After the meal, Song Yan got up to leave. Wen's mother said, "Tomorrow is a holiday. Song Yan, why don't you take Ruan Ruan out for a walk again? She's been cooped up at home every day. I'm worried she'll get bored. I wanted to put a job for her at the steel factory, but she absolutely refuses to go." Wen's mother shook her head helplessly.
“Ruan Ruan, Yu Wei said the other day that ‘The Dawns Here Are Quiet’ is showing in the cinema, and that it’s pretty good. Do you want to go see it together?” Song Yan asked casually.
Wen Ruan didn't really want to have too much contact with the male lead. She always kept in mind that even if the male lead wasn't the female lead's, he absolutely couldn't be her, the "self-destructive female supporting character."
Although Wen Ruan wouldn't do anything reckless, in the original story, the male lead was incredibly charming and attracted a lot of attention, and she didn't want to be bothered with dealing with those things.
However, one by one, they all insist on pairing themselves up with the male lead. It's unclear what the male lead is thinking. He seems to be cooperating with both sets of parents and doesn't dare to break his own persona, which is quite frustrating.
Seeing the expectant looks in Wen's mother and Song Yan's eyes, Wen Ruan could only nod helplessly and agree to wait for Song Yan early the next morning.
The next morning, Song Yan arrived at the Wen family home and picked up Wen Ruan early.
After having breakfast at the state-run restaurant, Song Yan asked, "The movie tickets are for 2 PM, so there's still some time. Is there anywhere you'd like to go?"
Wen Ruan was speechless. Why did they pick me up so early in the morning when I had an afternoon ticket? Do you know how painful it is to get up early for someone who is used to being idle? Wen Ruan screamed inwardly.
"Anything is fine, Brother Song Yan. I'm happy no matter what I do with you," Wen Ruan said, feigning shyness.
Song Yan's ears turned bright red instantly, and he stood up abruptly.
"I just saw some soft drinks for sale outside, I'm going to buy two bottles." After saying that, she quickly walked out of the state-run restaurant.
Wen Ruan covered her mouth and chuckled. Boys in this era are really simple and honest, and they seem very easy to tease. The male lead was just too cute.
After finishing their soda, the two decided to go for a stroll in the park.
Wen Ruan wanted to try the boating activity in the park.
After Song Yan borrowed the boat equipment from the administrator, the two began to board the boat.
However, once on board, Wen Ruan couldn't help but regret it. The boat was about three meters long and could only accommodate two people normally.
However, Song Yan, who is nearly 1.9 meters tall, had a bit of a problem with his long legs on the boat. The safety officer next to them seemed to notice their awkwardness and offered to give them some guidance.
"The boy spreads his legs apart, and the girl puts her legs in the middle. That's how they sit properly."
Following the safety officer's instructions, the two finally took their seats on the boat.
Song Yan gently pushed the boat forward, gliding it across the lake. Because of the crowded boat, the two had to sit leg to leg, and their clothes inevitably rubbed against each other. Wen Ruan could even feel the warmth emanating from his thigh.
This was nothing to Wen Ruan, as she had seen all sorts of educational films in modern times.
However, Song Yan seemed a little uncomfortable. Hot sweat rolled down his forehead quickly. It was unclear whether it was due to the hot weather or his own nervousness. His white shirt was soaked with sweat, which showed off his good figure.
Wen Ruan sat opposite him, and could almost see the sweat rolling down his muscles, which made her a little stunned.
Suddenly, the boat rocked, and Song Yan instantly pulled Wen Ruan into his arms.
Wen Ruan could even smell the soap scent on Song Yan's clothes, and hear his heart pounding.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm not very good at rowing, I accidentally bumped into you." A man and a woman were sitting on a boat next to them, and the man spoke up. The woman also looked embarrassed.
Wen Ruan quickly pushed Song Yan away, her face flushed, and replied hastily, "It's alright."
The atmosphere between the two became somewhat awkward afterward.
"Ahhh, Comrade Wen Xiaoruan, you must remember that you are the female supporting character, and the person opposite you is the male lead. No matter how good he is, he will be someone else's man in the future. Don't let male beauty cloud your judgment!" Wen Ruan shouted in her heart.
The two rowed the boat for a while, then strolled around the park in silence.
Song Yan is a man of few words, and he rarely speaks unless someone initiates a conversation with him.
In addition, every time he tried to say something to Wen Ruan, her face seemed to say, "Don't talk to me, I'm a cold and aloof queen." Song Yan was even more at a loss for words.
Fortunately, the park is beautiful, with willows swaying in the breeze, blue skies reflecting the clouds, and lush grass, making it a truly enchanting place.
The two seemed to share an unspoken understanding, a harmonious and compatible bond.
At noon, Song Yan did not take Wen Ruan to the state-run restaurant. Instead, he led her through a maze of streets until they reached a deep alley.
Song Yan first knocked on the door three times, paused for a few seconds, and then knocked five more times.
A woman in her forties emerged from the crowd. She was dressed neatly and smartly, with bright eyes, and she looked delighted to see Song Yan.
Are there any seats available?
The woman pointed inside.
Song Yan led Wen Ruan into the courtyard. The courtyard was large and very clean, and the guests were focused on the food in front of their tables.
It turns out this is a privately-run restaurant!
Wen Ruan was very curious about how Song Yan discovered this place.
Song Yan ordered a braised pork, shredded pork with sweet bean sauce, old duck soup, and two bowls of noodles with soybean paste.
He said to Wen Ruan, "I ordered the owner's specialty dish, you can try it later."
"The woman who just appeared is the proprietress. She has some language difficulties. Her husband is a chef who has difficulty walking. They are a pitiful couple. I met her after helping her once on the street."
Wen Ruan nodded.
The food arrived quickly, and as expected of their signature dishes, the taste was excellent. The noodles with soybean paste were made with high-quality wheat flour, giving them a chewy and springy texture. The braised pork belly was a vibrant red and glossy, with firm, firm meat. The shredded pork with sweet bean sauce was another highlight, a classic Beijing dish, and paired with a bowl of old duck soup, it was incredibly refreshing.
This meal was probably the most comfortable one Wen Ruan had eaten since coming to this era. Her mother's cooking skills were only so-so. She hadn't eaten this much in a long time. In the past, she always strictly adhered to eating until she was 70% full to control her figure and never let herself eat too much.
Compared to usual, even though Wen Ruan could eat a lot, she still left half a bowl of noodles with soybean paste. You know, people in this era valued thrift and cherished food, but touching her bulging belly, she suddenly felt embarrassed.
Song Yan had a large appetite and quickly finished his food. Seeing Wen Ruan's predicament, he naturally took the leftover noodles with soybean paste and began to gulp them down.
His face was as calm as still water; if Wen Ruan hadn't noticed his reddened earlobes, she would have almost been fooled.
Wen Ruan also felt embarrassed, but seeing Song Yan like this, she couldn't help but want to tease him.
“Hey, Brother Song Yan, that’s the one I ate.”
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