The younger sister mistakenly identified her brother when visiting relatives and was kissed by the c

So they came to check on patients and offer some comfort.

Qiao Xinxin's eyes darted around, and she looked up cautiously to observe the other person's expression.

After a moment's thought, she pursed her lips and tentatively began to speak:

"Comrade Lu, I really do have something I'd like to ask you for help... I'm looking for a job, could you help me inquire about it?"

She intends to live here permanently and peacefully!

In the 1980s, when "labor is the most glorious," not having a proper job or organization meant being a drifter and being looked down upon!

Although she had a small treasury she'd plundered from the Qiao family lying in her personal space and wasn't short of money at all, she was still hesitant to spend money without a job, lest she arouse suspicion.

Moreover, this is the early 1980s, a period of rapid development where opportunities abound. As long as she has a legitimate identity and moves around, she might be able to seize the opportunity and ride the wave of the times!

"I just don't know how our military arranges and resolves the employment issues for military dependents?"

Afraid he would refuse, Qiao Xinxin quickly added, "I want a job so I won't be a burden to my brother all the time. I remember how good he is to me, but I can't rely on him forever. By the way, Comrade Lu, I'm educated, I have a high school diploma, and I'm quick and efficient, I can learn anything! So... could you please help me find out something?"

Lu Baizhou looked down and met her round, almond-shaped eyes.

The little girl stared at him intently, her eyes clear and bright, filled with an undeniable expectation and determination.

His heart, which was usually as cold and hard as iron, skipped a beat for some reason, and he suddenly looked away, somewhat at a loss.

High school diploma?

In an era where college students are extremely rare and junior high school graduates are considered cultured, graduating from high school is considered a very respectable level of education in society.

Bai Zhengyuan's sister, who is not related to him by blood, is actually educated.

Lu Baizhou frowned slightly, thought about it seriously, and then poured cold water on his enthusiasm in a deep voice: "There aren't many job positions that the military can directly provide for family members. They are mostly miscellaneous jobs in sewing factories or canteen logistics, and the requirements for household registration and years of service are quite strict. I'm not sure I can arrange a good job for you right away."

Actually... a blank space flashed through his mind.

The bathhouse is currently short of a manager. The job is easy; all you have to do is collect tickets and issue badges. The pay isn't bad either.

But as soon as the thought popped into his head, he immediately rejected it.

That's a men's bathhouse! The men's and women's bathhouses in the compound are managed separately. How could Qiao Xinxin, such a delicate and pretty girl, be in charge of a men's bathhouse where a bunch of rough men bathe?

Absolutely not! That's utterly ridiculous!

Lu Baizhou decisively shut down the idea, without even mentioning it.

His gaze swept over the steaming food on the square table inside the room, and his Adam's apple bobbed. "About work, I'll ask the logistics department about it for you later. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now. You can eat first."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

"etc--"

Seeing that he was about to leave, Qiao Xinxin reached out and grabbed his strong forearm without thinking.

"Have you had breakfast yet? Why don't you come in and grab something to eat?"

The muscles under his palms tensed instantly, becoming as hard as a rock!

Lu Baizhou froze.

He turned his head abruptly, his eyes revealing undisguised shock and astonishment as he stared intently at her small, white hand gripping his.

Just like that day! Absolutely audacious! Completely reckless!

"No need, I'm already..."

Before Lu Baizhou could even utter his refusal, Qiao Xinxin, seemingly oblivious to his stiffness, cheerfully used all her strength to half-drag and half-pull him into the house!

"Oh, you're already here! Don't be so polite! Come and eat with us. I just cooked, and I can't finish it all by myself. It would be such a waste to let it spoil in this hot summer!"

Lu Baizhou, a dignified elite soldier, was actually forced onto a stool at the dining table by a little girl.

He straightened his back somewhat uncomfortably, his brows furrowed tightly, but when he met her smiling face, he couldn't bring himself to say anything angry.

Qiao Xinxin moved swiftly, turned around and went to the small kitchen to take out a clean set of bowls and chopsticks, which she slapped down in front of him.

"Eat up!"

Lu Baizhou's gaze fell on the breakfast on the table.

The crisp, juicy cucumber salad exuded the aroma of garlic, while the golden scrambled eggs with chives were still steaming hot, accompanied by a pot of soft, mushy mung bean porridge and two steamed white buns.

Although it was as simple as it could be, it looked clean and refreshing, and smelled of an indescribable smoky aroma, which made his empty stomach, which had just finished training, twitch involuntarily.

"Did you do all of this?" He looked up, a hint of doubt in his eyes.

"Hmm." Qiao Xinxin nodded smugly, picked up a large soup ladle and ladled a full bowl of mung bean porridge for him, handing it to him with both hands.

"Comrade Lu, don't stand on ceremony with me! Since you're my brother's sworn brother, you're practically my brother too! I've troubled you with so much these past few days, running around like this. This morning was a bit rushed, so I just had a quick bite. In a few days, when my brother returns from his mission, we'll treat you to a proper, big meal!"

After saying that, Qiao Xinxin picked up her bowl and began to drink the porridge in small sips.

But as she drank, her dark, bright eyes couldn't help but wander over the table, using her bowl as cover to secretly peek at the man sitting opposite her.

With sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, and a high nose bridge, his face was as cold as ice, but there was no denying that he was truly handsome!

Qiao Xinxin bit the end of her chopsticks, muttering to herself.

I feel like... his face looks familiar?

Has she seen this person somewhere before?

Why is there a figure in my memory that seems to vaguely overlap with his...?

Lu Baizhou's words of refusal were already on the tip of his tongue, but when he looked down at the woman sitting opposite him, who was blinking her big, dark eyes and looking at him expectantly, and then glanced at the steaming food on the table, he realized that the words were not the right words.

That bowl of mung bean porridge had been sitting in her "mysterious space" overnight, and now it exuded a refreshingly cool and sweet aroma.

The plate of cucumber salad and stir-fried chives was a vibrant green and golden yellow, glistening with a layer of oil, and emanating a rich and mellow aroma of sesame oil.

His Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably.

It seems... it's not entirely impossible to take a bite.

Lu Baizhou didn't refuse anymore. He sat up straight and picked up the bowl and chopsticks in front of him.

He picked up a piece of cucumber salad with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth, and chewed it a couple of times.

"Click."

Crisp and refreshing, tangy and spicy, the rich aroma of garlic and premium sesame oil explode in your mouth!