Chen Lishu smiled, "Trust me, if you sell them at the train station, people will buy them for twenty cents a pound."
Twenty... twenty cents a pound? Zhao Guiying gasped. If anyone else had said this, she would have thought she was being fooled, but Chen Lishu was a university student, so her words couldn't be false, right? Definitely not.
"Alright, sister, I'll go back and discuss it with my husband. My two older ones are home from school tomorrow, and they can look after the little ones. I'll make a trip when I have time."
...
Jiang Yuning glanced at her wristwatch, bid farewell to her colleague, and hurried out of the infirmary with her bag.
It was the weekend, and Gu Xingdong knew that if nothing unexpected happened, Chen Lishu and her son would definitely come back. With this thought, he couldn't help but quicken his pace.
Just as he reached the stairwell, he bumped into Wu Zheng, who was striding up from downstairs.
"Old Gu, wait for me a moment. I'll drop something off, and then we'll go back together."
Gu Xingdong frowned, "Hurry up."
"I know," Wu Zheng replied, his steps quickening further up the stairs.
He was also in a hurry to get home. Lin Xiaoyue was home alone, and with her pregnancy, she had to look after Wu Yan, who was so mischievous that Wu Zheng sometimes found him a handful.
Soon, Wu Zheng came downstairs, and the two headed towards the military family quarters together.
"Captain Gu."
Seeing him approach, Jiang Yuning unconsciously tidied her hair and tugged at the hem of her clothes before calling out to him with a smile.
"Huh? Doctor Jiang, are you going out so late?" Wu Zheng asked curiously, looking at her attire, which seemed to include lipstick.
"It's getting late. If you don't have anything urgent, it's best not to go out. There are no houses around us, so it's not safe."
Jiang Yuning's face flushed at Wu Zheng's words, and a hint of shyness and annoyance flickered in her eyes.
She wasn't planning to go out at all; she just wanted to wait for Gu Xingdong to arrive. However, such a subtle intention was impossible to convey to an outsider.
Gu Xingdong looked at the clueless Wu Zheng and, for the first time, felt that being a bit dim-witted wasn't so bad.
"I know you usually eat at the mess hall. This is soup I specially brewed with medicinal herbs to clear heat and relieve dryness. It tastes good, take it back with you."
Gu Xingdong looked at the lunchbox she offered but didn't take it.
Jiang Yuning felt a moment of awkwardness, but it was quickly masked by a smile. "We were colleagues before, weren't we? Besides, you saved my brother-in-law and nephew last time..."
Gu Xingdong's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as he impatiently interrupted her and looked pointedly at Jiang Yuning, "Since it's to clear heat and relieve dryness, you should keep the soup for yourself."
Wu Zheng knew Gu Xingdong's temper too well. He wasn't one to be tender with women, and if he said something harsh, it would be awkward for everyone later.
"Doctor Jiang, you might not know this yet, but Old Gu's wife is a great cook." Wu Zheng slung an arm around Gu Xingdong's shoulder and gave Jiang Yuning a thumbs-up. "Your living conditions in the dorms are limited. It's better to keep good food for yourself."
Jiang Yuning pursed her lips tightly, then quickly looked up as if nothing had happened, smiling at Wu Zheng. "I just made a bit too much. If you don't mind..."
"What are you saying? How could I mind? It's just that I ate a bit too much at lunch and have indigestion, so I can't eat anything right now."
Wu Zheng rubbed his stomach and pulled Gu Xingdong away. "My wife is pregnant and can't go hungry. I need to go back and cook for her. Well, Doctor Jiang, Old Gu and I are leaving now."
It was a joke. If he took it back, his wife would ask questions and it would be a hassle to explain. It was better to avoid suspicion.
Jiang Yuning watched their fleeing backs, as if her lunchbox was poisoned, and was so angry she wanted to throw it.
Wu Zheng and Gu Xingdong walked back together. Halfway there, Wu Zheng couldn't help but ask, "Doctor Jiang is a woman, after all. Maybe she was just being kind by offering soup. Why were you so heartless to her?"
Gu Xingdong glanced at him and said expressionlessly, "I can be even more heartless."
Wu Zheng: "..." You're ruthless.
Because they had bought fish from the villagers, Chen Lishu made fish tofu soup for dinner, along with spicy and sour shredded potatoes and stir-fried vegetables with meat.
She also steamed some snacks for Rui Rui using white sugar and candied fruit. The little boy had been watching eagerly by the side ever since the food came out of the oven.
"You can have this after dinner," Chen Lishu instructed.
Rui Rui nodded, secretly swallowing his saliva. "Mom, I know. I'm not eating it, I'm just looking at it."
"What are you looking at?" Gu Xingdong had just entered the house, smelling the aroma of food. Hearing Rui Rui's words, he quickly changed his shoes and went inside.
"Dad?" Rui Rui quickly turned to point at the plate of candied fruit on the table. "Mom made it. She added white sugar. It's delicious."
"Is that so?" Gu Xingdong chuckled and went forward to pat his little head. "Have you eaten already?"
Rui Rui shook his head. "I haven't eaten, but just by looking, I know it must be delicious."
Chen Lishu came out with the meal, couldn't help but laugh at her son's words, and said to Gu Xingdong, "Quick, go wash your hands and eat."
"Yes, ma'am."
Soon, the family of three sat at the table to eat. 'Big King' finally got his wish and carefully savored the small fish by his own bowl.
After dinner, Gu Xingdong took the initiative to wash the dishes. "Cooking and not washing dishes, that's our family's rule."
Hearing this, Rui Rui quickly got down from his stool. "Dad, I didn't cook either. I'll wash the dishes with you."
"You don't need to," Gu Xingdong refused. "You're still young, your job is to eat. This is called different division of labor."
"Oh," Rui Rui nodded, not quite understanding.
...
After Wang Jianshe came home, Zhao Guiying told him Chen Lishu's suggestion. "Husband, what do you think?"
"Did your sister-in-law suggest this?"
Seeing Zhao Guiying nod, Wang Jianshe said, "Sister-in-law is a university student and has a lot of experience. What she says must be right. Why don't you try it tomorrow?"
With Wang Jianshe's approval, Zhao Guiying got up early the next day. After tidying up and putting the children's breakfast on to heat, she went to the nearby villagers' homes.
She didn't dare to buy too much the first time, only spending one yuan for nearly twenty catties. She packed it in a snakeskin bag and took the bus to the city.
Because she rarely came to the city, Zhao Guiying was afraid of getting lost. After getting off the bus, she didn't dare to go far. She saw a stall selling green onions nearby and hesitated before walking over, placing the snakeskin bag next to the vendor.
Before long, someone came over and asked curiously, "Comrade, what are you selling?" Da Feng Novel Network
"Haw apples," Zhao Guiying quickly opened the mouth of the bag wider and even picked one up for the person to taste. "Ten cents a pound. Try it, they're candied."
The person took it, took a bite, and found it not sour. And at only ten cents a pound, it was perfect as a snack for the children. "I'll take two pounds."
Having sold two pounds at once, Zhao Guiying reacted and quickly weighed them for the customer.
...
When Chen Lishu woke up, Gu Xingdong had already left. After tidying up, the mother and son had a simple breakfast, and then she took Rui Rui back to the city.
When they reached the bus stop, a girl was already waiting there. Chen Lishu found her somewhat familiar but couldn't recall where she had seen her before.