Song Lili waited with an embarrassed face for Lu Ziqing’s explanation, only to see Lu Ziqing smiling naively... A naive smile?!
"Sister-in-law, take the baby downstairs slowly; we’re going inside first."
"Sure, sure. Hey, I remember trying to introduce you to my cousin before, but you weren’t interested. Turns out you already had someone, huh."
Song Lili’s eyes widened, and she wanted to explain but Lu Ziqing pushed her into the house.
After closing the door, Lu Ziqing said hurriedly,
"Just give up on explaining; the more you explain, the more complicated it gets."
"Brother Lu, I feel like things that should be made clear... still need to be made clear..."
"Alright, Song Lili, do you always have to be so fussy?"
Song Lili was so flustered by Lu Ziqing that she stuttered.
Isn’t Lu Ziqing a soldier? How come he doesn’t understand the need to protect a girl’s reputation?
"No, I think that even if it’s difficult, such things should be explained. If everyone is going to misunderstand, then I should just move somewhere else!"
Song Lili pursed her lips; her bag was still on her back as she grabbed the suitcase from Lu Ziqing’s hand and headed towards the door—
"You sure are stubborn, girl. Fine, I promise you, next time I see the sister-in-law across and the grandpa downstairs, no matter how hard it is to explain, I will make our relationship crystal clear, alright?"
"Brother Lu, I’m not trying to trouble you on purpose. I don’t mind personally, but I’m worried about your reputation. Besides, isn’t there an aunty and a neighbor’s wife who are thinking of introducing you to someone? If they misunderstand, wouldn’t that mean no one...
"Song Lili, enough already!"
Lu Ziqing glanced at Song Lili and revealed a hint of a mischievous smile...
He took a deep breath,
"This is an apartment allocated by the military, and I find it a hassle to go back and forth, so I mostly stay in the barracks. But before you came, I had cleaned it up."
Song Lili looked around the small two-bedroom apartment; it was indeed unoccupied.
"You can stay in any room you like; there are new sheets, mattress covers, and things in the wardrobe. See if you need anything else, and I’ll get it ready for you."
"I’m a guy, and I’ve never hosted a young girl like you. Do young girls like pink walls and floral wallpaper?"
"I bought some wallpaper. Take a look and tell me which one you like, and I’ll put it up for you!"
As Lu Ziqing spoke, he spread out the wallpaper stacked in the corner of the room...
He squatted there, his sturdy military green back bent, and Song Lili walked over and squatted beside him, looking at the three different floral wallpapers spread out by his hand...
"What do you think? Which one do you like?"
All the prejudice she had against Lu Ziqing dissipated in that instant.
He really was like Xiaoer, saying the meanest things, but doing the kindest deeds.
"Actually, I think the simple white walls, just clean, are quite nice."
"Then did I prepare all this for nothing?"
Suddenly, Song Lili laughed, and then pointed to the pale pink in the middle, "Just this one."
It was better than the village-style bold red flowers on the left and the childish rainbow background on the right.
"Brother Lu, I have to go to Tanjin early tomorrow. If it’s quick, I’ll be back the day after tomorrow; if slow, then it’s the day after that."
Tanjin was not close, a bit further west of Xilin.
Lu Ziqing rolled up the wallpaper.
"I need to meet Tang Xiaohua. The real Tang Xiaohua."
"You’re going alone?"