Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s

”Okay.” Qiu Xinyi nodded repeatedly in agreement, ”Then should I make an appointment with you, Dr. Ji?”

Ji Chuan flipped through the calendar in his hand, then said, ”I’m on day shifts these days. Comrade Qiu can come anytime.”

”Alright!”

The matter was settled in a few words. Originally, it was just a minor surgery, not much to dwell on, but Qiu Xinyi just wanted to find an opportunity to be alone with Ji Chuan for a while.

”So... do you have anything else?” Ji Chuan glanced at his watch and asked.

”No, nothing else.” Qiu Xinyi wanted to chat a bit more with Ji Chuan, hoping to foster some affection between them, but she didn’t expect Ji Chuan’s frequent looks at his watch, hinting his desire for her to leave.

”It’s like this! I have a few things to take care of. If you have no business, maybe...” Ji Chuan subtly expressed his wish for Qiu Xinyi to leave.

”Alright. But the sun is really strong outside, and I was in a rush and didn’t get to drink any water. If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay and finish this water.” Qiu Xinyi found a random excuse.

Ji Chuan had no choice but to say, ”Alright, take your time drinking.”

Then, he lowered his head and started writing something on a piece of paper.

Qiu Xinyi moved a bit closer, admiring his handwriting which flowed smoothly and naturally, very much to her liking.

Just as she was about to discuss calligraphy with him, her eyes inadvertently caught the two words at the top of the paper: Application.

Her curiosity was piqued, so she asked, ”Ji Chuan, what application are you writing?”

”Housing application!” Ji Chuan answered offhandedly.

”Don’t you have a dormitory already?” Qiu Xinyi asked puzzledly, ”Isn’t your dorm good enough? Or do you want to switch to another one?”

Ji Chuan raised his head slightly, ”It’s not that it’s not good enough. It’s that it’s not big enough!”

”How big of a dorm do you need for just one person?”

”It’s not for just one person. In the future, if there are two, I’m going to get married!” Ji Chuan’s voice was exceptionally clear.

”You’re... getting married?” Qiu Xinyi was shocked, taking a while to regain her composure, ”With Yan Huan?”

”Yes. If you’re willing, I’ll later send you an invitation to attend the wedding.” Ji Chuan politely smiled, but his words were laced with implication.

He was well aware that Qiu Xinyi liked him.

However, considering her esteem, he found it difficult to be too blunt, believing she would naturally understand.

”Okay.” Qiu Xinyi awkwardly smiled, ”I’ll attend, just don’t know when you’re getting married?”

”Probably around New Year.” Ji Chuan spoke as he finished writing the application, twisting the cap on his pen, standing up with the application in hand, ”Take your time with your drink, I’m heading out for a bit.”

Ji Chuan opened the door and walked out, and the more Qiu Xinyi drank her tea, the more bitter it tasted.

With him gone, she couldn’t finish her tea and directly grabbed her bag and left Ji Chuan’s office.

..................

Qiu Xinyi returned home, not going to the army all afternoon.

Her mood wasn’t good; she didn’t want to see Yan Huan’s face.

By evening, Chief Qiu came back, entering to see his daughter sitting silently on the living room sofa, a sullen look on her face, eyes brimming with agitation.

”Oh, what’s wrong?” Chief Qiu stood by the coat rack, changing out of his sweat-soaked uniform jacket, and asked.