The 70s Novel: The Supporting Character Just Wants to Lie Down-Chapter 43: Shamelessly Coaxing the Wife

A large group of people headed exuberantly towards the state-owned restaurant. Wang Pandi walked in the middle, flanked protectively by Liu Yulan and Wang Miaomiao on either side, while Yang Zhigang lingered on the outskirts, watching enviously but helplessly.

"Auntie, I’ve reserved a private room for us, let’s head to the second floor." Once inside the restaurant, Yang Zhigang eagerly led the way, having arranged the booking days in advance to ensure a more private space for conversation. The main hall simply wouldn’t do.

Liu Yulan and Zhou Fengjuan exchanged a glance, increasingly pleased with Yang Zhigang. They had also heard news that his foot had largely healed, walking without any noticeable difference from others.

From his behavior, it’s clear he was interested in Pandi. Liu Yulan glanced at Wang Pandi with a touch of pride in her heart. Her daughter was indeed attractive and likable.

The private room had a large round table, comfortably seating the seven of them. Upon entering, Wang Pandi pulled her mother and sister alongside her, sitting closely together.

Yang Zhigang’s eyes flickered, and he glanced at his mother. Fang Ci immediately understood. "Oh, my dear sister, how can you sit at the end? Come over here, I still have lots to chat with you about. Come, come, let’s have us old folks together, and let the young ones chat amongst themselves..."

While talking, she had already pulled Liu Yulan over to the main seat.

Liu Yulan offered a half-hearted resistance but felt the children needed some space to talk.

Seeing this, Yang Zhigang gratefully glanced at his mother and sat down right next to Wang Pandi.

As the waitress came in to take their orders, Liu Yulan and Zhou Fengjuan declined, leaving Fang Ci to hand the menu over to Yang Zhigang.

Yang Zhigang glanced at the menu, then turned towards Wang Pandi. "Pandi, what do you like to eat?"

Wang Pandi turned her head slightly but didn’t answer. Yang Zhigang chuckled, then looked at Wang Miaomiao, "Little sister, what do you like to eat?"

Wang Miaomiao didn’t answer either, only watching them with a smile, earning her a glare from Wang Pandi and a helpful smile from Yang Zhigang.

Nobody responded to him, and Yang Zhigang couldn’t help but sigh inwardly; it seemed the young lady was truly angry. What should he do?

"Just bring today’s specials, one of each. A mix of meat and vegetables for seven people, ten dishes. You sort it out." Yang Zhigang handed the menu back to the waitress, who returned a big smile. A large customer, who wouldn’t like that?

"Hey, not too much, seven dishes for seven people would be enough," Liu Yulan quickly interjected upon hearing his words, accustomed to frugality and fearing extravagance or waste.

At that time, the restaurant dishes weren’t like modern hotel servings that vanished with just a chopstick’s pinch. The servings were abundant and substantial.

Fang Ci laughed generously, "Oh, it’s fine, there are seven of us, after all. It’s rare to have the chance to meet and eat together. How can we not be satisfied? If there’s too much, we can just pack it up."

Yang Zhigang echoed her, standing up to pour tea for all the elders first.

Then he served the younger sister-in-law, receiving a look of appreciation and a word of thanks.

He found her easygoing, smiling continually since their first encounter.

"Pandi, are you tired? Have some tea." A cup of tea was placed in front of Wang Pandi, she reached out to grab it and whispered her thanks, "Thank you..."

"No need to be polite. Want some ice cream?" Yang Zhigang pressed on, trying to find topics to chat with her.

"No need—"

"Then have some fruit, I’ll ask if the restaurant has any..."

"Hey, no need—"

Wang Pandi hurriedly interjected but couldn’t stop Yang Zhigang from moving.

Wang Pandi frowned and sighed. Wang Miaomiao seized the chance to whisper, inquiring, "Sis, what’s the deal? Did you know each other before? How did he offend you?"

Seeing her sister’s eyes sparkling with curiosity, Pandi couldn’t help but vent, "He’s the one who helped catch the thief last time. He tricked me..."

Thinking about it, Pandi felt both aggrieved and annoyed. She had shared her secrets with him, yet he hid his identity and deceived her. What an unforgivable thing to do.

"Ah? Really, you two are truly bound by fate." Wang Miaomiao was incredulous. Looking at their current state, it seemed like Yang Zhigang had really hidden his identity from her sister?

Pandi, embarrassed, immediately retorted, "What fate? It’s a cursed fate at best."

The door opened, and Pandi halted her words, seeing him come in and look her way with a smile, which prompted another glare from her.

Yang Zhigang was helpless. Seeing his little sister-in-law eyeing him with a grin, full of gossip and teasing, he was slightly startled.

"Look, the restaurant just got a batch of cherries today. Pandi, little sister, have a taste." Yang Zhigang said, placing a handful in front of Wang Pandi and Wang Miaomiao, then turning the tray to pass them to Liu Yulan. "Auntie, give it a try."

"Cherries, huh? We should taste them," Liu Yulan looked at the bright red fruits, unable to resist swallowing. She hadn’t eaten something like this in years. She picked one and savored it, the sweet and sour taste, juicy and fragrant, delicious.

Wang Miaomiao was also surprised, not expecting to find such things in this rural town. She felt tempted and began eating without reservation.

Seeing Pandi still holding back, she picked one up and popped it into her mouth, "Sis, it’s really good, have some."

The dishes were served gradually. Throughout the meal, Yang Zhigang focused on Pandi, serving her food and pouring her water, earning her favor.

Wang Miaomiao was watching, initially teasing a little before settling into the meal, hardly surprised anymore.

Indeed, the restaurant’s food was visually appealing and delicious, different from home-cooked food. How long had it been since she’d eaten this freely?

Such matchmaking dinners, she wouldn’t mind having a few more like this... she enjoyed them!

If Liu Yulan and Wang Pandi knew what she was thinking, they’d surely tap her on the head.

By the end of the meal, Liu Yulan was fairly pleased with this prospective son-in-law, exchanging knowing smiles with Fang Ci, Zhou Fengjuan, and Aunt Zhou.

Only Wang Pandi was left in a tangle of emotions.

Despite telling him not to serve her, she could do it herself, the man just wouldn’t listen.

Originally savory dishes were, under his influence... still savory...

Indeed, the dishes were innocent, they shouldn’t be blamed.

"I said you don’t need to serve me, your foot’s better, but how about your hearing?" Wang Pandi murmured, turning her head slightly, lowering her voice in frustration to warn him.

"Haha, Pandi, don’t be mad, I apologize, it’s all my fault. Hit me, scold me, just don’t ignore me." Yang Zhigang, seeing the meal was coming to an end, seized the chance to express, standing up abruptly in a standard military pose, earnestly confessing aloud, "Since meeting you last time, I couldn’t forget you. I asked my mom to have Aunt Zhou matchmake for us. I’ve made up my mind about you, give me a chance, I promise to treat you well, I swear on my military honor..."

"Oh, stop that already..."