Chapter 40: Picking Up at the Train Station

“Where are you off to, all dressed up like this?”

“The city.”

Xu Muzhou’s holiday must be ending, so could he be coming back today?

Xiao Huaishu could see what was going on but didn’t say it aloud. “Are you sure you can ride your bike in that skirt?”

Xiao Qingru shot him a sharp look. “Mind your own business.”

“Fine, fine, I’m just being nosy. I was going to offer to drive you.”

“I love riding my bike; no need for a ride.”

Mr. and Mrs. Xiao exchanged a glance, both smiling.

It looked like good news was on the horizon.

Since learning about Xu Muzhou’s family background, Mr. Xiao’s last bit of concern had been put to rest. The Xu family was simple, and after marriage, the young couple would be stationed in the Northwest, so he wouldn’t have to worry about his daughter being mistreated in her in laws’ home.

As for other matters, there was no point overthinking, they would let things unfold naturally.

After breakfast, Xiao Qingru set off on her bike.

Du Wanqiu was also headed into the city but had a chain issue halfway there and was getting anxious when she spotted Xiao Qingru.

She waved, awkwardly. “Comrade Xiao, you’re headed to the city too?”

“Hey, wait up.”

“My bike’s broken could you help take it into the city? I’ll pay you.”

Xiao Qingru breezed past her without a word or even a backward glance.

Left with no choice, Du Wanqiu tried to fix her bike herself, but after sweating over it for a while, she still couldn’t get it to work.

Going back or heading into the city were both far distances.

The bike was too heavy to carry, and she couldn’t just abandon it by the side of the road like scrap metal. So, what could she do?

In frustration, she kicked the bike hard and cursed Xiao Qingru, who hadn’t helped her out, wishing her all kinds of bad luck.

Hadn’t Jiang Chuan always said she was kind hearted? He should really see Xiao Qingru’s attitude now.

Not only did she refuse to help, but she also ignored her, holding her nose up high, with no sense of courtesy whatsoever.

Dressed up like some temptress who knew what she was up to!

After all the venting, the situation was still the same, so she was forced to push the bike back home.

Maybe she’d catch a break and get a ride from someone heading back to the compound.

Xu Muzhou arrived at the train station around noon.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw the girl he’d been longing for, standing there gracefully, waving at him when she saw him.

Xiao Qingru had the build of a dancer tall and elegant, with a beautiful face that easily drew attention at first glance.

Xu Muzhou’s heart felt like it had been filled with sugar, dizzyingly sweet, making him feel like he was walking on air.

Qingru had really come to meet him.

He stared at Xiao Qingru for several seconds, until a light blush appeared on her cheeks, finally snapping him back to his senses.

“This is for you.”

He handed her a box of chocolates, still warm from his pocket. Xiao Qingru paused, then mentally called him a fool. The chocolate would have melted for sure!

“I wasn’t sure what girls liked, so I just bought this.”

Xiao Qingru recognized the quality. Imported items like these could only be found in the Friendship Store. Foreign exchange coupons weren’t easy to get, Xu Muzhou must have gone to some trouble.

“Thank you, I like it very much.”

“Glad you like it. When you finish this box, I’ll get you another.”

“If I eat too much of this, I’ll gain weight and lose my job you wouldn’t want that.”

Xu Muzhou didn’t think twice. “Then I’ll get you something else next time.”

“Alright.”

Xiao Qingru had once said she wouldn’t spend his money unless their relationship was official.

But now, she nodded, without rejecting him.

Xu Muzhou’s heart was ready to burst.

Taking her to a quieter spot, he asked her solemnly, “Comrade Xiao, would you be willing to date me?”

Xiao Qingru had imagined how it would feel to accept Xu Muzhou’s confession, but she hadn’t expected it to happen at a noisy train station.

“Can’t we talk about this somewhere else?”

“Sorry, I couldn’t wait any longer.”