When Cheng Jiawen walked in front of her, she suddenly squatted down, hugged Cheng Jiawen's thigh and cried, "Brother, don't kill me, I won't tell anyone, please, let me go."
I don't want to die. I'm still young and I haven't enjoyed life yet. I just saw him secretly grilling fish. It's not a crime punishable by death. Oh my god, why was I so greedy? My greed killed me.
Her action completely shocked Cheng Jiawen. The corners of his mouth twitched, and he gently pulled at his thigh, but it didn't budge. "Alright, who wants to kill you? Let me go."
Hearing Cheng Jiawen say that he would not kill her, Xu Qianjiao immediately raised her head, "Really?"
"Really, really, let go." Cheng Jiawen said impatiently.
"Oh oh oh, okay." Xu Qianjiao immediately let go of his feet, pretended to wipe her tears, stood up, and patted the dirt off her body.
Cheng Jiawen saw that her eyes were not red at all, and she was pretending to wipe her tears. "Come on, it's just thunder, no rain, and your eyes are not even red, why are you wiping your tears?"
"Uh" Xu Qianjiao was choked by him and rolled her eyes secretly.
"Okay, go now. Don't say anything when you get back, otherwise you know the consequences." After saying that, Cheng Jiawen ignored her, walked back to the fire and continued grilling fish.
As Xu Qianjiao smelled the aroma of grilled fish, her appetite became more and more aroused. She wanted to leave, but she couldn't move her feet. She hadn't eaten meat since she came here, and she really wanted to eat it.
Forget it, just die. It’s better to die with a full stomach than with hunger.
Thinking of this, Xu Qianjiao walked towards Cheng Jiawen with a step that didn't recognize any relatives, and then said in a gentle voice: "Brother, um, grilled fish, can you sell me some?"
Cheng Jiawen looked up at her, his eyes devoid of any warmth. "Sure, one dollar a piece."
I knew she wouldn't just leave like that. I was thinking of giving her some so she could have a share and wouldn't dare to complain when she got home. But now, she's actually saying she'll pay for it? That's even better. I can earn money and not have to worry about being reported. Kill two birds with one stone.
He hid the smile on his lips and continued, "Don't think it's expensive. Look, it's so cold, and I have to catch fish and grill them. It takes a lot of effort."
"Yes, yes, sure, sure." Xu Qianjiao looked at the fish with her eyes wide open. She had no idea how much one dollar was. After all, she used to be a young lady and had no concept of money at all. She would always spend a three-digit sum. Now this was just one dollar, nothing.
Seeing that she agreed so easily without bargaining, Cheng Jiawen felt very happy. He thought he had made a profit. "One hand gives you money, the other hand gives you fish."
"Will I still refuse to pay you? I'll pay you after we finish eating." She squatted beside Cheng Jiawen, looking at him with sparkling eyes, "How long will it take? Are you done?"
Cheng Jiawen's heart was beating fast because of her eyes. He shook his mind and said, "Ahem, it's almost there, it's almost there."
After saying that, he concentrated on grilling the fish and didn't dare to look at her again.
The longer the time, the richer the aroma of the grilled fish becomes. It is not a single flavor, but a combination of multiple flavors, including the freshness of the fish, the spiciness of the seasoning, the smokiness of the charcoal, and the aroma of the fat oozing out of the fish when grilled.
Xu Qianjiao squatted beside Cheng Jiawen, staring at the grilled fish. Cheng Jiawen lowered his eyes slightly and his gaze fell on her profile. There seemed to be a hint of imperceptible emotion in his eyes.
"It's done." He handed the roasted fish to Xu Qianjiao, then took out another one from the basket and continued roasting.
Xu Qianjiao took the grilled fish, smiled sweetly at him, blew on it, and took a light bite, "Mmm, it's delicious."
The fish is tender and juicy, the seasoning is spicy and delicious, and the smoky smell of charcoal and the aroma of oil add a unique flavor to the grilled fish. One bite will make you want to eat another one.
"Hmm." Hearing Xu Qianjiao's praise, Cheng Jiawen just snorted proudly, but the corners of his mouth rose wildly, and the smile in his eyes could not be concealed.
Soon, the grilled fish in Cheng Jiawen's hand was ready. The two of them sat on the rocks and ate the grilled fish with big mouthfuls.
After a while, Xu Qianjiao touched her stomach and burped, "Huh, I'm full. It's delicious. You're such a good cook."
"Hmm, now that we're done eating, pay me."
Xu Qianjiao curled her lips and said, "Give it to me if you want." After that, she reached into her pocket, but there was no cell phone. That's right, now she is Xu Qianjiao from the 1970s, a penniless Xu Qianjiao.
Cheng Jiawen saw that she had been shopping for a long time but still had no money, so he asked, "What's the matter? Do you want to eat for free?"
"Well, don't say that. I, I'll get it for you when I get home." Xu Qianjiao felt a little embarrassed. This was her first time to dine and free. She had forgotten that she had no money now.
"Hmph." Cheng Jiawen took out a notebook from his pocket and handed it over, "Here."
"What?" Xu Qianjiao looked at the notebook and pen in front of her, a little confused. What was this for?
"Write an IOU." Cheng Jiawen said unhappily. She thought she could make some money today, but someone wanted to dine and dash. Although the meal was originally intended for her, she was the one who asked to pay.
Xu Qianjiao grabbed the paper and pen and said, "Just write it, it's no big deal."
After saying that, he squatted on the stone and wrote his first IOU stroke by stroke.
"Here, I've written it." She handed the notebook and the IOU back to Cheng Jiawen, "I'll pay you back when I have money."
"Xu Qianjiao?" Cheng Jiawen looked at the name in the corner and read it out subconsciously.
"uh-huh."
Cheng Jiawen twitched his lips, took the IOU, checked it, and then carefully put it back in his pocket. "Okay, remember to pay me back. It's getting late. Let's go."
Xu Qianjiao stood still, Cheng Jiawen looked at her with some confusion, "What's wrong?"
"I, I forgot the way." Xu Qianjiao snapped her fingers and said a little embarrassedly.
"Okay, wait a minute."
After saying that, Cheng Jiawen dealt with the scene as quickly as possible, buried the fish bones, put out the fire, covered it with new mud, and then stepped on it firmly. After checking everything, he walked to Xu Qianjiao.
"Let's go."
The mountain path was lined with dense trees, with branches and leaves intertwined. They walked along the mountain path, Cheng Jiawen in front and Xu Qianjiao following behind, keeping a certain distance between them.
He led the way in front and quietly helped her clear the weeds in front to make it easier for her to walk.
Cheng Jiawen would stop from time to time, waiting for Xu Qianjiao to catch up before continuing on. On this mountain path, they didn't speak, but they could feel each other's presence. Their steps and breathing became so harmonious, as if they were one.
As they were about to reach the foot of the mountain, Cheng Jiawen stopped and said calmly, "Follow this road all the way down and you'll reach the village. We'll go our separate ways. Don't tell anyone about what happened today."
"good."
Xu Qianjiao slowly walked towards the road that Cheng Jiawen pointed to. She knew that this decision was good for both of them. Otherwise, if some aunties in the village saw the two of them coming down the mountain together, who knows how bad the news would be spread in the village tomorrow.
Xu Qianjiao walked in front, and Cheng Jiawen followed closely behind. He didn't leave quietly until she got home safely.
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