Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 84 Accommodation

Amidst laughter and cheers, the group took a taxi back to Nanhu.

Once inside, without anyone saying a word, Xiaowei skillfully unloaded the finished film and tossed it to Chen Hui. Then he loaded a new roll, saying, "Next time I'll be able to use a dark bag to load the film. If these two rolls go well today, then this genius can officially start practicing photography."

Chen Hui put the two rolls of film together with the roll he took the photos of the day before, and put them in a dark bag to prevent overexposure. He said, "If it's just to take pictures of people as a souvenir, there shouldn't be any major problems. At most, there will be some bright spots and some dark spots. We can take it slowly. Are you really going to stay in the dormitory tomorrow? What are you going there for? It's so far away. Isn't it better for us to stay at home?"

Xiaowei said, "Xiaohong will be there for a month, and I'm bored at home. Since I have to do my internship there anyway, I might as well stay there. They have everything. What do you mean? You still miss me?"

Chen Hui nodded, even putting on a wronged expression, which made everyone laugh. Xiao Wei laughed too, saying, "Look at you, how old are you? Xiao Xiao is here, why don't you go play with her? If you have nothing better to do, go keep Xiao Xiao company at the counter, what are you doing bothering me all day?"

Chen Hui looked at Chen Xiao, whose face was flushed. She didn't say anything, pretending not to have heard what Xiao Wei said. Chen Hui asked, "Xiao Xiao, is it okay?"

Chen Xiao's face turned even redder, and she said resentfully, "No way. Go wherever you want."

Xiao Hong sighed and said to Chen Hui, "Chen Hui, how can you be so stupid? Have you really never had a boyfriend?"

Chen Xiao said, "He's bound to die of stupidity in the future, just ignore him."

Chen Hui said blankly, "I've never dated anyone. Why? My dad said I was too young to date, so I went to work and then took the Open University exam. Before I met Xiao Wei, it was my last year of Open University, and my dad had only given me a break for less than six months. Where could I date? There aren't any women in my workplace."

In the early 90s, most city dwellers lived a very limited life, confined to their factories and homes. Their social circles were quite narrow, and finding a partner and getting married was mainly through introductions. However, unlike the arranged marriages of the past, relationships could end if things didn't go well. Very few people actually met, dated, and married on their own. Most people were still very conservative at that time and were too embarrassed or afraid to approach members of the opposite sex. Back then, social norms in Northeast China were extremely averse to matters of the heart; having an affair was considered utterly heinous and would be the subject of gossip and condemnation.

Xia Maosheng put an arm around Chen Hui's shoulder and asked, "Old Chen, want to find a girlfriend?"

Chen Hui nodded, glancing furtively at Chen Xiao out of the corner of his eye.

Xia Maosheng then asked, "Do you want to date Chen Xiao?"

Chen Hui nodded again, then immediately realized what was happening and looked at Chen Xiao, his face flushing red as he lowered his head.

Xia Maosheng laughed and said, "Sigh, if it weren't for us, you'd really have a hard time finding a partner in your life. Can't you see that Chen Xiao already agreed? It's only because Chen Xiao is a good girl; anyone else would have ignored you long ago. You're so stupid."

Chen Hui suddenly looked up: "Huh?" Then he looked at Chen Xiao, who blushed and lowered her head, muttering to Xiao Hong, "What the hell are you talking about? So stupid, what are you doing here? Just sulking and playing by yourself?"

Xiao Hong chuckled and said, "Xiao Hui is a really good person, how is he stupid? He's just innocent, he's never been in a relationship before. You're hoping to find an experienced guy like Lao Xia?"

Xia Maosheng was stunned for a moment and shouted, "What's wrong with me? How did I become an expert? Am I not honest? I'm very honest, this is my first time dating, okay?"

Chen Hui entered that state where the whole world seemed to stand still again, looking at Chen Xiao with stars in his eyes and asking, "Xiao Xiao, can I come to play with you? I'll help you watch the stall, okay?"

Chen Xiao said without looking up, "Your legs are your own, it's none of my business where you want to go."

Chen Hui understood now, stood up abruptly, and started to walk out. Xiao Wei grabbed him and asked, "What are you doing? Where are you going?"

Chen Hui said, "I'm going home to tell my parents that I'm going to start dating."

Everyone covered their faces; this child was hopeless.

Chen Xiao glared at Chen Hui and said, "Are you sick? Sit down." Chen Hui said "Oh" and sat down, looking at Chen Xiao.

Chen Xiao propped his head up on his arm and slumped onto the table, saying, "Damn it, we've got such an idiot, what's going to happen now?"

Xiao Wei patted Chen Hui and said, "I'll be staying there tomorrow. If you're free, go keep Xiao Xiao company so she doesn't have to walk home alone in the dark at night. You can take my bicycle." He tossed the bicycle keys to Chen Hui.

Chen Hui took the keys and said, "Isn't it necessary? I have a motorcycle."

Xia Maosheng said, "Are you stupid? Aren't you cold? Besides, it's so close, why would you ride a motorcycle? If you ask me, I wouldn't even ride a bicycle, walking is much better and warmer." He pinched Chen Hui hard from below, and Chen Hui's face changed. He held back and understood. He wasn't really stupid, he just hadn't experienced this before and was a little confused.

After sitting for a while and drinking some hot water, Xia Maosheng and Yang Tiebin went back to the Cultural Palace. Chen Xiao also got up to go home. This time, Chen Hui reacted quickly and accompanied them downstairs. The house was empty. Xiao Hong and Xiao Wei cleaned up and washed the cups that everyone had used. They chatted and laughed as they did so. Xiao Wei also mopped the entire floor.

The next morning, Xiaowei and Xiaohong closed the doors and windows, went downstairs together for breakfast, and then Xiaowei took Xiaohong and the tape recorder to school. After that, they took the bus to the Cultural Palace, as they were going to stay there for a month and it was inconvenient to ride their bikes over.

All the students at the Cultural Palace have started their internships. They can intern at places arranged by the school or find their own places, but they all live here and are not allowed to go out, in case something happens and it becomes unclear.

Xiao Wei, Xia Maosheng, and Li Guangzhao, who were among the better colleagues, stayed at the Cultural Palace. Qi Guangjun and a few others who were also close friends went to the Golden Triangle. Several of the older colleagues, who had worked there for many years, were assigned to Shaoyuan, where they could start working directly in the kitchen, and there was also a possibility that they would stay on.

No one was able to go to Lumingchun; they have high standards for this kind of thing, after all, it's a big brand. However, they promised that a few people could come and choose when the program closed.

Now the school and dormitories are empty during the day. Xiao Wei, Xia Maosheng, and a few others are busy working on the ground. Xia Maosheng goes directly to the stove. Yang Tiebin and Li Guangzhao could also do that, but they are lazy and would rather chop vegetables as a hobby.

Xiao Wei plunged headfirst into the sea of ​​potatoes, giving it his all.

While chatting with Sister Jin and Li Na, I kept chopping potatoes, and the day passed by.

In the evening, Xiao Wei, Xia Maosheng, and a few others ate the staff meal and helped Li Na tidy up before going upstairs to her dormitory.