Chapter 34
The two groups of people standing in front of the counter were all stunned for a moment. The woman who jumped into the river even said subconsciously: "They came here first, why are we buying first?"
The salesperson said calmly, "Comrade Kong is an acquaintance. He always brings us some snacks and fruits every time he comes. And you buy the most expensive watches, so of course it's different. They buy the cheapest watches, so what's wrong with waiting for a while?"
Kong Liangchao immediately became proud and said complacently: "Yes, we want to buy the most expensive watch. Take it out and show it to me first."
The female comrade who jumped into the river rolled her eyes at Kong Liangchao, then smiled apologetically at Xie Jinxuan.
"Okay, okay." The salesperson smiled and said, "Comrade Kong hasn't been here for a while. Has he changed his partner again?"
The female comrade's expression changed instantly, and she sneered, "I'm not his type. He and I are going to get married soon. I came here today specifically to buy things. I'll buy a watch first, then a coat, leather shoes, a wool sweater, and finally pick up a ladies' bicycle."
The salesperson said in surprise, "Comrade Kong, you are getting married? Congratulations."
Kong Liangchao's expression changed slightly, and his originally smug smile froze there. He didn't know whether to smile or not, so he could only say, "Haha, thank you, you are a very nice person. Okay, we have a lot of things to do, quickly give us the watch to have a look."
The salesperson was about to get the most expensive ladies' watch to show them, but at this moment, the grandmother suddenly slammed the counter, scaring the salesperson.
"Old lady, what are you doing? You scared me!" The salesperson was startled and quickly covered his chest.
Grandma said coldly: "We came here first, I want to buy first!"
The salesperson said impatiently, "Can't you just wait a moment? It's only a matter of a few minutes, why are you being so fussy? What's the harm in waiting a moment?"
Kong Liangchao said smugly, "That's right. What's wrong with waiting a while? You guys are so ashamed to slam the table after buying the cheapest watch? What's going on? Are you going to smash the bench the next second? Xia Qingtang, you looked down on me before and found such a gigolo. I thought this gigolo was something special, but I didn't expect him to be a pauper. You've been married for a while, but you're still dressed so shabby. What's wrong? That gigolo can't even afford you a new dress? Seeing how poor you are, don't buy a watch. Buy an alarm clock to check the time. That's good enough. Also, salesman, you have to ask clearly if these people have watch tickets. Don't waste your time and ask you to take them out, and then you can't buy them after they get dirty."
This seemed to remind the salesperson, and she immediately said, "Thank goodness Comrade Kong reminded me. Do you have any watch tickets?"
Grandma said, "Why don't you ask him if he has a watch ticket?"
"Can he be the same as you? What's the environment of his family like? What's your environment like?" The salesperson looked at the grandma's fancy clothes coldly, then looked at Xia Qingtang's simple clothes with a little confusion, and frowned slightly.
Kong Liangchao said, "Okay, okay, those who don't have tickets can just stand aside and let those of us who have tickets and money buy them first."
Not only was grandma unhappy, but Xie Jinxuan, who was always very friendly outside, also suddenly frowned. He said sternly: "Comrade salesperson, your colleagues have seen it. We came here first and we saw it first. We want to buy this watch now. Please sell the watch to us first in the order of first come. The watch ticket is here, you can check it carefully."
After saying that, Xie Jinxuan took out a ticket for the watch purchase qualification and placed it on the table.
The salesperson could see that these people had conflicts with Kong Liangchao. She might have thought that she had a better relationship with Kong Liangchao, so she sneered and said, "People are poor and have many things to do. What's wrong with you being here first? Can't you wait a while? Can't you show some style and let others buy first? They want to buy the most expensive watches, and you buy the cheapest watches. What's wrong with giving way to others?"
Kong Liangchao shouted, "That's right, if you can't afford the expensive ones, just stand at the back! Make way! How dare you come to buy a watch when you're so poor?"
"I won't let you. Why should you let us develop our style? Comrade salesman, is this how you serve the people? Is this what the leaders of your store usually teach you? Let the rich buy first, and the poor are not worthy to buy? I really didn't expect that in this era, there are still bourgeois tumors like you! It doesn't matter whether I buy the watch or not. I will go find your leader and let him see how dirty and wrong the thoughts of the salesmen here are!" After Xia Qingtang finished speaking, he slapped the counter table with both hands and turned around as if to leave.
The salesperson was stunned at first, then asked in a panic: "What? What are you talking about? You want to find our leader? Do you know where our leader is?"
Grandma said sternly, "How come I don't know where your leader is? I also know where his office is! Qingtang, let's go find their leader now! This salesman is really outrageous, I've never seen such a way of serving the people! We are not going to buy watches today, we have to argue with each other!"
After saying that, grandma took Xia Qingtang's arm and wanted to go together.
At this time, Xie Jinxuan also said, "Yes, I heard that Comrade Kong is being investigated by the Grain Bureau for some economic and work style issues. This salesman is so partial to Comrade Kong that it is hard not to suspect that there are some economic and work style issues between them... Grandma, I think we should report this to the leaders here truthfully."
The salesperson was only slightly flustered at first, but when he heard this, his face turned pale and his lips began to tremble.
"Wait, wait, wait! What are you talking about? What work style and economic issues? I don't have any, stop talking nonsense!" The salesperson stretched out his hands anxiously, trying to grab the clothes of Xia Qingtang and others across the counter, but it was in vain.
Xie Jinxuan said, "Whether it is nonsense or not, we have to investigate to know. We are all the people, and the people have the right to supervise and report. I am going to report you to your leader now. First, you are derelict in your duty and have not served the people in a down-to-earth manner. Second, you treat customers differently and have not eradicated the tumor of the capitalist class. Third, you have an abnormal relationship with the child of a cadre who has made a serious mistake. It is worth a thorough investigation."
The salesperson was about to cry. Who doesn’t know how powerful internal investigations are these days?
First, you have to be suspended before an investigation can take place. The length of the suspension can be long or short, ranging from one month to two or three months. During this period, you will not receive a penny of salary because you have not been to work.
Not getting a salary is not a big deal, after all, an average family has a hundred yuan in savings. But not getting the food coupons issued every month would mean starvation to death.
The salesperson was so scared that she jumped out from the counter. No one saw how she jumped, but she was so agile that it was as if she was flying. She jumped out and ran out, blocking the way of Xia Qingtang and her grandmother.
"Wait a minute, you can't slander me, you can't do this! You are going to starve me to death by doing this! I have never done anything wrong with the economy or work style. I am a salesperson in my thirties, standing at the counter here every day. What can I do with a young man like him? I only know his last name is Kong, I don't even know his name! How can you say such nonsense?" The salesperson also shouted to other colleagues: "Come over and testify for me, I really just work here every day."
Xia Qingtang said coldly: "If you have no relationship with Kong Liangchao, why did you let him buy first? We are all customers, and we are all equal. You don't even understand the principle of first come first served. How dare you say you work here? Are you worthy of this job?"
“Yes, it was my fault for letting them buy first. Can’t I apologize to you? But let’s be clear, I was being discriminatory. I looked down on you for buying the cheapest watch, but I really have no relationship with that Comrade Kong, really not! You really can’t harm me, wuwuwuwuwu…” the salesperson cried with tears and snot.
She didn't dare to speak too loudly, probably because she was worried about attracting the leader.
Grandma said, "Then apologize, now, immediately, in front of your colleagues, and tell us what you did wrong."
The salesperson had no choice but to say, "As a salesperson, I did not treat all customers equally. Not only did I make you wait, but I also said rude words to you. I'm sorry. I sincerely apologize to you. I won't do it again. I will not dare to do it again. I will be conscientious in this position and serve every customer seriously. Please, let me go, let me go. I have elderly parents and young children to take care of. Please, let me go. Old man, my grandmother is 80 years old. Please, for my grandmother's sake, let me go this time, please! I really dare not, never again..."
She looked really scared. I guess she won't dare to watch others serve her food again in half a year.
Xie Jinxuan said: "Grandma, do you think this apology is sincere?"
"She doesn't seem to be sincere and it sounds like she's just trying hard. This comrade may not really realize her mistake. She may still treat other guests like this after we leave. She may even look down on comrades who are dressed simply or from the countryside. I don't believe she will serve them wholeheartedly." said grandma.
In fact, what grandma said is true. The sales clerks who can work here now treat customers differently based on their appearance. They will be a little more polite to customers who are dressed more elegantly. As for other customers, they will ignore them. If a countryman comes to buy something, he may not answer any of your questions even if he asks you ten questions.
The saleswoman, who was in her thirties, was crying like a baby. She said, "Comrade, I really realize my mistake. I really won't do it again, and I dare not do it again. In the future, I will be the same to everyone and will be warm and polite. Really, please supervise me. If I continue to do this in the future, you can sue me anyway. I beg you, just this time, believe me, believe me! If I get suspended, my children will starve to death. I have two children, wuwuwuwu..."
Grandma sighed unhappily and said, "I'm just too soft-hearted. Okay, I'll give you this chance. As long as you can really change, we won't go to your leader anymore."
"I will change it, I really will change it!" the salesperson burst into tears.
"Then what are you waiting for? Go in and get our watches. Don't waste time." Grandma said unhappily.
The salesperson quickly wiped her tears, quickly returned to the counter, took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears and hands, and quickly got the watches for them.
Kong Liangchao narrowed his eyes and stared at Xia Qingtang and the other three with an unfriendly look, cursing at them in a low voice.
He is no longer the same person he was before. The results of the internal investigation have not come out yet, and his grandfather has also warned him not to cause trouble outside, so he doesn't dare to really curse out loud and be heard by the other party.
The female comrade whispered, "Don't scold me anymore. Look at the old lady's demeanor. She's definitely not an ordinary person. Judging from the way she talks, she must be educated. She's educated at this age and she's dressed so elegantly. She must be a cadre. You haven't even finished your investigation yet, so don't go out and look for trouble. I'm telling you, don't lose your job just because we got married. My job at the printing factory can't support the two of us."
Kong Liangchao rolled his eyes at her: "Can you say something nice? Are you cursing me? Will I lose my job? Do you think my parents are vegetarians? Also, if that old lady is a cadre, why don't I have any impression of her? I basically know all the cadres in this city."
"Isn't it possible that she is a provincial cadre?" The female comrade said, "I think she is quite impressive. If she is a senior provincial cadre, where would you meet her?"
Kong Liangchao was very happy: "Are you stupid? A provincial cadre family would marry Xia Qingtang? Did you know that her family lives in a shack? It leaks when it rains. Her father is a porter and her mother is an old tuberculosis patient. Do you think she can marry into a provincial cadre family? Her family is not blind!"
"Don't you just want to marry her? Why can't cadres' families marry her too?" The female comrade said, "I heard that you were fooled by this Xia. Seeing her appearance and figure today, it's no wonder that she fooled you. Look at yourself. Just looking at your appearance, you are not a good match for her. Her current lover is a good match for her. They are a talented man and a beautiful woman. Besides, her lover is a kind-hearted person. When I tried to commit suicide by jumping into the river, he was the first one to jump in and save me. If it weren't for him, I would have lost my life."
Kong Liangchao squinted at her and said, "Then did he touch you?"
"Bah!" The female comrade spat at Kong Liangchao's pants, "You are such a beast, even a dog can talk better than you!"
"Then you still want to marry me? Why don't you marry a dog?" Kong Liangchao also spat at her.
The woman said, "Your mother promised me a thousand yuan and bought me so many good things. I can also get a promotion in the factory. If I don't marry you, how can I get these benefits? It doesn't matter who I marry. I just like your parents. Let me tell you, we have an agreement. After we get married, you will honestly give me your monthly salary. Otherwise, I will make you look bad!"
As they were talking, Xia Qingtang and her friends had already bought the watch. The salesperson helped her adjust the time and taught her how to wind it every day. She looked at the brand new watch on her wrist and smiled faintly, like a beautiful flower bud blooming.
Kong Liangchao, who was not far away, noticed the smile and was stunned for several seconds.
The female comrade also noticed it, and she said with a smile: "Why? You were stunned by a smile? Let me tell you, a beauty like this is not something a man of your level can marry."
"Get lost! If you keep nagging me, I won't buy you a watch!"
"If you don't want to buy it, then don't buy it. I'll go find your mother! Or your grandfather!" The female comrade smiled very proudly.
Kong Liangchao became instantly deflated when he heard the name of his grandfather and could only grit his teeth and curse in secret.
"Is it okay? If you think it's not okay, just change it. The family is not short of this little money, grandma can afford an expensive one." Grandma said in a low voice.
"This is great, I like it very much, thank you grandma." Xia Qingtang said: "A watch is a tool for telling time, as long as it works and the time is accurate, that's fine."
Xie Jinxuan nodded and said, "Yes, this watch won't be too eye-catching when worn to work in the factory. It's quite suitable."
He would consider the issue from Xia Qingtang's perspective. After all, she still had to go back to the factory to work. The gap between her and her fellow workers was too big, which would hurt their feelings and also cause gossip.
Just as Xia Qingtang was about to nod her head and say yes, she heard Kong Liangchao's sarcastic voice next to her: "If you can't afford the expensive ones, then you can't afford them. What's so embarrassing about that? You really have the nerve to find an excuse to step down. Xia Qingtang, you just have no vision. You followed this poor pretty boy, and you'll regret it!"
The female comrade next to him slapped him hard: "Will you shut up?"
"No!" Kong Liangchao stared at Xie Jinxuan fiercely.
He originally wanted to hold back his anger, but when he saw Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan smiling intimately, he suddenly felt his head getting hot and it was hard to control his anger.
Xie Jinxuan had a gentle look on her face and said with a smile: "I may be poor, but Qingtang is willing to marry me. Even if I don't buy her anything, she still likes me."
Xia Qingtang burst out laughing: "Yeah, I like you, but not just to get you to buy me a watch."
Kong Liangchao was so angry at the two of them that he rolled up his sleeves and was about to go up and argue with them.
The female comrade said lightly, "They are tall and big, and there are three of them while you are only one. If you fight, I will call a doctor for you in a moment. Don't expect me to help you."
Kong Liangchao's face turned purple with anger and he immediately dared not move.
Grandma laughed so hard that she fell backwards. She said, "Girl, I see that you are also a pretty young person, and you are also straightforward. If you are not married yet, you should just find someone else. This person is not worth it."
The female comrade smiled and said, "Thank you, old comrade. Don't worry about me. I know what I am doing. I won't suffer any loss, only gain."
"That's fine." Grandma said, "Then we'll go first. Goodbye."
After saying that, grandma took Xia Qingtang's arm and walked towards the stairs with a smile on her face.
After we got downstairs and stood on the first floor, grandma said, "The girl just now said that you saved Jinxuan? What's going on?"
Xie Jinxuan recounted the story of how she rescued someone before and also gave some analysis before and after the incident.
After listening to this, grandma nodded repeatedly and said, "A family like the Kong family needs a female comrade like this to deal with them. I think this girl is very capable. She will definitely be able to take away all their money and things. They won't suffer any loss."
Xie Jinxuan said: "It may be more than that. According to my estimation, after the internal investigation is completed, Kong Liangchao may not be able to find a job again. If he loses his job, I don't know what will happen to him at home."
"That's his blessing." Xia Qingtang whispered, "Don't mention that unlucky person, it's annoying to hear about it."
Today was such a happy day, she just wanted to put the bad things behind her.
"Then let's buy some candy and snacks and then we can go home for dinner. Xiaoliu said that he wants to make braised fish for Qingtang today." Grandma smiled and took them to buy candy.
There are many kinds of candies to choose from at the candy counter. Xia Qingtang especially liked to come here when she was a child. Zhao Meizhen would buy two or three different kinds of candies for Xia Qinghai. If she was in a good mood, she would also give Xia Qingtang a few.
Now that she had money and people were willing to buy her candy, she happily picked out a few flavors recommended by the salesperson, and then bought peach cakes, egg cakes, sesame cakes and other snacks, and filled a cloth bag before she was done buying everything.
"It's time to go home. It's almost eleven o'clock." Xie Jinxuan said.
Xia Qingtang also quickly raised his left wrist to look at his watch: "Really? It's already ten forty-five. I didn't expect time to pass so quickly."
They found the car in the alley with their full haul, and then went home chatting and laughing.
Xiao Wan sent them to their destination and turned to leave. Aunt Liu ran out and handed him a bag of snacks she had brought from outside.
"I bought a lot, so much." Aunt Liu came back to the house and said, "Qingtang, put the things in the cupboard, and you can come down to eat in a while."
"Grandpa, will you come back for lunch today?" Xie Jinxuan asked.
"He definitely won't be back. I just don't know if Xiao Yun will come back. I told him last night that I would make braised fish for lunch. He might come back."
There is a cafeteria in the middle school. If it is inconvenient to go home for lunch, you can also eat in the school cafeteria.
However, the provincial party committee compound was not far from the No. 1 Middle School in the city, so Xie Jinyun sometimes ate in the cafeteria and sometimes suddenly ran home.
If Aunt Liu didn’t cook for him, she would cook him a bowl of noodles, and he would be very happy.
Grandma sat down on the sofa as soon as she came in: "Oh, I won't move. I need to take a good rest for a while."
Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan went to the third floor. She went to the bathroom first, and when she came back she saw that Xie Jinxuan had hung all the clothes she bought in the closet.
"Are you tired? If you are, you can lie down for a while." Xie Jinxuan hugged her gently and kissed her on the forehead.
Xia Qingtang said: "Why is shopping tiring? Isn't it just playing? You really underestimate the physical strength of us textile workers."
The physical demands of female workers on the front line are actually very high, so although they look thin, they actually have some muscles on their bodies.
Xie Jinxuan immediately turned serious and said, "Speaking of this, have you ever thought about changing your job? Going to a place where you won't hurt your body? Most of the frontline workers in your factory have lung problems."
"Of course I have thought about it, I have thought about it a long time ago, but it is not so easy to change positions. For example, in our workshops, the quality inspection positions will be much healthier. But those quality inspectors are old employees who have worked for a long time and are experienced. Can we squeeze them out?"
"I'm not talking about quality inspection or anything like that. I'm talking about office work. You have a high school diploma and can write articles. According to your factory's requirements, you should meet the hardware requirements for office work."
"The conditions are met. Our factory's office, trade union, and logistics all need high school graduates. Some of the daily work is not difficult. In fact, a junior high school diploma is enough." Xia Qingtang was quite clear about this because she had worked in a trade union in her previous life. As long as she could read and write, she could do those things well.
Xie Jinxuan said: "I'll ask someone first to see if those offices are short of staff and if I can arrange for another person to go in."
"Are you going to help me get through the back door?" Xia Qingtang smiled, "Didn't you say that grandpa doesn't like things like getting through the back door?"
"It's a backdoor, but it's not. If there are still office positions in your factory, then I think you can continue to write articles and send them to newspapers or magazines. You have published articles before. Once is accidental. If you publish twice or three times, and the quality of the articles is very good, then it means that you are a person who can do office work. Moreover, if you can write articles that are published in newspapers, then you can write speeches, work summaries, work reports, etc. for factory leaders. It will soon be the end of the year again. The situation this year is different from previous years. My grandfather said that there will definitely be a lot of big moves. Correspondingly, the factory must also organize learning. The writing skills of several old officers in your factory were very limited. At that time, the leaders will definitely need someone who can write articles, and then you can get into their sight with the articles published in newspapers. At this time, I will ask someone to take a message and remind them, and you can be transferred to the office naturally. Moreover, in this way, you are transferred because of your own ability, and your fellow workers will only be happy for you."
Xia Qingtang listened to him slowly and couldn't help but say, "Actually, I've thought about what you said at my grandmother's place. I saw a comrade in the newspaper who was noticed by the county because he published ten articles in a row in newspapers. He was directly transferred from a warehouse porter to the county to do propaganda work. I was thinking at the time, can I also try this path?"
"You totally can."
"But my writing skills are average. The last one I wrote was only acceptable because you helped me revise it. If I write it myself, will it not meet the factory's requirements in the future?"
Xie Jinxuan said, "No, most of the articles, documents, speeches, summaries, and reports your factory needs are the same. After you get in, just take out the old documents and read them more to get familiar with them, and you will be able to grasp the routine and style. Then, according to some current affairs and policies in the news and some opinions of the leaders, you can make some minor modifications. Besides, whether it is the factory office or the trade union, most of the work is usually trivial affairs. Writing articles is something that you don't get to do a few times a month. Transactional work is very simple. As long as you are careful, you can do it."
Xia Qingtang let out a long sigh: "You have so much confidence in me?"
"Of course. Just based on the article you wrote before, I know that you are a capable and talented person."
"You obviously helped me change a lot."
"The parts I helped you revise are the styles and routines that you are not familiar with, but the framework and theme of the article were all drafted by you. There is no problem. You know how to grasp the key points and the focus. You have been watching the news frequently during this period, so you should have gradually figured out the style of formal writing, right?"
"I can't say for sure whether I have figured it out or not. I have to write it down to find out."
"Then write it when you are free. You can start from the perspective of grassroots workers. I will help you revise it at the beginning, and when you don't need to revise it anymore, I will retire." Xie Jinxuan said with a smile.
Xia Qingtang threw herself into his arms: "Why are you so nice?"
"Will you choose me as your husband?"
Xia Qingtang chuckled, tilted her head back and kissed him on the face.
Xie Jinxuan felt that it was not enough, so she hugged her tightly and gave her a few solid kisses.
"Qingtang! Jinxuan! It's time to eat!" Aunt Six's voice suddenly came from the stairs.
Because the door was not closed, the two of them quickly separated. Xia Qingtang immediately replied, "I know, I'll go down now!"
Fortunately, Aunt Liu did not come up to the third floor. She shouted from the second floor and then went downstairs again.
Xia Qingtang felt her face was a little red and hot, so she went to the bathroom to look at herself in the mirror. Sure enough, it looked like a red apple. She quickly washed her face with cold water, and only went downstairs when she felt her face was not so hot anymore.
Xie Jinxuan had already served all the food. Grandma was sitting at the table, smiling and waving at her: "Come on, come on."
Xia Qingtang ran over and saw a large portion of braised fish on the table. The fish was cut into pieces and cooked with scallions and dried mushrooms. It looked shiny and fragrant.
There was also a plate of stir-fried vegetables and a plate of pickled edamame rice on the side. The rice was two-grain rice, not too much, and should be just enough for them.
Aunt Six said, "Look at the time. Xiao Yun will definitely not be back by noon today."
"Yeah, I guess he won't come back. Let's eat." Grandma said, "Qingtang, this fish is specially prepared by Xiaoliu for you. You must eat more."
"Thank you grandma, thank you Aunt Six, I will eat more." Xia Qingtang said: "I can eat a lot."
"It's a blessing to be able to eat. Now that I'm old, my appetite isn't as good as before. When you're young, you should eat more. If you eat well when you're twenty, maybe you can grow a little taller." said grandma.
"Really?" Xia Qingtang said with a smile, "It would be nice if I really grew taller."
She is 1.66 meters tall barefoot. Because she is thin and well-proportioned, she looks very slender. If she could be a few centimeters taller, she would look even better.
Sixth Aunt picked up some food for her with clean chopsticks: "Come, eat more. I heard that Aunt Jinxuan is very good at cooking fish. Did you eat the fish she cooked this time when you went there?"
"I ate it. My aunt is good at stewing fish. It tastes really delicious when stewed with tofu and other things." Xia Qingtang said.
"Then you must eat my fish. Let's see who cooks it better." Aunt Six picked up two of the largest pieces of fish for Xia Qingtang, and also picked up several dried mushrooms for her, saying that they were also very flavorful and delicious.
Xia Qingtang thanked her, and when her grandmother started to eat, she also lowered her head and began to eat.
The taste of the fish made by Sixth Aunt is very different from that made by my aunt. She first fries the fish with rapeseed oil until both sides are golden brown, then braises it with soy sauce and an appropriate amount of bean paste, adds water and mushrooms and cooks them together over high heat. It can be served when the fish is slightly flavored.
Therefore, Aunt Liu’s braised fish should be eaten with the sauce in the big plate. Because it is cooked for a short time, the fish meat is very tender, just like the most tender tofu, with a taste that Xia Qingtang has never tasted before.
"It's so delicious. The fish meat is like tender tofu. How can it taste like this? It's fresh and smooth, and the sauce is rich and salty with just the right amount. It's so delicious! This is the first time I've eaten such braised fish!" Xia Qingtang said in surprise.
Aunt Six looked very proud: "Isn't it? The braised fish I cook is really the best! If it tastes good, you should eat more. Anyway, this fish is cooked for you, so you have to eat the most. But you haven't told me whether my fish tastes better or his aunt's fish tastes better."
Xia Qingtang showed a bit of embarrassment: "But... these are two different dishes..."
"Okay, stop making things difficult for the child. You haven't even met Aunt Jinxuan, but you're always thinking about competing with her to see whose cooking is more delicious. Didn't Jinxuan say it? They're all delicious. You two are the best cooks he knows." Grandma said with a smile.
Aunt Six continued to pick up fish for Xie Jinxuan: "There must be only one person who is the best at cooking. If there are two, then she is not the best."
"Then let me tell you." Xie Jinxuan said, "When it comes to cooking meat and other dishes, Aunt Six's is the best."
Aunt Six said, "Oh, so what you mean is that I am not as good as your aunt at cooking fish?"
"Indeed, my aunt's fish is stewed. Every time there is a big pot of fish, there is no soup left. Whether it is used to soak rice or dip steamed buns, everyone will want to lick the bottom of the pot clean. So from this perspective, my aunt's fish should be more delicious."
Aunt Six said, "Okay, okay, okay. Then you can write a letter to her and ask her how to stew fish. Write a method for me so that I can learn how to cook it. When I cook it, you must dip up all the soup."
"Okay, then I will write a letter to my aunt tomorrow."
"Why don't you write today? What are you going to do this afternoon?"
"I want to take Qingtang to the park or the cinema."
Grandma was very happy: "Yes, we should go. Young people should go to places that young people like to go. I will have a good sleep in the afternoon, and then go to chat with Lao Chen and the others."
My grandmother has friends in the compound. Whenever they are free in the afternoon, the old ladies will get together to chat and do needlework.
Xia Qingtang kept eating the fish and mushrooms silently. Because they tasted so good, she finished her bowl of rice in no time.
Aunt Liu quickly added another bowl for her. Seeing how happily she ate, she was extremely happy.
But the fish was very big and there were a lot of mushrooms, so even though they all enjoyed it, there was still some left.
Aunt Liu said, "Use this sauce with water to cook some vermicelli in the evening. It will definitely go well with rice."
"Yes, it must be delicious." Grandma said, "Will you come back for dinner tonight?"
"No, let's go to the state-owned restaurant to eat tonight." Xie Jinxuan said.
After dinner, Xia Qingtang changed into the yellow plaid jacket he had bought in the morning, put on new cloth shoes, and then went out with Xie Jinxuan.
"Where do you want to go?"
"I want to go to the zoo, but is it not worth it to go now? I see other people go there for a whole day and even have a picnic on the grass." Xia Qingtang said with a smile.
"It's okay. We can play until closing time if we go now. Let's go to the zoo." Xie Jinxuan rode her bike and took her to the zoo.
The only zoo in the city is right next to the old park in the city center and can be reached quickly by bike.
Xie Jinxuan found a bicycle shed, locked her bicycle, bought a ticket and took Xia Qingtang in.
Today is not Sunday, and except for those who are changing shifts, most people are at work, so there are not many people in the zoo. They can just walk slowly and appreciate the posture of each animal.
Xia Qingtang actually likes animals very much, but since she became a nanny, she has been so busy that she has almost no private time. Even if her cousin occasionally gives her a day off, she dare not go to a place like the zoo where the whole family can have fun alone. So now when she sees those tigers, gorillas, elephants, ostriches... she is as happy as a child.
Xie Jinxuan asked softly: "Qingtang, do you like animals very much?"
"Yeah, how did you know? When I was a kid, I had a puppy. The aunt in front of me didn't want it. I picked it up and fed it for a while. My mom said it was not worth keeping a dog when people couldn't even get enough to eat. One day, she threw the dog out when I was at school... Later, when everyone can afford to eat, I want to keep a puppy, or a cat, anything is fine."
Seeing her eyes sparkling with anticipation, Xie Jinxuan nodded seriously and said, "Okay, when that time comes, we'll get a cat and a dog."
"Then we have a deal, let's make a pinky promise." Xia Qingtang stretched out his hand and solemnly made a pinky promise with Xie Jinxuan.
There are also photo-taking programs in the zoo. Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan took photos with the giraffe, and also took a photo when the peacock spread its feathers. They were very lucky.
The two of them played until closing time and then went out. Xie Jinxuan took her on a bike to a state-owned restaurant a little further away to eat the famous mutton soup there.
Xia Qingtang had eaten here in her previous life, but that was before her divorce. She remembered that the mutton soup here was very delicious. After drinking it, the whole body would warm up and it was very nourishing.
They went in and found a place to sit, and Xie Jinxuan went to the place where they ordered food and bought a bowl of mutton soup, a bowl of mutton offal soup, and four freshly baked pastries.
Xia Qingtang was sitting there waiting for Xie Jinxuan to come back with her order when she saw Wen Xiaoli, wearing her best clothes and carrying a cross-body bag. She had her long black hair braided into two long braids with red hairbands tied at the ends. She walked into the store with a smile on her face.
Xia Qingtang couldn't help laughing. Wen Xiaoli was dressed so beautifully and came to the state-owned restaurant to eat. Maybe they were in a relationship.
She was about to say hello when she saw Wen Xiaoli waving behind her: "Brother Xia, there is an empty table."
Xia Qingtang was stunned. Brother Xia? Which Brother Xia?
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