"Your food is ready." When Lin Wan entered, she heard their conversation but couldn’t immediately understand what they meant.
"My family is familiar with Northern cuisine; I’m not sure if you’ll be used to it."
"Hmm... It smells good. Sorry to trouble you, young lady," Captain Zhang said with a hearty laugh.
Lin Wan brought out the homemade sandwiches, "I’m worried you won’t be full. I’ve used up all the ingredients at home, so please make do. I made this for Mom on a whim."
Back when the educated youths went to the countryside, many came from the North, so Mom learned a lot from them. Though their family were typical Southerners, both Liang Hongmei and Lin Wan loved exploring Northern cuisine, not for any particular reason except Dad loved it. So they learned a bit from those educated youths. Lin Wan spent many years in different cities in the North in her past life, picking up many Northern habits.
"Thank you." Han Yi rarely thanked Lin Wan.
"You’re welcome." Lin Wan was thrilled inside.
Does this mean she’s acquainted with Han Yi now?
While the two ate, they didn’t continue their previous topic because Lin Wan was busy sitting nearby, taking unfinished yarn from the room and starting to knit. Though her head was down, her eyes occasionally glanced over at Han Yi.
Seeing them nearly finished with their meal, Lin Wan lamented internally how fast time had flown.
"Miss, how much for tonight’s dinner?"
"Comrade, tonight’s meal is free." Lin Wan shifted her gaze from Captain Zhang to Han Yi, giving him a bright smile, but Han Yi showed no reaction to her smile.
Lin Wan felt awkward and subtly withdrew her smile.
She thought to herself that she would strive to make Han Yi interested in her; she’s in no rush, there are still two years.
"That won’t do. We must pay, we must pay." Director Zhang said, taking a dollar from his pocket and placing it on the table, "The meal was very good today; my hometown is in the North, and I haven’t had this for a long time."
"It’s really unnecessary..." Lin Wan set down her knitting yarn, ready to retrieve the money to return it.
Just then, a staggering figure appeared at the door, "Hey, miss, still open this late?"
Er Qiangzi said, eyes leering at Lin Wan with drunken lust.
"Sorry, the shop will close soon. You should go eat elsewhere," Lin Wan coldly replied to Er Qiangzi.
"Closed is good. I’m free tonight, so why don’t we..." Er Qiangzi said, trying to move closer to Lin Wan.
"Get out." Lin Wan frowned, glancing around and grabbing a broom nearby, yelling at Er Qiangzi.
"I’m not getting out today." Er Qiangzi said, snatching the broom from Lin Wan’s hand, "Let’s be clear; I’ve taken a fancy to you. I’ll sleep with you today, and tomorrow I’ll ask my father to come propose. Our family can marry someone like you and already look up to you."
Perhaps Er Qiangzi was too drunk. It seemed to him that only he and Lin Wan were in the room, completely oblivious to the two others present.
Director Zhang, standing by, frowned at the heavily intoxicated Er Qiangzi.
He stepped forward, seized Er Qiangzi’s arm, and instantly threw him out the door, "Now it’s a civilized law-abiding society; publicly harassing respectable women and acting like a thug, you’ll end up in jail, young man."
"Who the hell are you? Dare to push me?" Er Qiangzi nearly fell flat on his face as he was shoved, steadied himself, glanced at a blurry flash of green, and then started cursing, "Mind your own business."