Back To The 80s-Chapter 365 - 375: Intimate Contact_1

Gu Xiaobei’s eye twitched. "We’re in legitimate business, we can’t get rich off crooked ways, can we?" he said.

Bai Xiaolan glanced at the camera and said, "There is still film. I’ll take some photos of Xiaopang and Mo Wang when I get back."

Gu Xiaobei thought the suggestion was good, and said with a smile, "OK, we’ll just take a few of Mo Wang and Xiaopang, and with the rest, you and big brother can take some by the Yellow River."

On a scorching afternoon in mid-June, the grapevine in the small courtyard had grown rampant, blocking the blazing sun and creating a green canopy for shade.

Lu Songyuan had set up a super-large plank bed under grapevine, covered with felt and thin mattresses. The two children could crawl around on the bed. Dahuang and Dabing, the dogs, faithfully lay on both sides of the bed. As soon as Xiaopang and Mo Wang crawled to the edge of the bed, the two dogs would anxiously stand up, fearing their little masters would fall. They were ready to cushion a fall at any time.

Bai Xiaolan had the children lying on the bed and took two photos. Then she let Dahuang and Dabing onto the bed to take a group photo with them.

In the viewfinder, Xiaopang was hugging Dahuang’s neck, his little face beaming like a flower. Mo Wang was sharing a calm stare with Dabing. Bai Xiaolan quickly pressed the shutter, taking a rapid sequence of shots.

When Wen Xiuqing came out of the kitchen to dump wastewater, she exclaimed, "How can you let the dogs onto the bed? Xiaopang, let go, oh, how dirty!" She put the basin on the table and hurried over to hold Xiaopang, all the time saying, "These cats and dogs might have infectious diseases, we cannot let the children get so close!"

Bai Xiaolan stuck out her tongue and quickly told Dahuang and Dabing to get off the bed.

Gu Xiaobei said, "Mom, Zhanguo just bathed them yesterday. They’re clean."

Wen Xiuqing was still dissatisfied and said, "That’s not clean enough. You two need to be more careful in the future." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Gu Xiaobei and Bai Xiaolan exchanged a smile, Bai Xiaolan charily shifted the topic by saying, "Auntie, I will cook tonight; I’ll go wash the vegetables." With that, she shoved the camera into Gu Xiaobei’s arms and ran off into the kitchen.

Gu Xiaobei put the camera back in the room, came out and held Mo Wang. Wen Xiuqing couldn’t help but nag again, "This child easily gets stomach problems in summer, we must not be negligent."

Gu Xiaobei finally understood why Bai Xiaolan had run off. He felt she was quite cunning. He smiled and nodded, "Mom, we’ll be more careful."

After dinner, Gu Xiaobei urged Ji Xiangdong and Bai Xiaolan to go to the Yellow River for a photoshoot. The sun had not set yet, and the sky was colored red by the glow of the setting sun. They would certainly get beautiful pictures.

Bai Xiaolan was not shy. She took the camera and followed Ji Xiangdong for the photoshoot.

Ji Xiangdong accompanied Bai Xiaolan for a walk along the Yellow River. They took a few photos and even ran into rural farmers carrying baskets and selling early ripened apricots. Bai Xiaolan was very interested and bought two pounds.

Ji Xiangdong accompanied Bai Xiaolan to the bottom of the building and prepared to go back.

Bai Xiaolan innocently said, "Aren’t you coming up to eat apricots with me?"

Ji Xiangdong’s eyes were deep as he looked at Bai Xiaolan. He laughed with hidden meaning, "Ok, I would love to taste the apricots."

From the start of their relationship to their engagement, and until this day, they had never been alone together in a room. They always went to the small courtyard or were on their way there.

After Bai Xiaolan washed the apricots, she served them to Ji Xiangdong, who was sitting on the edge of her bed. "Brother Ji, eat these apricots; they’re quite sweet." She then sat down on a chair in front of the table by the bed.

Ji Xiangdong took an apricot and ate it leisurely. Bai Xiaolan watched him eat with his mouth moving methodically. Suddenly, she remembered what Gu Xiaobei had said about kissing! Her face turned bright red immediately.

"What are you thinking?" Bai Xiaolan was startled by Ji Xiangdong’s voice. When had his face gotten so close to hers? Close enough that she could feel his breath.

Bai Xiaolan swallowed nervously and stammered, "Not....not thinking...about anything." With Ji Xiangdong this close, she realized his eyebrows were well-shaped, and his eyelashes long. His eyes were like a bottomless, ancient well, capable of captivating ones’ soul.

"Not thinking about anything? Why is your face so red?" Ji Xiangdong leaned closer, so much so that their noses were almost touching.

A mental struggle was taking place in Bai Xiaolan’s head: Kiss him, just kiss him.

Just as she thought it, she did it. She strained her neck forward, and her lips landed on Ji Xiangdong’s.

So, a kiss tastes like apricots. That was the last thought Bai Xiaolan had before her mind went blank.

Ji Xiangdong had only intended to tease Bai Xiaolan but did not expect her to charge at him so directly. The two novices fumbled around until Ji Xiangdong took the lead.

It wasn’t until his brain registered a warning signal, indicating he couldn’t keep going, that he regretfully lifted his head. Stroking Bai Xiaolan’s face, he said with a gentle laugh, "It tastes like apricots, very delicious."

Bai Xiaolan nodded naively, "I think these apricots are delicious too. They’re sour and sweet."

Ji Xiangdong whispered in Bai Xiaolan’s ear in a deep voice, "Not that kind of apricot."

......

Early the next morning, Gu Xiaobei waited for Wen Xiuqing and Lu Songyuan to come over, pick up the two children, then rode his bike to the city government to find Zhan Hezhi.

Zhan Hezhi was not as bureaucratic as he was a few days ago. Instead, he looked at Gu Xiaobei defensively.

Gu Xiaobei said with a smile, "Director Zhan, I’m here to bother you today. I’m sorry."

Zhan Hezhi seemed somewhat displeased, "Didn’t I say, we’re discussing in the meeting, and in principle, your request doesn’t meet the rules, it’s hard to fulfill."

Gu Xiaobei ignored him and continued with a smile, "You’re pretty close to my sister Liao Qing, right? My sister is at that age and not married yet. Our family is anxious. If you’ve got time, maybe you could talk to her."

Zhan Hezhi was internally furious, but his face remained calm. He said, "I don’t know her that well. I think it’s better if you talk to her yourself."

Gu Xiaobei tactfully replied, "Oh, I see. I thought you two were close. You seemed familiar." He then made a face as if he knew something unsaid.

Zhan Hezhi was suppressing his anger. He suddenly changed his tone, "Comrade Gu, just leave your documents here. If our meeting agrees, I’ll stamp them for you. Come back next Monday; the result will be out by then. Even if it doesn’t go through, you can’t blame me. After all, it’s the leaders’ decision."

Gu Xiaobei replied with a smile, "Director Zhan, you’re too courteous. I’ve heard about you, you’re efficient and well-regarded. The leaders have trust and affirmation in you. If you can endorse it, it’s pretty much guaranteed." Gu Xiaobei knew that he has to get Zhan Hezhi’s approval no matter what.

Zhan Hezhi maintained a formal smile and said his goodbyes to Gu Xiaobei, but he was seething inside. This woman must know something. It seems better to keep a safe distance from Liao Qing for the sake of his official position.