There is no black market on the island and there are few people. The fruits and vegetables in Wang Shuning's space have not been picked for several weeks. Fortunately, he made a lot of money when he was in Dafeng Village, so now he doesn't have to worry about money at all.
Chop off the leaves of the white radish and wash off the dirt with water. The flesh will be as white as jade, very smooth and without any holes.
I have to say that when Chen Yan was sowing the seeds, the white radish seeds she bought were of very good quality.
Ding Hui stuck her butt to the bench and didn't plan to leave. "Teacher Wang, I came to see you today for something serious."
Wang Shuning was puzzled: "What's the matter?"
"You know I work in the Women's Committee. We are holding a social gathering on the island this week." Ding Hui leaned forward in front of Wang Shuning, her pupils sparkling.
The corners of Wang Shuning's mouth went numb instantly. Isn't that just a blind date?
"Jinshan Island is surrounded by the sea, and usually no outsiders come here. There are not only many unmarried girls on the island, but also countless young talents in the army who are not married. So the leaders assigned a task to our Women's Committee to hold a social gathering. Anyone who is of the right age and not engaged can participate. When I heard this, I immediately thought of you."
Wang Shuning smiled and said, I really hope you don’t think about me.
"You are nineteen years old this year, it is a good time to find a partner. There are still many unmarried platoon leaders and company commanders in the island's troops. I will introduce them to you at the social gathering. If you like any of them, Aunt Ding will help you to introduce them. I guarantee that you will marry well and live a happy life in the future."
Wang Shuning smiled gently and shook her head to refuse: "Aunt Ding, I'm shy, and places like social gatherings are not suitable for me. I'd better not go."
Aunt Ding held her hand and said, "If you are shy, there will be no cheerful girls in the whole Jinshan Island. Listen to what I tell you, girls should get married when they grow up. If you wait too long and wait until you are over 20 years old, you will only have the men left over by others to choose from, and there will be no good ones left."
"It takes several years for the island's troops to get a new batch of recruits. If you miss this social gathering, you won't be able to find a better one next year."
Wang Shuning pulled his sleeves back and said, "Aunt Ding, actually my mother sent me a letter today. She also told me about my partner. My family has a strict requirement that my partner must be a local in Beijing so that I can go back to my parents' home during the New Year holiday."
Ding Hui stamped her feet, her face full of joy, "This is just a coincidence, there is a company commander in the island's army whose hometown is Beijing, he is 24 years old this year, and he is getting married for the first time. I think you two are a perfect match. He is also at this social gathering, you should take a good look at him."
Wang Shuning's eyebrows twitched. How could it be such a coincidence that this young company commander's hometown was in Beijing?
"Aunt Ding, you see, I have classes every day of the week. It's not easy to ask for leave when I just started working at school. I'm also very busy preparing for classes. I really don't have the free time to attend."
Ding Hui: "The Women's Committee has already considered this and arranged the social gathering on the weekend, which is a good time for you to rest at home instead of going to work."
…
Seeing Wang Shuning not speaking and looking a little strange, Ding Hui frowned, "You don't want to find a partner, do you?"
Wang Shuning nodded his chin shyly, "I have no plans to get married for the time being."
Ding Hui had a headache. She had no plans to get married, so she lowered her tone and said, "There are indeed many girls of marriageable age on the island, but there are not many who are as educated, good-looking, and have a good job as you. Several colleagues in the office have quotas on their backs. You can do me a favor and spend two hours eating and drinking. If you meet someone you like, you can talk to her. If not, it's not a loss to eat for free."
Wang Shuning was in a dilemma. There would surely be a lot of people at the social gathering, and if someone came to him he couldn't just yell at them to leave. He would have to have a few words with them, which was a bit awkward.
On a nice weekend, why not rest at home or go for a walk on the beach to enjoy the scenery? How can you not socialize if you squeeze into a crowd?
"Teacher Wang, you have only been on the island for a short time and don't know many people. There is nothing wrong with taking this opportunity to get to know more people of your age."
Ding Hui kept talking, and her look of determination to not give up until she achieved her goal made it difficult for Wang Shuning to refuse.
They are our neighbors, we see each other every day, so it’s not good to embarrass them.
"Okay, tell me the time and place, and I'll go over and take a look." Wang Shuning agreed reluctantly.
Ding Hui's face was full of joy. "Okay, let's meet at 10:30 this Sunday morning. We can chat for an hour and have lunch. It's in the reception room behind the small square next to the Women's Committee office. Have you been there? It's right there."
Fearing that Ding Hui would take him there, Wang Shuning nodded quickly, "I know. I saw that place when I was walking on the street to digest my food. I know the way there."
I don’t know if there are many tables. It would be so uncomfortable to eat at the same table with a man I don’t know.
"Okay, you go do your thing. I have to run to the next house. There will be a lot of people on the day of the social gathering." Ding Hui stood up and walked out with a basket of white radishes, singing softly. Teacher Wang is worth several people.
Early in the morning of the social gathering, when Ding Hui left home for the Women's Committee, she specifically reminded Wang Shuning not to forget the past. At that time, Wang Shuning was still lying in bed dreaming.
When it was half past eight, Wang Shuning got up only when the sun reached the top of the cabinet on the second floor.
I slowly washed my face, brushed my teeth, and ate breakfast. I picked out a clean and neat set of clothes and went out at exactly ten o'clock. When I arrived at the place, it was only three minutes to half past ten.
Wang Shuning met two men in military uniforms at the door. One of them pushed the door open and stepped aside to let Wang Shuning go in first.
Even if we cannot clearly tell the family background and character of those trained with the help of the state, at least they will not have problems with politeness and major issues of right and wrong.
Military marriages are secure. You can travel on business trips with a group of grown men for years without having to worry about affairs. Once ideological and moral problems arise, the military leaders will be the first to disagree and will directly cut off your future. Most people cannot afford to take this risk.
After entering, all I saw were men and women. The men were wearing uniform military uniforms, while the women wore clothes of many colors, including bright red, yellow, and blue, as well as dull and simple white and gray. Most of them wore skirts, and few wore pants and long shirts like Wang Shuning.
I casually picked up a glass of water and found an empty seat to sit down, secretly glancing at the man and woman talking in the middle, just watching the show and listening to the fun.
These people didn't know each other before the social gathering, and when they were suddenly gathered together, they felt both awkward and eager to strike up a conversation.
Ding Hui walked towards Wang Shuning with a man in a blue military uniform. "It's a great fortune that you two fellow villagers met on Jinshan Island. Get to know each other."
Wang Shuning looked up at the two of them. This one was the 24-year-old Beijing native who looked extremely dark.
"This is Liao Tingming, Captain Liao."
"This is Wang Shuning, Teacher Wang, who was just transferred here from City D. She is also Qiang and Lili's math teacher."
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