novellhall Chapter 94 A Feast for the Eyes
Chapter 94 A Feast for the Eyes
"Sister Zhuang, your thinking is wrong! A woman marries a man for food and clothing. Since you married him, he should treat you well. You can't think that just because he feeds you, doesn't make you work when you're pregnant, and gives you meat after you give birth to your son, he's done you a great favor and you should remember him for the rest of your life."
"That doesn't make sense; that's what he was supposed to do!"
"Don't forget, you also bore him children and took care of the household chores!"
Sun Yongxian spoke with great conviction, but Zhuang Qingxiang's mind was completely blank.
Is that correct?
It seems that the education she received from childhood to adulthood was not like this.
But what Sun Yongxian said made a lot of sense...
Seeing her like this, Sun Yongxian became even more furious at her lack of ambition: "Women are now considered to hold up half the sky. Hasn't your village or brigade held any meetings for the women comrades to learn about this?"
Zhuang Qingxiang shook her head.
She knew that the village had held literacy classes and many meetings, but none of that mattered to her. She was just an ordinary woman who took care of her stepparents' children and did housework.
Sun Yongxian sighed and rambled on about many things that were beyond her comprehension.
She knew it was wrong for her mother-in-law to take all the things after her husband's death. She could find someone to stand up for her if she went to the Women's Federation or the police in the commune, county, or city.
But Zhuang Qingxiang felt that things wouldn't be that simple.
If someone could truly make the decision, the village chief and the others wouldn't have sighed and then stopped caring about the matter.
The two chatted for a long time. After Sun Yongxian left, Zhuang Qingxiang was still staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.
Sun Yongxian advised her to remarry. Factory Director Lu was single and unmarried with an adopted son who needed a woman to take care of him. He was good-looking, kind-hearted, and a factory director with power and money, making him a very good marriage prospect.
Moreover, Director Lu is cold to all women, but he is gentle with her.
"I think Director Lu likes you."
These words kept swirling in Zhuang Qingxiang's mind.
By the time Zhuang Qingxiang was able to get up and move around freely, Chen Lao Er and the other man who had hurt her had already been arrested and imprisoned.
When Zhuang Qingxiang was home alone, she secretly cried.
Thinking of her helplessness in her past life and her narrow escape from death in this life, she felt extremely grateful to Lu Congyue.
That day, Lu Congyue said he would be back late from working overtime. After Zhuang Qingxiang put the children to sleep, she made two side dishes, took out the wine she had asked Sun Yongxian to buy, and quietly waited for people to come back in the outer room.
Lu Congyue returned around 11 p.m.
As soon as he entered the house, he saw the dishes and wine on the table. Under the dim light, Zhuang Qingxiang sat at the table, looking at him with a gentle smile.
Lu Congyue paused, feeling as if a feather had gently brushed against his heart, leaving a light and itchy sensation.
His stern face softened instantly, and he lowered his voice: "Still not asleep?"
"I've been waiting for you," Zhuang Qingxiang said softly. "The children are all asleep."
Lu Congyue nodded, went inside to check on the three sleeping children, then tiptoed out and closed the door.
My heart is beating a little erratically; I have a feeling something's about to happen.
After all, Zhuang Qingxiang had never done anything like this before.
"You must be tired after a long day. Sit down and have a couple of drinks," Zhuang Qingxiang said softly.
"Where did the wine come from?" Lu Congyue asked as he sat down.
"I asked Sun Yongxian to help me bring it." Zhuang Qingxiang smiled, her eyes crinkling, her gentle expression as soft as water.
Lu Congyue's heart pounded even faster and more erratically. He instinctively gripped the cup tighter and coughed lightly, "What... are you trying to do?"
Zhuang Qingxiang poured him a drink: "It's nothing, I just wanted to thank you properly. You've really gone to so much trouble for me these past few days, and I feel really bad about it."
Lu Congyue's mouth was dry, so he downed the glass of wine in one gulp.
Zhuang Qingxiang quickly served him some food and urged him to eat a couple of bites to fill his stomach before drinking.
Despite saying that, she poured him another glass of wine.
This was the first time Lu Congyue had ever received such treatment in his life, and he couldn't help but wonder if other couples were treated like this.
When a man comes home after a long day, his wife serves him food and drinks with tenderness and care.
No wonder everyone wants to find a wife and start a family; it really is a good thing.
However, he should be better than other men because the woman he wants to marry is the most beautiful, gentle, and skilled at cooking and raising children.
The fact that she's willing to wait for me so softly today, has she finally come to her senses?
Thinking of that possibility, Lu Congyue's fingers trembled with excitement. He had to grip his wine glass tightly and down it in one gulp to hide his excitement.
Zhuang Qingxiang was a little dazed when she saw him sit down and drink two cups in a row.
She mustn't be drunk; she has important business to attend to.
The thought had barely crossed his mind when Lu Congyue put down his wine glass and asked, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
Zhuang Qingxiang didn't know how he guessed it, her face flushed, and she nodded: "You eat first, we'll talk later."
Lu Congyue was even more excited, but the more excited he was, the more expressionless he became.
Zhuang Qingxiang felt a little scared watching this, and decided to persuade him to drink a few more cups, and then talk to him after he had drunk some and his temper was not so bad.
And so, while eating and drinking, half a bottle of baijiu was gone.
Although Lu Congyue had a decent alcohol tolerance, he couldn't drink like this. Before long, his face and neck turned red, and his eyes shone like stars as he stared unblinkingly at Zhuang Qingxiang.
She looked much more appetizing than the food and drinks on the table.
If she agrees now, he'll get a letter of introduction and take her to get the marriage certificate tomorrow, it can happen tomorrow night...
"Director Lu..."
Zhuang Qingxiang felt that it was about time. Lu Congyue was no longer as serious and aloof as before. Although he looked a bit silly now, he was inexplicably cute.
"Go ahead!" Lu Congyue interrupted her impatiently, "Whatever you say, I'll agree with it wholeheartedly!"
Zhuang Qingxiang paused slightly, then asked, "Do you know what I'm going to say?"
Lu Congyue's lips curled into a smile: "I can tell."
Zhuang Qingxiang's face immediately felt hot, and her cheeks flushed red.
She tentatively touched the back of Lu Congyue's hand, but as soon as she touched it, Lu Congyue flipped his hand and grabbed her hand tightly.
Zhuang Qingxiang's heart skipped a beat. Thinking of what she had to do, she lowered her eyes shyly.
She didn't say anything, but the two of them seemed to know what was about to happen. Before Zhuang Qingxiang could take the initiative to approach, Lu Congyue pulled her over with a little force.
When Zhuang Qingxiang fell onto Lu Congyue's lap, she gasped softly, then quickly fell silent to avoid waking the child.
"Did I hurt your back?" Although Lu Congyue was half drunk, he still remembered that her injury had just healed, and he was afraid that his movement had strained her again.
Zhuang Qingxiang shook her head, suppressing her shyness, raised her hand to wrap around his neck, and obediently leaned into his arms.
Lu Congyue immediately hugged the person tightly, his breathing becoming heavy.
If the light hadn't been on, he would have thought he was dreaming again.
The sweet and soft woman stayed obediently in his arms.
He was certain that if he wanted to do something now, she wouldn't object.
For a moment, the thought hurt.
Unfortunately, they haven't gotten their marriage certificate yet.
Lu Congyue held the person tightly, taking deep breaths. After a while, he gently loosened his grip and said in a hoarse voice, "I'll tidy up here. You go back to your room and sleep first."
Zhuang Qingxiang looked up in surprise: "What did you say?"