"Are you trying to call back the soul? Keep your voice down, or we'll be in trouble when those people arrive."
Ma Linghua couldn't bear to look; she had no idea how the girl had managed to run into such a huge iron pillar.
After they returned to the house, Li Zhongguo looked at his son-in-law with pity, thinking how pitiful he had been.
"Alright, everyone go back to your rooms and get some sleep! Tomorrow it's my treat, we're going out for grilled fish."
"What? Mom? You're treating us to grilled fish?" Ma Hehua's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What's with that look on your face? Should I buy some fish and cook it for you guys?"
"No, Mother, you're treating. The fish you made is terrible, it's so fishy," Ma Hehua immediately said.
Ma Linghua gave her a deep look. "Hehua, you just said the fish I cooked wasn't good."
"Ah... Mother, it wasn't supposed to taste good to begin with! You should try to listen to the opinions of the people, shouldn't you?"
"Hmm! You're right. Then you should start learning to cook! I'm waiting for you to grill fish for me."
Ma Hehua: "……………………"
Ma Hehua's face fell instantly, like a delicate flower suddenly encountering frost.
She opened her mouth, trying to say something to salvage the situation, but found that there was no one around.
Ma Linghua's gaze was fixed on Ma Hehua as if it were a physical object, containing a hint of anger at being offended, as well as an undeniable air of authority.
Seeing Ma Hehua's discomfiture, Li Zhongguo coughed lightly, seemingly trying to ease the slightly tense atmosphere, but fearing he might get himself into trouble, so the cough sounded particularly abrupt in the quiet room.
Ma Hehua's eyes swept across the faces of the crowd, hoping to find a sliver of support, but everyone tacitly avoided her gaze.
She secretly lamented to herself, wondering why she couldn't control her loose tongue.
If I had known Mother would pull this stunt, I would never have said those things, even if you beat me to death.
Now, the thought of spending her time in the kitchen with pots and pans, battling the smell of fish, fills her with despair.
As soon as it was light, the light shone through the mottled window onto Li Zhongguo, who stood in front of the mirror, carefully grooming himself.
The old razor glided across his cheek, shaving away the stubble left by time, and the eyebrow trimmer made his messy eyebrows neat and well-shaped.
The military green clothes were worn crisply, each crease like the marks of time, and the black leather shoes were polished to a shine, exuding a rustic charm, as if taking one back to a bygone era.
When Ma Linghua came out and saw him like this, her eyes were full of surprise, and she blurted out a teasing remark: "Zhongguo, what are you doing? You don't have another old woman behind my back, do you?"
Li Zhongguo grinned, his wrinkles smoothing out like a blooming chrysanthemum. "No, weren't you treating today? I dressed up to make you look good!"
His voice carried a hint of pride, and his smile held a memory of the past. Yes, it had been far too long since he had dressed up so carefully, so long that his memory was somewhat hazy. Was it fifty or sixty years ago?
Ma Linghua looked at him, remained silent for a moment, then smiled slightly. "Alright! I'll go get my bag." With that, she turned and walked towards the room.
Just then, Li Zhongguo suddenly felt dizzy, as if the world before his eyes had turned into a giant vortex, and his head felt like it had been hit by a heavy hammer, causing him a sharp pain.
His body began to sway uncontrollably. He hurriedly reached out to grab something to steady himself, but there was only air around him.
His face turned deathly pale, his feet felt like they were walking on cotton, and he almost collapsed to the ground, with large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.
Li Fagui felt as if a red-hot steel knife was churning in his chest. The excruciating pain surged like a tidal wave, assaulting his will. He gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, and sweat soaked his clothes.
He told himself that he could endure it for as long as he could, and that he had no regrets about meeting and getting to know Linghua in this life.
On the other side, Ma Lihua was wearing a purple tracksuit, looking full of energy, as if she had brightened up the surrounding air. Her purple shoes were spotless, and her long braids hung down her back.
Ma Hehua hummed a cheerful tune, "la la la..."
Entering the room, Ma Hehua looked at Li Fagui lying on the bed and said angrily, "Fagui, when you get better, I'll cook for you! Take good care of yourself at home, and I'll eat your share too."
Upon hearing this, Li Fagui couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth, feeling both amused and exasperated. Couldn't this lotus flower say something more palatable?
Even just packing it up and bringing it back for him would be nice; it would warm his heart.
But looking at Ma Hehua's carefree attitude, he smiled helplessly.
Oh well, I'll spoil my own wife. She's always been a bit silly, and it's precisely that naivety that attracted me.
"Be careful when you go out. Come back after you've eaten. I asked Uncle Fu to make you some braised pig's trotters," Li Fagui gently instructed, his eyes full of concern.
Ma Hehua's eyes lit up immediately. "Okay, I'll eat the fish and then come back for pig's trotters. Don't worry, I'll eat them all up."
She felt incredibly lucky to have married such a considerate man as Fa Gui; her life had been worthwhile.
_
Wang Ma finally had some free time and relaxed completely.
She loved going to the old well in the yard; it had become a habit in her life.
The well pulley creaked and groaned, as if telling a story of bygone years.
Wang Ma skillfully lowered the bucket into the well and then slowly rocked it up. The well water sloshed around in the bucket, so clear that you could see the bottom.
This well water is truly wondrous; it tastes sweet and has a refreshing quality, like a unique touch of freshness amidst the ancient charm of this courtyard house.
However, with November fast approaching and the weather getting cooler, Wang Ma knew that the well water was too cold and drinking it directly would be bad for her health, so she always boiled it before daring to drink it.
This courtyard is usually bustling, but for some reason, sometimes when Wang Ma walks around alone in the courtyard, she always has a strange feeling.
The corridors, the tightly closed doors and windows, and the shadowy figures lurking in the corners all gave the courtyard a sinister atmosphere, as if countless untold secrets were hidden in those old walls, making one's heart tremble.
At this moment, Ma Linghua led everyone through a maze of turns to a hutong (alleyway).
The alley is narrow, and the walls are covered with the mottled marks of time. Deep in the alley, there is an old-fashioned grilled fish restaurant.
The shop looked rather simple, and the signboard was a bit faded, but it had everything you'd expect.
When they arrived, the shop was almost empty and very quiet.
The five of them chose a seat by the window, and the chair made a slight creaking sound as it was moved, which was particularly clear in the quiet space.
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