Old Mrs. Song is reborn; get out of here, you scumbag husband and illegitimate child!

"How many men have you even met?"

Song Tingting's tone was flat. "Our store sells women's clothing, and all the customers who come and go are women."

At most, there are a few guys who come shopping with their girlfriends. Your social circle is limited, and you're young. It's normal that you haven't met any good men.

Mao Qiaozhen lowered her head.

Her fingers were digging into the hem of her clothes.

"I've told you the truth about Yan Xiaowu. The decision is yours." Song Tingting forked a piece of cake and ate it. "As a good friend, my advice is to absolutely not consider someone like that."

"Better to have nothing than something bad. It's better for us women not to marry at all than to marry a bad one."

Chang Ping, who was listening nearby, frowned.

"Qiaozhen, getting involved with a man who's full of scheming is just bad luck." Chang Ping pulled Mao Qiaozhen's hand. "You're just too lonely."

Mao Qiaozhen was indeed not very old, and she was not in a hurry to get married.

But she struggled alone.

During holidays and festivals, the feeling of desolation is particularly heart-wrenching.

Last year's Spring Festival.

She stayed at Chang Ping's house.

The Chang family was bustling with activity, and as she watched other families reunited, she felt increasingly empty inside.

She longed for a home of her own.

Even if life is tough, it's enough as long as someone cares about me.

This is why Yan Xiaowu's few kind words could move her for half a day.

"Qiaozhen".

Chang Ping suggested, "Why don't you go on a blind date too?"

Mao Qiaozhen was stunned.

Song Tingting nodded in agreement.

"Lei Li also mentioned this today. He has a lot of soldiers under his command. Some of the company commanders are of advanced age and are facing demobilization."

Most demobilized soldiers are required to return to their place of origin. However, if the wife has a local household registration in Beijing, she can apply for resettlement in Beijing.

Mao Qiaozhen's eyes moved slightly.

"A person personally recommended by Lei Li is absolutely trustworthy in terms of character."

Song Tingting continued, "If you're willing, you can ask him to help you pick someone suitable to meet. If you like them, then continue meeting them; if not, it's no big deal. You can always find someone else."

"OK!"

Chang Ping urged, "Being a soldier is great! They're upright and physically strong. You should agree quickly."

Mao Qiaozhen bit her lower lip.

He seemed somewhat hesitant.

"But..." Mao Qiaozhen said softly, "I just received meat pies from Brother Wu today. Would it be inappropriate to go on a blind date now?"

Song Tingting was so angry she laughed after hearing that.

"What kind of nonsense is this?"

Song Tingting said, "It's just two meat pies. Buy a few more to return tomorrow. We women don't take advantage of others when we're dating, and we don't give them anything to talk about."

Chang Ping quickly chimed in.

"Exactly. You don't owe him anything."

Chang Ping held Mao Qiaozhen's hand tightly, "Finding a soldier as a partner is the best outcome for you."

Your brother and sister-in-law back home are both scoundrels. If they really come looking for trouble, ordinary people really can't handle them.

"Find a soldier, who would dare to act recklessly in front of you? One glare from him and those bastards would run away. Even if they did fight, one of them could take on several."

Chang Ping's words struck a chord with Mao Qiaozhen.

What she fears most is that the people from her hometown will come knocking on her door to leech off her.

You really need a reliable person to protect you.

This way, my life will be peaceful.

Mao Qiaozhen's mood gradually calmed down.

I finally felt more at ease.

"Okay. I'll listen to your opinions." She nodded.

The next morning.

The women's clothing store is doing good business.

A red sign hung at the store entrance that read "New Arrivals, Older Models on Sale".

Mao Qiaozhen was busy running around the shop.

Get clothes for the guests.

"Xiao Mao, let me try this jacket on."

The curtain was lifted, and Yan Xiaowu's aunt, Lu Guifen, walked in.

"Auntie, you're here."

Mao Qiaozhen's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't show it on her face and handed over a few old-fashioned clothes.

"Please go to the fitting room over there to change."

Coincidentally, Sister Li, the owner of the steamed bun shop, entered the door right afterward.

"Hey, Lao Lu, you're here to buy clothes too?" Sister Li greeted him with a smile.

"I'm taking advantage of the discount to come and check it out."

Lu Guifen held the clothes up to her body.

Sister Li turned to look at Mao Qiaozhen.

"The clothes in your store are really nice, and the styles are all new. I didn't buy them before because they were too expensive, but today there's a sale, so I'm picking out a few pieces."

"Please feel free to look around, ma'am. These are all discounted items," Mao Qiaozhen said, stepping forward to recommend outfits for Ma'am.

The two tried on clothes.

They chatted idly in front of the full-length mirror.

Sister Li looked at herself in the mirror and casually asked a question.

"Old Lu, what's wrong with your nephew?" Sister Li asked. "I passed by your shop this morning and he had a long face and looked very unhappy."

When Yan Xiaowu is mentioned...

Lu Guifen got angry.

She hung the clothes in her hand on the clothes rack.

"Don't even mention it!"

Lu Guifen looked disgusted. "What loyalty? It's all bullshit. He just hangs out with those shady friends all day long."

I told him to be a proper apprentice, but he's so careless and forgetful when he's working. When I, his aunt, say a few words to him, he gets upset and gives me the cold shoulder. He says he'll be rude to me.

Sister Li listened and shook her head.

"You can't say anything to them, you can't scold them."

Lu Guifen grew increasingly angry as she spoke, "He even made sarcastic remarks, saying I was looking down on people. I shouldn't have let him come to Beijing in the first place. He's a troublemaker, and sooner or later he'll be corrupted by his bunch of bad friends."

"There have been several fights this month."

Mao Qiaozhen stood in front of the cashier.

He was looking down as he sorted through the receipts.

But his ears stood up high.

"Sigh, it's just that my relatives' kids are so hard to take care of."

Sister Li sighed, "Back in our hometown, they all seemed well-behaved and sensible, but once we brought them out, they all had their own agendas. You can't scold them or punish them, and in the end, you end up pleasing no one."

"Who can argue with that!"

Lu Guifen complained, "My husband is also a quiet type, he doesn't say much."

But we're so busy during mealtimes that we can't keep up at all.

I discussed it with him, and we plan to hire another worker. This time, we're determined not to hire any relatives; we'll find a reliable stranger from outside the family.

Sister Li nodded in agreement.

"Our family business is run by my husband and me. My husband and I are usually busy, but no matter how busy we are, we won't ask our family to come and help. It's too complicated and we can't get into any trouble. If they get into a fight outside and something happens to them, we won't be able to explain it when we get back."

Two women stood in front of the dressing mirror, pouring out their grievances.

Lu Guifen became increasingly angry as she spoke.

In Lu Guifen's words, Yan Xiaowu was nothing more than an idle, wicked scoundrel.

This was completely contrary to the "victim-like, ambitious" demeanor he put on in front of Mao Qiaozhen.

After trying on the clothes.

The two paid their respective bills and left happily.

Chang Ping walked to the cashier.

Looking at Mao Qiaozhen's tense expression.

Chang Ping nudged her arm.

"What's wrong?" Chang Ping asked. "Are you still upset after hearing what was said earlier?"

Mao Qiaozhen let out a long breath.

She looked up.

The entanglement and confusion of last night were no longer in his eyes.

"I'm not upset," Mao Qiaozhen shook her head. "I'm just glad I realized it early. I didn't really get involved."

Chang Ping smiled.

"That's right. See through their true colors and get out in time."

"I'll go and make things clear today." Mao Qiaozhen gripped her pen tightly. "We can't delay any longer."

8 PM.

The women's clothing store was closing time.

Mao Qiaozhen deliberately went to the pastry shop across the street.

I bought two boxes of exquisite mung bean cakes and red bean pastries.

This is a traditional Beijing snack, not cheap. Consider it repaying the favor for the two meat pies from last night.

Back in the store.

Chang Ping had already packed her things and was ready to leave.

"I'm going back now," Chang Ping said, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

"You go first, I'll mop the floor before I leave," Mao Qiaozhen said.

After Chang Ping left.

Mao Qiaozhen carefully cleaned the shop.

She closed the shop door and pulled down the roller shutter.

As soon as I turned around, I saw a familiar figure walking towards me from the street corner.

Yan Xiaowu wore a slightly worn cotton coat today.

With his hands tucked into his sleeves, he walked at a leisurely pace.

"Brother Xiao Wu." Mao Qiaozhen called out to him from the steps.

Yan Xiaowu stopped in his tracks.

Upon recognizing Mao Qiaozhen, a smile immediately spread across his face.

He quickly stepped forward.

"Qiaozhen, just got off work?" Yan Xiaowu glanced at the box of pastries she was carrying, his eyes lighting up. "Were you waiting for me here?"

"Yes, I have something to tell you," Mao Qiaozhen said calmly.