Zhu Kexin's matter added a little worry to Zhao Qinglan's mind, but she was not too anxious because of it.
Just as Wang Dazhi was like a time bomb, she had also considered the possibility of Zhu Kexin coming back.
After she and her mother had prepared all the ingredients needed for the barbecue, the grill in the yard was ready.
This wasn't actually the first time their family had eaten barbecue, but it was a bit of a hassle, especially since they used to live in a residential area where the smell of barbecue was so strong that it could easily attract unwanted attention, so they hadn't eaten it much.
In 1982, the supply of some things was no longer so tight, and more farmers were bringing their own vegetables and livestock to the city to sell.
In addition, they also have various ingredients obtained through legitimate channels from the military-civilian cooperation, so they really don't lack anything if they want to have a barbecue now.
Although both Da Wa and Cheng Tao were eager to try grilling, Zhao Qinglan was worried about the taste and cooking time of their grilling, so she grilled it herself.
Actually, if Li Huai were here, he could handle this job.
Although it's not in the residential compound, there are quite a few residents nearby. The aroma of their barbecue wafts out from their courtyard, making countless people salivate.
Zhao Qinglan is quite fast at grilling things; everyone eats while she grills, and it smells delicious.
There are both meat and vegetarian options, cumin and chili powder are all prepared, and there are even sauces for dipping.
Cheng Tao thought the food he had eaten at their house before was already delicious enough, but today he had learned something new.
Of the meat dishes, his favorite is the sizzling, juicy grilled lamb skewers. Of the vegetables, his favorite is grilled tofu, especially grilled tofu dipped in sauce—it's incredibly delicious.
Zhao Qinglan didn't forget to eat while she was working.
The barbecue lasted for more than two hours, and the whole family ate until they were stuffed and satisfied.
After they finished eating, the children were quite sensible and helped clean up the mess.
While everyone was watching TV and taking a break, Zhao Qinglan started talking to her drowsy mother.
"Mom, I'm going back to the provincial capital first thing tomorrow morning. I won't be taking the kids with me. You can keep an eye on them."
"What's the matter?" Sun immediately snapped out of her daze.
"No, don't be nervous. I'm just going back to get some clean clothes for the kids. I'll be back in a day. It's too much of a hassle to travel back and forth with the three kids."
"Okay, Xiaoduo and the others are so well-behaved, and I'm here for you, so you don't need to worry."
"That's right, Mom. You're the pillar of our family. With you around, I feel at ease about everything."
Mrs. Sun was immediately pleased by her daughter's praise.
Knowing she was going back but would be back soon, the children didn't react much, since their grandmother and aunt were still there.
The next morning, Zhao Qinglan boarded a bus back to the provincial capital.
She and the children weren't home; Li Huai never brought them back during the day, only coming home at night to sleep.
Back in the building, Zhao Qinglan greeted her neighbors with smiles.
Even though she's been away from home these past few days, the house is still spotless and not messy at all.
Zhao Qinglan was quite satisfied with her husband in this respect.
However, she still picked up a rag and started cleaning.
After cleaning the house again, she went out to buy groceries and took the opportunity to call her husband's office using the phone in the residential area.
Li Huai wasn't there, so his orderly answered the phone. Zhao Qinglan didn't say anything, just asked the orderly to tell him that she was back and that he should go home for dinner early.
When Li Huai returned to his office and learned that his wife had come home, he was naturally eager to go home and see her.
Finally, he got off work and rushed home.
As soon as he entered the building, he could smell the aroma of food wafting from each household. When he reached his own door, the aroma became even stronger.
He opened the door and went inside. He saw that the food was already laid out on the table, but only his wife was there. He found this a little strange.
"Where are the children?"
"They didn't come back, only I did."
As soon as Zhao Qinglan finished speaking, she was pulled up and lifted up.
"Wife, I really miss you." Li Huai leaned closer.
After being pressed and kissed for a while, Zhao Qinglan finally managed to push her husband away.
"I have something important to say," she said, giving her husband a reproachful look.
"What is it?" he asked, puzzled, but he still sat down.
"Zhu Kexin has found a place in the troupe, didn't you know?"
"Zhu Kexin? What's she doing in the troupe?" Li Huai frowned; he truly didn't know that Zhu Kexin had come to him.
After Wu Mei reported the news to Zhao Qinglan and returned to Junminhe, she used the shop's phone to call her husband back. Sun Shengli didn't call Li Huai again after that.
"She didn't explain her purpose. It was Brother Shengli who met her. But what else could she possibly want? She either wants to see you or Da Wa and Er Wa."
He was doing just fine, but this woman just had to jump out at him, and Li Huai felt inexplicably annoyed.
"So she knows I'm here?"
"She only knows that you are in the provincial capital, and she doesn't know anything else. Brother Shengli didn't say anything."
Taking a deep breath, Li Huai said, "We'll deal with whatever comes our way. Qinglan, you don't need to worry about what she's up to. Just have her come to me."
Zhao Qinglan glared at her husband. "Easy for you to say. There are some things you might not be able to do."
Hmph, she's afraid of Zhu Kexin? What's there to be afraid of in front of that woman? Li Huai is her husband now, and her two children are sons she's raised with great care for several years. She has plenty of confidence.
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Li Huai dared not speak recklessly.
"We'll deal with whatever comes our way, but you can't be the only one to step in. When it's time for me to step in, I'll have to do it."
"Okay, whatever you say." Li Huai nodded quickly.
"As for Da Wa and Er Wa, do you think we should tell them?" Zhao Qinglan asked her husband.
"What do you think? I respect your opinion." This time, Li Huai was smarter.
"Actually, the two kids are already so grown up, it doesn't seem right for us to keep everything from them. We should tell them this so they can be mentally prepared." But she needed to think carefully about exactly how to say it.
Li Huai's main fear was that Zhu Kexin's arrival would upset his wife, especially since it involved their two children.
No matter how bad or irresponsible Zhu Kexin is as a mother, she is the biological mother of the two children, and that cannot be changed. However, his wife has put a lot of effort into the two children over the years, and he does not want his wife to be hurt in any way in this matter.
"Okay, then tell me. But Qinglan, no matter what Zhu Kexin wants to do, you can rest assured. The children and I are definitely on your side."
"We're family. If you're not on my side, who are you going to be on my side?" Zhao Qinglan snorted coldly, but there was a smile in her eyes.
Although she knew her husband well, she was still pleased to hear such a statement.
With the children away, the couple spent the evening enjoying a tender and affectionate time together, and their relationship grew even closer.
After Li Huai went to work in the morning, Zhao Qinglan, looking radiant and full of energy, confidently took the car back home.
As for Zhu Kexin, she is still struggling to find out the whereabouts and contact information of Li Huai and the children.
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