Chapter 2 (9)
Kanglong arrived on time and brought a box of wife cakes.
When Yu Meng heard the name of the food, he whispered to Yu Rui, "Heh...wife cake...for asking for a wife..."
She thinks he is stingy.
Yu Meng deliberately asked, "You didn't bring any chestnuts."
Kang Long answered seriously: "The new one hasn't come down yet."
Yu Shuang told him to sit on the sofa and not move around.
As expected, Kang Long was sitting on the sofa, motionless.
He received two phone calls in the middle. He went to the door and listened. He talked for twenty minutes. The three ladies were busy in the kitchen.
Yu Meng was busy with her hands and turned to Yu Shuang, "Hey, it looks good."
Yu Shuang mocked, "The only thing left is the appearance, stupid goose."
Yu Meng said: "This is good, easier to control."
Yu Shuang retorted, “I am not a fascist and I do not control anyone.”
Yu Meng knew that Yu Shuang was used to being served by others, so she said, "Okay, everyone knows that you are a professional woman, a strong woman. If you find a man, he will naturally take more care of you. Otherwise, how can you do it?" She sneered.
Yu Rui remained silent, peeling green onions and listening. She looked especially beautiful today.
Kang Long brought in some wife cakes for the ladies to eat. Yu Rui's hands were dirty, so she refused to eat any. Yu Shuang, finding the meaning strange, said she would eat later.
Yu Meng smiled and said to Kang Long, "Eat it yourself. We're afraid of getting fat, so we don't eat sweet things." Seeing that Kang Long couldn't sell it, he had to bring it out again. Worried that he was too idle and bored, Yu Meng asked Yu Shuang to send him to take out the trash. Kang Long happily obliged, carrying it downstairs. Only after they left did Yu Meng notice there was a bag of trash under the cutting board. He'd been instructed to take that, so he hadn't noticed this one even though it was right in front of him. He had no focus.
Yu Shuang scolded him. Yu Meng tried to persuade him, saying that all intellectuals were like that, and it wasn't a big deal; they could just afford a nanny. Yu Shuang scolded him, "Who said I had to go that far with him? Sister Meng, you're more anxious than my mom."
Yu Shuang felt a sudden sense of loss when her mother was mentioned casually. Even now, she still didn't want to believe that her mother had left. Although having a younger brother was better than nothing, he lived far away, he had already started a family, and the situation of his sister-in-law's family made Yu Shuang feel compelled to withdraw from the family.
Therefore, I feel more lonely in spirit.
Fortunately, Meng and Shuang were there for her. In fact, Yu Shuang's discomfort with Kang Long was exactly as Meng and Rui had analyzed—he didn't flatter her. Of course, he didn't oppress her either. He was like a tree, its seeds landing wherever they fell, and with deep roots, it was difficult to move. Yu Shuang attributed this to subtle male chauvinism, but she, too, was also a female chauvinist. It was just that she wasn't a complete woman, "strong on the outside, weak on the inside." She hadn't learned how to manage a household in her lifetime, and she was too strong, too weak.
The spare ribs were simmering, and the three girlfriends emerged from the kitchen, finally able to take a break. Looking up, Kang Long was holding his phone horizontally in one hand and pinching a wife cake in the other, laughing as he ate. Yu Rui pursed her lips and took a breath. Yu Meng muttered, "He ate it all by himself." Yu Shuang was immediately furious and wanted to confront him. What a loss of face! What a disgrace! What a disgrace! Were the wife cakes not a small gift? They didn't eat them, so he didn't mind! They only bought a few! Feeding the cat?
Yu Meng, concerned about the overall situation, worried Shuang would make a scene and miss their meal, so she grabbed Yu Shuang and said, "Forget it, forget it. If you buy it, you'll just keep some food. It doesn't matter who eats it, just don't waste it." Yu Rui also tried to persuade him. Yu Shuang grumbled, "You've already earned a PhD! Your parents didn't teach you!" Yu Meng wanted to tease him, saying, "Didn't their mom just pass away?" But she swallowed the words, afraid to irritate Shuang.
"Lift the table!" Yu Shuang walked over and spoke loudly.
Kang Long didn't feel the impact. He clapped his hands, then went about his business of finding a table and lifting the weights. Yu Rui hurried over to lend a hand. Yu Shuang held him back, intending to let him do it alone. Kang Long tried several different positions, but none worked. He was afraid of scratching the floor if he tried to pull hard.
He had no choice but to turn around and ask for help, "Please help me."
"I know it wasn't done by one person." Yu Shuang said.
Yu Meng patted her on the back and said, "Don't say those useless things."
"You don't eat alone." Yu Shuang moved closer and added.
Kang Long uttered an "oh." The three of them worked together to carry the table to the center of the living room. Yu Meng went to check on the ribs, and Yu Rui followed. Yu Shuang and Kang Long were the only ones left in the living room.
"What else is there to do?" Kang Long said in a good mood.
Yu Shuang was about to get angry, but looking at Kang Long's handsome, innocent face, her anger slowly subsided. Ignorance is not a crime. It didn't look like it was intentional. He was just that kind of person, over thirty years old, and still had no interest in work, especially not household chores like this.
He only knew how to study chestnuts.
Yu Meng and Yu Rui laughed quietly in the kitchen and reached a consensus that the most interesting thing about Kang Long was the word "silly".
Out of sight, out of mind.
It was past midnight, and Yu Jia and Bai Yuankai still hadn't arrived. Yu Meng called each of them separately to check in. The four people at home decided to eat first. Seating arrangements were very particular. Yu Meng asked Yu Shuang and Kang Long to sit on the north side, while she and Yu Rui sat on the south side.
First, the soup. It's a chicken soup with figwort and red goji berries floating in it. It looks like it's been transported across the ocean.
The four of them kept silent, each drinking their own cups. Yu Rui had put on some lipstick in anticipation of Yuan Kai's arrival. Although the color was light, it inevitably got a little on the edge of her white porcelain spoon as she drank from the soup.
Kang Long was sharp-eyed and pointed out immediately, "It's stuck!" Yu Rui was embarrassed and quickly said sorry. She took a tissue and wiped it briefly, then got up and went to the bathroom to deal with it.
Yu Shuang glared at him fiercely.
Kang Long seemed completely unaware. Yu Meng, observing this, smiled and said, "It takes skill." She had ample practical experience. As she spoke, she scooped a spoonful of soup, blew gently on it, and then, after it cooled slightly, opened her mouth, shoved the entire spoon in, and poured the soup into her mouth.
"Safe." Yu Meng waved the spoon proudly.
"Can you taste it?" Kang Long pointed out again, "The taste buds are all on the tongue."
Yu Meng was stunned. Yu Shuang glared. Kang Long, blinded by his own thoughts, continued his rant, "Besides, this isn't very elegant. Your mouth is a bit... big."
The last sentence truly left Yu Meng dumbfounded. Ever since she was little, everyone had praised her for having a small, cherry-like mouth. But how could this man describe her as a giant, bloody mouth? It was inexplicable! It was outrageous! Doctors were different. Humph, even the gods were talking nonsense—exceptional.
Seeing that Sister Meng's face was not right, Yu Shuang scolded Kang Long, "What do you know about beauty?" Yu Rui returned to her seat. Kang Long accepted it without changing his expression and continued to eat and drink.
"Naturality is beauty, and you are the best this way," he said.
Yu Shuang was about to argue, but Yu Meng interrupted her, "Okay, let's eat."
It didn't start well. The four of them didn't know what to talk about. Even the sociable Yu Meng and Yu Rui felt that a man like Kang Long was like picking flowers from a thorny nest, with no idea where to start.
Yu Meng had no choice but to tease him, "What do you think of us?"
"It's good," he replied. "I like it very much."
Yu Shuang felt a little embarrassed. She rarely received such praise in person. The last time she was praised was when she won a big order in Hainan, and the boss praised her for working harder than the male employees.
"What do you like about her?" Yu Meng had to find out the reason.
Yu Shuang said coquettishly, "Sister!" Yu Rui still smiled. Her lipstick was wiped off, and she looked pale.
"She's rather..." After thinking for two seconds, "clumsy."
Wow! What a well-chosen word.
"Stiff?" Yu Meng questioned.
Yu Shuang was not very happy, although she was a tough girl from head to toe.
"Refreshing." He changed the word.
Seems more comfortable.
"Cheerful, bold, and forthright," he continued, "but without the usual pretentiousness of women." He distinguished her from the average woman. Yu Shuang was satisfied. Meng and Rui didn't mind. After finishing their soup and eating, Yu Meng and Yu Rui stopped talking. The only sound in the living room was the news on the TV.
Yu Meng felt that a man like Kang Long was essentially a piece of stubborn iron, destined to never become a great talent without the tempering of a woman's true fire. He was like a dish, only blanched, always with the same flavor—it wasn't that he lacked masculinity; he had it, but it was too one-dimensional. He had no charm. Coincidentally, neither did Yu Shuang. A cuckold might catch a green bean's eye.
After dinner, Yu Rui asked if the dishes should be put away. Yu Meng said she didn't think Jiajie and Yuankai would eat much, so she asked them to put them away. They made a pot of tea. The group was bored, so they decided to play mahjong. Kang Long had already stated that he didn't know how to play.
Yu Shuang scolded, "You have a PhD, but you can't even play mahjong."
"You can play as long as you know the rules." Yu Meng said.
Kang Long reluctantly accompanied him.
After a round of beating, Bai Yuankai and Yu Jia arrived at the same time. At the door, the two of them were politely giving way to each other. Yuankai knew Yu Jia, but Yu Jia didn't remember Yuankai.
Yuan Kai smiled and said, "You are Yu Jia."
"Who are you?"
"Bai Yuankai."
It matches. Famous.
"You collect money at the door on the day of the funeral."
"I heard Xiaoshuang mention you. You're young and promising."
Yuan Kai was not polite. He accepted the compliment and nodded slightly.
The four of them were so engrossed in the fight that they had no time to spare. However, when Bai Yuankai arrived, Yu Rui suddenly realized her makeup was ruined, and after much persuasion, she asked Yu Jia to fight for her for a while. She lied and said she was going to the bathroom so she could secretly touch up her makeup.
"I really can't." Yu Jia didn't lie.
"Let Brother Bai help us." Yu Rui said.
"I don't quite understand either." Bai Yuankai stood aside.
"People who work in big data can't play mahjong?" Yu Meng expressed disbelief.
Yu Jia wanted to stand up and make way for Yuan Kai. But Yuan Kai was only willing to stand behind her. With three people missing, they had to save the situation. They had no choice but to continue playing. Yu Shuang took winning and losing very seriously, playing cards as if they were facing a great enemy. Winning was jubilant, losing was a rage. Kang Long, on the other hand, remained calm, his face unconcerned with winning and losing. Money came and went on the table, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Yu Jia pulled out a seven-tube. Five, six, and seven-tube cards were already in play. One more card was useless. Yu Jia wanted to play, her delicate fingers pinching the card, hesitant. Yu Meng urged, "Go ahead!" Yuan Kai glanced at the table and reached out to stop her. His fingers brushed against the back of her hand, feeling a slight chill. He took the initiative to break up a North Wind Head. Yu Jia didn't question it, but turned to look at him. Yuan Kai smiled.
Trust him once, Yu Jia thought. After two more rounds, a four-tube came up, and Yu Jia was actually waiting. A win of four-seven-tube. Yu Meng couldn't wait for the seven-tube, so he had to break the four-tube. Once it came out, Yu Jia won.
Yu Meng complained, "Oh, Xiaobai is using big data against us. It's not fair."
Bai Yuankai laughed but said nothing.
Yu Rui returned, lipstick and powder on, looking radiant. Yu Shuang and Kang Long were too engrossed in their card game to notice. Only Yu Meng, multitasking, noticed the subtlety. Yu Rui saw Yuan Kai sitting in the back, ready to take the stage again. Yu Jia, who disliked competitive games to begin with, quickly stepped aside and took a seat in the back.
With Yuan Kai sitting next to her, Yu Rui suddenly felt more confident, playing with great enthusiasm. She'd occasionally glance at Yuan Kai from the corner of her eye, feeling relieved. Yu Meng won the first round. Then Yu Shuang and Kang Long each won a hand. Yu Rui desperately wanted to show off her skills in front of Yuan Kai, but her anxiety made her play worse, and her winning streak waned. Strangely enough, once Yu Rui took the court, Bai Yuankai stopped giving her advice and remained silent. Kang Long won several rounds in a row with a self-draw, winning silently. What a cold-blooded killer!
Yu Rui's coffers were empty, and a thin layer of sweat covered her forehead. When she turned back, Yu Jia and Bai Yuankai were no longer behind her. They were sitting in front of the TV, chatting quietly, oblivious to the surroundings.
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