Jiang Xuan went to the kitchen.
Ma Xiaolan bought pork belly with a good balance of fat and lean meat today, which is perfect for stir-frying.
The only problem is that the knife is a bit difficult to use, and the meat is too soft, making it a bit strenuous to cut.
After chopping the meat into small cubes, she also chopped some green peppers and carrots, as well as some minced scallions, ginger, and garlic, and set them aside for later use.
She turned on the gas stove, heated the pan, poured in peanut oil, and once the oil was hot, she added the diced meat and stir-fried it.
The pot sizzled, and the aroma of meat immediately wafted out.
She added minced ginger and garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, and dried chili peppers, and continued to stir-fry.
When the meat was almost cooked, she added a spoonful of sweet bean sauce, along with a little light soy sauce and dark soy sauce.
The colored meat cubes looked even more fragrant.
After the meat was cooked, she added green peppers and carrots, stir-fried them for a while, added salt, and then put them in a bowl.
After washing the pot, she started boiling water to cook the noodles.
She bought a bunch of noodles at the store last time, and she ate them once. The noodles were very chewy.
After the noodles were cooked, Jiang Xuan used a slotted spoon to scoop them out, quickly rinsed them with cold water, then put the noodles into a large bowl, poured the stir-fried sauce over the noodles, and sprinkled chopped green onions on top.
The aroma quickly drew Ma Xiaolan over.
"Wow, Jiang Xuan, your cooking skills are comparable to those of the head chefs at state-run restaurants."
"Sister Lan, please don't make fun of me. I just did it randomly."
"Here, I have some cucumbers here. Let me make a salad for Platoon Leader Lu to eat with his rice."
As she spoke, Ma Xiaolan took out a cucumber from the cupboard. "I've told you so many times, just take whatever you need. Why are you still being so polite?"
"Okay, I understand."
"Let me wash it for you."
*
Lu Shengye was really too sleepy.
He hasn't slept for days and nights.
Jiang Xuan carried the noodles into the house and found him asleep on the sofa.
She felt a little guilty, blaming herself for cooking too slowly.
She wanted to wake him up, but conflicted, she also wanted him to rest a little longer.
Even though it's summer, it's still easy to catch a cold while sleeping.
Jiang Xuan took a thin blanket and tiptoed over.
Before she could even cover him with the blanket, he woke up, his natural alertness kicking in.
He stood up and said, "Sorry, I just fell asleep."
"The noodles are ready. Eat them before you go to sleep."
Lu Shengye nodded and walked towards the dining table.
As a soldier, he wasn't particular about food and drink.
He didn't say anything, picked up his chopsticks and started eating noodles in big bites.
Jiang Xuan really wanted his opinion, but after waiting for a long time without getting it, she asked, "How does it taste?"
"Well enough."
She clearly thought it was great, but in his eyes it was just okay?
Jiang Xuan was a little unhappy.
However, considering that he had finally returned safely, she couldn't possibly throw a tantrum over something like this, so she said gently, "Okay, then eat slowly. If you're still hungry, I'll make you more."
"That's enough, I'm all done here. You and Sister Lan go keep Xiuxiu company."
He overheard them mentioning that it was Xiuxiu's birthday today.
"Okay, then you can rest after you finish eating. Leave the dishes and I'll wash them when I get back. It's Xiuxiu's birthday today, and I'd like to invite her and her mother out for noodles. We'll go see Grandpa later."
"Okay, go ahead."
Jiang Xuan changed into a dress and went to call Ma Xiaolan and Xiuxiu.
Ma Xiaolan was still wearing the same old shirt that she often wore.
"Sister Lan, go change your clothes. Just wear the dress you wore yesterday."
"That dress is too new, I can't bear to part with it."
“What’s there to be reluctant about? It’s Xiuxiu’s birthday today, we all have to dress up nicely.” Jiang Xuan pushed Ma Xiaolan into the house. “Go change quickly, I’ll braid Xiuxiu’s hair.”
Xiuxiu's hair is quite long, already reaching her back, but it's not getting enough nutrition, so it's a bit yellow, and the ends are split.
"Xiuxiu, your hair is split at the ends. Can Auntie trim the split ends for you?"
"Can."
Jiang Xuan took out a large pair of cloth-cutting scissors from home, had Xiuxiu sit on a bench in the yard, and then carefully cut her hair.
Ma Xiaolan came out.
Wearing her new clothes, she felt a little uncomfortable and walked awkwardly.
Jiang Xuan glanced at her and said with a smile, "Sister Lan, don't be like this. It makes me uncomfortable to see you like this."
"Oh, it's just that I feel like I'm dressed too flashy."
Jiang Xuan clicked her tongue. "Your choice of words really surprised me. What do you mean by 'flashy'? Don't say that again. You wear clothes for yourself. Let me tell you, dressing up nicely really does make you more confident, believe it or not?"
"I have no idea."
However, the colleagues who dress up nicely at the factory do seem to have more friends.
"If you don't know, just try more. We'll also do your hair today."
"No need, why waste that money? I'm fine with it like this."
"Just listen to me, it won't cost much, and the hairstyle will last a long time."
Xiuxiu chimed in, "Mom, you should give it a try. Yuanyuan's mom got a perm, and after the last parent-teacher meeting, a lot of classmates said that Yuanyuan's mom is very pretty."
"Listen, Sister Lan, if you dress up nicely, Xiuxiu will be very proud."
"But I need to save money."
"I know, don't worry, we'll have the money. Whether we can cooperate with your factory depends on you. If we really reach an agreement, we can split the profits, and then we'll have the money, right?"
Ma Xiaolan laughed and said, "You designed the picture. Even if we're collaborating, I can't really help you. How could I possibly take a cut?"
"Aren't you going to help me negotiate a collaboration tomorrow? Just brag about it as much as you can, make it sound like I'm unparalleled, like I'm some kind of genius. That way, we'll be halfway to success, right? You've already done a huge favor."
"That's only half."
"As for the remaining half, take Xiuxiu's dress with you and let them see the finished product. I believe it will be pretty close to the mark. The important thing is that you have to be bold enough to say it, and it's okay to exaggerate a bit."
Ma Xiaolan worried: "But I'm not good at handling stress. I get nervous whenever I talk to my boss, and I'm afraid I won't express myself clearly."
Jiang Xuan sighed, "What are you afraid of? Maybe that leader is just an incompetent fool, and doesn't know as much as you do. Anyway, you decide for yourself. If you want to make money, then go ahead and say it. Even if you lie, I'll find a way to cover it up for you. If you don't want to make money, then forget it."
Spurred on by Jiang Xuan, Ma Xiaolan adopted a "go all out" attitude, saying, "Fine, I'll draft something tonight and try to negotiate a deal with us tomorrow."
"Okay, then you can treat me like a clueless leader and practice with me first."
Lu Shengye sat in the living room, listening to their conversation, and smiled slightly.
He thought the girl was quite interesting.
He is good-looking, knowledgeable, and of course, courageous.
She grew up living under someone else's roof and suffered so much, yet she remains so cheerful.
Lu Shengye thought it was quite rare.
He has already sent people to investigate the matter of Jiang Qiaoyun taking her place in university, and he expects to have a conclusion soon.
From now on, as long as he's around, no one will be able to bully her.
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