"The principles of everything in this world are actually the same, such as puppy love and fishing."
"Yes, you're right."
What the hell are you talking about, buddy?
No, your topic change was way too abrupt.
After silently complaining to herself, Chen Bing took the initiative to say, "Both of them are too hasty and need to seize the right opportunity."
Although he spoke with great righteousness, this was actually what Chen Bing thought in his heart.
When I said to seize the opportunity, I was referring to puppy love, not dating. So, puppy love is something that only happens during a specific age group. If you don't seize the opportunity, you'll miss out on the chance to enjoy a sweet, innocent romance during your beautiful youth.
Chen Bing figured it out. Uncle Shang had probably called him out alone today because he felt that he had been spending too much time with Xiao Shang lately. So, given his intolerant nature, he wouldn't object to him developing a friendship with Shang Yunmiao and studying and living together normally, but if any romantic feelings started to develop between them, he couldn't help but step in to stop it.
In order to protect his hard-won classmate Xiao Shang, Chen Bing decided that no matter what the other party said today, he would grit his teeth and not give in, and would never agree to the nonsense of "keeping our distance first and getting together after entering university".
Sensing the underlying meaning in Chen Bing's words, Shang Zhengxin didn't explicitly point it out. He first glanced at the calm lake surface, then continued, "I remember Xiaoxuan and I met after we graduated and started working. She had just started working as a teacher at Baishi No. 1 Middle School. I, on the other hand, was working at the town government." He paused here, then turned to Chen Bing and asked, "How do you think we met?"
Not knowing why the other person was talking about these things or what their intentions were, Chen Bing didn't dare to reply easily. He just stared silently at his fishing rod, without saying a word.
Perhaps Shang Zhengxin never intended to wait for Chen Bing's reply. Not long after, he said to himself, "We actually met through a matchmaker. At that time, I was almost thirty years old and still didn't have a partner. Although my conditions were okay, I had been on so many blind dates but I didn't like any of them."
My parents are worried. I'm the youngest in the family; all my other siblings are married. Since they're retired and don't have much to do, they often ask around to see if there are any eligible single women.
Then, as the questions went on, they eventually reached Xiaoxuan. I remember the first time we met was at the matchmaker's house. I still had some work to finish at work and wanted to work overtime, but my mom insisted on giving me two hens she bought from the market and made me go.
I had no choice but to go. I didn't really put in any effort, just wearing the same blue shirt I'd worn yesterday. It was the middle of summer, and there was no air conditioning. After a busy day, I was sweating a lot, and you could smell a strange odor if you got close. I was just planning to give them a perfunctory chat, say a few words, and then head back to work.
Then, I pedaled my old bicycle under the blazing sun, pedaling furiously until I was drenched in sweat, and arrived at the matchmaker's house. The matchmaker was Xiaoxuan's aunt, a former colleague of my mother's. I'd seen her often since I was little, and I was used to calling her "Auntie." As soon as I entered the yard, I shouted loudly from outside, "Auntie! My mom told me to come see you!"
That was said in our local dialect, so you can imagine how rustic it must sound.
I wasn't thinking much at the time. When I heard my aunt respond from inside, I grabbed a hen in each hand and pushed the door open.
It was really hot outside, but really cool inside. One of those old-fashioned, big table fans stood next to the table, creaking and groaning, the air they blew carrying a pleasant fragrance. I wondered, where was that nice smell coming from? I looked in the direction the wind was blowing and saw Xiaoxuan sitting there.
The wind blew past her side, making her hair and clothes flutter slightly, making her look as beautiful as a movie star.
She was wearing all white, holding a large palm-leaf fan in her hand, gently fanning herself with it. Only her eyes and the hair hanging over them were visible. I think she was even secretly smiling, her eyebrows gently arched; she looked incredibly beautiful. She was truly beautiful then, unbelievably beautiful, and she smelled wonderful.
Later I found out that the aroma wasn't from her; it was from a pot of old hen soup my aunt had stewed for lunch. I hadn't eaten lunch and had been cycling for a while, so I was hungry. When I walked in and smelled the chicken soup, I instinctively thought it smelled delicious. But when I saw Xiaoxuan's face, I was completely stunned. I couldn't even smell the food; I thought it was her scent.
Anyway, I was completely captivated by her at that time, so much so that I couldn't move my legs and didn't know what to do next.
When I came to my senses, I was filled with regret, blaming myself for coming dressed like that. I hadn't washed my hair, hadn't shaved, and my clothes smelled of sweat.
Those few hours sitting there were the most unbearable of my life, second only to the first time I went to Xiaoxuan's house to meet her parents. I wanted to stay with her a little longer, but I also wanted to leave as soon as possible so she wouldn't smell my odor. I was especially afraid that when the fan blew on me, it would transfer my smell to Xiaoxuan. At the same time, I was also worried that I wouldn't sweat anymore, or the smell would become even stronger.
The more I thought about it, the more nervous I became, and the more sweat poured down my body, but I didn't dare sit in front of the fan...
Haha, looking back now, I was such a pig-brain back then, always hesitating and overthinking. I was such a complete idiot.
Just as I was lost in thought, Xiaoxuan asked me if I wanted a palm leaf fan. I was completely stunned, only thinking about how nice her voice was, and I didn't know how to reply. Then she took the initiative to fan me.
Little Chen, I'm not lying to you. When I was young, I was quite handsome and clever, probably good at winning girls' hearts. But for some reason, I just couldn't get the hang of things in front of your Aunt Xuan.
I was inwardly mocking myself, thinking that they probably thought I was an idiot for not knowing how to blow air, which is why they were fanning me.
After leaving that day, I was filled with regret, thinking I had no chance. But then my aunt asked me later what I thought of Xiaoxuan and if I wanted to see her again. Of course I wanted to, and I immediately said yes. And eventually, I did see her again.
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