8
Wontons are easy to make; just add the filling and squeeze them together. Dumplings are more difficult to make; after adding the filling, you need to close the wrapper and fold it in little by little. Zhuang Xiaodie wasn't born to cook. Even after a week of practice, she was still a step behind the two older women beside her. The older women jokingly claimed they were skilled at their craft and that she could do it with more practice. Zhuang Xiaodie, however, knew that this wasn't her calling and that she would never be able to master it. Now, she was assigned to chop meat and mix the filling, which gave her more time to clear her mind.
That night, they spoke again, and Shentu Hai's words, implicitly hinting at his continued murderous intent, were undeniable. Zhuang Xiaodie suspected the girl had watched too many TV dramas and movies, believing killing and escaping to be easy. In reality, it wasn't that easy. And Wei Dahe, wandering around the area, likely knew Shentu Hai's general location. If Wei Dahe was truly searching for him, it meant he might have evidence of his guilt, even evidence that directly proved Wei Dahe was the murderer. Perhaps he was trying to eradicate the problem entirely.
How confident is this person that he thinks he can get away with it?
After talking with Shentu Hai in the kitchen that night, Shentu Hai seemed to be lost in thought, but he hadn't found any clues. There was no substantive communication between the two afterwards.
Zhuang Xiaodie poured the chopped meat into the stainless steel basin beside her and prepared the stuffing according to the recipe. Lately, Nian Jinsi seemed to be a little more normal, and her attention was no longer focused on the news. However, she neither went out for a walk nor had any intention of going back. She stayed at home every day, her spirit still tense, and the slightest sound would attract her attention. Zhuang Xiaodie wished she had gone back - she didn't want Shen Tuhai's affairs to involve Nian Jinsi. Now she had brought dumplings home for a week in a row, and Nian Jinsi didn't ask anything.
She felt something had happened to Nian Jinsi. The scars she'd seen that day had gradually faded from her skin. She'd tried to ask, but Nian Jinsi had simply smiled. Was Nian Jinsi avoiding her husband? Zhuang Xiaodie kept thinking about the day he got married. She stood at the dressing room door, looking back, the light piercing Nian Jinsi like a sting. She could barely see him.
At that time, Zhuang Xiaodie did not think about Nian Jinsi's wedding, nor did she think about Nian Jinsi's married life. She just thought, I can hardly see her clearly. Nian Jinsi waved to her in the mirror, she smiled and walked away quickly.
Nian Jinsi back then was completely different from now. How many years had passed? Two? Three? She couldn't even remember the exact year. Zhuang Xiaodie finished mixing the stuffing and looked up to find the boss staring at her.
The boss said nothing and continued to pick vegetables.
Zhuang Xiaodie took the stuffing and put it next to the sisters, looked back at the boss, and returned to the chopping board to continue working.
If Nian Jinsi could return before Shentu Hai and Wei Dahe clashed, that would be the best solution. As soon as Nian Jinsi left, Zhuang Xiaodie prepared to leave Shentu Hai directly. She now had at least enough money for transportation, and it didn't matter where she went, as long as Shentu Hai couldn't find her.
This way Shentu Hai wouldn't have to kill anyone. She preferred to believe that the other party could find evidence, even though it seemed selfish.
So what could she do? She had no other options, right? She wasn't stupid enough to risk her life for a few days' accommodation.
-
Today, inevitably, she returned with dumplings. The portions were always generous, a gesture of care from the boss, and she knew it. Perhaps Nian Jinsi wondered why it was always dumplings? Perhaps she was already preparing to ask. Zhuang Xiaodie's thinking was simple: dumplings were convenient. If she didn't want them, she could bring her something else next time, or even order takeout.
But after returning home, Nian Jinsi didn't ask any questions and continued eating as usual. The exception was Shen Tu Hai. As soon as they sat down at the table, Shen Tu Hai opened the door and walked over to sit down. Zhuang Xiaodie asked her if she wanted dumplings, and she accepted, even initiating a conversation, as if she had completely evolved from a rebellious teenager.
It's a bit strange, but Zhuang Xiaodie thinks it's good for her to be like this. It will be easier to communicate if she is more normal.
After the meal was over, Nian Jinsi took the initiative to wash the dishes. Zhuang Xiaodie stayed there for a while. The clinking of the dishes was very quiet. Nian Jinsi washed very carefully, with the water running high. Shentu Hai was chewing gum and playing with his phone nearby. Zhuang Xiaodie thought for a while and finally went into the kitchen.
"Are you feeling better today?" You can never go wrong with this opening line.
Nian Jinsi turned around and smiled at her: "Not bad."
"Want to go out for a walk?"
"I don't know where to go."
"I'll show you around."
Nian Jinsi did not answer immediately, but turned around to wipe the water from the bowl and put it on the drain rack.
"Don't want to go?" Zhuang Xiaodie said, "You haven't been in a good mood these days. Did something happen to you?"
Nian Jinsi froze for a moment. She grabbed the bowl, was silent for a moment, and asked, "What do you mean?" Her voice was intentionally lowered, and it was unclear in the sound of water.
"The day you first came, I saw the injury on your hand."
"Oh, the stairs were too slippery. I fell when I started."
"Are you okay now?" Zhuang Xiaodie asked.
"Much better." Nian Jinsi said, "Thank you for your concern."
"Of course you should. You've been here for a week, and it's not a good idea to just stay indoors and eat dumplings. You should have more fun," said Zhuang Xiaodie.
"I don't know where to go."
This sentence resurfaced, and Zhuang Xiaodie became more certain of her judgment. Shen Tuhai's situation could happen at any time, and it was an uncontrollable factor. She couldn't let Nian Jinsi stay here and get affected.
"Did Kong Yanchen hit you?"
Nian Jinsi suddenly turned the water to full power without saying a word. Zhuang Xiaodie had been patient for several days and felt she had reached the limit of her patience. She had to get to the bottom of it no matter what. It had been so long since she'd heard anything. I'd thought she was living a good life, but she was covered up with these lame excuses while she was injured. It was outrageous. Zhuang Xiaodie turned off the faucet, and Nian Jinsi looked at her fiercely.
"Tell me, is it him?" Zhuang Xiaodie asked with a cold face.
Nian Jinsi shook her head and walked straight out of the kitchen. Zhuang Xiaodie followed her and grabbed her in the living room. At first, she thought Nian Jinsi would run straight out, but judging from the direction she was going, she didn't even consider going out.
Why don’t you go out?
"Kong Yanchen followed us?" Zhuang Xiaodie asked, "Where is he? I'll go with you to deal with him."
Nian Jinsi just kept shaking her hand, but Zhuang Xiaodie held on tight, and she finally had no choice but to stop. Shentu Hai was still sitting at the table, looking at her with a rather inquiring look.
"He's not here." Nian Jinsi finally spoke, his voice hoarse.
"Did he hit me?" Zhuang Xiaodie rolled up her sleeves, revealing the bruises that had not yet completely healed.
Nian Jinsi suddenly shook off her hand, immediately lowered his sleeves, and said, "Why do you have to ask?"
"Because you are my friend! You came to see me, but you didn't go out and didn't say anything. How can I help you if you don't say anything?" Zhuang Xiaodie yelled.
"Oh, so you're suddenly willing to take the initiative to find someone for her." Shentu Hai suddenly interrupted.
Nian Jinsi glanced at her, then quickly looked back at Zhuang Xiaodie: "What do you mean?"
Zhuang Xiaodie said: "She is talking nonsense."
Shentu Hai parroted: "Oh, nonsense."
Nian Jinsi's face turned pale and he said, "I'll tell you when I've thought it through. Give me some time."
Shentu Hai smiled, stood up and went back to his room. Zhuang Xiaodie felt a sense of emptiness in her heart, knowing that it was no longer appropriate for Nian Jinsi to stay here - especially for herself.
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