Jiang Shuya could only sigh helplessly, as her strength did not allow it, and she had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree.
"Mom, is the food delivery thing confirmed? Is it settled? Will it be delivered tomorrow?"
A sly glint flashed across Li Dalan's shrewd face; "How much? If it's more expensive than elsewhere, I won't hesitate to refuse."
So Jiang Shuya explained all the different set meals at different price points. Fortunately, Li Dalan was always generous with food and chose the 16-yuan per person set meal. She also insisted that the portion size be generous, as the workers had worked hard and they shouldn't be treated unfairly.
In Jiang Shuya's memory, her parents started out as scrap collectors and earned their money through hard work.
Later, he discovered that there were many tricks to the trade in waste recycling and figured out some ways to make money, so he expanded his waste recycling business and opened a baling station.
In her previous life, she had a smooth life. She even opened a packaging paper factory and bought several houses for Jiang Shuhuai in Jinling. Her younger brother easily became a rich second generation, and she herself became a rich young lady in the eyes of those workers.
Although Li Dalan was strict and demanding of her children, she was kind-hearted and generous to her workers, never exploiting them. As a result, she gained a group of workers who were devoted to her father.
After the order was confirmed, Jiang Shuya asked to pay for half a month's worth of meals in advance. Li Dalan did not object and readily agreed, promising to collect the money at the packing station the next day when the meals were delivered.
The three of them packed up and arrived at Xixia Village that afternoon. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw Tangtang at the door. Jiang Shuhuai quickly picked Tangtang up and started playing with her.
Huang Minghao wasn't home, and his mother, Li Yuxiang, didn't ask any questions when she saw Jiang Shuya arrive with people, probably because Huang Minghao had already given prior notice.
Sure enough, a mother always listens to her son. Jiang Shuya finally understood why so many women in those palace dramas competed for the emperor's favor. It turned out that as long as you please a man, everything will fall into place.
The three of them quickly cleaned the room, laid out the blankets, and then moved two unused tables and a wardrobe from the outbuilding in the backyard. They were satisfied after cleaning and wiping them down.
Li Xiaoru had indeed done farm work at home, and was quick and efficient, which aroused Jiang Shuya's curiosity.
"Xiaoru, you're about the same age as Shuting. Didn't anyone introduce you to anyone back in your hometown?"
Li Xiaoru paused in her wiping motions, her eyes showing some hesitation;
"Yes, they were almost engaged, but my dad refused because he thought the dowry was too low."
Jiang Shuya had no doubts. She knew that girls nowadays all yearn for city life, which makes it difficult for many boys in rural areas to find partners. However, girls like Li Xiaoru are still in high demand, so it was not surprising that her uncle asked for a high dowry.
"How much dowry does my uncle want? Tell me."
Li Xiaoru stammered, "One hundred thousand."
That's how it is. Ten thousand yuan isn't much in the city, but it's quite difficult for farmers in the countryside who rely solely on farming.
"Cousin, do you know anyone you could introduce me to? I don't want to go back to my hometown."
Jiang Shuya didn't expect Li Xiaoru to bring it up on her own initiative. She thought to herself, who says that people from the countryside are conservatives? Isn't this just a realistic view?
So she quickly thought of Wang Ziliang;
"Xiaoru, do you mind that the boy isn't a local? He'll be working in Nanjing for the rest of his life, not going back to his hometown, and will probably settle down here."
Thinking of Wang Ziliang's down-to-earth, capable, and responsible nature, she decided to introduce him to Li Xiaoru.
"It's alright. People from other places are good; they're hardworking, honest, and can endure hardship. They can even settle down in Nanjing. What's wrong with that?"
Li Xiaoru spoke her mind very frankly, which surprised Jiang Shuya, and all her worries vanished instantly.
Jiang Shuya frowned when she saw the few changes of clothes she brought from her hometown, all of which were outdated styles.
"This style is so outdated, it's totally unsuitable for your age. Did your aunt hand-me-downs?"
Li Xiaoru smiled awkwardly and nodded.
Jiang Shuya turned around and went upstairs to get several sets of clothes that she didn't usually wear, almost all of them brand new, for her. Li Xiaoru immediately held them up to herself and couldn't stop smiling.
That evening, Jiang Shuya found Zhang Xiaohui and explained the food order for the next day. After giving her instructions, she introduced Shuhuai to Zhang Xiaohui, saying that he would be in charge of delivering the food.
That night, Jiang Shuya stood on the balcony upstairs, silently watching the two houses downstairs. The lights were still on, and she could faintly hear the sound of a game keyboard coming from her brother's room. Li Xiaoru had just finished taking a shower and was probably trying on the clothes she had given her one by one in front of the mirror!
Late at night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. So she picked up a book and started reading. Sure enough, this was her cure. Soon after, she felt sleepy and fell asleep without realizing it, still holding the book.
When she woke up the next day, she found herself covered with a blanket and the book in her hand had been put aside. She went downstairs with sleepy eyes and saw Huang Minghao busy in the kitchen. When he saw Jiang Shuya, the corners of his mouth curled up.
"Get up! Breakfast will be ready soon, you can eat right away."
Jiang Shuya stared at him as if he were a monster;
"You don't need to do that, I don't eat at home."
She suddenly wanted to laugh. What had gotten into Huang Minghao? Why did he suddenly want to make her breakfast? In her memories of her past life, he had never cooked a single meal!
Did her conscience awaken? Thinking that he must have come back late last night, and that the blanket she was wearing might have been his, she suddenly felt uneasy.
Huang Minghao didn't mind her discomfort. After cooking, he knocked on Jiang Shuhuai's door and told him to get up and eat.
At the dinner table, Li Yuxiang was very curious about her son's changes. While feeding Tangtang, she looked at her son with longing eyes.
Looking at her considerate brother-in-law, Li Xiaoru's affection for him increased dramatically. She kept wondering to herself, "My brother-in-law must really love my cousin!"
It's rare to find a tall, handsome man who can also cook. Seeing my brother-in-law constantly putting food on my cousin's plate, I became even more certain that my cousin has such good taste, so the man she introduced must be just as good!
In the afternoon, Jiang Shuya brought Li Xiaoru to find Wang Tingting and explained their purpose. Upon seeing the person she hadn't seen for a long time, Wang Tingting immediately went up to hug her.
"Xiaoya, why did it take you so long to come see me? I missed you so much!"
After saying that, she pretended to cry and sob. After Jiang Shuya comforted her for a while, Wang Tingting finally raised her eyelids and looked at her carefully.
"You look like you've lost weight! You didn't gain any weight during the Chinese New Year. Look at me, I'm so fat! You're so jealous!"
"Okay, okay, chubby people are lucky, I'm just not so lucky, so don't complain. You look good like this too."
Wang Tingting nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, glanced at Li Xiaoru standing beside her, and instantly understood;
"Another assignment?"
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