As the car drove slowly along the street, Shen Zhifeng didn't think about where to go and said, "Wenxiu, what do you want to eat?"
Xu Wenxiu looked out the car window and said: "I know there is a noodle shop nearby. The beef noodle soup there is very delicious and the price is not expensive..."
"We'll have a big meal today, and we'll have beef noodle soup another day."
"A big meal?"
"right."
"Brother Shen, have you paid your salary?"
Shen Zhifeng laughed and said: "Does it have to be a salary for a big meal?"
"Why is that?"
"Why...because today is a special day."
Xu Wenxiu thought for a while: "I remember your birthday is February 18th... If it's not a birthday, how else can it be a special day?"
Xu Wenxiu actually knew his birthday, which surprised Shen Zhifeng and said, "How do you know that my birthday is February 18th?"
"I heard my mother mention it once and I remembered it."
"oh……"
"Brother Shen, what kind of special day is this?"
"You'll find out soon."
"Oh well……"
"Oh, by the way, don't you like to eat Western food? How about we find a Western restaurant?"
"OK."
"I'll take you to a good place, I guarantee you will like it."
"where?"
"Kristallnacht."
"What a poetic name..."
Half an hour later, the car arrived at the Kristallnacht Western Restaurant.
"Welcome to Kristallnacht." The waiter came over quickly.
There were many Americans in military uniforms in the restaurant, gathering at a table in twos and threes, laughing happily from time to time.
Shen Zhifeng looked around and said, "Find us a quieter table."
"Please follow me." The waiter led the way and led the two of them to the table by the window.
After sitting down, the waiter handed over a beautifully printed menu, bowed and said: "Today is Christmas, and our store has specially launched a set menu for two people. It is very cost-effective. Do you two want to try it?"
Shen Zhifeng took a look and handed the menu to Xu Wenxiu: "Do you think it's okay?"
Xu Wenxiu glanced at it and saw that the price of the set meal was indeed a good deal. Not only did it include steak, foie gras, caviar, etc., it even included a bottle of French champagne, so he said, "I think it's pretty good."
"Please wait a moment." The waiter withdrew.
Shen Zhifeng took off his coat, put it on the chair next to him, and said, "Wenxiu, how do you feel here?"
"Well, it's pretty good." Xu Wenxiu said.
"You told me last time that your brother was coming to Yanjin to see you. It's been so long, why hasn't he arrived yet?"
"I just received a letter from home yesterday, saying that my brother went back halfway."
"Why?"
"The main reason is that the road is not peaceful. There is a war in Henan. The army is arresting migrant workers everywhere to repair fortifications, and the trains are also suspended."
"oh……"
Nowadays, not only Henan is at war, but Shandong, Shaanxi, Shanxi and Chahar are also at war. If you are unlucky enough to be arrested as a migrant worker, it will really make the world unstoppable.
Xu Wenxiu complained: "Those soldiers are really unreasonable. They forcefully take people away regardless of their consent. How is this different from the Japanese soldiers..."
Shen Zhifeng smiled and said: "There is a saying that a scholar cannot explain clearly when encountering soldiers. This is the situation he is talking about."
"Don't officials care?"
"The officials turned a blind eye. As long as they could build fortifications, they just pretended they didn't see anything."
While they were talking, the waiter brought the wine and food and placed them on the table one by one: "You two, please take your time."
Shen Zhifeng was in a good mood and poured wine for Xu Wenxiu himself and said: "Champagne is almost the same as soda. It doesn't matter if you drink more."
Xu Wenxiu picked up the wine glass and took a sip: "Brother Shen, you haven't told me what special day today is."
Shen Zhifeng pondered his emotions for a while: "Wenxiu, let's, let's get married!"
A blush appeared on Xu Wenxiu's face, and she said somewhat coyly: "Brother Shen, didn't I tell you that I have to observe my filial piety to my father for three years, and the marriage... can wait a little longer."
Shen Zhifeng did not hide anything. He recounted the unwritten rules of the Secrecy Bureau, and then said: "Wenxiu, I think there is nothing wrong with fulfilling your filial piety. However, there are exceptions to everything. You must also consider our future."
After the initial panic, Xu Wenxiu quickly calmed down and said, "I want to discuss such a big matter with my family."
"It's too late, miss this opportunity, alas..." Shen Zhifeng shook his head gently. He was playing the bitterness card, hoping to persuade Xu Wenxiu.
Marry a chicken, follow the chicken, marry a dog, follow the dog. Now that Shen Zhifeng has been identified, why bother holding him back in this matter? Xu Wenxiu persuaded herself in her heart.
She hesitated for a while and whispered: "Since you have thought about it, I will listen to you..."
Shen Zhifeng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and a stone hanging in his heart finally fell to the ground. If Xu Wenxiu insisted on observing filial piety for three years, he had no better way.
…………
Shen Xue and her classmates were walking slowly on the street, and American soldiers passed by them from time to time. They were now on collective leave.
"Shen Xue, what happened to you today?"
"What's wrong with me?"
"I often play the wrong notes during rehearsals, or I'll be in a daze. Anyway, I always look absent-minded."
"Maybe I didn't sleep well last night..."
"What about yesterday? Teacher Xu called you three times during class, but you didn't respond."
"I may not come next semester."
"Ah? Why?"
"Father said that two years of schooling for a girl is enough."
The classmate said in astonishment: "Then, you don't want to play the piano anymore?"
Shen Xue smiled bitterly: "I don't even read books anymore, why can I play the piano?"
"Shen Xue, what age are you at? You should have your own ideas. You can't just listen to your parents in everything."
"My parents are getting older and I don't want to make them sad..."
"The newspapers have said that now is a new era, and we should live a valuable and ideal life, instead of getting married and having children when we reach age, as we did in the past, and being willing to be housewives for the rest of our lives."
"Well, everyone's situation is different..."
"What's different? No, I have to tell Teacher Xu tomorrow... Shen Xue, why don't you leave?"
"Oh, I suddenly remembered that I have to go to my aunt's house. You should go first."
"Okay then, see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
The classmates had gone away, but Shen Xue still stood blankly on the street, looking at the car parked in front of the Kristallnacht Western Restaurant. It was Shen Zhifeng's car.
"Hello, pretty lady, can I buy you a drink?" An American soldier came over with a smile.
Shen Xue glared at him with disgust, lowered her head and left quickly.
The American soldier spread his hands, made a helpless expression, and then went to talk to other young women passing by.
After walking for a while, Shen Xue slowly stopped and turned back again by some strange mistake.
"Welcome to Kristallnacht." The waiter greeted.
Shen Xue looked around and soon saw Shen Zhifeng and Xu Wenxiu.