Back To The 80s-Chapter 330 - 340: No Relation_1

Ji Xiangdong only realized he had been staring when he heard voices from the other side of the exhibition wall. He gave one last warm glance at Lu Zhanguo’s heroic deeds before preparing to leave.

Then, an angry female voice came from behind the exhibit: "Bai Er, did you rat me out yesterday? I finally got you."

Ji Xiangdong, an ex-scout, had a keen ear for voices. He recognized this voice—it was the same girl from the fight yesterday—and he paused.

Early in the morning, Zhou Siping had sent Bai Xiaolan to Crow Alley to deliver something to her eldest aunt.

After leaving her aunt Bai Mingzhu’s house, remembering how her second brother had betrayed her yesterday, she decided to confront Bai Yuancheng.

Bai Yuancheng worked at the National Trade Union next to the museum. Seeing Bai Xiaolan rushing at him, he started to run away.

After chasing him for quite some time, Bai Xiaolan finally caught up to him near the museum. But in truth, Bai Yuancheng had slowed down on purpose, feeling sorry for his little sister.

"Bai Er, why did you betray me and get me grounded during the new year?" Bai Xiaolan shouted furiously.

Bai Yuancheng sighed, his voice full of affection: "How many fights have you gotten into during this month alone? You don’t act like a lady at all. You’ll turn 26 after the new year, be careful or you’ll become an old maid."

Bai Xiaolan glared at him: "Mention being an old maid one more time and I’ll beat you. Selling out someone, do you know what that’s called? Treason!"

Bai Yuancheng teased: "How long have you been out? Did mom tell you to come back home immediately?"

Bai Xiaolan disregarded that and said in a coquettish voice: "Bai Er, buy me some honey tribute and I’ll forgive you."

"You’re all grown up and yet you still love honey tribute, let’s go. I’ll buy you two pounds." Bai Yuancheng said patting Bai Xiaolan’s head.

"When you’re feeling down, eating honey tribute will lift your mood immediately." Bai Xiaolan smiled and pulled Bai Yuancheng towards Daoxiang Village, completely forgetting Zhou Siping’s instruction to be back by lunch.

It was only after the Bai siblings had left that Ji Xiangdong stepped out with a smile. The two siblings’ relationship truly made people envious.

What is fate? It’s the fact that the world is so vast, and yet you always bump into her.

And what is being star-crossed? It’s when you don’t turn around even though she’s right behind you.

Ji Xiangdong returned to the hotel. He changed his clothes, ready to have lunch with Director Ba. Since they had to participate in the evening reunion banquet, they decided to settle lunch in the hotel canteen.

Director Ba is part of a minority group. Ji Xiangdong went to have Chinese food with him and some other minority group individuals.

Director Ba said enthusiastically: "Xiao Ji, there are many single female comrades here for the conference. Don’t you think it’s time for you to consider your personal life? It’s not easy for you to find someone back in our hometown due to our minority status."

Ji Xiangdong laughed modestly and responded: "I really appreciate your concern, Director Ba. But I wonder if anyone would be willing to move somewhere as remote as our hometown?"

Even though Ji Xiangdong was not part of the bureaucratic circle, he understood the intricacies well. You couldn’t directly decline a leader’s kindness to avoid causing them embarrassment.

Upon hearing this, Director Ba hesitated for a moment and sighed: "Indeed. Girls don’t usually want to move to somewhere like our hometown."

Ji Xiangdong and Director Ba sat down at the large round table, next to them was Liao Yuehua, the textile model worker from Jinbei.

Liao Yuehua was 28 years old. She was wholly devoted to her work and by the time she thought about getting married, most good men were already taken. Now, she seemed to be an old maid left on the shelf.

She had been attracted to Ji Xiangdong ever since she first saw him at the model worker conference. But she was too shy to start a conversation. Now, with Ji Xiangdong sitting next to her, her heart pounded uncontrollably.

She had been quietly observing Ji Xiangdong for the past two days. She noticed that he had a low profile and tried his best to blend in, no matter the occasion. Yet, the air of loneliness that radiated off him naturally made it hard to ignore him.

Everyone came from different corners of the country and had now, by chance, gathered around the same table. The conversation shifted to family matters. When they found out that Ji Xiangdong and Liao Yuehua were both single, someone joked: "If you two became a family, there would be two model workers in your home. That would indeed be an honor."

Everyone laughed. Not wanting to embarrass Liao Yuehua, a woman, they did not press the joke further. After all, societal norms were more conservative at that time.

However, the joke stuck with Director Ba. He noticed that while Liao Yuehua seemed shy during the joke, she was not angry. Thinking there might be a chance, he considered playing matchmaker. But he overlooked one important fact: after the New Year, they would part ways, with miles of distance between them. Their relationship was impossible.

"Let’s go to the temple fair together tomorrow. We might find some good stuff to bring back for our families," Director Ba suggested, thinking this could provide the pair with an opportunity.

Everyone nodded in agreement. Liao Yuehua was a simple girl. Even though she had feelings for Ji Xiangdong, she knew their situation was complicated, which made her feel slightly forlorn.

Ji Xiangdong, who always had a polite smile on his face, understood Director Ba’s intention. But he knew it was unrealistic, so he didn’t take it to heart.

.........

The Lu Family had lunch and then Lu Aiguo began to urge them to start making dumplings, so they wouldn’t delay watching the Spring Festival Gala in the evening.

Fang Jing laughed and said: "How old are you? Yet, you’re still so eager." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Gu Xiaobei suggested moving the chopping board to the living room, so they could watch TV while making dumplings.

Wen Xiuqing and Lu Zhanguo watched the children while Lu Aiguo was sent to fry melon seeds in the kitchen. Fang Jing, Gu Xiaobei, and Aunt Li were responsible for making the dumplings.

Seeing this harmonious family scene made Wen Xiuqing’s eyes well up. She began to think about Lu Yuanchao and wondered where he was and whether he was having dumplings for the new year.

Gu Xiaobei caught a glimpse of Wen Xiuqing’s tearful eyes and knew she was thinking about their eldest brother. He quickly changed the subject: "Mom, are there any traditions for making the dumplings? Should we hide a few pieces of candy in some of them?"

Wen Xiuqing snapped out of her thoughts, replying: "The dumplings for the New Year should be made smaller, it looks better. When guests see small dumplings, they’ll compliment the daughter-in-law’s dexterity. As for the candy, it’s up to you."

Fang Jing mischievously suggested: "I’ll put chili powder in one and let Aiguo eat it to teach him a lesson."

Gu Xiaobei chuckled, peeling a few pieces of fruit candy to wrap in the dumplings. Sure enough, Fang Jing did make one filled with chili powder and intentionally shaped it like a willow leaf.

"He’ll be able to tell right away, won’t he?" Gu Xiaobei whispered.

Fang Jing giggled: "No, he eats like he’s devouring a peony, not looking or chewing."

Sure enough, during dinner Fortang Jing specifically put the special dumpling into Aiguo’s plate. Aiguo, who was eating his food voraciously, swallowed it in one bite and started jumping around from the spice, chasing Fang Jing around the house to get back at her.

Laughter filled the house.

After dinner, Wen Xiuqing told her children: "Since no relatives will be visiting tomorrow, why don’t you all go explore the temple fair? Aunt Li and I will stay home and look after the children."