Chapter Sixty: The Matchmaker

  Ouyang Yun's face was still extremely pale after making up for nearly 12 hours of sleep, and a short black beard had grown on his chin and cheekbones, which were carefully taken care of by Gu Lianyun every day. His hair was a bit messy, and he looked particularly haggard and disheveled. His eyes were filled with bloodshot, and his lips were slightly chapped, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.

  At around 10 o'clock that afternoon, a sickly Ouyang Yun and Liu Zhe-liang each sat in a rickshaw coming out of the alley where Chen Hanlin lived, when Gu Lianyun drove her car to block their way.

  As soon as he saw Ouyang Yun's face, Gu Lianyun was shocked and thought to himself that it had only been four days since he left, how could he look so haggard? Men really didn't know how to take care of themselves. He pulled Ouyang Yun into the car and naturally reached out to put his hand on his forehead, asking with concern: "Are you ill?"

  The woman's hand was warm and soft, with a gentle warmth that carried a hint of fragrance. Ouyang Yun's exhausted heart suddenly felt like it had been infused with a warm spring, filling him with a cozy and happy feeling. He smiled and said, "Nothing, just stayed up all night."

  "What's going on that requires staying up all night? As soon as I'm not around, you get busy?"

  Ouyang Yun smiled and didn't answer, this matter can't be spoken of, the handheld computer is an atomic bomb to this world, if not handled properly, it will blow up the current order of this world, the fewer people who know about this thing, the better.

  Gu Lianyun and Liu Zhe Liang got on the car, started the engine and said: "I have some good news to tell you."

  "Uh-huh."

  Good news is that Xiong Bin and Song Zheyuan have finally reached a consensus, the latter has felt the "kindness" of the highest authorities, deciding to stand on the same front line as the National Government; The former agreed to the latter's series of requests, wanting to give troops to troops, guns to guns, pay to pay... Gu Lianyun spoke well in front of Xiong Bin for the Student Army, and as a result, the Student Army obtained an independent brigade.

  Independent travel, nominally still a trip, but the personnel configuration is equivalent to a third-level division. Ouyang Yun was overjoyed and couldn't help but slap the woman's shoulder with force, saying: "Really? Thank you so much."

  Gu Lianyun smiled and said, "Don't issue a blank check, how can I thank you?"

  Ouyang Yun blinked his eyes, looking at the woman's delicate face, opened his arms in a hugging gesture, and smiled: "Give me a kiss?"

  His behavior, if placed in the present day, would be a common sight on the streets; but placed in Beijing in the 1920s and 1930s, it was shocking and unconventional. Fortunately, there was only one spectator, Liu Zhe Liang.

  Liu Zhe-liang in the back seat heard Zhang's mouth wide open, secretly thinking that our team captain is indeed powerful! Then he thought again, if they really kissed in front of him, what would he do? Should he watch or not watch? His face suddenly turned bright red...

  The emperor is not in a hurry to die, ah!

  Gu Lianyun's face turned red and she scolded: "Get out!" However, just as Liu Zhe Liang thought she was really angry, she turned her cheek!

  Liu Zhe-liang was shocked, his mouth wide open and unable to close. Ouyang Yun looked at that pale face with a hint of red, on which were clearly written the three big words "You come ah", and immediately felt overwhelmed, for a moment becoming flustered and unsure whether he should pluck up the courage to take a chance or quickly change the subject.

  Gu Lianyun, however, had anticipated his reaction and shot him a glance of reproach, before bursting into a fit of giggles. If she hadn't known that he was only twenty-one years old, she would have almost suspected that this guy was the legendary Silver Sample Wax Gun Head.

  Thanks to this interlude, the atmosphere was lively, and the fact that the student army had been promoted to an independent brigade was indeed a joy. Along the way, the three of them were in a pretty good mood. However, as they approached the haunted house, Ouyang Yun furrowed his brow and looked bitter, wanting to flee in disarray.

  It was still the White Flowing Water's turn to be the master of the house, and the ghostly mansion's notorious reputation had spread far and wide. Travelers dared not pass by the door at night. However, since Ouyang Yun moved in, although three more graves were added to the mansion, the yang energy gradually became thicker, and the neighbors around were surprised to find that the ghost mansion recently transmitted joyful voices and laughter. Those who asked around learned that Ouyang Yun was one of the "Anti-Japanese Heroes" who had killed many small ghosts, and he was also an official. This made them suddenly realize - wasn't it said by Tianqiao's Guo Banshan? A "hero" is full of yang energy, born to suppress ghosts, especially female ghosts; a gun is also a yang instrument, so the yin evil energy in the ghost mansion gradually dissipated, and the yang energy prospered.

  In the eyes of the elderly men and women, the new owner of the haunted mansion, Ou Yang, was young and handsome. Although he rarely went out, when he met neighbors on the street, he always smiled and nodded in greeting, not at all like a soldier, but rather like one's own son or nephew, very amiable.

  The old people in Beiping had lived for a long time, and the soldiers had seen many seas. However, such an officer was a first-time encounter. At first, they were curious and couldn't help but take a few more glances. They discovered that the young officer didn't get annoyed, but instead smiled and nodded. As their courage grew, some semi-professional matchmakers' minds began to stir. Upon learning that Officer Ouyang was still unmarried, many people started making arrangements: "Officer, there's a certain young woman who is pretty and knowledgeable. She's currently studying at a certain middle school. Would you like to meet her? Here's her photo." Among them, an old matchmaker surnamed Zhao was particularly tireless. Every time Officer Ouyang went out, she would seize the opportunity, and each time, the person she chose was different. Perhaps in her opinion, it was as if the entire city of Beiping couldn't find a girl who matched Officer Ouyang. She had sharp teeth and a sharp tongue, and was an old woman, so Officer Ouyang didn't dare to respond, and naturally would flee each time.

  Ouyang Yun set out, initially with only two people, accompanied by Gu Lianyun; after Liu Zhe Liang joined, it became a three-person journey, and at its peak, Chu Tian Ge, Chen Shi Chang, Li Bing, and the reconnaissance team's students, there were no less than twenty people in one line.

  The soldiers' thoughts are simple, and their concept of authority is also heavy. When their superiors face such things, they think it's quite a ridiculous thing. What kind of person is our team leader? He dares to kill the little devils with his bare hands, making them cry out in fear. However, when it comes to these old ladies, we can't hit or scold them - Ah, didn't the team leader say that we are fed by the people's rice and water, and we are the sons of the people? As sons of the people, we must have the demeanor of sons of the people. We exist to protect our parents and relatives from the enemy's slaughter, to defend against external humiliation and internal harm. They can't laugh openly, except for that heartless Chu Tian Ge, but they can still secretly enjoy it in their hearts.

  Gu Lianyun didn't have so many concerns, her masculine disguise was extremely good, although in the eyes of the old ladies, this little military officer was a bit too handsome, seemingly even more handsome than the big girl she had introduced herself, but facing the gun on his waist, no one dared to say anything about her - this little military officer didn't know what identity he had, seemingly even Officer Ouyang was afraid of her three points, wasn't that so? At this time, someone was whispering something in Officer Ouyang's ear.

  Gu Lianyun's words were clearly laced with a mischievous smile: I didn't expect you to be so well-received by the elderly ladies, you're indeed popular among both old and young!

  In front of the old ladies, Ouyang Yun didn't dare to lose her temper, at most she would just glare at her, and still had to smile warmly on her face, as if she really got along with people of all ages. This naturally led to a burst of unscrupulous laughter from the women.

  Mrs. Zhao had been waiting at the entrance of the haunted mansion for several days since she received the entrustment from the merchant's family in the south of the city, and today she finally caught up with Director Ouyang as he was leaving, so she wouldn't let him go. Ouyang Yun had just gotten out of the car when Mrs. Zhao came forward to greet her, first showing concern for his health: "Director Ouyang, why do you look so pale? You must take care of your body!" Then she got to the point, taking out a red envelope with the birth date and time of the merchant's daughter inside, and said with a smile: "Director Ouyang, this merchant's daughter is really not bad, not only is she beautiful, but also a university student. Her father has opened several silver shops and has money to spare. If you marry her, you will be set for life and enjoy happiness forever!"

  Gu Lianyun immediately cheered up, stretched out her hand to take the red silk package, and said: "Really? What a great thing!"

  Ouyang Yun now more or less understood some customs, knowing what it meant to receive someone's birth date and immediately grabbed Gu Lianyun's hand. He said to Old Lady Zhao: "Thank you so much! Yesterday I received a letter from home, my father told me about one... Ah!" His gaze shifted to Liu Zhe Liang's face behind him, seeing that this kid was holding back laughter, laughing and pointing at him saying: "Our brother here hasn't gotten engaged yet, why don't you, Old Lady, help them get together?"

  Liu Zhe-liang was immediately frightened, jumping three feet high, shaking his head like a rattle drum and saying: "No way, no way, Comrade Team Leader, don't make fun of an honest man!"

  Ouyang Yun indeed didn't have the habit of bullying honest people, her gaze fell on Gu Liyun's face, seeing that she wanted to slip away, she grabbed her with one hand and said to Zhao Lao Tai Tai: "That's it," her left hand naturally pinched her cheek, and then said: "Look at this little face, so clever, I'm sure the businesswoman will like it."

  Gu Lianyun's face turned red, not because of his messy love affair, but because of that one twist earlier. She scolded in a low voice: "You're asking for death!"

  Ouyang Yun leaned in close to her ear and whispered: "To die under the peony flowers is to be a romantic ghost!"

  "Get out!"

  Mrs. Zhao was not foolish, seeing him making excuses like this, she knew it was hopeless and couldn't help but feel disappointed. Looking at the two men flirting with each other, her eyes widened in surprise, thinking to herself, "Ah, I didn't think of that! This Officer Ouyang doesn't fancy this one or that one, he must have a thing for this sort of relationship!" The old lady had a kind heart and thought she should advise him. Sighing, she said: "Officer Ouyang, marriage is not child's play, if you're not interested, just say so, why push back and forth like this? It's not like we're haggling over goods." She also said: "But I still think, a man should find a woman to have children with, that's what it means to live a life..."

  Ouyang Yun understood the situation and immediately let go of Gu Lianyun. He looked around and saw that a large crowd had gathered, their eyes wide with excitement, clearly having come to watch the show. He straightened his face and said loudly: "As a soldier, at this critical moment when the country is in turmoil, how can we indulge in family matters?! Fellow villagers, I appreciate your kindness, but please do not mention this again - Zhe Liang, what are you standing there for? Go back!"

  Mrs. Zhao left in disappointment, the audience dispersed in a bad mood, Gu Lianyun quickly walked a few steps and leaned into Ouyang Yun's ear to ask: "Was what you said earlier true or false? If external troubles are not eliminated and internal unrest is not pacified, can't we really have a home?"