In the room, Chen Lishu began to cook. She first peeled the piece of fatty pork she had bought, cut it into pieces, and put it in a pot to render out the oil, then stored it in a jar. The remaining cracklings were stir-fried with yardlong beans. She then chopped the remaining pork belly into mince, sliced eggplant, coated them with batter, and fried them into eggplant pockets.
After Gu Xingdong finished digging up all the potatoes, he returned to the house to wash his hands. Not finding Ruirui, he asked curiously, "Hasn't the child returned yet?"
"He said he was going to the Bai family's to watch TV. It's almost time for dinner, why don't you go check on him?"
Gu Xingdong nodded. Just as he was about to go out, he saw Ruirui returning from outside.
Chen Lishu was carrying a plate out. Seeing him return alone, she asked curiously, "Why did you come back by yourself?"
"Brother Yanchao and the others said they wanted to watch for a while longer, so I came back on my own."
Chen Lishu didn't think much of it. "Hurry and wash your hands. Mom made fried eggplant pockets for dinner, they taste especially delicious."
Gu Xingdong leaned closer and whispered, "So they weren't made for me?"
Chen Lishu glared playfully. "Then don't eat them later."
"That's fine too," Gu Xingdong said meaningfully, "You can compensate me tonight."
Chen Lishu's old face flushed. "Hurry and get the bowls."
"Received!"
During dinner, Ruirui couldn't help but tell Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong about watching TV. "Mom, have you ever watched TV? It has ships and submarines in it..."
Seeing him speak with such excitement, his eyes sparkling, the couple occasionally asked him a question, which only fueled his enthusiasm. The family had a very lively dinner.
Towards the end, Ruirui said regretfully, "It's a shame I didn't finish watching it, and Bai Er Pang said they don't have TV every day. If I ask Brother Yanchao tomorrow, I'll know everything."
As they were talking, they suddenly heard Zhao Guiying's scolding voice from outside, "You're closer to the TV than you are to your mom. If I don't come looking for you kids, will you just crawl inside the TV?"
Hearing the pained cries of the Wang brothers, Ruirui felt a lingering fear. He was fortunate to have returned early; otherwise, without preparation, he would have been beaten with a switch like the two brothers.
...
Jin Kun hadn't seen Zhao Liang all day. He learned from his subordinate that Zhao Liang had taken people to the commercial street.
When he returned home after work, he saw Zhao Hong had, unusually, made dinner and was waiting for him.
"I heard you were looking for Liang Zi?"
Zhao Hong nodded, glancing at him cautiously. She thought that Zhao Liang and the others being taken away by the police couldn't be kept secret. Even if Jin Kun didn't know today, he would definitely find out tomorrow.
So, Zhao Hong explained the situation.
"...I was just so angry that I found Liang Zi to scare Chen Lishu. Who knew her husband was a soldier? Not only did he beat Liang Zi and the others, but he also called the police and had them arrested."
As Zhao Hong narrated, Jin Kun's face darkened to the point where it seemed like water could drip from it.
"Alright, I understand."
Seeing Zhao Hong's guilt and self-reproach, Jin Kun spoke after a long pause. "This is not your fault. Don't worry too much. I'll go inquire about the situation tomorrow."
The next day, Jin Kun asked a friend at the Public Security Bureau to help him gather information. He originally thought it was just a normal fight, and they could be bailed out as usual. He never expected the situation to be so serious. Zhao Liang and the others had become dangerous elements, and the police were conducting further investigations. If the matter was verified, they could very well be sentenced directly.
Jin Kun was shocked. "How could this happen?"
"Your brother has really kicked a steel plate this time. Let me tell you, even if they weren't dangerous elements, as long as the other party doesn't withdraw the case, and the higher-ups pay attention, the lower levels will investigate them thoroughly."
What the other party didn't say was that Zhao Liang and Jin Kun's actions could not withstand scrutiny. As long as someone was determined, they wouldn't need much, and a year or so would be enough for them to drink.
"The one who tied the bell to the tiger must untie it. Why don't you try to talk to the other party? If the higher-ups are willing to ease up a bit, this matter can be resolved more easily."
After thanking the other party, Jin Kun stood there thinking for a moment, then changed direction and went to the 'Shu Se' clothing store.
Zhao Liang was a brother who had followed him for many years. Although they weren't blood brothers, they were closer than brothers. No matter what method it took, even if he had to beg, he would make the other party let him go.
"Hello, welcome."
Wang Aixiang greeted him with a smile when she saw a customer enter.
Jin Kun nodded slightly, then discreetly surveyed the store.
Compared to Zhao Hong's store, this place was clearly much more spacious and brighter. The interior was painted white, and the display windows were large. The floor was not concrete but paved with mosaics.
The details were well done, and the service seemed better than Zhao Hong's. No wonder the business was booming.
"Are you Chen Lishu?"
Upon hearing him ask for Chen Lishu's name, Wang Aixiang immediately became vigilant. She looked at Jin Kun and asked, "What do you need Chen Lishu for?"
Hearing her tone, Jin Kun knew it wasn't Chen Lishu. He said, "My name is Jin Kun. Please convey a message to Chen Lishu that I will come again at this time tomorrow to discuss something with her."
Jin Kun? Zhao Liang's older brother?
Wang Aixiang's heart skipped a beat. Just as she was about to ask what he needed Chen Lishu for, Jin Kun had already turned and left.
...
The main troops had returned, and there were many subsequent matters to handle, so Gu Xingdong went to the unit early in the morning.
While Chen Lishu and Ruirui were having breakfast, Lin Xiaoyue brought her two children over to visit.
Wu Yan was two and a half years old and walked quite steadily, but he was a lot more mischievous than before. Wearing split pants, he started wandering around every room after Lin Xiaoyue let go of his hand upon entering.
He didn't rummage through things indiscriminately, just poked his little head in to look around.
When he found Ruirui looking at him, he grinned at him, revealing a row of tiny teeth.
Wu Yang was over half a year old. Seeing his older brother on the ground, he couldn't stay put in Lin Xiaoyue's arms and cried "ah ah" wanting to be let down.
"Since your Gu battalion commander went south, your visits have been limited, and each time you've been in a hurry. I'm tied down by these two little ones, and I don't have anywhere to go."
The children were too young; they would wet or soil themselves easily, and it would be bothersome to others' homes. Only at Chen Lishu's place could she sit for a little longer.
Chen Lishu smiled. "It will be better from now on. I'm at home most of the time these days, so you can come every day."
There was nothing pressing at the store or the construction site, so Chen Lishu planned to stay home for a few more days before school started.
"Who wants to come every day?" As they were talking, Zhao Guiying arrived with her three sons.
The room suddenly became very lively.
After greeting each other, Zhao Guiying said, "The plums in the nearby villages are almost ready. I'm going to buy some. Do you want to come with me?"
Ever since Chen Lishu gave her the idea to sell crabapples last year, she had earned several dozen yuan in about a month. Then, in June and July, she sold cherries for a period. Now it was August, and the plums were ripe.
Lin Xiaoyue's eyes lit up when she heard Zhao Guiying. She turned to Chen Lishu and said, "Good sister-in-law, give me some advice too. I want to sell something to make money."