Chapter 137: Quick Transmigration: Film & Television Multiverse Chapter 17 — Strike While the Iron Is Hot

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Protagonist:

Lin Hao

Since Zhou Bingkun had already met Zheng Juan, and his demeanor clearly showed he had taken a liking to the young lady, Lin Hao pondered in his heart that he must strike while the iron was hot, quickly push this matter forward, complete the task, and then he could comfortably lie flat.

Thus, early the next morning, Lin Hao once again arrived in front of Zheng Juan's small stall at Taiping Hutong.

This time both Zheng Juan and the old lady were there.

Lin Hao walked up, first greeting the old lady with a smile, then seizing the right moment, gently tugged the old lady's arm and led her to a secluded spot with no one around.

Once at the side, Lin Hao didn't beat around the bush, but directly cut to the chase: "Old lady, I'd like to ask you something. That young lady over there, is she your daughter?"

The old lady nodded, smiling: "Yes, that's my daughter Zheng Juan. What is it? Young man, do you have some business?"

Hearing this, Lin Hao felt reassured, and continued: "Old lady, here's the situation. I'll speak plainly. I want to ask, does your daughter currently have a suitor?"

Upon hearing this, the smile on the old lady's face faded somewhat, she sighed softly, and said: "Alas, what suitor could there be? You've seen our family's situation — we don't even have anyone with a proper job. This old woman has no skills, and I'm burdened with a blind younger son. We barely scrape by selling popsicles and candied haws. Who would take a fancy to our Juan'er?"

Lin Hao hurriedly said: "Old lady, you mustn't speak like that. You see, my brother has taken a liking to your Zheng Juan. I came today specifically to learn about the situation. If it's suitable, I'll go back and talk to my brother, and then we'll find someone to formally propose marriage and settle this matter."

Hearing this, the old lady's eyes instantly widened, surprise and joy reappearing on her face. She eagerly asked: "Really? Young man, you mustn't tease this old woman. What does your brother do? What's his family situation?"

Seeing the old lady's interest piqued, Lin Hao unhurriedly laid out Zhou Bingkun's family circumstances in full detail: "Old lady, my brother's family — their conditions are considered quite good around here. His father is a worker, he himself is also a worker, his big brother is in the Production and Construction Corps, his big sister, though sent down to the countryside, is also an educated person. The whole family is honest and upright, and they live a fairly prosperous life."

The old lady listened, nodding incessantly. By the time Lin Hao finished, her face was beaming with joy, so happy she didn't know what to say, muttering repeatedly: "Oh my, this... this is truly wonderful. If our Juan'er can marry into such a family, that would truly be her blessing. This old woman can finally rest easy."

Seeing the old lady so happy, Lin Hao felt quite satisfied too, but he still hurriedly said: "Old lady, there's one thing I must make clear to you first. Currently, Zhou Bingkun's parents don't know about this yet, so please don't rush to tell Zheng Juan, lest something change at the last minute and the girl's joy turns to disappointment. We must take it step by step, first get a clear picture of both sides' situations, then tell them the good news. You agree, right?"

Hearing this, the old lady nodded repeatedly: "Right, right, right. Young man, you're right. We must be steady, can't let Juan'er get her hopes up for nothing. I'll listen to you — won't tell her for now, just wait for your news."

Lin Hao smiled: "Alright then, old lady, rest assured. As soon as I have news I'll come right over and tell you. I'll head back now, you keep busy."

With that, Lin Hao bid farewell to the old lady, turned and left Zheng Juan's small stall, thinking to himself that this first step had finally been taken, and next it depended on Zhou Bingkun's performance.

After Lin Hao returned from Zheng Juan's small stall, he kept pondering in his heart how to bring up this marriage matter to Zhou Bingkun's parents.

He knew clearly in his heart that counting on Zhou Bingkun to speak for himself was absolutely hopeless. This kid — the moment he saw Zheng Juan he became all shy and awkward, couldn't even speak smoothly, let alone take the initiative to talk to his parents about it.

But what Lin Hao didn't expect was that ever since that day he met Zheng Juan, Zhou Bingkun seemed possessed, running to Zheng Juan's place to buy popsicles every few days.

Moreover, every time he insisted on dragging Lin Hao along, using Lin Hao as a shield.

Every time Zhou Bingkun would say: "Lin Hao, come on, accompany me out for a trip. I want to go to Taiping Hutong and buy a popsicle to quench my thirst."

Lin Hao knew perfectly well in his heart that his real purpose wasn't the popsicle, and couldn't help teasing: "Yo, Bingkun, are you really that thirsty, or do you want to go see a certain someone?"

Hearing this, Zhou Bingkun's face reddened, and he hurriedly said: "Hey, don't talk nonsense. I just want to buy a popsicle, and by the way... by the way see if that popsicle-selling girl is there."

Lin Hao sighed helplessly: "Alright, alright. For the sake of us childhood friends, I'll accompany you on this trip."

Thus, the two of them ran to Taiping Hutong again and again.

Every time they reached Zheng Juan's stall, Zhou Bingkun would become especially ill at ease, stammering when he spoke. After buying a popsicle or candied haw, he wouldn't leave in a hurry, just lingered there, his eyes stealing glances at Zheng Juan from time to time.

After several days like this, neither Zheng Juan nor her mother were fools — how could they not sense Zhou Bingkun's intentions?

After all, what young man acts like this? Running here every day to buy popsicles and candied haws, eating them and then refusing to leave — his thoughts are practically written on his face.

Zheng Juan's mother privately remarked to Zheng Juan: "Girl, look at that young man named Zhou Bingkun. I think he seems to have a bit of interest in you. These past few days he's come every day — who knows if he really loves eating popsicles, or if he's coming for you."

Zheng Juan heard this, her face also flushed slightly, and she lowered her head: "Mom, don't talk nonsense. Maybe he just likes eating our popsicles."

Though she said this with her mouth, in her heart Zheng Juan actually understood a little. Every time Zhou Bingkun came, her heart couldn't help but stir with a faint ripple.

On the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, Zhou Bingkun's father and elder brother finally returned. The next day, early in the morning, Lin Hao arrived at the Zhou Family.