Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s

”I’m annoyed,” Qiu Xinyi said.

”Why? Is work not going well?” Chief Qiu poured a glass of water and placed it in front of Qiu Xinyi, sitting down as if ready to have a sincere conversation with her. ”You haven’t been doing well recently. I’ve heard people in the troop saying that you are taking advantage of being the chief’s daughter to get special treatment!”

”It must be Tan Xiaomei who said that,” Qiu Xinyi replied dismissively. ”She’s just jealous that I have a father who’s a chief! That’s why she finds fault with me everywhere.”

”Surely there are aspects of your performance that aren’t good.”

”That’s not true.” Qiu Xinyi, irritated and uninterested in discussing work, abruptly changed the topic. ”Dad, when is your surgery? You’ve been considering it for so long. If it doesn’t work out, you should just go ahead and have the surgery to remove it!”

”So you’re worried about me! There’s nothing much wrong with me. I’ve asked some old comrades, and many of them have similar conditions to mine. It’s not a big deal; it’s actually fine if I don’t have surgery,” Chief Qiu replied, not too concerned.

”Similar doesn’t mean the same,” Qiu Xinyi insisted. ”You haven’t gone for a follow-up in a long time, have you? Didn’t Ji Chuan say last time that even if you don’t have major issues now, you need to get regular check-ups at the hospital? You can’t just disregard your health. How about tomorrow? Do you have time? I’ll accompany you to the hospital!”

”I didn’t feel well yesterday, but today I feel much better,” Chief Qiu said, touching his throat, ”I really don’t feel much anymore.”

”Dad—! I’ve already arranged with Ji Chuan.”

This sentence made Chief Qiu quickly understand: ”Are you genuinely concerned about me, or just trying to get closer to Ji Chuan? That kid is nice, but he’s not interested in you, so don’t waste your efforts. He might still be polite to you now, but over time... Daughter, let me tell you, men don’t like being clung to either.”

”Dad! Look at what you’re saying. It’s true I like Ji Chuan, but I’m more concerned about your health. It would be great if Ji Chuan could treat you. This way, I can get close to Ji Chuan, and you can remove the ticking time bomb in your body. Isn’t that a win-win?” Qiu Xinyi had already planned it out.

She indeed wanted to get closer to Ji Chuan, but she wouldn’t joke about her father’s health.

Just as she thought, this was an opportunity.

”Fine, fine! I’m afraid of you. Let’s do as you say; tomorrow, you’ll accompany me for a check-up. If it really comes to the point where surgery is necessary, then I’ll have the operation. Is that acceptable?” Chief Qiu conceded.

”Great. That’s more like it!” Qiu Xinyi finally smiled.

The next morning, Chief Qiu attended a meeting.

In the afternoon, he went to the hospital with his daughter Qiu Xinyi for a check-up.

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

The window was open, and the cicadas on the elm tree behind the house continued their incessant chirping, making people feel somewhat restless and anxious.

Yan Huan revised the manuscript over and over again, yet still felt something was not quite right.

”Xiaomei! Come take a look and give me some feedback!” Yan Huan handed the manuscript to Tan Xiaomei, who was sitting across the table, ”I always feel awkward, like the language is too empty.”

Tan Xiaomei glanced at the manuscript, then looked up and asked, ”Yan Jie, why did you mention Qiu Xinyi writing the manuscript? It’s her task to complete.”