The Stunningly Beautiful and Delicate Darling in the 1980s Military Compound - Chapter 5

After Sun Xiangcui was splashed with pig blood and subsequently scolded by her husband, Song Aimian, things in the neighborhood finally quieted down for a while.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the day to head to the provincial capital for the blind date arrived.

Wang Yufen had told her daughter to “let nature take its course,” but she herself had made exhaustive preparations. She bought Mingyue new clothes and shoes and took her to get the most fashionable hairstyle of the day.

Wang Yufen looked her daughter up and down, bursting with pride. “Your father and I are just average-looking, so how did our girl turn out so beautiful? This face is so pink and tender; who could look at you and not be moved?”

Mingyue, accepting the “rainbow farts” (extravagant flattery) from her mother, joked, “Is it possible I’m not actually your child? Maybe I was adopted.”

“You silly girl, what nonsense are you talking? You were born right at home. The midwife brought you out and placed you directly into your father’s hands.”

Mingyue acted spoiled, clinging to her. “Then it must be because Mom and Dad have great genes. Isn’t my brother very handsome too?”

As she brushed her daughter’s hair, Wang Yufen’s heart remained uneasy. Her daughter was beautiful, but her romantic luck was poor. First, Liu Jiabao was snatched away; she truly hoped this blind date would be a success. She didn’t mind supporting her daughter forever, but she feared that when Liu Jiabao and Song Jiajia finally wed, the sight would trigger Mingyue into doing something foolish again. The memory of pulling a lifeless Mingyue from the river still haunted her nights.

The family of four bought train tickets to the provincial capital, telling the neighbors they were simply visiting relatives.

The night before they left, the parents conspired. Wang Yufen packed extra luggage for Mingyue. “Regardless of whether the blind date works out, I plan to talk to Cousin Yuhua. I want Mingyue to stay at her house for a while—at least until those two have finished their wedding.”

Song Aiguo agreed. “I also spoke with Daoyuan. He’s willing to help look after her. We’ll see what the girl wants; she can stay wherever she feels comfortable.”

At 4:00 AM the next morning, the family set off under the silver moonlight. The train ride took over four hours, putting them in the city by noon. Along the way, Mingyue stared out the window with genuine curiosity. In this era, high-rise buildings were rare; the landscape was a tapestry of low houses and fields, with the occasional wooden cart or shepherd on a muddy path. To someone who had lived in a modern metropolis in her past life, this was both novel and charming.

When the train pulled into the station, Mingyue immediately spotted a sign: Welcome Song Aiguo and Family. An older woman and a young man in military uniform were waiting. The young man was tall and lean. Song Mingnian whispered to his mother, “Is that Chen Che?”

Song Aiguo spoke first. “Definitely not. He looks nothing like his father.”

The young man was actually Secretary Guo. Guided by the woman, he quickly stepped forward to take their luggage. The woman was Zhou Fang, Chen Che’s mother. She wore a black dress with embroidered patterns, her hair pinned elegantly back. Though she was nearly fifty, she possessed a sophisticated and high-class aura that made her look much younger.

“Welcome to the provincial capital,” Zhou Fang said with polite grace. “Let’s head to a restaurant for lunch first. Old Chen will meet us there after his meeting.”

Wang Yufen, feeling a bit out of place next to such an elegant woman, introduced her children. “This is my eldest, Mingnian, and this is my little girl, Mingyue. Mingyue, greet your elder.”

“Hello, Auntie Zhou,” Mingyue said, dressed in a light floral skirt and leather shoes. She greeted her with poise, her damp, bright eyes sparkling and shallow dimples appearing as she smiled. Zhou Fang was immediately pleased with her first impression of the girl.

The provincial capital was a world away from Songzhuang Street. Wang Yufen was stunned by the small high-rises, the variety of department stores, and the sea of bicycles. People here dressed far more fashionably. This strengthened her resolve: Mingyue must marry into the city.

At the restaurant, they were joined by Chen Daoyuan, who arrived in a chauffeured car.

Years ago, during the “special period,” Chen Daoyuan had been persecuted. When he was sent to the youth point, everyone looked down on him except Song Aiguo, who protected him. They had shared a room for years, and it was there they made the betrothal pact. Though they had lost touch as Chen rose back to power, the debt of gratitude remained.

“Brother Song!” Chen Daoyuan embraced Aiguo. “I’m so sorry. I’ve tried to find you several times, but no one in the city had heard of you.”

“I moved the family to Pingcheng years ago,” Aiguo laughed. “I’m working at the power bureau there now.”

The conversation eventually turned to the absent Chen Che.

Mentioning her son brought a shadow of melancholy to Zhou Fang’s face. “Sister Yufen, we all know why you’ve come, and I won’t hide the truth. My son is a man of good character, but his personality is a bit… difficult. He’s spent years in the army, and though we’ve introduced him to several girls, he hasn’t been satisfied with any of them.”

Zhou Fang didn’t mention the harsher reality: Chen Che had once told them flatly to stop arranging matches because he “would never marry in this lifetime.” It had upset her so much she hadn’t eaten for two days.

Hearing this, Mingyue was the only one who wasn’t worried. In fact, she felt a sense of relief. She didn’t want to get married either—perhaps they could actually get along as a “pair of non-marriage” allies.