Wei Shuqing nodded, took her lunchbox, and found a seat. A little while later, Zhao Dahu came over with two steamed buns, four cornbreads, and a large mug of dumpling soup. He plopped down and said, "I'm exhausted. Come and eat."
Wei Shuqing took a bite of her steamed bun and said, "There are a lot of people in this steel factory, so the workload must be huge."
Zhao Dahu ate his cornbread in big bites and said, "It's worth it to get you a more relaxed job. By the way, I went to Mom's for dinner today. The old man made a silver carp. I haven't had that in a long time."
Wei Shuqing nodded. The Zhao couple were exceptionally easy-going elders, treating her even better than their own daughter. They would invite her home for meals more than twenty days a month. When Wei Shuqing offered to pay for the meals, the elderly couple always refused. Zhao's father was a level-two head chef and deputy director of the canteen, earning over 80 yuan a month, more than the couple could spend. The young couple mostly saved their money. Zhao Dahu would cook a few banquets a month, which was enough to cover their expenses.
Although there was a famine, Wei Shuqing was much better off than before. That day, Zhao Dahu said, "Shuqing, I have to go to the leader's house to cook today. You have to go back by yourself. I've packed some food for you in the lunchbox. If you don't want to go back, you can go to your parents' house." Then he whispered in her ear, "Eat less. I'll bring you some good food tonight."
Wei Shuqing smiled and nodded, then nudged him and said, "Go on!"
She picked up her lunchbox and strolled back. As she walked, she suddenly heard someone call out, "Xiao Wei?" Looking up, she saw Qi Zhijun and a young woman together. Wei Shuqing sized them up; they both looked pale and Qi Zhijun had lost a lot of weight. She didn't know if the woman was Xiao Cui from the book, but she was already at peace with herself.
Qi Zhijun couldn't believe that Wei Shuqing had changed so much in the past six months. She was wearing a red plaid woolen short coat over a beige turtleneck sweater, with black trousers and leather shoes.
She was fair-skinned and plump, with shiny black hair. She was even more beautiful than before she got married, and she possessed a gentleness that emanated from within, completely devoid of the fierceness she once had.
Wei Shuqing smiled and said, "It's you! Is this your friend?"
Qi Zhijun exclaimed, "This is Teacher Cui from the Children's Palace." He then introduced Cui, saying, "This is my ex-wife." Wei Shuqing greeted them politely, "Hello, you two chat, I need to go home for dinner." She picked up her lunchbox, a chill running through her mind. The book said Qi Zhijun's affair was with Cui, a piano teacher at the Children's Palace, who was also Wang Yanda's affair partner. The problem was, Qi Zhifang had introduced them—it was too far-fetched. Sure enough, only respectable people could do things so unacceptable to ordinary people. She shuddered at the thought. No, this was disgusting. Anyone associated with that family was definitely not normal. That family believed that good looks were everything!
Luckily, I got out early and started living a normal life. No, I need to go home, I have to go home right away!
She hurried home, lit the stove, heated up her lunchbox, and sat on the donkey. In another lunchbox were two steamed buns made from a mixture of wheat flour and cornmeal. She took a pair of chopsticks, put them on the stove, placed the buns on the chopsticks, poured hot water to wash her hands and face, changed her clothes, and then opened the lunchbox to find cabbage, tofu, and shredded potatoes. There weren't many dishes, but there was a chicken leg. She added some salt, poured in some hot water, and hummed a song while waiting for the food to heat up. Just as she was about to eat, she heard the door open. As soon as she went out, she saw Qi Zhijun come in. Qi Zhijun looked at her leisurely manner and, without waiting for her to speak, went into the kitchen, which was cold and deserted. Once inside, she found the aroma of meat wafting through the air. The lunchbox was steaming hot, and the smell alone told her it was very juicy. There were also two cornmeal buns mixed with wheat flour.
Wei Shuqing entered with a frown and said, "What are you doing here? Get out."
Qi Zhijun gave her a complicated look and said, "Patriotism, huh?"
Wei Shuqing said irritably, "My daughter and I have nothing to do with you. Get to my house right now!"
Suppressing his anger, Qi Zhijun said, "Even if we are no longer husband and wife, I am still a patriotic father!"
Wei Shuqing found that she no longer had the temper that used to explode at the slightest provocation. She walked over, sat down, picked up a steamed bun, took a bite, scooped up a spoonful of soup, blew on it, took a sip, and said, "Your contribution to him is just a few minutes of comfort. How many days have you taken care of him in all his years? How many times have you held him? Have you spent a single penny on him? How dare you call yourself a patriotic father? You think raising a child is all it takes to make him grow up?"
Qi Zhijun felt like he had swallowed a piping hot glutinous rice ball, unable to swallow it or spit it out, stuck in the middle and feeling extremely blocked.
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