Back To The 80s-Chapter 328 - 338: Seen Again (Extra - for 880 monthly tickets)_1

Chapter 328: Chapter 338: Seen Again (Extra Chapter for 880 monthly tickets)_1

Bai Xiaolan huffed her way out of the security office, no longer in the mood for the temple fair. She decided to catch a bus home.

Nearing the bus stop, she saw a bun stall by the road. She hadn’t had lunch and originally planned to try some snacks after watching the comedy show, but her anger had effectively killed her appetite. Now, finally seeing some buns, she realized she was somewhat hungry.

She approached the bun stall, spent ages indecisively choosing and ultimately bought two tofu-stuffed buns. The pork and chive ones were too expensive.

Ever since Bai Xiaolan decided to go to G Province, she had quit her job at the steel company and had been at home for three months. Her savings were dwindling, and being too proud to ask her family for money, she had little left and needed to be more frugal.

With her two buns wrapped in oil-paper, Bai Xiaolan began eating by the side of the road.

Ji Xiangdong and Director Ba were on a bus heading back to their hotel. While the bus waited for the red light, Ji Xiangdong idly cast a glance outside the window and happened to see Bai Xiaolan eating buns by the roadside. She was gobbling down her food quickly, taking small bites like a squirrel and chewing rapidly. An involuntary smile spread across his lips.

Those who knew Ji Xiangdong found him very approachable. He greeted everyone with a warm smile. But those who truly understood him knew he was not an easy person to get close to, as his smile rarely extended to his eyes. Yet today, upon seeing Bai Xiaolan, he couldn’t help but feel genuinely amused. She was an interesting girl, as warm as sunlight and refreshingly real. Unlike his internal world that was cold and dark.

"Why aren’t you participating in tonight’s gala?" Ji Xiangdong was pulled from his thoughts by Director Ba’s question. He replied without looking back at Ba, "I’m not a fan of bustling crowds. Therefore, I’ll have to burden you with the task of helping me ask for leave."

Director Ba leaned closer and lowered his voice, "The entire nation watches this gala. It’s a great honor. Why wouldn’t you participate?"

Ji Xiangdong smiled, "I just need to do my own job well. These superficial reputations mean nothing to me." Moreover, he wanted to avoid drawing unnecessary attention and causing trouble.

Director Ba gave him a thumbs-up. "Good on you. It’s a pity you’re stuck in that small place," he said.

Ji Xiangdong chuckled and didn’t respond.

When the green light came on, the bus slowly started moving. Ji Xiangdong reluctantly cast another glance at Bai Xiaolan, still standing by the road, eating her buns. A smile tugged at his lips unknowingly.

After finishing her buns, Bai Xiaolan felt energized and prepared to head home. It was a pity that she had gone out for the day only to end up in a fight. Nevertheless, she hopped on a bus heading to the Lu Family’s house. Busy or not, she wasn’t going back home this early.

When Bai Xiaolan arrived at their place, Gu Xiaobei was holding Mo Wang and watching Yueyue dance.

Lu Zhanguo was playing chess with Xiaopang in his lap, and Lu Aiguo.

Upon seeing Bai Xiaolan, Lu Aiguo grinned, "How many days did they lock you up this time?"

Bai Xiaolan glared back and caustically retorted, "Careful not to end up in my hands, or I’ll guaranteed to beat you into a pig.".

Lu Aiguo shrugged and laughed, "You’re no woman, more like a female bandit. Anyone who marries you is doomed."

Bai Xiaolan fisted her hands at Lu Aiguo, then walked towards Gu Xiaobei and sat down, "Here, let me hold Mo Wang for a bit."

"Did you just come from home?" Gu Xiaobei curiously asked.

"I was at Ditan! The Ditan temple fair is on this year. It officially opens tomorrow. They’ll have storytelling, comedy performances, and even a monkey show!", Bai Xiaolan excitedly announced.

Lu Aiguo chimed in, "The announcement’s been on for days. It’s from the thirtieth of the last lunar month to the seventh of the first. We can go for a look when the time comes."

Bai Xiaolan had completely forgotten that Lu Aiguo had just scolded her and said cheerfully, "If you guys are going, take me with you. Otherwise, my mom definitely wouldn’t let me go."

Lu Aiguo raised an eyebrow, "Afraid you might bring your rowdy friends and create trouble."

"Those are my iron buddies, not some rowdy friends." Bai Xiaolan grumbled under her breath, then looked at Gu Xiaobei, "Sister-in-law, if you’re going, remember to invite me."

Gu Xiaobei pointed to the children in her arms, "How can we go anywhere with these two kids?"

"It’s such a pity," Bai Xiaolan sighed, "It’s their first time hosting it this year. I heard all the street performers from Tianqiao are participating. It must be quite a scene."

Gu Xiaobei laughed. Before her children, any excitement would find her absent. Now she had to put her children first before she could indulge in it.

Wen Xiuqing had just finished making dumplings. She came out only to hear them discussing the fair, "Xiaobei, you all should go. Li Auntie and I can look after the kids at home. It’s the New Year, and we don’t have to cook. Xiaopang and Mo Wang are eating porridge well now. You don’t have to worry."

Gu Xiaobei was tempted for a moment but after some thought, deemed it unwise in case guests showed up and left her and the others swamped with work. Moreover, becoming a mom seemed to have dampened her adventurous spirit a bit.

After having dinner at the Lu family house, Bai Xiaolan went home. As soon as she entered, Zhou Siping, her mother gave her a stern look, "Having enough fun before you decide to come home? What trouble did you get into today?"

Thinking for a moment, Bai Xiaolan thought her mother wouldn’t know about the events that transpired in the park and replied, "Nothing, just hung out."

Zhou Siping glared at her in anger, "Did you go to Ditan and start a fight?"

Bai Xiaolan looked at Zhou Siping in surprise, wondering who had ratted her out. She swore to take revenge on the snitch if she ever found out.

Zhou Siping saw right through Bai Xiaolan and sighed, "Your elder brother came home today, told us about it. He has a friend who saw you at Ditan. You may have won this time, but what if you lose the next one? And what about when you were catching thieves, what if they hold a grudge and retaliate? Can’t you stop causing us to worry?"

Bai Xiaolan didn’t say a thing. She sat on the sofa, her head down, fiddling with her fingers. In situations like this, an apologetic manner was key.

"How about you stay home during the New Year?" Zhou Siping suggested. She felt her daughter, who could never sit still, needed to be tamed a bit more.

When Bai Xiaolan heard she couldn’t go out, she changes tactics and asked, "Who’ll go to my eldest uncle’s house for New Year’s visit the day after tomorrow?"

Zhou Siping frustratedly replied, "We’re not going this year."

Bai Xiaolan knew that Zhou Siping was just angry and didn’t mean what she said. She continued to fiddle with her fingers. Meanwhile, she wondered if the man she saw today was the man from her past.

Years had passed. He must have gotten married by then, right? And even if he weren’t married, what would she do if she ever met him again?

Suddenly Bai Xiaolan felt weak, a sense of confusion and dread settling in her.

Zhou Siping grew curious seeing her so unusually quiet. She walked up to her and checked her forehead, "You don’t have a fever. How come you’re behaving all of a sudden?" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Mom, how did you meet dad?" Bai Xiaolan suddenly asked Zhou Siping.

"On a blind date. We met once, chose an auspicious date, and got married. It’s so unlike you, always asking for a romantic love. But let me tell you, having your own love is fine, but you cannot let a man touch you before marriage," Zhou Siping abruptly advised.