Chapter 307: Worrying About Her

Xie Wanting sighed. “That’s a real shame. Otherwise, with your looks, I think you would’ve been an instant hit the moment you debuted.”

Xie Huaizheng frowned at Xie Wanting, unable to stop himself from calling out, “Sis, that’s enough.”

Xie Wanting burst out laughing. “Already getting protective, are we? Huai Zheng, I really didn’t expect this. I haven’t seen you for a while, and you’ve suddenly grown up. When you came back two years ago, I didn’t think you’d changed all that much. But now, I finally understand. A man really does need to find a wife.”

Beside them, Xie Duzhou also nodded, clearly in full agreement with Xie Wanting’s sentiment.

Xie Huaizheng looked at Su Zhaozhao. “Don’t mind her. That’s just how she is.”

“That’s right, that’s just how I am. Zhaozhao, you’ll have to get used to it.” Xie Wanting still wasn’t letting Su Zhaozhao off the hook, continuing to chatter on. “To be honest, I heard from my mom that you were very beautiful, and I’ve seen your wedding photos—I was stunned then, too. But now, seeing you in person, right in front of me, I finally realize… my goodness, those legendary beauties described in books are real after all.”

“Isn’t it really dry in West State? And the sandstorms are bad, too. But look at you—your skin is so supple and dewy. How do you take care of it?”

When women chatted, the conversation always drifted to skincare and makeup. That was true even in this era.

Su Zhaozhao handed Xie Wanting a set of skincare products. “I just use these for my daily routine, and I drink a lot of water.”

‘How should I put it… The water I drink is the spiritual spring water, which is completely different from the water they drink. The more I drink, the better it is for my body, and my skin gets better and better too.’

‘But this was something she could never tell anyone else.’

‘It wasn’t just her. Even Xie Huaizheng’s health had improved significantly from frequently drinking her spiritual spring water.’

‘But to avoid arousing Xie Huaizheng’s suspicion, the water Su Zhaozhao let him drink was always diluted, half and half.’

Xie Wanting accepted Su Zhaozhao’s gift, her eyes crinkling as she beamed.

“Zhaozhao, you’re just too wonderful! Oh, no wonder Huai Zheng likes you. You’re beautiful and you handle things with such grace.”

Before Su Zhaozhao arrived, they knew that she and Xie Huaizheng had mistaken each other for someone else, and at the time, she had been a little worried.

She knew Su Zhaozhao’s family background wasn’t the best, and that Su Zhaozhao’s education level wasn’t very high.

So, back then, she had been quite concerned.

She was very, very worried that Su Zhaozhao wouldn’t be poised enough in her social interactions.

But now, it seemed she had worried for nothing. Su Zhaozhao was even more poised and generous than many of the girls in Beijing.

After they chatted and finished their meal, Xie Huaizheng took Su Zhaozhao’s hand and led her out for a walk.

They didn’t drive, as the area around the military compound was already quite lively.

Once they were out of sight of the Xie Family, Xie Huaizheng looked at Su Zhaozhao, who was bundled up snugly.

She wore a snow-white coat, a fluffy white hat on her head, and a light pink scarf that also looked soft and fuzzy.

The scarf was wrapped tightly around her.

At this moment, all that was visible of Su Zhaozhao was a pair of large, dark eyes.

She seemed fascinated, her gaze fixed on her surroundings as she observed them carefully.

Beijing was quite prosperous. Even in the 1980s, it already had the faint outline of a major metropolis, with its roadside buildings, the people coming and going, and the street vendors…

‘It was actually quite similar to modern times.’

“Zhaozhao, what do you think of it here?” Now that they were alone, Xie Huaizheng could finally ask for Su Zhaozhao’s opinion.

Su Zhaozhao nodded. “I think it’s very nice.”

“And my family? What do you think of them? Were they too much?”

‘His brother was fine, but his sister really was the loud, boisterous type.’

‘He couldn’t guarantee that her carefree, overly familiar manner hadn’t scared Su Zhaozhao.’

Hearing this, Su Zhaozhao seemed to snap back to reality. She nodded. “A little.”

The man’s brow furrowed at once, his expression turning serious.

“I’m sorry. I’ll definitely have a word with them when we get back.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Su Zhaozhao smiled. “I just think they’re incredibly enthusiastic. I was a little overwhelmed, really. They don’t have to treat me like the center of the universe. I’m just not used to it.”

She thought about how, during the meal, Huang Jiqin had relentlessly introduced every dish to her, asking if she was enjoying the food.

And Xie Wanting, too. It was clear she was practically dying to pour out every ounce of her enthusiasm.

But for Su Zhaozhao, it was all a bit too much.

It actually left her at a loss for how to react, so she could only respond as cautiously as possible.

After hearing Su Zhaozhao’s words, Xie Huaizheng couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, I’ll ask them not to be so enthusiastic from now on. But Zhaozhao, don’t worry. It’s just because it’s the first day, the first time they’ve met you. They were bound to be excited. Once you’ve stayed for a while and they get used to you, things will calm down.”

Just then, they passed a vendor selling tanghulu. Knowing Su Zhaozhao liked them, Xie Huaizheng raised his hand and bought a skewer from the owner, handing it to her. “The tanghulu in Beijing is more authentic than in West State. Give it a try.”

Of course, Su Zhaozhao knew this. Ever since she was a child, the most authentic tanghulu were always advertised as being from Beijing.

It was a large skewer of tanghulu, with big hawthorn berries, each one coated in a thick layer of rock sugar that gave it a glistening, bright red sheen.

‘Have to admit, it looked delicious.’

Su Zhaozhao opened her mouth and took a bite.

The sweet and sour flavor made her squint her eyes in enjoyment. “Wow, this is really good! You try some.”

And just like that, Su Zhaozhao and Xie Huaizheng shared the skewer, eating the candied hawthorns one by one until they were all gone.

The two continued their stroll, wandering past an elementary school.

Xie Huaizheng pointed to the school and said to Su Zhaozhao, “I went to school here when I was a kid.”

‘An elementary school next to the military compound would naturally be the best school in the area. Su Zhaozhao knew that, no matter the era, schools associated with the military were always the best. The teachers were usually the most outstanding as well.’

“Then you must have been a good student, right?” Su Zhaozhao asked, looking at Xie Huaizheng.

“They were okay, I guess. But I was pretty mischievous and got into fights with classmates a lot,” Xie Huaizheng said, smiling at the memory.

“Why did you fight?” Su Zhaozhao asked with a curious expression. “So you were a bad kid? You used to fight your classmates all the time?”

“They deserved it. They were bullies who picked on the weak and feared the strong. They’d bully the smaller kids in class, and I couldn’t stand by and watch.”

“Wow, darling, you’re so cool!” Su Zhaozhao immediately praised him.

‘Although fighting violence with violence wasn’t encouraged, among children, it was often the easiest way to solve a problem.’

‘After all, you couldn’t reason with them.’