Chapter 293: “this Wasn’t Supposed To Happen”
Little girls’ thoughts, the boys naturally didn’t understand, but strangely, they could play together.
Juan’er rarely went out home, got along poorly with the neighbor kids, not just poorly, they fought on sight, the little girl had a fierce temperament and a protective dad, the neighbors didn’t dare provoke her, so they told their own children not to play with her.
Being so domineering wasn’t enough, the things said behind her back were also unpleasant, all sorts of nasty words scolding the little girl for being neither this nor that, neither male nor female came out.
Little Juan’er heard it once, and after that she went out even less.
Fortunately, her cheerful temperament didn’t change, even with no one to play with she was still very happy.
She didn’t mind playing alone, but… no little friend dislikes playing with peers.
Suddenly meeting a few like-minded kids like Yu Bao, little Juan’er was very happy inside.
“Yu Bao, I find you guys normally scary.” The little girl smiled brightly, “I like you guys.”
Several little girls at school had said this to Yu Bao, he already had immunity.
That delicate cute little face didn’t blush.
He asked: “What do you mean? You say we’re normally scary. Have you seen abnormal people, what are they like?”
Juan’er called the newly met little friends to wash hands, saying: “I don’t know how to say… but playing with you guys, I feel very comfortable.”
“Oh.” Yu Bao, who hadn’t seen bad guys, couldn’t quite empathize.
“Then don’t play with people who make you feel uncomfortable.” Mao Dan’er said steadily, very much like a little big brother.
Jing Mo agreed, “Yeah, make friends only with those who click with you, ignore those who don’t.”
He washed his younger brother’s hands and face, telling him to shake them dry.
Juan’er’s smile was brilliant like the sun, “That’s what I think too, otherwise we couldn’t play so well.”
She looked at Yu Bao and the others, “Next time you come, will you still come find me?”
“Me and Heng Bao are here to visit relatives, we’ll go back home soon after school starts.” Yu Bao said.
Seeing the new little friends a bit disappointed, he considerately comforted: “But later we’ll come with mom to accompany the army, then we’ll come play with you.”
Juan’er full of expectation, “Great, I’ll wait for you, don’t forget oh.”
“We won’t.” Yu Bao said.
The little girl thought Yu Bao had a really good temper, leaned close, laughing: “Later I’ll give you delicious peanut candy to eat.”
“Your dad made it?” Heng Bao interjected.
“Yep yep.” The little girl called Juan’er nodded, seeing Heng Bao and the others interested, added: “You guys too.”
“Great.” Heng Bao said without any politeness.
Kids’ friendships came inexplicably, not even a day in, already planning the next playtime.
…
Good friend first time bringing wife and kids home, Chef Han pulled out all the stops, made a table of great dishes, the fragrance inevitably wafted out, causing headaches for people in the same alley.
“Mom, I want to eat meat waa…” Ignorant kid fussing.
Adults grumbled inside, angrily swatting the kid’s hand, “Eat eat eat, all you do is eat! Old mother wants to eat too, your dad has no ability huh.”
The man sniffed the fragrance swallowing saliva, hearing this got upset, “Talk then talk, why drag me in, you this wife want a beating!”
The cursing woman didn’t dare complain more, but inside resented the neighbors.
“Pah, got a few stinky bucks burning a hole, got the guts carry that pot to ancestors’ grave to offer, see if ancestors climb out to smack you! Stinky oil smell giving headaches, tormenting every day. Black-hearted rotten-lung thing, specially picks mealtime to harm people, deliberately not letting people live in peace, bad seed…”
The cursing voice wasn’t small, the man hiding at the wall root gnawing steamed bun suddenly stood up, glaring, “Shut your stinky mouth, you want the neighbors to come knocking again.”
Woman’s face slightly changed, scurried inside like a dog chased.
The howling kid sniffling snot also slipped back to the room, hid in the corner, eyes suddenly clear.
This house’s neighbor was eavesdropping, seeing everyone gone inside, immediately laughed.
“Learned their lesson, doesn’t dare talk about Han family anymore.” The lady of the watching house lowered her voice.
The head of household holding rice bowl, answered his wife, “Who dares, that Han guy full of bandit aura, doesn’t look like a good person, before neighbors spread yellow rumors about his wife, got door knocked, house smashed to bits, what do they dare say, even if taken to public security no use, I said early, the neighbors’ neighbors aren’t easy to get along with, can’t be close neighbors, also don’t provoke, not ordinary people can mess with.”
“Who doesn’t know, no need your hindsight! Hey, what did Han family make today, this smell is really fragrant.”
The chatting man wolfed rice, “I smell mutton…”
Woman swallowed saliva, reluctant to go inside, craning neck to sniff meat fragrance.
…
What reactions the alley neighbors had, Chef Han never cared, he didn’t cause trouble, also not afraid of trouble.
“Daughter, get bowls and chopsticks.” Chef Han walked out kitchen, instructed the bald girl, looked at Gu Chenghuai and others, “Meal ready, wash hands eat.”
Gu Chenghuai stood, lightly punched his shoulder, “Hard work.”
“Get lost, polite my ass, no nonsense, eat finish roll out, my home no extra rooms.” The dark-faced man said roughly.
This fiery temper, Gu Chenghuai was used to it, but still said: “My wife here, restrain a bit.”
Chef Han said: “I can’t pretend forever.”
Finished saying called the kids to kitchen carry rice.
Heng Bao not treating as outsider followed the recently met uncle, not shy at all said: “Uncle Han, what good food did you make, I’m almost dizzy from the smell.”
Chef Han looked down at him, “You kid, quite bold, just like your dad.”
Didn’t know if praising or cursing, these words.
Heng Bao knew this was his dad’s good brother, automatically translated it to praise for himself.
Proudly: “Like father like son, my dad is awesome adult, I’m also awesome little friend.”
“Right, you’re awesome little friend.” Chef Han couldn’t help laugh, laughter hearty, quite bold and open momentum.
“You ask what good food I made, just look and know.”
Just saying, several entered kitchen.
Inside the fragrance even stronger.
Stove top placed dish after dish of colorful aromatic full dishes.
Heng Bao’s eyes couldn’t pull away.
“Wow, so many dishes.” He shook his brother’s hand, “Bro, more than the wedding banquet dishes we ate.”
Jing Mo looked at him, “When did you guys eat wedding banquet?”
Yu Bao said: “My little aunt’s wedding banquet.”
Hearing news of disliked person, Jing Mo instantly less interested.
“Let’s carry dishes.” He changed topic.
Several kids bustled, don’t look small, but all capable, soon carried dish after dish to dining table.
Everyone sat.
“Such big table.” Lin Zhao said.
Look closely this wood seems not cheap.
Pity she didn’t know wood.
Dark-faced man glanced Lin Zhao, Chenghuai’s wife should get along with his wife, both like flashy impractical things.
He didn’t understand, but respected.
“All start chopsticks, don’t be polite.” Chef Han enthusiastically and heartily greeted, half-jokingly to Gu Chenghuai and Meng Jiusi: “Can’t finish pack take back, my home only three people, can’t make this much.”
Gu Chenghuai said: “Rest assured, half-grown lads eat poor dad, see how many half-grown lads I brought, will finish.”
“Ok.” Chef Han laughed, “Drink a few?”
Meng Jiusi shook head, “You drink, I don’t drink.”
Dark-faced man tsked, “Not unworthy of family, unmatched in self-discipline.”
Rare visitors, he wanted to sip a few, no chance now.
“I won’t drink either.”
Bald little girl gnawing mutton leg, interjected, “Dad, if you drink, I’ll complain to mom, mom definitely chase you to side room, then I can sleep with mom.”
“Daydreaming.”
Juan’er: “Hmph.”
Chef Han helpless, “My daughter temperament wild, made everyone laugh.”
Lin Zhao eyes with smile looked at little girl, “No, this temperament so good.”
Juan’er little girl head almost tilted to sky.
Gu Chenghuai said: “Yes, hope my Yao Bao grows this temperament too.”
But very regrettably, currently Yao Bao quite spoiled, needs coaxing.
Chef Han glanced at opposite couple, said: “Rest assured, boy or girl, when they reach this age…” He said half, meaning obvious.
Gu Chenghuai Versailles one sentence, “Hope so, like Juan’er won’t be bullied.”
Dark-faced man gaze paused slightly.
Won’t be bullied is true, but will be isolated.
“Later often bring daughter-in-law and two kids, meat eat full.”
Daughter also has playmates.
“Fraid not.” Gu Chenghuai said, “My wife here to visit relatives, not accompany army.”
Dark-faced man frowned, looked at him with uncomprehending gaze.
You ok?
Not like no wife, living monk life.
Lin Zhao here, he didn’t spit out.
Gu Chenghuai read good friend’s facial expression, nothing to say.
Hot and lively finish meal, Lin Zhao etc left.
Chef Han and little girl called Juan’er sent them to door.
“Door recognized too, wait you come accompany army, if need meat come find me anytime.” Chef Han to Lin Zhao.
Lin Zhao slight smile, “Good.”
Open meat buying channel secured!
Clear-browed bright-eyed bald kid waved to Yu Bao etc, “Ate my peanut candy, you’re my friends, remember come play!”
“Good.” Several little boys promised.
Lin Zhao etc left alley.
Walking, she glimpsed familiar back.
“Gu Chenghuai, it’s Su Yuxian, she saw us, Comrade Han won’t have trouble right?”
Gu Chenghuai withdrew gaze, faintly: “No matter.”
If she has malice, the unlucky one is her!
Old Han not someone anyone can touch.
“Good, not early, go back.” Lin Zhao said.
Several left spot.
Su Yuxian left military region just to avoid Lin Zhao, didn’t expect bump into her outside, whole person numb.
“It’s Yu Bao and Heng Bao.” Lu Baozhen carrying things said.
“I ain’t blind.” Su Yuxian impatient.
Lu Baozhen shrunk neck, looked at Han home door, seemingly casually: “Mom, whose home is this?”
This reminded Su Yuxian.
Right.
Her gaze flickered, heart inexplicably excited, feeling of soon grabbing Lin Zhao’s pigtail.
No nonsense walked over, knocked Han neighbor’s door.
Hearing Su Yuxian inquire about neighbor thorn’s news, this house’s female owner face deep and inscrutable.
“You ask this for what?”
Su Yuxian pulled smile, “Want to rent house, just asking casually.”
Said stuffed one mao money.
Woman free one mao, eyes flashed greed, simply said few sentences.
Said info all ordinary, nothing useful.
Su Yuxian not really want rent, wanted know if neighbor has anything weird, what relation with Lin Zhao.
“That family does what?”
Woman opened door half, didn’t let Su Yuxian in, vaguely: “Not clear, this not clear.”
Su Yuxian brain suddenly lit up, stuffed two more mao in her hand, “Sis, I really want rent, just fancy your neighbor, tell me few words.”
Woman: I believe you ghost, still rent, fooling who, belly full bad thoughts silly egg.
She pocketed money, “Neighbor lives family of three, that woman sick, rarely goes out, man surnamed Han… others hard say, they have girl kid, that girl not good, temper very bad, also loves hit people…”
Su Yuxian asked again: “Often people go neighbor?”
Speaking woman deeply eyed her, didn’t dare respond, arm stretch pushed her, closed door.
Su Yuxian full confused.
She patted door, “I ain’t finished asking, why close door, open, you took my money, gotta tell clear.”
“What say say, said what needed, don’t make trouble, else make you can’t eat can’t walk away.” Woman’s threatening voice rose.
Su Yuxian still wanted trouble, inside came rough male voice, “Who making trouble!”
She didn’t dare stay, legged it ran.
Lu Baozhen carrying heavy basket, hurriedly followed, “Mom, mom, wait me.”
Left alley after, she looked back at Han home once, heart stuffy, she still small, couldn’t describe, wait Lu Baozhen grew up, then knew… this feeling called disappointed and lost.
In world with Lu Baozhen as protagonist, Han family her opportunity, should give her money, give her house… pay everything for her happy life.
“Not like this…” Lu Baozhen head down, mouth moved, muttering something, “Shouldn’t be like this ya.”
Just thinking, one hand viciously patted her head.
“Stupidly standing what, going back or not? Not then stay, let human trafficker kidnap done, annoying dead girl!” Su Yuxian coldly scolded.
Lu Baozhen timidly looked at stepmother, like gourd not making sound.
“Dumbed, talking to you.” Su Yuxian sharp nails poked her head, poked mark after mark, “Useless thing! I knew early bringing you out no good!”
Lu Baozhen pained tears welled.
Wait Su Yuxian vented anger, tugged her forward, skinny little girl thin arms hanging basket, walked staggering, wanted speak but dared not, bit lips tight.
Near car parking spot, Su Yuxian took basket, adjusted expression, fake smile to cheap stepdaughter: “Don’t say what shouldn’t, else… hmph.”
Tail sound not gone walked to car.
Lu Baozhen small steps chased, fawning: “I won’t say, I good.”
This scene seen by Lin Zhao opening window blowing wind Lin Zhao, she: “……”
Meng Jiusi frowned.
Two-faced three knives, honey mouth sword belly, smile hide knife… his mind popped several similar idioms.
