Chapter 552: Date

Lin Zhengcheng scratched his head, a bit embarrassed, saying, "I just don't know if she likes it."

"She likes it, she likes it." Qin Jingru hurriedly said, "Girls all like these flowers and plants. Buy some sugar-fried chestnuts to bring along; eating them in autumn is just right, warming the hands and tasty."

Zheng Juan also came out of the kitchen, hearing this she nodded.

"Let me tell you, when getting along with girls, you need to be more thoughtful. When walking, let her walk on the inside, watch the road underfoot; when speaking, slow down, don't just talk about your own work, also ask more about her thoughts."

Lin Zhengcheng listened attentively, keeping both of their words in mind: "Got it, Mom, Aunt Qin."

Su Qing beside him also smiled and said, "Second brother, go ahead without worry, we're at home. If you need help bringing anything, just say the word."

Lin Zhengcheng responded, went back to his room and changed into a clean jacket, tidied his hair in front of the mirror, then pushed his bicycle out the door.

Before leaving, Qin Jingru ran after him, stuffing a packet of freshly roasted sunflower seeds into his hand: "Take these, eat them while chatting with the young lady."

Lin Zhengcheng took the seeds, smiled and thanked him, got on his bicycle, and headed toward Zhang Xiaoran's home.

The autumn breeze blew on his face, bringing a hint of freshness; the plane tree leaves by the roadside had turned yellow, falling piece by piece, forming a golden little path, especially evocative.

Zhang Xiaoran's family lives in a hutong in the old city district; when Lin Zhengcheng arrived, she was already waiting at the hutong entrance.

Today she wore a cream-colored knit sweater, paired with a dark navy half-skirt, her hair tied in a low ponytail, looking especially fresh and neat.

Seeing Lin Zhengcheng approach, her eyes lit up, she smiled and went to meet him: "You're here."

"Did I keep you waiting long?" Lin Zhengcheng stopped his bicycle, saying somewhat apologetically.

"No, I've only just come out myself." Zhang Xiaoran shook her head, her gaze falling on the cloth bag in his hand, "What is this..."

"Oh, I bought some sugar-fried chestnuts and also the sunflower seeds my mom roasted, thinking to eat them on the way." Lin Zhengcheng handed over the bag, "Try them, these chestnuts are just roasted, still warm."

Zhang Xiaoran took the bag, her fingertips touching the warm chestnut, her heart warmed.

She took out a chestnut, peeled off the shell, revealing the golden flesh inside, brought it to her lips and took a light bite—sweet and sticky, leaving fragrance in her mouth: "Really delicious, thank you."

"If it's tasty, eat more." Lin Zhengcheng smiled, pushed his bicycle, and walked side by side with Zhang Xiaoran toward Qiu Xia Park.

The two walked and chatted, not as formal as when they first met, and the topics became more casual.

Zhang Xiaoran talked about interesting things at school, saying a student wrote an essay that was especially interesting, comparing the teacher to a "hardworking bee," and even drew a picture to paste after the essay;

Lin Zhengcheng then talked about small matters in the workshop, saying a young colleague, to overcome a technical difficulty, stayed up three straight nights, and when he finally succeeded, he was so excited he cried.

Before they knew it, they had arrived at Qiu Xia Park. The park was filled with people admiring chrysanthemums; multicolored chrysanthemums vied to bloom, white like snow, yellow like gold, pink like rosy clouds, a sight too beautiful to take in. The air was faintly scented with chrysanthemum, making people feel especially relaxed.

Lin Zhengcheng found a bench with few people, let Zhang Xiaoran sit and rest, while he went to buy two bottles of mineral water.

When he returned, he saw Zhang Xiaoran crouched on the ground, gazing dazedly at a white chrysanthemum, her eyes gentle.

"Do you like this one?" Lin Zhengcheng walked over and handed the mineral water to her.

"Mm, this chrysanthemum is especially pure, like snow."

Zhang Xiaoran stood up, took the mineral water, took a sip, "When I was little, my grandmother's courtyard also had many chrysanthemums; every autumn they bloomed especially abundantly. My grandmother would dry the chrysanthemums to brew tea, saying drinking it could improve eyesight."

"Then next time I'll bring you some chrysanthemum tea; my mother has some dried from last year, of especially good quality." Lin Zhengcheng blurted out.

Zhang Xiaoran's cheeks flushed slightly, she lightly nodded: "Sure, thank you."

The two sat on the bench, looking at the chrysanthemums before them, chatting about their respective childhood anecdotes.

Zhang Xiaoran said she was especially mischievous as a child, often following her brother to the river to catch fish, each time ending up with her clothes soaked, and getting scolded by her grandmother when she got home;

Lin Zhengcheng said he most liked as a child to go with his father to the workshop, watching his father tinker with various mechanical parts, and back then he resolved to become an engineer.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, falling on the two of them, warm and cozy.

Occasionally a gentle breeze blew by, carrying the chrysanthemum scent, dispersing all formality and unfamiliarity.

Zhang Xiaoran looked at Lin Zhengcheng beside her, he was listening attentively to her speak, his eyes focused and sincere, making her heart gradually warm.

She realized that although Lin Zhengcheng was not good with words, he was thoughtful, always able to inadvertently attend to her feelings.

Meanwhile, the Lin Family Courtyard was also very lively.

Lin Qinhua and Chen Mo returned from the laboratory, carrying a thermal box containing sweet and sour fish just bought from the research institute's cafeteria.

"We're back!" Lin Qinhua walked into the courtyard, raising the thermal box, "The cafeteria made sweet and sour fish today; I specially brought a portion for my sister-in-law, sour and sweet, appetizing."

Su Qing laughed and stood up: "Thank you, Qinhua, Chen Mo. You're so thoughtful."

Chen Mo placed the thermal box on the table, opened the lid, and a rich fish aroma immediately spread.

"Sister-in-law, you're pregnant now, your appetite might be poor; this sweet and sour fish should suit your taste."

Qin Jingru walked over, smelled it, and said with a smile, "This fish smells fragrant just from the scent. Xiao Qing, try it quickly."

She then turned to Lin Qinhua and Chen Mo, saying, "You two also don't need to keep busy; sit down, rest a bit, have a cup of tea."

Lin Qinhua and Chen Mo sat on the chairs under the corridor, drinking tea and talking about laboratory matters.

Chen Mo said that today he had optimized the test plan for the stealth coating, efficiency had increased considerably; Lin Qinhua listened attentively, occasionally offering her own ideas, the two cooperated seamlessly, their eyes full of passion for scientific research.

Zheng Juan brought the sweet and sour fish to the table in the east wing, and served Su Qing a bowl of rice: "Xiao Qing, eat quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold."

Su Qing sat down, picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of fish meat—it melted in the mouth, the sweet and sour balance was just right, indeed appetizing.

She laughed and said, "Really delicious, much better than what I make myself."

As the sun set in the west, Lin Zhengcheng saw Zhang Xiaoran back to the hutong entrance.

The two stood under an old locust tree, both feeling somewhat reluctant to part.

"Thank you for today, I had a great time." Zhang Xiaoran lifted her head, looking at Lin Zhengcheng, her eyes holding a gentle smile.