Chapter 270: “freedom To Eat Meat”
The person who suggested the childhood engagement was mentally slapping himself hard.
Damn mouth, making you blabber nonsense, offending people, right!
Speaking of which, Chenghuai’s Wife gets really scary when she’s angry!!
“I’ll never say it again, never again.” He obediently admitted defeat.
This also served as a wake-up call for him: inappropriate jokes can’t be made. And because he changed this bad habit, one day in the future he avoided a disaster.
Hearing the joker speak soft words, Lin Zhao’s furrowed brows relaxed.
But then, someone just had to jump out at this moment to show off their abilities.
Su Yuxian stepped forward, “Villagers just joking around, and Comrade Lin is taking it too seriously. I haven’t even spoken yet, and our Bao Zhen is still a girl.”
Lin Zhao was speechless and couldn’t help but laugh, “Girls are precious, does that mean my son is worthless grass?”
“Not having a childhood engagement means no childhood engagement, whoever says it, it’s the same line, not targeting you, don’t flatter yourself.”
Su Yuxian was left speechless.
Lu Old Lady hadn’t spoken all along, wanting her daughter-in-law to get one over on the Gu Family so she could feel smug too, but Su Yuxian didn’t outdo them, her face immediately fell, and she unhappily glared at her.
“Chenghuai’s Wife, Bao Zhen’s mom has a clumsy mouth, not like you who speaks well. I’ll teach her later, don’t hold it against her.”
Lin Zhao’s smile deepened, “I’ve noticed you and Su Yuxian aren’t family without being cut from the same cloth, both loving to say that muddled stuff like ‘don’t take it to heart’ or whatever, it’s quite amusing.”
After saying that, she ignored the Lu Family members and called the twins home.
“Yu Baoheng Bao, let’s go home.”
Lin Zhao confronted them, the twins standing one on each side of her, eyes fixed on the Lu Family members, faces tense, expressions vigilant like little wolves.
If Mom hadn’t stopped them from running, they would’ve gone to call out Grandma!
Hmph.
Grandma Lu Baozhen couldn’t outargue his grandma.
Lin Zhao took the two kids away, Lu Old Lady was both angry and annoyed, the others exchanged glances and spoke to comfort her.
They still wanted to hear about the Lu Family members accompanying the army.
Knowing that would be their talking point for the next month.
“Chenghuai’s Wife speaks bluntly, you’ll get used to it, get used to it, don’t take it to heart.”
Everyone in the whole brigade had fattened their pockets thanks to Lin Zhao’s mushroom planting guide, so big or small matters, they were all polite to Lin Zhao and the Gu Family members.
Nowadays
Lu Old Lady: “…”
The feeling of a boomerang hitting right between the eyes was truly infuriating.
“Yi Zhou’s mom, how’s it going in the troops, living comfortably? I see you’ve all gotten fat.”
The speaker was an aunt around Lu Old Lady’s age.
As she spoke, her gaze swept over the accompanying army members and paused slightly at Lu Baozhen’s skinny little face.
Hm? How come Bao Zhen looks even worse off than the girls in the village?!
Lu Old Lady tugged at her new cotton-padded clothes on her body and said pretentiously, “Not bad, no farm work there, every day is just eating and chatting with people, so of course we’d gain weight.”
The elderly folks in the village shot envious looks.
“Then why’d you come back?” Li Laotai couldn’t hold back, “Didn’t come back for New Year, now after New Year you’re back again, why?”
She eyed Lu Old Lady suspiciously, “Don’t tell me… you got kicked out?”
“How is that possible!” Lu Old Lady felt this person was cursing her, her eyes nearly bulging out in anger, and seeing others looking at her suspiciously too, she quickly said: “I’ve been gone for months, the old man is still in the brigade, don’t I need to come back and check?”
The villagers nodded, reasonable, she should come back to check, otherwise she’d magically gain a son, and Yi Zhou would magically gain a younger brother or sister.
emmm, if Old Lu’s function is still normal.
Looking at that old house catching fire like that, it should be normal.
Lu Old Lady was completely unaware of some people’s wild imaginations, she proudly lifted her head and said: “My Yi Zhou is filial, he wants his dad to go over too.”
The Brigade Leader’s Wife was also right there eating the melon, “…Picking people up, why bring Bao Zhen back too?”
Lu Old Lady said: “What else could we do, Bao Zhen is so young, can’t leave her alone in the troops, Yi Zhou still has tasks.”
Everyone felt this made sense.
Wang Chunhua asked again: “The troops are all apartment buildings? Can you plant vegetables?”
Lu Old Lady sat in the center position, striking a pose for a long chat, “Of course not, there are flats too.”
Su Yuxian gloated, “My family lives in an apartment building, Gu Chenghuai applied for an unwanted flat!”
She kept tabs on the Meng Family at all times, and Gu Chenghuai was in her surveillance range too, so she naturally knew Gu Chenghuai had applied to accompany the army and it had been approved.
Wang Chunhua was happy for Lin Zhao and the four kids, “Really?”
Su Yuxian gave her a strange look, “Of course it’s real. I wouldn’t use this to deceive you all.”
She had an expression of enjoying the drama without minding the trouble, “Those flats, no one wants them at all.”
Wang Chunhua’s expression was subtle, “Flats have yards, right?”
“Yes.” Su Yuxian said, “That house is about the same as in the village, roof all broken, not even as good as village houses.”
“So what if it’s broken, fix it up and you can live.” Wang Chunhua said nonchalantly, “Us country folk may not know much, but everyone’s diligent, tidying a yard is nothing, living in a flat you can open up some land to plant vegetables, save on veggie money, what a great deal.”
In her opinion, Yi Zhou’s mom and his wife must’ve been dazzled by city life, deeply corroded by that whatever-ism, lost the simple diligence of farmers…
Su Yuxian was mocking Yu Bao’s mom, but look, the villagers were mocking her.
This girl, lived in the troops for several months, no improvement at all.
Lu Old Lady said: “I went to the troops to enjoy my son’s blessings, not to do hard labor, plant what vegetables, haven’t we planted enough in the brigade?”
“You don’t plant, but there’s Yi Zhou’s wife?” The Brigade Leader’s Wife said directly, “Heard apartments are very small, one family sneezes and the next can hear, kitchen and latrine are shared, how big is your house, how do you usually cook?”
The Lu Family living in an apartment was the result of Lu Old Lady’s “efforts,” they originally lived in a flat, Lu Old Lady made a fuss for over half a month and finally succeeded in moving into an apartment. Lu Yizhou also happily got on the leaders’ blacklist.
Lu Yizhou: Having a mom like this is truly his fortune!
“What else, cook together of course.” The Lu Family’s apartment was very small, only one room, she and Bao Zhen slept on a wooden board in the living room, life wasn’t that good, she didn’t want to mention it much.
But the Brigade Leader’s Wife was one to ask to the bottom, “One floor has several households, how together, you still haven’t said how big yours is.”
As she spoke, suspicious eyes turned over.
“Your home isn’t… very small, right?”
“Does it have two rooms?”
The others present all looked at Lu Old Lady, curiosity undisguised in their expressions.
Lu Old Lady: “…”
These people are really annoying.
“What do you care how many rooms, anyway it fits our family.” She said angrily.
“Still listening or not? If not, we’re going home.”
If it weren’t for the Gu Family also accompanying the army, afraid of being exposed, Lu Old Lady would’ve wanted to say… their home has four rooms. Why did the Gu kid and her son both get recruited together, and just happen to be in the same military region, if not, how she could boast freely?
Everyone had many more questions, giving Lu Old Lady a way out.
“Listen listen! Won’t ask anymore, okay? Whatever you say, we’ll listen.”
Actually, all from the same brigade, who doesn’t know whom, seeing Lu Old Lady’s expression, the spectating brigade members could guess the Lu Family’s apartment probably wasn’t big—
Possibly only one room.
One room, Lu Family one two three four five… five people, how to live?
All crammed in one room?!
How do Lu Yizhou and Su Yuxian do it?
The crowd couldn’t help glancing at Su Yuxian’s belly, flat as a threshing ground, probably not pregnant, maybe they haven’t even done it?!
On the surface focused on listening, the villagers’ thoughts raced like wild horses, galloping toward indescribable places.
Lu Old Lady was clueless.
She picked it up again.
“The troops have a school, supply and marketing cooperative, movie theater, big canteen… and a big stage, during New Year, literary soldiers perform up there, so lively. I’ve lived to this day to know New Year can be like that.”
The village aunts secretly pursed their lips.
The way she said it, as if everyone in the whole brigade had lived these years in vain.
After it ended, the crowd left satisfied.
Zhao Liuniang didn’t even go home, heading straight to the Third Branch.
Just into the yard, she smelled a strange meat fragrance, unfamiliar but enticing, so fragrant saliva was about to drip.
She covered her mouth, inwardly cursing herself for being useless.
Damn mouth, can’t you have some backbone, control yourself.
Recalling the meat eaten during New Year, the craving in her heart was finally suppressed.
Zhao Liuniang took a few steps forward to the kitchen door, didn’t dare go in, closer and the fragrance was stronger, afraid she couldn’t control herself.
“Making meat again.”
Lin Zhao smiled, “Sudden whim to make roujiamo, how come Second Sister-in-law?”
When the fragrance wafted out, the twins ignored even the coal balls, staying in the kitchen for half an hour.
“Mom, is it ready, I want to eat, I want to eat.” Heng Bao impatiently urged.
“Ready ready.” Lin Zhao stuffed meat into the split pancake, poured in some braising juice, juice soaking into the pancake, looked delicious.
The moment the roujiamo reached the twins’ hands, the two little brothers opened their mouths wide, biting a crescent moon out of the pancake in one go.
“Mmm… so good.”
Barely mumbling a few words, the two kids didn’t look up again, just focused on eating.
Zhao Liuniang arduously shifted her gaze, said: “I heard Aunt Lu say Third Son filed the accompany army report, applied for a flat, do you know about this?”
She was afraid village rumors would twist it by the time it reached Third Sister-in-law’s ears, so came to report first.
At least have some idea.
“Accompany army report?” Lin Zhao really hadn’t heard the man mention it.
“Gu Chenghuai didn’t mention it to me.” She said faintly.
Zhao Liuniang couldn’t read Third Sister-in-law’s emotions, her heart sank slightly.
She quickly spoke to cover for Gu Chenghuai, comforting Lin Zhao.
“He might, maybe just busy and forgot. Or maybe wanted to surprise you all?”
Lin Zhao noticed Second Sister-in-law’s tension, came back to herself, smiled, “I know, now I know.”
Handed over a roujiamo.
“I think the meat’s a bit salty, Second Sister-in-law help taste.”
Heng Bao wanted to say it’s not salty at all, just right, super delicious, he could eat five in one go, but got a glare from his brother, thought a bit, didn’t speak, sat on the small stool and finished the last bite.
“Mom, I want more.” He said.
“Eating so fast, eat smaller bites, what if you choke!” The pancake wasn’t big, but stuffed full of meat, Lin Zhao hadn’t expected the two kids to like it so much.
“This one for Second Aunt, I’ll stuff another for you.”
Heng Bao took it, rushed to the door, gave the roujiamo to Zhao Liuniang.
“Second Aunt, eat. My mom’s roujiamo is so good, better than meat buns!”
While giving, didn’t forget to praise his mom.
Lin Zhao’s mouth curved up, no matter when, the twin brothers could always give her full emotional value, even if she just fried an egg, they could praise it to the skies.
Zhao Liuniang took it, embarrassed, said: “Tonight I’ll fry that piece of cured meat, send half to you all.”
Such fragrant roujiamo, she couldn’t take advantage.
Lin Zhao didn’t even look up, “No need, later send me some veggies, save the cured meat for later.”
First and Second Branch couldn’t buy meat as easily as her, the saved meat was for heavy labor days.
Zhao Liuniang said cheerfully: “Okay, then I’ll grab some of everything for you.”
Lots and lots.
She laughed: “This meat is too fragrant, I’ll take it back to eat with Bang Bang and the others.”
After saying, she left with light steps.
Rushing straight home.
Second Branch people were all there.
Zhao Liuniang raised her hand, “Look what this is…”
Nowadays people all have noses like Da Huang’s, very sensitive to food, especially meat.
Bang Bang and Lai Mei rushed toward Zhao Liuniang.
“Mom, what’s this?”
“So fragrant.”
The brothers voiced their opinions.
Gu Yucheng guessed, “From Third Sister-in-law?”
“Of course. Who else but Third Sister-in-law is so generous to give us meat.” Zhao Liuniang took the roujiamo to the kitchen, divided it into equal-sized portions.
“One piece each, taste it. Third Sister-in-law says it’s roujiamo, looks like the meat is braised.”
Second Branch each took a piece, didn’t dare bite big, nibbled small bites, eyes lighting up again and again.
“!!!”
Wasted so many years, wasted so much meat!
“Braised? Must’ve used a lot of seasoning, no wonder so fragrant, this taste… amazing.” Gu Yucheng exclaimed.
Lai Mei ate fast, now licking his hands.
“Third Aunt makes everything delicious.” Envy showed in his eyes, “Yu Baoheng Bao are so lucky, can eat meat till full.”
Key is they can eat different kinds.
Also thanks to them, otherwise he couldn’t taste such delicacy.
He rushed to his own room.
Zhao Liuniang shouted: “Where you going?”
“Study.” Lai Mei left those words.
He must succeed, must achieve meat-eating freedom!
Zhao Liuniang’s eyes widened, astonished looking at Gu Yucheng, whispered: “Such a good thing exists?”
Gu Yucheng stared down at the last bite of roujiamo in his hand, doubts rising in his heart.
He hadn’t achieved, wasn’t it because… lacked this food as a kid?
Zhao Liuniang saw the man’s thoughts, rolled her eyes at him, spat lightly, went to busy herself.
Gu Yucheng: “…”
Third Branch.
Lin Zhao sent the twins to bring food to their grandparents, and pick up the dragon-phoenix twins on the way.
After the two kids left, she took out the letter Gu Chenghuai sent from her storage ring, this was picked up on the way when sending off the youngest brother, hadn’t had time to read yet.
The letter wasn’t long, said he filed the accompany army report, already approved, she and the kids come and there’s a place to live; he’d tidied the yard, very like their home in Fengshou Brigade; said he hadn’t told before wanting to set it up nicely before telling them, who knew the Lu Family would return, his surprise was ruined, feeling very depressed, thought better he tell her himself than her hear from others…
