Xie Huaizheng, however, frowned. “Mom, aren’t you just trying to separate us? I disagree. Zhaozhao and I finally got together, so of course we have to be together. Long-distance relationships rarely end well.”

Many of Xie Huaizheng’s former comrades-in-arms had wives who stayed in their hometowns. They barely saw each other a few times a year. How could they cultivate a marital bond like that?

He loved Su Zhaozhao, so much that he wished he could carry her around with him everywhere. He simply couldn’t bear the thought of Su Zhaozhao leaving him.

Xie Huaizheng’s words snapped Huang Jiqin back to her senses. “Oh, goodness, look at me. I can’t believe I came up with such a terrible idea! You’re right, you two just got married and are in the honeymoon phase. And I was actually thinking about separating you. My EQ really is abysmally low!”

Huang Jiqin couldn’t help but sigh.

“It’s okay, Mom. I know you really like me and want me to stay by your side to keep you company.”

Su Zhaozhao immediately gave Huang Jiqin an out.

Huang Jiqin went along with it. “That’s right, Zhaozhao. I like you so much, but if you go to the Northwest with Huai Zheng, we’ll barely see each other all year.”

“What I mean is, how about this: you spend half your time in Beijing and half in West State? West State is so dry and dusty. A delicate girl like you should spend less time there.”

‘Although I think Su Zhaozhao’s skin is still fair and rosy, flawless and pure, who can really say for sure?’

‘What if she only looks this way because she hasn’t stayed in West State long enough? If she stayed in West State for an extended period, even the best skin would probably turn rough.’

‘Su Zhaozhao is so beautiful, and from her usual clothes and style, it’s clear she’s a girl who cares a lot about her appearance.’

‘If her skin became rough, Su Zhaozhao would be so upset.’

“No, Mom, I’ll be fine,” Su Zhaozhao said with a smile. “I think I have good genes. It seems like I don’t tan no matter how much sun I get, and no matter how dry it is over there, my skin won’t dry out.”

“That’s right, Mom. Zhaozhao is a natural beauty; she’ll be fine no matter what. Besides, even if she weren’t pretty anymore, I’d still love her.”

Xie Huaizheng’s gaze fell on Su Zhaozhao’s face. In that instant, Su Zhaozhao felt as if he had seen through her body and into her soul.

‘Speaking of which, the body I have in reality is somewhat different from my current one.’

‘Although the two look somewhat similar, my self in the real world was more delicate and refined, while my self in this world is more radiant and vibrant.’

‘It’s a shame Xie Huaizheng will never be able to see the real me.’

At this thought, Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but feel a little regretful.

After dinner, they were bored, so Xie Huaizheng pulled Su Zhaozhao out to wander around.

Huang Jiqin wanted to go with them, but Xie Huaizheng refused her.

“Mom, don’t be a third wheel, okay? You’ll be interrupting my private time with Zhaozhao.”

“What a way to talk, you child,” Huang Jiqin said with a frown.

“I’m going on a date with Zhaozhao! We’re going to see a movie, sing karaoke, and then I’m taking her to meet my friends. We’re all young people. You can go hang out with Aunt Zhang!”

With that, Xie Huaizheng pulled Su Zhaozhao out the door.

Su Zhaozhao was still a bit dazed. She looked at Xie Huaizheng and asked, “Don’t I need to get ready?”

Xie Huaizheng looked at her outfit: a white cotton-padded jacket over a long black skirt, paired with a pair of boots.

Her hair was loose over her shoulders, and she wore a white knitted cap.

Her face was bare of makeup, but it was already beautiful enough.

Even without makeup, her lips were red and her teeth were white, making her exceptionally captivating.

“No need, Zhaozhao. You look beautiful just like this.”

‘As for makeup? That even more perfect side of her… He hoped Su Zhaozhao would only ever show it to him, and no one else.’

Su Zhaozhao didn’t know what Xie Huaizheng was thinking, so she just went with it.

‘It’s just that in my world, when meeting other people, the most basic etiquette is to wear makeup.’

‘Even light makeup is a sign of respect for the other person.’

‘But since Xie Huaizheng said I don’t need to, then I won’t.’

Soon, they went to the movie theater, bought tickets, and found their seats to watch the film.

The movie theaters in Beijing were quite bustling and lively. Looking at the screening hall, Su Zhaozhao saw that it was already starting to have a subtle resemblance to modern cinemas.

It was much more advanced than the one in West State.

It was another inspirational romance film, telling a story of sincere love between young people of that era.

After the movie let out, Xie Huaizheng took Su Zhaozhao to a skating rink.

The place was crowded, especially with young people. Roller skating was the popular trend, where you put on roller skates and could glide freely around the rink.

The music inside was also very loud, creating a lively and boisterous atmosphere.

Su Zhaozhao looked at Xie Huaizheng. “You want to do this?”

Xie Huaizheng nodded. “Do you like it? I can teach you.”

But Su Zhaozhao looked at the shoes that countless people had worn and shook her head. “I don’t want to do this. Let’s go dancing instead, okay? I’ve heard that disco is really popular these days. Can you take me to see?”

In this era, popular trends from Hong Kong had also made their way to the mainland, and the dance halls played all sorts of Cantonese songs.

Su Zhaozhao listened to the songs and watched the young people on the dance floor. She pulled Xie Huaizheng onto the floor with her, hopping along with them.

She used to love this kind of thing back when she had a job, in the first few years after graduation.

When she was under a lot of stress, she would have a couple of drinks after work and jump around in a bar. To her, it was a lot of fun.

But now, she couldn’t really drink anymore, so she’d lost one pleasure, but she could still dance.

Xie Huaizheng watched Su Zhaozhao sway to the rhythm of the music, and he unconsciously shifted his body a little.

But he still wasn’t used to it.

He had no interest in dancing. Even though his friends had always invited him to go dancing before, Xie Huaizheng had always felt it was a stupid form of entertainment.

Su Zhaozhao saw Xie Huaizheng’s stiff movements and couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Honey, you can’t dance? Why are you so stiff?”

The man who was usually handsome and stern looked like a wind-up toy that had lost its key here, moving in jerky, unnatural stops and starts no matter how he moved.

“Watch me!” Su Zhaozhao hopped and skipped in front of him. Her dancing wasn’t exactly standard, but amidst the boisterous crowd, it didn’t look out of place at all.

Xie Huaizheng watched Su Zhaozhao, who looked like an incredibly cute little rabbit.

A few other men’s eyes landed on her.

But after seeing Xie Huaizheng, they all immediately looked away.

Xie Huaizheng couldn’t resist pulling her over and saying through gritted teeth, “Do you really think I’m suited for this? How about we do something else?”

“Why not?” Su Zhaozhao frowned. “We’re all young here, so stop being so stuffy! I’m telling you, you just have to jump around a bit. It’s really relaxing!”

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