The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead
Chapter 82 - 80: I am Sincere in Dealing with My Partner

Chapter 82: Chapter 80: I am Sincere in Dealing with My Partner

The two had spent over two hours in the grove. Lu Jingqiu had completed two composition sketches, and Luo Xinyue had painted many flowers and plants. Finally, after taking many photos, they headed back together.

Luo Xinyue was somewhat reluctant to leave at the end because her painting wasn’t finished yet. "The days are long in summer. It’s only a little past four, and we’re heading back already."

Lu Jingqiu said, "It’ll be almost five by the time we get home, right? I need to go back and get dressed. I have a date today."

Luo Xinyue was surprised, "Are you really dating that soldier?"

"Yeah, actually, I have you to thank for that. You egged the leader on, pushed me to attend the mixer. We weren’t really lovers before that, it was only that day that we made it official."

Luo Xinyue laughed, "That’s quite good. Unlike me, I’ve been promised to someone since I was little."

Lu Jingqiu was quite curious and asked, "Are you and your partner childhood sweethearts?"

"Yes, our families are long-time friends, and my mom and his mom are best friends."

"That’s quite nice. It’s obvious, he really likes you, doesn’t find you petulant or spoiled."

"Hmph, he does. He criticizes me every time. Whenever he does, I get angry with him and won’t speak to him for at least a week."

Lu Jingqiu reflected, "I really envy you, bickering all the way to the end."

Sometimes you meet someone and think they’re the one; but looking back, you realize they were just part of the journey, providing what you needed at the time. Too bad she didn’t understand.

After arriving home, Lu Jingqiu checked her face and was relieved she hadn’t gotten sunburned. She had worn long sleeves on the road, so her arms were fine as well.

After hastily taking a bath, Lu Jingqiu spent quite some time choosing her clothes. In the end, she selected the dress her mom had bought for her at the North City Black Market.

Around six o’clock, Jiang Nanzhou came in a white short-sleeve shirt and a pair of military trousers.

Having not seen him for two or three days, the injuries on his face had faded significantly.

"Is your leg better?"

Jiang Nanzhou said, "I can walk normally now, no need to worry."

Lu Jingqiu looked down at his leg but couldn’t tell there had been anything wrong with it.

Jiang Nanzhou stepped forward and took the handles of the bike from her hands, "Let’s go, I’ve already bought the tickets. The movie is at 7:30. Let’s go have dinner first."

"Okay."

The feelings she had when chasing after Gao Shu in her previous life were different from how she felt now. This time she was somewhat shy, but deep down she possessed a calm that someone her age shouldn’t have. Overall, it was a strange and complex mix of emotions.

It was clear that Jiang Nanzhou was much more nervous than she, noticeably more uncomfortable than before their relationship had been defined.

When he was riding the bike with her, his ears turned redder than before.

Lu Jingqiu almost laughed out loud when she saw it. Then she thought, boyfriends and girlfriends of their era were so innocent, considering holding hands as the most intimate gesture.

Seeing that Jiang Nanzhou was silent as he rode the bike, Lu Jingqiu took the initiative to speak, "What have you been doing these past few days?" The army also had days off on Sundays.

"Sorting some things out."

It was obvious he didn’t want to talk about it, so Lu Jingqiu didn’t pry any further, "Oh."

Jiang Nanzhou took her to a state-owned restaurant near the movie theater.

The order was particularly lavish, two bowls of rice, stir-fried pork with green peppers, a side of stir-fried green beans, and a "three delicacies" soup.

Lu Jingqiu looked at the dishes and said, "That’s too much." Portions in restaurants at that time were very generous.

Jiang Nanzhou smiled and served her a piece of meat, "We’ll manage to finish it."

Lu Jingqiu didn’t have the shy demureness typical of other couples when they first got together. Having lived two lifetimes, she didn’t feel embarrassed at all, and she unapologetically ate her rice in front of Jiang Nanzhou.

Rice was very expensive in the restaurant, a bowl or two probably costing eighty cents.

While eating, Jiang Nanzhou occasionally picked food for Lu Jingqiu. She hadn’t enjoyed this sort of treatment from Gao Shu before.

"Jingqiu, I called my grandfather yesterday and told him about us."

The abrupt statement caught Lu Jingqiu off guard as she was drinking soup, causing her to turn her head and spray it out, "Cough... cough cough..."

Jiang Nanzhou quickly took out a handkerchief for her, "Take it slow."

"What did you just say?"

"I said, I told my grandfather about our relationship."

Lu Jingqiu suddenly frowned, "We haven’t even started yet, isn’t this too soon?"

Jiang Nanzhou didn’t agree with Lu Jingqiu’s point of view and solemnly said, "Comrade Jingqiu, I am very serious and sincere about being in a relationship with you, and it is with the intention of marriage. If nothing goes wrong, we will be lifelong revolutionary partners."

"What if, after we get to know each other, you find that we’re not suitable?"

Jiang Nanzhou shook his head, "I think you are quite suitable, and I’m not one to abandon responsibility. I will take care of you."

"..." What she wanted was sincerity and affection, not a relationship based on responsibility.

"When I confessed to you, I had already given it plenty of thought and understood your character well, so..."

"Nanzhou, actually, what I mean is that we haven’t really had much interaction before, and now we can slowly get to know each other better. If we really are suitable, I’m not against marriage, but what if we find out we’re not so compatible during the process? Marriage is not child’s play, it’s for a lifetime."

"I understand what you mean, don’t worry. As long as it’s not about principles, I will yield to you in everything at home. I can also cook and do the laundry; I can handle all the household chores."

"Ah... I’ve heard they say you are very strict in the team, I never knew you could do housework!"

Jiang Nanzhou said, "How can I command respect during training without some authority? Actually, I’m very gentle usually. I’ve been doing housework since I was a child. If we get married in the future, you won’t have to do household chores."

Lu Jingqiu, seeing his serious and earnest expression, couldn’t help but laugh, and her smile was truly beautiful.

Her dazzling smile caught Jiang Nanzhou off guard, his gaze constantly following her.

Lu Jingqiu had not expected this outcome at all.

She had thought that, like in modern times, they would first date, and if they felt compatible, then they would discuss marriage.

Who could have foreseen that what she considered wasn’t what he thought?

In Jiang Nanzhou’s worldview, being in a relationship was equivalent to stepping through the gates of marriage, a matter of great importance.

Indeed, most people were like that at this time.

"Jingqiu, aren’t you sincerely in this relationship with me?"

She quickly shook her head, "I am very sincere, I like you."

Overwhelmed by her bold confession, Jiang Nanzhou’s blush wasn’t limited to his ears this time; he embarrassingly bowed his head and ate his meal in large bites.

Lu Jingqiu wasn’t lying. If she didn’t like him, why would she agree to be in a relationship? Jiang Nanzhou was the type who grew on you; when he was serious, whether in demeanor or expression, he was extremely striking. Without frequent contact, a person might indeed be scared at first glance.

Jiang Nanzhou was right, the meal was indeed finished, and the last of it ended up in his stomach.

At the entrance of the cinema, Jiang Nanzhou specifically bought a bag of melon seeds and thoughtfully purchased two bottles of soda.