The scallions, ginger, and garlic were chopped finely on the cutting board.
Li Jinhua took the blanched meat pieces out, drained them, and then stir-fried them in hot oil.
The meat sizzled in the pan, gradually turning golden brown as the fat was rendered out.
"Cough cough..."
The fumes made Li Jinhua cough a few times, but she didn't stop what she was doing.
She added cooking wine, soy sauce, and rock sugar, and the meat chunks were quickly coated with an enticing dark brown color.
Finally, add hot water, cover the pot, and simmer over low heat.
Then she began to process the carp.
Make a few cuts on both sides of the fish, then rub it with salt and cooking wine to marinate.
Cut the tofu into thick slices, cut the scallions into sections, slice the ginger, and crush the garlic.
Everything is ready, just waiting to be cooked.
The kitchen was soon filled with various aromas: the richness of braised pork, the freshness of steamed fish, and the fragrance of stir-fried vegetables.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Li Jinhua's forehead, but a satisfied smile played on her lips.
By the time the last dish was ready, it was already dark.
Li Jinhua neatly arranged the four dishes and one soup on the table, then took out two clean wine glasses and poured wine into them.
Everything is ready, just waiting for the male lead to appear.
On the sofa, Su Mingqiang seemed to smell the aroma of the food and finally woke up from his hangover.
He had a splitting headache and his throat was extremely dry.
I was still a little dazed when I opened my eyes.
"Where am I?"
Su Mingqiang muttered to himself.
Gradually, memories began to surface in his mind.
He was kicked out of his home by his father, removed from the family register, and wallowed in despair, drinking heavily. He hadn't been to work for several days, his job was in danger, and his wife treated him coldly...
As memories flashed by, Su Mingqiang sighed again.
"woke up?"
A gentle voice suddenly came from the kitchen doorway.
Su Mingqiang turned his head sharply and saw Li Jinhua standing there, holding a glass of water in her hand.
He blinked, wondering if he was still dreaming.
In all these years of marriage, when has Li Jinhua ever spoken to him in this tone?
"Have some water."
Li Jinhua walked to the bedside and handed him a water glass.
"Drink slowly, don't choke."
Su Mingqiang hesitated before taking the water glass. The cool water slid down his throat, bringing a refreshing sensation.
He secretly pinched his thigh in disbelief, and the pain told him that this was not a dream.
"I...I'll go wash up."
Su Mingqiang stammered, then hurriedly got out of bed and rushed to the bathroom as if fleeing.
As cold water splashed on his face, Su Mingqiang stared at himself in the mirror.
With sunken eyes and a scraggly beard, he looked like a homeless man.
He rubbed his face vigorously, trying to clear his mind.
What's wrong with her?
Su Mingqiang was completely baffled.
"Could it be... that they want a divorce?"
This thought made his heart sink.
As he slowly emerged from the bathroom, an enticing aroma of food wafted towards him.
Su Mingqiang looked at the sumptuous dishes on the table in surprise, then at Li Jinhua standing by the table smiling, and was at a loss for words.
"Sit down, what are you standing there for?"
Li Jinhua pulled out a chair.
"I made this especially for you; it's all your favorite food."
Su Mingqiang sat down cautiously, his eyes fixed on his wife, trying to find some clue on her face.
But Li Jinhua just smiled gently and served him a full bowl of rice.
"Try this braised pork; I stewed it for two hours."
Li Jinhua picked up a piece of meat with alternating layers of fat and lean meat and placed it in Su Mingqiang's bowl.
Su Mingqiang mechanically picked up the meat and put it in his mouth. The meat was tender and melted in his mouth, with a rich soy sauce flavor.
This was indeed his favorite dish, but now he can't taste it.
"So...delicious."
Su Mingqiang said dryly.
Li Jinhua poured him another glass of wine.
"Come on, have a drink, get some fresh air."
The wine glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound.
Su Mingqiang downed the drink in one gulp. The burning sensation traveled from his throat to his stomach, but it couldn't dispel the unease in his heart.
"Golden Flower..."
Su Mingqiang finally couldn't help but speak up.
"Just say what you want to say. This...it scares me."
Li Jinhua put down her chopsticks and sighed softly.
"Can't I be nicer to you?"
"no..."
Su Mingqiang rubbed his hands together.
"It's just...it's all so sudden. I've really been acting erratically these past couple of days, drinking too much and missing work...So, I'll go to the factory tomorrow and get back to work..."
Li Jinhua shook her head and picked up another piece of food for him.
"Work isn't urgent, let's eat first."
Su Mingqiang looked at the mountain of food piled up in his bowl and finally put down his chopsticks.
"Jin Hua, what exactly are you trying to say? I...I can't take this anymore."
The room fell silent for a moment, with only the ticking of the wall clock.
Li Jinhua took a deep breath and looked directly into her husband's eyes.
"Mingqiang, have you thought about our future?"
Su Mingqiang was stunned.
"What?"
"I mean..."
Li Jinhua spoke softly.
"You've been kicked out of the Su family, removed from the family register, and you might lose your job. How are we supposed to live?"
Su Mingqiang's face turned pale.
"I...I'll figure something out..."
"Mingqiang."
Li Jinhua suddenly interrupted Su Mingqiang's stammering explanation, put down her chopsticks, and gently placed her hands on the back of his hands.
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