The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 97 - 96: How About You Give Me a Title?

Li Wanqing clenched her fists tightly.

Wang Tianzhu took her hands, gently pried her fists open, and then delicately caressed her long, slender fingers.

"What are you so nervous about? I haven’t said anything. This afternoon, I’ll take you to the Friendship Store to buy a couple of new outfits. There’s a party tomorrow, and you’re coming with me."

Li Wanqing didn’t say anything, but Wang Tianzhu knew she didn’t object.

Speaking of new clothes, Xue Yue also took out the dress He Lang had bought for her in Yangcheng last year.

She hadn’t worn it last year because she was pregnant. Today, He Lang had the day off, and the family was planning to go get their picture taken.

Xue Yue put on her dress, and she also changed little Ruanruan into a small red dress that He Lang had bought on his last trip to the provincial capital.

He Lang wore black pants and a white shirt.

Xue Yue felt like she saw He Lang through a special filter whenever he wore a white shirt. She would never forget the night they first met; He Lang had been wearing a white shirt, looking both handsome and roguish.

"Somehow I feel like your skin has gotten much fairer, and you even seem a little taller," He Lang said, looking at Xue Yue.

Xue Yue touched her face. "It’s normal for it to get fairer. I’m not out in the sun all day. Of course I’d get paler being cooped up at home. But do people get taller after giving birth? I’ve never heard of that!"

"You never know."

Once they were ready, He Lang rode the bicycle with Xue Yue sitting on the back, holding Ruanruan.

This was little Ruanruan’s first trip to town. The little girl looked this way and that the entire way, as if everything was a source of wonder.

Once in town, they went to the photo studio first.

The photographer saw the family of three enter and stepped forward to greet them. Seeing how good-looking they all were, he grinned and said, "A handsome man and a beautiful woman, and such a cute baby! The photos are going to turn out great."

Everyone loves a compliment, so of course, Xue Yue felt pretty good about it.

When it was time to take the picture, they were worried Ruanruan wouldn’t cooperate, but to their surprise, they got the shot on the first try.

"I’ve never seen such a smart baby. When you tell her to look at the front, she looks at the front," the photographer said.

It was impossible to know if Ruanruan understood, but she just grinned from ear to ear. He Lang, holding her, kissed the top of her head.

Photos were incredibly expensive then—a single print cost a whole yuan, while a jin of meat was only ninety cents.

But it wasn’t something they did often, no matter the cost.

After leaving the photo studio, they went to the bank.

Xue Yue had been at home taking care of Ruanruan for the past few months, so she had plenty of time. As a result, she had been writing and submitting her work much more often, earning a few yuan each time.

Lately, the newspaper had stopped mailing cash in an envelope and started sending money orders instead. Xue Yue hadn’t cashed the previous ones, so she picked up all the money today. It added up to several dozen yuan.

He Lang chuckled and teased her, "That’s my wife for you. Your writing fees are almost more than my salary. Our daughter and I will be counting on you from now on."

Xue Yue raised an eyebrow. "Heh, that’s right. You and our daughter just stick with me, and you’ll be living the high life."

"HAHAHA."

He Lang leaned over and gave Xue Yue a kiss on the cheek.

Xue Yue instinctively glanced around. Fortunately, no one was paying them any mind.

"We’re on a public street, mind your image," Xue Yue chided with a laugh.

When Ruanruan saw her daddy kiss her mommy, she also puckered her lips toward Xue Yue.

"OOH~"

Seeing this, Xue Yue laughed and leaned her face in, letting Ruanruan plant a kiss on her cheek as well.

"It’s still early. Why don’t we go see where my brother works? We can all have lunch together at the state-run restaurant. My treat," Xue Yue said, patting the pocket holding her money.

He Lang agreed. "Alright."

But just as they arrived at the entrance of the Public Security Bureau, they saw Xue Xingzhou in a bit of a struggle with a young woman over something.

As they got closer, they heard the young woman say, "I bought this shirt especially for you in the provincial capital. If you don’t take it, it’s not like my dad can wear this size, my brother isn’t home, and I certainly can’t wear it."

Xue Xingzhou said coolly, "You’re always giving me gifts. It’s not appropriate. If other people saw, what would they say about you?"

Zhang Qian winked at him. "How about you give me a title, then? That would give me a legitimate reason to give you gifts."

Xue Xingzhou watched her, his gaze deep and inscrutable.

"AHEM~" Xue Yue choked on her own spit.

Xue Xingzhou and Zhang Qian both turned to look at the same time.

Xue Xingzhou met Xue Yue’s teasing gaze and was a little surprised; he hadn’t even noticed when they arrived. ’He had to admit,’ he thought, ’Zhang Qian really did affect him a great deal.’

Xue Yue raised an eyebrow. "Brother, not going to make an introduction?"

He Lang also looked on, clearly enjoying the show.

Xue Xingzhou sounded a bit resigned. "This is Zhang Qian. She’s... my master’s daughter."

Xue Yue looked at Zhang Qian. She was the type to immediately catch your eye—radiant and poised, with a short haircut that made her look even more dashing and carefree.

From the first glance, Xue Yue felt that Zhang Qian was exactly the kind of person she had always admired and wanted to become.

Xue Yue smiled and extended a hand toward Zhang Qian. "Hi, I’m Xue Xingzhou’s sister. My name is Xue Yue. Oh, and this is my husband, He Lang."

Zhang Qian also smiled as she shook Xue Yue’s offered hand. "So you’re his little sister! You’re really beautiful."

’Well now,’ Xue Yue thought. ’She’s already calling me sister. Looks like there really is something going on with my brother.’

Xue Yue beamed. "You’re beautiful, too."

"HAHAHA." Zhang Qian was very outgoing, and her laughter was frank and hearty, which made Xue Yue like her even more.

Xue Yue noticed the camera hanging around Zhang Qian’s neck and asked in surprise, "Is that a camera? Do you work at a photo studio?"

Zhang Qian shook her head. "I work for a newspaper. Photography is part of my job."

"Wow, that’s so cool."

The two of them stood there, chatting away as if no one else was around.

He Lang and Xue Xingzhou exchanged a look, each seeing the resignation in the other’s eyes.

As soon as Ruanruan saw Xue Xingzhou, she held out her arms, wanting him to hold her.

Xue Xingzhou smiled, took her in his arms, and kissed her cheek. "Ruanruan, did you miss your uncle?"

Ruanruan opened her little mouth to let out an "ah," and a bit of drool trickled from the corner of her lips.

He Lang quickly wiped it away with a handkerchief before stuffing it into Xue Xingzhou’s hand, clearly passing the duty on to him.

Xue Yue and Zhang Qian continued to talk about photography.

Zhang Qian said, "Oh, so you came to get your picture taken! If I’d known, you shouldn’t have spent any money. I could have taken it for you and even delivered the print."

Xue Yue waved her hand dismissively. "Oh no, we couldn’t do that. This photo paper is really expensive. We can’t possibly trouble you."

"It’s no trouble! How about the four of you take a picture together? I can expense it anyway, so one extra print makes no difference."

Xue Yue was tempted. She didn’t have a photo together with her brother yet.

"Alright, then."

With that, she pulled He Lang and Xue Xingzhou together, and they posed for a picture right there in front of the Public Security Bureau entrance.

Zhang Qian said, "I’ll have it developed in a few days and bring it to your brother."

Xue Yue nodded. Looking between Zhang Qian and her brother, she suggested, "Do you want to get one with my brother?"

Zhang Qian froze for a second, then looked toward Xue Xingzhou. Her eyes met his, and she nodded vigorously.