Chapter 16 World One [16]
Jing Ke didn't notice the conversation between Shang Siyu and Shang's mother in the kitchen, but was reviewing in her mind the basic etiquette that should be maintained when visiting friends.
This time, Jing Ke learned from her previous experience and did not blindly believe the answers found by search engines. Instead, she combined some books such as "The Art of Language" and "High Emotional Intelligence in Dealing with People" to conduct a more comprehensive study.
When Jing Ke saw Shang Mama and Shang Siyu coming out of the kitchen together, he immediately stood up from the sofa and helped take the cup from Shang Mama's hand.
"Auntie, please sit down. I can make tea myself." Jing Ke said.
Mother Shang already had a filter for Jing Ke. After seeing her sensibly start pouring tea for herself, the look she gave her became even more amiable.
"Xiao Jing, is there anything you particularly want to eat? I'll make it for you in the evening." Mother Shang asked in a kind tone while sitting on the single sofa.
"Jing Ke, my mother's cooking skills are better than mine. Just tell her what you want to eat." Shang Siyu followed up.
Jing Ke thought seriously for three seconds and quickly gave an answer, "Auntie, I prefer braised spareribs and braised prawns. Other dishes are fine too. I'm not picky about food, so I can eat anything."
"Okay, we still have a lot of spare ribs at home. I'll go out and buy some prawns." After seeing Jing Ke's casual answer, the smile on Shang's mother's face deepened.
"I'll go. I already have to trouble you to cook for me, so I can't trouble you to go shopping." Jing Ke said as he stood up.
Jing Ke: "Auntie, besides the prawns, is there anything else the family needs? Shang Siyu and I will drive there and will be back soon."
Shang Siyu nodded and said, "Yes, I'll take Jing Ke for a walk around the neighborhood. Mom, if you want to buy anything, just tell us directly."
Mother Shang looked at Jing Ke, whose eyes were clear and sincere, then looked at her own daughter, and finally decided not to be distant with Jing Ke.
"Okay, in addition to the prawns, you can also buy a live fish and keep it to make fish porridge tomorrow morning." Shang's mother said, "As for vegetables, just pick out the ones you like. We have no shortage of food at home."
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Shang Siyu's hometown, Mu'an County, might not be as bustling as Jiang City, but the streets are still bustling on the eve of a holiday. Not only are the streets crowded, but there are also numerous street vendors, many elderly people pedaling tricycles to sell their homegrown vegetables.
Jing Ke was a little curious about this scene and took a few more glances while waiting for the traffic light. "I remember the road law stipulates that there can't be such vendors on the roadside."
Shang Siyu looked over and said, "Regulations are regulations, but the degree of enforcement varies. Big cities are more particular about rules, but small places are more humane."
"The aging problem in Mu'an County is quite serious. All the young people have left. If there is no room for these elderly people to make some money, they won't know what to do." Shang Siyu added.
Jing Ke nodded thoughtfully, and after the red light turned green, he released the brake and stepped on the accelerator.
The two people's destination was a large farmers' market, which had rice, flour, grain, oil, fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, milk and so on. Not only were the items fresh, but the prices were also cheap and affordable.
"My mother and I used to take the bus to buy food, bringing a small cart and buying a week's worth of food at a time," Shang Siyu introduced as he walked.
"After I went to Jiang City to attend university, this place has been renovated many times, but the people setting up stalls here are basically the same group of people." Before Shang Siyu finished speaking, the owner of a vegetable stall recognized her.
"Isn't that Xiaoyu? Are you back from vacation?" The boss's tone was very enthusiastic. "Would you like to buy some vegetables to take home? The zucchini and cauliflower here just arrived this morning."
"Aunt Liu, long time no see. I came to buy some seafood." Shang Siyu responded with a smile.
"It's seafood. Then take a piece of ginger back to remove the fishy smell." Aunt Liu said, putting a piece of old ginger in a small plastic bag, and leaning over to stuff it into Shang Siyu's arms.
"No need, Aunt Liu, I have more at home." Shang Siyu was a little overwhelmed by such enthusiasm.
"It's okay. Ginger can be kept for a long time. If you still have some at home, just keep it. You can always use it when cooking." Aunt Liu said with a smile, "Just remember to take care of my business next time you buy groceries."
Unable to refuse, Shang Siyu could only hold the plastic bag in his hand and said, "Okay, next time I need some vegetables, I will definitely come to Aunt Liu to buy them."
Jing Ke looked at the scene with a little confusion. When they were almost at the seafood area, she asked, "Are you close to Aunt Liu?"
"It's not bad. My mother likes to buy vegetables from Aunt Liu. Aunt Liu's daughter and I are students in the same school." Shang Siyu said, lowering his eyes to glance at the ginger in his hand.
A pound of ginger costs at least six or seven yuan. Next time you buy vegetables from Aunt Liu, remember to pay a little more.
Jing Ke nodded thoughtfully, keeping in mind the new social etiquette he had learned.
Buying the fish went very smoothly. When the boss heard that I didn't need help killing the fish, he simply filled another black bag with water and put the lively black fish into it.
Jing Ke took it first, took out her phone and paid with one hand, saying seriously, "Auntie is going to cook for me, so I should pay for the ingredients. When we lived together, wasn't I the one who paid for everything?"
"Okay, you make sense, then you pay the bill." Shang Siyu said, preparing to silently retract his half-extended hand.
However, Jing Ke seemed to have misunderstood Shang Siyu's meaning. When he saw her extending her hand, he held it with his other hand and interlocked their fingers naturally.
Shang Siyu took a quick glance, then continued walking forward as if he hadn't noticed anything.
The first few stalls did not have any large shrimps, so the two walked all the way to the innermost stall before they saw ingredients that met their requirements.
The big-head prawns are 66 yuan per catty, which is a very auspicious price.
"Boss, give me two pounds of prawns." Shang Siyu glanced at the price tag and shouted to the stall owner who had his back to them.
"I'm coming." A slightly hoarse female voice responded to Shang Siyu. She quickly put down the work in her hands, wiped her hands with a towel and turned to look over.
"It's two kilograms..." The boss was stunned for a moment after seeing Shang Siyu. A trace of embarrassment slowly appeared on his face. He immediately threw the towel aside and subconsciously began to tidy up his clothes.
"He Minmin?" Shang Siyu called out the other person's name first.
"Shang Siyu, long time no see." He Minmin forced a smile on her not-so-fair face, and her gaze lingered briefly on the holding hands of Shang Siyu and Jing Ke.
"You're back so early. Our holiday doesn't start until tomorrow." He Min started to be polite.
"Well, I came back a day earlier to avoid the peak period." Looking at his old classmate in front of him, Shang Siyu's tone was a little complicated.
In Shang Siyu's memory, He Minmin is one of the classmates who left the deepest impression on her.
There are two reasons. One is that He Minmin is the only female athlete in the class. She practices track and field and serves as the sports committee member. In any event she participates in at the sports meet, she always comes first. She once broke the school sports meet record.
The second reason is that He Minmin was the only girl who confessed to Shang Siyu in high school.
Although Shang Siyu's answer is still to learn not to fall in love, this does not prevent her from remembering the more special He Minmin.
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