The more I thought about it, the angrier I got, and my eyelids kept twitching. This brat was trying to pull this on me.
On stage, the hospital director passionately encouraged the crowd to sign up for the next batch of poverty alleviation and medical assistance activities, to support the development of western China, and to support the construction of Tibet, and so on.
I held my phone, sending a message to Zhang Qian every five minutes. When her phone was off, I called her workplace. I gave her a wry smile; she was in a real bind now.
"Are you trying to kill us all?"
"If you live, I live. If you die, I die."
Ever since I met her, I haven't been serious.
That sentence left her speechless. She smugly took out a cigarette, and just as she was about to light it, Dr. Du next to her tugged at my sleeve.
He took the cigarette out of his mouth, put it back in his pocket, and continued sending messages.
"I'll pick you up tonight."
"fart!"
Even a rabbit can bite if you push it too far.
"I've never seen this before. Why don't you show it to me tonight?"
I was thinking about the little red mole on her butt. At first, I didn't see it clearly and thought it was a pimple.
"Are you out of your mind?"
"It's 'cold soup essence'!"
Next time, I'll definitely make her try it.
"Are you Hu Lu?"
Do I really look that much like that scoundrel?
"Wife, it's me."
Alright, she's covered in goosebumps from the cold, so our objective is achieved.
"Next, please invite representatives of outstanding Party members to come to the stage to share their thoughts and experiences on poverty alleviation."
The audience erupted in applause. I put my phone down and joined in. Finally, it was over. How could anyone not be happy?
Dr. Du nudged me, and I turned to look at her.
"Go!" she whispered.
I pointed to myself.
She nodded.
My eyes swept over my row, and everyone in it was holding a report.
Damn it, I didn't prepare a single word.
I really want to give Zhang Qian's two-word note to Comrade Dean.
Dr. Du slipped a note into my hand.
There's hope.
He smiled gratefully at Dr. Du, calmly walked onto the stage, and spoke eloquently about his experiences working in rural areas to alleviate poverty.
Another round of thunderous applause erupted.
The dean stepped onto the stage again, took the microphone, and announced that the awards for outstanding individuals would now be presented.
All of my colleagues who went to the countryside to help alleviate poverty received a share.
Each person received a certificate, and each person wore a big red flower.
The flowers are nice, but the clothes are a bit silly; white clothes with red flowers are just plain weird.
A tingling sensation came from my pocket.
Zhang Qian sent me a message.
After patiently waiting for the dean to present all the certificates, awards, and red flowers, the comrades on the stage bowed to the comrades below the stage.
"Comrades, I have one more thing to say!!!" The dean held the microphone and made a "one" gesture with his finger.
Those who were originally preparing to evacuate sat down again, while those who were preparing to leave the stage stood still and waited for orders.
Half an hour later, the dean finally finished his speech with a single sentence.
At 5:10, I rushed out of the administration building and headed to my office in Building 1 to change clothes and get my car keys.
I started driving at 5:20.
At 5:45, I arrived at the garment factory entrance. I chose a favorable spot. I opened the window, lit a cigarette, and waited for my prey to appear.
I checked my watch; there were still five minutes left. I rummaged through the car and pulled out a pair of sunglasses, then put them on.
Alright, here we come. Throw away your cigarette butt, start the car, and slowly follow your prey.
He sneered, "You unrepentant thing, even when you're about to die. You'll taste what I'm capable of."
With a single slap, the prey collapsed to the ground.
Zhang Qian
My phone kept ringing all afternoon. I turned it off, but that troublesome guy called the office again. The workshop foreman's face had never looked so grim.
My phone rang while I was copying the template.
"The hospital is holding a celebration banquet; I'll come pick you up."
What are you going to? You idiot! How are you going to introduce me then? You'll just embarrass yourself. You're out of your mind.
"Working overtime tonight"
After lunch, we went to the design studio for a meeting. The designers had high standards for the new coats, conducted in-depth market analysis, and surveyed modern women's clothing concepts. In the end, the meeting unanimously agreed to loosen the size of the clothes to conform to the new situation after the reform and opening up.
Carrying the new sample back to the garment department, my phone in my pocket never stopped vibrating. I put it on vibrate and stuffed a thick piece of cloth in my pocket to prevent the vibration from coming out.
I received over a dozen threatening text messages, which gave me a headache.
"Are you trying to kill us?" (Reply)
"If you live, I live. If you die, I die."
Bullshit! I didn't stop you. Go ahead, go ahead.
After choosing the fabric, the tailor and I drew on it with chalk. We measured the dimensions with a tape measure and cut it out.
"I'll pick you up tonight."
"fart!"
The repairman pointed at my phone and asked, "When did you buy it?"
“It’s been a while,” I said.
"Who is it?" The driver walked over and looked at the text message on my phone.
"cousin"
I waited anxiously until the clock struck midnight, changed my clothes, and hurried out of the factory area.
There were no strange vehicles or people outside the factory gate. I breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a little disappointed.
I heard a car start behind me, so I walked a little further in. Just when I thought the car would drive past me, it suddenly honked its horn. I thought I was going to be hit and killed, and my legs went weak, causing me to fall to the ground.
"Are you alright? Get up quickly, here, give me your hand." A person got out of the car and helped me to my feet.
Who else could it be but Anqi?
She took off her bag and hit him with it.
Ha, wearing sunglasses too? Who are you trying to fool?
"Alright, alright, get in the car now, or the police will come and tow it away."
It was very embarrassing to be fighting and making a scene at the factory gate and attracting attention, so I got into the car with him.
"Go home," I said.
"Stop messing around, we already agreed, it'll be no fun if you don't go." He took off his glasses and tossed them aside.
"I didn't agree; it's all your own talk."
He pulled the car over to the side of the road. "Zhang Qian, what's wrong with you?"
"I'm asking you a question!"
"I just don't want to go." I opened the car door, ready to get out, but he was one step ahead of me and locked the doors and windows.
She threw the bag at his face again to vent her frustration from the past few days.
No one spoke, and the car continued driving on the road.
Passing by the cinema where Hu Lu and I watched a movie last time, the war romance film was almost finished with its run, and its promotional posters were relegated to a secondary position. Meanwhile, the promotional posters for the new love story film were prominently displayed.
"Anqi, let's go see a movie." I tugged at his sleeve and tried to soften my voice.
He didn't say anything, nor did he look at me.
I hooked my arm around his right arm and leaned my head closer. "I haven't watched a romance movie in a long time."
"You really want to see it?" he asked.
"Um"
He drove the car across the road, made a sharp turn, and drove back.
I jumped out of the car, bought two tickets, and after Anqi parked the car, we entered the cinema.
It's still that wartime romance.
Childhood sweethearts, the innocent days of first love.