Tiger ran away after hearing this and arrived at Zhang Hongmei's doorstep, where he happened to see Xiao Li.
"Uncle, the photographer wants you to go get the camera."
Xiao Li nodded and followed Hu Zi to the cafeteria.
Li Cuihua picked tender squash from her own vegetable garden and also pulled up some scallions. Knowing that Hongmei didn't like chive filling, this was all she could do.
Grate the squash into shreds, add some salt, and squeeze out the excess water after a while.
For dinner, everyone ate rice again. Since we had set aside some vegetables for lunch, we could just add some potatoes or something similar for dinner. So, only two people made dumplings. Of course, we chose the best flour, which was much whiter than ordinary flour. We also prepared two bags of this flour for Hongmei to take back with her, even though she was going abroad soon, so that Zhang's son could eat some.
Li Cuihua was kneading the dough while her mind wandered.
Wang Hongxi's wife came over and asked, "Cuihua, when is Hongmei coming over?"
Li Cuihua knew what had happened, but she was a timid person and wouldn't embarrass someone to their face. However, she really hated Wang Xiaorui from her family.
"I don't know, but I reckon it should arrive in a little while."
Wang Hongxi's daughter, Qianqian, laughed; she also felt embarrassed.
"Sister-in-law, Lianhua and I can make the dumplings. You go and stew the vegetables; your stew is very flavorful."
Wang Hongxi's family had no choice but to go to another stove.
As Xiao Li entered, the photographer immediately stood up. "Comrade, here's your camera back. I guarantee it's undamaged. Also, this is the last roll of film to be handed in. I've taken it out. Are you sure you don't need me to develop the photos?"
"Yes, we can wash them ourselves. How much will it cost for these two models?"
"I bought it in Shanghai. It's ten yuan a roll, so just give me twenty."
Xiao Li took out thirty yuan and handed it to the photographer, saying, "Here's thirty yuan for you. The rest is for your labor cost."
The photographer didn't refuse. He put the money in his pocket, then, a little embarrassed, asked, "Comrade, could you please print out the last few photos I took of the village scenery?"
"Sure, someone will deliver it to you. Just write down your name and address."
"Thank you, thank you so much." He immediately took out a pen from his bag, wrote down his name and address, and handed it to Xiao Li.
Xiao Li nodded, turned and left. He needed to pack his things; he was leaving right after dinner, and packing now would prevent him from forgetting anything.
After Li Cuihua finished making dumplings—a total of three hundred—she thought for a moment, then went to the storeroom and scooped out most of a basin of flour. She scalded the flour with boiling water and made a few pancakes for Hongmei so she could at least have a few bites on the way.
Dinner was served promptly at 5:30 p.m. Zhang Hongmei and the other three sat at the table. They and the elderly ate dumplings. Zhang Hongmei was relieved to not smell any chives. Actually, she loved chives, but she didn't dare to eat them. In such a small space in the car, eating chives with several other people would be truly unbearable.
However, the pumpkin filling was quite delicious, and before I knew it, I had eaten a whole bowl.
I refused the dumplings Zhang Shouyi offered, not daring to eat too many, otherwise the bumpy ride would be uncomfortable.
After the meal, Zhang Hongmei said goodbye to everyone, but this time she received quite a few good things. There were boiled eggs and salted eggs, at least ten for each household, as well as wood ear mushrooms and pine mushrooms. As for the old hen and such, there was really no way to take them. The two bags of flour were simply too full, because she still had to take the photographer back. Zhang Hongmei secretly breathed a sigh of relief; there was nowhere to rest, and if she brought too much stuff, there really wouldn't be any room to pack it.
Until Zhang Hongmei left, Wang Hongxi's wife was unable to speak to her, which made her sweat profusely, but in the end, she still couldn't get a word in.
Wang Hongxi was unusually quiet today, not saying a word, just eating in silence. None of the girls who had caused the trouble came out. And none of the families offered to bring them food.
The whole village knows what they've done. Starving them for a few meals is the least of their worries. Everyone knows the old lady is angry, and the village girls will probably have to behave themselves. Actually, this is for the best. They're becoming more and more outrageous, so they really need to be disciplined.
Zhang Shouyi was driving, and Zhang Hongmei was in the passenger seat. Forty minutes later, they arrived at the county photo studio, said goodbye to the photographer, and left.
"Boss, shall I drive?"
"Okay, at the same speed as when we came."
"Yes," Xiao Li and Wang Ying said in unison.
"Hongmei, let's go to the back. You can lie down and take a nap."
Zhang Hongmei had no objection, and since she wasn't planning to drive, she decided to sit in the back.
Xiao Li was driving, and Wang Ying was sitting next to him. It wasn't until late at night that Wang Ying spoke up, "Xiao Li, I can't go abroad anymore."
Xiao Li didn't reply. Wang Ying continued, "Do you think I'm particularly unqualified? But I don't know what's wrong with me?"
Wang Ying initially thought Xiao Li was inarticulate, but then said, "You are very unqualified. At the very least, your way of addressing Madam is incorrect, yet you don't seem to realize it at all."
Also, haven't you received any training? Your personality is really not suitable for this job.
Wang Ying lowered her head and remained silent. What Xiao Li said was true. Didn't she know that back then? Or did she know but not care?
"Hehe, I don't even know my own surname anymore? I just think Hongmei has a good temper, and it's only right that she tolerates me."
Haha, I'll probably be going back to my hometown in the next few days. Is it because I'm not good at studying, or is there something wrong with my very nature?
My master will give me the answer. Heh, I'm too ashamed to go back.
Xiao Li didn't know how to answer. After all, based on her observations, her boss's dissatisfaction with her had been going on for quite some time. If she had really made even the slightest mistake, her boss wouldn't have been lenient.
Zhang Hongmei was a taboo subject for the leaders; to touch her meant certain death. I don't know what this girl was thinking, losing such a good opportunity.
Wang Ying was also extremely frustrated. As a bodyguard, there were no ordinary people who could serve someone of Zhang Hongmei's status. To put it bluntly, this was the ultimate goal for a bodyguard, and she had this opportunity, but she hadn't cherished it. This was truly reaping what she sowed.
Wang Ying knew what she would face when she returned. Even if Zhang Hongmei didn't pursue the matter, the old man wouldn't let her off the hook. One wrong step led to another. Thinking of the severe punishment, Wang Ying shuddered involuntarily.
These methods of punishment were all devised by the master. She hadn't experienced them herself, but she had seen and learned from them. Wang Ying smiled wryly, never expecting to experience them firsthand. She feared the punishments might be something else entirely.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com