Rebirth: Sensational Military Wife in 70s...

Chapter 6: The Unexpected Date

Shi Tingyu's marriage prospects had become a tricky issue, and her parents were noticeably distracted at work. Just then, Researcher Wei Jian walked in and called out, "Professor Shi, someone's here to see you."

Shi Father set down his pen, locked his drawer, and went out.

The visitor was Feng Wei, the same man they had seen at the state-owned restaurant the previous day.

Although Shi Father didn't recognize him, he noticed Feng Wei's military uniform, which indicated he was at least a battalion commander.

In the military, officers and enlisted personnel wore different uniforms. The officers' uniform had four pockets—this was the designation for battalion-level officers.

"Who are you?" Shi Father asked, his curiosity piqued.

Feng Wei smiled and extended his hand warmly. "Ah, Professor Shi, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Feng Wei, the political instructor from the First Battalion."

Shi Father shook hands with him, puzzled about the reason for his visit.

Feng Wei guided Shi Father aside and explained, "Professor Shi, our battalion commander is also at the age for marriage. I heard that your daughter is exceptional, so I came to ask if she's already engaged. If not, I'd like to introduce her to our battalion commander."

Shi Father felt as if he had stumbled into an unexpected stroke of luck. "She isn't engaged, but I don't know much about your battalion commander. Can you tell me more about him?"

Feng Wei began to sing Lu Weiguo's praises without hesitation. "He's 1.89 meters tall, in excellent shape, doesn't smoke or drink, and is quite dedicated. He's got both achievements and skills."

Shi Father was skeptical. How could such a promising individual be interested in their family, given their current circumstances?

Noticing Shi Father's doubt, Feng Wei's smile faltered slightly. "Of course, he does have a minor flaw..."

"What flaw?" Shi Father asked urgently.

Feng Wei hesitated, then continued, "He got injured on the battlefield..."

Before Feng Wei could finish, Shi Father's face hardened.

If he could still serve after being injured, the injury must be serious. If Feng Wei was emphasizing it, it was likely something that might affect his ability to lead a normal life.

"No, no. My daughter cannot marry someone who might become incapacitated!"

Feng Wei was taken aback. "I assure you, Professor Shi, I never said that."

Seeing Shi Father turning to leave, Feng Wei quickly intervened, "Professor Shi, you're misunderstanding. He wasn't injured in a debilitating way. It's just a scar from his right eye to his cheekbone."

Shi Father's face flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I misunderstood. I need to discuss this with my family first."

He worried that his daughter might object, given her preference for handsome men.

"Of course," Feng Wei said, seizing the opportunity. "How about we schedule a meeting to see for ourselves? That way, you can assess his character directly."

Shi Father reluctantly agreed. "Alright, let's meet tomorrow after work."

He was concerned that if they delayed, they might face more trouble before their daughter even had a chance to settle down.

They had been under surveillance for a week with no updates, leaving them in a state of tension and uncertainty.

The next day, Shi Tingyu was taken aback to receive another invitation for a date. "Dad, don't rush into this. Make sure you're not just grabbing at any opportunity," she cautioned her father.

Shi Father, however, was insistent. "Finding a match is like shopping for shoes—you need to try several before finding the right one. This isn't desperation; it's about casting a wide net and choosing the best option."

Shi Tingyu was eventually persuaded. "Alright, I'll meet him tomorrow."

She understood that time was of the essence. Her parents were eager for her to succeed in finding a match, ideally as quickly as possible.

That evening, Shi Father and Shi Mother dressed formally, reflecting their high standards. Shi Tingyu also made an effort to look presentable.

Her attempt at makeup was minimal, due to limited cosmetic options available. Despite some old products brought back from abroad, they had expired after four years.

Shi Mother was pleased with her daughter's appearance. "You look great—your lipstick makes your lips look vibrant and your complexion healthy."

Given their current situation, they were avoiding having Lu Weiguo visit their home to prevent any potential issues. Instead, they chose to meet at the state-owned restaurant, where the presence of many people would offer some protection against potential complications.

Feng Wei and Lu Weiguo arrived first at the restaurant. Feng Wei was busy arranging the table and wiping down the chairs, while Lu Weiguo sat in silence, deep in thought.

The surrounding tables were empty, creating a bubble of isolation around them. The waitstaff looked over several times but didn't approach.

"Put on a better attitude. Don't look so grim—try smiling," Feng Wei instructed.

Lu Weiguo attempted a smile, but Feng Wei had to cover his face, saying, "Forget it, just keep it as is. Actually, not smiling might be better."

The smile Lu Weiguo managed was intimidating rather than welcoming, making the situation feel more like a confrontation than a date.

When Shi Tingyu and her parents arrived, they saw the two men seated at the round table. The tall figure with his back to them was clearly over 1.86 meters tall.

Feng Wei, facing the entrance, quickly waved them over. "Professor Shi, Professor Liu, and Comrade Shi, come and have a seat!"

As Lu Weiguo turned to face them, Shi Father and Shi Mother gasped in surprise.

Shi Tingyu, however, remained composed. She scrutinized Lu Weiguo's features with a trained eye, noting his tall, well-built frame and the striking scar, which accentuated his intense demeanor.

If this were a later era, he might fit the profile of a distinctive, brooding type. However, contemporary standards leaned towards more conventional, handsome features.

Despite the intense impression, Shi Tingyu knew that the meeting was an opportunity worth exploring, even if it did not immediately fit the conventional mold of attractiveness.