Seeing that Wang Dong was over 20 and still didn't have a girlfriend, and that Wang Fang was probably in the same boat, Qi's mother sighed inwardly. Each of these three children was good-looking, no less than others, but they just had bad luck!
While sewing shoe soles in the yard, she was also calculating. A little while later, her neighbor, Aunt Li, came over. "Zhijun's mom, does your Dongdong have a boyfriend yet?"
As she spoke, she plopped down on the floor. Seeing that Aunt Li was aware of the situation, Qi's mother forced a smile and said awkwardly, "No way! Given our family's circumstances, who could possibly marry into our family!"
Aunt Li nodded, feeling regretful. "Dongdong is good-looking and a full-time employee. If it weren't for... sigh! I have someone here for you to hear from. If he's suitable, you can meet him. If not, just pretend I didn't say anything."
Mother Qi put down what she was doing and said, "Sister, please tell me."
“Li Qiuxiang from the front yard works at the steel mill, earning 31.5 yuan a month! She’s divorced, though. Her ex-husband was said to be a eunuch, so they couldn’t have sex. It’s a bad reputation, but she’s still a virgin. If you’re interested, I can put in a good word for her.” Aunt Li said, observing Qi’s mother’s expression.
Qi's mother was touched by the offer of 31.5 yuan, but the thought of her being married before made her uncomfortable. She frowned and asked, "Are you sure it's a girl?"
When Aunt Li heard what Qi's mother said, she couldn't help but feel unhappy. "Don't you know your family's situation? I thought you didn't care about these things!" But she didn't show it, only her tone turned a little colder: "Judging from the figure, yes, but they also have requirements. They want independent housing."
Upon hearing this, Qi's mother was jolted back to reality. Yes! Didn't she even know her own situation? After thinking for a moment, she replied to Aunt Li, "When Dongdong gets back, I'll ask him and give you an answer."
Aunt Li nodded and said, "Okay! I'll go cook then." In her heart, she cursed herself for being so nosy. She shouldn't have interfered. With her family's reputation, she still had so many concerns. She should just stay home and raise her own livestock! With that, she left. Qi's mother sighed.
Wang Dong returned shortly after, and Qi's mother told him about it. Wang Dong silently washed his face, and after drying it, he looked up at Qi's mother and said, "Grandma, how about we just forget about it?"
Mother Qi sighed and said, "Alas! That's true. After all, she's been married, so she can't be completely clean."
Wang Dong opened his mouth but didn't say anything. He didn't actually mind that the other person had been married before; he just suddenly thought of his uncle Qi Zhijun and Wei Shuqing.
He has someone impossible in his heart, and there's no room for anyone else. If he were to settle for marriage, it would be irresponsible to himself and the other person.
Mother Qi had been observing Wang Dong's expression. Wang Dong sighed, "Grandma, what kind of reputation do we have? What's our situation? Just live your own life! Don't ruin that girl's life!"
After saying that, he picked up the cornbread and started eating. He was halfway through when he asked, "Is Wang Dong home?"
The grandfather and grandson looked out through the doorway. A young woman entered. She was of medium build, wearing work clothes and yellow rubber shoes. She had an average appearance and was carrying a small basin.
Wang Dong came out and looked at the girl with a puzzled expression. The girl blushed and said, "My name is Li Qiuxiang. My family made some steamed buns, dried shrimp and tofu with chili oil today. Here, have a few to try!"
Wang Donggang said, "No need, you keep it for yourself..."
Li Qiuxiang shoved the small bowl into Wang Dong's hands, saying, "You eat it! It's delicious. I'll come back for the bowl tomorrow." Then she ran off.
Wang Dong carried the basin in, looking preoccupied. Qi's mother glanced at him from inside the room. Actually, she wasn't satisfied with Li Qiuxiang's appearance either. For some reason, she had a feeling that Li Qiuxiang was the same Wei Shuqing from back then.
The aroma of the delicious-smelling steamed buns made Wang Dong's mouth water. Qi's mother took out two, handing one to Wang Dong, saying, "Eat up! It was a gift from that young lady." Wang Dong thought for a few seconds and then took a big bite. It was indeed delicious. This only proves that Wang Dong has some backbone, but not much.
There were eight steamed buns in total, and two were given to Wang Fang.
After Wang Dong finished eating, he went back home. For some reason, Qi's mother felt uneasy, as if something was about to happen.
Back at the courtyard house, Jiang Zhen's house was the main house, with a large living room of over 40 square meters in the center, used for dining and entertaining guests. There were two bedrooms on either side, a kitchen partitioned off from the outside, and a bathroom in the other half. This accommodation was far superior to Wei Shuqing's house.
Jiang Zhen pointed to the room on the left and said, "Put your things over there, feel free to use the cabinets, I'm going to cook."
Wei Dani put her bag on the desk and stopped Jiang Zhen, saying, "Brother Zhen, I'll go cook! How can you let a man into the kitchen at home!"
"I can't bear to see you do any work. A woman is meant to be cherished after marriage. Kitchen fumes are the worst. Oh, and remember to apply the face cream and clam oil I bought for you on the dressing table." Speaking of face cream, he thought of Zhao Aiguo, that chubby boy who had used it since childhood, his skin smooth and fair, still like a peeled egg. Then he thought of Wei Dani using it too, her skin like Zhao Aiguo's, and couldn't help but let his imagination run wild, a lewd smile spreading across his face.
"Go and pack your clothes! Come out and wait for dinner." Jiang Zhen pushed her into the house.
"Oh! Cooking is nothing tiring, I'll do it! I'll tidy up the clothes in a bit." Wei Dani was about to get to work in a hurry.
Jiang Zhen pulled her into his arms. "Hey? Didn't you say you'd listen to me at home from now on? I said I don't need you to cook as long as I'm home. Besides, can your cooking be as good as mine, the chef? You'd probably ruin everything if I gave you the ingredients." He pushed her into the bedroom and then turned and walked towards the kitchen.
Wei Dani was caught in a dilemma. She wasn't allowed to cook, and her workplace was also quiet. She had a lot of energy but nowhere to use it. What if Jiang Zhen started to think she was useless and got tired of her after a while?
Her mind was filled with the poem she had secretly read in the sketchbook she had accidentally seen during the ransacking of the landlord's house: "In the morning, a lotus flower; in the evening, a withered flower. If it is for the sake of color, how can it last?"
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