MC Bookstore #1783 - A different year in 1988
#1783 - A different year in 1988
On the campus, Lin Dongzhe followed behind miserably, looking at Zhuang Xiaoting who was jumping up and down in front of him with her arm around Zhou Chen, feeling very depressed.
Although he really wanted to be alone with Zhuang Xiaoting, Zhuang Xiaoting insisted on coming to Fudan to find her brother, so he had no choice but to agree to go along.
Then, when they came to Fudan and met Zhou Chen, Zhuang Xiaoting simply pushed him aside, leaving only her brother in her eyes. How could he not feel bitter?
When they met acquaintances on the road, they were all very surprised to see Zhuang Xiaoting holding Zhou Chen's arm, but they were relieved when Zhou Chen introduced her as his biological sister.
Zhou Chen took Zhuang Xiaoting and Lin Dongzhe out of the school and headed towards Tongji University.
"Second brother, why don't you call Sister Shanshan?"
"She seems to be busy today, so I won't call her."
Originally, he was planning to go out and play with Wu Shanshan today, but when he heard that Zhuang Xiaoting was coming, Wu Shanshan took the initiative to let him go and let him accompany Zhuang Xiaoting while she went to the library to study.
Being with Zhou Chen is indeed happy and blissful, but Wu Shanshan doesn't dare to really enjoy everything Zhou Chen brings her with peace of mind. She wants to work hard to improve herself. Even if she is not as good as Zhou Chen, she can't be too far behind, otherwise she will be embarrassed to stand next to Zhou Chen.
Being able to be admitted to a key university like Fudan University on her own proves her ability. Wu Shanshan is also a very competitive person. Even after entering university, she has never thought of relaxing. Instead, she studies even harder. Especially with an excellent boyfriend like Zhou Chen, she cannot waste such a good learning opportunity.
"Second brother, are you in love with Sister Shanshan?" Zhuang Xiaoting suddenly asked a sharp question.
"Why do you ask?"
"That's right, that's right, I feel like the way Sister Shanshan looks at you is not normal."
Zhuang Xiaoting said hesitantly. As a girl, she could of course see that Wu Shanshan had always had feelings for Zhou Chen. She used to come to their house often, but now that she and Zhou Chen were admitted to the same university and had returned home, her feelings were not as obvious as before, so she found it very strange.
She couldn't figure out whether Wu Shanshan changed her mind after going to college or for some other reason, so she asked Zhou Chen.
But how could she be Zhou Chen's opponent, Zhou Chen asked back.
"Really? But I feel like the way Lin Dongzhe looks at you isn't normal. Is he pursuing you?"
"ah?"
Zhuang Xiaoting was so frightened that she froze. Lin Dongzhe, who was walking behind her, saw her and asked curiously, "Xiaoting, what's wrong?"
But he saw Zhuang Xiaoting looking panicked and blinking at him continuously, which made him confused.
Zhou Chen also stopped and said slowly to the puzzled Lin Dongzhe: "I'm asking Xiaoting if you are pursuing her and frightened her."
Now even Lin Dongzhe panicked. Facing Zhou Chen's gaze, he instinctively wanted to turn around and run away. But at the moment of escaping, he tried hard to steady himself, shrinking back and not daring to look at Zhou Chen.
"Brother Tusi, I, I..."
"Why, you dare not take responsibility for what you did? Or do you not want to pursue Xiao Ting at all, and just want to tease her?"
Lin Dongzhe mustered up his courage and quickly retorted: "Of course not, I really like Xiaoting, I'm not teasing her, I'm just, I'm just afraid that you, Tuxi, will hit me."
Zhou Chen snorted lightly: "Indeed, Xiao Ting is my sister who I have always protected and raised. If anyone dares to hit on her, I will break that person's legs."
"Second brother."
Zhuang Xiaoting held Zhou Chen's hand with a timid look, fearing that Zhou Chen would really hit Lin Dongzhe.
But Zhou Chen is just a little bit of a sister complex, not the abnormal kind. It is normal for a sister to fall in love when she grows up. He is a little uncomfortable, but not enough to make him lose his composure.
"Toosi."
Lin Dongzhe looked timid and nervous. He was afraid of Zhou Chen, even more than his parents.
Zhou Chen said: "Xiaoting, Dongzhe, whether you two are in love or not is up to you to decide. As your brother, I just want you to be happy. If you think Lin Dongzhe is reliable and you are willing to be with him, I will not stop you. But if this guy dares to treat you badly, I have plenty of ways to deal with him."
Upon hearing this, Lin Dongzhe was overjoyed and jumped up with excitement on his face.
Zhou Chen shook his head, turned around and left, too lazy to pay attention to the two of them. How could he not see what they were thinking?
However, Zhou Chen still has a very good impression of Lin Dongzhe. Whether it is the Lin Dongzhe in the original plot or the Lin Dongzhe who grew up with him, he is definitely a reliable and dependable person.
Moreover, if Lin Wufeng and Song Ying were parents-in-law, they would definitely treat Zhuang Xiaoting well.
The greatest happiness for a woman in marriage is to have a husband who loves her wholeheartedly and parents-in-law who treat her well.
There are really few women in the world who are so lucky. Since ancient times, the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law has always been difficult in China. Therefore, a mother-in-law like Song Ying and a sensible father-in-law like Lin Wufeng are really rare in modern society.
Their family's tolerance is really a very good choice for the sensitive Zhuang Xiaoting.
What's more, with a brother like him, Lin Dongzhe would dare not treat Zhuang Xiaoting badly.
So Zhou Chen would naturally not stop them, but how their relationship developed and when they were together was not his business. The only thing was that he could not let them get the certificate quietly like in the original plot.
The three of them went to Tongji University, called Zhuang Tunan, had dinner outside, and took a walk around the neighborhood. In the evening, Lin Dongzhe and Zhuang Xiaoting returned to school.
In early 1988, a major event occurred in Shanghai: an outbreak of hepatitis A caused quite a stir in the country.
Zhou Chen and others in Shanghai were naturally greatly affected. Students bought tickets to flee Shanghai, and those who could not leave stayed in school dormitories and seldom went out. Treatment medicines were sold out and could not be bought even if they wanted to.
Xiang Pengfei, who had been driving with Qian Jin for half a year, was even more worried about Zhou Chen and the others. He called Zhou Chen and asked him if they needed medicines and other supplies. If they did, he would send them to them, but Zhou Chen refused.
Zhou Chen had known about this incident for a long time, so he made preparations early and prepared a lot of medicine and supplies for Zhuang Xiaoting and Zhuang Tunan.
The school was on vacation, so the best option at this time was naturally to leave Shanghai. For this reason, Zhou Chen specifically told Xiang Pengfei to find a car to pick everyone up and take them all back.
Xiang Pengfei naturally didn't say anything and immediately contacted a car.
He has been driving with Qian Jin's group of drivers for nearly half a year and has been to many places. He is active and capable, and has accumulated some connections, so chartering a car is no big deal for him.
But just when they were about to go home, Wu Shanshan found him with a grim look on her face.
"Tusi, I'm not going back."
"What's wrong?"
They had agreed on it yesterday, but it suddenly changed today. Zhou Chen knew Wu Shanshan, so something must have happened.
"Is it your family that won't let you go back?"
Wu Shanshan's eyes turned red, but she said calmly, "Well, I called home today and said I would go back with you guys. But my dad told me that hepatitis A is spreading in Shanghai now, so I'd better stay in Shanghai and not go back. I shouldn't travel back and forth anymore. He also told me not to worry about home, because they will take good care of it."
Zhou Chen's face suddenly darkened. He certainly understood what Wu Jianguo and Zhang A'mei meant. It was simply that hepatitis A was prevalent in Shanghai, and they were worried that Wu Shanshan had been infected as well, and if she went back, she might infect them.
For them, this is a matter of life and death, so they are unwilling to take the risk and do not want Wu Shanshan to go home at all.
Zhou Chen gently held Wu Shanshan in his arms and comforted her softly: "It's okay, if you don't want to go back, then don't go back. I will stay with you. We will stay in Shanghai for the New Year this year."
When Wu Shanshan heard this, she quickly broke free from his embrace and said anxiously, "No, you've already told your family that you want to go back, how can you change your mind? It's okay for me to stay in school alone. I'll live in the dormitory and won't go anywhere."
Zhou Chen smiled and said, "You are my woman. How can I sit back and do nothing when you are in trouble? It's just one time that you don't go home. It doesn't matter. I can call home and find a reason to explain the situation. I am worried about you staying in Shanghai alone, so I stay to accompany you."
"Toosi."
Wu Shanshan felt extremely warm in her heart. She was so strong that she didn't even shed tears just now, but Zhou Chen's concern moved her so much that she shed tears.
"Thank you, Tussi, thank you."
She was extremely glad for her decision. She had always put Zhou Chen first in her heart, above her younger brother and biological father. For this, she felt a little guilty and felt that she was selfish.
But at this moment, she could only feel grateful because she did the right thing.
She was not sick, but her family did not allow her to go home for the New Year because of the infectious disease in Shanghai.
As for Zhou Chen, he was about to go home, but after learning that she was not going home, he gave up and decided to stay with her.
In comparison, she loves Zhou Chen more. Is there anything wrong with that?
That’s absolutely right.
She had always put Zhou Chen first, and after this incident, she became even more determined in her heart, and she would not hesitate for the slightest in the future.
Zhou Chen said softly: "No need to thank me between us. If we were to switch places, I believe you would do the same as me."
Wu Shanshan answered firmly: "Of course, I will."
"That's good. I'll call home and tell them that Pengfei will be here this afternoon. I'll ask them to go back first, and then we'll go buy some things for Pengfei to take back. Do you have anything to take back?"
"I don't have to send anything back. They can still have a good New Year without me."
Wu Shanshan was really hurt this time. She was not allowed to go home, so why should she bring anything back?
When I called home, Huang Ling answered the phone. Zhou Chen said that his tutor at school wanted to ask him for help and he was busy during the Chinese New Year and had no time to go home. She was disappointed, but she didn't show it on the phone. Instead, she kept reminding Zhou Chen to protect himself well in Shanghai, and it's best not to go out, and to prepare protective gear and medicines, and disinfect and clean in time...
Given the current situation in Shanghai, it’s no wonder that Huang Ling is worried. Zhou Chen responded one by one and hung up the phone after a long while.
When Xiang Pengfei drove to the school gate, Zhou Chen explained the situation to him, put all the things he wanted to take home in the car, and then asked Xiang Pengfei to pick up Zhuang Tunan, Zhuang Xiaoting and others to take home.
During the Spring Festival of 1988, Zhou Chen did not go home for the New Year for the first time, but stayed in Shanghai. However, he was not alone, as Wu Shanshan was with him.
They did not stay in school to celebrate the New Year. Zhou Chen took Wu Shanshan directly to the Peace Hotel, booked a private room for a month, and celebrated the New Year at the Peace Hotel.
On New Year's Eve, after Zhou Chen called home, he stayed in the room with Wu Shanshan to have dinner and celebrate the New Year. Then he stood in front of the window and looked at the view of the Huangpu River in the distance.
As night falls and the New Year draws closer, fireworks have begun to spread across the sky.
“It’s so beautiful.”
Wu Shanshan has stayed at the Peace Hotel many times, but this is her first time staying here during the Chinese New Year. This is also her first time to celebrate the Chinese New Year alone with Zhou Chen, so the feeling is naturally different.
“It would be nice if I could see this kind of scenery every year.”
Zhou Chen hugged her and said, "Yes, I will try to accompany you to see this scenery every year in the future."
Wu Shanshan turned her head and smiled at Zhou Chen, leaning her head gently on Zhou Chen's shoulder, enjoying the warm moment.
The two of them just looked at the night view until the countdown ended and the New Year arrived, and then they fell asleep in each other's arms.
Early in the morning on New Year's Day, Wu Shanshan just opened her eyes and saw a red envelope placed next to her. She sat up in astonishment, picked up the red envelope, and looked at Zhou Chen who was lying next to her.
"When did you release it?"
Zhou Chen also sat up and said with a smile: "Happy New Year, this is the red envelope I prepared specially for you."
Wu Shanshan hugged Zhou Chen with emotion. Such thoughtfulness made her very happy and touched. It showed that Zhou Chen really cared about her and even kept such a small thing in mind.
"But I didn't prepare anything for you. I'm sorry."
"Don't say sorry, you can give me better."
Wu Shanshan looked puzzled: "What?"
Zhou Chen whispered something in her ear, and her face suddenly turned red.
"Hate."
But the next moment, Zhou Chen knocked her down, and then covered them with a quilt amid Wu Shanshan's screams.
It was not until noon that they got up to eat. After eating, they walked out of the Peace Hotel arm in arm, ready to go shopping.