Chapter 20: Can a Hero Overcome the Temptation of a Beauty?

Lu Qiaoge and Lu Qiaoling didn't realize that even Lu Xiaosi had reasons to be disliked.

The two arrived home quickly.

Noticing the expression on her daughter's face, Meng Xia frowned and asked, "What's wrong?"

Being quick-witted, Lu Qiaoling recounted Zhao Jinbao's words from moments ago in full detail.

Meng Xia's face darkened. Regarding the household registration matter, she and Old Lu were anxious, but things had to happen step by step.

Now that nothing was even certain yet, what business was it for that bastard to be making a fuss?

Meng Xia grew angry: "When a man and a woman meet, how can the man be late?"

Old Lady Lu waved her hand: "The Zhao family is being insincere. Forget it; if it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be. We'll wait for someone more suitable."

After thinking for a moment, Lu Qiaoge asked Lu Zhiguo, "Big Brother, do you know Liu Feng?"

Lu Zhiguo nodded: "I know him. He's a driver in Group One."

In this day and age, drivers and shop assistants were very popular.

No wonder Liu Feng was so arrogant.

Thus, Lu Qiaoge told the Lu family everything that had happened at the restaurant today.

It was one wave of trouble after another.

Lu Da stood up in shock.

The two daughters had only been out for a short while, so how could so many things have happened?

Lu Zhiguo stood up and said in a cold voice, "I'm going to Liu Feng's house."

This time, Meng Xia did not stop him.

Su Hui hurriedly said, "I'll go with you."

Her husband's temperament wasn't great; she had to watch him to ensure he didn't start a fight in public.

Lu Qiaoling was in a bad mood and didn't want to stay home, so she said, "I'm going too."

Lu Qiaoge did not move.

It was enough for those three to go.

Even if the Lu family was in the right, they couldn't show no reaction at all. Otherwise, people would truly think the Lu family was easy to bully.

Meng Xia only felt a headache coming on, feeling that there had been too many unpleasant things lately.

In the light from the doorway, Lu Qiaoge glanced at the frowning Meng Xia and asked, "Mom, how much of the daily necessities and household items have you packed?"

Only then did Meng Xia remember the matter regarding Guzi Village.

She said, "It's all packed. If you can trade them, try to get more chives. Your grandma loves chive dumpling fillings; we'll make dumplings tomorrow." She then cautioned, "If you can't trade them, don't force it. Whatever you do, don't make a mistake."

Lu Qiaoge nodded in agreement and then went to inspect the items Meng Xia had found.

Five bars of soap, three packs of matches, two packs of red candles, and three packs of salt.

These were all the benefits Old Lu had received over the years, and because Meng Xia used them sparingly, they had been saved up.

The items were too few. This was a rare opportunity, and Lu Qiaoge didn't want to trade them for just some green leafy vegetables.

Lu Qiaoge said, "Don't we have a flashlight at home? Give me that."

Household appliances—a flashlight counted!

Meng Xia found the flashlight; it was new, and she even brought two large batteries.

"Qiaoge, isn't this a loss for trading for vegetables?"

"Let's just take it for now. If it's a loss, we just won't trade."

"By the way, Mom, get me a few pairs of cloth gloves."

After thinking for a moment, Meng Xia brought out the five remaining pairs of labor protection cloth gloves in the house.

Lu Qiaoge added, "Mom, is there anything else? Let me see."

Meng Xia gave her second daughter an annoyed look for being so greedy and simply led her to the Lu family's storage area.

Though it was small, it was very organized.

Lu Qiaoge took a box of size one batteries, a box of light bulbs, and three pairs of rubber shoes. She then dug out five towels, an enamel water cup, and two pairs of men's plastic sandals. Looking up, she saw a pack of Da Qianmen cigarettes on the shelf.

These were filtered cigarettes, which were very hard to buy nowadays.

Many supply and marketing cooperatives sold them by the individual stick.

Lu Qiaoge said, "Mom, I'll take all of these for now. In case Director Hu hasn't prepared them in advance, we can lend them to the state."

Lend to the state?

Do you even have a workplace?

Meng Xia suppressed her urge to say it.

Since this was a rare opportunity, regardless of the outcome, she had to support her daughter as a parent.

Besides, if the trade failed, the things they had saved up over the years could still be brought back.

She cautioned, "It wasn't easy for me to save these things. Be careful, don't lose them."

Lu Qiaoge agreed and placed everything into a canvas bag. As she turned around, Old Lady Lu, who had been standing by her side looking like she wanted to say something, finally spoke in a low voice: "Qiaoge, did Representative Qin say so directly that you were his blind date?"

Lu Da and Meng Xia were also concerned about this just now.

While they knew in their hearts that Representative Qin was helping, they couldn't help but overthink.

Meng Xia's eyes darted around: "Qiaoge, did Representative Qin say anything when he left you?"

Lu Da also asked, "Qiaoge, did you thank Representative Qin?"

Lu Qiaoge first answered Old Lu: "Dad, Representative Qin knows I have nothing to do with Liu Feng. He was kind enough to testify for me, so I definitely had to thank him."

Then she said to Old Lady Lu, "Grandma, he did say it directly, but I feel like no one, including the people in the restaurant, will take it seriously."

Old Lady Lu pursed her lips, secretly observing her smiling second granddaughter.

She had four granddaughters, and this one was the most beautiful.

The plays always said that heroes struggle to pass the test of a beauty.

If he wanted to help, there were plenty of ways. Why did the clever and capable Representative Qin choose this specific method?

However, she only thought this to herself. The two families were worlds apart, like a peasant girl and a crown prince of the past.

If she said too much, her granddaughter might develop delusions, which would only end up hurting her.

She sighed, feeling she was overthinking. She shook her head seriously at her son and daughter-in-law, deciding to have a proper talk with them later.

Lu Qiaoge didn't know how much Old Lady Lu was thinking. She packed the canvas bag and continued explaining to Meng Xia, "After leaving the restaurant, he just waited for the bus. I'm not close with Representative Qin, so there was certainly nothing much to say."

The Lu family in the courtyard remained silent.

Lu Qiaoge was also momentarily surprised. Speaking of Qin Hengzhi, she only just remembered he was on a blind date. The date's name was Lu Min—a very unfamiliar name, likely not a girl from the original host's circle.

It seemed the person hadn't shown up?

It appeared Qin Hengzhi had stepped out immediately after receiving a call. It wasn't as if something terrible had happened to the other party, as his expression didn't suggest that.

But she was a bit puzzled. To be honest, Qin Hengzhi's conditions were truly excellent; it was just that the other party hadn't taken a liking to him.

Well, maybe not.

After all, everyone has their own tastes.

The thought was fleeting. Lu Qiaoge continued, "Mom, I'm going to the research institute. I've finished all the books Director He told me to read, so I plan to borrow a few more. Dad, I'll ride your bicycle."

After thinking for a moment, she called out to Lu Xiaosi, "Bring those little fish you're raising to Second Sister; I'll take them to Director He."

The usually quiet Lu Xiaosi ran happily to grab the small iron bucket from the corner upon hearing this.

Actually, it was prepared for the tabby cat.

Riding the bicycle with the small iron bucket hanging from the handlebars, Lu Qiaoge pedaled clatteringly toward the research institute.

***

Meanwhile, in the military representative's office at the military factory.

Qin Hengzhi was on the phone with his grandfather.

They were discussing today's blind date.

His voice carried a trace of imperceptible coldness and sarcasm.

"...Do not shift the responsibility onto Cao Lanzhu. Without the Cao family's indulgence and your tacit approval, would she have dared to call the Lu family?"

Elder Qin was clearly very angry as well. He didn't know what the Lu family was thinking, but they actually didn't show up.

He also said indignantly, "Ever since you rejected Cao Lanzhu to her face, your grandmother and I haven't mentioned this matter again. Who knows where that girl got the news? I truly had no idea."

Qin Hengzhi's tone remained flat and very calm: "Do not interfere in my marriage again."

The other party paused for a moment before saying gloomily, "...Fine!"

(End of Chapter)