Back To The 80s

Lu Zhanguo was driving Gu Xiaobei, Jiujiu, and Xiaopang, and first dropped them off at the troop’s guesthouse. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Once they arrived, it wasn’t until Gu Xiaobei casually mentioned that this was the military unit where Li Duo was stationed that Jiujiu’s heart suddenly started pounding.

Gu Xiaobei didn’t notice Jiujiu’s unusual reaction, he was busy saying to Lu Zhanguo: "Later I’ll drive them to the city for dinner." The car was purchased by Gu Xiaobei this spring, a red flag compact car. He bought it for the convenience of taking the kids out to expand their horizons beyond textbooks every weekend.

Before leaving, Lu Zhanguo added, "Alright, but drive slowly if you do go out."

Watching Lu Zhanguo walk away, Gu Xiaobei suddenly thought of something and shouted: "Invite Li Duo tonight, let’s go out for dinner together." After speaking, he glanced unintentionally at Jiujiu and noticed her flushed face, realizing something was off.

"Jiujiu, did you meet Uncle Li Duo in S City before?" Back in the room, Gu Xiaobei cautiously asked Jiujiu, without missing any expression on her face.

Jiujiu nodded, "During the winter vacation, we went back together."

The astute Gu Xiaobei, from the unease flickering on Jiujiu’s face and the confusion in her eyes, confirmed that Jiujiu liked Li Duo. It suddenly occurred to him how quickly time flies, Jiujiu is nineteen now, at the age of dating.

Gu Xiaobei, recalling the conversation he overheard in the dormitory today, suspected that Jiujiu might be stranded in a maze of inferiority complex, unable to get out.

When you like someone, you tend to draw attention to your own shortcomings, fearing you’re not perfect enough or suitable for the other party. Those who fall in love first often see themselves as lesser beings.

Watching Jiujiu, Gu Xiaobei pondered carefully. He wanted to observe Li Duo’s attitude towards Jiujiu. If it wasn’t just one-sided from Jiujiu, it could be a good match, as they are already familiar with each other.

Seeing that Gu Xiaobei was silent and deep in thought, Jiujiu, as if she had made a huge decision, bit her lip and asked, "Auntie, can I still breastfeed if my breasts are like this?"

Gu Xiaobei was taken aback and looking at Jiujiu’s innocent eyes, she understood that the kids nowadays are still relatively naive and shy, they were even embarrassed to attend biology classes, and had limited exposure to television and other media.

"No, it has nothing to do with this, and you are just as normal as everyone else," Gu Xiaobei said casually.

Jiujiu looked down, "It’s very ugly."

Gu Xiaobei sighed, glanced at Xiaopang who was kneeling by the television and said, "Xiaopang, go play downstairs for a while. I want to talk to Sister Jiujiu."

Xiaopang pouted, "Alright, mom, please remember to call me downstairs later."

Gu Xiaobei gave Xiaopang a dollar and instructed: "You can’t leave the guesthouse."

Xiaopang, clutching the dollar, nodded excitedly, "I know, I definitely won’t go out." Saying that, she scampered off cheerfully as that dollar was equivalent to a week’s pocket money for her.

Gu Xiaobei stood by the window, watching Xiaopang run to the small shop to buy a popsicle, then run out again to sit by the flower bed indulging her treat. She then turned back to Jiujiu and said, "Jiujiu, have you ever thought about the fact that there are many people in the world who are not as lucky as you, yet they still live happily?"

Jiujiu looked at Gu Xiaobei in bewilderment, not quite understanding.

Gu Xiaobei occasionally glanced down at Xiaopang from the window and continued to Jiujiu, "When you see people without legs on the street, or blind people, how do you feel? Do you think they are pitiful? But how do you know they are pitiful? While blind people cannot see, God has gifted them keen ears, enabling them to capture sounds we cannot hear. And this so-called ’pity’ is just a label imposed by society.

"Therefore, if you care about what others think, you will act according to their thoughts. And you will think, ’I really am different, I really am a pitiful person.’ This will only cloud your judgment and prevent you from discovering your own strengths. Often, when God closes a door for you, He also opens a window. Calm down and think about your own advantages. Have you ever thought about what good a shallow love would bring, where your lover despises you for your imperfections?"

Jiujiu was brought to tears by Gu Xiaobei’s words. It was true that she was insecure, that she was living under other people’s gaze. She hated seeing others’ sympathetic looks, which made her feel that she was indeed a pitiful person.

Glancing at Xiaopang licking her popsicle in the flower bed, Gu Xiaobei sighed gently, "Jiujiu, it’s good to like someone and hope to be as perfect as he is, but we are human beings after all, we can’t be perfect at everything."

Jiujiu wiped her tears. She understood what Gu Xiaobei said, but she couldn’t help but think about it.

Gu Xiaobei approached Jiujiu, embraced her and said, "You are no worse than anyone else. If you like him, just go for it, don’t waste your youth. If he can’t accept you, walk away gracefully. There’s nothing big about it, at least you won’t have any regrets afterward."

Jiujiu sniffed and said in a tearful voice, "Auntie, I don’t think I can do it."

Gu Xiaobei stroked Jiujiu’s hair, "Jiujiu, this is a hurdle you must overcome in your growing up. No one can help you."

Jiujiu sobbed while hugging Gu Xiaobei, she was still afraid because her expectations for love were too high and she feared the pain.

Xiaopang had finished her popsicle and was idly counting ants on a cement platform. When Lu Zhanguo returned with Li Duo, he was a little surprised to see a bored-looking Xiaopang, "Xiaopang, why are you here? Where is your mom?"

Xiaopang rushed over in delight, tightly clutching Lu Zhanguo’s hand, "Dad, why are you back so soon? You said it would be long. It’s just been a little while."

"After reporting, I had nothing to do so I came back to check on you guys. This is Uncle Li Duo, do you remember him?" Lu Zhanguo introduced.

Xiaopang blinked her big eyes, grinning, "Isn’t this Brother Li Duo? He’s the same age as Brother Chen Gang, how could I call him uncle?"

Lu Zhanguo frowned. Xiaopang’s thoughts could sometimes really baffle him.

Li Duo smiled at Xiaopang, "You can call me uncle or brother."

Xiaopang giggled and stuck out her tongue, "Dad, mom and Sister Jiujiu are upstairs talking."

Li Duo paused slightly, his lips curving into a smile.

Gu Xiaobei, afraid that Xiaopang might wander off, looked out from the window again. Seeing Lu Zhanguo and Li Duo talking to Xiaopang, she turned back to Jiujiu, who was still wiping her tears. She couldn’t help but sigh; the kids were growing up.

When Li Duo and Lu Zhanguo came into the room, seeing Jiujiu’s red eyes, he was reminded of Chen Gang’s words before he left for the Tibetan Area, when he came to S City to see him.

Chen Gang’s first words were: "Jiujiu is a good girl. You must treat her well."