Chapter 109 – Huaguo Society

Seeing Xi Junjie’s pitiful expression, Zhenzhen squatted on the ground clutching her belly, laughing uncontrollably. Xi Junjie stood there helplessly with an enormous bouquet in his arms. “You think I’m an idiot, don’t you?”

Zhenzhen nodded, laughing so hard she could barely speak. “You went over thirty times… and still… didn’t notice… the cave… hahaha…”

Thinking of how foolish he’d been, Xi Junjie couldn’t help but laugh too. “Great, I just proposed and already added a piece to my black history. Are you going to laugh at this every time you remember it?”

Propping herself up by the knee, Zhenzhen stood up, nodding enthusiastically. “When our kids grow up, I’m definitely telling them too.”

Xi Junjie opened the car door and placed the bouquet of roses in the back seat. After the heat inside dissipated a bit, he held the door frame with his hand. “Alright, stop laughing. Get in the car.”

Zhenzhen sat in the passenger seat, fastened her seatbelt, and looked happily at Xi Junjie getting in from the other side. “You’re quite the gentleman.”

Xi Junjie leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “Depends who I’m with. With you, of course I have to be more gentlemanly. Gotta take good care of my own wife. But if I’m with other girls, I can’t be too nice. You know how guys as handsome as me—if we’re a little too considerate—it’s easy to give people the wrong idea.”

“Oh please!” Zhenzhen laughed and gave his shoulder a playful slap, squinting at him mischievously. “You’re so narcissistic.”

Xi Junjie started the car and glanced at her with a smile. “It’s mainly because you compliment me every day. You’ve inflated my ego.”

Zhenzhen rested her chin on her hand, tilting her head to study him carefully. She couldn’t resist praising him again. “You are good-looking. Alright, for the sake of your face, I’ll allow you to be narcissistic in front of me.”

Xi Junjie burst out laughing, reaching over to pinch her ear affectionately. “Ah, your compliments make me so happy. I’ve decided to take you somewhere delicious.”

Zhenzhen wrinkled her nose and put on a fierce face. “If it’s not good, I’ll make you kneel on the washboard.”

“Already exercising your wifely rights?” Xi Junjie shifted gears. “Then I’d better buy a few more washboards for backup in case I wear one out. Can’t risk making my wife mad.”

Zhenzhen couldn’t stop laughing. As Xi Junjie stepped on the gas, he kept an eye on the road and asked, “I’ve already booked places for lunch and dinner. Let’s grab lunch first. Anything you want to do in the afternoon? We could catch a movie or shop for wedding outfits.”

Their car drove from the suburbs along a dirt road into the outer city, then into the inner city, and finally stopped in front of the Imperial Capital Hotel. Xi Junjie helped Zhenzhen out and looked at her with concern. “Too much time in the car today. Do you feel dizzy or nauseous?”

“No dizziness,” Zhenzhen blinked her long lashes honestly. “Just all that bumping around made me super hungry. I think I could eat a whole cow right now.”

Xi Junjie patted his pocket and sighed in relief. “Good thing I brought enough money. With your appetite, otherwise I might have to stay and wash dishes.”

Zhenzhen had never been to the Imperial Capital Hotel but knew how pricey it was. She hooked her arm through his and asked anxiously, “Are you sure you brought enough money?”

Xi Junjie looked at her, amused and exasperated. “How poor do you think I am?” He pinched her cheek and whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry. My investments in France did really well. I can afford this.” Then he whispered a number to her.

Zhenzhen stared at him in shock. “That’s way faster than running a business. Maybe I should invest in France too.”

Since they arrived early, the restaurant wasn’t too crowded. The two of them picked a quiet, secluded table. After ordering, they looked at each other—and suddenly broke into silly laughter.

Xi Junjie tickled her fingers. “When should we have the wedding?”

Zhenzhen thought for a moment. “I have to report to work tomorrow. It’ll probably be busy at first. Let’s plan the wedding in October—by then I’ll be settled in, and we won’t be scrambling. The weather will be nice, too—cool and crisp, perfect for a wedding.”

Xi Junjie immediately pulled out a traditional almanac and showed her. “Then how about September 26th? Lunar calendar, the tenth day of the eighth month. An auspicious day for marriage and it’s a Sunday.”

Zhenzhen looked at the calendar—it was full of circled dates from August to October—and gave him a half-laughing, half-helpless look. “You really came prepared. You don’t seem like someone who believes in this stuff.”

“The elders do,” Xi Junjie said seriously. “It’s a big event for both families. We have to make everyone happy.”

Zhenzhen took his hand and felt a warmth in her heart. “You’re so thoughtful. I feel like I haven’t helped with anything.”

Xi Junjie placed his other hand over hers, smiling warmly. “All you have to do is be a beautiful bride.”

A waiter approached carrying a pot of braised shark fin. Seeing the couple gazing affectionately at each other, he hesitated—neither advancing nor retreating. Zhenzhen quickly pulled her hand back. “I’ll go wash up first.”

Braised shark fin was a signature dish at the Imperial Capital Hotel’s Tan Family Cuisine, made with premium ingredients like shark fin, whole chicken, duck, Jinhua ham, and dried scallops. The emphasis was on pure flavor and silky texture.

By the time Zhenzhen returned, all the other dishes had arrived—two styles of prawns, steamed chicken with straw mushrooms, sunflower duck, soy-sauce live fish, braised sea cucumber, assorted silk threads, and poached squid filled the table.

Looking at the colorful, aromatic, and delicious dishes, Zhenzhen couldn’t help but gulp. Her eyes were glued to the table. “Did we order too much?”

Xi Junjie handed her a bowl of shark fin. “Not at all. I believe in your combat power.”

Zhenzhen scooped a spoonful into her mouth. The silky fin melted on her tongue, bursting with rich flavor. She tried the prawns—tender, fresh, absolutely delightful. The straw mushrooms in the chicken had infused the meat with a deep, fragrant taste that made her crave more…

Dish after dish made Zhenzhen feel like she was flying with happiness. At first, she wanted to savor each flavor and discuss it with Xi Junjie, enjoying the elegant setting and romantic atmosphere. But after the first bite, all thoughts vanished—she just focused on eating. Her mouth was stuffed, and she couldn’t even breathe properly, let alone talk.

After the feast, the eight dishes were wiped clean. Rubbing her full belly, Zhenzhen slumped in her chair, unable to move. “No wonder it’s so expensive—it’s way too delicious.”

Xi Junjie poured her a cup of digestive tea, his eyes full of joy. “Watching you eat is a pleasure. Your expressions when you taste something delicious are so cute. It’s really satisfying.”

“Really?” Zhenzhen dabbed her mouth with a napkin, looking at him incredulously. “Even when I’m eating like this, you still think I’m cute? Is your eyesight okay?”

Xi Junjie laughed heartily. “That’s why they say ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder.’”

They sat for a while longer before leaving the hotel. Zhenzhen had originally planned to watch a movie, but she was too full to sit in a theater, so they went shopping instead. Nowadays, wedding outfits often meant suits for both, but Zhenzhen still felt dresses were prettier. After an afternoon of shopping, they chose a red dress with a delicate shawl—both festive and beautiful.

By the time they finished a romantic candlelight dinner and got home, it was around nine o’clock. The car stopped outside the Li family home. Xi Junjie got out and opened the door for Zhenzhen, reluctant to part. “Now I think late September is too far. Wish we could get married tomorrow.”

Zhenzhen tiptoed to kiss him on the cheek, then pushed him back into the car with a smile. “While you’re still free from my rule, go enjoy your final moments as a single man.”

Xi Junjie grabbed her hand, puckered his lips. “Kiss here too.”

Zhenzhen leaned in and gave him a “mwah,” and only then did Xi Junjie release her hand, satisfied.

She waved at him, humming a tune as she twirled her way into the main courtyard. Normally, Grandma Li and Wang Sufen would be asleep by 8 p.m., but as Zhenzhen stepped in, she saw the light in Grandma Li’s room was still on.

Grandma Li had been dozing under the window. She suddenly jerked awake and, seeing Zhenzhen entering the courtyard, rushed to open the door and called out, “Why are you just getting home? Hurry over here!”

Zhenzhen gave a sheepish smile as she looked at Grandma Li. “Granny, you’re still up?”

“It’s the middle of the night and you’re not back—how could I sleep?” Grandma Li yawned. “Hurry inside, I have something to ask you.”

“Okay, I’ll just put these things away first.” The thorns on the roses in Zhenzhen’s arms had already vanished when she picked them up. Unable to find a suitable place for so many roses, she temporarily stored them in her space.

When Zhenzhen entered the main room, Grandma Li was gulping down water from her cup. As soon as she saw her, she dragged her into her own bedroom and eagerly asked, “Have you and Junjie set a wedding date?”

“We have.” Zhenzhen motioned for Grandma Li and Wang Sufen to sit on the bed while she took a chair nearby. “We picked September 26th, which is the tenth day of the eighth lunar month. It’s a Sunday.”

Sure enough, both Grandma Li and Wang Sufen beamed at the date. “That’s a good day—an even number all around.”

“Well then, since you’re happy with the date, I’ll head back and get some sleep.” Zhenzhen stood up to leave, but Grandma Li quickly pulled her back and whispered, “Did Junjie propose to you today?”

Zhenzhen smiled sweetly and gave her a thumbs-up. “Granny, all those TV shows weren’t wasted on you. You even guessed the proposal.”

“Oh, get outta here—TV doesn’t show that kind of thing,” Grandma Li rolled her eyes. “I heard it from your mother-in-law. So, did Junjie really get down on one knee?”

Thinking of the moment earlier that day, Zhenzhen couldn’t help but smile. Looking at the two pairs of eager eyes in front of her, she suddenly felt a little embarrassed. “Granny, why do you have to ask everything? It’s embarrassing!”

“So he did kneel.” Grandma Li nodded firmly, then turned to whisper to Wang Sufen, “People from the capital really are different from us small-town folks. Back home, a man lowering himself to a woman is kind of frowned upon. But here, he’s not even married yet and already kneeling. His mom even looked happy about it.”

Wang Sufen thought for a moment. “Probably his mom’s just easygoing. She always seemed laid-back and not too hung up on things like that.”

Grandma Li nodded, then turned to Zhenzhen again. “Even if your mother-in-law’s got a good temper, you can’t just bully Junjie. He’s such a good kid—looks decent, got a good temper. Don’t make him kneel again, you hear?”

Zhenzhen looked at Grandma Li with a laugh and gave her a heavy nod. “Got it.”

“That’s better.” Grandma Li let out a sigh of relief and couldn’t help but grin. “Our Zhenzhen is truly blessed. She went all that way and found such a good man—who even lives next door! You don’t know, I used to worry so much about her marriage when she was little. I’d think, what’ll I do when Zhenzhen gets married and I can’t see her every day? What if someone bullies her?”

Wang Sufen bluntly cut off her reminiscing. “Mom, if anyone’s dumb enough to try bullying Zhenzhen, she’d probably kick him straight into a wall. No need to worry.”

Zhenzhen nodded. “Or straight into a tree. That works too.”

Grandma Li glanced at the mother and daughter, all her sentiment instantly gone. Kicking off her shoes, she lay back on the bed and closed her eyes. “Sleep. I don’t want to chat with you two.”

Zhenzhen held back a laugh as she helped turn off the light. She and Wang Sufen hadn’t even made it to the door when Grandma Li’s snores were already rumbling. Wang Sufen quietly closed the door and whispered to Zhenzhen, “Your grandma’s been sleepy for ages—she was just worrying about your wedding date.”

“I know.” Zhenzhen smiled, gently squeezed Wang Sufen’s shoulder, and sent her off to bed. “Mom, you should sleep too. It’s late.”

“Alright.” Wang Sufen took a few steps, then suddenly remembered Zhenzhen had work tomorrow. “What time do you start work? I’ll get up early and cook for you.”

“No need. I’ll just grab a pancake and fried dough stick at the corner. You’re sleeping late tonight—don’t worry about me in the morning.” Afraid Wang Sufen would insist, Zhenzhen added, “Junjie and I head the same way, we’ll eat together.”

“Alright then.” Since her daughter and son-in-law would be heading out together, there was nothing to worry about. Wang Sufen reminded her, “Ride your bike slowly, don’t fall or anything.” Zhenzhen agreed, turned off the light at the door, and went back to her room.

Though it was already late, Zhenzhen couldn’t fall asleep, still buzzing from everything that had happened. Remembering the roses still stashed in her space, she sat up, took out a dozen antique vases from the Ming and Qing dynasties, filled each halfway with water, trimmed the roses, and arranged them into the vases.

She placed one on her nightstand, one on her vanity, one on her desk, another on her painting table, and the rest on various windowsills. Surrounded by the fragrance of roses, Zhenzhen finally fell asleep.
—

Huaguo News Agency, being a national-level press organization, was the official voice of the country. Getting a job there right after graduation made Zhenzhen both nervous and excited.

She arrived an hour early, but many were already at their desks writing furiously. Half of her class had been assigned to Huaguo News, including a few girls from her dorm. Seeing all the familiar faces eased her nerves.

A reporter led them to an empty conference room. Wei Yujin, Xu Jiajia, and the others were already there. Zhenzhen placed her bag on the table and softly asked, “You’ve all moved into the Huaguo News staff dorms?”

“Yeah,” Xu Jiajia said excitedly. “The place is even nicer than our college dorms! I share a room with Big Sis Wei, Meng Xiaoran, and Han Xiaoru. We’ve got a private bathroom and everyone has their own wardrobe.”

Of the eight girls in their dorm, only Wei Yujin was married. When she first came to college in the capital, her child was already two. Now, the child was nearly ready for kindergarten.

“Big Sis, have you thought about bringing your kid over? After all, the schools here in the capital are way better than in the northwest.” Seeing her momentarily distracted, Zhenzhen couldn’t help asking.

“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about it.” The thought clearly troubled Wei Yujin. “But I just started work, and I can’t apply for family housing yet. Even if my husband and kid came, there’d be nowhere for them to live. Renting a place outside would cost a lot—for food and everything too. I’ll have to wait and see.”

Zhenzhen had lived with her for four years and really liked her. Back in school, Wei Yujin had taken care of all the girls like a big sister—checking their clothes in winter to make sure they weren’t underdressed, and fanning them one by one during hot summer nights. The girls always felt guilty making her do so much.

Back then, they were all students, and Zhenzhen didn’t feel right asking about her family. But now that they were working, she wanted to help.

Since there was still time, Zhenzhen tugged her aside to the corridor. “Big Sis, I want to ask you something from the heart, and you have to be honest with me.”

“What is it? Why so mysterious?” Wei Yujin chuckled at Zhenzhen’s serious expression. “Go ahead, ask whatever you want.”

Zhenzhen smiled a little awkwardly. “I just want to ask—do you really want your husband to bring the kid here, or is there something else on your mind?”

“Of course I want him to come.” Wei Yujin sighed. “I know, some of us former educated youth divorced our rural husbands after getting into college or returning to the city. But I always thought—since we had a child together, how can I just abandon them for a better life? Wouldn’t that make me no better than those old-time scoundrels? Don’t you think I’m right?”

Zhenzhen smiled, and Wei Yujin went on, “Don’t worry about me. When my job’s more stable and I can apply for housing, I’ll bring them over. My husband’s a skilled carpenter and not afraid of hard work. He’ll find something.”

Zhenzhen nodded. “I remember you said he’s good with woodwork. I actually know Director Sun at Tengda Furniture Factory. I’ll talk to him and get your husband a job there.”

“Tengda Furniture Factory?” Wei Yujin’s eyes widened. “You mean the biggest one in the country? I heard the craftsmen there are all amazing. Would they even take my husband?”

“He can start as an assistant. If his skills are solid, he can move straight into production.” Zhenzhen didn’t work at the factory, but she knew the operations well. “And the factory’s built several housing units. Out-of-town families can apply for one, and they come fully furnished. They just finished a new building this spring. I’ll ask Director Sun to assign you a unit.”

Wei Yujin was so overwhelmed upon hearing this that she didn’t even know what to say. She grabbed Zhenzhen’s hand, her eyes turning red. “Zhenzhen, whether this works out or not, I still have to thank you. But I know it’s really hard to get into that factory—if they’re not willing, please don’t push it. I don’t want you to lower yourself for my sake.”

“What are you talking about?” Zhenzhen thought for a moment and said, “How about this: the furniture factory isn’t that far away anyway. After work tonight, just come with me directly. Once I’ve picked up the keys to the apartment, you’ll feel more at ease calling your husband.”

Seeing that Wei Yujin was already in tears, Zhenzhen nudged her playfully and said, “What, are you crying tears of joy at the thought of being reunited with your husband and no longer having to sleep alone?”

Wei Yujin burst into laughter through her tears. “You really are about to get married—your skin’s getting thicker by the day.”

Realizing it was almost time for work, Wei Yujin wiped away her tears and returned to the meeting room with Zhenzhen. They had just sat down when a bespectacled man walked in with a notebook under his arm. The meeting room immediately quieted down, everyone turning to him and waiting for work arrangements.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Yu Shoujing, editor-in-chief of the Domestic News Department. Welcome to Huaguo News Agency. From now on, we’ll be colleagues. If you encounter any difficulties or things you don’t understand in your work, feel free to ask me—I’ll do my best to help.”

After a brief opening statement, Yu Shoujing gave an overview of Huaguo News Agency, then emphasized, “You’re all top journalism students from Imperial Capital University. I believe your four years of study have taught you the importance of journalism. Going forward, I hope you’ll apply what you’ve learned and be the first to report on our country’s policies, domestic and international current affairs, military developments, diplomacy, and more.”

Yu Shoujing pulled a sheet of paper from his notebook. It listed all the new interns in this batch, ranked according to their academic performance over the past four years.

“Compared to local media, our reporting at Huaguo News Agency is more serious, rational, and composed. So the first thing you’ll be doing here is learning. I’ll now take you to the Domestic News Department and assign each of you a mentor.”

The students stood up in small groups and followed Yu Shoujing into a large office. He unfolded the sheet of paper and pointed to a woman in her fifties. “Zhang Xiaoran, Xu Jiajia, you two will study under Teacher Wang Yuchun. Wei Yujin, Guo Xiaoqiao, you’ll be with Teacher Zhang Minghan…”

He read through the list, assigning each student a mentor. Everyone had been paired—except for Zhenzhen, who quietly continued to follow Yu Shoujing. When they returned to his office, he looked up and realized he had forgotten this particularly pretty girl. He quickly said, “Almost forgot about you! The chief editor reviewed your file and noted that your French and English are quite strong, so for now, you’ll be learning directly with me. Later, we’re planning to transfer you to the International News Editorial Department.”

Zhenzhen looked at Yu Shoujing. “Editor-in-Chief Yu, is there something I should start working on right now?”

Yu Shoujing handed her a sheet of paper. “Our country’s reform and opening up has been underway for four years now, and the domestic economy has changed significantly. I want you to interview some state-owned and private enterprises. Compare and contrast the situations before and after the reforms, and write a report on the changes.”

Zhenzhen was very interested in this kind of topic. She placed the paper carefully in her bag and answered earnestly, “I’ll make sure to get it done.”