"I understand," Chen Lishu said. "Thank you, Uncle."
Seeing her smiling face, so different from the shrewd demeanor she had when negotiating with him earlier, Chen Guoping wasn't upset. Chen Lishu understood propriety and knew when to advance or retreat. If she had come to him directly asking for help, he wouldn't have assisted and would have felt annoyed.
"Your teacher called me a couple of days ago and mentioned you. Go visit them when you have time."
After chatting for a few more moments, Chen Lishu took her leave. Chen Guoping's workplace wasn't far from the experimental middle school where Zhang Xue taught. She hadn't been in touch with Zhang Xue for a while, having been busy with the branch store and then traveling to Kyoto. It was a good opportunity to visit her.
Zhang Xue had just finished teaching a class and returned to her office, picking up her enamel mug from the desk and taking large gulps of water. A teacher from the same department kindly reminded her, "Xiao Zhang, slow down, be careful not to choke."
After finishing the water, Zhang Xue felt her burning throat ease slightly. "Teacher Liu had something to attend to today and asked me to cover a class. I taught two classes back-to-back without a break. Plus, some students were being mischievous, making my throat feel like it was on fire."
Another teacher chimed in, "You don't know how hard teaching is until you do it. Look at these students, with the final exams approaching, they're so unhurried, while we teachers are more anxious than they are."
"Oh, Xiao Zhang, when are you planning to have your wedding?"
Zhang Xue sighed, "I had hoped my fiancé would be free during this time, but with the final exams coming up, I'll wait until the summer break."
"Teacher Zhang, someone is looking for you."
As they were talking, a teacher pushed open the door and called out. Zhang Xue turned and saw Chen Lishu standing at the doorway. She immediately got up happily to greet her. "What brings you here today?"
Chen Lishu replied, "A southeast wind."
Zhang Xue happily linked arms with her, "It's almost lunchtime, come, I'll take you to our staff cafeteria."
Chen Lishu playfully protested, "You're taking me to the cafeteria when I've come to visit?"
"It's good enough that there's food, don't be picky." They walked downstairs together. "Haven't you noticed I've lost weight recently? As a salary earner, making money isn't easy, please be understanding."
"How are you and Li Weimin doing? How's the wedding preparation going? Don't say I'm not being considerate; give me your measurements and your fiancé's, and I'll cover your wedding attire."
"He doesn't need any, he said he'll wear his military uniform."
Chen Lishu nodded, "That's perfect, saving one expense."
Zhang Xue quickly added, "No, no, just use that saved expense and make two outfits for me, so I can change them."
Chen Lishu laughed, "You wish!"
Meanwhile, Li Weimin and Wang Dazhu were also discussing the wedding.
"Ah, time flies so fast. I remember we're about the same age, and my brother is about to get married. The only thing I worry about is you."
Wang Dazhu remained silent.
Li Weimin finished his beer and poured himself another glass. "When everyone talks privately, they often mention you. When we first heard you were working with sister-in-law, everyone was so envious."
Wang Dazhu asked, "Envious of what?"
"Although you're not much to look at, simple people have simple luck. You have food, lodging, and a good salary. Most importantly, your store is always full of beautiful women. It should be a case of proximity yielding favor, right? But look at that, you were snatched up by your brother here first."
Even though Wang Dazhu wasn't the sharpest, if he couldn't see it now, he truly would be foolish. This guy was clearly here to brag.
Li Weimin continued, "Brother, you need to put in some effort too. Don't wait until your nephew is old enough to run errands before you consider getting married."
Wang Dazhu retorted, "How do you know I haven't?"
Li Weimin's hand paused mid-air as he raised his cup, as if he'd heard something incredible. His eyes lit up, "Really? Tell me quickly, what does sister-in-law look like, and where is she from?"
Wang Dazhu scratched his head. Thinking of the person in his heart, he surprisingly felt a bit shy. "In my heart, no one is more beautiful than her."
Li Weimin was speechless. It seemed a tough nut to crack, indeed.
"Oh, you've met her before too. Her name is Wang Aixiang. She used to be at the store all the time, but she's been transferred to the branch store now."
Li Weimin thought carefully and recalled having some impression. When he visited the store to find Wang Dazhu before, he did see a very straightforward female comrade.
"You're quite something, kid," Li Weimin said, pouring full glasses for both of them. "Come, let's toast." Wang Dazhu picked up his glass. After clinking glasses, they drank it all down.
"Her family situation is a bit complicated," Wang Dazhu had been worrying about it recently and decided to seize the opportunity to tell Li Weimin about it. After all, two heads are better than one, and perhaps he might have a good suggestion.
After listening to his account, Li Weimin smacked his lips. "Dazhu, what are your thoughts?"
"She's actually tough on the outside but soft on the inside. For so many years, it hasn't been easy for a woman to raise a child and care for the elderly. I don't know how to say anything nice, but I just want to take care of her, the mother and child, and help her carry some of the burden."
Li Weimin mused, "From what you're saying, given her personality, if she can't get past the child and the elderly, this matter might be quite difficult."
Wang Dazhu lowered his head and took another drink.
Li Weimin then added, "However, it's not an insurmountable problem."
Wang Dazhu grabbed Li Weimin's hand like a drowning man catching a life raft. "Old Li, my future happiness depends entirely on you now."
Li Weimin shivered and swore, "Can you please stop looking at me with that disgusting expression?"
Wang Dazhu punched him lightly, "Hurry up and tell me, or I won't let you rest even as a ghost."
"Let me tell you, my relationship with my partner wasn't all smooth sailing either. At first, her parents strongly objected. You should have seen their stance; they kicked me out when I went to visit during Chinese New Year."
Wang Dazhu sat up straighter. "Then what?"
"I have to thank our company commander for this. If he hadn't given me pointers, I might still be wallowing in self-pity."
Wang Dazhu raised his eyebrows, "Why is it so difficult for you to speak? Can you get to the point?"
Li Weimin threw his hands up in mock exasperation. "Why are you rushing me? Are you listening or not? If you don't want to listen, I won't tell you anymore."
Wang Dazhu fell silent.
"...Later, our company commander severely criticized me, and I reflected on it. Why should they entrust their daughter to me? Empty words of liking are useless. You need to show some practical action."
"It's about empathy. They only have one daughter. When they have grandchildren, half of them will be mine and half will be theirs. The child will call me Dad regardless of whose last name they take. As Sun Tzu said in the Art of War, to catch the thief, first catch the king; to kill the snake, strike at its head. Find the key point, and you've already won more than half the battle. Tell me, who has the most say in your Comrade Wang's family?"