you've arrived! Please have a seat, it must be cold outside."

His gaze lingered politely on Zhou Anping's face for a moment.

Song Lanxin's face was also full of smiles as she warmly greeted them.

Zhou Anping was pushed to sit down next to Chen Zhigang.

She tried to pull the corners of her mouth up and force out a "generous and enthusiastic" smile.

At the dinner table, Chen Hong's gaze frequently fell on her, with obvious admiration.

Zhou Anping kept his head down, mechanically picking at the food in front of him, finding it tasteless.

He could hear his mother, Song Lanxin, and Aunt Wang chatting warmly with Chen Hong.

His mother's questions were all meticulous: the location of his military unit, his prospects for promotion, his family situation, and even the health of Deputy Political Commissar Chen... Chen Hong handled them all with grace.

Zhou Anping listened, letting it go in one ear and out the other.

"...Comrade Anping works in the cultural troupe? Cultural work is great! It enriches the soldiers' spiritual lives. It's an honor and very meaningful!"

She didn't realize it at first.

She was in so much pain she almost cried out, but when she met her mother's stern warning gaze, she realized her lapse in composure and quickly smiled, "Um... thank you."

Zhou Anping felt extremely uncomfortable during the meal.

After finally getting through the ordeal, Chen Hong suggested, "Aunt Song, Comrade Anping, the snow hasn't stopped yet, let me take you home."

Song Lanxin beamed with joy and praised repeatedly, "Oh my, Xiao Chen is so sensible! That's wonderful!"

As she spoke, she pushed the still somewhat dazed Zhou Anping towards the exit.

Stepping out of the restaurant, a cold wind carrying snowflakes hit my face.

Song Lanxin affectionately took Aunt Wang's arm: "Oh dear, what a forgetful thing I am! Sister Wang and I have some business to attend to up ahead, but it's not on our way. Xiao Chen, then we'll trouble you to see Anping off! Anping, take care with Xiao Chen, okay!"

As she spoke, she winked at Zhou Anping, giving her no chance to refuse, and then quickly pulled Aunt Wang away around the corner.

Zhou Anping opened his mouth, but before he could even utter the word "Mom," she had already disappeared.

She stood frozen in place, so embarrassed she wanted to disappear into the ground.

"Comrade Anping, shall we... go?" Chen Hong tentatively suggested.

Zhou Anping gave a soft "hmm".