Chapter 91 Zoo
Although Ma Yulan, Yao Dazui and Li Xiuying agreed not to spread the news, the news that Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling were suspected of being in a relationship still spread throughout the courtyard.
Hey, don't get me wrong, this was not spread by Shi Qiu Shui.
But everyone saw it for themselves.
After all, they lived in the same compound. Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling walked to and from get off work together every day, and often got together to chat whether they had something to do or not. It would be strange if there were no rumors in the compound.
But no one said anything. After all, Yang Zhiqiang, an older single gay man, had finally shown some signs of wanting a partner, so everyone was just happy for him. And because they didn't want to embarrass Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling, any gossip they did kept to themselves and didn't spread it openly.
Because of this, Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling never noticed anything wrong and continued to interact with each other every day.
This went on for several days, and everyone in the compound was extremely anxious.
What's going on with these two kids? If they are interested in each other, can they just date openly?
Old Mrs. Yang was the most anxious. She saw the two children interacting with each other every day, but they just didn't reveal the truth and were not sure about their relationship. She was very anxious, fearing that if they delayed it any longer, the daughter-in-law she had chosen would fly away.
She was anxious in her heart, but it was not easy to urge Yang Zhiqiang openly. After all, Yang Zhiqiang had never told her that he liked Jiang Ling.
Old Mrs. Yang was so anxious that she had no idea what to do. She could only call a few aunties in the courtyard, hoping that they could help her with some ideas.
Hey, that's why they say there is strength in numbers. It is said that three cobblers are better than Zhuge Liang, and these three aunts are no weaker than cobblers. When everyone got together and used their brains together, they really came up with a good idea.
That is to let Yang Zhiqiang take Jiang Ling out on a date.
Ma Yulan: "Look, the two kids are under everyone's noses every day. Even if they have some feelings for each other, they would be too embarrassed to say it in front of all of us acquaintances, right? But it would be different outside. A change of environment, without all of us annoying acquaintances, and a little couple atmosphere, maybe it would work out?"
After Ma Yulan finished speaking, Li Xiuying was the first to nod: "Yes, Old Ma is right. I think the two children haven't been able to break through that paper yet. Maybe it's because we are here."
Yao Dazui also said: "Yes, let's go out and have a date, maybe it will work out."
Gao Cuifen, who hadn't been there last time, also came to today's small meeting. For once, she didn't contradict everyone else and said, "Old Ma is right. It's guaranteed to work if we get the two kids out on a date. Why not let them go to the park? My husband and I decided to date in the park."
Li Xiuying glanced at her and said disapprovingly, "What era is this? Which young people still go to the park on a date? It's not original at all."
Gao Cuifen was unconvinced. She glared and said, "What's wrong with visiting the park? I think visiting parks is great. Go to Beihai Park, the ticket is only a few cents, it's so cheap, and there's so much fun in the park, you can go boating, and..."
Li Xiuying: "Go away, go away, you stingy miser, what are you thinking? It's so hot out here, and you let a girl dress up beautifully and walk with you in the park under the scorching sun? Oh, the girl will be hot and thirsty after walking around with you. When she gets home, she will find that she has become one degree darker after a day. Do you think she will be angry with you?"
"You..." Gao Cuifen was speechless.
But she was unwilling to give in. She stiffened her neck and asked, "Then tell me, where do you want them to go on a date?"
Li Xiuying thought for a moment and said, "Let's go to a Western restaurant. I heard that young people nowadays like to go to Western restaurants or coffee shops for dates. They're classy."
Gao Cuifen: "Huh, what do you mean by classy? Isn't this just worshipping foreigners? Good Chinese people have to learn foreign ways. How boring!"
Li Xiuying: "You! You..."
Seeing that the two were about to quarrel again, Ma Yulan quickly spoke up to smooth things over: "Lao Gao, you should stop now. I asked you to come here to help with ideas, not to cause trouble."
She said something to Gao Cuifen, neither lightly nor seriously, and then continued, "But I think what Lao Gao said is quite interesting. We're good Chinese people, there's no need to follow those foreign ways. And going to a Western restaurant is too obvious, isn't it? How are you going to get two kids to go to a Western restaurant together? Lao Li, think about it, is there any other place suitable for a date?"
Li Xiuying: "Other places, where else can we have a date? A movie theater?"
Yao Dazui: "Hey, the cinema is not a bad choice. Are there any good movies at the cinema recently? We can buy two tickets, one for Zhiqiang and one for Jiang Ling, and then... hehe."
She winked, giving him a look that clearly said, "You know what I mean."
Everyone understood what she meant, but Li Xiuying thought about it and said, "Let's not go to the cinema. There haven't been any good movies lately. Besides, the cinema is pitch black, and when a movie starts, it's noisy. How can the two children talk?"
Yao Dazui scratched his head: "That's true..."
Gao Cuifen: "Li Xiuying, you're always fussy. You're always saying this and that. If you say so, why don't you just let the two kids go out?"
Ma Yulan stopped Gao Cuifen, who was making sarcastic remarks, and frowned, saying, "Old Li, what Old Gao said is true, but everyone suggested a place, and you rejected it. So, why don't you tell me, is there any place we can go?"
Old Lady Yang also said, "Yes, Lao Li, please help me think carefully and see if there is any place suitable for them to go out on a date. I really don't have any ideas at all."
Li Xiuying: "Okay, I'll help you think about it."
She frowned and thought for a while, then slapped her thigh and said, "Hey! I've got a good place!"
"Where?"
"Old Li, tell me, where is it?"
Under everyone's expectant gaze, Li Xiuying opened her mouth and said, "Zoo!"
"zoo?!"
Li Xiuying nodded. "Yes, the zoo, the one in Xicheng. I saw it in the newspaper a few days ago. They have a new panda pavilion. I heard it's opening in the next couple of days. It's quite unique."
Ma Yulan thought for a moment and said, "Hey, this place you mentioned is great! There are many places to visit in the zoo, and it's not all outdoors. If Jiang Ling gets tired, she can find a place to sit down and rest, or look at the animals."
Old Mrs. Yang was overjoyed: "Okay, okay, then let's go to the zoo and let them go on a date."
But then she frowned again: "But how do I tell them? They are so clueless, they definitely don't think of going to the zoo, right?"
Ma Yulan: "Well, that's easy. Jiang Ling finally came to Beijing, so we can't let her come in vain. As locals, we should be more welcoming and send Zhiqiang to take her out for some fun. Okay, let me tell Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling that we'll pick a Sunday, as that's the day Jiang Ling and Zhiqiang both have off."
Old Lady Yang: "Okay, okay, that's it."
She held Ma Yulan's hand and said with a touching look, "Old Ma, thank you for worrying so much about my Zhiqiang." She turned her head, glanced at the others present, and said, "Yes, and you too. Thank you. When our Zhiqiang gets married, you will all be the matchmakers and great contributors. You will all have your seats at the table."
"Hahaha, then I will definitely drink the matchmaker wine that Zhiqiang offers."
"Drink, everyone drink, you all have a share."
After several aunts discussed the matter, they quickly took action. Ma Yulan contacted Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling separately that night. As agreed before, she told Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling to go to the zoo this Sunday.
However, because they acted privately, some unexpected situations occurred on Sunday.
That is, Shi Yue and Shi Qiu Shui also want to go to the zoo.
Shi Yue had promised Shi Qiu Shui before that he would take Shi Qiu Shui out to play when he was free. Now that more than half of the summer vacation had passed, Shi Yue finally remembered this, so he took Shi Qiu Shui out while he was resting on Sunday.
The reason they went to the zoo was purely a coincidence. After all, Li Xiuying could see the news about the opening of the giant panda pavilion in the newspaper, and Shi Yue could see it too.
It was really a coincidence that Yang Zhiqiang and his friend and Shi Yue's father and daughter did not meet each other as soon as they went out, but saw each other while queuing at the zoo entrance.
In fact, Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling went to the zoo early in the morning, while Shi Yue and Shi Qiu Shui, as usual, slept until nearly seven o'clock before leisurely going out. However, because the zoo does not open until 7:30, when the father and daughter arrived at the zoo entrance, Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling were still queuing at the door.
Maybe it was summer vacation, so there were quite a few people visiting the zoo. There was a long queue at the entrance, stretching all the way from the zoo entrance to the end of the road.
When there are too many people queuing, conflicts are inevitable. Just look, two people started arguing not far in front of Shi Yue and Shi Qiu Shui.
"Hey, how shameless of you! Everyone is lining up, why are you cutting in line?"
"You're kidding! I didn't cut in line. I was standing right here anyway. If you don't believe me, just ask the person in front of me!"
"You're the one talking nonsense. You're such a grown-up, but you can't even talk properly? You're so uneducated! And you're even calling other people to ask questions. Who should I call? I've been queuing here since the beginning. If you were here before, there's no way I wouldn't have seen you!"
"Oh, I'm uneducated? I think it's you who's uneducated. You called me shameless right away. I was already giving you face by not hitting you. And you said I can't speak. Now you have a mouth and can speak."
"You've already cut in line, so what if I told you you're shameless? If you have the nerve to cut in line, you should be prepared to be scolded!"
"Are you fucking done yet? I already told you I didn't cut in line. I was standing right here!"
"You fart..."
The two became more and more excited as they argued, and one of them couldn't hold back any longer and gestured with his arms as if to start a fight. They made quite a noise, and people around them were attracted. The staff standing at the zoo entrance also noticed what was happening and came over.
"Hey, what are you doing? Talk nicely and don't hit anyone!"
Although the staff rushed over, they were unable to stop the fight and the queue was in chaos. Although queuing to enter the zoo is important, everyone's safety is also important. Seeing that the two people were making quite a big move and were still squeezing here, they might be accidentally injured. Everyone quickly hid to the side.
Shi Yue reacted the fastest. When he saw the two men fighting, he immediately pulled Shi Qiu Shui to a corner. He hid behind a small flower bed near the ticket office. The flower bed in front of him prevented him from being accidentally hurt, and he could watch the fun openly.
Seeing how cunning the father and daughter were, the others also hurried over. Among those who came over were Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling.
As soon as Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling came over, they saw the father and daughter hiding in the innermost part, but leaning forward all the time, watching the fun with their eyes shining.
Yang Zhiqiang/Jiang Ling: …
Yang Zhiqiang had been in charge of the courtyard for a long time and was familiar with the father and daughter's nature of loving to watch the fun, so he accepted it well. However, Jiang Ling's mouth twitched.
I didn’t realize before that Brother Shi and Xiao Qiu actually love to watch the fun so much?
But she still had to say hello when she saw someone. Jiang Ling smiled politely at Shi Yue and called out, "Brother Shi, Xiao Qiu."
Only then did Shi Yue and Shi Qiu Shui see these two people.
Shi Qiushui's eyes lit up even more. She looked back and forth between Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling, making Jiang Ling feel a little uncomfortable. She smiled sweetly and asked innocently, "Sister Jiang, why did you come out to play with Uncle Yang?"
Jiang Ling didn't notice Shi Qiushui's abnormality and said frankly, "Auntie Ma arranged it for me. She said that your Uncle Yang would take me around the city to have some fun. This way, when I return home, it will be like I've never been to Beijing."
Yang Zhiqiang: "Yes, Aunt Ma and my mother assigned me the task of giving Sister Jiang a good reception on behalf of the people in our compound."
Shi Qiu Shui tilted his head, feeling like something was wrong.
She frowned, unable to put her finger on what was wrong. However, Shi Yue, who was standing beside her, immediately noticed that the way Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling addressed each other was incorrect.
If Yang Zhiqiang was really interested in Jiang Ling, he would definitely correct Shi Qiu Shui when he heard her calling her Sister Jiang and Uncle Yang. After all, the titles Shi Qiu Shui used were of a different generation.
But on the contrary, these two people have no intention of correcting it at all?
What was going on? Could it be that the people in their hospital had been mistaken all along, and Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling didn't mean that?
Shi Yue was just thinking about it when he heard Jiang Ling speak. She smiled and said, "Brother Shi, let's go in together later."
Yang Zhiqiang also smiled and said, "Yes, Shi Yue, let's go in and play together later. It will be more fun with more people."
When Shi Qiu Shui heard this, he looked up at Shi Yue, and Shi Yue became more certain of his thoughts. Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling probably didn't have that kind of intention towards each other.
He took a small breath and felt that things had become really awkward at this point. You know, the aunties in the courtyard had already planned how many tables to invite to Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling's wedding, but it turned out that the two parties had no feelings for each other at all. This was not just awkward, it was extremely awkward.
Shi Yue silently decided that when he returned he would hint at the matter to the aunties, otherwise if the aunties continued to make trouble, it would be difficult to resolve the situation.
He nodded and said, "Okay, let's go in and leave together."
As they chatted, the staff over there quickly dealt with the two people fighting. What kind of things hadn't the staff here not encountered? They'd even encountered people falling into the Lion and Tiger Mountain, not to mention this kind of fight that started over a queue. They swooped in, pinned the two quarreling people down, and took them away.
The two people who were quarreling and causing trouble were taken away, and at the call of the staff, everyone quickly resumed the queue order.
After a while, Shi Yue and Shi Qiu Shui also entered the zoo in order. Jiang Ling and Yang Zhiqiang were in front of them and were waiting for them inside the gate.
When Jiang Ling saw them*, she immediately waved: "Brother Shi, Xiaoqiu, we are here!"
"Sister Jiang, we are here!" Shi Qiu Shui ran over with small steps, and Shi Yue followed closely behind her and came in front of Jiang Ling and Yang Zhiqiang.
Jiang Ling pointed to a map on a nearby bulletin board and said, "Brother Shi, I just discussed it with Brother Yang. We should just follow the directions on this map and go from south to north. Our first stop will be Monkey Mountain, which is the closest, then Lion and Tiger Mountain, and then we'll go see the giant pandas..."
Shi Yue nodded without any objection, but Shi Qiu Shui was very excited.
She jumped up and down and cheered: "Let's go to Monkey Mountain to see monkeys, monkeys! We also want to see big tigers and big lions!"
Jiang Ling smiled and said, "Okay, let's all go and see it. Xiaoqiu, don't worry."
Shi Qiushui nodded obediently: "Okay!"
Yang Zhiqiang: "Then let's go."
He led the way toward Monkey Mountain, and the remaining three followed behind him.
When you go out to play, you have to have fun. Shi Yue and Shi Qiu Shui quickly put the matter of Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling behind them and started to play seriously.
Their first stop was Monkey Mountain. Shi Yue held Shi Qiu Shui in his arms and stood behind the high wall, looking down at the monkeys on the mountain. Monkeys of all sizes were playing and fighting. These monkeys looked quite clever, and some of them even scratched their ears and cheeks at the crowd.
It was Shi Qiushui's first time seeing monkeys in person. She was so surprised that she pulled her father and said, "Dad, look, these monkeys are so smart. They look just like the monkeys in Journey to the West!"
Shi Yue: "That's different. The monkeys in Journey to the West can talk, but the monkeys in the zoo can't talk."
Shi Qiushui: "Of course I know that."
If monkeys could talk, wouldn't they be spirits?
Jiang Ling, who was standing by, couldn't help laughing at the conversation between the father and daughter.
They watched the monkeys in front of the Monkey Mountain for a long time, until Qiu Shui had seen enough, and then they continued to walk down. The next place was the Lion and Tiger Mountain.
Standing outside Lion and Tiger Mountain, Shi Qiushui was excited, extremely excited. She twisted back and forth in Shi Yue's arms, "Daddy, Tiger! Tiger!"
Shi Yue quickly hugged her tightly: "Daughter, don't move around. We are standing in the first row now. If I don't hold you tightly, you will fall down."
Shi Qiu Shui finally calmed down a little. She hugged Shi Yue's neck tightly, but her eyes were still fixed on the big tiger behind the fence.
Who would have thought that one day she would be able to see a tiger locked in a cage for people to admire!
This is so rare!
In fact, the tiger was still some distance away from them, but even at such a distance, Shi Qiu Shui could clearly see the tiger's might and domineering power, especially when the tiger opened its mouth and let out a roar, Shi Qiu Shui couldn't help but tremble with fear.
Shi Yue noticed Shi Qiushui's expression and asked, "Are you scared?"
Shi Qiushui bit her lip and said frankly, "A little bit."
Shi Yue: "Then shall we continue walking down?"
Shi Qiushui nodded quickly. Shi Yue turned around to say hello to Jiang Ling when he saw Jiang Ling trembling as she came over and asked, "Brother Shi, can we go downstairs now?"
There was a slight tremor in her voice, and it seemed that she was also scared by the tiger.
Shi Yue nodded: "Okay, let's go downstairs."
They said they were going down, but in fact they had not yet left the Lion and Tiger Mountain. Lions were not only tigers but also had lions. Shi Qiushui turned a corner and successfully saw the caged and lazy lion. She had never seen a lion before, or rather, she had never heard of such an animal before.
She looked at the long mane on the lion's neck and inexplicably felt that this big guy was a little cute.
She whispered, "The fur on its neck must feel really good!"
Shi Yue: "Wow, girl, what's the matter? Do you still want to touch it?"
Shi Qiushui's eyes lit up: "Is it okay?"
Shi Yue knocked her head speechlessly and said, "Of course not. Lions, like tigers, can eat people."
Shi Qiu Shui looked at the lazy lion in front of him and didn't quite believe what Shi Yue said. This lazy lion looked nothing like the ferocious tiger outside.
I don't know if the lion in the cage sensed Shi Qiu Shui's complaints. It suddenly stood up, opened its mouth wide and yawned. Just when Shi Qiu Shui thought it was cute, it suddenly pounced forward and picked up a chicken that was piled in the corner of the cage.
Then it began to eat lazily. Although that laziness was no different from before, looking at the red chicken blood on its mouth, Shi Qiu Shui could no longer find it cute.
Shi Qiushui tugged at Shi Yue: "Dad, let's go."
Looking at these big guys really scared her, so she decided to go and see the giant pandas, which were more suitable for her.
Just like that, Shi Yue and his party came to the Giant Panda Pavilion again. Looking at the black and white, adorable pandas holding bamboo and eating foolishly, Shi Qiu Shui felt his heart melt.
She looked at the cute giant panda and didn't want to leave at all. Jiang Ling beside her was the same. She stared at the panda with pink eyes and said, "Cute, so cute..."
There were people at the Giant Panda Pavilion who could take photos of people with cameras for a fee. Shi Yue asked around and found out the price wasn't too expensive, so he immediately had someone come over and take two photos of Shi Qiu Shui and Jiang Ling with the giant pandas. Of course, Shi Yue and Yang Zhiqiang took some photos as well.
After taking the photos, Shi Qiushui reluctantly left the Giant Panda Pavilion. Then they went to see elephants, giraffes, flamingos...
After walking around the entire zoo, it was almost noon. Shi Yue and his friends were tired after walking for the whole morning, and Shi Qiu Shui also felt listless and wanted to go home and rest.
So a few people decided to go home decisively.
After taking a direct bus, they quickly returned to the compound. When they stepped through the gate, they happened to run into Ma Yulan who was about to go to the bathroom. Ma Yulan was a little surprised to see Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling coming back: "Why are you back so early? Didn't you hang out outside for a while?"
When she saw Shi Yue and Shi Qiu Shui behind Yang Zhiqiang, her expression was even more shocked: "Hey, where did you two go? Why did you come back with Zhiqiang?"
Shi Yue looked at Ma Yulan's surprised expression and felt a little pity for her.
Aunt Ma, you don’t know yet, the two young people you want to match up have no interest in each other at all.
Yang Zhiqiang: "Hey, Aunt Ma, you don't know, Jiang Ling and I ran into Shi Yue and the others at the zoo entrance today, so we played together today."
Ma Yulan: "What, are there four of you playing together today?"
Yang Zhiqiang: "Yeah, that's right."
Ma Yulan glared at Yang Zhiqiang with disappointment, "You stupid boy! I've given you the chance to create your own world for two, but why are you still trying to drag others in?"
She turned around and glared at Shi Yue. Doesn't this guy know that Yang Zhiqiang and Jiang Ling have something going on? Why is he still...
Shi Yue saw what Ma Yulan was thinking at a glance.
He quickly went up and pulled Ma Yulan aside, saying, "Auntie Ma, please come with me first. I have something to tell you."
Ma Yulan: "Hey, hey, hey, what's going on?"
Shi Yue: "If there is something, you will know after you listen to me!"
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