During dinner time, the state-run restaurant was bustling with people.
Compared to other cities, Beijing was among the most advanced in terms of consumption at that time, and it was not uncommon for groups of three to five employees to meet up for dinner after work.
Li Shuhe ordered four dishes in one go, which made Xu Ruantang gasp in surprise.
If she were to go out to eat with Li Shuhe, she would definitely advise her to at least cut one dish.
Shen Qingwen smiled throughout, serving her tea and water without complaint.
“I’ve ordered, Comrade Shen, what would you like to eat?” Li Shuhe looked up and asked him.
Shen Qingwen pushed up his glasses. "That's all, I won't order anymore."
Xu Ruantang wondered if he would say he didn't order any food when it came time to pay the bill, so he wouldn't have to pay?
While waiting for their food, the two chatted.
Shen Qingwen is not from Beijing; his hometown is in the Northwest. He was admitted to a university in Beijing.
He is 23 years old and works in a research institute, which also provided him with an apartment.
Shen Qingwen's superiors felt that this young man was diligent and down-to-earth, without the impetuousness often associated with Beijing natives. He was also humble and low-key, so they often took the initiative to promote him and have him accompany them to meet various leaders.
After meeting with Mr. Li a few times, Mr. Li gradually took notice of the young man.
So after making some inquiries, the two hit it off immediately, and the blind date was arranged.
Father Li did not want his daughter to marry a rough soldier like himself. Scientific researchers were the country's treasures and relatively more stable.
He didn't care about family background; he believed the child himself was more important. He even thought that someone like Shen Qingwen, who had struggled his way up from a poor background, was more outstanding and ambitious.
Influenced by her family education, Li Shuhe does not care about her background; otherwise, she would not have become good friends with Xu Ruantang.
After the meal, Shen Qingwen readily paid the bill without any reluctance.
He would eat less of the dishes that Li Shuhe liked, and he would finish the dishes that Li Shuhe ordered but he didn't like.
All four dishes were eaten cleanly, with not a single dish wasted.
Not only was Li Shuhe satisfied, but Xu Ruantang, sitting to the side watching, also felt that this person was not bad.
His refined gentlemanly manners were not feigned; they stemmed from an innate humility. He was even willing to yield to Li Shuhe and refrain from criticizing her for being wasteful.
This kind of man has surpassed many men.
Li Shuhe talked to him about topics he couldn't understand, such as piano playing techniques, band arrangements, or girls' skirts.
Although Shen Qingwen didn't understand much, he still listened politely with a smile, without interrupting her or showing off his work.
In the short time it took to eat a meal, Li Shuhe spoke to him in a soft and gentle voice.
Xu Ruantang noticed that the voice sounded different from usual, and she couldn't help but chuckle to herself.
As dusk was just beginning to fall, the two decided to take a walk and drop Li Shuhe off at the compound, where they could talk about life and their ideals along the way.
As they approached the restaurant entrance, before Shen Qingwen noticed, Li Shuhe turned around and made a hand gesture to her, to which Xu Ruantang responded with an "OK" gesture.
After they left, Xu Ruantang walked out of the state-run restaurant, intending to find a shop to buy an ice cream.
Her period wasn't over yet, but the one she missed last time remained a regret in her heart, and she kept trying to find a way to make up for it.
It's almost over anyway, so it shouldn't be a problem to sneak a bite.
After walking a little further, a large crowd gathered in front of the store, and Xu Ruantang couldn't squeeze in to buy ice cream.
The sound of arguing could be heard from the crowd.
"Who says I don't have evidence? I've kept track of every penny I lent you, and you even signed the IOUs yourself. You've forgotten about it so quickly?"
The woman's voice was calm and didn't sound like she was arguing at all.
Xu Ruantang couldn't buy any ice cream, and she was so full from eating a large plate of dumplings that she decided to squeeze into the crowd and watch the excitement to help her digest.
A greasy male voice came: "Xiuxiu, stop messing around. Where am I going to find so much money? A lot of tickets are unusable now, so you won't need them."
Besides, you told me I didn't have to pay it back. And this old bicycle, lend it to me first, I'm getting engaged in a couple of days, I need it."
Xu Ruantang squeezed her way to the front row, but was glared at by someone in the middle. She said, "Excuse me, my sister is inside. I'll go see her."
She made up an excuse, but when she squeezed in, she discovered that she actually knew the woman arguing.
It was Wang Xiuxiu, who had fallen and hit her head and had been in the hospital for a long time.
Wang Xiuxiu was even thinner than the last time they brushed past each other in the hospital restroom; the flesh on her chin was gone.
Moreover, although her clothes weren't cheap before, they were dirty and smelly. Now, they're simple and plain, but she looks clean and fresh, without any strange odor.
With her hair simply tied into two braids hanging down her chest, Wang Xiuxiu looked at the man opposite her with a cold smile and said, "You are really shameless. I am a military dependent, and you are about to get married. We are both married people. Do you think we are that close?"
"I lent you money and tickets before because we're from the same hometown. And this old bicycle, didn't you just forcibly take it from me?"
As she spoke, she put on a tearful face and said to everyone, "Everyone, be the judge. I am just a woman. Seeing my fellow villager living such a pitiful life, I thought of lending him some money and coupons. I never expected that this man would be so heartless as to say that I gave them to him."
“I have a husband and children. What would it be like to give them to him? My husband is a soldier. What would he think if he knew I was being smeared like this?”
Xu Ruantang: "......"
This is definitely not the Wang Xiuxiu who snatched things from children, made unreasonable demands, and even threw her own son off the balcony.
But this face belongs to Wang Xiuxiu.
Is it really that amazing? Two time travelers in one book.
Xu Ruantang stood calmly to the side, with no intention of revealing herself; one should always be wary of others.
"Pay back the money! It's shameful for a grown man to bully a woman from your own village!"
"Yes, they meant well, but in the end they were fed to the dogs."
"No, even a dog will wag its tail when fed this, but this man will only bite back."
"That's right, that's right! Pay them back right now! How can you bully military families? Who gave you the guts?!"
Wang Xiuxiu stood in the center of the crowd, coldly looking at the man being criticized by everyone, her eyes full of sarcasm.
The man was surprised that she had suddenly become so capable; her mind had never been so clear before, as if she had suddenly become enlightened.
His face turned pale and then red, and finally he stopped the bicycle in place and said to Wang Xiuxiu, "Okay, I'll leave the bicycle to you for now. I don't have that much money on me right now, but I'll raise some for you when I get back."
He still needs to get engaged, so where would he get the money to give Wang Xiuxiu?
If he gives himself to Wang Xiuxiu, how can he marry the factory beauty?
This fat woman, I used to be able to coax her with just a few words, but now she's so difficult to deal with.
After he finished speaking, he walked out of the crowd without waiting for Wang Xiuxiu's response.
As the man passed by Xu Ruantang, he suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground.
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