Chapter 4: It's a Kind of Favor
Chu Mingzhou met Lin's mother's gaze with no reaction on his face. He quickly withdrew and took two steps back.
Mother Lin smiled and quickly put the dishes on the table. "Mingzhou is back? Come, eat first. Mom brought some dried vegetables and soy sauce meat, as well as fermented tofu and pickled turnips. They are all authentic flavors of Sucheng."
The four dishes and one soup served on the table are not only delicious but also filling.
Braised pork with soy sauce and pickled mustard greens, stir-fried tofu with bean paste, stewed cabbage with potatoes, stir-fried bean sprouts, winter melon soup, and two small bowls of egg custard.
When Chu Minglan saw the hot food in front of her, she couldn't move her eyes away and swallowed several times subconsciously.
But the little girl was well-behaved and polite no matter how greedy she was. She took the lead in helping and served food to several people before sitting down herself.
It’s no wonder she’s so greedy.
Chu's parents died eight years ago, sacrificing their lives for the country. Both of them are martyrs.
At that time, Chu Mingzhou was just a little boy. He shouldered the entire family and raised his younger siblings with many difficulties.
But no matter how meticulous he is, he can't give the same care as a mother, let alone cook a table of delicious home-cooked meals.
The Chu family brothers and sisters are usually well taken care of by the organization, but when their parents are gone, they are gone, and it is hard to understand the loss.
How could Chu Minglan, a little girl, withstand such warm care from her elders? Even Chu Mingzhou was moved.
Moreover, Lin's mother is an excellent cook and is well-known in Suzhou. Everyone in the surrounding area knows that the captain's wife has a pair of deft hands, is quick and capable, and the dishes she makes are better than those in state-owned restaurants.
How come it’s not impressive?
After everyone was seated, Lin's mother pushed a bowl of egg custard in front of Chu Minglan, "Xiaolan, have this bowl. Your sister-in-law has been exhausted these days. I saw there were still a dozen eggs in the kitchen, so I steamed two for her."
After saying that, he dropped a few drops of soy sauce into another bowl and pretended to feed it to Lin Anan.
The Chu brothers and sisters stared with surprise...
Do you still need to feed a person in his twenties?
This... Being fed in front of others, Lin Anan was actually quite embarrassed. She only took a small bite and pretended to take the spoon naturally, "Mom, I'll do it myself. You're tired too. Come on and eat."
"Okay, be careful not to burn your mouth."
"Xiaolan, come and eat quickly, this egg custard is very tender."
"Mingzhou, you should eat more too. You are such a big person, so you must have a big appetite. The amount that mom prepared is enough, so you can eat as much as you want! This soy sauce meat is specially brought by your dad, and it should suit your taste. There is a lot, and it is too heavy to carry..."
"Yeah." Chu Mingzhou responded, feeling a little uncomfortable with Lin's mother addressing him as 'Dad' and 'Mom'.
But he was not slow in using his chopsticks and his appetite was indeed astonishingly large.
Lin's mother didn't consider herself an outsider at all and dared to say anything.
The questions asked may seem careless, but every sentence is actually trying to get to the point.
From time to time, I have to pick up food for a few people.
The warmth was hard to resist, and Chu Minglan definitely couldn't handle it.
Chu Minglan was timid at first, but ended up eating so hard that her little mouth was covered with grease. Afterwards... she kept calling her "Auntie" in a sweeter and sweeter manner.
Lin Anan's eyes curved as she watched. People of this era were so simple and honest. The little girl's dislike was blatant, and her liking was unrestrained. It was straightforward and pure.
There was no reaction on Chu Mingzhou's face, and his emotions were very stable, making it difficult for others to tell anything.
When Lin's mother picked up some food for him, he would take it and also say thank you.
When Lin's mother asked questions, he would selectively answer them, and if there were things that were inconvenient to talk about, he would politely just stop there.
The meal was sorghum rice, which was a bit harsh on Lin Anan's throat. She was almost full after eating the egg custard. She picked up a few bites of vegetables and put down her chopsticks.
During the meal, Lin Anan focused most of her attention on observing Chu Mingzhou.
As expected of the male protagonist of the original book, his quality is quite high. Not only does he look good and have a good figure, but his words and deeds are also very good. He seems cold, but he is actually very sensible.
It's a pity that the original book does not have a CP. Such a good male protagonist is just a short-lived ghost and appears only for formality.
To put it bluntly, Lin Anan and Chu Mingzhou are just tools tailor-made for Jiang Tong.
It's really like Keke calling Lianlian to open the door, how pitiful!
After dinner, it was completely dark.
Mother Lin collected the dishes on the table and prepared to go to the kitchen to wash them. Chu Minglan insisted on helping.
Lin Anan and Chu Mingzhou were the only ones left in the main hall.
The four looked at each other in silence...
Chu Mingzhou glanced at the heavy snow outside and finally broke the silence, "What are you doing here?"
Lin Anan raised her eyebrows slightly. They were indeed siblings, asking the same questions.
"Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog. I came to you, of course, to live a good life with you."
Chu Mingzhou’s handsome face sank in an instant, and under the light of the incandescent light...it turned dark red.
Seeing him like this, Lin Anan couldn't help but chuckle.
Her unintentional smile made Chu Mingzhou stunned, and then his face became even gloomier!
"I have already filed for divorce, and it may take until next year for the approval."
"Oh, that's perfect. You can withdraw. I will definitely not divorce you."
Chu Mingzhou raised his eyes to look at her, with a look of scrutiny and examination in his eyes.
He didn't understand what the woman in front of him meant. She was so determined in her letters, and each one was more intense than the last. She would rather die than get a divorce!
Now it has come to the Northwest quietly again.
What exactly do you want to do?
Chu Mingzhou looked at her deeply, somewhat unsure.
The Chu and Lin families were able to arrange this marriage because when Grandpa Chu went to the countryside to provide support, he nearly lost his life due to an accident and was finally rescued by Grandpa Lin, and they became friends since then.
With this kindness in mind, Chu Mingzhou naturally would not make things difficult for Lin Anan. If she wanted to divorce, then so be it. The two of them had no feelings for each other at all.
Seeing him staring at her, Lin Anan blinked innocently, slightly changed what she said to Chu Minglan, and repeated, "I said divorce before, but I had my reasons. It's rare to find such an outstanding man like you! Now that I've figured it out, I'm joining the army."
After Lin Anan finished speaking, a trace of surprise flashed across Chu Mingzhou's resolute and handsome face!
He quickly looked away... He stood up, paced back and forth, his brows knitted tightly, "What on earth do you want to do?"
"Um?"
Lin Anan thought he would be moved by her, or hate her so much that he would say something earth-shattering, but in the end, his question changed from "What are you doing here?" to "What do you want to do?"
Lin Anan thought for a moment and decided to make a quick decision. Since she was here, she would definitely not leave until the disease was cured.
Whether it's life or medical care, you have to rely on the man in front of you. You can't offend him and you have to get along with him in a friendly manner!
As soon as Lin Anan concentrated, her body felt uncomfortable again. She quickly raised her hand and patted her chest a few times to suppress the discomfort.
The voice became two degrees lighter, and he looked like a weak willow in the wind, "Listen to me."
Seeing that she was in great pain, Chu Mingzhou immediately poured her a glass of water.
After pouring it out, I realized that this was... a reflexive behavior.
Lin Anan was not polite either. She couldn't even say thank you. She just nodded at him, pressed her small hands on her chest, and drank gulps of hot water before she felt better.
"Haven't I made it clear enough? I know you have no feelings for me, but we've been married for four years, so there's some affection between us.
I said divorce because I was afraid that my broken body would be a burden to you, and I was afraid that you would despise me. After all, it’s not easy for you either…”
His voice was mournful, his eyes were red, and he looked very pitiful.
Chu Mingzhou was startled. Seeing her about to cry, he panicked and said, "I don't dislike you."
"Really?" Lin Anan responded quickly, not giving him any time to react.
She just stared at him, her beautiful peach blossom eyes filled with surprise and anticipation.
The people in the northwest are tough and sturdy. Chu Mingzhou has to deal with a group of soldiers every day in the army. How could he have seen such a woman...
No wonder they say Jiangnan women are as gentle as water, it seems a bit too concrete?
Chu Mingzhou's lips moved twice, his muscles tensed, and finally he hummed lightly.
"Your words are a good reminder of my journey. You know, my health is very poor. I am lucky to have arrived safely."
Chu Mingzhou understood what she meant.
If it were an ordinary person coming from Su City, it would really be nothing.
But if it were her, a sickly little girl like her, making this trip, it would probably cost her half her life.
It’s not easy indeed…
To drive her away now would be to cut off her chance of survival.
"You and your aunt can live in Yu Ge'er's room first." Chu Mingzhou finally agreed.
Chu Mingyu broke his leg some time ago and is now recuperating at his aunt's house, so the house is empty!
"OK."
"If you need anything, just tell me."
Lin Anan's eyes lit up immediately, "Then... Mingzhou, I've suffered a lot during this long journey. I feel really bad. I need to go to the best hospital here. Is that okay?"
She called him Mingzhou in such a delicate and weak way that even Chu Mingzhou, a tough guy, didn't know how to respond...
"Is it okay?" Lin Anan continued to ask.
Lin Anan couldn't see his expression clearly because he turned around and had his back to her.
But his ears and the back of his neck are very interesting, as if he had the red plague, sometimes red, sometimes bright red...
"I'll take you there tomorrow afternoon."
When Lin Anan thought he would refuse, Chu Mingzhou nodded in agreement.
"Okay~ Thank you Mingzhou."
Chu Mingzhou nodded lightly, then walked away at a very fast pace.
He also met Lin's mother and Chu Minglan who had returned.
"Go and light up the kang in Yu'er's room. I'll go get a new quilt."
"Oh! I see, bro."
Mother Lin gave Lin Anan a questioning look.
Lin Anan nodded calmly.
Mother Lin immediately smiled and said, "Xiao Lan, show me the way. Which room is it? I'll go clean it up."
I still have to heat the kang, so I might as well heat some more water. I have to wipe your sister-in-law's body later. I see your hair isn't very clean, so I'll wash yours too."
Chu Minglan's embarrassment and politeness were shattered in front of Lin's mother, and in the end she had no choice but to follow the arrangements.
Chu Mingzhou moved out the three remaining large quilts in the house. They were all newly issued by the army and were made of high-quality cotton.
Now, all of them have become Lin Anan’s mattress.
"An An is just a little delicate, like a cotton doll, she can't sleep on a hard thing. I'm afraid she will be alone. Ming Zhou, please don't mind!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
