When Wu Yuanyuan got home from get off work, she was overjoyed to see that the door to Bu Ling's room was open. She didn't even have time to go home; she went straight to Bu Ling's room.
"Buling, you're back!"
Bu Ling was steaming buns in the house when she heard Wu Yuanyuan's voice and looked up.
"Sister Yuanyuan, it's been so long! Did you miss me?"
"Pah, shameless! Who would want you?"
"Sister Yuanyuan, why are you saying one thing and meaning another?"
Bu Ling chuckled and teased, "Come in and sit down. What are you doing standing at the door?"
Upon hearing this, Wu Yuanyuan didn't stand on ceremony and plopped down on the stool. "How's your brother?"
"It's alright, otherwise I wouldn't be able to come back."
"That's true!" Wu Yuanyuan nodded.
Buling put the steamed buns in the pot, washed her hands, and then tidied up her things.
She took out her newly bought suede snow boots from the bed: "Look, Sister Yuanyuan, aren't they pretty?"
These snow boots are truly stunning. The white suede, brown calfskin, and slightly chunky heel make them a classic even fifty years from now.
"Wow, it's so beautiful!" Wu Yuanyuan was indeed extremely pleased.
He took the boots from Bling and examined them, carefully stroking the fur: "They must be expensive, right?"
"What's so expensive about it? It's only 1.8 yuan a pair, everyone's scrambling to buy them. I barely managed to snag a pair." Even now, thinking about it, Bu Ling still feels a lingering fear.
"So cheap?" Wu Yuanyuan's eyes widened.
Bu Ling slightly raised her chin, looking rather proud.
Wu Yuanyuan was a little envious, but she didn't say anything. She touched the shoes, then put them down again.
Bling sorted and put away the things she brought back, talking as she worked.
"Oh, right, there are some Kyoto specialties for Aunt Wu. There aren't many, so you can take them back with you later."
She bought quite a few boxes of Beijing-style pastries, but she wasn't generous enough to give each person a box; she only gave each person three pastries—it was just a token of her appreciation. She even wrapped them in oil paper to make them look nicer.
"Okay, I'll take it back later." This was standard practice, so Wu Yuanyuan didn't refuse.
"By the way, has anything interesting happened in the compound while I was away for a month?"
"There really is one. You know Uncle Li, right? He actually signed up to help with the frontline reconstruction. I heard the leaders approved it, and he's leaving in a few days. He won't even be spending the Lunar New Year here," Wu Yuanyuan said mysteriously.
"Huh? Why?" Bu Ling asked, puzzled. The front line was the most arduous place right now; a normal person would be trying to escape, so why would someone be so foolish as to volunteer?
"My dad told me that Uncle Li is a man who cares a lot about his reputation. He lost face so much because of the incident with Widow Liu, and people are still pointing fingers at him. Of course he can't stand it. He signed up for the reconstruction project, firstly because he wants to leave this place, and secondly, probably because he wants to regain some goodwill with the leaders."
Bling nodded in understanding.
"What about Uncle Li's three children?"
"Of course they'll go with us. They're too young; how could they be separated from their father?" Even if their father doesn't care much about them.
"Sigh~ those three children are quite pitiful," Brin sighed, reminding her of the original owner's past.
"There's nothing we can do. Fortunately, Li Yu is all grown up now and can take care of her younger brother." Wu Yuanyuan said helplessly.
Li Yu is Uncle Li's eldest daughter, and she is twelve years old this year.
After telling Bu Ling about what had happened in the past month, Wu Yuanyuan went back home. Bu Ling's steamed buns weren't ready yet.
Before it got completely dark, she shared her local specialties with her neighbors, specifically those who had visited her before.
As I left Widow Liu's house, I saw Li Yu from Uncle Li's family standing at the door with her head down and her shoulders trembling; she had clearly been punished.
Bu Ling frowned, wondering what was wrong with these parents, always resorting to punishing children by making them eat more.
This immediately reminded Bu Ling of the original owner of the body. She sighed, quietly walked over, and slipped the little girl three candies and a few pastries: "Sneak it out, don't let your dad know."
There was nothing she could do about it.
Li Yu silently accepted the items, watched Bu Ling's retreating figure, bowed, and carefully hid the pastries and candies, making sure her father wouldn't suspect anything.
A fierce glint flashed in the little girl's eyes at the thought of her father, but she quickly regained her wooden and indifferent demeanor.
Everyone else received three pieces of pastry, but Aunt Tian and Aunt Zhao each received half a box. Since arriving at the courtyard house, Aunt Tian and Aunt Zhao have been the ones who have helped her the most.
It's only natural that she's biased.
Aunt Zhao declined a few times, but accepted the money. After learning that everyone else received three yuan, she was even happier and felt a little closer to Bu Ling.
Although she helped Bling at the head of the household's behest, who doesn't appreciate someone who repays kindness?
Aunt Tian hadn't finished get off work yet, and only little Chen Cong was home alone. He accepted the snacks from Bu Ling and politely thanked her.
Bu Ling liked this kind of polite and clean child. She ruffled Chen Cong's buzz cut and gave him a piece of candy, which made the little boy beam with joy.
Of course, there were unexpected incidents when giving out local specialties. For example, Aunt Lan complained that she hadn't given enough, and without a word, Buling snatched it back and turned to leave.
Aunt Lan was dumbfounded. She quickly caught up with Bu Ling, said a few soft words, and finally got the pastries back.
She forgot that this girl was never easy to talk to.
Bu Ling discovered that Aunt Lan needed to be nagged from time to time, otherwise she would easily become arrogant and overbearing.
After leaving Aunt Lan's house, Buling glanced at Sangshen's door, which was still tightly closed. Sangshen hadn't returned since they parted ways at the train station, and she wondered if she would come back tonight. She had already prepared the money.
Back inside, I chopped some cabbage, grabbed some glass noodles and a piece of meat, and made a famous Northeastern stew. With some steamed buns, Buling drank two bowls of it.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
