Lin Tao and Hao Mei strolled around the park again and again, gaining a thorough understanding of each other's families.
Lin Tao needs no introduction; Hao Mei already knew quite a bit about him indirectly, and Lin Tao himself gave a more detailed introduction this time. Hao Mei felt that Lin Tao's family was very harmonious, especially since they had survived on the island for so many years; they must have their own way of surviving.
After learning about Lin Tao's family situation, Hao Mei also introduced her own family situation.
Hao Mei lives in Qingdao city. Besides her parents, her family includes her older brother and sister-in-law, and her younger sister has gone to the countryside. Hao Mei was able to join the army because of an opportunity. Her district was recruiting, and she signed up. She passed the physical examination and political review.
Hao Mei's father was a technician at the factory, her mother was a housewife, her brother was a railway attendant, her sister-in-law worked at the supply and marketing cooperative, and she had two nephews who were raised by her mother. Her younger sister graduated from high school and went to the countryside in Yunnan Province in the spring of 1969.
Besides my younger sister, I also have a younger brother who is in junior high school. My family is quite large.
After wandering around for a while, the two gained a basic understanding of each other's families and were quite satisfied.
"Comrade Hao Mei, it's already noon. Let's go to the state-run restaurant for lunch."
Lin Tao had a good impression of Hao Mei. Regardless of what the girl thought of him, they had been wandering around all morning, so he had to have lunch and couldn't let the girl go home hungry.
"Alright then, let's eat at the Hongxing State-run Restaurant near the park. Their fried noodles with soybean paste are really delicious."
Hao Mei already had some feelings for Lin Tao, and after getting to know him better, she had already made up her mind. So when Lin Tao suggested having dinner, she didn't refuse.
The two entered the Hongxing State-run Restaurant. It was lunchtime, and the restaurant was quite crowded, with only two empty tables left.
Lin Tao asked Hao Mei to sit down first, while he checked what was available that day. Before leaving, his comrade gave him some advice, telling him to order more meat and vegetables when he ate, instead of just choosing vegetarian options, as it would make him seem stingy and the girls wouldn't be interested.
Lin Tao had never been in a relationship before, making him a complete novice. He didn't know how to get along with female comrades, so after listening to his comrades' advice, he ordered a braised pork, a braised fish, and two bowls of noodles with soybean paste.
After paying for the ticket, Lin Tao returned to the table and sat down.
Looking at the fair-skinned girl sitting opposite him, Lin Tao's ears involuntarily turned red. He didn't know what topics would interest the woman. Aside from things in the army, the only thing he could talk about was the island, and he didn't know if Hao Xi would like to hear them.
"Um, Comrade Hao Mei, shall we talk about something?"
"Okay, what do you want to talk about?"
Hao Mei has a straightforward personality; otherwise, she wouldn't have bothered to inquire about a man she didn't know and even proactively asked to go on a blind date.
"Most things in the military are classified, so I can't say much. Let me tell you about our island. Have you ever been to an island?"
Aside from the military, the island is the place Lin Tao knows best. He was born and raised there, and has countless stories to tell about it.
"I've never been to an island, I've never even been on a boat, I've only played in the water at the beach, and I can't swim."
Hao Mei was born and raised in Qingdao, but she has never been to an island, nor has she ever been on a large ship; she is a complete landlubber.
"You can't swim? That's a shame. If you have the chance, I'll teach you. My sister Bonnie is a great swimmer and can even dive. She's loved being in the sea since she was little, and she's incredibly strong. She's unbeatable on the island."
"Bonnie is amazing. She's loved exploring since she was little. She's explored every corner of our island. Bonnie is also great at catching fish and shrimp; she always manages to find big catches."
Lin Tao is most familiar with his younger sister, Bao Ni, so he can talk endlessly about her, as if he could talk for days and nights without stopping.
"Your sister Bonnie is so amazing! Is she really that strong? She's never lost a fight with a boy. Is she married?"
Hao Mei had also heard the name Bao Ni from others and knew that she was Lin Tao's younger sister and was very spoiled at home.
“Baoni is only two years younger than me. She has been married for several years and has two children. The older one is four or five years old, and the younger one is only a few months old. I haven’t even met her yet.”
Mentioning Bao Ni's daughter, Liu Jiu, Lin Tao felt a pang of nostalgia for her. Liu Jiu had played very well with him the last time he went home; she seemed quite familiar with her uncle, was very lively, and resembled Bao Ni when she was little—bold and strong.
"You already have two children. You got married quite young. Did you marry someone from the island?"
"Yes, on the island. My brother-in-law is a navy man, and Bonnie is now a military wife."
Lin Tao didn't say much about Gu Ye's matter. It was Bao Ni's family affair, and they could learn more about it later when they became family.
"The braised fish is ready, the braised pork is ready, and the noodles with gravy are ready too."
A waiter's voice came from the window, announcing that their food was ready. Lin Tao hurried over to get it. These days, no one brings food to your table; you have to get it yourself—it's all about self-sufficiency.
"Why did you order so much? Are we even ready to eat?"
Hao Mei was startled when she saw the braised fish, braised pork, and two large bowls of noodles with soybean paste that Lin Tao had served.
"Eat more. I don't know what you like to eat. My comrades said that when you go on a blind date with a woman, you can't just order vegetarian dishes. It makes you seem stingy, and the woman will be unhappy."
Lin Tao accidentally revealed what his comrade had said. He scratched his head sheepishly, feeling that he had behaved terribly.
"Pfft..."
Hao Mei couldn't help but chuckle, thinking that Lin Tao looked as silly as a big dog at that moment.
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