Chapter 69: The Date

Chapter 69: The Date

Early the next morning, He Yuzhu first dropped off Yushui at his master's home.

The master's wife asked, "Zhuzi, how was the woman you met yesterday? Do you fancy her?"

He Yuzhu replied a bit shyly, "I think she's quite nice, but we still need to spend some time getting to know each other."

The master's wife said, "It's good to spend more time together. If you feel it's a good match, hurry up and settle it."

He Yuzhu answered, "You got it, Master's wife. I have something to take care of in a bit, so I'll be leaving now."

The master's wife asked, "Where are you off to?"

Yushui chimed in, "Going to see my future sister-in-law."

Hearing this, He Yuzhu felt a bit shy and scolded, "You talk too much."

The master's wife laughed, "Alright, hurry up and go then. Don't keep the young lady waiting."

"Got it, Master's wife. I'm off!" With that, He Yuzhu mounted his bicycle and rode hastily toward the agreed-upon park.

When he arrived at the park entrance, he didn't see anyone around. Checking his watch, he found there was still more than half an hour left before the meeting time. Instead of looking for a place to rest, He Yuzhu stood right where he was and waited.

In less than ten minutes, He Yuzhu saw Song Jinfeng walking toward him.

Song Jinfeng apologized, "Sorry to have kept you waiting so long."

He Yuzhu replied, "Not at all, I just got here myself. Shall we take a walk together?"

Song Jinfeng smiled, "Sure, it's been a long time since I last strolled in the park."

The two of them walked side by side along the shore of the park's lake. There were quite a few people fishing along the banks, and many children running around playfully.

Looking at the rippling surface of the lake and feeling the gentle breeze blowing across the water, Song Jinfeng held onto the railing, closed her eyes slightly, and wore an expression of pure enjoyment.

Meanwhile, He Yuzhu put down his backpack, took out a piece of cloth, and spread it on the ground. He laid out peaches, plums, and other fruits, as well as the pastries and preserved fruits he had made himself.

Seeing Song Jinfeng enjoying nature, He Yuzhu didn't disturb her, choosing instead to simply watch her quietly.

Before long, Song Jinfeng snapped out of her tranquil state, turned her head, and saw the snacks He Yuzhu had laid out. She said with pleasant surprise, "You even prepared all these things?"

He Yuzhu smiled, "Of course. There isn't much to do in the park other than enjoy the lovely scenery, so I brought some snacks along. Eating delicious food while admiring a beautiful view is quite a treat."

Song Jinfeng picked up a piece of pea flour cake and took a bite. The texture was delicate and melted instantly in her mouth. "This is delicious! Did you make this yourself?"

He Yuzhu nodded, "Of course."

Song Jinfeng praised, "You're amazing. This tastes better than any I've ever had."

He Yuzhu thought to himself: *Could it not be good? Can raw materials produced by the spatial dimension ever be inferior?* Aloud, he said, "If you like it, eat more. If it's not enough, I'll make more for you."

Gazing at the beautiful lake view and enjoying the snacks carefully prepared by He Yuzhu, Song Jinfeng unconsciously opened up and shared many stories from her childhood with him.

He Yuzhu listened attentively the entire time.

Song Jinfeng shared, "After my parents passed away, even though many people cared for me, I always lived in fear and terror. I was afraid of being abandoned by someone at any moment, and I had no idea how to go on living."

He Yuzhu said softly, "I know that feeling. When my father walked out on Yushui and me, I was terrified too. But I had to take care of Yushui, so I had no choice but to force myself to be strong. I was Yushui's only pillar of support; I couldn't afford to show any weakness."

Song Jinfeng looked at him, "Would you say we share a similar misfortune?"

He Yuzhu replied, "The hardships are all in the past now, we have to look forward. Perhaps our meeting was arranged by the heavens above, bringing us together so we can keep each other warm."

Song Jinfeng murmured, "Perhaps."

By the time noon arrived, He Yuzhu stood up and said, "Well, it's midday. Let me treat you to something good. What would you like to eat?"

Song Jinfeng deferred to him, "I'll let you decide."

He Yuzhu suggested, "Then let's go to Quanjude for roast duck."

Song Jinfeng agreed, "Alright, roast duck it is."

The two of them went to Quanjude together. A waiter led them upstairs and seated them at a relatively quiet table by the window.

He Yuzhu ordered a roast duck and four small side dishes.

After a short wait, the freshly roasted duck was brought out, and the chef sliced it expertly before plating and serving it.

As for the duck carcass, He Yuzhu asked the kitchen to take it back and make a rich duck soup.

He Yuzhu and Song Jinfeng enjoyed their meal immensely.

After lunch, the two of them headed to the cinema.

In this era, entertainment was scarce, and movies were few, meaning a single film would be shown repeatedly over several years. Even so, the crowds coming to watch movies were endless.

Today, the cinema was screening *Battle of Shangganling*, released in December 1956, which depicted the famous battle during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.

It was a classic film with a profound impact.

Emerging from the cinema, He Yuzhu insisted on walking Song Jinfeng home.

When they reached the entrance of the large compound where Song Jinfeng lived, she stopped him from going inside, saying, "Zhuzi, let's stop here. There are too many gossiping people inside, so I won't invite you in."

He Yuzhu understood completely. After all, having traveled through time from a later era and having watched television dramas, he knew that all such multi-family courtyards were cut from the same cloth. If Song Jinfeng hadn't been a neighborhood committee worker, she would have been schemed against long ago.

He Yuzhu nodded, "Alright, you go on in. I should go pick up Yushui as well."

Song Jinfeng urged, "Be careful on the road, and next time, bring Yushui along with you."

Hearing that there would be a "next time," He Yuzhu knew that Song Jinfeng also held favorable feelings toward him. "Okay, I'll bring her along next time."

Song Jinfeng watched as He Yuzhu mounted his bicycle and rode away before stepping through the gates of the compound.

"Jinfeng, who was that speaking with you at the entrance just now?" As soon as Song Jinfeng stepped inside the main gate, an older woman eagerly questioned her.

Song Jinfeng knew that if she didn't clear things up, there was no telling how the neighbors would fabricate stories about her. "Oh, that was a blind-date match introduced to me by Director Zhou from the neighborhood committee."

With that, Song Jinfeng ignored the gossiping women in the courtyard, walked back to her small room, and closed the door behind her, shutting out all their idle chatter.

Meanwhile, He Yuzhu had returned to his master's house. As soon as he walked through the door, the master's wife asked, "Zhuzi, how did things go with that woman today?"

He Yuzhu replied, "It was quite good. We had a meal together, went to the movies, and had a great chat."

The master's wife pressed, "That's wonderful! Since things are going well, when are you two planning to settle down and get married?"

He Yuzhu wore a wry expression. "Master's wife, we've only met twice! Talking about marriage already is way too fast, isn't it?"

The master's wife argued, "Why is that fast? Isn't that how it's always done? You meet once, decide you're a good fit, and then settle the marriage."

Taken aback for a moment, He Yuzhu took a little while to process her words. On second thought, he realized that in this era, things really did move at this kind of speed. Many people didn't even lay eyes on each other until their wedding day.

Once the matchmaker spoke a word of consent and betrothal gifts were exchanged, the bride could be brought home to hold the wedding banquet.

He Yuzhu explained, "Master's wife, nowadays people practice free-choice dating. Let's understand each other a bit better first, and once we're ready, we'll get married."

The master's wife urged, "Well, you'd better pick up the pace then."

He Yuzhu promised, "Alright. Once the time is right, I'll bring her over to meet you so you can give your approval."

The master's wife smiled, "That's proper. This is a serious matter, so you really need to hurry up."

He Yuzhu saluted jokingly, "Understood, order strictly obeyed."

Satisfied by He Yuzhu's assurance, the master's wife finally let him off the hook.

He Yuzhu picked up Yushui and headed home.

Along the way, Yushui asked, "Brother, how did your outing with my future sister-in-law go today?"

He Yuzhu answered, "It went pretty well. Why are you so concerned?"

Yushui pouted, "Of course I have to care! What if she doesn't like me?"

Knowing Yushui's hidden insecurities, He Yuzhu reassured her, "She likes Yushui very much. In fact, she even said that next time we meet, I have to bring you along."

Yushui's eyes lit up, "Really?"

He Yuzhu smiled, "Of course it's real. When has your brother ever lied to you?"

Knowing that her future sister-in-law didn't dislike her and that her brother would never abandon her, Yushui finally felt completely at ease.