Five years of marriage, always separated [1970s]

After choosing a few pairs of shoes at the shoe store, the two bought some daily necessities and drove to a western restaurant. Geng Zhiye was very anxious along the way. When he wanted to ask, Ye Fanfu suddenly said, "I remember it now."

Geng Zhiye couldn't help but say sarcastically: "It's rare."

"Speak properly!" Ye Fan glared at him.

Geng Zhiye nodded: "Okay. Do you remember his name?"

"I—" Ye Fan coughed awkwardly, "I forgot it when it was about to come out."

Geng Zhiye was very disappointed, but his face showed as if it was a given. "You haven't even forgotten whether I talked to him or interacted with him in high school, have you?"

"I don't have Alzheimer's." Ye Fan rolled his eyes at him and blurted out, "I talked to him before leaving school."

Of course, she wasn't herself then.

Ye Fan thought about the conversation carefully and felt that it was a bit awkward, like eloping. Then she thought that she was not herself, and she had not let Geng Zhiye down, so she said confidently: "I still remember what we said."

Geng Zhiye looked at her with a half-believing and half-doubting expression, and almost said it out loud: "Go on, keep making it up."

"Really. He asked me where I was going to join the team. I said I was going to the Northeast." Some things really couldn't be said, otherwise the petty-minded Geng Zhiye would get angry with her again, "That's a good place, you can catch fish with a stick and scoop fish with a ladle."

Geng Zhiye was puzzled: "That's it?"

"correct."

Geng Zhiye asked: "So you didn't go, and he didn't blame you for breaking your promise?"

"I-I'm not familiar with him. The fact that he didn't recognize me is the best proof. Besides, I wasn't the only one who wanted to go." This is true. Ye Fan told the truth, "Counting the dozens of people from other classes."

Geng Zhiye couldn't help but probe: "Your mother said that you wanted to go to the countryside before. Was it because you had your classmates to keep you company, and you thought it was glorious to be an educated youth in the countryside?"

Ye Fan nodded: "Almost. Isn't it glorious to cultivate the Great Northern Wilderness?"

Geng Zhiye recalled what Cheng Zhenhua had told him before. Could it be this incident? It was spread by rumors that Ye Fan had a love affair when she was in school, and she was determined to go to the countryside to continue her relationship with him.

So there is no such thing as first love? If that's the case, I'll have to find a chance to teach Old Cheng a lesson!
He doesn't do his job and just talks nonsense every day, making him worry for nothing for so many years!
Thinking about that person's appearance again, Geng Zhiye also felt that Ye Fan looked down on him.

Sitting down in the restaurant, Geng Zhiye was reminded of several young couples around him, who had become big and muscular after retiring from the army, looking like cooks. Even their own mothers and parents could not believe that they were still so handsome and well-proportioned in their twenties.

Geng Zhiye asked: "He wasn't like this before, was he?"

"No." There was no way to hide this. There seemed to be a group photo of her high school classmates at Ye Fan's parents' house. Ye Fan said, "To use a common phrase, a handsome and elegant young man."

The man was handsome and the woman was beautiful, young and young, how could they not be cremated? Geng Zhiye snorted and laughed, "You——"

"Wait, don't talk yet." Ye Fan couldn't help but frown.

Geng Zhiye couldn't help but tense up, looking calm, and asked as if he was chatting with a family: "What's wrong?"

Ye Fan hushed and lowered his voice: "Don't shout, look towards the door behind me."

Geng Zhiye slowly raised his head, pretending to look for a waiter, and saw the father and daughter he had met at the skincare store come in hand in hand. Geng Zhiye suspected that he was dazzled, and blinked. The two men separated their hands, the man pulled out a chair, and the young woman sat down. They didn't look like father and daughter. Geng Erbao dared to let him serve him like this, and he would kick him back to the diplomatic department.

Geng Zhiye held his breath, worried about being discovered by them. Then he saw the young woman facing him smiling and ordering food as if no one was around. He suddenly felt goose bumps all over his body. He hissed and asked in disbelief, "Did I see that?"

"I also wish I were blind." Ye Fan had mixed feelings. Even if she was no longer herself, she didn't want to see someone who had lofty ambitions in the past become like this.

Ye Fan didn't believe that this old classmate was not married.

These days, being unmarried in your forties is considered unorthodox, and it is impossible for Ye Fan to be unaware of this.

Ye Fan often went to his parents' house in recent years, and met several old classmates during this period. One of them had a quarrel with his mother, and he hid out and happened to meet Ye Fan. He was not familiar with Ye Fan, and after a few pleasantries, perhaps because he really had no one to talk to, he told Ye Fan that he only had one son, who was born after the educated youth returned to the city and got married. He was less than ten years old, and should he buy a house for the child?

The premise is that he and his wife run a small business and don't have much money, and the house is a welfare house from his parents' unit. His parents do not agree, but his wife wants to buy it.

Ye Fan only said one sentence: "When your parents retire, you won't be able to buy it even if you want to."

This old classmate said that the house was far from home. Ye Fan suggested renting it out, so that if the business was bad one day, there would be no need to worry about running out of money. He thought what Ye Fan said made sense, and he didn't expect Miss Ye to pay attention to him. He felt that Ye Fan's temper was better than before, so he chatted with her a few more times. He was not surprised to hear that Ye Fan's husband was a soldier, and he didn't say that so-and-so was still unmarried.

Later, Ye Fan went to the municipal government to do some work and met a female classmate. She was always chattering when she was in school. She knew all the rat holes in the school. Even though she had grown up, she couldn't change her gossipy nature. She didn't mention this person to Ye Fan. It was obvious that in her opinion, they were both doing well and there was no need to mention it again.

As the saying goes, poor couples have many worries. Ye Fan's old classmate's clothes and places of going are not poor. Based on what she has seen and heard over the years, the woman is too lazy to make trouble when she has no worries about food and drink. In his case, the man is likely to divorce. Maybe he hasn't divorced yet! Besides, at his age, he must have children. He is busy with his beautiful wife and definitely has no time to spend with the children.

Both cheating and not teaching the child made Ye feel sick.

Geng Zhiye saw that Ye Fan looked unhappy and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"He is a completely different person!"

Geng Zhiye was disappointed: "That's it? There are only a few people like me!"

Ye Fan was speechless, and his complicated emotions were instantly diluted.

Geng Zhiye wanted to say something again and couldn't help but clench his fists.

Ye Fan was curious: "What do you want to do now?"

"Look for yourself!"

Ye Fan turned around and saw the young woman pulling her old classmate's hand to her cheek. The two young men and women at the next table were not as affectionate as them.

Geng Zhiye smacked his lips and said, "This woman is not simple. With her courage, there is nothing she can't accomplish. She can become the top salesperson in your company. Isn't it nice to earn her own money for her own use?"

"Sales staff run around in the sun and wind. What a great job! You can earn money while enjoying the air conditioning, drinking red wine and eating Western food."

Geng Zhiye couldn't understand: "I believe you had nothing to do with him when you were in school." After a pause, he sighed, "You two are not the same kind of people. You are destined to be with me."

Ye Fan was glad that he didn't say too much, otherwise who knows how he would make fun of him.

Geng Zhiye took another breath. Ye Fan asked in a low voice, "Is it over?" Geng Zhiye signaled her to look at it herself.

Ye Fan looked back again, and the woman was on the man's lap. Ye Fan couldn't help but gasp. A couple in the aisle heard the sound and looked at Ye Fan, trying to hold back their laughter and whispered, "We don't do that. This is the first time we've seen something like this in a restaurant." Perhaps Ye Fan mistakenly thought that all young people were so bold and open because of the woman's age.

Geng Zhiye was sharp-eyed. When he saw Ye Fan's old classmate's hand move to the woman's buttocks, he could no longer sit still: "Ye Fanfan, I can't take it anymore, change seats."

"As for it?"

"Why not?" Geng Zhiye pointed at his arm, "If you don't change it, I will."

Ye Fan saw that his hair stood up and he had goose bumps. He opened his eyes wide in shock and then waved to the waiter.

Then she and Geng Zhiye moved to a corner. She couldn't see the two people, nor could she hear their voices, but Geng Zhiye could see their profiles clearly.

Geng Zhiye couldn't stand it anymore, so he looked around and saw that this was the only hidden place, so he asked the waiter, "Is there a private room?"

The waiter knew why he asked and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, sir. We can give you a dessert."

Geng Zhiye didn't expect to have an unexpected gain, so he ordered a meal for three people.

The waiter was surprised: "There's another one?"

Ye Fan wanted to pretend that he didn't know him, idiot - he thought the waiter was smart and could give a tip. Ye Fan said half-truthfully: "He has a big appetite, one serving won't fill him up."

The waiter took one look at Geng Zhiye's crew cut and dark green shirt, nodded knowingly, and immediately reported to the store manager that he had delivered a dessert without permission.

The store often prepares some small desserts to appease picky customers. The store manager did not blame the employees, but she saw clearly that the couple just changed seats and did not make trouble. The store did not need to spend extra money: "What's going on with this table?"

"They complain that the store doesn't have private rooms. I see the bag the lady is wearing is a famous brand, the jade bracelet on her hand is so pure it looks fake, and the man looks like an army officer. The temperaments of the two of you are very much like those of people from the military compound you mentioned. Their friends should be either rich or noble." The waiter implied that they might bring many guests.

The store manager nodded: "Well done!" He patted him on the shoulder and personally delivered the dessert to him.

Ye Fan pushed it to Geng Zhiye: "You go first."

Geng Zhiye took a bite and his mood improved: "Why does it taste the same as the ones you bought for Dabao and Erbao?"

"The ingredients and craftsmanship are similar, so there are many flavors." Ye Fan was curious about what he said, "Let me try it."

Geng Zhiye scooped a spoonful and brought it to her mouth, his eyes staring into the distance, like a paparazzi who was afraid of missing any details.

Ye Fan was speechless: "You think they are an eyesore and you still want to watch them?"

"I can't be curious. I've only heard of looking for a father before, but never seen one with my own eyes, especially since Yi Fang is your classmate—" Geng Zhiye cried out in pain and complained in a low voice: "Murdering your own husband?" Ye Fan: "You're too bored."

Geng Zhiye snorted, and when the waiter brought the snacks, he asked if they had a Polaroid camera, wanting to leave a souvenir with Ye Fan. It wasn't the last meal. Ye Fan didn't believe him: "Don't make trouble!"

"How dare I?" Geng Zhiye said pitifully, "I'm counting on you to support me."

If the waiter hadn't seen that he and Ye Fan looked like a couple and that their age difference was not that big, he wouldn't have been able to help but have wild thoughts after hearing this: "Yes, there is, but he's the store manager."

Ye Fan took out a fifty-dollar bill, and the waiter was horrified: "Too many."

"Leave the rest for you to buy some water."

The waiter had seen tips in movies, but he felt that it was insulting for the customer to throw a piece of money without looking at him. Ye Fan's words made the waiter very happy, and he said, "Thank you, sister."

Geng Zhiye glared at him and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? She's older than your mother!"

Ye Fan stepped on his foot, Geng Zhiye's face twisted, and the waiter held back his laughter and left.

Then two steaks came up, and the store manager brought a Polaroid camera. Geng Zhiye asked Ye Fan to cut the steaks, and he took three photos of the "father-daughter love".

The waiter brought the third steak over and saw Ye Fan placing the cut steak in front of Geng Zhiye. He couldn't help but complain, "They are indeed an old couple. They don't care who cuts and eats."

Ye Fan waited for the waiter to walk away before he could not help but say, "Okay."

"The last two." Geng Zhiye took a photo of Niapai and Ye Fan, and then took another photo of the two of them together.

The waiter brought the fruit, Geng Zhiye returned the Polaroid camera, stuffed the photo of him and Ye Fan into his bag, and handed the other three to Ye Fan. Ye Fan didn't understand: "What are you giving it to me?"

"Leave it as a souvenir."

Ye Fan wanted to slap him in the face and was deliberately making things difficult for her.

But it wasn't over yet. Geng Zhiye asked again, "Do you feel that time is like pig feed?"

Ye Fan didn't want to pay attention to him.

"Have nothing to say?"

Ye Fan sighed: "Are you bored?"

"Not boring!" Geng Zhiye felt that he could come to the western restaurant more often in the future. He had reached the age when ordinary couples would get tired of each other and could not help but develop relationships outside of their own. Maybe he would meet Ye Fan's college or junior high school classmates, and by chance he could even see the wife fighting with the concubine.

Ye Fan couldn't help but roll his eyes: "Check out!"

"Do you want me to go there in person?" Geng Zhiye waved to the waiter. The waiter took the money and asked for change. Ye Fan said, "He has troubled you a lot. Just consider it as errand fee."

Geng Zhiye nodded.

The store would not accept the money earned by the waiter, so he was very happy to hear this and personally escorted the two to the door. Seeing the car not far away, the waiter thought that it was indeed a rich man, and ran over to open the car door.

Geng Zhiye glared at him, thinking he was too attentive.

Ye Fan handed him the car keys, and Geng Zhiye went around to the other side to get in the car. Ye Fan took out a notebook from his bag, tore off a piece of paper and left the address and phone number of the sales office: "If you want to change to a stable job with a good living, go here."

The waiter was stunned, and took it subconsciously before reacting: "You, you mean——"

"You are very smart, but too smart." Ye Fan said with a smile, "It's not a disadvantage. This is not a very respectable job. If you can't stay here, you can go and have a look."

Geng Zhiye tilted his head and asked, "So Dabao inherited the problem of the person he picked up on the street from you?"

"I'm his mother, how normal is it to inherit my genes?!" Ye Fan opened the car door and got in, waving at the waiter, "If I do a good job, I'll have a better future than being a waiter here."

As soon as he finished speaking, Geng Zhiye stepped on the accelerator and the huge vehicle flew out. The waiter was startled and the paper in his hand flew out. He turned back, but then he thought it was an opportunity and went to pick it up again.

Geng Zhiye asked: "Will he go?"

Ye Fan: "It's hard to say! Western restaurants definitely don't have dormitories. Even if the boss rents them, the accommodation conditions can't compare to my company. The waiter's job is not easy and it's exhausting. Don't even think about going to bed before 10pm."

“Maybe he has the heart of a Western chef.”

Ye Fan said: "Then he will choose to help in the kitchen. But he is used to seeing rich people, so he may look down on the salary and working environment of sales."

Geng Zhiye said, "Then forget it. By the way, Ye Fanfan, doesn't your alma mater hold a class reunion?"

"Interesting?" Ye Fan glared at him.

Geng Zhiye said innocently: "That's true. It takes a thousand years to be able to study together. I'm just worried that you want to go but are too embarrassed to say it."

"I'm sorry?" Ye Fanqi laughed, "Do you still want to ask if you are allowed to bring family members?"

Geng Zhiye: "Definitely not allowed. Otherwise, if your classmate brings his concubine over, everyone will think she is his daughter, and it will be a big joke."

Ye Fan couldn't take it anymore: "Don't think I'm the one who loves you as soon as you see a man. I'm not a fairy!" He suddenly remembered something, "There are so many male employees in my company, but I haven't seen you get nervous."

"What do a bunch of technical guys know?" Geng Zhiye blurted out. He saw Ye Fan smiling from the corner of his eye and quickly tried to make excuses for himself, "You are their boss. They don't want to serve you every day."

Ye Fan twisted his waist. Geng Zhiye saw it this time and held her hand in advance. Ye Fan asked: "Have you ever heard of the saying - class reunion, class reunion, breaking up a couple is a couple!"

Geng Zhiye had never heard of it: "Is it like this now?"

Ye Fan: "Actually, there are two more sentences before that. It's too tiring to suffer with your wife and find a lover. It's better to hold a class reunion."

Geng Zhiye paused for a moment, slowed down and turned to Ye Fan: "Really?"

"Look ahead!"

Geng Zhiye turned to the front and said, "Go back and tell Dabao, Erbao, Sensen, and Huihui that you will not attend class reunions in the future. You are the elders, set an example!"

Ye Fan laughed: "Do you really believe it?"

"Oh! With your old classmate's behavior, I dare not disbelieve him." Geng Zhiye said, "The girl is no more than 25 years old, and he dares to bring her out even though she is more than 20 years older than him. It shows that he has no bottom line."

Ye Fan asked: "So you still want to hold a class reunion?"

Geng Zhiye said: "It's better to take precautions before it happens!"

"You don't believe me so much?"

Geng Zhiye: "Believe them or not. People like your old classmates may have used some despicable means."

"You know quite a lot about it?" Ye Fan was really surprised.

Geng Zhiye said earnestly, "Ye Fanfan, I am in the army, not in heaven. In heaven, there are still things like fairies yearning for the mortal world and cowherd hiding clothes." He rolled his eyes at her and said, "Even if you haven't eaten pork, you have seen pigs run." He smiled as he remembered something and said, "I saw it today."

Ye Fan paused for a moment and sighed, "Don't mention this when you go back. Otherwise, Aunt Yu will be unable to sleep or eat well, worrying that there are such people among Dabao and Erbao's classmates, and also worrying that there are such people in the hospital and your sister's school."

"The old lady was born in the Republic of China and grew up in the midst of war. What hasn't she seen?" Geng Zhiye said leisurely, "You underestimate her. In her time, she saw people eating human flesh and selling their wives and children for a few more pipes. This kind of thing is child's play to her."

Ye Fan: "You are not allowed to say that either."

"No, no." Geng Zhiye said, "Where are we going tomorrow?"

Ye Fan was upset: "Not going anywhere."

Geng Zhiye stopped at the red light and leaned towards Ye Fan: "Are you worried about meeting a female classmate who has a gigolo?"

Ye Fan pushed his face away and said, "Do you think that good looks are as easy to find as cabbage if you have money?"

"I would have believed it if I hadn't been to your company. With your two receptionists, it's impossible for them to become famous overnight and have no shortage of roles to play if they want to enter the entertainment industry." Geng Zhiye said, "And those people in the sales department, they are either sweet-talkers with high emotional intelligence or good-looking. And the waiter just now, you can't look down on her just because she's sweet-talkers. She's fair and clean, just like the type that little girls in campus dramas like."

Ye Fan: "You're overthinking. I just think he's pleasing to the eye."

"You are pleasing to the eye because of your regular facial features. With regular facial features and height, you can apply to the Film Academy to study acting." Geng Zhiye was too lazy to say anything, but couldn't help but said, "The people in the sales department have been looking for you in recent years without considering your height and appearance. I'll take your last name! By the way, there are also your secretaries. There are seven or eight secretaries in the secretariat. Is there any ugly one?"

Ye Fan said: "If I spend the same amount of money to hire someone, why don't I just find someone good-looking?"

"Admit it." Geng Zhiye rolled his eyes at her, "Superficial!"

(End of this chapter)