Qiao Lu stopped and stood in front of him. Her long hair swung in an arc in the air as she stood and soon fell on her shoulders.

"Didn't we have an appointment? Is it inconvenient?"

The two people stood facing each other, the tall and upright young man and the petite and exquisite woman lowered their heads and whispered at the foot of the wall. From a distance, they looked as beautiful as a painting.

Xu Haizhou raised his hand and rubbed his hair, then shook his head: "No, I thought you would come in the afternoon. It's only nine now... Ahem, my stall is over there. I'll take you there."

"Okay." Qiao Lu smiled at her, pretending not to notice his embarrassment.

It was only about thirty or forty meters from the alley entrance to his stall, but Xu Haizhou walked like a zombie, which was very ugly.

Qiao Lu held back her laughter. How nervous was this man when he saw her?

Perhaps her gaze was too scorching, Xu Haizhou felt uneasy and was caught red-handed when he turned around.

Qiao Lu smiled back generously, which made Xu Haizhou panic again and his heart started beating wildly.

Moving his sight downward, Qiao An was still walking timidly next to Qiao Lu as he did yesterday, observing him stealthily with his misty deer eyes.

Amused by the boy's cute expression and remembering something, Xu Haizhou took out the plum candy from his pocket.

"Want to eat?"

Of course Qiao An wanted to eat it, and his head unconsciously lifted two centimeters, but he didn't reach out to take it. Qiao Lu felt that the place where their hands were holding suddenly became wet.

"He probably doesn't want to eat. Look, he's not moving."

Xu Haizhou understood and was about to take back the candy when the kid suddenly spoke, his cute voice a little hoarse due to his eagerness.

"I want to eat..."

Qiao Lu burst out laughing and joked: "An An, you didn't say anything, so Mom thought you didn't want to eat."

For this child, provocation is still effective.

The young man bit his lower lip and looked at Qiao Lu at a loss.

"If you want to eat, tell Uncle Xu."

Those words spoken in a hurry basically exhausted all of Qiao An's courage, and now he couldn't say anything else.

“I don’t want to eat…”

He is a little kid with a smart mind and is quite fickle.

Even candy can't give him courage. It seems that the task of making little Qiaoan more confident is a long way to go.

After struggling for a long time, he still didn't have the courage to speak. Xu Haizhou suddenly peeled off the candy wrapper and fed it to Qiao An's mouth. The little guy was stunned for a moment, and his mood changed from gloomy to bright.

…

The location of Xu Haizhou's stall is quite good, near the intersection of the alley. To the east of the road is the industrial area, to the west is Li'an No. 1 Middle School, to the south is the chemical factory's property building, and to the north is a small hospital.

His stall sells small accessories for girls. It has a small table and a small stool. The table is covered with a layer of blue polyester cloth, and the accessories are placed randomly on it.

The stall is not big, but it is considered good compared to the surrounding small stalls. Some people don’t even have a table, and just spread their goods on the ground with linen cloth.

Next to Xu Haizhou's stall was a young man selling socks, who looked to be about the same age as Xu Haizhou. He was his good friend Li Hongjun.

Before the person even arrived, I heard him teasingly call out: "Hey, Haizhou, acquaintance? When did you get to know such a beautiful girl?"

Xu Haizhou paused and said, "Well, my girlfriend, Qiao Lu, and her son, Qiao An."

After saying this, Qiao Lu glanced at Li Hongjun and her gaze returned to Xu Haizhou.

Xu Haizhou pointed at Li Hongjun and introduced him: "My friend, Li Hongjun."

"Ah?" Li Hongjun was confused and scratched his ears, thinking he had heard it wrong.

His first reaction was, this pretty girl is actually Xu Haizhou's girlfriend? Then he noticed the key point in the words.

—Son? His date’s son?

Hey guys, buy one get one free?

Li Hongjun couldn't understand what was going on. He stood there in a daze for a long time before he reacted. He forced a warm smile and extended his hand, saying, "Nice to meet you! It's our first meeting and I didn't know you were from Haizhou. I apologize for any offence in my words!"

The man spoke in a very elegant manner, and Qiao Lu couldn't help but look at him twice - he was tall and thin, with an oval face and single eyelids. His eyes were small but bright. He wore a pair of glasses and had a very gentle air. But he was not a nerd. On the contrary, he looked like a person with a very smart mind.

Qiao Lu gave a proper smile: "It's okay."

"Haha." Li Hongjun scratched his head, hurriedly brought the bench over, and patted the non-existent dust on it: "Sit, sit."

"Thank you."

Qiao Lu didn't sit down, but carried her son up. The little boy had short legs, so he dangled his calves while sitting on the bench.

Here, Li Hongjun did not miss any opportunity to observe Qiao Lu.

The woman in front of me looked to be in her early twenties, with curved black eyebrows, bright eyes and white teeth. Even after giving birth to a child, her figure and appearance were impeccable. I had thought she was beautiful from a distance just now, and now that I was looking at her up close, I had to admit that she was a very beautiful and charming woman.

The more I watched, the more I sighed: "Very good, very good, you two are really a perfect match, haha."

Even Qiao Lu could hear the embarrassment in his laughter.

The smile is so fake.

"So he didn't even set up his stall yesterday and went on a blind date with you? Then you two are pretty fast. I heard that you are getting married?" Li Hongjun asked.

Qiao Lu smiled and said, "Yes, I plan to get married after meeting my parents."

"Wow, that's good, really good haha."

Qiao Lu smiled but said nothing. She always felt that Li Hongjun had something else to say, and sure enough...

"Um, Comrade Qiao, right?"

Li Hongjun hesitated, unable to resist his curiosity: "Is this your son?"

He pointed at Qiao An and asked.

"Yes, he is my son." Qiao Lu seemed to know what he was thinking and replied neatly: "I don't have a husband, I'm a single mother."

Li Hongjun suddenly realized that this was her second marriage!

He turned his head to look at Xu Haizhou, and there was a hint of admiration in his expression.

A married man is looking for a divorced woman, and she even brings a little burden with her. Xu Haizhou is really awesome!

…

I was surprised and impressed, but besides being surprised, I also secretly envied Xu Haizhou.

With Qiao Lu's figure and looks, how many men could resist her even if she was getting married for the third time? It was a pity that Xu Haizhou, a man who didn't understand romance, got there first.

After all, it was someone else's business and it was just a joke. Li Hongjun didn't want to anger Xu Haizhou, so he picked up the small accessories on the stall and tried to tease Qiao An with a smile. However, the aloof emperor didn't respond to him at all and just looked at him as if he was watching a clownish show.

Li Hongjun was amused by the boy's arrogant expression and scratched his head in confusion: "Hey, this kid is quite arrogant, just like your uncle Li and I."

Xu Haizhou: "..."

Qiao Lu chuckled and looked at Xu Haizhou: "Your friend is so funny."

Xu Haizhou sighed helplessly: "He's always like this, he talks too much."

This made Qiao Lu laugh again, and the atmosphere finally became lively again.

Qiao Lu shifted her attention to Xu Haizhou's stall, which was full of small accessories for girls, in various styles and in various places. But in Qiao Lu's eyes, they were all old-fashioned "rustic things" that should have been eliminated in the 21st century. There was nothing new about them.

"Xu Haizhou, why do you, a grown man, want to sell jewelry?" Qiao Lu picked up a glass bead string and played with it curiously.

Li Hongjun replied: "Lesbians' money is the easiest to make!"

Xu Haizhou: "...Don't impose your own opinions on me."

"What are you pretending for?" Li Hongjun thought for a moment, and suddenly patted Qiao Lu on the shoulder and whispered, "Comrade Qiao, let me tell you a secret."

Qiao Lu was puzzled and leaned forward to listen, but unexpectedly Xu Haizhou also leaned forward with his head.

Li Hongjun was shocked: "What are you doing? I'm telling your partner a little secret, why are you making such a fuss?"

Xu Haizhou: "...You also know that she is my girlfriend?"

"Hahahaha——" Li Hongjun was usually out of tune. Xu Haizhou certainly knew his temper. This man was indeed not very serious, but he was very loyal. Even if he could not get married in his lifetime, he would never touch his brother's woman.

Despite this, Xu Haizhou still glanced at him.

Li Hongjun pushed him away with a playful smile, and whispered to Qiao Lu: "There are three shops selling small accessories in this alley, but Haizhou's business is the best. Do you know why?"

Qiao Lu didn't understand: "Why?"

As he spoke, Li Hongjun pointed to his face and looked at Qiao Lu. She understood immediately.

"Seconds." Qiao Lu couldn't help but sigh and smiled at Xu Haizhou, "Is this why you sell trinkets?"

Good guy, you really know how to use your advantages!

Xu Haizhou was confused: "What's the reason?"

Isn't it because small accessories are cheap, don't have to worry about expiration, and have a large audience? Is there another reason?

How come he doesn't know this himself?

Li Hongjun continued to whisper to Qiao Lu.

"But don't worry, Comrade Qiao, I will help you keep an eye on him! As long as I'm here, no woman will dare to hit on him!" The most important thing is that Xu Haizhou has a partner, and those female comrades who are interested in him will turn around and throw themselves into his arms. How wonderful!

Qiao Lu didn't know the reason behind this, so she covered her mouth and smiled secretly: "Thank you, Comrade Li."

The two smiled at each other, straightened their bodies and stopped talking. Xu Haizhou was curious about their mysterious look, but thinking about Li Hongjun's character, what would he say to Qiao Lu? Nothing more than exposing his shortcomings...

Glancing at the unusually happy face of your partner, you sigh - never mind, as long as she's happy.

Li Hongjun cleared his throat and changed the subject: "Look, the socks I sell here are all women's socks. They are embroidered with flowers and plants to sell well. There are only three pairs of men's socks in total. I couldn't sell them for a month. I guess I had to digest them internally in the end."

When it comes to daily necessities, gay men’s desire to spend is indeed lower than that of lesbians, and male consumers are more willing to pay for similar products such as tobacco and alcohol industry products.

"Then just make them into women's socks," said Qiao Lu.

Li Hongjun raised his thumb in agreement: "This is a good idea, and I agree with it!"

Qiao Lu smiled, then noticed another detail: "Why don't you build a shed here? What if it rains? It's sunny in the summer when the temperature is high, right?"

"It's hard to escape now that we have the awning and the big hat installed." Xu Haizhou replied.

Li Hongjun interrupted: "Don't worry about those things in Haizhou, these at home won't get wet in the rain!"

Indeed, most small accessories are made of waterproof materials, but socks are not resistant to moisture.

"What is a big hat?" Qiao Lu asked again.

Li Hongjun said: "It's the urban management, our code word for setting up a stall!"

Qiao Lu suddenly realized.

…

There was nothing big going on in Qingteng Lane. The main purpose was to discuss with Xu Haizhou about visiting her sister and brother-in-law.

Xu Haizhou certainly had no objection to this. After learning about Qiao Yan's importance to Qiao Lu, he even took the initiative to offer a big gift to her sister and brother-in-law.

So today they closed the stall early at around 10:30. Xu Haizhou said he would take Qiao Lu and his son to a restaurant for lunch first, and then go to the department store after lunch.

"Eating out again? Isn't that a bit expensive?" In the early 1980s, urban residents basically spent less than a dollar a day on food. Those who were frugal might only spend two or three cents a day.

But eating out can cost as little as one or two dollars, or as much as four or five dollars, which is still very uneconomical compared to current wages.

"No, and I don't go every day." Xu Haizhou's expression was calm. He didn't feel that eating out was a burden for him at all. It can be seen that he would not dare to act so arrogantly without some confidence.

But judging from the side, Xu Haizhou can even afford a bicycle, which shows that his conditions are not as bad as Sister Liu said.

After thinking about it, Qiao Lu agreed: "Okay."

Since he said so, then let's go. He doesn't think it's a luxury so what does she have to be afraid of?

"The Red Army is leaving."

Li Hongjun smiled and waved his hands: "Okay, you guys go ahead, I'll look after the stall for a while, and you must invite me when you have a wedding!"

"Don't worry, I'll never forget you no matter who I am."

The two men bumped their fists and it was obvious that they had a good relationship.

Xu Haizhou grabbed the two corners of the tablecloth with one hand and lifted it up. The small ornaments piled up together with a jingle. Finally, he tied a knot and tied it to the handlebar of the bicycle.

He turned around and motioned for the mother and son to take a seat.

Qiao Lu led her son over and was about to bend down to carry the little guy to the back seat, but she saw Qiao An suddenly walk behind Xu Haizhou, stretched out his little hand, and tugged at the corner of his clothes.

"You, do you like dad or uncle?" He raised his head innocently, and the man's puzzled face was reflected in his bright pupils.

Xu Haizhou didn't understand and looked at Qiao Lu in confusion.

Qiao Lu couldn't help but burst out laughing, rubbed her son's head, and explained: "An An means that if we get married, do you want him to call you dad or uncle?"

A hint of surprise flashed across Xu Haizhou's eyes. He never thought that Qiao An would ask him such a question.

He lifted his long legs and stepped off the bicycle. He squatted down and gently touched the boy's head.

Unexpectedly, Qiao An did not dodge and let his warm palm rest on his head, but Qiao Lu could clearly feel that her son's palm was sweating from nervousness.

"You can call me whatever you like. Being happy is the most important thing."

The young man carefully observed Xu Haizhou's eyes. It is said that eyes are the windows to the soul. Xu Haizhou's eyes are just like him, clean and refreshing, without any impurities.

His pupils were a beautiful amber color, radiating a sincerity that even a child could sense.

"I, I..." The kid clasped his hands together and tossed them. After the two adults waited nervously for a long time, he finally uttered a few words: "I don't know."

The smile in Xu Haizhou's eyes became more and more gentle, almost enough to drown someone.

He stroked his head gently, and Qiao An thought Uncle Xu smelled very nice, a bit like soap, and also a bit like the perfumed ointment his mother applied to him every morning.

"It doesn't matter. You'll know later. Don't think about it now. I'll take you and mom out for dinner. What do you like to eat?" His voice was mellow, clear, and gentle like the warm spring breeze.

The young man turned his head and looked at Qiao Lu.

Qiao Lu curled her lips and pinched his face: "I'm asking you, what do you like?"

The boy blinked, thought about it seriously, and said, "I, I like eggs."

Xu Haizhou curled his lips: "What else?"

Joan: "I also like meat."

Xu Haizhou: "Anything else?"

Qiao An: "And Cai Cai."

Xu Haizhou was still laughing: "Anything else?"

Qiao An thought hard, but in the end he couldn't remember anything: "Um... no, nothing."

Xu Haizhou: "Okay, then let's order your favorite meat and eggs today."

The kid was quite proactive this time. He raised his little face and said softly, "Thank you, uncle."

Qiao An secretly thought that if Uncle Xu always treated him so well, he would call him Dad, and if he was pretending, then he would call him Uncle.

These words made Xu Haizhou's heart surge like a volcano erupting. He tried to carry Qiao An to the back seat. The little guy not only did not resist, but even put his arms around his neck and sat down obediently.

Xu Haizhou's hands, which were holding onto the front of the car, were shaking slightly with excitement.

Qiao Lu followed closely, and after sitting steadily, the bicycle sped away in a cloud of dust. Anyone who saw them would say that this was the original family of three!

…

Today is a sunny, bright and clean day. Breakfast stalls are set up along the street. Hot smoke is bubbling from the wonton pots, and the aroma of fried cakes can be smelled in the nose from dozens of meters away.

For the first time, Qiaolu felt that it was more interesting to see the scenery on a bicycle than in a car.

"An An doesn't seem to be that afraid of me anymore." I remember that before, she not only resisted his physical contact, but even refused to walk on his side.

Qiao Lu lowered her eyes to look at her son and suppressed her laughter: "Because I told him a secret yesterday."

Xu Haizhou turned his head slightly and asked curiously, "What secret?"

Qiao Lu moved her head closer, and Xu Haizhou cooperated by leaning his body back slightly. He rode slowly, and the streets were very wide and there were no cars in those days, so there was no need to worry about danger.

"I said, if Uncle Xu treats us badly, my mother and I will kick you out together!"

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