department stores

Faced with Mr. Li's request, Zhao Dongchuan was internally resistant. He only wanted to have a good meal and then go back to the guesthouse to sleep.

But feeling the strong hand on his shoulder, he couldn't directly break free, so he could only say helplessly, "Uncle Li, I can't drink alcohol. I get drunk as soon as I drink!"

"Hahaha, that's exactly what I want, for you to get drunk!" Mr. Li thought to himself.

There was nothing Zhao Dongchuan could do but sit next to Mr. Li.

Mrs. Li and Grandpa Li exchanged knowing smiles, while only Li Yuer sat innocently at the lower end of the table, ready to eat.

When the dishes were served, Mr. Li took out another bottle of moutai from the cupboard.

"This is my treasured collection. It's rare for me to drink it even once a year. Come on, come on, have a couple of drinks with me, Uncle!"

"How can a man not drink? Let's at least have a little!" Grandpa Li also fanned the flames from the side.

"..."

Zhao Dongchuan had no choice but to drink and eat with the two of them. Mr. Li, while urging him to drink, began to subtly inquire about Zhao Dongchuan's recent situation, especially asking if he had a girlfriend.

"Damn it!" As Zhao Dongchuan drank, he looked at Li Yuer's blushing face opposite him and suddenly realized something...

This was a banquet with a hidden agenda!

Recalling Mrs. Li's 'household registration check' earlier, and Mr. Li's subtle probing just now.

Zhao Dongchuan immediately understood.

What to do? Waiting online... Urgent!!!!

...

"I'm still young now and don't plan on finding a partner so quickly. The future is long. I plan to consider a partner after I've achieved success in my career. A man should prioritize his career!" Zhao Dongchuan said righteously.

Mr. Li: ...

What he said made so much sense that he didn't know how to refute it... Uh, why would I refute it...

The Li family's probing of Zhao Dongchuan actually had a reason. Ever since their daughter met him, she had become obsessed with literature, started reading books and newspapers, studying poetry, and constantly flipping through journals and novels with Zhao Dongchuan's published poems and essays, even sending letters back and forth late at night.

They weren't fools; they naturally understood. Who hasn't been young before? That's why this 'invitation letter' came about!

On one hand, Mr. Li genuinely wanted to meet the talented young man, and on the other hand, he wanted to assess whether Zhao Dongchuan was qualified to be his 'future son-in-law'!

From his observation, his evaluation of Zhao Dongchuan was: "Talented but not ostentatious, knows how to keep a low profile!"

When he heard Zhao Dongchuan say he wanted to prioritize his career, his evaluation of him increased even further.

Very good, very suitable to be his son-in-law. His family only had one daughter, so naturally, he had to choose a suitable husband.

Li Yuer also seemed to have guessed her parents' intentions, and she shyly lowered her head to eat her rice, nibbling on her food.

She had a hint of expectation in her heart, but since "Brother Dongchuan" said he wanted to prioritize his career, she would definitely support him.

A maiden's heart is always poetic!

...

Zhao Dongchuan ultimately didn't get drunk. He wanted to pretend to be drunk, but he was afraid of being counterproductive.

So, with his efforts, Mr. Li got drunk!!!

Thinking of this, Zhao Dongchuan chuckled, wanting to trick me into talking, no way!!!

Me, Huangyuan's "Wu Yanzu," I've never been drunk!

He rode the bicycle borrowed from Li Yuer, quickly traversing the low streets of Hong Kong.

Faced with the Li family's probing, Zhao Dongchuan was actually conflicted. He thought Li Yuer was very nice, but he felt he was still very young and didn't want to commit to one person yet!

He couldn't help but recall that famous quote from a certain big-nosed big shot in his previous life: I just made a mistake that all men make.

Zhao Dongchuan sighed inwardly: Let fate decide!!!!

By the time he returned to the guesthouse, it was already past 9 PM. Zhao Dongchuan had originally planned to find Li Dadan that night, but it was a bit late, so he had to abandon the plan and go tomorrow.

After a simple wash-up, Zhao Dongchuan continued to read and do his homework.

Nothing happened that night!

The next morning, Zhao Dongchuan had a simple breakfast and then, following the location Li Yuer described last night, found the state-run Department Store in Hong Kong where she worked. She had been transferred from the supply and marketing cooperative to the Department Store.

Compared to the supply and marketing cooperative, the Department Store was larger in scale, had more product categories, and higher standards. Naturally, the employees' treatment was relatively better and more respectable!

Zhao Dongchuan pushed his bicycle to the Department Store, which was a three-story building. Compared to the low-rise bungalows, it was already considered a tall building.

After parking and locking his bicycle, Zhao Dongchuan walked into the Department Store and looked around. Inside the Department Store, there were several long rows of glass counters, under which various daily necessities were displayed.

Salesclerks were responsible for different product areas, standing behind the counters to serve customers who were queuing to buy. Behind them were also rows of cabinets filled with goods.

At this time, perhaps because everyone was at work, there weren't many people in the store, but not few either. Zhao Dongchuan walked around, observing his surroundings.

"Brother Dongchuan!" Before he could observe further, Li Yuer, with her sharp eyes, had already spotted him.

Zhao Dongchuan turned his head and saw Li Yuer looking at him from behind a counter selling electronic products.

Since electronic products were more expensive and tickets were hard to come by, this area was relatively quieter compared to the daily necessities, food, and fabric sections.

"Xiao Yu, you're here!" Zhao Dongchuan walked over.

"I rode your bicycle over. It's parked at the entrance. Here... this is the key!"

"Brother Dongchuan, if you need to use it, just ride it! I'll ask my dad to buy me another one!" Li Yuer said with a smile, blinking her big, bright eyes.

"No need, you still need to ride it to and from work. Besides, I'm just using it temporarily, it's not worth it. I'll walk these next few days!"

If he hadn't wanted to avoid explaining the origin of his own bicycle, he would have ridden his own last night. Why would he need hers?

Zhao Dongchuan looked at the counter Li Yuer was in charge of. It displayed electric lights, flashlights, radios, and electronic watches. There weren't many items, but they were all quite expensive. Behind Li Yuer, there were even a few black and white televisions.

This greatly surprised Zhao Dongchuan, but then he remembered that this place was adjacent to Hong Kong, and he understood. With its natural geographical advantage, the supply of goods would definitely be more abundant than in the interior.

Seeing him looking at the items in the store, Li Yuer couldn't help but ask, "Brother Dongchuan, is there anything you want to buy?"

"No, no, I'm just looking!"

"If there's anything you need, I can arrange it for you first, but the tickets and prices are all set, I can't reduce them..." Li Yuer whispered.

Zhao Dongchuan nodded imperceptibly and also chuckled softly, "Thank you. If I need anything, I definitely won't be polite with you!"

"I won't disturb your work. I'm going back now. You go ahead and be busy. We'll meet again later!"

Zhao Dongchuan greeted Li Yuer and then left.

He planned to go find Li Dadan to get things clear... The funds he now possessed were much more than last time. With a large sum of money in hand, he was naturally ready to make some good purchases.

Zhao Dongchuan put on his system glasses at a corner, then took out his bicycle from his spatial storage, and rode off in the direction he remembered!