"Yes, he and my brother happened to be in the same unit, and their relationship got better and better..." Liang Shuang told Xia Qingqing the whole story of how she met Zhang Jianguo and how they got together.
Xia Qingqing listened silently, and finally said with difficulty, "Shuangshuang, there's something I want to tell you."
"Are you trying to say that you went on a date with Zhang Jianguo before?" Liang Shuang interrupted Xia Qingqing with a smile.
“Zhang Jianguo has already told me about this in his letter. I don’t think it’s a big deal. You two haven’t even talked about it. There are only a few outstanding young men and women in Shihe Village. I can understand that your parents want to bring you together.”
Before the two confirmed their relationship, Zhang Jianguo not only wrote a letter to Liang Shuang to honestly tell her that he had been on a date with Xia Qingqing, but also admitted that he had liked Xia Qingqing before. He was honest to an extreme.
Because he knew that Liang Shuang and Xia Qingqing were good friends, he didn't want this matter to cause problems in their friendship.
Liang Shuang was initially a little bothered, after all, Xia Qingqing was her good friend, and it felt awkward that her boyfriend had once liked her good friend.
However, Zhang Jianguo also wrote in his letter that he and Xia Qingqing only spent a few days together before he returned to his unit. He said that his feelings for her were just a faint attraction, and since they didn't end up together, those feelings gradually faded away.
As Xia Qingqing's best friend, Liang Shuang knew that Xia Qingqing and Song Ze had always had a good relationship, and that Xia Qingqing could not possibly like Zhang Jianguo.
Most importantly, all of these things happened before she met Zhang Jianguo and Xia Qingqing, so she really had no right to care about them.
After careful consideration, Liang Shuang finally decided to be with Zhang Jianguo.
Hearing this, Xia Qingqing felt relieved: "That's good. To be honest, I don't really know Zhang Jianguo very well, but from what you've said, he does seem to have a very good character. He even took the initiative to explain such things."
People are generally reluctant to let their partners know about their past when dating, so it's rare to see someone as straightforward as Zhang Jianguo.
Liang Shuang agreed with this statement: "Haha, he really is a simpleton."
"I'll definitely give you a big gift when you get married," Xia Qingqing said with a smile to Liang Shuang.
Liang Shuang raised an eyebrow: "Maybe you and Song Zhiqing will get married first. Remember to invite me to your wedding banquet then."
After lunch, Liang Shuang asked Xia Qingqing to take her out for a stroll. She had come all this way to Beijing, and she couldn't leave empty-handed. She wanted to bring something back with her.
The two were fully armed, each wearing a military overcoat, hat, scarf, and gloves, before heading out.
Xia Qingqing turned her head and asked Liang Shuang, "Shuangshuang, is there anywhere you want to go?"
"Let's go shopping at a department store in Beijing. I can bring back some local specialties for my family," Liang Shuang said after thinking for a moment.
Wandering around outdoors in this weather is just too unbearable; at least it's warmer inside the department store.
Xia Qingqing had no objections: "Okay, let's go shopping at the department store then."
The two took a bus to the department store, and Xia Qingqing asked Liang Shuang with a smile, "How do the department stores in Beijing compare to those in Shanghai?"
After a moment's thought, Liang Shuang said, "They look about the same. This department store looks quite big too."
"We're not in a rush anyway, let's explore each floor one by one," Xia Qingqing suggested.
Liang Shuang smiled and nodded: "Okay."
The two spent two hours browsing in the department store, buying a lot of things, including food, drinks, clothes, and household items.
Liang Shuang bought gifts for her parents and younger brother, and also brought some local specialties and snacks from Beijing for her relatives and friends.
Knowing that she was coming to Beijing, Liang Lei was extremely envious and wanted to come along for the visit, but his mother refused.
Your studies aren't great to begin with, and you're always thinking about going out to play. Dream on! You should stay home and study properly.
It was almost 5 o'clock when Xia Qingqing and her companion returned home carrying large bags and small packages.
The two sat down to rest for a short while before Zhang Hongyan suggested they go out for roast duck.
This was Liang Shuang's first time visiting Beijing, and as the hosts, they were naturally going to treat her well. And roast duck, a specialty of Beijing, was, of course, one of the must-try delicacies.
Dog Egg was overjoyed to hear that he could eat roast duck again. Hehe, he loves it when guests come to his house.
Every time guests come, he gets to eat delicious food. If only guests could come every few days, he could enjoy it every now and then.
Actually, the food at home is not bad, but you get tired of the same food after a while. And unless it's an important day, Zhang Hongyan won't allow anyone to eat out.
Even if the family doesn't lack money for one or two meals right now, there's no need to waste it, is there? Going out for a roast duck meal can cover almost half a month's living expenses for the family.
Liang Shuang had long heard that Peking duck was famous in Beijing, and she had even told Xia Qingqing that she would definitely try it if she had the chance. So she was very happy to hear Zhang Hongyan say that she was going to eat Peking duck.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony with you, Auntie," Liang Shuang said with a smile to Zhang Hongyan.
"Don't be shy, stay home for a few more days, your aunt will give you lots of delicious food."
Liang Shuang stayed at Xia Qingqing's house for three days before deciding to leave. Her original purpose for coming to Beijing was to visit Zhang Jianguo and Liang Feng at the military base, but she was so comfortable at Xia Qingqing's house that she almost forgot her original purpose.
"Let's play for a few more days, there's no rush," Xia Qingqing said, holding her hand tightly.
"Come again next time if you have the chance. I'll be staying there for two or three days before I have to go home," Liang Shuang said, looking at Xia Qingqing with some reluctance.
They parted ways this time, and who knows when they will see each other again.
Xia Qingqing saw Liang Shuang off to the car and stuffed a large bag of prepared gifts and local specialties into her hands.
Liang Shuang wanted to refuse: "No way, I've been eating and drinking for free at your house for the past few days, and you even packed my things when I left. I'd feel embarrassed even if I'm shameless."
"Why are you being so polite with me? Next time I have the chance to visit you in Shanghai, you should treat me well and remember to pack some extra food for me to take with me," Xia Qingqing joked, winking at her.
"Then it's a deal, you must come to Shanghai to visit me next time," Liang Shuang said, looking at Xia Qingqing with teary eyes, her eyes filled with reluctance.
Xia Qingqing nodded firmly: "Yes, I promised, I will definitely come to find you."
The car started quickly, and Liang Shuang waved to Xia Qingqing: "I'm leaving, I'll wait for you to come find me."
She transferred three times before finally arriving at the unit where Zhang Jianguo and Liang Feng were stationed. Zhang Jianguo and Liang Feng, who had received a call early in the morning, were already waiting at the gate.
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