Zhang Hongmei first prepares the dough at home and soaks the smoked meat in warm water, planning to wash it a few times later when cooking.
Liu Jingze arrived at the municipal government compound, parked his bicycle, and went upstairs to find Liu Changhai.
"Come in. Jingze, didn't you go back to Liujiatun?"
"Third Master, I'll wait for Hongmei to finish submitting her college application in November so we can go back together."
"You're staying at her house?"
"Yes, Third Master, I just came to see you. I'll head back now if there's nothing else."
"Jingze, wait a minute, I have something to tell you. Let's have lunch together."
"No need. I told Hongmei I'm going home for lunch. Third Master, is there anything you need?"
Liu Changhai stared straight at Liu Jingze for more than a minute. "Jingze, you should know my expectations of you."
"Third Master, you can leave your expectations to my uncles and your son. I've said before that I don't need any of you elders to plan my affairs. I'll just follow my own ideas."
"Jingze, have you grown too big for your britches?"
"Third Master, is this all I am today? You should have known me since I left Liujiatun when I was ten years old. I have never been manipulated by you. I have always followed my own ideas."
As for what you said about getting too big for one's feet, isn't that just following the example of those above? With you as my role model, how could I not learn a little bit from you?
Furthermore, I am not you. Keep your filthy thoughts to yourself. You can let women manipulate you, but I can't. Tell your woman to stop dreaming about me; I look down on her family.
Liu Changhai slammed his fist on the table and stood up, but he didn't know where to begin his rant.
"By the way, I'll have my well-educated third aunt tell her niece that ugly people are always up to no good."
Liu Jingze came to the city at the age of ten and only stayed at Liu Changhai's house for a month. He simply couldn't stand the affected and pretentious nature of Liu's family.
At first, they thought he was a poor relative who came to freeload, and they gave him all sorts of disdainful looks and spoke to him in a condescending tone. So when my father came, I asked to stay at his place.
Her own father was an outstanding soldier, but he was forced to retire in order to balance the power in her great-grandmother's hands. She hated him and even resented her great-grandmother, so she rarely went home.
The last time my father went to the capital, the two of us had an open and honest talk, and the knot in my heart finally eased.
So they know what kind of trouble Third Master has caused, actually trying to make a move on Hongmei? Great-Grandma isn't senile this time, but is severing ties just for show? That's just for show, isn't it?
Or is it because of the relationship between Zhang Xingguo and his son? The power of the third mistress's family is opposed to Zhang Shouyi's.
I don't care about their messy and filthy thoughts, but I absolutely cannot involve Zhang Hongmei.
"By the way, women should be reserved and not always take the initiative to write letters to men." Liu Jingze watched Liu Changhai's chest heave with anger and didn't hold back his words.
"Liu Jingze, what brings you here today?"
"I didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted to tell you. Don't make any moves on me, and warn your wife as well. I originally wanted to go directly to your house, but I felt that even though we're not family on the surface, I still had to give you some face."
That's all, I'm going back now.
After finishing his sentence, Liu Jingze turned and left, completely ignoring Liu Changhai behind him.
Liu Changhai slumped into a chair, dejected. How could this have happened?
How could I, who should be full of vigor and ambition, have gone downhill in my forties? And I'm about to face the situation of being abandoned by everyone.
Thinking about how his wife had been so pretentious and affected when he returned home, and how she would occasionally have hysterical arguments with him, he felt a headache coming on and really didn't want to go home.
Liu Jingze was pushing his bicycle downstairs when he was stopped by Xiao Wu just as he stepped out of the gate.
"Jingze, you've come to see the leader?"
"Hmm, what are you doing outside?"
"Ugh! The boss's temper is like a Tyrannosaurus Rex these days, I'd better stay away. Come on, shall we find somewhere to wait?"
Liu Jingze raised his wrist to check his watch; it was only nine o'clock. "I only have forty minutes."
"You have something else to do? I was thinking of having lunch together. Someone persuaded the boss to eat more."
"I have something to do, shall we go and talk under that tree over there for a while?"
"I don't have anything important to say, I just want to talk to you about something with the boss. If you're in a hurry, we can talk about it later."
"Okay, we can talk about it another time. I'll be going now."
Liu Jingze didn't actually want to get involved in Liu Changhai's affairs. He was an elder, and he didn't want to get too close to him. Liu Changhai didn't have any major problems; it was just that he couldn't afford to offend his family.
Xiao Wu watched Liu Jingze ride away on his bicycle and shook his head. Had the leader been abandoned by everyone? But he couldn't figure out why.
When Liu Jingze arrived home, Zhang Hongmei was still reading. "Jingze, why are you back so early?"
"Nothing much, we just exchanged a few words. What book were you reading?"
"Read some essays to cultivate your mind and character."
"Essays have this effect?"
"I think it's alright, why don't you give it a try?"
"I won't. I can fall asleep in no time when I read essays, especially those about scenery."
"What will you do then? If you go into politics, are you really going to become an old-fashioned person?"
"Antique? What do you mean?"
"He's very serious and proper, with absolutely no artistic talent."
Liu Jingze was still confused. Did this have anything to do with not reading essays?
"Hongmei, let's cook." Liu Jingze enjoys cooking time now. They're like a young couple, with the woman cooking and the man tending the fire.
Zhang Hongmei had no objections; she had to eat and cook every morning and evening.
The dough was prepared early, so it was easy to use. Liu Jingze was in charge of chopping the meat filling, and Zhang Hongmei peeled the scallions.
By the time the meat pie was served, Liu Jingze had secretly swallowed his saliva several times.
"Hongmei, the meat pie is so delicious."
"I think it's just so-so. It would be even better if it were made with fresh pork, but unfortunately we don't have any. I wonder if anyone in our village slaughtered a pig this year. I want to eat some meatballs."
“I want to eat it too. Let’s go back and ask. If they have any pigs being slaughtered, let’s buy more.”
By the way, have you packed your luggage?
"There's not much to pack. There are only two sets of bedding here. If Er Ya and Zhu Zi come to study here, they might stay for a few days, so we'll leave the things here untouched."
"I was referring to the luggage for the trip to the capital."
"Brother Jingze has so much confidence in me?"
"Of course, I'm looking forward to staying at your house and having a free meal there."
"Okay, if I really pass the exam, I'll cook for you. But how much is the monthly stipend for college students? How many food stamps do they get?"
"I earned twenty yuan a month with thirty jin of grain coupons."
"So you have enough to eat? Only one pound of grain a day?"
"There was no other way; we used to receive 35 jin of grain coupons every month."
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