Chronicle of the 70s
Chapter 146 - 142 First Monthly Ticket Additional 600 Updates

Chapter 146: 142 First Monthly Ticket Additional 600 Updates

April 2nd arrived swiftly. Grandpa Li couldn’t sleep for some reason, tossing and turning during the early hours. He got up before dawn, lit the fire, boiled some water, and made chicken noodle soup for his granddaughter. Xianglu, half-asleep, grabbed the bowl of noodles and glanced at the time—only 6:30 am.

Mr. Li was excited and seeing his granddaughter still dazed, he hurried her: "Hurry up! How can you not be eager? Today is your engagement day! Eat quickly and get ready."

Xianglu paused, get ready?

That’s right, with the policy changes this year, the fashion outside gradually shifted away from just black, white, and grey. She saw many people wearing red and camel coats on the street, looking very elegant. Many women started wearing jewelry too, mostly simple silver rings or earrings, and occasionally gold, though those were rare.

Although April in the capital wasn’t exactly warm, the plants were about to turn green, and the flowers about to bloom. The sun wasn’t scorching yet, and the cold wind had ceased its harshness. By noon, some people even ventured outdoors in shirts.

After finishing her noodles, Xianglu washed her hair, blow-dried it, and didn’t tie it in the usual ponytail. Instead, she braided it into two small braids secured with red bands on her shoulders. She wore a white shirt and blue cloth pants, which she and Qin Xi had agreed upon, and put on a button-up sweater. She groomed her eyebrows to make herself look more lively.

After looking in the mirror, Xianglu blinked, giggled, and took out some leftover BB cream from her previous life from her Storage Ring. She gently patted a layer on her moisturized face, hiding the few barely there freckles, and then applied some waterproof pink lipstick, pouting cutely at the mirror and giggling—just when she heard Grandpa calling from outside.

Xianglu couldn’t help but be amused; Grandpa was so eager to marry her off.

Wearing the round-toed, low-heeled shoes that Brother Lu bought at Xi Yunmei’s request, she grabbed her canvas backpack and clip-clopped out.

Mr. Li was chatting with Qin Xi in the yard when he heard the sound of heels hitting the ground. Both men turned their heads and saw a youthful girl appear.

Qin Xi’s gaze turned deep and dark, a smile playing on his lips.

Mr. Li, seeing his granddaughter dressed up for the first time, nodded and said, "Not bad, not bad. This is how you should dress from now on!" Then, staring at her face, he asked, "Why is your face so white?"

Xianglu quickly shook her head, insisting she was naturally this pale.

Mr. Li, confused but in a hurry, urged them to leave as it was already 8 am, wondering if they could still make the first slot.

Sitting behind Qin Xi on his bicycle, Xianglu gently clung to his waist, chatting about how worried Grandpa was this morning, how she didn’t get enough sleep, and complaining about being too full from the noodles.

Qin Xi just smiled in front, occasionally mumbling "Mhm" to show he was listening attentively.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau. It was Monday, and there was still half an hour until work started. Qin Xi parked the bicycle and they lined up at the front.

Xianglu paused, "What for? It’s still early."

Qin Xi chuckled and shook his head, "We need to be the first."

Xianglu, still puzzled, asked, "Why?"

Just then, a panting couple ran up behind them. The woman, looking distraught, exclaimed, "It’s all your fault we’re late! What are we going to tell my mom now!"

Xianglu raised an eyebrow, they’re late? The office isn’t even open yet.

Qin Xi’s deep voice followed, "Nowadays, people say that being the first to get a marriage certificate on a Monday morning is auspicious, promising that the couple’s life together will improve and endure."

Xianglu’s eyes widened in disbelief. What a bizarre superstition, she thought, Qin Xi actually believes this?

Qin Xi said with a smile, "I might be fine, but Grandpa really believes in this. The day before yesterday, he even made a special call home, saying we must arrive early. This morning, he repeatedly told me that if we were late, we should find a way to get a spot at the very front."

Li Xianglu simply couldn’t believe it. Even the usually wise Grandpa was this superstitious, yet it showed his deep love for her.

Li Xianglu felt a touch melodramatic and wanted to shed tears, but someone was staring at them the whole time, which ruined the mood she was trying to set.

Qin Xi glanced at the woman who came up to them and said coldly, "What do you want?"

Seeing Qin Xi’s tall stature and handsome face, the woman blushed and stammered, "Um, could you please let us get in front of you?"

Qin Xi frowned and said, "No."

The woman didn’t expect Qin Xi to refuse so quickly. Stunned, she turned to look at the man beside her with a look of grievance.

The man, seeing his fiancée look so pitiful, got a bit angry and stepped forward, "Comrade, our elders insist we be first. Please be understanding and let us be at the front."

Li Xianglu almost laughed, thinking, ’Why does this guy sound so righteous asking for a favor? Is that a skill or something?’

Qin Xi shook his head firmly, "No, we arrived early specifically to be first in line."

Meaning, it’s your fault for being late!

The woman, hearing she couldn’t get her way, felt extremely aggrieved and pulled on the man’s arm. The man, now quite angry, said, "How about five yuan, and we swap places?" By this time, another couple had arrived, lining up behind these two.

Qin Xi coldly said, "We’re not swapping."

The man, thinking the amount was too little, gritted his teeth and proposed, "Then, how about ten yuan? That’s not a small amount!"

Qin Xi turned his head, looking down at the man, "Can’t you understand human speech? I said we’re not swapping."

Qin Xi, already towering and imposing, could make even Qin Zhen avoid him when he put on that face, let alone this man who wasn’t as tough as Qin Zhen. Frightened, the man took a step back.

The woman, seeing her man lose face, was furious but then lamented that they had just lost the first spot, grumbling, "Really, if you think it’s too little money, just say so. What’s this ’not swapping’?"

Li Xianglu was truly impressed by these people. Do you think you’re that rich?

"So, you want to pay to swap spots with us?"

Upon hearing Li Xianglu speak, the woman hurriedly said, "Of course, my mom said we absolutely must have the first spot."

Li Xianglu lazily said, "Then make it ten thousand yuan."

The woman exclaimed, "Ten thousand yuan! Are you trying to rob me?"

Li Xianglu snorted, "Can’t afford it, huh? Then forget it."

The woman, almost fuming with anger, thought even if she had ten thousand yuan, she wouldn’t spend it on a spot. What can a spot do, feed you or quench your thirst?