After finalizing the details with Aunt Qin a few times, Ji Shuyu threw herself into preparing for the research institute.
Some items could be found in the points mall at better prices than outside.
Time flew by, and soon it was the day of Zhao Qiang and Xiao Xin’s blind date.
Ji Shuyu hadn’t planned on going, but Xiao Xin insisted, saying that Xiao Zhang was busy with work and couldn’t make time, so she dragged Ji Shuyu along.
It was clear that Xiao Xin was very nervous and didn’t dare to go alone without someone accompanying her.
Ji Shuyu had no choice but to go with her.
Zhao Qiang had woken up early that morning, repeatedly ironing his military uniform until it was crisp, and polishing his collar and cuffs until they shone.
He even applied a bit of hair oil, combing his hair so neatly that it was almost slick enough to make a fly slip.
He checked himself in the mirror over and over, his palms sweating nervously, and kept asking his roommate, “Bro, do I look okay? Is my hair messy? Is my collar straight?”
His roommate, annoyed by the questions, laughed and scolded, “Alright, alright, you’re almost putting on a performance for the cultural troupe! You look plenty sharp! If you keep this up, the girl will think you’re going to a military parade!”
Zhao Qiang chuckled sheepishly, but his heart was still racing anxiously.
He carefully held the bouquet of fresh flowers in his hands, looking even more nervous than when handling a gun.
The meeting place was under the large banyan tree next of the island supply and marketing cooperative, where there was a bench to sit on so they wouldn’t have to stand the whole time.
Zhao Qiang arrived half an hour early, pacing back and forth, occasionally craning his neck to glance toward the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative.
Finally, at the agreed time, he saw a girl walking out of the cooperative.
Xiao Xin was dressed in a simple plaid shirt, her hair styled into two glossy braids. She kept her head down and walked with small, hesitant steps.
Ji Shuyu tactfully moved to the side, staying far away from the two, but her presence still gave Xiao Xin a bit of courage.
Zhao Qiang took a deep breath and hurried over to greet her. In his nervousness, he almost moved his same-side arm and leg together.
“Uh… uh… Comrade Xiao Xin! Hello! I’m Zhao Qiang!”
His voice was as loud as a shout, startling even himself. He quickly lowered his volume, his face turning bright red.
Xiao Xin was also startled by his loud voice and glanced up briefly.
When she saw Zhao Qiang’s tall, straight figure and the beautiful bouquet of flowers in his hand, her face flushed instantly.
She quickly lowered her head again, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s. “H-hello, Comrade Zhao Qiang.”
After exchanging greetings, the two fell into an awkward silence.
They stared at each other, neither knowing what to say next.
Zhao Qiang was so anxious he was almost sweating, desperately trying to recall what He Yuan had taught him: “Take the initiative, find topics, ask her what she likes.”
He quickly handed her the flowers, stammering, “H-here, these are for you! I hope you like them!”
Xiao Xin’s eyes lit up with a flicker of delight at the sight of the vibrant bouquet. Softly, she said, “Thank you, they’re very beautiful.”
She took the flowers, gently sniffed them, and a faint smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.
She hadn’t expected Zhao Qiang, who seemed so rough and tough, to be so thoughtful.
Seeing her smile, Zhao Qiang felt a bit more at ease and quickly tried to keep the conversation going.
“W-well, let’s not just stand here. I heard there’s a new snack stall at the east end of the island—they say it’s pretty good. Would you like to go try it?”
Xiao Xin nodded gently. “Okay.”
Along the way, it was mostly Zhao Qiang racking his brains to keep the conversation going.
Xiao Xin was exactly as He Yuan had described—soft-spoken and very shy.
Zhao Qiang talked about everything from the island’s weather to military training, and from training to how impressive his boss’s wife, Ji Shuyu, was.
Xiao Xin listened quietly, occasionally nodding or responding in a soft voice.
It wasn’t until Ji Shuyu was mentioned that Xiao Xin’s expression showed a hint of something more.
At first, Zhao Qiang was worried he might be too chatty.
But gradually, he noticed that although Xiao Xin didn’t say much, she listened attentively, her eyes bright and sincere when she looked at him.
Moreover, she was very considerate. When Zhao Qiang talked until his mouth was dry, she quietly handed him the water bottle she had brought.
When they passed uneven ground, she would softly remind him to watch his step.
When they reached the snack stall, Zhao Qiang eagerly ordered one of everything, covering the entire table with food.
Xiao Xin looked at the spread and whispered, “Th-that’s too much… we won’t be able to finish it.”
Zhao Qiang waved his hand cheerfully. “No problem! If we can’t finish, I’ll take care of it! Try whatever looks good to you!”
Ji Shuyu, who had followed them, saw this scene and thought the chances of this working out were quite high.
A man who willingly pays is always likable.
Besides, Xiao Xin didn’t seem as tense anymore.
During the meal, Zhao Qiang became more talkative.
He realized that as long as he didn’t ask questions that required lengthy answers, Xiao Xin would slowly say a few words in response.
For example, when he asked if her job at the supply and marketing cooperative was tiring, she replied softly, “It’s alright, just a bit busy during inventory.”
When he complimented her on how nice her braids looked, the tips of Xiao Xin’s ears turned red, and she murmured, “I just did them casually.”
By the end of the meal, although Zhao Qiang still did most of the talking, the atmosphere had become much more relaxed.
On the way back, the sunset stretched their shadows long.
Zhao Qiang thought to himself that although this girl wasn’t much of a talker, she was quiet and thoughtful—clearly someone who knew how to live a steady life.
Summoning his courage, he asked, “Comrade Xiao Xin, can we… meet again sometime?”
Xiao Xin lowered her head, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes. After a moment, she replied in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s, “Y-yes, we can.”
Those few words made Zhao Qiang’s heart leap with joy, and he nearly jumped for excitement.
He walked Xiao Xin home, waited until she entered the house, and then ran back to the military base with a goofy grin plastered on his face.
“Hey, Zhao Qiang, you’re all smiles! What’s up? Did the blind date go well today?”
A roommate in the dorm, who was reading a book, teased him when he saw Zhao Qiang’s expression. Zhao Qiang raised an eyebrow slightly and said, “Of course! The girl said we can meet again in the future.”
Not refusing meant there was a chance, right?
If he took it step by step, he was sure to succeed.
“Looks like our boss’s wife is quite the matchmaker! If you succeed, I want her help too.”
Out of everyone in the dorm, nine out of ten were single.
“Pfft, you really think our sister-in-law is a matchmaker? This one is mine—I’m going to make it work.”
Zhao Qiang’s tone was so smug it was almost irritating. His roommate couldn’t hold back and playfully shoved him.
You brat, you haven’t even succeeded yet, and you’re already gloating!
The next day, while Ji Shuyu was at home, Xiao Xin came over early in the morning.
“Sister Shuyu.”
“Xiao Xin? What’s up?”
Ji Shuyu invited her in and noticed Xiao Xin blushing as she handed her something.
“Yesterday, when I went out with Zhao Qiang, I noticed his shoes were a bit worn out. These are newly made—I originally intended them for my dad. Could you ask Regiment Commander He to pass them to him?”
Hearing this, He Yuan, who had been eating inside, came out.
That brat Zhao Qiang is something else—just one day, and he’s already got the girl giving him gifts.
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