Sure enough, the dishes from the state - run restaurant are so substantial. One bite and your mouth is filled with an unforgettable aroma.
Old Li was enjoying his meal so much that he even greeted the others to eat quickly. "The meat brought back by Li Chuchu is really delicious! You guys should try it quickly."
Everyone took a bite without being polite.
Those who had previously claimed to be full suddenly wanted to have a few pieces of meat when they saw it.
Noticing that no one was touching the green vegetables on the table while the two plates of meat brought by Li Chuchu were quickly devoured, Luo Yingshu's face turned as green as the vegetables she had painstakingly cooked.
She had made so many dishes, yet no one had praised her!
After everyone had eaten their fill, even Fang Ting, who was usually overlooked, got to eat what she wanted. Her eyes were slightly squinted, looking like a little cat.
Li Chuchu and Yang Xiufen were chatting and laughing, discussing the decoration of their homes. They talked about where to buy furniture with better quality and at a more affordable price. Sister Ge also came over and said she wanted to learn how to make the braised pork Li Chuchu had made last time. She said she had brought two pieces for her husband to try, and he had praised it.
Li Chuchu didn't hold back and said she would call Sister Ge over to learn the next time she made the dish.
Seeing that everyone was flattering Li Chuchu while she had slaved over the cooking, Luo Yingshu was so angry that she gritted her teeth. She was seething with anger.
After the meal, everyone went home.
That evening,
Luo Yingshu reheated the leftovers from lunch and they continued to eat.
Xiaohu looked at the yellowed vegetable leaves and the smelly dried tofu, tightly pursing his little mouth.
He glanced at his mother.
"Mom, I don't want to eat this."
Luo Yingshu angrily slapped the plate on the table. "You ate a duck leg at lunch today. Do you think you can have shark fins and bear paws?"
Xiaohu looked wronged.
Liu Xiaocheng looked at the food on the table. Even adults had no appetite for it, let alone a child.
"Maybe we should steam an egg for Xiaohu. He's growing up."
Hearing this, Luo Yingshu immediately flared up. "It's easy for you to say. Have you ever thought about how many eggs are left at home? You've spent a lot of money while you were away this month. Our family is already living on a tight budget. We still have to send money to your mother because she's sick. Do you think the money at home grows on trees?
"We don't have many meat tickets left this month. We even had to eat the meat Li Chuchu brought when we had guests today. I'm so ashamed."
Liu Xiaocheng's face darkened. "Everyone seemed to enjoy the meal. Why do you have to compare with others?"
Luo Yingshu's voice suddenly rose. "Me, compare? Why don't you say it's because you haven't given me a good life? Li Chuchu has Shen Yanshan to take her out to restaurants. In all these years of marriage, have you ever taken me out for a meal?"
Liu Xiaocheng frowned slightly. He didn't expect Luo Yingshu to be so unreasonable. After teaching at school all afternoon, he replied impatiently. "Fine, fine, fine. I'll take you out to eat after I get my salary next month."
After scolding, Luo Yingshu finally felt a bit better. Then she went to steam an egg for Xiaohu.
...
At noon the next day, Li Chuchu had originally promised to have lunch with Chen Junsheng, but unexpectedly, Li Jianmin intercepted her on the way.
"Your cousin's family is here. Your grandma wants you to go back."
There were huge dark circles under his eyes, and his exhaustion was visible. He must have not slept well for several nights. Presumably, the family had been extremely "lively" these days, and he couldn't even get a good night's rest.
Li Chuchu was happy to see Li Jianmin in such a state.
Chen Junsheng was used to seeing all kinds of people at the drinking parties with his factory - director father. This man had a lot of white under his eyes and looked arrogant. He was clearly a fake and snobbish person.
He leaned close to Li Chuchu and whispered, "Is this your so - called father? He looks so downcast. Didn't you already cut off the relationship? Why is he still looking for you?"
Although he said it in a "whisper", he only symbolically tilted his head towards Li Chuchu. Every word reached Li Jianmin's ears.
Li Jianmin's face fell immediately.
"Li Chuchu, what kind of shady friends have you made?"
Li Chuchu retorted, "You should take a look at the kind of wife you've married. You can't even handle your own family affairs, and you still want to control me?"
Chen Junsheng laughed loudly.
Li Jianmin's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
Seeing that Chen Junsheng was young and he had never seen him before, Li Jianmin thought he was a temporary worker recruited by the factory. He thought this kid had no upbringing, and Li Chuchu was degenerate for making such a low - class friend. He was too lazy to argue with a junior.
"I don't care about you. Anyway, your grandma wants you to go back. You promised her last time."
Li Chuchu had no idea what tricks the old lady was up to.
But Chen Junsheng was protesting. "No way! Li Chuchu, you promised to have lunch with me!"
Li Chuchu was helpless. "What can I do? My grandma rarely comes to the city. We'll have to do it next time."
Chen Junsheng looked like a poor puppy that had been cruelly abandoned.
Li Chuchu felt sorry for him. "How about you come back with me for lunch?"
"Sure."
Unexpectedly, Chen Junsheng agreed immediately.
He had only heard about what had happened to Li Chuchu's family a few days ago. He wanted to go and see which family was so shameless that they were scheming against their own daughter's property.
Li Jianmin glared angrily at Chen Junsheng. What an insolent guy. He didn't know how to read the situation at all.
But as for looking at people's faces, Chen Junsheng had only ever looked at his father's since childhood.
Who else would dare to make him do so?
Chen Junsheng glared back.
Li Jianmin said unhappily, "Li Chuchu! Don't be naughty! We're a family having lunch. What's the point of bringing an outsider?"
Chen Junsheng showed an exaggerated expression. "Hey, Uncle, are you getting old and forgetting things? Li Chuchu has already cut off the relationship with you. Who's in your family?"
Li Jianmin was so angry that he was speechless.
Which workshop did this little brat work in?
He must go to the workshop director and ask him to fire this temporary worker immediately.
Li Chuchu said, "You can see that I made an appointment with him first. I can't break my promise. Either you let him come with me, or we'll go another time."
She suddenly realized that bringing Chen Junsheng might be a good idea. If they really planned to do something outrageous, she could use Chen Junsheng's mouth to spread the word.
Li Jianmin just wanted his mother to finish her business and then take her large group of relatives back quickly so that he could have a few peaceful nights of sleep. "Do as you like, but you must go back today. Your grandma has been waiting for you for a long time. Don't make her come to the factory to find you."
It was unclear whether this was Li Jianmin's words or the old lady's.
There was a faint threat in it.