SFS Chapter 174 First Encounters on the Departure
Chapter 174 First Encounters on the Departure
The four of them took a train and leisurely made their way to the capital.
Zhang Jianjun thought it would be nice to go to the capital for a few days to relax. Especially since Sanli had already finished her middle school entrance exams, taking her to the capital would help her clear her mind. Qiao Sanli's grades were very good, second in her grade, but only three points behind the first place.
Chang Xingyu was invited by Qiao Sanli, and Zhang Jianjun had no idea how the two had become good friends.
Wu Fenglan and Wei Shuying both expressed no interest and therefore did not come. They trusted Zhang Jianjun completely, only giving Qiao Sanli and Qiao Simei a few extra instructions to listen to Zhang Jianjun when they were out.
To make things easier on the train, Zhang Jianjun bought a sleeper ticket for a four-person soft sleeper compartment. Fortunately, soft sleeper berths no longer require special identification; you can buy one just by paying.
It was the first time for both Qiao Sanli and Qiao Simei to travel so far. Everything they saw on the train was new and exciting. Qiao Sanli liked to sit by the window and watch the scenery, while Qiao Simei preferred to watch the people coming and going at the station and in the aisle.
Chang Xingyu had been to the capital a few times, going with Chang Huageng, but this was his first time traveling with someone his own age, so he was quite excited.
Zhang Jianjun couldn't understand how the Chang family could let a grown man like him take their precious daughter on such a long trip.
Even the most beautiful scenery can become boring after a while. Zhang Jianjun was prepared; he pulled out two decks of cards from his backpack.
"I'll teach you a game called Dou Dizhu! A friend taught me, and it's quite fun. The rules are very simple, just..." Dou Dizhu hasn't become popular yet, and many people haven't heard of it. But its playability is absolutely undeniable; anyone who has ever played card games knows how to play Dou Dizhu.
So, an hour later.
"Bomb! Soldier, you lost again!"
Looking at Qiao Simei's smug and arrogant appearance, Zhang Jianjun really wanted to go up and pinch her cheek.
"Did you even hear the rules? I'm not the landlord, Xingyu is! Why did you bomb me?"
Qiao Sanli smiled slyly and said, "Sister Xingyu is one of us, how could she be the landlord?"
Chang Xingyu laughed and picked up the slip of paper, then spat it out, "Come on, if you lose, you have to admit it!"
Zhang Jianjun reluctantly handed over his face, and another piece of paper was added to his face, which already had four pieces of paper stuck to it.
Of course, it wasn't just Zhang Jianjun who had stickers on his face; the three women also had three or four stickers on their faces. This was mainly because the three women weren't familiar with the rules, and Zhang Jianjun always bullied them when he was supposed to be the landlord, showing no mercy.
So, under immense pressure, the three women reached an alliance agreement through a few glances, joining forces to resist Zhang Jianjun's oppression.
Even though Zhang Jianjun has an exceptional memory and can know almost all the cards in everyone's hand, playing cards is not only about tactics, but also has a lot of luck involved. In addition, with the three of them working together, Zhang Jianjun hasn't won in a long time.
Helpless, Zhang Jianjun kept adding stickers to his face. In the end, the stickers almost completely covered his glasses.
The three women were overjoyed, with Qiao Simei laughing the loudest; her silvery laughter could be heard throughout the entire carriage.
Fortunately, two other handsome farmers also got their notes stuck on them, and Zhang Jianjun did it himself and had a lot of fun!
After getting off the car, the four went to a clean guesthouse. Spring had arrived, and as long as their identification information was correct, they could check in. Besides, even if it was a fake, they wouldn't be able to tell.
Zhang Jianjun chose a great spot. Before the concert, he can go find Qiao Erqiang, who has been learning to be a chef for two years and will be interning at a restaurant this year. That's why he didn't go home for the summer vacation; he wants to see if he can find a kitchen helper job in the capital to start over.
Zhang Jianjun and his group were in a hurry, so they didn't write to Qiao Erqiang. Since they knew Qiao Erqiang's address, it would be easier to go directly to his school to find him.
To their surprise, they didn't find Qiao Erqiang inside the school, but on a small road outside the school.
Qiao Erqiang was taking a walk with a girl when they bumped into a group of people walking towards the school.
"Erqiang!"
Qiao Simei wanted to pull the others to hide, but Zhang Jianjun had good eyesight and saw Qiao Erqiang's panicked expression. He knew that they had been discovered, so he didn't follow Qiao Simei to hide.
Upon hearing Zhang Jianjun's call, Qiao Erqiang calmed down instead of panicking. "Brother Xiaojun! Sanli, Simei, what brings you here? Chang Xingyu, hello!"
Zhang Jianjun explained, "We came to the capital to see so-and-so's concert! And who is this?"
"This is my classmate, Sun Shaofen. Shaofen, these are my two younger sisters. Xiaojun is my neighbor's older brother, and Chang Xingyu is their friend." Qiao Erqiang gave a brief introduction to the group.
"Qiao Erqiang, since your family has come looking for you, I'll head back now!" Sun Shaofen nodded to the group as a farewell, and then prepared to leave.
Qiao Simei was not afraid of trouble. "Since we've run into each other, let's have lunch together! Look, it's almost lunchtime."
Sun Shaofen was embarrassed, but she was too young to refuse. "This...isn't that inappropriate?"
"Come on! Let's all get to know each other." Zhang Jianjun made the decision immediately, pointing to a restaurant that looked pretty good. "That restaurant will do!"
At this point, it's best to extend an invitation, regardless of the nature of their relationship.
Sun Shaofen had no choice but to follow along. The neighbor's brother's words seemed to have a special power that made her dare not resist.
Qiao Simei was a very outgoing and socially adept woman who wasn't afraid of anyone. She deliberately approached Sun Shaofen and quietly inquired about her family situation.
Qiao Erqiang also felt he couldn't get involved, so he moved closer to Zhang Jianjun and said, "Brother Xiaojun, about Niu Ye... thank you!"
"It's nothing, I just said a few words. But what about that girl from earlier, what's your relationship with her?"
Qiao Erqiang scratched his head, a little embarrassed, "This is my classmate! I just think she's pretty nice..."
Zhang Jianjun understood what Qiao Erqiang meant: "This is a major life event, there's no need to rush it. You should think it through carefully."
Qiao Erqiang nodded, seriously considering Zhang Jianjun's words.
Sun Shaofen's family situation is indeed not good. She has an elderly father who is paralyzed and bedridden, and a frail mother. She also had an older brother, but he died in an accident three years ago. Her mother also suffered from poor eyesight due to excessive grief.
The only thing they can boast about is their status as residents of the capital city.
Qiao Erqiang is unaware of all this yet. The reason Qiao Erqiang knows Sun Shaofen is because Sun Shaofen was bullied.
When Sun Shaofen was working part-time while studying, she was harassed by some hooligans. In fact, even if they were asked to do something, they wouldn't dare to unless they were provoked.
Qiao Erqiang happened to be eating there and, unable to stand by and watch, started arguing with the thug. The restaurant owner quickly came out and pulled them apart, preventing a fight from breaking out.
Qiao Erqiang has a strong sense of justice and a deep-seated protective instinct! That's why he thinks Sun Shaofen is wonderful, wonderful in every way!
In the time it takes to eat a meal, Qiao Simei and Sun Shaofen have become quite familiar with each other, and she's almost ready to call her "Second Sister-in-law".
Zhang Jianjun could tell that Sun Shaofen was also very satisfied with Qiao Erqiang.
After finishing their meal, Zhang Jianjun and the other three parted ways with Qiao Erqiang at the restaurant entrance. Qiao Erqiang then took Sun Shaofen back to school.