During the time her house was being built, Jiang Yu didn't go to Qingyun anymore. She focused her attention on the clothing store, and in the meantime, she also taught Liu Cui how to make some other pastries.
For example, I often make mung bean cake and osmanthus cake at home, as well as glutinous rice cake that my children love to eat.
"Sister-in-law, I've found out everything. That youth night school up north is recruiting on a large scale right now. How about you take Wanwan there to check it out sometime?"
Bai Chen entered the cake shop, covered in sweat. Seeing that Liu Cui's glutinous rice cakes had just come out of the oven, he grabbed a piece without washing his hands and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Hot, hot."
Before Liu Cui could remind him, Bai Chen spat out the large piece of pastry. He grimaced and frantically searched for cool water, which caused the two of them to burst into laughter.
After the laughter subsided, Jiang Yu inquired about the tuition fees and dismissal time, and specifically asked if there were any dormitories available.
"Yes, yes, it's just like the military, very strict. If you're worried, you can ask Brother Ying to apply for a military dormitory for Wan to stay in. Anyway, he still has some spots available in the family compound."
"Okay, thank you in advance. After we finish moving and settling in, we'd like to invite you and Cuicui to our house for dinner."
Jiang Yu readily agreed. The door and window installers have finished setting everything up in the last two days, and we can move in tomorrow after the furniture is moved in.
"I wasn't of much help, so I won't go."
Liu Cui waved her hand, repeatedly refusing the woman's kindness. In her opinion, the cake shop's success depended entirely on Jiang Yu's reputation, so how could she possibly have the nerve to come to her house for free meals?
“No way, if you don’t go, I won’t go either. People will think that Brother Ying and Sister-in-law are petty and stingy, not even inviting their friends to dinner when they move into their new house. Who knows how they’ll badmouth them behind their backs.”
Bai Chen knew what kind of person Liu Cui was; she was always worried about causing trouble for others. So, under the guise of thinking of Jiang Yu's best interests, Liu Cui had no choice but to agree, whether she wanted to or not.
"Yeah, then those gossipy old women in the village will start talking badly about us again."
Jiang Yu chimed in, it was clearly a joke, but it made Liu Cui uncontrollably worried. After repeated persuasion from the two, she finally agreed.
After Bai Chen left, Jiang Yu couldn't help but lean close to Liu Cui and whisper:
How far has your relationship progressed?
It's been quite a while since Bai Chen first fell for her at the sight of her in the clothing store. It's time they finally confessed their feelings.
"Just friends."
The woman blushed deeply upon hearing her words.
“Our family backgrounds are vastly different, and our cultural differences are too great. It’s already good enough that we’re friends. How could I dare to hope for anything else?”
Liu Cui's words were true. After all, she hadn't received much formal education, her family was poor, her mother needed medication regularly, and her younger brother was still in university. Bai Chen, on the other hand, not only had a university degree but was also a company commander in the army, lived in a family compound, and came from a wealthy family.
No matter which aspect you compare them to, the two are not a good match.
"Relationships are based on mutual consent; there aren't so many external factors involved. If you feel your family background can't keep up, then work hard, learn the pastry skills I teach, and try to open a few branch stores."
In terms of education, if you really want to improve, isn't this a perfect example? You could go to night school with Wanwan. The college entrance examination system was reinstated in 1977, so getting a diploma shouldn't be difficult.
Jiang Yu poured her heart out to her, but in the end, she couldn't avoid that same question:
"Putting aside these practical issues, do you like him? Do you want to be with him?"
"I..."
Liu Cui was speechless when asked. She liked Bai Chen very much and thought that this liking could continue quietly without daring to ask for more. However, in other people's eyes, she could still pursue her own happiness.
Jiang Yu is right; the life you want is something you have to fight for. If you are a swan, you will shine even among a flock of ducks.
"I want to try, Ayu. When Wanwan goes to school to register, can you take me with you?"
"sure."
Jiang Yu was very pleased to see that she was willing to step out of her small circle and dare to pursue happiness.
......
In the evening, Su Yujing asked Dashuan to bring Jiang Yu a box of Dove chocolates, saying that he brought them back from his business trip and that everyone should have one, so that she could try them out.
"Just leave it there, and thank your boss for me."
Jiang Yu was busy looking at the bills and didn't even look up. Shortly after Da Shuan left, the man came to pick up the woman from work with Shen Suisui.
"We'll be done soon, you two can sit for a while."
Jiang Yu's calculator was clicking away, and the man, without any hesitation, found a seat. Shen Sui Sui looked around, her gaze finally settling on the unremarkable chocolate.
"Auntie, what is this?"
She blinked her big, dark eyes, looking puzzled.
"It's a perk from your mom's company; everyone gets it."
Shen Wan was worried that her brother would overthink things, so she deliberately emphasized that everyone had one. After hearing this, Shen Sui Sui knew that it belonged to her mother, so she obediently put it back and sat down next to her father.
Shen Ying, however, was drawn to the gift box. Remembering the box Deng Wei had left on her desk a couple of days ago, and learning from Bai Chen that the chocolates symbolized affection, she immediately had someone return it.
Now that this brand of chocolate is appearing in clothing stores, even as company-issued chocolates, he's starting to get suspicious.
"Finished with work, time to go home."
Jiang Yu put down the calculator, closed the ledger, and gently flicked Shen Suisui's head.
"Let me guess what Sui Sui just asked? Chocolate, right? How about we take it back and share it with your little brother and grandma?"
Jiang Yu noticed the man's wild thoughts, and to prove herself, she casually stuffed the box into her daughter's arms.
......
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the family got up early. Because there was a big project to be done, Shen Wan didn't go to the clothing store, but instead helped out with the work.
Around eight o'clock, three large trucks rumbled from the entrance of the village, startling many villagers who were preparing to go to work in the fields.
They watched as the car stopped in front of Shen Ying's house, and inside, it was full of brand-new furniture.
"Wow, wow, Shen Ying has struck it rich! He's brought in so many beautiful beds. Unlike us, we still live in heated brick beds."
The villagers gathered at his doorstep as if they had discovered a new continent. They expressed their curiosity, but their eyes were filled with undisguised envy.
A short while later, six or seven people got out of the car. The man in the lead stepped into the house first, met with Shen Ying, exchanged a few words, and prepared to unload the goods.
"Put the patterned bed upstairs, and the remaining two downstairs. Put the black sofa downstairs, and move the dark blue one upstairs."
Jiang Yu directed the staff according to the style they had chosen.
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