novellhall Chapter 27 You're a Good Person
Chapter 27 You're a Good Person
Zhuang Qingxiang guessed that he must have gone to a nearby village to find a carpenter, because only a carpenter could make that kind of large wooden basin.
She was very happy to see the fabric in her hand. She carefully put it back in the house, told Xiao Qianyue to watch over it so it wouldn't get dirty, and then went to the kitchen to cook dinner.
The kitchen was an even bigger surprise.
Lu Congyue not only brought back two catties of pork, but also two large bones.
What to eat for dinner immediately came to Zhuang Qingxiang's mind.
Wash the large bone thoroughly with clean water and soak it for later use. Scoop out some flour, knead it into dough, and let it rise.
The meat they bought was mostly fatty, and it's quite difficult to buy fatty meat like that. Zhuang Qingxiang guessed that Lu Congyue could only buy it because of his position as factory manager.
Cut off the fatty parts and render the lard in a pot. Meanwhile, wash a few eggplants, dice them, and sprinkle some salt on them to draw out the water.
Once the lard is rendered, mix the cracklings with the squeezed-dry eggplant cubes, add seasonings, and you can make eggplant and crackling buns.
Zhuang Qingxiang put the large pork bones into the pot to simmer, which would take quite a long time. She realized that dinner wouldn't be ready until very late.
While they were making steamed buns, Lu Congyue returned.
Hearing the noise, Zhuang Qingxiang came out of the kitchen and explained, "Director Lu, we'll have dinner a little later tonight. The pork bones need to be stewed for a while, and it's hot. I'm afraid they'll spoil if we leave them overnight."
As the sun set, its light shone directly on Zhuang Qingxiang.
Lu Congyue stood with his back to the light and saw that her bangs were soaked with sweat and stuck messily to her forehead, but her eyebrows and eyes were revealed, shining beautifully.
The kitchen was hot, and she was sweating profusely. Her clothes were soaked through and clung to her body, outlining her alluring curves. Sweat trickled down her slender neck and down to her collarbone, slowly seeping into the depths of her collar...
This woman seems to sweat a lot.
It doesn't look dirty at all; instead, it reminds one of the phrase: "drenched in fragrant sweat."
Lu Congyue's rationality told him that at this moment he should casually ask if he needed any help.
But he chose to turn around and leave.
"Then I'll go help out at Liu the carpenter's place."
Zhuang Qingxiang hurriedly called out, "Director Lu, lunch will be ready in about an hour and a half, don't forget."
Lu Congyue waved to her with his back to show that he knew, and then strode away without a trace.
Zhuang Qingxiang was anxious: Was Factory Director Lu angry? Actually, she had originally wanted to tell him to eat the steamed buns first, and he could have the soup later.
However, it would be better if he came back in an hour or two.
It was too hot in the kitchen in the summer, so she planned to take a quick shower and change her clothes after cooking. She wouldn't be able to shower if Director Lu were home.
When Lu Congyue returned, he saw that Zhuang Qingxiang had changed her clothes. She was wearing a dark-colored, thick fabric, which looked like a padded jacket with the cotton removed and altered. She was also a bit thin, and the fabric was stretched tight around her body.
"Director Lu is back! I'll start dinner as soon as I'm done with the kids!" Zhuang Qingxiang called out when she heard the commotion.
Lu Congyue placed the two wooden basins, one large and one small, that he had gotten from Liu the carpenter under the eaves and went into the kitchen to take a look.
Seeing the plump, white steamed buns and the stewed pork bones, he raised an eyebrow.
It smells better than what's served in the cafeteria.
Of course, it tastes even better.
The fried pork crackling buns are so fragrant with every bite, and the stewed pork bones are not oily or greasy, just seasoned with a little salt. You'll want to squint your eyes after just one sip.
Zhuang Qingxiang and Xiao Qianyue had only drunk half a bowl of soup and eaten half a big steamed bun when Lu Congyue devoured five of them, leaving the mother and daughter dumbfounded and forgetting to eat.
"..." Lu Congyue said expressionlessly, "I went to the county town to buy things today and didn't have time for lunch."
Zhuang Qingxiang gratefully gave him another large steamed bun, then picked up his bowl: "Please eat slowly, I'll go get you a bowl of soup."
Lu Congyue thoroughly enjoyed the meal.
He felt that it would be good if people like Zhuang Qingxiang, who had gone astray, could repent and return to the right path, since their policy was to treat them differently and be lenient.
She hasn't had a chance to sabotage production or steal secrets yet. As long as she's willing to reform, he can keep her safe.
Comrade Zhuang.
Lu Congyue sat up straight, legs upright, hands flat on his thighs, and said seriously, "If you have any problems... you can tell me, and I promise I can help you solve them."
Zhuang Qingxiang was even more grateful, and smiled shyly and gratefully: "Thank you, Director Lu. You are a good person. Thank you so much."
Lu Congyue frowned: Is there nothing else to say?
Zhuang Qingxiang: "I am already very grateful that my two children and I have a place to stay. I'm sorry to trouble Director Lu any further. I will definitely let you know if I need anything in the future."
Lu Congyue nodded slightly: "Alright, if you've thought it through."
It seems she still needs time, or perhaps she's being threatened...
Zhuang Qingxiang was a little restless. She wanted to go back inside to feed the baby, but Director Lu seemed to have more to say.
The food has been good these past few days, and she just had bone broth. She's feeling bloated and in pain, and urgently needs to feed the baby. If she delays, she's afraid her clothes will get soaked.
"Director Lu, is there anything else?" she couldn't help but ask.
Lu Congyue remained silent, but his expression was very serious.
Zhuang Qingxiang could only sit obediently and wait for the reprimand.
Meanwhile, a conversation was taking place at Liang Xinzheng's home.
Liang Xinzheng: "Mother, why are you going to see them? I haven't thought this through yet!"
"I disagree!" Old Mrs. Chen glared, looking displeased. "I've heard all the rumors; that woman looks like a sleazy person. Why would you marry her? Besides, she's a 'woman of ill repute,' having lost her husband after only a year of marriage. Going with her is like courting death! I don't think Li Shengnan has good intentions!"
Liang Xinzheng sighed, "Alright, I didn't agree anyway. I'm over forty years old, I don't think that much about it."
"So what if you're over forty? You have a job and a salary, you'll definitely be able to marry a good one! That woman doesn't even have a proper job, all she has left is her face, what's so good about her?" Old Mrs. Chen said with a look of disdain.
Liang Xinzheng hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Mother, what do you think about her relationship with Director Lu...?"
"That's not true!" Old Mrs. Chen said firmly. "Who is Director Lu? I wouldn't even look at that woman, how could Director Lu possibly be interested?"
Liang Xinzheng smiled and said, "Mother is definitely right. You always have a keen eye."
Grandma Chen smiled contentedly, her face crinkling with wrinkles: "Xinzheng, if you're really interested in finding someone, I'll support you. I'll look around for you. But you can't choose someone with children; the pressure will be too much."
"We'll see," Liang Xinzheng said noncommittally.
Despite saying that, Liang Xinzheng chatted with Dr. Shi and his wife at the clinic for a while the next day, seemingly unintentionally.
Zhuang Qingxiang didn't have time to go out that day. Besides taking care of the children and doing housework, she also had to make clothes for the children.
Little Qian Yue knew the floral fabric was for her, and she jumped for joy: "Really? Mother, you're really making clothes for me?"
"Yes, it was specially bought for Yueyue by Uncle Lu. Aren't you happy? How about Mom makes Yueyue a pretty flower dress?" Zhuang Qingxiang pinched Xiao Qianyue's nose.
Xiao Qianyue nodded vigorously.
She adores Uncle Lu; he's even better than her father. She loves this place so much.
"Sister Zhuang." Sun Yongxian knocked on the door, stood in the doorway and smiled, "I saw the door was open so I came in. I hope I'm not disturbing you?"