Chapter 41: No Need to Make Such a Fuss

After arranging the work tasks, Huang Juan asked Lu Qiaoge, "Why aren't you leaving yet? It'll be almost time to clock out soon."

Lu Qiaoge replied, "Sister Qiao and I just saw Representative Qin driving his Jeep into the military representative's residential compound. I'm not sure if he's at home or at the office right now."

Huang Juan thought for a moment. "If Representative Qin went back, he's probably packing his things. He basically lives in the dormitory."

Lu Qiaoge said, "Then Shao Le and I will head to the military representative's office. If he's not there, we'll schedule a time with his secretary."

Huang Juan readily agreed.

Lu Qiaoge and Shao Le were the youngest comrades in the sub-district office; it would be more appropriate to have them negotiate with Representative Qin.

After all, a farewell party should be something the guest of honor is satisfied with.

Lu Qiaoge found Shao Le, who was helping out at the security station. "Deputy Director Huang wants us to go to the military representative's office."

Shao Le accepted the task happily.

Upon hearing this, Sister Qiao immediately called out to Lu Qiaoge, "Wait for me a moment."

Then, Sister Qiao walked out of the sub-district office with them.

Sister Qiao said, "Qiaoge, you need to come with me to Qi Shuang's house first. There's a commuter bus at the intersection over there, so you and Shao Le can take that to the military representative's office."

Lu Qiaoge glanced at Shao Le, and he immediately nodded in agreement.

As a newcomer, he had no reason to argue with an elder sister's arrangements.

Sister Qiao said to Lu Qiaoge, "Mainly because you heard it yourself, and since Qi Shuang likes and trusts you quite a bit, she needs to know about this. I don't know that man from earlier, but his mindset is wrong. He's not looking for a wife; he's looking for a nanny."

Lu Qiaoge couldn't muster any righteous indignation; even in the future, unless women chose not to marry, there wouldn't be much substantial difference from now.

When they arrived at Qi Shuang's house, Qi Shuang happened to be just getting off work. Just as Lu Qiaoge was about to follow Sister Qiao inside, someone in the neighboring house called out to her in a surprised voice: "Qiaoge!"

Lu Qiaoge looked up and saw it was actually Zhou Li; so this was where she was renting.

Lu Qiaoge greeted her with a smile, and of course, she also greeted the old black cat lying beside the child.

"Sister Zhou, hello, Little Black."

【Meow, meow, meow, I have a home now.】 The old black cat happily jumped onto the wall.

Zhou Li took Lu Qiaoge's hand, her eyes moist and her voice slightly choked with emotion. "Thank you so much. If you hadn't helped me, I really would have had nowhere to go."

Being thanked sincerely made Lu Qiaoge very happy. She pointed at the old black cat. "The one you should thank most is your Little Black."

At that moment, Sister Qiao called to Lu Qiaoge, "Qiaoge, come here for a second."

Lu Qiaoge hurried over. Qi Shuang looked at her suspiciously and asked, "Did that man... really say those things?"

Sister Qiao reminded her, "The words we overheard coming out of the military representative's residential compound."

Lu Qiaoge nodded and recounted the words in their entirety.

Qi Shuang's expression shifted, but then she smiled and whispered her thanks.

Shao Le, waiting at the main gate, shouted, "The commuter bus is here!"

Lu Qiaoge hurriedly waved goodbye to Zhou Li and Qi Shuang, then ran toward the intersection with Shao Le.

Sister Qiao's eyes crinkled with a smile. Being young was wonderful; they were always so full of vitality.

By the time the two reached the entrance of the military representative's office, it was exactly five o'clock.

There were still half an hour left before the end of the workday.

Next to the factory office stood a small red-brick building; this was the office for the stationed military officers.

The workers liked to call this place the "Military Representative's Office."

Standing on the cement steps, Lu Qiaoge straightened her shirt collar. A dandelion growing from a crack in the steps brushed against her trouser leg.

Lu Qiaoge looked down; she could go to the outskirts to dig for wild vegetables.

Especially dandelions—they were at their tenderest stage right now.

Shao Le had no idea that while Lu Qiaoge appeared serious, her mind was actually on where to dig for wild vegetables.

He couldn't help but lose his smile.

Even before entering, this place gave off a sense of oppression and solemnity.

The two of them were official cadres of the Xiangyang Sub-district Office, and they entered the military factory gates using their work permits.

However, there were still guards on duty at the military representative's office.

After registering once more, they finally arrived at the military representative's office.

The slogan "Prepare for War and Famine for the People" was written on the doorframe.

The door was slightly ajar, so Shao Le took the initiative to knock.

"Come in."

It was Qin Hengzhi's crisp, pine-like voice.

Shao Le seemed somewhat intimidated by Qin Hengzhi, lacking his usual playful demeanor.

Even his movement when pushing the door was lightened.

Qin Hengzhi was standing by the window. His military jacket was neatly draped over the back of a chair, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. It looked casual, yet because this was the military representative's office, it exuded an indescribable authority.

Qin Hengzhi set aside his coldness, his expression very gentle as he invited the two to sit on the sofa.

Xiao Su entered to pour water for Lu Qiaoge and Shao Le using enamel mugs.

Qin Hengzhi said with a smile, "Have some water first before we discuss business."

Xiao Su discreetly glanced at his Representative Qin and then at Lu Qiaoge sitting on the sofa.

So this was Lu Qiaoge.

She was truly beautiful.

Xiao Su withdrew with a complex expression.

Lu Qiaoge took a sip of water; she was indeed a bit thirsty after a busy afternoon.

Shao Le, however, gulped down all the water in his enamel mug.

Feeling that as a male comrade he should speak first, he said, "Representative Qin, the sub-district office and the factory union are jointly organizing a farewell party. After much thought, we wanted to seek your opinion—would you prefer a talent show, or should we organize a social dance?"

At the mention of a social dance, Shao Le's eyes instantly lit up.

One had to know that the factory hadn't organized one in years.

Qin Hengzhi glanced at Lu Qiaoge, who was sitting obediently on the sofa.

This girl was quite impressive; she actually passed the exam for the sub-district office.

And she did so with the highest score.

The image of Lu Qiaoge screaming and struggling with Shen Yun by the lakeside that day involuntarily flashed through his mind.

It felt like a different person.

Could someone change so much in just one week?

Qin Hengzhi masked the surprise in his eyes and said gently, "I have already spoken to Factory Director Hao. My departure date is uncertain; if work requires it, I might leave as early as tomorrow. There is no need for such a grand commotion. I appreciate the intentions of the leadership and the sub-district office."

So he wasn't choosing either?

Shao Le was already somewhat intimidated by Qin Hengzhi; for some reason, he felt particularly constrained standing before him.

Suddenly, his expression changed. His old problem flared up under the stress—he needed to use the restroom.

Shao Le had to stand up and asked awkwardly, "Representative Qin, I..."

Qin Hengzhi understood and pointed toward the door outside the office. "Go find Xiao Su; he is in the office next door."

Unable to care about anything else, Shao Le hurried out of the military representative's office, his face flushed red.

There was a momentary stillness in the room.

An indescribable atmosphere began to quietly permeate the space.

As the host, Qin Hengzhi saw no reason to let the guest speak first.

He asked slowly, "Have you officially joined the sub-district office now?"

Lu Qiaoge took out her work permit. "Yes, this is my work permit."

What Qin Hengzhi saw at a glance was Lu Qiaoge's photo. The corners of his mouth curled up; she had two black braids and a very subtle smile.

This photo had been taken at a photo studio on the morning Lu Qiaoge reported to the sub-district office.

She had opted for expedited service and picked it up the next morning to paste it onto her prepared work permit.

(End of Chapter)