Chapter 52 Don't be polite
Luo Hong knew he had something to do today, so he didn't chat with his colleagues after get off work. He changed into clean clothes and went outside.
Luo Yan stood in the corner by the factory gate waiting for her brother. Afraid that he wouldn't see her, she craned her neck and looked up expectantly, covering most of her face with a scarf, revealing only her wide-open eyes.
Even Luo Hong only recognized his sister when he got close, saying, "Are you that cold?"
Luo Yan: "So many people in your factory know me, it's exhausting to greet them all one by one."
Luo Hong: "Do you think you're the President of the United States? That everyone will greet you?"
Luo Yan pulled her scarf down a little: "Look at my pretty face."
In the past two years, she often came to the factory to participate in some family activities. Because the bicycle factory was doing well, they would even give out a pound of sunflower seeds to the audience when they watched the New Year's Eve party. But after coming a few more times, she felt uncomfortable with the stares on her and would try to avoid them whenever possible.
No matter how beautiful her younger sister was, Luo Hong's memory would always be of her crying with snot hanging from her nose. He said, "Don't worry, once you get into university, the people in our workshop won't mention you anymore."
Although everyone says there is no class distinction, everyone knows in their hearts that college students and workers can hardly talk to each other.
Work doesn't define a person, and Luo Yan didn't think that college students were superior to anyone else. She just felt uneasy about the well-intentioned gestures of goodwill, and it always took her a long time to find the right words to refuse. Hearing this, she breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."
Luo Hong pressed the bell to urge, "Let's go."
His bell must have been rusty; when it rang, it sounded like a broken gong, harsh and unpleasant to hear.
Luo Yan frowned, as if someone had poked her ear. "You're at the car dealership every day, why don't you replace this broken bell?"
Luo Hong got excited and pressed the button twice more: "That's the sound I wanted."
Luo Yan rolled her eyes at her brother, got on her bicycle and rode ahead, but after a few meters she realized she didn't know where the wedding banquet was, so she had to stop and wait.
Luo Hong knew this would happen, and he let out two sneers as he passed by.
Luo Yan could only curse him from behind, using only mild and innocuous words.
Luo Hongquan pretended not to hear. When they reached a certain intersection, he noticed his sister suddenly overtaking him and asked, "Do you know where this is?"
Luo Yan looked shrewd: "Turn right and you'll find Hongyang's restaurant. You must have recommended it to Qiaosheng."
She stopped in front of Zhang Hongyang's restaurant, but was a little unsure, because there was no festive atmosphere at the entrance—even if it was just a single table, there should at least be a red cloth hanging up.
When Zhang Hongyang saw his childhood friend, he greeted her, "Yanzi, are you here for the wedding too? It's room 108 inside."
Then his childhood friend arrived and said, "You handled your coworker's affairs simply, but the food was good; there were sixteen dishes for dinner."
Luo Hong only recommended a place, without asking how the menu was determined, and said, "Then remember to give them a discount."
Did he even need to say that? Zhang Hongyang replied, "How could I possibly embarrass you?"
Luo Hong punched his shoulder, then went into the private room with his sister and greeted the newlyweds one after the other.
He Qiaosheng couldn't speak, and his gestures were hard for everyone to understand. To express his welcome, he shook Luo Hong's hand firmly and, considering the difference between men and women, gave Luo Yan a thumbs up.
Luo Yan knew he had difficulty understanding, so she said slowly, "Brother Qiaosheng, congratulations! I wish you and your wife a long and happy marriage."
He then turned to the bride, Chen Jiao, and said, "Hello, sister-in-law."
Chen Jiao, who is also an introverted person, said, "Thank you."
We made sure they had seats.
The brother and sister sat side by side. To Luo Yan's left was a little boy, whom she guessed must be He Qiaosheng's stepson. She asked, "Little friend, what's your name?"
The child, who had been throwing a tantrum, whimpered and hid behind his mother. Chen Jiao had no choice but to explain on her son's behalf: "I'm sorry, the child doesn't know any better. Dongdong, you can't be so rude."
The child is only five years old. Hearing that his biological father has passed away, and now he is going to enter a new family with his mother, it seems understandable that he might throw a tantrum.
Luo Yan has the greatest kindness towards children in the world. She took a toy out of her bag and said, "How about I give you this?"
Dongdong still remembers that he is unhappy, but his eyes can't stop looking around. When he hears his mother say "No need, no need," his little face scrunches up.
Those were just polite words from adults. Luo Yan said a few more words and stuffed the tin frog into the child's hand: "Take it."
Dongdong was secretly delighted, and with a sneaky smile, he said, "Thank you, Auntie."
He has a sweet tongue. Luo Yan pinched his cheek and said, "You're so cute."
Dongdong immediately took a liking to this aunt he was meeting for the first time, and started reaching into his stepfather's pocket to take out candy.
He Qiaosheng was tall, so he half-squatted down to make it easier for Luo Yan to reach out. He watched as Luo Yan "borrowed flowers to present to Buddha" and ran up to her, and Luo Yan smiled silently.
It seems they have a good relationship. Luo Yan was worried that Dongdong was throwing a tantrum because of this marriage, but now she is relieved and playing with the child like a pair of close friends despite their age difference.
The two finished their meal early and wanted to go outside for a while.
Chen Jiao wasn't worried, but she was afraid of causing trouble for others, so she said, "Dongdong, sit properly."
Children get full after just a few bites; they can't sit still for long.
Luo Yan, with her good temper, said, "It's alright, sister-in-law. I also want to go out for some fresh air."
Luo Hong knew she was annoyed by the smell of smoke, so he chimed in, "Let them go, they can just wander around the entrance."
At this point, saying no would seem like a sign of distrust. Chen Jiao straightened her son's clothes and said, "Listen to your aunt and don't run around."
Dongdong was probably scared in the unfamiliar environment, so he only dared to jump around in front of the restaurant.
Luo Yan was keeping an eye on him and didn't even notice anyone approaching.
Zhou Weifang knew she was easily frightened, so he coughed twice as a warning.
As a result, Luo Yan didn't look up, treating him as just another passerby. She thought to herself that she just wanted to avoid getting infected, so she pulled her scarf up even higher.
Well, Zhou Weifang had no choice but to call her name.
Luo Yan suddenly looked up: "It's you."
Feeling annoyed that he was blocking her view of the child, she took a step to the right.
Zhou Weifang followed her gaze and asked curiously, "Whose child is this?"
Luo Yan: "My brother's coworker."
Oh, she went out to eat with her brother again.
Zhou Weifang had originally come to talk to Zhang Hongyang about something, but now she wasn't in a hurry. She stood next to her, subtly blocking the wind from blowing towards her.
Luo Yan gave him a strange look: "Aren't you going in?"
Zhou Weifang went in briefly, then came out a while later and said, "Hongyang is busy."
With the Lunar New Year approaching, restaurants are doing their busiest business.
Luo Yan didn't suspect anything, her attention was entirely on Dongdong, and when she saw him run into the bicycle shed, she reminded him, "Dongdong, don't play in there."
The more you forbid something from being done, the more the child wants to get involved. Luo Yan tried to pull him out, but couldn't find a suitable angle.
Zhou Weifang bent down and lifted Dongdong up.
He dared to hit him, but the child didn't know him and was so scared that he kicked his feet wildly.
Luo Yan quickly took the child from her: "Don't scare him."
He explained gently, "Uncle isn't a bad person."
Dongdong nestled on his aunt's shoulder, only peeking out with a tiny bit of his eye to observe.
Zhou Weifang thought to himself that this didn't seem like someone who was frightened, and surprisingly found a piece of candy in his pocket, saying, "Uncle, can I apologize to you?"
He's in a good mood now, Luo Yan gently patted Dongdong's back: "Uncle didn't mean it."
She then winked at Zhou Weifang, signaling him not to argue with the child.
Dongdong's teeth were almost rotten from eating all day, but he didn't care at all and turned his head to the other side.
Zhou Weifang, as expected of someone who had been a leader of children, easily won over little boys of this age. He even managed to pluck a handful of grass from somewhere and weave it into a lifelike grasshopper.
Dongdong didn't extend his hand, but his eyes remained fixed, clearly unable to bring himself to do it.
Luo Yan offered him a way out: "Take it, it's from your uncle."
Dongdong went down the slope and quickly ran around with a grasshopper in his hand. Luo Yan watched and blurted out, "After all these years, you still only know this trick to coax children."
Of the hundred grasshoppers Zhou Weifang made when he was a child, ninety were for her, saying, "I'll learn something else tomorrow."
Luo Yan said casually, "It's good. It will be useful when we have children in the future."
Zhou Weifang glanced at her and said, "I also think it would be useful."
Luo Yan avoided his gaze, but noticed his tone was odd. She glanced at him but said nothing.
Zhou Weifang continued the conversation: "I heard you went to see a movie yesterday? Was it good?"
Yesterday? Luo Yan was happy when she thought about it, and smiled: "It was beautiful."
Zhou Weifang assumed her good mood was due to the movie being genuinely good, unaware that she was laughing out loud because she was thinking about who she was watching it with, and asked, "What are you watching?"
Just as Luo Yan was about to speak, Dongdong ran over and said he wanted to find his mother. She didn't have time to answer the question: "I'll take him inside first."
Well, Zhou Weifang swallowed back all his words and said helplessly, "Go ahead."
Luo Yan handed Dongdong to his mother. Chen Jiao, unaware of what was happening, touched her son's back to see if he was sweating and said, "Auntie even made you a grasshopper. It's so pretty. Did you thank her?"
Dongdong shouted to correct him, "It's Uncle."
Uncle? Chen Jiao knew that this shop was owned by Luo Hongfa's younger brother, so she assumed that it was a gift from the owner and didn't ask any further questions.
But Luo Hong knew Zhang Hongyang was incredibly clumsy, so he asked, "Who is it?"
Luo Yan: "Zhou Weifang."
He finished speaking and coughed softly.
The private room was filled with smoke, and there were several guests that Luo Hong didn't recognize, so he couldn't say anything.
He said, "Is he still outside? If he is, go outside and wait a while. Call him if you need anything."
Luo Yan nodded and walked out. She saw Zhang Hongyang and Zhou Weifang talking to each other and nodded to them in greeting.
Zhang Hongyang nodded in agreement and continued, "My third uncle is coming up tomorrow..."
Zhou Weifang didn't hear what was said next and made an excuse: "I'm going to the restroom."
Zhang Hongyang believed him and even opened the drawer to ask, "Want some paper?"
Zhou Weifang went all out with his act, casually grabbing two bills and stuffing them into his pocket. He went outside and saw Luo Yan spinning in circles. He asked, "Going back already?"
Luo Yan: "No, they're still drinking."
The groom, who had difficulty speaking, probably felt that wine was the best way to express his feelings, and raised his glass again and again.
Zhou Weifang knew his childhood friend's alcohol tolerance well, and said, "It's okay, I'll take you back later."
Luo Yan was also worried that her brother wouldn't be able to leave later, but she still asked, "Are you busy? If you are, I can manage by myself."
Zhou Weifang: "Not busy."
Because it was her brother's matter, and given their relationship, Luo Yan didn't refuse again, only saying, "Thank you."
Perhaps feeling bored, he looked around.
The topics Zhou Weifang had just swallowed could resurface, and he asked, "Are you going to the library tomorrow?"
Upon hearing those three words, Luo Yan immediately thought of the code name Chen Yingying had given Zhou Xiuhe. The once pure and innocent learning haven now seemed to be tainted with a hint of ambiguity, making her a little embarrassed: "I'm not going."
Why does her face seem a little red? Zhou Weifang suggested, "It's cold outside, why don't you go inside and wait?"
Luo Yan wrinkled her nose: "It's full of people smoking inside."
Zhou Weifang instinctively said, "I don't smoke."
This sentence is a bit strange. Luo Yan: "Oh, that's good."
Then she realized and said, "Are you cold? You can wait inside. I'll call you when it's time to leave."
Zhou Weifang: "I'm not cold. There are a lot of men drinking in the store, and it's not safe for you to stand here alone."
Luo Yan thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll go in."
In a moment of panic, Zhou Weifang reached out to stop her: "No need, just stay here and behave yourself."
Luo Yan didn't really want to go in either, but she asked, "I just saw you talking to Brother Hongyang. Are you done?"
You can talk to her about this. Zhou Weifang: "Hongyang's third uncle went to Fujian on business, and I asked him to help me buy some good tea."
Luo Yan nodded knowingly. As for what he intended to do with the tea, that was not her concern.
Zhou Weifang eagerly said, "It's almost Chinese New Year, and we need to maintain some good relationships. Uncle Luo also likes tea, so I'll get him a couple of boxes later."
When the topic of giving favors came up, Luo Yan felt like a child. She thought that whether or not to accept them was up to her parents and brother, so she just gave a faint "hmm".
Her tone seemed too cold. She asked, "Will the car dealership be closed for the Chinese New Year?"
Zhou Weifang: "Let's stop on New Year's Eve. Everyone is willing to spend money during the first month of the lunar year, so it's important to do a couple more deals."
To be honest, Luo Yan admires him quite a bit in this respect—just like her own hard work in her studies, everyone's efforts to strive for a better life are a beautiful quality in themselves.
She offered her a blessing: "You will definitely become very wealthy in the future."
Zhou Weifang laughed: "Thank you for your kind words. I'll give you a big red envelope later."
Luo Yan didn't take it seriously, but suddenly said regretfully, "I should have brought the book; I could have explained the questions to you now."
The moonlight was like water, a beautiful and auspicious day. She said she wanted to talk about the questions.
Just as Zhou Weifang was about to sigh, the curtain was lifted, revealing Zhang Hongyang's face. He shouted with a mouth that should have been sewn shut, "I thought you fell into the latrine. You've been gone for ages."
Zhou Weifang glared at him angrily, and when he heard Luo Yan snickering, he felt even more helpless. He held back for a moment and said, "Go do your thing."
Zhang Hongyang had to serve the food and collect the money. After confirming that he was alright, he felt relieved and turned to attend to his own business.
Zhou Weifang was left feeling awkward, touching his nose and saying, "Just smile openly."
Luo Yan tried hard to keep a straight face: "I wasn't laughing."
Yes, yes, yes, a raised corner of the mouth isn't a smile, and a crescent-shaped eye isn't a smile either. What else could Zhou Weifang say? "Hmm, you're not smiling."
Upon hearing this, Luo Yan wanted to laugh even more.
She turned her face away, trying to hide it from everyone, but her trembling shoulders made it impossible to conceal.
Okay, at least it can make her laugh.
Zhou Weifang thought to herself that she didn't have a good image in her eyes anyway, and looked on helplessly.
After laughing, Luo Yan realized she had been a bit rude and sincerely apologized to him.
Zhou Weifang felt a little awkward and said, "I really feel bad. Please don't be so polite with me in the future, okay?"
Strangely enough, Luo Yan detected a hint of a request in the sentence. Not wanting to brush it off with platitudes, she said, "I'm used to it. I'll try my best."
Having this sentence is progress; the rest can be dealt with gradually.
Zhou Weifang was in a good mood. After his childhood friend finished drinking, he carried him home without complaint.
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A note from the author: I'm really not good at saving drafts; the more I read them before publication, the more unsatisfactory they seem.
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