Monday, December 31, 1928.
The last day of the year.
Lu Qingqing made an appearance at the training institute just before it closed.
News of Hu Jia rejoining the team had already spread throughout the institute, and everyone greeted Lu Qingqing warmly upon seeing her.
"We thought you weren't coming today! Is Captain Hu alright? Is he still able to walk?"
"Zhan Ruoxuan, if you can't say anything nice, move aside."
Cai Xiaojuan pushed her way into the crowd. "Qingqing, tell us quickly, where did Captain Hu go last week?"
"You know his memory, he can't remember anything. Who knows where he went," Lu Qingqing said, observing Tong Meng's reaction. Although the woman didn't turn around, the slight tilt of her head indicated she was eavesdropping.
Lu Qingqing thought, this woman is rather strange.
If it weren't for the mention of Tong Meng in the Morse code that Hu Jia brought back, Lu Qingqing would have assumed Tong Meng knew nothing based on her current demeanor.
"Oh, Qingqing, have you ever read those storybooks? About a dejected scholar being saved by a beautiful lady in distress? Do you think Hu Jia encountered something similar last week? If his savior shows up, your fiancé might have to step aside."
Zhan Ruoxuan seized the opportunity to add, angering Lu Qingqing so much that she smacked him on the head. "Are you hoping I'll be unhappy?"
"Hahaha, I'm just giving you a heads-up..."
"If such a lady appears, I'll be the first to toss Hu Jia out and send him to repay her kindness. He's not allowed back until he's used up all his merit."
Lu Qingqing's words drew laughter from everyone.
However, her casual remark struck a chord with someone. Tong Meng had taken her words to heart.
Speaking of which, Lu Qingqing suddenly remembered the lipstick mark. Since Tong Meng was present during Hu Jia's disappearance, did that mean the lip print was...?
Damn it!
The thought made Lu Qingqing furious. She suddenly stood up, startling everyone.
"What's wrong?"
"Uh, nothing." Lu Qingqing slowly sat back down. She couldn't possibly confront Tong Meng about this.
Frustrating!
Suddenly, an idea struck Lu Qingqing. "It's just that when Hu Jia returned last night, his face..."
"What?"
As expected, they were all gossipy. Lu Qingqing glanced at Tong Meng, who visibly leaned back slightly.
Heh, so you're very concerned about the lip print you left, aren't you?
Lu Qingqing feigned helplessness and said, "I don't know which prankster it was, but someone drew a red heart on his face with my name inside."
Lu Qingqing put on an angry face. "Hmph, it must have been those first few police officers who found him. They were deliberately messing with us, since everyone knows I'm his fiancée."
Swoosh...
Tong Meng slid his chair away and ran out directly.
Lu Qingqing could feel the palpable displeasure radiating from her. Heh, in a fight between women, I never back down.
Since the next day was New Year's Day, everyone was clamoring to organize something for the evening. Little did they know, when they stepped out, Li Yang approached them. It turned out the Special Operations Team also had a gathering, to welcome Hu Jia home.
Before Lu Qingqing could say anything, Cai Xiaojuan and the others started their protests.
"Lu Qingqing, I'm telling you. You can't do something so selfish. You and Captain Hu eat together every day. It's rare for us to get together."
"Exactly, what's the big deal about missing one meal with him? Does eating with him make you smarter? Ignore him."
"If you dare to leave, I'll tell the academic advisor that I forged all your leave requests."
Lu Qingqing smiled. "Why choose? Can't you all go together? I'll introduce you to Captain Ouyang, you won't regret it!"
Hooray!
Everyone erupted in cheers. Who would pass up an opportunity for a meal and to meet an important person?
"Let's go, let's go, don't keep Captain Ouyang waiting."
"Lu Qingqing, is your gait sticking? Why are you walking so slowly?"
"..."
Lu Qingqing was speechless. These women were so pragmatic.
Li Yang was also stunned by this group. Thankfully, his Xiao Yueyue wasn't like this, so vulgar!
"Sister-in-law, can you be a bit gentler with the boss later?" Li Yang leaned in slyly towards Lu Qingqing.
"Hm? Did he say anything?" Lu Qingqing raised an eyebrow.
"No, he didn't say anything. I just thought, it's your first time having dinner together, shouldn't you show your charming side?" Li Yang quickly shook his head.
Lu Qingqing shot him a glare. "Hmph, I know what to do even if you don't say anything. Hmph, he's so dazed from being kissed that he's forgotten himself, wanting me to be gentle."
Li Yang flinched. It seemed he had gotten into trouble again.
After Lu Qingqing left in the afternoon, everyone had been asking Hu Jia for details about the lipstick incident.
Hu Jia hesitated for a long time before saying, "That woman is so fierce!"
Everyone understood immediately. It seemed their boss had been yelled at quite a bit by Lu Qingqing that morning.
Therefore, they arranged this dinner to ease the atmosphere. Most importantly, they didn't want Hu Jia to misunderstand Lu Qingqing as a shrew, as it wouldn't be conducive to their relationship development.
"Um, sister-in-law. Please take pity on the boss. Look how pitiful he was this morning, crying. Let's create a warm and romantic dining experience for him," Li Yang was still trying to persuade her.
Lu Qingqing sighed deeply. "Alright, I'll try my best. You know, I'm not someone who likes to pretend."
...
Two tables were combined into one, and everyone enthusiastically took their seats.
Lu Qingqing was naturally seated next to Hu Jia.
They had all met before, so familiarity wasn't the main issue. The important thing was not to waste precious eating time on introductions.
Hot pot was a common choice for gatherings in Chongqing. As Lu Qingqing was about to prepare her dipping sauce, Hu Jia proactively offered to help.
Everyone looked at them with knowing smiles.
"Oh..."
Lu Qingqing feigned displeasure and glared at everyone, adding by way of explanation, "He's closer to this side."
"Oh..."
Everyone gave them a look that said, "We understand."
Hu Jia proceeded to put every ingredient into the bowl. "Hey!" Lu Qingqing shouted. She hated cilantro, and he was about to put it in her sauce.
She remembered their last meal together; Hu Jia had known her tastes by heart: no cilantro, no pickled peppers, and douchi flavor for stir-fried meat.
Today, he hadn't done his homework. It seemed the lipstick incident had a strong effect.
Because she had shouted too loudly, Yu Yue quickly tugged at her sleeve. Lu Qingqing took a deep breath. Fine, she would be gentle.
To avoid hurting that delicate little heart, Lu Qingqing instantly put on a radiant smile, lowered her voice, and said softly and sweetly, "I don't like cilantro."
Uh...
Everyone shivered.
Lu Qingqing thought for a moment. "Also, I don't like pickled peppers either. They're too spicy and uncomfortable."
After speaking, Lu Qingqing turned her head and gave Li Yang a proud look, as if to say, "What do you think? Am I amazing?"
Li Yang gave her a thumbs-up!
Zhan Ruoxuan and the others, holding their chopsticks, stared blankly at Lu Qingqing. Did this person have two faces?
Seeing everyone looking at her in surprise, Lu Qingqing became flustered. "What are you looking at..." She paused. "Oh, everyone, hurry up and eat. If you're too slow, you won't get any, hehe..."
"Are you alright?" Ouyang Wen asked.
Lu Qingqing pretended to be coy and pouted. "I'm perfectly fine, hehe."
Hu Jia's hand holding the bowl trembled. What on earth had he found?