The car couldn't be pushed in, and there wasn't enough room inside, so Li Chu locked the car and followed Jiang Cheng home.
"Nannan, what did you just say about your little uncle? And where did your candy come from?"
"Mom, Uncle brought home a little uncle, and the candy was given to me by the little uncle."
"Uncle? Where did this uncle come from?" Jiang Li muttered to herself as she lifted the curtain and stepped out of the house.
"Brother, you brought friends?"
Just then, Jiang Cheng led Li Chu to the door and said, "Um, Lily, a friend of mine is here."
He then pointed to Li Chu behind him and said, "This is my friend."
“This is my younger sister, Jiang Li.”
I saw Jiang Li as soon as I walked over. She has changed a lot since I remembered her as a child. But I have to say, the soil and water in the south seem to be more nourishing than in the north. Although Jiang Li's complexion is a bit yellow, that is due to malnutrition. Her skin is still very delicate.
Having lived in the south for a long time, Jiang Li speaks with a southern accent, which is gentle and charming.
"Hello, Comrade Jiang Li." Li Chu greeted her naturally.
Jiang Li was still wondering why her brother didn't mention her name when he introduced her.
"Hello, comrade, please come in and have a seat."
Li Chu went in first, and Jiang Cheng was about to go in when his sister stopped him.
"Brother, why didn't you mention the name of the person you introduced? And you didn't even tell me beforehand that I didn't have enough food! Why don't you take your friends to a restaurant?" Jiang Li said softly.
"It's okay, he got food from the cafeteria, enough for us. Lily, what do you think of him?"
"Brother, what do you mean?" Jiang Li was a little confused by her brother's question.
"This is the girl your brother introduced you to. What do you think?"
"Brother, are you kidding me? He's so young, but I'm already so old, and I have a child with me."
Indeed, Li Chu had a very youthful face and fair skin, making him look like he was in his early twenties.
"Who cares how old he is? Have you even taken a liking to him?"
"Alright, bro, don't talk nonsense. I'm not thinking about remarrying, so don't try to set me up with random people. Let's go inside quickly, it's not good to leave our guest waiting." With that, she pushed Jiang Cheng inside.
After entering the house, Li Chu casually pulled up a small stool and sat down, looking around curiously.
The apartment is only a dozen square meters. The area near the entrance serves as both the living room and kitchen, separating the left and right sides. On the left, against the wall, is a double bed, presumably where Jiang Li and her child sleep.
There was a single bed against the wall to the right, with curtains drawn on both sides.
The house is small, but it is very clean.
"Nannan, come on, let's eat something delicious." Li Chu ignored what the two people who hadn't come in were saying outside and waved to the little girl sitting against the wall.
After saying that, he took out three lunch boxes from his bag, two of which contained vegetables and one of which contained steamed buns.
The curtain was lifted, and Jiang Cheng and Jiang Li walked in.
"Brother Cheng, hurry up and eat. I'm starving. The food you ordered is still warm."
Jiang Li glanced at Li Chu and felt that this man was really not polite.
Jiang Li had only glanced at the man casually outside and thought he looked young. Her brother had just told her that he was the man he was introducing to her. Although she didn't want to get married again, she still took a closer look after he came in.
She suddenly felt a sense of familiarity with the face in front of her.
He stopped what he was about to do to scoop up the rice, and with his back to Li Chu, he frowned and tried to recall the scene carefully.
When Jiang Cheng saw his sister stop what she was doing, he knew she must have thought of something. He didn't say anything but watched to see if she would remember.
Li Chu watched Jiang Li's retreating figure with a smile.
At this moment, Jiang Li turned around, looked at Li Chu and then at her brother, and was about to say something when her daughter interrupted her.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Nannan saw her mother standing there motionless, so she went over and tugged at the hem of her mother's shirt.
Jiang Li swallowed the words she wanted to say, squatted down and hugged her daughter: "Mom is okay."
After speaking, he looked at Li Chu again, a complicated expression on his face, and asked softly, "Are you Li Chu?"
"Lily, it's been a long time. You used to call me brother."
Time has passed, and everything has changed.
Seeing her childhood playmates again after nearly 20 years, Jiang Li regained her composure: "We could call them that when we were kids, but those kids all have kids now, so we can't call them that anymore."
"Alright, Lily, hurry up and serve the rice. Nannan, come to your uncle."
Jiang Li released the child from her arms, stood up, turned around, and took out bowls and plates from the cupboard. A crystal tear slid down her cheek.
She raised her hand to wipe away her tears, and when Jiang Li turned around again, she acted as if nothing had happened.
"Brother Cheng, it's time for Nannan to start school. What are your plans regarding her household registration?"
Jiang Cheng said with a wry smile, "I've only been working here for half a year, and I'm not familiar with this place at all. I can only wait and see."
"I'll get Lily and the child's household registration sorted out, otherwise you won't have enough food to eat."
"Can you transfer their household registrations over?" Jiang Cheng and Jiang Li looked at Li Chu excitedly.
If their household registration could be transferred, it would really solve a big problem; they've had a really tough time these past six months.
Jiang Cheng's salary was indeed not low, and he also had a demobilization allowance, so he definitely had enough money. The problem was that his rationed food was not enough, and he also had a shortage of various coupons.
If Jiang Li and her child's household registration were transferred here, their lives would be much better, and the little girl could go to school.
Li Chu picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth, saying indistinctly, "My sister works at the neighborhood office. I can't say for sure about other things, but transferring my household registration shouldn't be a problem."
"Oh, that solves our big problem." Jiang Cheng slapped his thigh happily, then remembered something and slapped his forehead: "Where's the wine, Lily? Bring the wine. I need to have a good drink with Xiao Chu."
Jiang Li's face was also full of smiles: "Yes, I also want to toast Xiao Chu a few times."
"No, no, no, I don't drink alcohol at all. I won't drink it even if you take it out," Li Chu quickly stopped him.
"What, Xiao Chu, are you saying our wine isn't good enough?"
"Lily, that's not very nice of you. I really don't drink."
"Never mind, Lily, since Xiao Chu isn't drinking, don't bother getting any more wine." Seeing that Li Chu didn't seem to be faking it, Jiang Cheng didn't ask for any more wine.
"You can share the house for now, and I'll try to figure something out for you later."
Li Chu had already made up his mind. He planned to have Jiang Li move to the house in the courtyard, but he had to go back and talk to his wife first.
If his wife doesn't agree, he won't bring it up; he'll just find someone else for them.
As they ate and chatted, the awkwardness from not seeing each other for so long gradually disappeared, and Jiang Li became more talkative.
The three of them recounted what had happened since they parted ways, mainly telling Jiang Li their stories.
Chapter 200 Familiar
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