After dinner...
Su Jianguo patted his round belly and paced around the yard twice.
The early summer evening breeze, carrying the sweet fragrance of locust blossoms, dispelled the daytime heat.
"Honey, shall we go for a walk?"
After clearing away the dishes, Wang Xiulan wiped her hands on her apron.
"Hmm, take a walk after your meal to aid digestion, and you'll live to ninety-nine."
Su Jianguo nodded and walked out of the courtyard gate with his hands behind his back.
The streetlights in the alley were dim, and a few moths circled around the lampshades.
He walked slowly along the familiar route, nodding to the neighbors he passed from time to time.
After turning two alleys, Su Jianguo suddenly heard a deliberately hushed voice.
He looked in the direction of the sound and saw two figures embracing each other in the shadows around the corner.
Su Jianguo chuckled to himself. These days, things aren't as conservative as they were a few years ago.
Occasionally, you might see shy young men and women secretly dating in secluded places.
Su Jianguo originally wanted to walk around it so as not to disturb this pair of illicit lovers.
Unexpectedly, a familiar voice suddenly came from inside.
"Meijuan, I... I really can't wait any longer..."
The voice trembled with excitement, but it was clearly that of his second son, Su Mingde.
Su Jianguo suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He quietly retreated behind an old locust tree, and using the trunk as cover, squinted to observe carefully.
Deep in the alley, Su Mingde stood awkwardly in front of a girl, and the two embraced.
The streetlights shone obliquely on half of his face, and his face, which usually wore gold-rimmed glasses and was always serious, was now flushed red, his hands nervously twisted together.
"Mingde, please don't do this..."
The girl's voice was as soft as honey. She turned slightly to the side, allowing Su Jianguo to see her clearly.
She was in her early twenties, with fashionable permed hair and a light touch of rouge on her fair, oval face.
She was wearing a light pink polyester shirt with a delicate butterfly brooch pinned to the collar.
Su Jianguo squinted.
This is Liu Meijuan, the "director Liu's daughter" whom the second son always talks about?
"Meijuan, I think about you every day, I can't sleep because of it..."
Su Mingde's voice was sticky and mushy, like he was holding a mouthful of undissolved candy.
"At work, the moment I close my eyes, all I see is you..."
Liu Meijuan lowered her head, revealing a section of her fair neck.
"Don't say anymore..."
Her fingers twisted the hem of her dress gently, making her look both shy and embarrassed.
I'm going to say it!
Su Mingde suddenly became excited, and unconsciously tightened his grip on her.
"Do you know that I even fell out with my dad because of you! He said you had ulterior motives and weren't a good person, but I know you're not like that!"
Su Jianguo, standing behind the tree, frowned and unconsciously clenched his fists. This child was completely hopeless.
Why didn't I realize in my past life that my second son was such a love-struck fool?
Liu Meijuan raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears.
"Mingde, your father...does he not like me?"
"What does he know!"
Su Mingde spoke urgently, but his voice was very low, as if he was afraid of being overheard.
"He's such a stubborn old man! Meijuan, don't worry, I'll definitely persuade him. The two thousand yuan dowry, the three turns and one ring, I won't skimp on anything!"
Liu Meijuan's eyes flickered in the shadows, but her voice became even softer.
"But...my dad's been pressuring me a lot lately..."
She suddenly bit her lower lip, a gesture that made Su Mingde stare wide-eyed.
She was already showing signs of pregnancy and was very anxious, otherwise she wouldn't have arranged to meet Su Mingde tonight.
To make Su Mingde anxious, she, who usually wouldn't even let him hold her hand, made an exception today and let him hug her.
After thinking for a moment, Liu Meijuan's eyes darted around, and she said with a wronged expression.
"The son of the textile factory's deputy director has been asking people to act as matchmakers..."
"What?!"
Su Mingde's voice suddenly rose and then fell sharply.
"No! Absolutely not!"
His hands were flailing wildly in the air.
"Meijuan, you're mine! No one can take you away!"
Liu Meijuan's lips curled up almost imperceptibly, then quickly returned to her pitiful expression.
"Then what do you suggest we do? My dad said... he said if we don't hear anything again this month, he'll..."
Give me three more days!
Su Mingde was so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead. His right hand unconsciously reached out towards Liu Meijuan, but he stopped abruptly in mid-air and awkwardly withdrew it.
"I'll definitely raise the bride price within three days! I... I can borrow it, I can..."
Liu Meijuan suddenly raised her head, her eyes shining with hope.
"real?"
She leaned forward slightly, bringing her face even closer to Su Mingde.
Su Mingde froze on the spot as if he had been frozen in place, even holding his breath.
"I...I swear!"
His voice trembled.
"If I go back on my word, then I'll..."
Liu Meijuan suddenly made a gesture to stop him, touching his lips with her outstretched finger.
This gesture already made Su Mingde feel flattered and overwhelmed.
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Her voice was as soft as a feather.
"I trust you."
Su Mingde's eyes lit up, and he tentatively took half a step forward.
"Meijuan...you're so good to me..."
Liu Meijuan lowered her head shyly, a gesture that caused the curls at her temples to fall down, gleaming softly under the light.
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