Chapter 281: Untitled Draft

Zhong Mingzhu, having run out of the Xu Family home, was full of shame and for a moment did not know what to do; it was her first time feeling a bit of affection for someone of the opposite sex, and yet she had ended up wronging them.

"Oh my... why was I so impulsive back then?" Zhong Mingzhu patted her burning little face, the more she thought about it, the more ashamed she felt.

Thinking of the awkward situation Zhang Ping'an would have to face at the Library after she left, she hurriedly rode her Bicycle back to the Library to explain, but by the time Zhong Mingzhu arrived at the Library panting, Zhang Ping'an had long since arrived home.

"Comrade, where is the person who was reading in that direction earlier?"

"Left a long time ago."

The librarian glanced at Zhong Mingzhu; this was also one of the parties involved, likely just another small spat between a young couple.

Zhong Mingzhu ignored the librarian's gaze and, upon leaving, intended to go to the Siheyuan to find Zhang Ping'an, but after preparing her words along the way, she hesitated again in front of the Siheyuan gate.

"Young lady, are you here to find Qiu Nan? She went back to her maiden home today."

"Ah, oh, thank you, ma'am." Zhong Mingzhu lost her nerve in the end and ran home in a panic.

"Why is this young lady acting so strange?"

"Sister-in-law, I just saw the girl who came to your house last time standing at the gate in a daze; when I said Qiu Nan had gone back to her maiden home, she ran off in a panic."

"The colleague who came to see Qiu Nan last time?"

"Yes."

"Oh, maybe something came up?"

Wang Cuihua was not sure either; when Zhong Mingzhu came last time, her grandson had been choking, and her mind had been entirely on her grandson, so she had not paid attention to this colleague of her daughter-in-law.

Once home, Zhong Mingzhu locked herself in her room, constantly reflecting on this period of time; it seemed that ever since she learned of Zhang Ping'an's existence, she had been holding a drive in her heart, wanting to see just how outstanding he really was.

Later, witnessing Zhang Ping'an's series of child-saving acts, the promotion of what he had learned, and then learning about his past, she seemed to have slowly fallen for him, but today's chance encounter had been ruined by her own arrogance.

"It's not, it's not, I'm just curious, yes, I'm just curious." The more Zhong Mingzhu thought, the more chaotic her mind became; she did not dare to think any further and could only constantly comfort and numb herself.

The next morning, Zhong Mingzhu went to work with two slightly dark circles under her eyes.

"Mingzhu, didn't you sleep well last night?"

"Ah, yes, a little."

"By the way, I heard from a neighbor yesterday that you came to look for me; was there something you needed?"

"No, I was just bored and wanted to find you to hang out. Qiu Nan, do me a favor and give this letter to Zhang Ping'an; I'm going to do my rounds now." Zhong Mingzhu ran off without waiting for Ding Qiunan to answer.

"This..."

Inside was naturally Zhong Mingzhu's apology letter, but in Ding Qiunan's eyes, it looked like Zhong Mingzhu was writing a love letter to Zhang Ping'an; she felt as if her worldview was about to collapse.

In Ding Qiunan's eyes, Zhang Ping'an was very outstanding, and if she were not already married, she might even have been willing, provided Zhang Ping'an made the first move; but Zhong Mingzhu was different—a proper high-ranking cadre's descendant, how could she be the one to take the initiative?

Shaking her head to drive away the miscellaneous thoughts, Ding Qiunan put the envelope into her pocket and began her rounds.

The day's work ended quickly, and Zhang Ping'an also handed in his supplies before getting off work, pedaling his tricycle along slowly.

The tea leaves picked last time had all been stir-fried; the quantity was large, nearly a hundred jin, with a slightly bitter taste and a hint of sweetness in the aftertaste, perfect for drinking in the summer.

"Ping'an, is there any news about the blind date Factory Director Li introduced to you?"

"Uh, he's probably still asking. San Jie Fu, you know my situation; it's not easy to find someone."

"..."

"How about we let Dongxu's wife..."

"San Jie Fu, this matter can't be rushed; perhaps the fate hasn't arrived yet." Zhang Ping'an hurriedly interrupted Lao Jia's spell-casting.

"Alright then, let's wait and see."

Still dropping the father and son off at the Siheyuan gate, Zhang Ping'an was just about to go out for another ride.

"Zhang Shu, wait a moment." Liu Guangtian and his wife also braked to a stop at the gate.

"What is it, Guangtian?"

"Cough, it's Qiu Nan's colleague; she has a letter for you."

"Hm?"

Lao Jia and his son, who were about to walk into the Siheyuan, also slowed their pace in unison; the two looked at each other, both with smiles in their eyes.

"Zhang Shu, this is from Mingzhu for you."

"Give it to me." Zhang Ping'an frowned slightly, not knowing what kind of stunt this person was pulling again, but he took it nonetheless.

Just as he was about to open it, the two stretched their necks to lean in toward him; Lao Jia and his son had also arrived behind Zhang Ping'an at some point.

"Cough, cough."

"Ah, oh right, it's time to go home and cook."

"Yes, that's right, it's time to go home and eat."

All four withdrew their gazes in embarrassment and walked toward the Siheyuan in tacit agreement.

"Dongxu, it still has to be Zhang Shu."

"Indeed, ginger is still spicier when it's old."

"..."

Zhang Ping'an stared at the four people's backs, speechless. He opened the envelope and saw that it was full of Zhong Mingzhu's apologies for yesterday's incident, even offering to teach him French as compensation.

Putting the letter away, Zhang Ping'an did not pay it much mind; although he was a bit annoyed yesterday, the past was the past, and there was no need to dwell on it.

The next day at work, just as Zhang Ping'an was preparing for his daily slacking off, he was stopped by Xu Kun.

"Hehe, Zhang Ge, I finally intercepted you. I came to find you yesterday morning, but you had gone hunting early in the morning."

"Hm, what's the matter?"

"Is it inconvenient here? Then let's go to the office," Zhang Ping'an said, seeing his constipated expression.

"No one is here, speak."

"Hehe, Zhang Ge, what is your relationship with my aunt?"

"Your aunt?"

"That's right, Zhong Mingzhu is my aunt, my grandmother's youngest daughter."

"What?"

Zhang Ping'an finally had some clue this time, his brain storming rapidly; could it be that Xu Yan wanted him to be her brother-in-law? No, that shouldn't be it.

Damn, then it's most likely Li Huaide, or perhaps Xu Lijuan; this is too ruthless, and they aren't even afraid of the Zhong Family having objections. After all, given his current situation, how could he be a match for someone from such a prominent family? Besides, there must be some misunderstanding in all this.

"Brother Zhang? Brother Zhang?" Xu Kun waved his hand in front of Zhang Ping'an's eyes, looking at him with a gossipy expression.

"Ah? Oh, it's nothing. Your aunt and I have only met twice, what kind of relationship could we have?"

"Really?" Xu Kun looked suspicious; his aunt's behavior yesterday didn't look like someone who had only met twice.

"Could that be fake? Alright, I'm going hunting." Having said that, Zhang Ping'an ignored him and walked straight out of the office.

"Comrade Li has misled me. Just how outstanding am I in their eyes for them to dare introduce the Zhong Family's youngest daughter to me?" Zhang Ping'an sighed while feeling rather smug.

"But it's good that there's a misunderstanding now; it saves both families from embarrassment." Zhang Ping'an stopped overthinking; going into the mountains to cool off and hunt was the real priority.

Meanwhile, at the Military Division Hospital, the moment Zhong Mingzhu saw Ding Qiunan arrive for work, she couldn't help but ask about the letter.

"Ahem, Sister Qiunan, did Zhang Ping'an have you bring any message for me after he read the letter?"

"No, Mingzhu, you don't really like Zhang Shu, do you?"

"Nonsense, that was an apology letter."

"Then why do you want to write back? Hehe, if you really like him, I'll help you."

Ding Qiunan thought that her friend was also from a high-ranking cadre family. Her own marriage had been facilitated by Zhang Shu, and since Zhang Shu currently had no family, the two were quite a good match. This way, she would fulfill her friend's dream and also repay Zhang Shu for playing matchmaker back then.

"It's not like that, I don't, stop talking nonsense." After her triple denial, Zhong Mingzhu fled the office.

"Heh, a woman who says one thing but means another."