Su Cheng suddenly remembered that when he came to the Ji family to find her, she had just returned from watching a movie with Fu Junyan. That must have been her first time watching a movie in this world, and it was a pity that he wasn’t sitting next to her, he should have come to find her sooner.

His heart felt like it had been soaked in a jar of pickles, and he could almost taste the sourness in his mouth. Su Cheng pressed his lips together, suppressing the discomfort, and suggested, “How about we go out and then catch a movie afterward?”

“I’ll tell Dad when I deliver lunch around noon and ask him to help us pick up Qiuqiu and Qingyu. We can play a little longer and come back after eating.”

Going to the movies? Sure, it was a necessary part of the date.

Ji Meng had no objections, she nodded, “Sounds good!”

“I heard from Meng Ling that the lakeside scenery here is nice, and today is cloudy and cool, perfect for a lake outing. In the afternoon, we can take a stroll by the lake, then watch a movie and go eat afterward. What do you think?”

Su Cheng thought it sounded great, he knew they could row small boats there, which made the idea even more appealing.

A deeper smile spread across his face: “That sounds wonderful! Let’s do it your way!”

Ji Meng replied, “Then hurry up and help me reduce the swelling on my face.”

You can’t go on a date with a swollen face, otherwise, people might think the couple is fighting and she got beaten up.

“Okay!” Su Cheng replied with a doting smile, his movements becoming a bit quicker but still gentle.

After deciding to go out in the afternoon, Su Cheng finished applying the mask on Ji Meng’s face and let her return to her room to rest while he went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

After delivering lunch to Ji Qinghe, the two of them had a simple meal before heading out.

Ji Meng placed a lot of importance on this first date.

She changed into a striking outfit: a beige daisy blouse on top, a light orange skirt below, and beige lambskin shoes without socks, revealing her delicate, porcelain-like ankles. Her dark, flowing hair was tied up on one side with a hairband, and she wore a wide headband that matched her outfit, reminiscent of the 90s Hong Kong style. She even applied a stunning makeup look.

When she came out, Su Cheng couldn’t take his eyes off her.

His gaze was so focused that it felt a bit intense. Ji Meng, under his stare, couldn’t help but gently bite her inner lip, lowering her flushed face slightly, and couldn’t resist glancing at him: “Do I look good?”

It seemed that no matter how mature a woman was, when faced with love and her lover, she still had her shy side.

At this moment, her eyes sparkled with a hint of spring, her bashful expression was even more captivating. The way she looked over, with her eyes seemingly holding a hook, and her red lips slightly receding due to her gentle bite, made her even more alluring, inviting someone to come closer and kiss her.

Su Cheng indeed did just that, he took two steps forward and wrapped his large hand around her slim waist, feeling her lean into him.

He immediately fixed his deep gaze on her, hoarsely replied, “You look good,” and then covered the back of her neck with his large hand, kissing her deeply.

Their lips and tongues intertwined, stirring together.

After being lost in each other for a while, Ji Meng’s eyes became glazed with tears, her eyelids reddened, and her gaze turned hazy. He realized that if he continued, they wouldn’t be able to leave, so he barely restrained the surging desire in his heart and loosened his hold on her a little.

But he still couldn’t bear to let her go, just holding her, his forehead resting against hers. After a moment, he said to her, “We should come back early tonight…”

He wanted her.

After last night, he still hadn’t tasted all of her sweetness.

His eyes revealed his intentions without any concealment, and Ji Meng understood what he meant at a glance. Her face flushed even more, and her heart couldn’t help but flutter. After a moment, she gently replied, “Okay.”

The two of them embraced for a long time until the heat in their bodies subsided, and the seductive spring color in Ji Meng’s eyes and brows became less apparent before they took the car and headed out.

In April, the willows by the lake swayed gracefully, their lush green branches hanging by the shore and gently swaying in the breeze.

Hand in hand, they walked along the shore, admiring the drooping willows and the blooming peonies and cherry blossoms on the other side, feeling a sense of tranquility in the passage of time.

“If only we had a camera, we could take pictures ourselves.”

There was a photographer by the shore who offered to take pictures for a fee of one yuan per photo, which wasn’t cheap—one yuan could buy a pound of meat. Nevertheless, the two of them were willing to spend it and took over ten pictures, both solo and together.

After taking the photos, Ji Meng picked up the receipt for the pictures and said to Su Cheng, “Later, I’ll call Sanzi and ask him to bring us a camera when he goes to Shenzhen.”

Su Cheng’s mind flashed back to the way Ji Meng posed and smiled while taking the pictures, her various charming poses. He said,

‘She really likes taking photos, but I secretly hope to be the one to take her pictures, only I should see her enchanting and captivating poses.’

Although a camera isn’t cheap now, Su Cheng had just brought back some money and had given Ji Meng her new salary, so she wasn’t short on funds. Hearing this, she smiled and replied, “Sure, let’s buy one! When Mom comes over, we can take Qiuqiu and our parents out to have fun together.”

“…Hmm.”

After taking the pictures, the two of them rented a boat to row on the lake.

Su Cheng was truly versatile and knew how to row. They didn’t hire a boatman and took a small boat out by themselves.

The weather was cool, and not many people were out on the lake, but it wasn’t deserted either. In their little boat, they paddled to the center of the lake, enjoying a tranquil and serene moment amidst the bustle.

After boating, they went to see a movie.

At present, they were still in the exploratory phase, and the romantic films featuring typhoons and harbor scenes hadn’t yet entered the mainland market. They were watching an ordinary drama, but being together with someone they liked, even watching a children’s animation, didn’t hinder the electric connection in their eyes. While others were focused on the screen, their hands quietly clasped together.

In the late 1970s, societal norms were still strict, and couples had to be discreet about their intimacy.

But this sense of secrecy brought a different kind of thrill.

From start to finish, the smile in Ji Meng’s eyes never faded.

She had never felt this much joy before. She looked at Su Cheng, a man who was reserved but, at this moment, didn’t pale in comparison to a passionate teenager. He was bold and adventurous.

Seizing the moment, he pulled her into a shadowy corner and kissed her, the only difference from a 17 or 18-year-old was his understanding of restraint, he didn’t push things further.

After watching the movie, they went out to eat and then headed home on a bicycle. He rode in front while she tightly embraced his waist from behind, resting her head against his back.

It felt safe, peaceful, and her heart was full.

The bicycle tires left a light but joyful mark on the ground, which had just experienced a light rain in the evening.

That night, after checking on the children’s homework and putting them to bed, they both entered the house early and locked the door.

Unlike the previous night, which was over in a single instance.

Perhaps it was dissatisfaction from the first night, or perhaps the afternoon had been too sweet, but the two were still filled with passion. That night, they were nearly wild, engaging in various playful pushes and pulls, and all kinds of intimacy.

In the end, Ji Meng was left with rings of fingerprints on her ankles and bruises all over her body, and they only just managed to stop.

After a night of fun, the next morning, Su Cheng unusually failed to get up on time.

Qiuqiu and Qingyu woke up and began knocking on the door, prompting him to release the person in his arms and get up.

Ji Meng was also woken up by the noise, but she was far too tired and sleepy to rise, battling with her eyes for a long time before choosing to sleep a little longer.

It wasn’t until she remembered that today was Su Cheng’s first day at work, and that she had already taken a day and a half off, that she painfully dragged herself out of bed.

Su Cheng wanted her to sleep a bit more, acknowledging that they had indeed overdone it last night. He could report later, but she couldn’t afford to delay any longer, so he didn’t insist further.

Since Su Cheng also had to go to work, he first dropped Ji Meng off at the entrance of the textile factory. Just as he was about to leave, Ji Meng reached out and tugged at his shirt hem.

Su Cheng stopped and looked at her. “What’s wrong?”

Ji Meng didn’t say anything, just looked at him.

Today was his first day reporting for work, and he was wearing the clothes Ji Meng had arranged for him a few days ago but hadn’t given him until now.

He wore a black and white collared shirt paired with black dress pants, and on his feet were the pointed deep brown leather shoes Ji Meng had bought for him. Sitting on the bicycle, he appeared broad-shouldered and long-legged, his posture relaxed, adding a hint of elegance to his previously cold demeanor, making him quite eye-catching.

Tsk, she suddenly regretted making him clothes.

Ji Meng thought this in her heart but didn’t show a hint of it on her face. She stepped forward to button the last button on his coat that he had forgotten to fasten in his hurry to leave, smiling brightly as she said, “It’s nothing. Today is Director Su’s first day at work, do your best!”

It was her first time buttoning someone’s clothes, and her movements weren’t very familiar. Her slender fingers brushed lightly over his Adam’s apple, bringing a teasing sensation.

Su Cheng swallowed, his deep gaze fixed on her, his eyes slightly darkening. After all, they were outside, and he couldn’t do anything too bold. He leaned closer to her and said in a low voice, “Don’t work too hard today, I’ll come pick you up after work.”

It was unclear if his words carried any other meaning. Ji Meng glanced at him, and he chuckled softly, saying, “I’m leaving, remember that.” He then rode off.

Once Su Cheng started work, he quickly became busy. Sometimes, he didn’t even have time to pick Ji Meng up after work, and they only got to eat lunch together when they managed to steal a moment amidst their busy schedules.

He was busy, and Ji Meng was also busy. The result of their busyness was that Qiuqiu and Qingyu were left unattended.

Now that Ji Qinghe and the medical clinic were thriving, he often didn’t have time to take care of them either.

Even though the two little girls were quite sensible, they were still kids. Without supervision, their self-discipline was never that strong, and they found themselves drawn to the television, which had become hard to resist. They also dared to try things they had previously been afraid to do.

The two little ones started learning from their mom and aunt how to run a business and make money.

It’s May now, and the provincial capital has warmed up, popsicles, ice cream, and soda have become people’s favorite treats.

Since they had a refrigerator at home, the two girls’ minds began to stir with ideas.

At first, they only focused on selling at the Yuhong class. In the morning, they figured out a way to wrap the frozen popsicles in their winter jackets and put them in their backpacks. After lunch, when their teacher was out during nap time, they would take them out to sell. In the afternoon, they found an opportunity to go to the school gate, where they met a classmate who wasn’t in school, and they received the wholesale popsicles into their backpacks, hiding them in the fridge while their grandfather wasn’t paying attention.

After doing this for a week, the two little ones saved up quite a bit of pocket money. They gradually became dissatisfied and set their sights on selling outside of school.

Sometimes they made excuses about having a stomachache to skip class and do business.

The two girls were good-looking, and many people in the alley recognized them. When they ran under the overpass to sell popsicles, they were recognized.

After being caught out the first time, a few times later, when someone bumped into Ji Meng, they couldn’t help but mention it.

Since Su Cheng started working, the two girls either went to his factory for lunch or ate at a restaurant. Ji Meng hadn’t gone home for lunch in a long time. Today, she returned to pick up the report she had prepared on the first day but hadn’t taken with her. Upon hearing this, her first reaction was disbelief.

How could it be? Her two children were so well-behaved, keeping up with their drawing and homework, and the dance teacher had also said they performed well.

Moreover, if they were skipping class, why hadn’t Teacher Yanzi mentioned it?

She didn’t believe it, and the words slipped out: “Wait, Aunt Zhang, are you sure? Our Qiuqiu is selling popsicles under the overpass?”

“She went to school today.”

“I’m definitely sure. Your Qiuqiu is so lively that I couldn’t mistake her. I’ve seen her a couple of times.”

Aunt Zhang lived a bit in front of the alley, and she had been chatting with someone while walking inside when she happened to recall this and mentioned it. Seeing that Ji Meng didn’t believe her, she added, “I even saw her this morning when I went to the market to buy soap. If you don’t believe me, just go take a look. She’s with Zhuangzhuang and that kid from Widow Hu’s house at the corner.”

After Aunt Zhang finished speaking, she left. Ji Meng thought for a moment, turned her bike around, and hurried to the underpass to take a look.

As a result, she saw Qiuqiu, Zhuangzhuang, and a child she didn’t recognize, who was probably the one Aunt Zhang mentioned from Widow Hu’s house. The three were calling out in front of a tricycle.

“Popsicles, popsicles, cool and delicious popsicles, two cents each, two cents each!”

The weather was hot, and everyone wanted something cool. There were more and more stalls under the overpass, and there were also stalls in the nearby square. Even in the middle of the day, people were out shopping. The few children were doing great business, every call was precise, and the sales never stopped. Ji Meng stood beside them for a while without the kids noticing.

Ji Meng was so angry that she laughed, looking expressionlessly at her daughter, whom she had always thought was well-behaved: “Qiuqiu!”

“Hmm?” Qiuqiu instinctively responded when she heard the voice, looking up to see her mother’s beautiful face, causing the popsicle she was about to hand to a customer to fall to the ground.

“Mom, Mom.”

Seeing the calm yet stormy eyes of her mother, Qiuqiu quickly hid her hands behind her back.

Ji Meng fixed her gaze on her, feeling as if she were being seared by a branding iron, her heart racing. She put her hands on her hips, not knowing how to react in her anger.

“Unbelievable, you’ve even set up a stall? Whose tricycle is that?”

At this point, Zhuangzhuang and a boy around ten years old also noticed Ji Meng.

The kids all froze.

Ji Meng was so furious that she ignored the unfamiliar boy and dragged Qiuqiu and Zhuangzhuang straight to the Yuhong class.

Yanzi, who was Qiuqiu’s teacher, came out.

Ji Meng was already familiar with Yanzi, but this time she couldn’t help but lose her temper:

“Yanzi, these two kids are selling popsicles under the overpass! You’re their teacher, and we brought the kids here in the morning, but now they’re missing. Don’t you know anything?”

“Or have you realized that you or his dad have called me?”

“Selling popsicles?”

It was the first time Yanzi saw Ji Meng lose her temper, and she was somewhat taken aback. Hearing that Qiuqiu and Zhuangzhuang were selling popsicles, she felt even more confused.

“No, Zhuangzhuang didn’t come this morning. He took a leave of absence, saying his stomach hurt.”

Yanzi quickly explained, she didn’t know the situation and could only share what she knew.

“Qiuqiu said her stomach hurt at noon, and I was going to call you about it, but then Zhuangzhuang’s grandmother came by to bring him some books. When she heard about this, she offered to help bring the kids back.”

“I thought since your two families live not too far apart, it would be…”

This matter was getting tangled up, and it was hard to pursue. It wasn’t unusual for neighbors to help take care of kids, they had helped take Zhuangzhuang back a couple of times, and Meng Ling had passed on messages.

“Well, I won’t say anything about that this time, but I heard from others that Qiuqiu and Qingyu have sold popsicles under the overpass several times. Who picked them up at those times?”

“Several times?” Yanzi was suddenly taken aback, and she remembered that there had been something off in class lately, with frequent absences.

“Um, Ji Meng, wait a moment.”

They were at the classroom door, and after saying that, Yanzi ran back to the classroom to grab a notebook.

Flipping through a few pages, she said, “This month, Qiuqiu has taken four leaves, and Zhuangzhuang has taken… eight.”

Upon counting the eight absences, Yanzi couldn’t help but glance at Zhuangzhuang. Then she looked at the information regarding who picked up the kids and turned to Ji Meng: “Both Qiuqiu and Zhuangzhuang were picked up by your dad and Aunt Lai, with Aunt Lai helping out twice.”

Not checking would have been fine, but once they checked, it raised suspicions. Yanzi then realized that there had been someone absent from class every day this month, and her instincts told her something was wrong. She quickly went to Qingyu’s classroom to ask the teacher there.

Qingyu’s teacher didn’t live in their alley but in the nearby steel factory dormitory. She had met Ji Meng a few times and recognized her. After hearing what Yanzi said, she called out the attendance record and brought Qingyu over.

When Qingyu saw her little sister, Zhuangzhuang, and then noticed her aunt’s angry expression, her face turned pale with fear.

At this moment, Qingyu’s teacher also flipped through the absence book and found that there were indeed students absent every day in their class, including Qingyu, who had been picked up by their grandfather three times.

With two teachers and an adult looking at the two attendance books in front of them, it was clear there was a problem. They immediately looked sternly at the children.

“Qingyu, Qiuqiu, Zhuangzhuang, what have you done? Honestly tell the teacher, do you know what your behavior is called?”

“Skipping class! This is the behavior of bad kids!”