Tongxin Weili
The atmosphere at the wedding was warm and welcoming. After three rounds of drinks, the conversation shifted from the newlyweds to more casual conversations. Some urged the leaders to share their dating experiences, while others lamented the pressures of starting a family. The banquet hall was filled with a lighthearted and cheerful clamor.
Lan Tongtong sat at a round table in the corner, quietly sipping her drink, still lost in the heart-wrenching emotion she had just felt. At this moment, a tall figure awkwardly sat down in the empty seat next to her, bringing with it a faint smell of alcohol.
It’s Zhang Biao.
He looked like he'd drunk quite a bit, his dark face flushed, but his eyes were still clear, less boisterous than usual and more reserved and quiet. He rubbed his hands together, his eyes wandering, as if searching for a topic.
"Lan... Lan Gong." Zhang Biao spoke in a low voice, his voice was much lower than usual, like the humming of a mosquito, forming a contrast with his burly figure.
"Brother Biao, you're here too." Lan Tongtong smiled at him. After working together for a while, especially after he helped her out that time, Lan Tongtong's impression of Zhang Biao had changed a lot, and she now regarded him as a trustworthy friend.
"Yeah, Mr. Li's getting married, so I definitely have to come," Zhang Biao muttered. Then he was silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on the newlyweds taking sweet photos on the stage. Suddenly, he muttered without thinking, "Tsk... That's great."
Lan Tongtong followed his gaze, understood what he was referring to, and agreed softly, "Yeah, that's great."
Zhang Biao was silent for a few seconds, as if he had mustered up his courage. He turned his head, his eyes a little vague, not daring to look directly at Lan Tongtong. His voice became even lower, almost talking to himself, but it was clear that he wanted to say something to Lan Tongtong:
"You say... for people like us who spend all day on the construction site... isn't it... hard to find a partner?" After he said that, he quickly picked up the wine glass and took a sip to hide his embarrassment.
Lan Tongtong was stunned for a moment, then understood Zhang Biao's subtext and his awkward probing. This usually forthright and righteous man was surprisingly clumsy and lacking in confidence when it came to love. Perhaps influenced by the wedding atmosphere, or perhaps by his long-held thoughts, he, under the influence of alcohol, used this roundabout way to once again reveal his affection for her and his uncertainty about his future.
Lan Tongtong felt a bit uncomfortable, but also a bit touched. She thought for a moment, then said in a gentle but reassuring tone, "How could that be? Brother Biao, you're such a good person. You're honest, loyal, and hardworking. There's definitely a good girl who'll like you. What's wrong with the construction site? Hardworking people are the ones who can be relied upon!" She was trying to comfort Zhang Biao, but also seemed to be speaking to herself.
After hearing this, Zhang Biao's dark face seemed to turn even redder. He scratched his head and smiled innocently: "Hehe... is that so... I think I'm an okay person too..." There was a sense of relief and a bit of silliness in his smile.
He didn't continue the sensitive topic, but instead talked about interesting things on the construction site, regaining some of his usual liveliness. But Lan Tongtong could sense that his clumsy "cricket" just now was a cautious expression of his true inner thoughts.
Lan Tongtong felt a surge of emotion as she watched this seemingly rugged yet heartfelt man beside her. They were all experiencing their own growth and uncertainty on this project, each searching for their place and direction. Zhang Biao's probing made her realize more clearly that she wasn't alone; many others were facing the dual challenges of work and relationships.
The clamor of the wedding faded, and Lan Tongtong returned to her dorm alone. The moonlight outside the window shone like water, and the room was completely silent, a stark contrast to the bustle just moments before. Zhang Biao's clumsy yet sincere attempts still echoed in her ears. She appreciated his affection and cherished this comradeship, but deep down, she knew it wasn't the affection between a man and a woman.
Yet, the topic of "looking for a partner" was like a stone dropped into the lake of her heart, stirring up ripples. But the direction of these ripples surprised even her slightly—her thoughts drifted involuntarily to that solemn, steady, ruler-like figure: Mo Zhichi.
She recalled Mo Xiaochi's joke during dinner—"Auntie, you might as well just be with my dad!" At the time, she had dismissed it as childish banter, blushing and dismissing it without taking it seriously. But now, the words echoed with remarkable clarity in her mind.
From that joke, she learned that Mo Zhichi's wife had long since passed away, and that he had raised their daughter alone. This realization, along with her previous awe and gratitude for Brother Mo, was subtly tinged with a subtle pang of heartache. She recalled his helplessness and clumsiness in front of their daughter, his meticulous work ethic and awe-inspiring integrity, and the harsh criticism and deep concern he offered her when she was most lost...
These fragments flashed through her mind like a slideshow. She suddenly realized that, since when, Mo Zhichi had transcended mere "leader," "mentor," or "brother." His fatherly and brotherly protection, his worldly wisdom, his uncompromising attitude on matters of principle, and even his occasional clumsiness, belying his age and status, all constituted a unique and powerful attraction.
This attraction was completely different from the feeling Zhang Biao brought her. Zhang Biao was fiery and direct, like a ball of fire; while Mo Zhichi was deep and reserved, like a mountain, making her feel at ease and wanting to rely on him.
The thought made Lan Tongtong's cheeks heat up slightly, and her heartbeat quickened unconsciously. She quickly shook her head, trying to dispel this "absurd" thought. Brother Mo was the chief supervising engineer, an elder, a figure like a mountain. How could she...how could she have such unreasonable thoughts?
But emotions, like creeping vines, can no longer be ignored once you're aware of their presence. She recalled Mo Zhichi's every bit of care for her, those seemingly casual gestures of support and guidance. Was there perhaps… some affection beyond a professional relationship? Or was it simply the support and care of an elder towards a younger one?
She didn't dare to think too deeply, nor could she be sure.
That night, Lan Tongtong couldn't sleep. Zhang Biao's confusion prompted a reassessment of her own emotions. And a joke from Mo Xiaochi, like a key, inadvertently opened a door deep within her heart that she had never dared to touch. The view beyond that door left her feeling flustered, yet also gave rise to a vague sense of anticipation.
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