174 secret rendezvous
Because Aunt Gao hadn't been notified to come over and do housework these past few days, Li Wei had been cooking and cleaning the house herself. Li Lin would occasionally help wash the dishes and set the table. Li Lianhui was just a spoiled brat who always waited to be fed and pampered.
Li Wei wakes up on time every morning according to her biological clock. During the holiday, Li Wei hardly slept in, because she found that sleeping in too much is not comfortable. Instead, it makes her feel sore and uncomfortable, just like eating too much delicious food.
On the contrary, taking a short nap at noon can be very comfortable.
Li Wei got up, washed up, put on her coat, grabbed her small wallet, and went downstairs to the convenience store to buy noodles. If Aunt Gao were here, she would often make some hand-pulled noodles and keep them in the refrigerator, which was very convenient.
Li Wei has always felt that soup noodles are like fried rice, a combination of rice and vegetables that is both convenient and nutritious, and a food that can be kept on hand for everyday life.
Moreover, making this kind of mixed soup noodles is not as simple as just cooking the soup and throwing the noodles in.
If you want to make delicious soup, you need to prepare various bone broths or stock in advance according to your personal taste. It usually takes several hours to make a pot of soup, although it is very convenient to make it once and eat it for several days.
There are also side dishes like vegetables and seasonings. Even for something as simple as making noodles, you can't just boil the soup and throw the noodles in. To get a clear and flavorful broth, you should first blanch the noodles in boiling water, then drain them and cook them in the prepared broth. This removes any dry flour or off-flavors that may have adhered to the noodles during the cooking process, resulting in tastier noodles.
Therefore, although mixed noodle soup may seem simple and doesn't require the elaborate cooking process of stir-frying vegetables, you still can't be lazy if you want it to taste good.
Li Wei finished cooking the broth for the noodles she was going to make, then started knocking on each room's door to call everyone to get up and eat, before turning back to continue cooking the noodles. If no one was too lazy to stay in bed, the timing would be perfect.
Everyone went to bed early yesterday, even Li Lianhui, who loves to sleep in, didn't linger in bed. Within minutes, everyone was at the dining table.
This time there was no distinction between large and small bowls. They used the same bowls. After all, her family had long since solved their basic needs for food and clothing. She couldn't let her two little ones go hungry.
Luo Da was wearing the robe that Li Lianhui had bought for him by Li Wei. It looked like the kind of robe-like nightgown the little devil in playing cards wore. Because it was a bit small, it was like a dress on him. But Luo Da didn't care at all. He sat there eating more happily than anyone else. After a good night's sleep, he looked quite energetic, not as haggard as he had been the night before.
Li Wei watched as Luo Da ate so quickly and in such large quantities. She hadn't even finished one bowl, and he had already refilled it three times. She couldn't help but tap his bowl: "Hey, shouldn't you pay some of your food fees?"
Luo Da nodded as he ate, "Hmm... take a look at how much money I have in my wallet."
Li Wei hadn't moved yet. Li Lin jumped out first. She took Luo Dadi's wallet from the coat rack near the entrance, opened it, and immediately screamed.
Li Wei: "What's wrong? A lot of money? There's no need to get so excited. You look like you've never seen money before."
Li Lin handed the wallet to Li Wei: "Take a look for yourself. I've never seen such a poor person."
Curious, Li Wei took the package and opened it. Even before opening it, she could tell something was off. It was too light. The small compartments inside were completely empty; not even a single penny was found. Li Wei was shocked and asked Luo Da, "Where's the money?"
The man finally finished eating. He patted his stomach, scratched his head, and said with extreme embarrassment, "Well... I was in a rush when I left. I forgot to bring any money. I did have some, but I had to pay for gas and tolls along the way, and I needed to eat something to fill my stomach, so..."
Li Wei suddenly remembered something: "You came back by yourself? Where's Third Uncle? Is he still over there?"
Luo Da's dark face showed a rare hint of red: "I'm just in a hurry, I'll go back to pick him up tomorrow."
Li Wei lay on the table: "Your old man raised you for nothing..." Suddenly, she remembered an important question and straightened up.
"Did your master tell you to come back? And what about your sixth senior brother?" This guy wouldn't disobey the sect's orders, would he?
Luo Da's face turned even redder: "I'll go back tomorrow, I'll go back tomorrow."
The remaining four—
Luo Da traveled a long way back, covered in dust and sweat, penniless. Although he suffered some hardship, fatigue, and hunger, and might even face some punishment, he was secretly overjoyed. At least Li Wei had treated him much better, and it seemed that the bilateral relationship had made historic progress.
So, after running home to change his clothes and replenish his supplies, Luo Da could even withstand the thunderous roar from his father, Uncle Luo, when he called Shandong to apologize. As for his master, who had originally planned to keep him for half a year, he wondered if it would be doubled this time. In any case, his indifferent tone revealed neither his joy nor dislike, but it sent a chill down his spine.
Li Wei felt that it was quite dangerous for Luo Da to drive back and forth alone, but judging from the tone of Luo Da's phone call, neither his father nor his master seemed to suggest that he didn't have to go back. Did they think this was a training exercise?
Anyway, Luo Da was determined to go back tomorrow, and it seemed he wouldn't be back anytime soon. His third aunt had always been quite lenient with her sons; her heart was practically as thin as a bucket. When Luo Da returned home, apart from a new set of clothes and a fuller wallet, nothing else had changed.
Anyway, Li Wei felt that if Li Lianhui went on such a long trip, neither her mother nor she would feel at ease. At the very least, they would have to prepare several large and small bags. As for whether Li Lianhui would take them or not, that was another matter.
Li Wei thought for a moment and decided to prepare some things for Luo Da for the journey, at least enough changes of clothes. Luo Da immediately objected, saying that they would only arrive in a day and a night, and there was no need for that.
Okay, let's keep the time short. We'll need to bring some food and drinks, right? Who knows if the food at the service area is even safe? Luo Da also objected, saying anything will do. We won't go hungry, no need to go through all that trouble.
Li Wei suddenly realized that this guy really was a natural-born creature that could survive no matter what. Well, she decided to bring him some food and drink; after all, he was a living being.
Li Wei was very familiar with this. She went to the mall and got everything sorted out in no time. She only needed enough fruit, snacks, braised food, and drinks for two days; she didn't need to bring too much. When she got home, she washed everything, packed it into small bags, put them in a large bag, tied it tightly, and placed it in a shady spot on the balcony, ready for Luo Da to take with him when he set off the next morning.
Luo Da felt a little uneasy about Li Wei's eagerness to prepare things for his departure. Why was she being so attentive? It was as if she was happy for him to leave.
Although Li Wei couldn't say she was happy, she did feel that it was good for Luo Da to be away for a while. Although the two of them had reached some kind of ambiguous consensus on the surface after watching the lantern festival, she did feel a little awkward being seen with Luo Da all the time. This opportunity was a good chance for her to calm down.
Otherwise, the way Luo Da looked at her every day with that dark, gleaming gaze was really hard for her to handle.
Luo Da had lunch at home before returning to Li Wei's place. He followed Li Wei around to the mall, the delicatessen, and the fruit stand, carrying bags full of them. By the time he got home, it was almost dinnertime.
Seeing that Li Wei was about to cook dinner again, Luo Dayi quickly suggested to Li Lin and Li Lianhui, "Let's eat out. What do you two want to eat?"
Li Lin immediately said, "I want to eat the three-delicacy dumplings at that dumpling restaurant next door."
So the four of them went to eat dumplings, each ordering their favorite filling. Luo Da and Li Wei ate dumplings with green peppers, cucumbers, and pork. Li Lianhui ordered pork and sauerkraut, something Li Lin had decided on before leaving home.
After finishing the dumplings, Luo Da immediately suggested, "Xiao Ming and I are going to the park for a stroll to digest our food. Do you two want to come?" If you two have any sense, you shouldn't go.
The twins, understanding each other perfectly, shook their heads in unison. Li Lin assured them, "We're going back to watch TV."
Li Wei put on her hood at the entrance of the dumpling restaurant. She felt a bit windy and thought, "Why go to the park on such a cold day? Besides, Luo Da clearly has ulterior motives." So she objected, "It's so cold, let's not go. It'll freeze your hands and feet. I don't have as much subcutaneous fat as you."
Luo Da looked at the twins who had already walked away and his face lit up with a smile: "It's okay, let's just take a walk. I'll take you to a coffee shop near the park. It's warm there, I guarantee you won't get cold. Besides, I'm here too. I'm like a portable furnace. Come on, let me hold your hand, my hands are warm." After saying that, he took Li Wei's hands in his.
Li Wei —
She turned her head and looked around; they were still at the entrance of the dumpling restaurant. She muttered, "Can't we be a little more discreet? This is a public place." She tried to pull her hand back but couldn't.
Actually, Li Wei was wearing a wool coat, which was quite warm, but her shoes didn't have thick soles. Since the dumpling restaurant was nearby, she only wore comfortable loafers instead of the more protective boots. The ground was covered in a layer of ice and snow, so when she reached the park entrance, Li Wei felt a chill running down her spine and refused to walk any further.
Luo Da glanced at her. He was only wearing regular sneakers. Although Li Wei's shoes looked much warmer than his, he knew that Li Wei was also much more afraid of the cold than him. But he really didn't want to give up such a rare opportunity to go out alone. After thinking for a moment, he squatted down and said, "I'll carry you."
Seeing his expression, Li Wei's heart softened: "Okay, but you can't fall to the ground."
"Don't worry, I can carry even a sandbag weighing over 100 pounds without breaking a sweat, let alone you. I can walk for half a day without even panting," Luo Da boasted smugly.
Is that how you make a comparison?
Li Wei immediately had a wicked idea: "Squat down properly, or we'll head back home right away."
"Come on, come on, with your little bit of strength, I'm not afraid of a few of you."
The person was very confident.
Li Wei walked more than ten meters away, stretched her arms and legs, and jumped twice on the spot, seemingly preparing for a fifty-meter sprint.
Feeling that it was about time, I glanced at Rod Da's motionless back and started running towards him. "Little brat, let me see how strong you really are."
Luo Dana's ears are sharper than a dog's; he heard Li Wei's movements long ago and immediately stood firm. If he had been tackled flat on his face, he would have been out of luck.
Li Wei ran up behind Luo Da, then suddenly stopped and climbed up as if nothing had happened.
Luo Da was a little confused: "Huh? Weren't you going to test me?"
Li Wei pulled her feet up off the cold ground: "Sigh, I was just worried that I might accidentally leave you covered in dirt and unable to face anyone tomorrow. Look how good I am to you! Enough talk, let's get going!"
These words sound so familiar and endearing.
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