Chapter 103: Does Representative Qin Want To Pursue Me?
Lu Qiaoge couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
The Qin Hengzhi in front of her, who was so serious, was completely different from his usual noble and aloof appearance, instead showing a somewhat cute contrast.
Qin Hengzhi quietly breathed a sigh of relief, and his tense shoulders relaxed accordingly.
They were clearly acquaintances, but at this moment, it gave people the feeling of meeting for the first time. This subtle affection flowed between the two of them; if not experienced personally, it was really hard to describe.
“Give me the bicycle, wait a moment.” Qin Hengzhi stretched out his hand, his voice carrying a barely perceptible gentleness.
The instant Lu Qiaoge let go of the handlebars, her fingertips inadvertently brushed over the back of his hand, like a feather lightly passing by.
The air seemed to stagnate for a moment, or perhaps there was no change at all.
In the bike shelter, Qin Hengzhi carefully parked the two bicycles side by side.
The identical model and color bicycles stood shoulder to shoulder, gleaming with similar luster under the sunlight.
His gaze lingered between the two bicycles, and suddenly a inexplicable feeling surged in his heart, as if something was quietly taking root and sprouting.
When he turned around, he saw Lu Qiaoge standing under a tree not far away waiting for him.
Dappled light and shadow sprinkled on her through the gaps in the leaves, outlining a soft contour.
Even though it was already evening, the summer sweltering heat lingered, but Lu Qiaoge standing there, with her hair lightly swaying in the wind, exuded an otherworldly spiritual energy.
Qin Hengzhi’s eyes deepened slightly, and he quickly reined in his surging thoughts, striding toward her.
Although the summer heat made people irritable, if they really just stood chatting in the sunset glow like this, they would probably be taken for two foolish people by passersby.
“Let’s go.” He said softly, leading Lu Qiaoge toward the Red Star Restaurant.
This state-run restaurant maintained a simple style, but it had also kept up with the times by setting up several private rooms on the second floor.
No flowery names, just simple numbered designations.
Qin Hengzhi had reserved private room 201 in advance.
Pushing open the wooden door, a wave of coolness greeted them.
The private room wasn’t large, but it was elegantly furnished: plain white tablecloth, blue porcelain tea set, and a pot of verdant bamboo by the window.
Unlike the century-old Chunfeng Restaurant with its carved beams and painted rafters, the Red Star Restaurant was newly built in the 1950s.
Army green wall skirting paired with a highly polished marble floor, simple yet dignified.
Looking through the gauze window, the cinema opposite had vibrant movie posters on its cement exterior wall; farther away, the factory area’s towering chimneys were puffing wisps of white smoke, intertwining with the gorgeous sunset clouds on the horizon, blending into a haze of orange-pink mist.
Qin Hengzhi considerately pulled out a rattan chair, and Lu Qiaoge softly thanked him before sitting down.
This private room had good ventilation from north to south, with the gauze windows keeping out the summer heat and mosquitoes, leaving only a gentle breeze passing through.
In this scorching summer day, it was indeed a rare quiet spot.
“Time was short, so I simply prepared some.” Qin Hengzhi said, pushing a cup of clear yellow astragalus tea to Lu Qiaoge. The tea fragrance hadn’t dissipated yet when the waitress came in carrying a large tray.
White porcelain plates were lined up on the table: sweet and sour pork ribs gleaming with amber luster, hot and sour shredded potatoes dotted with bright red chili peppers, stir-fried tofu so tender it seemed to drip water, and seaweed egg drop soup floating with golden egg flowers.
Though it was a simple arrangement, they were all signature dishes of the Red Star Restaurant.
And there was a mix of meat, vegetables, and soup.
Especially that plate of sweet and sour pork ribs, with orange-red sauce coating the ribs of fat and lean meat, glistening temptingly under the lights.
The raw materials for this dish were currently in short supply, and ordinary people couldn’t order it at all.
Lu Qiaoge picked up a piece, took a gentle bite, and the tender meat fell off the bone, the sweet and sour sauce melting on her tongue, paired with distinct grains of white rice, making her involuntarily squint her eyes.
In this era, grain was precious and not to be wasted; ordinary people would even dip up every bit of soup with steamed buns, let alone such delicious dishes—no worry of leftovers.
Qin Hengzhi’s gaze imperceptibly fell on the young woman across from him. He suddenly realized that the progress between the two was indeed faster than expected.
But opportunities weren’t waited for; they had to be actively seized.
Although Lu Qiaoge had been engaged to Liang Aishu, it hadn’t affected her at all.
Previously, no one had introduced her to a partner or pursued her because she had just canceled her engagement with Liang Aishu and was fully focused on work, so she had no time to discuss marriage.
Qin Hengzhi couldn’t help but think of those young workers and technicians who tried to curry favor with Master Lu. He put down his chopsticks, his voice mild: “Do the dishes suit your taste? Want to add anything else?”
Lu Qiaoge took a sip of the seaweed soup and looked up upon hearing this, her brows and eyes curving into an obedient arc: “No need, these are just right.”
The air suddenly went quiet for a moment, Qin Hengzhi’s Adam’s apple moved slightly, and he suddenly chuckled: “Next time if there’s something you want to eat, I’ll bring you here again.”
His tone was gentle with an undertone of non-refusal, as if afraid to hear any answer other than “good.”
Lu Qiaoge’s eyes turned slightly, staring at Qin Hengzhi for several moments. Who said he was cold like ice and impersonal?
Wasn’t he quite good at talking?
Qin Hengzhi noticed Lu Qiaoge’s scrutiny. His slender fingers unconsciously rubbed the rim of the teacup, he took a deep breath, and his expression suddenly became serious: “Actually, there’s something I need to explain to you, about last Saturday, when we went to the scrap workshop together.”
Lu Qiaoge was picking up a piece of tofu and raised her brow in surprise upon hearing this.
Qin Hengzhi noticed Lu Qiaoge’s surprise and said helplessly: “Do you think I’m the kind of person who would casually go out alone with a young female comrade without any indication?”
Lu Qiaoge suddenly laughed out loud, her eyes crinkling with mischievous arcs. “By your logic, does that mean every time you walk on the road with a female comrade, you have to make some indication? Wouldn’t Representative Qin be exhausted?”
Qin Hengzhi was immediately at a loss for words, all the prepared remarks stuck in his throat. Gazing at the smiling young woman across from him, he suddenly felt the teacup in his hand burning hot.
Qin Hengzhi’s lips curved slightly, a rare smile rippling in his eyes, his distinctively jointed fingers gently rubbing the teacup.
“Many people say you’re sharp-tongued,” his low voice carried a hint of pleasure: “Today I’ve experienced it firsthand.”
The sunset glow filtered through the gauze window onto his face, plating his stern contours with a layer of soft halo.
After a few breaths, Qin Hengzhi said seriously: “But you’re different from others.”
“I thought at the time…” his voice was very soft, yet every word clear: “This opportunity cannot be missed!”
Lu Qiaoge raised the corner of her eye, direct: “Is Representative Qin pursuing me?”
Qin Hengzhi’s heart tightened, he pondered briefly then nodded solemnly: “You can understand it that way.”
He suddenly lifted his gaze, looking over with burning intensity: “I wonder if Comrade Lu would give this opportunity?”
Lu Qiaoge smiled at him, her peach-blossom eyes curving into crescents!
