Chapter 30: Complaints

Hao Li’s clothes were old; they’d been worn and washed countless times, making it obvious.

His comrades meant that he needed to wear new clothes to show sincerity.

Hao Li talked himself hoarse and went back to his room for a drink of water.

Zhang Xiangnan and the others said to their uncle, “Uncle, do you think Hao Li is hopeless?”

“Hey hey, he’s alright. That little Zhang, he’s all confused. Isn’t he dating a girl?”

“Haha, Uncle, no, it’s a group blind date, not a one-on-one meeting…”

Hua Youcai didn’t really know; in their village, they did one-on-one meetings, but city people were more sophisticated.

City people were smart; this way, the chances of success were greater. One man meeting so many women at once, he’s bound to find a suitable one!

He hadn’t slept well last night, thinking about his daughter’s marriage. After much thought, he still felt she should marry a soldier.

They’re usually not home, only returning during leave. That should help his daughter’s troublesome nature, right?

It’s better than being together all the time. They wouldn’t see each other for a year, and before they miss each other enough, they’re separated again.

Hua Youcai didn’t completely rule out soldiers because of Wang Changjiang; the soldiers he knew, like Zhang Xiangnan, were pretty good.

It was just his daughter’s mind he couldn’t figure out. It seemed like she was over it, saying she wanted to find someone but not taking it seriously, yet she was actively asking questions…

At this time, Hua Youcai missed his deceased wife terribly. If only she were still alive.

His daughter’s heart matters, she wasn’t willing to talk to her father, and she didn’t have a mother.

Seeing Zhang and the others so worried for Hao Li, Hua Youcai comforted them.

“Little Zhang, Hao Li’s marriage, you can’t rush it. It’s not meant to be yet.”

Hua Youcai thought the same about his daughter’s marriage. Wang Changjiang was a bad match for his daughter; it was better they separated.

When true fate arrives, his daughter’s good days will come.

“It can’t be rushed, let’s take it slow. Uncle, if you know of anyone suitable, please introduce them.”

“Alright, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Hua Yuanyuan was frying meatballs, radish meatballs. She just fished out a pot, and from the corner of her eye, she saw her brother pouring water for Hao Li.

No, turning her head to take a closer look, she yelled, “Hua Fangfang!”

The yell almost made Hua Fangfang drop the thermos. Hao Li was holding a bowl and drinking water, cough—

He was startled and choked.

“Is that my room’s thermos?”

“Yeah, the water was boiled, this thermos was full, so I got this one.”

Hua Fangfang explained while quietly putting the thermos on the ground. His sister’s face was terrible.

He poured the water from the thermos into a bowl and handed it to Hao Li, who had come for water.

The thermos in Hua Yuanyuan’s room was filled with spatial water, usually kept in her room.

…

Her gaze towards Hao Li was unfriendly. Someone had taken advantage of her, and her advantage wasn’t so easily taken!

For a moment, she was so angry she couldn’t think of a way to vent.

She saw the broom behind the door. Should she beat him?

Hua Fangfang followed his sister’s gaze, “Brother Hao, run!”

Hao Li didn’t even put down his bowl before he was dragged out. He quickly finished the water in the bowl, not wanting to waste it.

Hua Yuanyuan…, all she felt was heartache. Damn it, that was the result of all her hard work, and he drank it all!

“Xiao Fang, why is your sister angry?”

Except for the time she beat Wang Changjiang in the office during the New Year, this was the first time Hao Li had seen Hua Yuanyuan angry.

“Angry that I used her thermos, or angry that you drank the water from her thermos?”

“Brother Hao, it’s okay, women are just troublesome. My dad told me to let my sister be, don’t argue with her, all women are like that.”

“You don’t know, my dad and I are controlled by my sister. We have to brush our teeth after meals, wash our underwear every day, soak our feet and wash our socks every day…”

“Even so, my sister still complains, wishing we showered every day, complaining that the pillowcases and sheets aren’t washed often enough…”

“Brother Hao, it’s so hard for me, that’s all my work…”

Hahaha— Hao Li laughed as he listened, his own dating woes were healed by Hua Fangfang’s depressed expression.

Once he started, the long-suppressed child couldn’t stop.

“Brother Hao, you don’t know how sharp my sister’s eyes are…”

Hua Fangfang also had a temper, such as deliberately rubbing something twice and saying it was clean, then his sister would say she didn’t feel like cooking and let them cook themselves.

His sister wouldn’t do it herself, but she could give some instructions, no, not a single word.

Used to his sister’s delicious food, eating his own cooking, the two of them couldn’t finish it.

His father said it was hard to go from luxury to frugality.

He was completely controlled by his sister. If he disobeyed, his sister would deal with him.

Hao Li laughed happily, this little brother was quite harshly disciplined by his sister.

After Hua Fangfang vented, his mood improved.

At 3 pm, the two greenhouses were finished.

Hua Yuanyuan’s dinner was also ready. His father had instructed them to finish early, not late.

They worked quickly, finishing in the afternoon. They had to return to the unit, they couldn’t be late.

They returned to the unit around 6 pm, it was 3 pm now, plenty of time.

Everyone chatted while eating dinner, and after dinner, they dispersed.

Zhang Xiangnan and the others went home, while Hao Li returned to the unit directly.

Each person had a bag of fried meatballs, for their wives and children.

Hao Li’s portion was to be shared with his comrades.

Hao Li ate this meal with trepidation, Hua Yuanyuan occasionally glared at him, gnashing her teeth.

If looks could kill, he would have died countless times.

Anyway, he didn’t understand why she was so angry about a bowl of water.

Under immense pressure, he ate and drank.

Hao Li ran into Wang Changjiang, who had just returned, at the door. The two didn’t exchange much, just greeted each other and went their separate ways.

Li Xian was waiting at his dormitory door, smiling like a fox when he saw him.

“I’ve been waiting for you all day, you finally deigned to return.”

“Helped Uncle Hua with some work.”

“How was the blind date, did you find anyone suitable?”

“I don’t know.”

…

After getting rid of the gossiper, Hao Li went inside, gathered his shower things, and took a refreshing shower.

He returned to the dormitory and picked up a book, but he felt full of energy and wanted to move around, making the shower pointless.

Hao Li ran five kilometers. He didn’t know what was going on today, but his stamina was incredible.

He knew his stamina very well; five kilometers usually left him a little tired.

Maybe he was in good shape today, he didn’t feel tired at all.

He didn’t think much of it.

Hao Li returned covered in sweat, and Li Xian was waiting at the door again.

“Why are you so free?”

“Stay away from me, I’ll just say this, why did you go for a run right after showering? It’s easy to cause misunderstandings.”

Hao Li… “What?”

“Everyone guesses you must have failed another blind date and went running to vent!”

Li Xian was bribed by the delicious radish meatballs. After speaking, he waved his hand and left.

He was really idle.

Wang Changjiang also went on a blind date today, wearing new clothes made by Wang Chang’e during his last visit home.

After returning from leave, he knew that Hua Yuanyuan’s family was in the village.

He was initially worried that they would bother him, and was relieved after a few days of silence.

He would get married as soon as possible to avoid their entanglement.

By the time Hua Yuanyuan wanted to cling to him, he would already be married, it would all be too late.