Interstellar Art Soldier 1
After Tao Yuan ordered the dishes, he picked up the teacup and took a sip of red tea. Then he looked at the person sitting opposite him and suddenly laughed out loud.
"What are you laughing at?" Zuo Lei asked, putting down his teacup.
"Uncle Zuo Lei, you definitely didn't expect that your blind date would be with me, right?" Tao Yuan said with a smile. "Deep down, you definitely didn't want to go on a blind date with me, who you thought was just a kid, but you were forced to come by your mother, so you had no choice. Am I right?"
Although Zuo Lei was only a dozen years older than the original owner, according to seniority, the original owner had to call him uncle.
In this interstellar world, due to the relatively long average lifespan, people live longer, so marriages with an age gap of thirty or forty are common, and courtship and marriages with a ten-year age gap are even more common. Although the two people are of different generations, they are not related at all, so as long as the age gap is right, courtship and marriage are not a big deal.
Zuo Lei recalled his mother's words forcing him to come on a blind date, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Then he said to Tao Yuan, "Were you also forced to come by your family?"
"No, as soon as I heard that the blind date was you, I agreed to come for the blind date." Tao Yuan said directly.
"Why? Do you think we are suitable for each other?" Zuo Lei looked at Tao Yuan puzzledly.
"I think we're a good match." Tao Yuan said seriously, "Otherwise, why would I come on a blind date with you? No one in my family forced me to come."
"I remember hearing your brother say that you seemed to be in love. Did you break up?" Zuo Lei couldn't remember when he overheard his brother say this casually, but his brother was just guessing and not sure.
Tao Yuan said, "We broke up a few months ago. My ex-boyfriend disliked my lack of interest and dumped me for someone more interesting. There are so many people who get married and then get divorced. I was just in a relationship. It's normal to break up because of personality differences."
Tao Yuan had just traveled here less than a month ago, but the original owner had broken up with him a few months ago. After Tao Yuan traveled here, although he did not tell the original owner's mother directly that he liked Zuo Lei, he did some small actions in secret, and their mothers became interested and wanted to pair them up.
The original owner's mother had come to ask Tao Yuan if he was willing to go on a blind date with Zuo Lei. Tao Yuan pretended to hesitate and thought about it for a day or two before agreeing. As soon as Tao Yuan agreed, Zuo Lei's mother, regardless of his willingness, threatened him directly that if he didn't come on the blind date, he wouldn't be allowed to return to the base early. So Zuo Lei had no choice but to come.
Tao Yuan was a little worried that he would ask who his ex-boyfriend was, but fortunately he didn't ask, so he didn't have to make up excuses to get away with it.
After the waiter brought all the dishes, Tao Yuan looked at Zuo Lei and said, "I know you definitely didn't come here on a blind date voluntarily, but I heard from my mother that you haven't been in a relationship for so many years. Madam Ruiya is determined to force you to go on a blind date this time. Even if I don't come, someone else will come on a blind date with you. If our blind date doesn't work out, then you'll have to face blind dates three times a day."
Zuo Lei glanced at Tao Yuan's gloating expression and said, "So you agreed to go on a blind date with me just to see me make a fool of myself?"
"That's one of the reasons. You know, life is bound to be boring, and we always need some fun." Tao Yuan said, "But there is another reason, which is that I am willing to rescue you from the blind date banquets three times a day. Do you want to give it a try?"
"How to save him?" asked Zuo Lei.
"Of course, you're dating me." Tao Yuan said matter-of-factly. "Besides this method, can you think of any better way? How about we have a romantic relationship?"
"Agreement?" Zuo Lei asked. "You mean... a fake relationship?"
"I mean...real love." Tao Yuan leaned forward slightly, looking at him seriously. "Once people get bored, they inevitably feel lonely, and when they feel lonely, they want to fall in love. After much thought, I think you're the best choice. How about we have a romantic relationship without the goal of getting married, and without any responsibilities? What do you think?"
"Be more specific," said Zuo Lei.
"Isn't this specific enough? You treat me as your real boyfriend and let me enjoy the feeling of being in love, but I don't need you to be responsible. If I find someone else I like in the future, or if you find someone else you like, we will just break up."
"What do you want me to do so that you can enjoy the feeling of being in love?" Zuo Lei felt that he had to ask this clearly, because he was a soldier. Most of the time, he was either at the Imperial Star Base or at the border base. It was impossible for him to play the love game with him as often as ordinary people.
"Hmm..." Tao Yuan thought for a moment and said, "I know you're a soldier and can't be with me all the time, so I won't ask you to be with me all the time. As long as you have time, send me at least three messages a day, and chat with me via video at least once every two or three days. When I say something bad about others, you have to agree with me, and when I'm unhappy, you have to comfort me and show your genuine concern for me."
"For all you mentioned, can't you just download a dating game app?" Zuo Lei said.
"That's different. Dating games are virtual. Dating with program code is not as interesting as dating with a real person." Tao Yuan said, "Besides, there are some things I need you to teach me."
"What's the matter?" Zuo Lei asked.
"What is it? I can only tell you after you agree to the contract relationship." Tao Yuan looked at him and said, "How is it? My request is not too high, right? I will help you cover for Madam Ruiya, so you don't have to be forced to go on a blind date, and you can return to the base early. You just need to spare a little time to deal with me. You don't have to be really responsible for me, nor do you have to be devoted to me. If you really like someone, we can break up right away. If we both think each other is good, it's not impossible to continue a real relationship. What do you think?"
"Is this the popular way for you young people to do things now?" It was the first time that Zuo Lei heard of such a way of dating.
"This is something I came up with myself. I think this way of dating is very good. It can satisfy the needs of each other without having to be responsible for each other. Even if we break up, it will be a good parting without having to tear each other apart. There is no betrayal. If you are in a relationship without true feelings, you won't feel sad when you break up. It is better than being in love and being betrayed and heartbroken." Tao Yuan said.
Zuo Lei actually thought what he said had some truth to it, but he had been too lazy to fall in love in recent years. Firstly, it was because he was working hard to get promoted and had no time to think about such things. Secondly, he felt that his last relationship started too hastily and had no good results. This time, he wanted to be more cautious and make sure that he really liked the person before starting a relationship.
"You don't have to rush to give me an answer. I'm not in a hurry." Tao Yuan said, "You can continue dating and then think about it slowly."
Tao Yuan has already put down the bait, waiting for him to take the hook. This is a true love with a dating agreement. Although Tao Yuan clearly stated that he doesn't have to be sincere, he is not afraid that he won't be sincere during the relationship.
After the two of them had dinner, Tao Yuan went back to Zuo Lei's home together.
"Madam Ruiya." Tao Yuan called out after walking into the living room.
Ruiya was arranging flowers in the living room. When she saw the two of them come in, she immediately stood up, walked over and said with a smile, "You're back so soon? Why didn't you go out and play a little longer?"
Madam Ruiya took Tao Yuan's hand and walked to the sofa and sat down. "It's rare for Zuo Lei to take a vacation. Let him spend a few days with you. Wherever you want to go, let him take you."
"Don't rush to ask him to accompany me. Let him think about it first." Tao Yuan said with a smile, "After he has thought it over, let him accompany me to play for a few days. Otherwise, if he becomes someone else's boyfriend, how can I ask him to accompany me to play?"
"He's single anyway, and he has plenty of time. I asked him to go out with you, who would dare to object?" Ruiya said to Tao Yuan, "Your Uncle Zuo Lei has saved up his vacation time for several years. This time he can rest for at least two months. If you want to go out and play, just let him know and ask him to go with you."
"Uncle Zuo Lei is going to take a two-month leave?" Tao Yuan looked at Zuo Lei in surprise, then said to Rui Ya, "I will be officially assigned in a month, so we won't be able to see each other often then."
"Yes, you are about to be assigned." Madam Ruiya asked, "Do you know which fleet you will be assigned to?"
"I don't know yet. I don't care about going to that fleet, so I didn't ask my family." Tao Yuan said.
Madam Ruiya pondered for a few seconds before saying, "Then why not go to the Lion Fleet? Zuo Lei is there and he can take care of you so that no one can bully you."
"I'm afraid that Uncle Zuo Lei will find me annoying, so I'd better not do it." Tao Yuanming took a step back to advance.
"He dares!" Ruiya glared at Zuo Lei, who remained silent. "If he dares to get impatient with you, tell me and I'll teach him a lesson."
All the men in Zuo Lei's family were high-ranking military officers. His father, injured early in life, no longer led troops, but he still held a high position. His eldest brother was the vice captain of the Lion Fleet. Zuo Lei himself held the rank of major general and served as the captain of the special operations team.
Madam Ruiya wanted Tao Yuan to be assigned to the Lion Fleet, but it was just a matter of words.
The original owner of Tao Yuan's time travel was a female from a powerful family. His father was one of the ten presidents of the House of Parliament, and several of his uncles were also officials in the Imperial Star.
Both families were prominent on the Imperial Star, and one was a scholar, the other a warrior, making them a perfect match. Furthermore, Lady Ruiya had been friends with the original owner's mother, Isa, for many years. After much deliberation, Lady Ruiya felt that the original owner was the most suitable match for Zuo Lei, and she sincerely hoped that the original owner would marry into their family.
Tao Yuan chatted with Madam Ruiya for a while before getting up to say goodbye and go home.
After Madam Ruiya and Zuo Lei sent Tao Yuan to the car, they watched the car drive out of the gate before turning back to the living room.
"I just heard from Luo Xi that he agrees to date you, but you need to think about it." Madam Ruiya sat down and looked at him. "Luo Xi is young, handsome, and multi-talented. He got into the art soldier position entirely on his own. His family background, character, looks, and personality are all flawless. He's already agreed, so what else do you have to consider?"
The original owner was indeed as Ruiya had described, excellent in every way, especially with a particularly delicate and beautiful face. But Zuo Lei wasn't bad either; he was tall and handsome, a man many people considered a "man of the hour." Furthermore, he was a strong leader in battle, a military genius, and those above him were very optimistic about him.
However, only Madam Ruiya, as a mother, can despise her own son. If anyone else dares to despise Zuo Lei, Madam Ruiya will definitely be unhappy, even Zuo Lei's father.
"Mom, you are so unreasonable. I am not sick and not injured. How can you let my eldest brother approve two months of leave for me?" Zuo Lei did not answer his mother's question. Tao Yuan was in a bad mood just now. He thought that he would only be approved for more than one month of leave at most, but he didn't expect it to be two months.
"You deserve these vacations. You've missed at least half a year of vacation in recent years. What's wrong with taking two months off now? Your eldest brother approved it because it's a reasonable vacation." Madam Ruiya looked at him and said, "If you don't want to take such a long break, it's not impossible. Didn't I tell you the conditions?"
Seeing that he didn't say anything, Madam Ruiya said with a stern face, "I'm not forcing you to get married right away. At least you should have a relationship first, right? For several years, so many people of the right age have wanted to pursue you, but you haven't attracted any of them. People think there's something wrong with you."
"Not being in a relationship means there's something wrong with my health? What kind of logic is that?" Zuo Lei said, "I'm not in a relationship because I haven't met someone I like. When I meet someone, I'll naturally start dating. You're forcing me to go on blind dates with different people and to date someone I don't like. There won't be any good results."
"So, did your relationship with the person you like come to fruition?" Ruiya looked at him and said, "Relationships also require getting along and cultivating. You've completely closed your heart, so who else can get in? After you broke up with Endy, have I ever pushed you once in all these years? I think Luo Xi is really suitable for you, so I don't want you to miss this opportunity. If you agree to get along with Luo Xi, you don't have to go on blind dates later."
"Why are you mentioning Endy again?" Zuo Lei said helplessly, "I almost forgot about this person."
"Forgot?" Ruiya sneered and said, "If you really forgot him, why haven't you fallen in love for so many years?"
"Everyone says it's because I've been too busy these past few years and I don't have time to think about other things. He's no longer in my heart. How could it be because of him that I'm not in a relationship?" Zuo Lei really felt that it made sense but he couldn't explain it.
"I don't care why you don't want to be in a relationship. Starting today, I won't let you return to the base. No matter what anyone says, it won't help." Ruiya said firmly. "Luo Xi is such a good person. If you weren't my son, I wouldn't want him to be with a cold, unromantic person like you."
What Madam Ruiya said was the truth. She treated the original owner as her own child, so she hoped that he could marry into her family and become her own child in the future.
"But I won't force you to date him. If you feel he's not suitable, I'll explain it to his mother. I don't want you to ruin the relationship between our two families." Ruiya said, "I've picked out many suitable people for you recently. You can meet them one by one. The sooner you choose one, the sooner you can return to base."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
