Chapter 71

While cooking, Liu Handong strained to listen to the sounds in the living room, but the kitchen door was closed, and the exhaust fan was too loud. He wasn't Superman's ear, so he couldn't hear anything. He gave up and focused all his energy on cooking.

After a while, Ma Ling came in, her eyes slightly red and her demeanor listless. She picked up the cooked dish and returned to the living room without saying much.

Liu Handong cooked another dish, started a silver ear and lotus seed soup, took off his apron, and carried the spicy chicken into the living room. Ma Jia's house was small, and the living room and dining room were combined. The table was set with cups, plates, and chopsticks. Ma Guoqing took a bottle of Huaijiang Special from the cabinet, indicating he was ready to have a drink with his future son-in-law.

This was a good sign, and Liu Handong was delighted. He hurried to take the bottle, saying, "Uncle, let me do it."

Ma Guoqing had a strong grip and didn't let Liu Handong take the bottle. He insisted on pouring a glass for Liu Handong and said, "Since you're here, you're a guest. Let's have a drink and chat today."

"I also want to report my personal situation to Uncle and Aunt," Liu Handong said, repeating the lines Ma Ling had prepared for him.

Ma Guoqing shook his head. "No need. I know your family situation very well. You're a worker's son, living in an employee dormitory from the 1980s."

Liu Handong's expression darkened. He had forgotten that Ma Guoqing was a police officer, and it was easy to investigate his background online. He was a posthumous child, his mother was laid off, his stepfather was retired, and his grandfather, who earned the most, was in his twilight years. These conditions were indeed not good.

Ma Guoqing continued, "I'm not the kind of person who discriminates based on wealth. I don't have high requirements for family conditions, just a match is fine. Now, let's have a drink."

He raised his glass, and Liu Handong followed suit, clinking glasses softly and finishing the drink in one gulp.

Wang Yulan called out, "Xiao Liu, eat, eat," but her tone was cold.

No one picked up their chopsticks.

Ma Guoqing then said, "The provincial department will recruit riot police across the province early next year. I've heard about this. With your qualifications, getting in shouldn't be a problem, and getting a permanent position shouldn't be an issue either. However, your temperament and personality are not suitable for being a police officer. You're always causing trouble. As a police officer, you'll constantly cause problems for your superiors. Injuring people is a minor issue, but if you get into trouble yourself, what will happen to Ling? A few days ago, there was a gun battle on the highway, and you were involved, right? I heard your mother was also injured, nearly losing her life."

Liu Handong lowered his head, silent.

"Xiao Liu, I have only this one daughter. I don't expect her to be rich and powerful, but I want her to be happy and stable. After I retire, I want to enjoy my grandchildren and live a peaceful life. I don't ask for much, but can you do that?"

"I can," Liu Handong said, but he didn't mean it. He had to say something at this moment.

"What can you do?" Ma Guoqing put down his glass heavily. "In just these few months, you've been on the brink of death several times. Being a police officer is a high-risk job, and you are a high-risk person in a high-risk job. I don't want my daughter to live in constant fear, and I certainly don't want her to become a young widow. Can you understand a father's concern?"

With these words, there was nothing left to discuss.

Wang Yulan continued, "Eat, eat."

Liu Handong stood up. "I'm leaving."

Ma Guoqing said, "Ling, see the guest off."

Wang Yulan added, "Take the gifts with you."

Ma Ling silently stood up, holding the gifts Liu Handong had brought. Liu Handong bowed to Ma Guoqing and Wang Yulan, turned, and left. They came downstairs, and Liu Handong opened the car door, put the gifts inside, and said, "Go back and eat."

"Don't worry, think of a way," Ma Ling consoled him softly.

"Sure, I'm not worried," Liu Handong replied. Because there were eyes watching from upstairs, they couldn't show any affection. Liu Handong drove away, and Ma Ling went upstairs, not eating, and went to her room to lie down.

...

Liu Handong returned to his rented apartment, changed out of the borrowed clothes, and put on his old, tattered clothes. When he went down to return the clothes, Hu Ying curiously asked how the meeting went. Liu Handong smiled wryly. "I was kicked out."

"No way, Brother Dong is so handsome and charming, loved by all, how could he be kicked out? It must be that you approached it the wrong way, hahaha," Hu Ying laughed heartlessly. Seeing Liu Handong's dejected expression, she stopped laughing. "You're not serious, are you? Sister Ling didn't convince her parents."

Liu Handong nodded. "They think I have a bad temper and always cause trouble. They're right; I need to change my temper."

Hu Ying said, "It's all an excuse. If they like you, your hatred for evil and sense of justice are seen as virtues. If they don't like you, your bad temper and troublemaking are seen as flaws. Ultimately, it's about your overall score. If you had a 100-square-meter apartment in the city and a government job, even if you fought on the streets every day, they would still find you acceptable."

Liu Handong thought about it and realized she was right. His family conditions were poor, he had no education, and no job. Even if he became a hired police officer, he could fool ordinary in-laws, but Ma Guoqing, being a police officer himself, knew the hardships and dangers behind the glamour of the job, so this profession couldn't add points for him. Overall, his score was indeed not high.

He didn't eat dinner that night, and his mood was bad. Liu Handong waited for Hu Lei to return, and they went out for a barbecue, drinking a liter of white wine. He came back and slept like a log, and the next day, he was as lively as ever.

Ma Ling didn't take it seriously either. The next afternoon, she finished work early and came to find Liu Handong to play. As soon as she entered, she asked, "Did you feel pessimistic and suicidal yesterday, like Ma Jingtao, roaring and wailing?"

Liu Handong replied nonchalantly, "Not at all."

Ma Ling laughed. "You have no other virtues, but you have a thick skin and perseverance. I thought about it all night. My parents are just concerned for me. You've been causing a lot of trouble lately, always fighting and killing. Who wouldn't be afraid? Once you become a police officer and your job stabilizes, things will be different."

Hearing this, Liu Handong felt more optimistic and wanted to treat Ma Ling to a meal.

"Okay, let's go to Pizza Hut. Don't drive; the traffic in the city is terrible. Let's ride the motorcycle," Ma Ling said.

They rode the motorcycle to the city, parked it for a dollar, and strolled hand in hand. Central Street was lined with high-end malls, the most luxurious being the newly opened Henglong Plaza, filled with international luxury brands. The Louis Vuitton store at the best location was crowded with people from the upper echelons of Jinjiang society shopping.

Ma Ling and Liu Handong entered the LV store. The salespeople were dressed in black, slightly made up, and exuded a good aura, smiling warmly. The prices of the items were exorbitant, and Ma Ling was amazed. She pulled Liu Handong out, saying, "Good grief, a leather wallet costs thousands, and the design is so ugly. I wonder what these rich women are thinking."

Liu Handong said, "Even old ladies collecting scrap carry LV bags. This thing is so common, we wouldn't even want it if it were given to us for free."

They continued to wander around Henglong Plaza. They couldn't afford anything in any of the shops, so they just looked, absorbing the atmosphere of the upper class. After a round, Ma Ling said, "Wow, we've saved at least 200 yuan."

"How so?" Liu Handong was puzzled.

"Each piece of clothing costs thousands. Looking at one costs at least 10 cents, and touching one costs at least 50 cents," Ma Ling said with a mischievous smile.

"Then trying one on would cost 5 yuan," Liu Handong added seriously.

They laughed and ran out of Henglong Plaza, drawing stares from the crowd.

On a nearby street, there were many private clothing stores where they could find good deals. Liu Handong saw a brown leather jacket in a stylish shop window. It had a simple design and excellent leather quality, and he stopped to look.

"If you like it, try it on. I have my card," Ma Ling urged.

Liu Handong went into the store and asked to try it on. The owner took it off the mannequin and handed it to him, saying, "You look like someone who knows quality. This is a Japanese FEW replica A2 horse leather jacket, not on the same level as Cockpit, **IREX, or Alpha. Feel the leather; it's genuine horse leather, thick and soft, perfect for wind protection. It's ideal for riding a motorcycle. In winter, you can wear a shirt underneath and still stay warm. Look at the collar, the stitching, and the waxed thread."

The leather jacket fit like it was made for him. He moved his arms freely, but the waist was a bit short, only covering the belt buckle. Looking at himself in the mirror, Liu Handong was very satisfied.

Ma Ling also thought it looked good and asked the owner, "How much?"

"This is the only one in the store, a treasure. Considering our connection, 15,000 yuan," the owner said.

Liu Handong took off the jacket. "Let's look around more."

They fled the small clothing store, fuming. "15,000 yuan, he might as well rob us."

"But the jacket is really nice, and it suits you well," Ma Ling said, somewhat reluctant. She took Liu Handong to Ma Qi's store and mentioned the name. Ma Qi immediately called the other store. Since they were all familiar with each other, the owner told Ma Qi that the purchase price was over 10,000 yuan and couldn't be discounted.

"Never mind, it's not a must-have. Let's go eat," Ma Ling said.

On the way, Liu Handong asked if Ma Ling and Ma Qi were sisters. The two girls burst into laughter. "Do you think people with the same surname are related? We met in school."

It turned out that Ma Ling, like Hu Lei and Hu Ying, was a student at the Transportation Vocational and Technical College, just two years ahead of Hu Lei. Ma Qi was a nursing student. The two schools were close, and they were both outgoing, playing pool, hanging out in internet cafes, and dancing. They even fought together, so they were like sisters.

The three of them ate spicy hot pot at a small restaurant in the back alley of Henglong Plaza. Outside, neon lights flickered, and the alley was filled with the sounds of cooking and vendors calling out. While eating, Liu Handong's phone rang. It was his mother, saying she had been discharged from the hospital, her injuries were not serious, and she would come to the provincial capital next week to see her son.

"Oh no, my mom is coming next week, and she'll probably want to meet the in-laws. What should I do?" Liu Handong said after hanging up.

Ma Ling had already told the story of Liu Handong's visit and the scolding he received from her parents. Ma Qi laughed at his misfortune and said, "What can you do? Find some people to pretend to be Ling's parents and fool them for now."

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