"My sister-in-law is in the hospital? What happened? She's only been home for two days and she's already in the hospital?"
Ji Xia looked surprised, while Zhang Lan's lips moved as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.
"I'll go buy food first."
Chen Jing gave a brief explanation, turned around, and left with his umbrella. Zhang Lan secretly breathed a sigh of relief before telling Ji Xia about Zhang Hong's illness.
She heard that Zhang Qing deliberately poured cold water into Zhang Hong's bed, then knocked her unconscious, making her sick and unable to go home. She shook her head repeatedly.
"Your second sister is really ruthless, but it's a pity she's dishonest. If she knew you were making extra money by working for your sister outside—"
Zhang Lan shook her head firmly: "I will absolutely not let her know that I'm making money outside."
"Well, you can decide what to do. If you want to stay in the city, discuss with your sister how to appease your family. Don't worry about the job at the supply and marketing cooperative; it will be returned to her once she recovers."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Lan felt relieved and quickly agreed, then went back to the kitchen to prepare lunch for Zhang Hong.
Because Zhang Pozi and the other two were still in the hospital, she didn't dare to prepare anything too fancy. She cooked porridge with rice and millet, served it with pickled cowpeas and stir-fried eggs with chives, and sent it to Zhang Hong and Ji Zhijun.
Before leaving, Ji Xia said to Zhang Lan, "If my brother is still in the hospital, tell him to come home for dinner and that I'm waiting for him."
"Okay, I understand."
Zhang Lan obediently responded, secretly amused. This meant that her brother-in-law was not allowed to invite her mother and second sister to lunch.
She touched her pockets. Whatever, she had saved all her money. She only had a little over seventy cents in her pocket. Even if they searched her, she would only have a few cents left.
As soon as Zhang Lan left, Chen Jing returned with two boxes of packed food. In addition to a dish of braised pork with preserved mustard greens and fried tofu, there were also six large white steamed buns.
Ji Xia brought out the freshly cooked rice from the kitchen, then thought for a moment and said, "My brother is coming over later, let's pack his portion first!"
"Okay, whatever you say."
Chen Jing smiled broadly; ever since the date was set last night, he had been in a very good mood.
"By the way, our house is still a bit empty. How about we have some new furniture made? We can also get a couple more wardrobes and beds."
Ji Xia filled an enamel basin with rice, then served her brother a small portion of braised pork and fried tofu, along with two steamed buns. Upon hearing this, she shook her head in disapproval.
"New furniture is too expensive. We won't be staying here for long, so let's just go and find some secondhand items."
How much does a set of furniture cost?
Chen Jing couldn't help but chuckle. The new orders and shipments during this period had greatly increased his confidence, and he no longer cared about the small amount of money he made from furniture.
Ji Xia's expression subtly showed her displeasure: "Forget about the food and drinks, but don't spend money so extravagantly. There's no need to make the house too nice in this small rural place. If you have the money, why not consider buying a house in a big city and settling down there?"
In the coming decades, if the real estate market remains strong, wouldn't it be better to build more buildings to rent out or buy them than to do something else?
She then thought of her studies: "Professor Rong wrote back to me, suggesting that I take the entrance exam for the Central Academy of Fine Arts. She also sent me an application form and asked me to go to Beijing next spring to take the professional exam."
"Going in the spring? I'll go with you then. What kind of exam do you take for your major?"
"The test will cover sketching and watercolor painting."
As Chen Jing spoke, he took the bowl and sat down next to her, casually picking up a piece of perfectly fatty braised pork for her: "This is your favorite braised pork belly, have a couple more pieces."
He then took a large white steamed bun, broke it in half, stuffed in some preserved mustard greens and half a piece of braised pork, and ate it with rice.
Ji Xia couldn't help but chuckle: "You like noodles so much, you'll definitely like the northern way of eating. When I'm studying at the Academy of Fine Arts, have you ever thought about opening a workshop in Beijing?"
"Set up a workshop in the capital?"
Chen Jing raised an eyebrow: "You seem to have a lot of confidence in me? Aren't you worried about not being able to make a living in Beijing?"
"I believe you can definitely do it, and you're willing to be separated from me for a few years, aren't you worried that I'll be seduced by someone else in the capital?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Jing remembered that Ji Xia used to prefer gentle, scholarly types of boys, and immediately became worried.
No, we must go to Beijing, we absolutely must go to Beijing. We need to set up a workshop in the capital. Making money is a small matter; the real purpose is to earn enough to buy an apartment in Beijing so we can stay with her. That would put our minds at ease.
Just as the two had finished eating, they heard the sound of the door opening outside.
Ji Xia looked out happily: "Big brother, you're back?"
Just as he was about to invite his older brother to eat together, he saw Ji Zhijun with a dark face, and Zhang Pozi and her family of three following closely behind him like conjoined twins, as they walked into the small courtyard together.
Upon seeing Granny Zhang, Zhang Qing, and Zhang Bao, Ji Xia's smile faded, and she looked at Ji Zhijun with a puzzled expression.
This shameless family, how did they manage to bring them along?
Ji Zhijun's face was cold and hard. He nodded to Chen Jing and Ji Xia and asked, "Is there anything else to eat at home?"
"Meat, I want to eat meat."
Before Ji Xia could answer, Zhang Bao saw the braised pork on the table, shouted excitedly, and rushed over.
Ji Xia snorted and quickly stuffed the last piece of braised pork into Chen Jing's bowl: "Eat quickly, you should take me back to school after you finish eating."
"Okay, right away."
Chen Jing responded, stuffed the braised pork into his mouth, and ate it in two bites.
Seeing this, Zhang Bao angrily grabbed Zhang Pozi's clothes and cried loudly, "Mother, there's no meat left! She ate all the meat!"
Granny Zhang glared angrily at Ji Xia, her lips moved but she held back, and lowered her head to coax her son.
Zhang Qing's eyes darted around, finally settling on the glistening preserved mustard greens and fried tofu on the table, his mouth constantly drooling.
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