Back to my 1980s

"Sit down, sit down. What are you doing standing up?"

Song's father had already heard on the way that guests had come to his house, so he wasn't too surprised. He invited Zhao Hua to sit down, and Zhao Hua readily complied.

Song Zhiqiang couldn't sit still any longer. As soon as he sat down, he ignored their polite exchanges and went straight to the plate of scrambled eggs, grabbing a large mouthful with his chopsticks.

Song's mother acted as if she didn't see anything, and even Song's father didn't stop her, as if she was already used to it. Zhao Hua understood, no wonder she ate such a big plate.

After Zhao Hua sat down, Song's father took out a bottle of wine from behind him and said, "Come on, young man, have a couple of drinks."

Zhao Hua quickly bowed and said, "Oh! Okay, thank you, Uncle. I'll just have a little, two bites will be enough. I have to catch my train later."

Song Zhiqiang took the wine bottle from his father, poured some for him first, and then filled the porcelain bowl in front of Zhao Hua. The three of them then shared the wine equally.

Zhao Hua watched with trepidation. He wasn't afraid of drinking strong liquor from the countryside, but this was the first time he had ever visited Song Xueping's house.

This was his first time ever doing this, and he was in big trouble if he got drunk and embarrassed himself.

Thinking of this, his gaze subconsciously went to Song Xueping. Song Xueping was eating with her mother at a small table by the stove, with only a plate of dried radish and a bowl of vegetable soup in front of them.

Then he remembered that women weren't allowed to sit at the table when men were drinking, and Zhao Hua felt reluctant but dared not be impolite.

Although he came from a later era and wasn't as particular about traditional etiquette, the Song family members weren't familiar with him yet, so it would be impolite to rashly invite their wives and children to the main table for dinner...

After forcing himself to finish the rice in his bowl, Zhao Hua put down his chopsticks and said, "Uncle, I'm done eating. You can eat slowly. I'm going to go find my friend with Song Zhiqiang."

Mr. Song looked up in surprise: "Hmm? You're full? I don't think you've eaten much."

"Hmm, I'm full. I didn't do much work today, so I'm not very hungry. Eat slowly."

Mr. Song nodded and replied, "Okay, then you can go ahead, drive carefully."

Zhao Hua responded and pulled Song Zhiqiang outside.

As soon as they left the house, Zhao Hua pulled Song Zhiqiang straight to the convenience store. Song Zhiqiang was already a little unsteady on his feet from drinking, and he staggered along behind Zhao Hua as she pulled him.

Upon arriving at the convenience store, Zhao Hua told Song Zhiqiang to wait at the door while he went inside and took two bottles of liquor and a pack of cigarettes.

After thinking for a moment, I bought two more bags of brown sugar and two boxes of face cream. Turning around, I saw my brother-in-law still waiting outside the door, so I grabbed a bag of candy and two packs of cigarettes.

As soon as they stepped outside, Zhao Hua shoved a pack of cigarettes into Song Zhiqiang's hand. Song Zhiqiang, seeing Zhao Hua carrying a ton of bags, asked in surprise, "Brother? Why did you buy so much stuff?"

Zhao Hua waved the things in his hand and smiled at Song Zhiqiang, "This is my first time visiting, and you've already treated me like a brother, so I can't be too stingy. These are for your aunt and sister."

Upon seeing the overflowing contents, Song Zhiqiang was momentarily stunned, then quickly shoved Zhao Hua, saying:

"Oh dear, what are you doing! Why waste this money? No, no! Take it back quickly and say you bought the wrong thing!"

He verbally declined, but Zhao Hua didn't feel much force in his hand...

Zhao Hua didn't waste words with him and led the man back.

Hearing the door open, Song's mother, who was washing dishes in the kitchen, quickly wiped her hands and came out to greet her.

Upon seeing them, he was slightly taken aback at first, then smiled and said, "Why are you back again? Did you forget something?"

Zhao Hua hurriedly stepped forward with a smile and placed the things in his hands on the table in the main room: "Auntie, I didn't forget anything. I just went out and bought some small things on the way. It's just a small token of my appreciation."

Seeing this, Song's mother immediately became anxious, waving her hands repeatedly, "Oh dear, this won't do! You've come all this way, why spend more money? It's such a waste!" She then slapped Song Zhiqiang, "You brat, why didn't you stop him? You just watched him buy so much stuff!"

Song Zhiqiang said, feeling wronged, "I tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen!"

Zhao Hua bypassed Song's mother and took out the items one by one with a smile: "Oh, it's nothing, it didn't cost much. This cigarette and alcohol is for your uncle, and this face cream and candy are for you and your sister."

Song's mother hurriedly stepped forward to stop her, but fearing that the wine bottle would break, she could only gesture with her hand and said anxiously, "You child, why did you buy so many things? If you need anything at home, you can buy it yourself. Why did you have to buy so many things on your first visit?"

Zhao Hua smiled and said, "I've already troubled you enough by eating and drinking here. Besides, Qiangzi and I are like brothers, so please don't stand on ceremony with me. It's not worth much money anyway, and all this back and forth will only make us a laughingstock."

Song Zhiqiang nodded to the side. Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Song's mother nodded in agreement and then slapped him twice.

Seeing that he hadn't seen Song Xueping for a while, Zhao Hua asked, "Where are Uncle and Sister? This face cream is for her."

Song's mother said, "It's time to harvest the wheat at home. Your uncle went out to see if he could find a few people to help out. Xiaoping is in her room."

As she spoke, she turned and called into the house, "Xiaoping! Xiaoping!"

Hearing the shout, Song Xueping lifted the curtain and came out of the house: "What's wrong, Mother?"

"It's nothing, your brother's friend bought you some things and asked you to come out and get them."

Song Xueping paused slightly, her gaze falling on the face cream. She seemed tempted, but whispered in her mother's ear, "Ah? You bought it for me? How can I accept it? We're not that close."

Zhao Hua didn't hear what she said, but seeing her whispering with Song's mother, he guessed that she was embarrassed to accept the cigarettes and alcohol, so he handed the cigarettes and alcohol to Song Zhiqiang first.

Song Zhiqiang reached out and took it, putting it under the table. He patted Zhao Hua on the shoulder and said, "Thanks, brother. I'll come visit you when I have time. You can also come to my house whenever you're free."

Seeing this, Zhao Hua just smiled and took out a box of face cream, handing it to Song's mother, saying, "Auntie, it's nothing valuable. If you don't accept it, I'll be too embarrassed to come next time."

After declining for a while, Song's mother was tired, so she smiled and said, "Alright, come and play next time you have time. Next time you come, don't bring so many things. Just come directly. We don't have any fancy things at home, but we can still make sure you have enough to eat and drink."

Zhao Hua smiled and nodded, saying, "Yes! I'll definitely come when I have time!"

After saying that, she took out a box of face cream and handed it to Song Xueping. Seeing that her mother and brother had accepted it, Song Xueping said somewhat shyly, "Thank you." She then took it as well.

With a slight touch of his fingertips, Zhao Hua's heart fluttered. He grinned and said, "Don't be so polite. Your brother and I are brothers. How could I forget to buy you something? Wait a minute!" As he spoke, he bent down, took out the bag of candy, and handed it to him, saying, "Here, sweeten your mouth."

Upon hearing this, Song Xueping glanced at Zhao Hua, then softly hummed in agreement before taking the bag of candy.

When Zhao Hua saw that Song Xueping had accepted them all, he was overjoyed. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and now he could finally make conversation!

If I make a few more trips and bring more small gifts, how can she possibly run away? In my past life, we only had to go on a blind date, there's no reason why we should have to overcome countless obstacles in this life.