Chapter 136: Quick Transmigration: Film & TV Multiverse Chapter 16 Zheng Juan

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Protagonist:

Lin Hao

Over the next few days, Lin Hao thoroughly slacked off, and his little life couldn't have been more comfortable.

Every morning he slept until he woke naturally, and the meals were ready-made, cooked by his older brother Lin Kun, so he could just sit at the table and eat his fill.

Besides eating, he just read a bit and then took a nap; his days passed in complete leisure.

As for the games of this era, in Lin Hao's view they were utterly boring — jumping rope, slingshots, ice skating, that sort of thing — all too childish to hold any interest.

After lazing around like this for several days, Lin Hao finally remembered he still had a task unfinished.

He figured he should go find Zheng Juan; after all, in the original story Zheng Juan was Zhou Bingkun's lifelong destination, and this matter couldn't be forgotten.

So, following the address he remembered from the original story, Lin Hao arrived at Taiping Hutong.

Once there, he didn't rashly ask around for Zheng Juan's home; after all, in this era's social climate, casually inquiring about a young woman's address was highly improper and would easily invite gossip.

Lin Hao simply strolled leisurely around the vicinity of Taiping Hutong, looking this way and that.

Before long, Lin Kun spotted Zheng Juan's mother.

She was an elderly woman, leading a blind child and running a stall by the street, selling popsicles and candied haws.

Even though it was deep winter and the weather was bitingly cold, people still bought popsicles.

Lin Hao walked up and said with a smile, "Auntie, give me a stick of candied haws." Ever since he learned Traditional Chinese Medicine, he generally didn't eat popsicles.

While taking the candied haws, Lin Hao struck up a conversation with the old woman.

The old woman was warm-hearted too, and in no time Lin Hao had gotten on familiar terms with her.

From the old woman, Lin Hao learned an important piece of information: Zheng Juan usually came out to help at the stall, but today she was busy at home taking apart and washing the cotton quilts and padded clothes, so she hadn't come out.

Hearing this, Lin Hao knew what to do, and he turned and walked leisurely back home.

Time passed quickly, and before long it was the weekend.

Early that morning, Lin Hao rushed over to Zhou Bingkun and, without a word of explanation, dragged him outside.

Zhou Bingkun was utterly baffled, stumbling along in a daze, asking nonstop as they walked: "Lin Hao, what are you dragging me out for so early? I finally got a day off and wanted to sleep in."

Lin Hao's mind turned, and he casually made up an excuse: "Bingkun, I heard there's a place in Taiping Hutong selling meat without ration coupons — what a bargain. Let's hurry and buy some so we can eat more at New Year's. With so many people in your family, those few ounces on the side-food ration book won't be enough for anyone."

Zhou Bingkun's eyes lit up instantly. "Really? There's such a good thing? Then let's go take a look." That shut him up, and he followed Lin Hao honestly toward Taiping Hutong.

When the two arrived at Taiping Hutong, they circled around inside, but there was no meat seller to be found — not even a shadow of meat.

Zhou Bingkun was displeased, grumbling: "Lin Hao, what kind of news did you hear? Where's the meat seller? This was a wasted trip; I thought I'd score a big bargain."

Lin Hao remained unhurried, smiling: "Hey, Bingkun, quit your grumbling. Not buying meat is no big deal; I'll treat you to a popsicle to cool your temper." Saying this, he led Zhou Bingkun toward the spot where Zheng Juan set up her stall.

Today the old woman happened to be absent; only Zheng Juan was there with her blind younger brother.

Lin Hao walked up and said with a smile, "Miss, give my friend a cream popsicle, and I'll take a candied haw."

Zheng Juan lifted her head slightly, acknowledged him, and nimbly handed Zhou Bingkun a cream popsicle and passed Lin Hao a candied haw.

Just as Lin Hao and Zheng Juan were talking, Lin Hao suddenly caught sight out of the corner of his eye of Zhou Bingkun staring at Zheng Juan with eyes glued fast, his gaze holding an indescribable feeling, as if his whole being had been drawn to her.

Lin Hao rejoiced inwardly: "Hehe, truly a match made in heaven — Zhou Bingkun fell for her at first sight; looks like this has potential."

Watching Zhou Bingkun's dumbstruck stare, Lin Hao couldn't help laughing, raised the popsicle in his hand, and lightly patted Zhou Bingkun's shoulder: "Hey, Bingkun, what's up?"

That snapped Zhou Bingkun out of his trance. He gave a violent start, his face flushed instantly, his gaze turned flustered, and he hurriedly averted his eyes from Zheng Juan, stammering: "Ah… oh, nothing, nothing. Let's go."

Lin Hao hadn't intended to let them interact much more anyway — they'd just met, after all, and things needed to go slowly.

So without another word, he grabbed Zhou Bingkun's arm and hauled him back the way they'd come.

Zhou Bingkun's steps were incredibly reluctant; every step he glanced back at Zheng Juan, his eyes full of reluctance, as if something had firmly suctioned him there and he couldn't tear his gaze away.

Walking and stopping like this, once Lin Hao and Zhou Bingkun had gotten a little distance away, Lin Hao released his grip and looked at him with a half-smile, teasing: "So, Bingkun, just now you took a fancy to that girl?"

Zhou Bingkun's face reddened even more, like a ripe apple. He scratched his head, eyes dodging, and said embarrassedly: "Wh-what are you talking about? Don't spout nonsense. I just… just thought the girl looked a bit familiar, like I'd seen her somewhere before, so I looked a few more times."

Lin Hao couldn't help laughing. He patted Zhou Bingkun's shoulder and continued: "Come off it, don't play dumb. Truth is, that girl is indeed quite pretty. If you really don't like her, I'll make a move. We grew up together as childhood friends, so I'm putting this upfront: if you're interested, you'd better speak up fast, don't blame me for snatching her later — I'd be wronged to death."

Hearing this, Zhou Bingkun's eyes went wide. He grabbed Lin Hao's arm anxiously: "Hey, Lin Hao, don't you mess around. I… I was just stunned for a moment. Actually… actually I do like her a bit. You can't compete with me."

Seeing Zhou Bingkun's anxious, shy look, Lin Hao snickered inwardly but said: "Hmph, I knew you were all talk. Fine, since you like her, want me to go ask around about her situation?"

Zhou Bingkun said embarrassedly: "Is that appropriate? We've only met once."

Lin Hao said: "What's inappropriate about it? Just asking about her situation, not proposing marriage. What are you afraid of? What if she already has a boyfriend? Then you'd be happy for nothing."

Zhou Bingkun nodded repeatedly: "Right, that's true. Thanks, Lin Hao."

The two walked on toward home, chatting. Zhou Bingkun's heart right now was like a little rabbit tucked inside, thumping wildly, his mind full of Zheng Juan's image.