Chapter 201: Meeting an Old Acquaintance at the Bathhouse

At Ning Weidong's words, Ning Wei scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit embarrassed, and laughed dryly: "Third Brother, it's~ well, Huaihua came to find me yesterday..."

Ning Weidong recalled that Ning Wei had run into Huaihua that night.

At the time, Zhao Ruyi had even thought about playing matchmaker for them.

He asked: "What did she want with you? What did you do to the girl?"

Ning Wei hurriedly said: "Nothing, we just went to the same middle school."

Ning Weidong smiled, having no interest in whatever past Ning Wei and Huaihua might have had: "You don't need to explain to me. Anyway, if Huaihua wants to find you, let her. Why are you reporting it to me?"

Ning Wei's mouth twitched, not knowing what to say.

In truth, he couldn't explain why he felt he had to report it to Ning Weidong; he just felt it was necessary to mention it.

Ning Weidong could roughly guess his thoughts.

Because of that female doctor incident last time, Ning Wei had developed a psychological barrier; whenever he saw a woman approaching, he felt uneasy.

Yet a man's instincts made it impossible for him to avoid women entirely, which was why he wanted to find some support from Ning Weidong.

"You kid~" Ning Weidong scolded with a smile and patted Ning Wei: "Just treat people however you should treat them. I don't believe you're so unlucky that every woman who comes near you has bad intentions. Do you really think you're Tang Seng?"

Ning Wei's face turned bright red at being teased, and he scratched the back of his head, not knowing what to say.

Ning Weidong continued: "Since Qin can cook at the company, Ruyi must have done a background check. She should be from a decent family with no messy complications."

Regarding this, even if Zhao Ruyi hadn't considered it, that Uncle Zheng sent by Zhao's father would have thought of it and seen it done.

Ning Wei suddenly realized and nodded.

Ning Weidong said: "Huaihua is her daughter, so there shouldn't be any major issues. The girl looks decent too; if you really like her, then treat her well."

Ning Wei gave a response, feeling a weight lifted off his heart.

Ning Weidong added: "Right, later on, let Ruyi get you a motorcycle; it'll be convenient for running errands."

Ning Wei was stunned and hurriedly said: "Third Brother, there's really no need. I'm fine with my bicycle."

Ning Weidong waved his hand: "Enough, listen to me. People rely on clothes and horses on saddles. Regardless of whether it's Huaihua or another girl, can you really be the same caliber riding a bicycle versus a motorcycle when you visit someone?"

After saying this, Ning Weidong looked at Shi Xiaonan: "Let's go. Once things are packed up in a few days, we'll move."

Shi Xiaonan gave a docile "Mm," followed Ning Weidong out of the courtyard, and still looked back with lingering attachment.

Ning Weidong pushed his bicycle without urging her.

Emerging from the alley onto the main road, the two walked back along the sidewalk.

Shi Xiaonan was still a bit dazed, recalling the courtyard she had just seen, feeling as if it weren't real.

She turned to look at Ning Weidong beside her, wanting to lean over and hold his arm, but hesitated because they were on the street, only whispering: "Weidong, you are so good to me!"

Ning Weidong smiled and said nothing.

By the time they returned to the Tongzi Building, it was only three-thirty.

As soon as they entered the room, Shi Xiaonan hugged Ning Weidong with unusual passion.

She had been suppressing herself the whole way, and at this moment, it was as if a fire were burning inside her body...

This time, Ning Weidong was in a more passive state throughout, experiencing for the first time the hidden side of Shi Xiaonan.

The previous Shi Xiaonan had always been delicate and dainty, a kind of polished, artistic beauty.

This time, however, it was as if she were revealing her true nature, like a leaping, surging flame, erupting with the energy within her.

Perhaps this was Shi Xiaonan's true personality.

From the fact that she was willing to divorce Wang Kai to persist in her performances, one could tell she was never weak; whether it was ambition or persistence, Shi Xiaonan was brave to the bone.

It had simply been masked by her soft and exquisite appearance.

It wasn't until nearly time to get off work that Ning Weidong left.

Shi Xiaonan was so tired she didn't want to move a single finger, yet her mouth held a smile, and she felt exceptionally refreshed.

Ever since she started having constant conflicts with Wang Kai, leading up to their divorce, she couldn't remember the last time she had felt this refreshed and relaxed.

Ning Weidong went downstairs and frowned as he got on his bicycle.

Today, Zhao's father finished his business trip in Shanghai, and Zhao Ruyi had to go home that evening.

Ning Weidong didn't need to go to the company, otherwise, he wouldn't have been messing around with Shi Xiaonan at this time.

He hadn't noticed it before, but once he put on his clothes and they were soaked with sweat, he immediately felt a stinging sensation on his back; it must have been scratched by Shi Xiaonan.

He had thought Shi Xiaonan was gentle and sweet, but who knew she could be so fierce when she got intense.

Ning Weidong returned home; by now, many people in the courtyard had finished work, and since it was hot, many were cooling off in the yard.

Seeing Ning Weidong push his bicycle in, Lu Daye asked in surprise: "Weidong, you're early today~"

Ning Weidong responded and stretched his neck to peek into the basin in front of Lu Daye: "Whoa, are you frying small fish tonight~"

The white iron basin in front of Lu Daye was filled with half a basin of mixed small fish, and he was in the middle of cleaning their bellies.

Lu Daye laughed: "Don't have that much oil, I'll have your auntie braise them in sauce later."

Just then, two women came out of Zhou Kun's place in the north wing.

Zhou Kun followed behind, grinning from ear to ear, fawning over them as he saw them out.

Ning Weidong understood at a glance that it must be a blind date.

The older one was likely the matchmaker, and the young woman looked quite nice, in her early twenties, and a bit shy.

Judging by her attire, her family's situation was average; for a blind date, she was surely wearing the best clothes she could produce, but although the girl's clothes had no patches, they were somewhat faded from washing.

But then again, if someone had a good family background, they probably wouldn't look twice at Zhou Kun.

Ning Weidong had no interest in this and, after a glance, returned to the side courtyard.

As soon as he entered the yard, he saw Bai Fengqin sitting on a small stool, picking chives at her doorway.

Hearing someone enter, she looked up and saw Ning Weidong, her eyes lighting up immediately as she called out, "Brother Weidong."

Ning Weidong responded with a sound, passing in front of Bai Fengqin; from this angle, looking down, he could see right into her neckline.

Today, Bai Fengqin was wearing a light yellow dacron shirt, with a small camisole underneath.

Ning Weidong's gaze swept over, and he could just see a deep, unfathomable cleavage.

Noticing Ning Weidong's gaze, Bai Fengqin's face flushed red, but she didn't make a fuss, only sitting up a little straighter.

Ning Weidong withdrew his gaze, thinking to himself, "So big, so white."

He didn't know if it was an illusion, but in the month or so since the college entrance exam, Bai Fengqin seemed to have developed even more.

At this rate, her figure would likely surpass her sister's—the student surpassing the master.

Ning Weidong thought to himself that it was probably because the college entrance exam was over, the pressure on her had faded, and she had gotten into university, allowing Bai Fengqin to absorb nutrients better.

Fortunately, the weight was being put on in all the right places, and she hadn't grown into a little chubby girl.

Ning Weidong said, "Picking chives, making dumplings tonight?"

Before Bai Fengqin could speak, Bai Fengyu stepped out from inside and said with a smile, "That's right, boiled dumplings. Weidong, you haven't eaten yet, right? We'll bring you some too~"

Ning Weidong had just been wondering what to eat for dinner: "That would be great."

After saying this, Ning Weidong went home, leaving Bai Fengqin looking at her cousin in surprise, whispering, "Sister, when were we going to make dumplings? Didn't you say chives and scrambled eggs~"

Bai Fengyu turned to walk into the room and replied, "Weidong asked, so he must want to eat them."

Bai Fengqin blinked her eyes, and suddenly an idiom popped into her head: "understanding and considerate."

This must be it~ By comparison, she was practically a little fool.

Bai Fengqin said, "Sister, it's a pity you didn't catch the college entrance exam back then; otherwise, with your brain, you definitely would have gotten in."

Coming out with this suddenly left Bai Fengyu feeling baffled.

Ning Weidong returned to his room; since dinner was taken care of, he simply gathered a few clothes, took his shampoo and soap, and went to the bathhouse to wash up.

He had just been at Shi Xiaonan's place, and there were no conditions to bathe after finishing; besides, it would take at least half an hour for Bai Fengyu to make the dumplings.

Ning Weidong came out of his room and went to Bai Fengyu's doorway, saying, "Sister Bai, I'm going to the bathhouse first, I'll be back in a bit."

Bai Fengyu was busy kneading dough in the room and turned to respond.

As Ning Weidong exited the Moon Gate, he happened to run into Zhou Kun, who was returning from outside.

Zhou Kun bared his two large teeth, grinning foolishly as he walked back.

Ning Weidong said, "Oh, Second Brother, look at that smile—did the good thing happen?"

Zhou Kun scratched his head and chuckled, "That, it's about there, about there~"

Ning Weidong said, "I caught a glimpse earlier, that girl is quite pretty." Zhou Kun said, "She's alright, she's alright, that... brother, when I hold the event later, you and Brother Ning must both come~"

Ning Weidong smiled, thinking to himself that Zhou Kun was still the same old guy; he hadn't even started yet and was already thinking about the wedding.

It was someone else's business, so Ning Weidong couldn't be bothered to worry about it, exchanged a few words, and headed out the door.

After leaving the Dazayuan and heading south out of the alley, there was a State-run Bathhouse not far across the main road.

Ning Weidong was familiar with the routine; because he was waiting to go back for dumplings, he didn't buy a scrubbing ticket, mainly just rinsing his body and washing his hair.

At this time of day, the bathhouse was crowded, and the large pool was like a pot of boiling dumplings.

Ning Weidong first found a shower to rinse off, scrubbed his armpits and groin, and incidentally washed his "golden cudgel."

Once finished, just as he was about to get into the pool to soak, someone suddenly called out, "Hey, Ning Weidong?"

Ning Weidong turned his head and heard that the other person sounded a bit uncertain.

A medium-built young man had just walked in from outside, caught eyes with Ning Weidong, and immediately smiled, "It really is you!"

As he spoke, he shuffled over in his slippers: "Damn, how did you grow, kid? I almost didn't dare to recognize you!"

Ning Weidong quickly searched the original owner's memories in his mind.

He could be certain that he hadn't seen this person in the half-year since he transmigrated; judging by his age and way of speaking, he should be a classmate or something similar.

Soon, Ning Weidong found the memory regarding this person.

"When did you get back?" Ning Weidong patted the other man.

The young man was named Duan Ming, who had been in the same middle school as Ning Weidong and was also in that group with Qi Jiazui.

Later, he went to the countryside and headed to the Great Northwest, so they lost contact.

He hadn't expected to run into him here today.

Duan Ming said, "Just got back last month."

Ning Weidong was slightly surprised; in his memory, Duan Ming had left earlier than him, so he hadn't expected him to have only just returned.

By that count, he had stayed in the Northwest for a full four or five years, which was a relatively long time.

The two were old acquaintances, so they became familiar after chatting for a few moments, especially in the bathhouse; seeing each other stark naked meant less pretense, and their conversation was more relaxed.

The two soaked in the pool side-by-side, recounting the past when they used to fight outside together, and inevitably mentioned Qi Jiazui.

Duan Ming said, "I only found out after I got back that Brother Qi was gone."

Ning Weidong sighed along with him, "Yeah~ something no one expected."

Duan Ming shook his head, "There's nothing unexpected about it. Thinking back on the things we did in those years, it's no surprise it ended this way. Sometimes I'm actually quite glad I went to the countryside back then; if I had stayed in Beijing, I might have ended up just like Brother Qi."

Ning Weidong glanced at Duan Ming, not having expected the man to have that kind of realization.

But on second thought, in his memory, Duan Ming had always been the more intelligent one in their group; he had been good at his studies back then, and after experiencing some tempering, his thinking was much more mature than before.

Ning Weidong asked, "By the way, where are you now?"

Duan Ming gave a bitter smile, "Where else? Just sitting at home. My batch was the last one, and basically everyone who could come back followed the trend and returned, so there's simply no way to place us."

Ning Weidong also knew the current situation.

Duan Ming asked, "By the way, where are you now?"

Ning Weidong said, "I had better luck than you; I went to the Northeast to the countryside, came back the year before last, and now I'm in the Security Division of the Red Star Factory~"

Ning Weidong didn't mention his position; there was no need to show off to everyone he met.

Duan Ming said: "I came back the year before last. Things were relatively relaxed back then; if I had known, I would have come back earlier."

Ning Weidong caught the meaning behind his words; it seemed he could have returned earlier, but didn't.

Hearing Ning Weidong's question, Duan Ming gave a bitter smile again and sighed: "I'm not afraid of you laughing at me, but I always prided myself on being a smart person, yet this time I dug a hole and buried myself."

Ning Weidong's interest was piqued: "How do you say that?"

Duan Ming said: "Let me tell you, the place I went to for the countryside movement, the Great Northwest, had terrible conditions. I originally thought I'd stay for two years and come back quickly. Who would have thought that in such a godforsaken place, I would run into a high-status kid..."

After listening to Duan Ming ramble on, Ning Weidong found it somewhat unbelievable and interrupted: "Wait, you said that high-status kid is named Zhong Yuemin?"

Duan Ming was slightly surprised and nodded: "That's right, there was another one who went from Beijing, named Zheng Tong. I thought it was a rare opportunity to share hardships with them, and I had the chance to come back the year before last, but I stubbornly gave it up to someone else. Who knew that grandson would use his family's connections to join the army and leave? I acted like a fool and stayed for another two years."

Ning Weidong didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

However, he wasn't too surprised by Zhong Yuemin's appearance; after all, there was already Li Yuanchao, and this whole family of Qin Huairu.

Duan Ming asked: "What, do you know this person?"

Ning Weidong shook his head: "I wouldn't say I know him, I've heard of him."

Duan Ming couldn't help but look at Ning Weidong. Supposedly, people like them who lived in the old city, the so-called alley youths, were completely different from those like Zhong Yuemin who came from the big compounds, and it was very hard to get connected.

Even a few years ago, both sides played their own games and rarely mingled; once they did get together, a fight was inevitable.

The two chatted back and forth, but Ning Weidong was thinking about Bai Fengyu making dumplings at home, so he didn't stay long.

Once he was mostly washed, he proposed to leave first.

Duan Ming said: "Don't be like that. It's not easy for us to run into each other; wait for me a moment, let's find a place to have a drink."

Ning Weidong said: "It won't work today, they're waiting for me at home~ Anyway, since you're back, we'll have plenty of chances in the future; I'll treat you then."

Duan Ming didn't pester him; after all, they hadn't seen each other for several years, and they were no longer the carefree students they once were.

Coming out of the bathhouse, Ning Weidong carried his wash basket, his mind still on what Duan Ming had said.

This world is truly small; the original owner's connections could actually link up with Zhong Yuemin.

Ning Weidong had no interest in Zhong Yuemin; this person was too impulsive. He looked dashing and enviable, but unfortunately, being either a relative or a friend to such a person was too exhausting.

His impulsiveness and dash were built on many foundations; only with such a foundation could he squander things so wantonly.

On the contrary, the few friends around Zhong Yuemin were good connections, especially Zhou Xiaobai and Yuan Jun.

The backgrounds of these two were very powerful, not much inferior to Li Yuanchao.

It wouldn't be bad if there were a chance to get to know them.

Thinking as he went, Ning Weidong returned to the Dazayuan.

It was nearly seven o'clock in the summer, and the sky hadn't completely darkened yet.

Ning Weidong walked into the Moon Gate and greeted a few neighbors.

Arriving at the entrance of the Bai Family, he asked inside: "Sister Bai, are the dumplings ready?"

Because of his previous help to Bai Fengqin, Ning Weidong's interactions with the two Bai sisters were now more casual.

Since Ning Weidong had helped them before, it was only natural for Bai Fengyu and Bai Fengqin to show some gratitude.

Bai Fengyu responded from inside the room: "The water is boiling, I'll put them in for you right away."

Ning Weidong knew Bai Fengyu was waiting for him specifically.

Actually, he had told them to eat first when he left, but it was likely useless.

Sure enough, after a few minutes, Bai Fengyu brought a large plate of steaming boiled dumplings into Ning Weidong's room, placed them on the table, and said: "Hurry and try them while they're hot, see if they're good."

Ning Weidong smiled: "They must be good. Isn't there a saying, nothing tastes better than dumplings, and nothing is more fun than..."

Bai Fengyu blushed, rolled her eyes at him, and whispered: "You only know how to talk nonsense! Eat your food, I'm going back."

Ning Weidong picked up his chopsticks and said: "What's the rush? I have something to tell you."

Bai Fengyu sat down to the side, suspicious: "What is it?"

Ning Weidong picked up a dumpling with his chopsticks, unhurried, and without dipping it in vinegar, he ate it plain first.

Chives and eggs, with some dried shrimp added; it was a three-delicacy filling, neither too salty nor too bland, the taste was just right.

Especially since it was fresh out of the pot, still radiating heat.

Although some experts in later generations said that eating while hot was bad and could easily lead to this disease or that disease.

But there was no denying that dumplings eaten while hot and steaming were just better than when they had cooled down.

Ning Weidong ate one before saying: "This time Fengqin has also passed her exams and is leaving. Once she goes to university and leaves, and it's just you left alone, what are your thoughts?"

Bai Fengyu didn't know what Ning Weidong meant by this question and said cautiously: "What thoughts could I have? I'll just go on living like I am now..."

Saying this, Bai Fengyu pursed her lips and whispered: "That... when you get married, I know what to do; I definitely won't make things difficult for you."

"Who told you about that~" Ning Weidong didn't expect her to have misunderstood, so he raised his hand and gave Bai Fengyu's large bottom a slap: "What's this, the old cow eating tender grass, you want to run away after you've finished eating?"

Ning Weidong didn't speak quietly.

Bai Fengyu blushed, looked outside the window with a guilty conscience, and explained: "That's not what I meant, I... I was just afraid that you..."

"I don't need you to be afraid, you are my woman..." Ning Weidong reached out with his chopsticks to pick up another dumpling and said: "Forget it, I shouldn't have asked you; you just need to listen to my arrangements."

(End of chapter)