"That's what I think too. Actually, if it weren't for you and Zhang Shouyi constantly encouraging me to go to the capital, I would have preferred to go to Shanghai."
Why go to the city instead of the capital?
"It's just a feeling. I prefer romantic cities to the political heartland."
"Hehe, I still hope you go to the capital. Shanghai is too far from home, and I don't know anyone there."
“After a while, we’ll all become acquaintances.” Zhang Hongmei rolled her eyes at Liu Jingze.
"Okay, okay, I promise you, I'll take you to see Haishi during the holidays."
"Do I need you? I can go by myself. I just don't want to take the bus. But I really will go and see after the holiday."
"I heard from my teacher that there will be winter and summer vacations in the future. The new school year will start on September 1st. Winter vacation will begin in December, and school will start in January, and summer vacation will begin in July. That's a whole school year."
"That would be even better. If I can make it this summer, I'll go to Haishi." This is in line with my previous life. Finally, it's not just about spring planting, busy farming season, and annual leave anymore.
"It's too hot to go in summer, let's go in winter."
"No way! Winter break is too short. Summer break is two months long."
"Are you going to stay here permanently?"
"That's right. If I had money, I'd like to buy a house so I'd have somewhere to live when I move there in the future."
How many times a year do you go?
"You don't understand. You can rent it out even if you don't live there. It's an investment."
"Then take me with you when you invest in the future."
"Sure, I'll think of you when something good happens. Besides, maybe I can get a job in Haishi after I graduate."
Liu Jingze thought to himself, "Oh no, I mustn't let her have that kind of idea, otherwise it will be too far removed from my plans. My plan is to stay in the capital for at least a few years before going down to the grassroots level."
“Hongmei, once you start working in Haishi, you won’t have time to come back. When you’re a student, you have holidays, but when you start working, how will you find the time to come back? Your holidays might not even be enough to cover the train journey.”
"Well! That's true. Maybe I should just settle down in Shanghai in the future."
"The men over there aren't good enough. They're nowhere near as valiant and responsible as the men of our North."
"Hehe, Jingze, don't say that to anyone, or you'll get beaten up. Southern men are polite and refined."
"You're still young, you don't know how different the places are and how difficult it is to get along." Liu Jingze was startled, he would have to instill in her the idea that she should stay in the North.
"Yes, it's too early to think about these things."
Liu Jingze quickly changed the subject, "Hongmei, you should still send your admission notice to the school. I estimate it will arrive at the beginning of the year. Last year, it arrived on the fifteenth of the twelfth lunar month. This time, it might be late because of the weather. Let's come to the city again on the twenty-fifth of the twelfth lunar month."
"Forget it, I'll just send it directly to Liujiatun. I'm too lazy to come over; it takes a whole day to get here."
"I'm worried about accidents; the roads are slippery, and the postman might be delayed. If you're too lazy to come, I'll come and pick it up for you."
"Forget it, I wouldn't feel comfortable letting you come over." Liu Jingze was secretly delighted.
"How about we have Dashan and the others go to your teacher to get it?"
"Okay, let Dashan go to the school on Wednesday to introduce him to our teacher, just in case our teacher refuses to give it to him."
“Okay, let’s go tell Dashan now, and we’ll wait for him at school,” Liu Jingze suggested.
The two of them turned back and waited at the entrance of the power supply bureau for the gatekeeper to call them.
"Hongmei, Brother Jingze, you're here. What's up?"
"Brother Dashan, come to my school after class on Wednesday afternoon. My admission notice will be sent directly to the school. Please take it back to me. Our homeroom teacher needs to know you, otherwise I can't give it to you."
"No problem, I'll go there after class on Wednesday. Hongmei, where did you get into?"
"Capital University."
"My sister is awesome! Congratulations, brother. I'll catch some fish for you when we get back."
"Okay, I'll wait for you at home."
Looking at Dashan's happy expression, as if he himself had been admitted to university, Zhang Hongmei felt a warm glow in her heart; he was genuinely happy for her.
"Dashan, we're going back now. We'll talk again on Wednesday. You still have to go to class, so don't be late."
"Okay, then you guys go back. I need to hurry to class too. Why don't you stay and eat in the cafeteria? It's almost noon."
"No, I'm going back to cook for Hongmei. We're leaving now."
Da Shan was startled. Could it be that Liu Jingze had really fallen for Hongmei, just as Er Linzi had said? But wasn't this girl still too young? Poor Hongmei.
Liu Jingze had no idea what Da Shan was thinking. If he saw the expression on Da Shan's face, he would definitely teach him a lesson.
"Brother Jingze, are you really going to cook for me? I'm a little worried."
"Don't worry, just hold on." Liu Jingze was still very confident.
When the two returned home, Liu Jingze coaxed Zhang Hongmei into the house. He then busied himself in the kitchen.
Zhang Hongmei thought to herself, "Let him do it. At worst, I'll skip lunch."
Pick up a book to pass the time; out of sight, out of mind.
Liu Jingze skillfully boils water and makes noodles outside, and the flatbreads he makes are particularly small and beautiful.
He lined the pot with a ring, covered it with the lid, and left it simmering over a low flame without tending to it. Instead, he went to the storeroom and took a cabbage and a few pieces of frozen tofu.
Knowing that Zhang Hongmei usually wouldn't skimp on herself, she deliberately added an extra spoonful of lard and, imitating Zhang Hongmei, kept stirring the cabbage until it wilted. Only then did she add soy sauce. Oh no, there was too much. But there was no way to fix it. Oh well, she decided to add water.
Don't add too much water, or it won't taste like stew.
Zhang Hongmei smelled the aroma of stir-fried dishes inside the house. Hmm, at least it wouldn't taste too bad.
I waited until the water in the pot boiled before adding salt. This time, I didn't dare add too much. If it's too bland, I can add more salt, but if it's too salty, there's nothing I can do.
Liu Jingze finished cooking the pancakes and vegetables, and set out the bowls and chopsticks. "Hongmei, it's time to eat."
Zhang Hongmei walked out nervously, but breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the food on the table. "Hmm, not bad." The pancakes looked pretty good, and seemed cooked. The cabbage had a bit too much soy sauce, but it was alright.
"Sit down quickly and try my cooking. I'll make dumplings for you tomorrow. You can mix the filling, and I'll wrap the dumplings."
Zhang Hongmei: You're addicted.
He picked up a piece of flatbread, took a bite, and then added some vegetables. "Not bad. Jingze is quite talented."
"Right? It's definitely not as good as yours. I'll try my best to learn how to cook properly in the future. You can teach me how to make the filling tomorrow."
"Okay, we still have some fried dough sticks left. Tomorrow we'll make cabbage and fried dough stick dumplings."
"I can also make noodles. I'll make noodles for you tonight."
"Okay, let's make hot noodle soup with tomatoes."
"Hehe, as long as you like it, eat more. I made too many pancakes this time."
"It's okay, just split the pancake in half tomorrow morning and fry it in oil, it'll be delicious."
"That will definitely taste good. I'll make it for you tomorrow morning."
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