The 70s Novel: The Supporting Character Just Wants to Lie Down-Chapter 30: Warm Farewell and Seeking Opportunities

Yang Zhiyong glanced at Yang Zhigang and, upon receiving a nod of approval, happily accepted the money and tickets.

"As long as you’re satisfied. Since you’re my brother’s... uh... friend, come to me if you need to buy meat in the future. I’ll make sure you get the best."

Yang Zhigang raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself: I didn’t realize it, but it turns out his younger brother knows how to talk, unlike at home where he’s like a mute doll always getting scolded by their mom for being simple-minded.

However, Yang Zhigang was very pleased with Yang Zhiyong’s performance today. Seeing Wang Pandi about to take the pork belly, he quickly took it himself and said to her, "Let me do it, your hand is injured and it’s inconvenient for you."

Wang Pandi had her entire focus on the pork belly, her eyes fixed on the meat, paying no attention to the exchange between them.

She wanted to say she could handle it herself, that it was no problem.

But as Yang Zhigang was talking to his brother, she could only hold back her words.

"I’m glad you understand. Make sure to continue being sharp like this in the future." It was rare for Yang Zhigang to praise him, and it pleased Yang Zhiyong to nod repeatedly in agreement.

"Alright, we’re off. You get back to work."

Parting ways, Yang Zhiyong watched his brother and Wang Pandi walk away and thought to himself: They are a good match, truly a good match. I should tell Mom; she’ll surely be grinning from ear to ear.

Wang Pandi pulled out a mesh bag from her purse, signaling Yang Zhigang to put the meat in, "Put it in here, and I can carry it on my wrist."

Finding her eager gaze on the meat amusing, Yang Zhigang took the mesh bag and placed the meat inside, saying, "Don’t worry, it’s yours. I’m just carrying it for a bit."

Wang Pandi blushed slightly but stubbornly said, "No need to bother you. I still have other things to buy. You go if you have stuff to do..."

Hearing this, Yang Zhigang paused his hands briefly, then resumed and with a smile said, "I don’t have anything else. Since your hand’s injured, I’ll help you carry it. Let’s go. What else do you need to buy?" With that, he took the lead in walking ahead...

Hesitating, Wang Pandi followed silently, and after some contemplation, she tactfully said with a smile, "Mr. Yang, thanks so much for today. If it weren’t for you, losing my wallet would’ve meant I couldn’t buy anything. Oh, by the way, what do your wife and kids at home like to eat? I’ll buy some for you to take back. Perhaps some cake, sweet and easy to digest... suitable for both the elderly and children..."

As she spoke, Wang Pandi headed towards the pastry counter, and Yang Zhigang realized his behavior might have been too obvious, making her suspicious.

"Mr. Wang, no need to be polite. We have everything they need at home, no need to buy." Yang Zhigang replied ambiguously and then righteously added, "Helping you was just a coincidence, and I’m a member of the Communist Party, here to serve the people. I’m delighted to help, and I can’t ask for people’s benefits in return. You don’t have to trouble yourself, I can’t do my job well and then make mistakes, or I’ll lose my position if the organization finds out..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Pandi felt a warmth towards him again, realizing she had overthought things. He was simply a good comrade with noble thoughts, eager to help others.

Wang Pandi felt a moment of shame for her impure thoughts and gratefully said, "Mr. Yang, you’re truly a good person."

Yang Zhigang smiled, changing the topic, "No worries. Go ahead and buy what you need, the time is getting late, it’s better to buy things early and head home. In the future, it’s safer to go to the town with someone. I’ll see you home today since I happen to be heading to Xiahe Village for work, it’s on the way."

"Isn’t this too much trouble?" Wang Pandi felt uneasy, having just met him and already receiving so much help made her feel something was off, though she didn’t know what.

"There’s no trouble, I’m just serving the people, and since I happened to witness your trouble today, I must see it through. You ran into a thief in the town and got hurt, which is technically our Armed Department’s responsibility because we didn’t supervise well enough, allowing the thieves to be rampart." Yang Zhigang confidently talked her into accepting his offer to accompany her home.

It wasn’t long before the necessary items were bought. As Wang Pandi sat on the back seat of Yang Zhigang’s bicycle, being taken along for quite a while, she finally realized and regretted how she wasn’t being reserved.

Although Yang Zhigang rode steadily, his mind was unsettled. He knew the matchmaker intended to introduce her to him, but seeing the young lady hesitating made him feel she might have lost interest. What should he do?

As a soldier, Yang Zhigang wouldn’t drag things on. Hearing that a match was to be arranged between them stirred a feeling of excitement within him, solidifying his thoughts.

Though not the most beautiful girl he’d seen, Wang Pandi was the only one who made his heart flutter, making him want to build a family with her.

Since he had decided to pursue her, he was determined to bring her into his life, to protect and cherish her.

"Mr. Yang, you can drop me off ahead, the road changes paths here." Wang Pandi, sitting uncomfortably on the back seat, quickly spoke up upon seeing the upcoming fork in the road.

"Alright..." Yang Zhigang wished to take her all the way home, but knowing it wasn’t proper, he sighed inwardly, needing to come up with a plan soon.

"Squeak..." the bicycle came to a stop, and Yang Zhigang handed over the items to Wang Pandi. Though reluctant, he acted nonchalantly and earnestly instructed, "Be careful on your way, rest if you feel tired, and don’t get your hand wet for the next few days."

"Okay, thank you, Mr. Yang. I’m off now, goodbye." Feeling a multitude of emotions, Wang Pandi didn’t know how to handle herself around such a person who wasn’t overly enthusiastic but couldn’t be said to lack warmth either.

She could only hasten her steps away. After walking for some distance, she turned back to find him still at the road fork watching her and waving when he saw her turn.

Helplessly, Wang Pandi waved back and hurriedly quickened her pace, not daring to look back again.

Hastily returning home, Wang Pandi happened upon a group of women heading home to prepare meals.

Zhou Fengjuan noticed the bandage on her hand and exclaimed, "Oh, Pandi, what happened to your hand? Yulan... come here quickly, your daughter’s hurt."

They happened to be working on the plot of land near the main road today. Hearing Zhou Fengjuan’s call, Liu Yulan immediately put down her work and rushed over.

"Mom, take it easy. I’m fine." Seeing Liu Yulan rushing over in concern, Wang Pandi felt content, thinking it was worth getting hurt just to know her mom cared.

"How did it happen? Here, let me hold your things." Liu Yulan took the mesh bag from her wrist and asked with concern, "Is the injury serious?"

Again, Wang Pandi answered with a smile, "Not serious, just a scrape. I ran into a thief in town today, got pushed and scraped it."

"What? Encountered a thief?" The accompanying women eagerly curiously asked for details, "Tell us, what happened? Did they catch the thief?"