It had been a long time since Li Chuchu had tasted such authentic mutton hot pot, so she couldn't help but eat a few more slices of meat.
The freshly served shrimp were huge, almost the size of a palm in pairs. Just a quick swish in the hot pot, they were incredibly sweet.
Dipped in sesame paste, they took on a whole new flavor.
Aunt Wang and Li Chuchu both enjoyed their meal to the fullest. The waiter came over several times to change their plates.
They even got a free plate of fruit.
Even though they ate with gusto, there was still some meat left.
Aunt Wang leaned back in her chair, her stomach full, and let out a contented sigh. "I've never eaten meat so satisfyingly in my life. This mutton is really filling!"
If it weren't for Li Chuchu, how could she have enjoyed such high - class food?
Chuchu was really a good girl!
Li Chuchu called the waiter over and settled the bill. It came to a total of thirteen yuan and fifty cents.
Aunt Wang clicked her tongue in surprise.
Her husband worked at a scrapyard and only earned thirty - five yuan a month. Xiao Liu taught at school and earned at most sixty - odd yuan a month.
The food was delicious, but the price was steep too. One meal cost half of an ordinary person's monthly salary!
Li Chuchu suggested cooking the remaining food and packing it up for Uncle Wang to try. Aunt Wang felt a bit embarrassed. "I've already eaten so much myself, and now taking the leftovers home. That's just too pushy."
Li Chuchu smiled and said, "What's our relationship? Why be so polite? Uncle Wang didn't come. It's good to take it back for him to have a taste. Take it."
Li Chuchu's words hit Aunt Wang right in the heart. A straightforward and bold person like her didn't like those empty formalities.
"Okay, then I'll take it! Taking a bit of leftovers for that old geezer to taste isn't too bad for him."
Aunt Wang half - reluctantly accepted it.
The two of them walked back chatting and laughing...
On their way back,
They were talking about the store when Aunt Wang asked Li Chuchu what kind of business she planned to do. Li Chuchu said she hadn't decided yet.
Doing clothing or electrical appliance business could be profitable these days. But she couldn't manage it alone and couldn't find a partner either.
Aunt Wang joked, "Selling clothes is a good idea. I can go and help you watch the store when I'm free."
Li Chuchu thought it was a good idea. Just then, Aunt Wang suddenly stared fixedly at a spot across the street and stopped moving.
Aunt Wang tugged at her arm. "Look, isn't that Liu Xiaocheng?"
Li Chuchu took a closer look. It seemed to be him.
There also seemed to be a woman standing beside him.
No wonder Aunt Wang was the one who could find out all kinds of gossip in their compound. Liu Xiaocheng was standing across the road, so far away, but she still noticed him.
Li Chuchu sincerely sighed, "Aunt Wang, your eyesight must be at least 5.0."
Aunt Wang said proudly, "Of course. I've got sharp eyes. I used to be really good at embroidery."
Forgive her, but she really couldn't connect the straightforward Aunt Wang in front of her with the delicate work of embroidery.
Suddenly, Aunt Wang shook Li Chuchu's arm vigorously. "Look, look! They're turning around!"
They saw
Liu Xiaocheng walking with that woman.
The usually stern face of Liu Xiaocheng, which looked like an old curmudgeon's, was now wearing a worthless smile. He bought the woman an ice pop, and they took turns taking bites. Their affection was almost overflowing.
The scene was really unbearable to watch.
Aunt Wang let out a few "oh no"s. "In broad daylight, they're not even ashamed. It's really an eyesore." Although she said so, the gossip - filled light in her eyes never left them for a moment.
Li Chuchu couldn't believe it. "Liu Xiaocheng would... would do such a thing? He looks so gentle and polite. It shouldn't be like this..."
Aunt Wang waved her hand and said disdainfully, "You're still too young. There's no man in this world who doesn't philander. The more proper a man looks on the surface, the more promiscuous he is in private."
"I've thought from the very beginning that Liu Xiaocheng was not honest. Your Uncle Wang said it was impossible. Before, Luo Yingshu kept an eye on him, so he didn't get the chance. Well, he's only been away for two months on a study trip, and this happened."
Aunt Wang's tone was confident, full of disdain for Liu Xiaocheng.
Li Chuchu found it a bit funny and teased, "According to you, all men in the world are bad. What about Uncle Wang?"
Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang had a really good relationship.
On a daily basis, when Aunt Wang pointed east, Uncle Wang would never go west.
At this, Aunt Wang glared. "How dare he? And all the money in the family is in my hands. He's just a scrap collector. Which woman would want to be with him?"
Li Chuchu couldn't help laughing.
Aunt Wang continued, "So women must never believe men's nonsense. Promises like loving you for a lifetime are all lies. The only truth is to firmly hold the money in your own hands... Hey, look, aren't they going towards the department store?"
As she spoke, Aunt Wang kept staring at them. As soon as they moved, she got so excited that she almost jumped up.
Li Chuchu quickly held Aunt Wang down. Although they were still quite far away, they were on the street, and they might be overheard.
When she turned her head again, the two of them were gone.
Aunt Wang looked disappointed.
"Forget it since we lost them. Anyway, there's no doubt about their relationship. Only Luo Yingshu believes that Liu Xiaocheng is innocent outside."
Luo Yingshu was usually okay. At most, she liked to compare herself with others. She didn't have any bad intentions. But if someone said something bad about Liu Xiaocheng in front of her, it would be a big deal. She would even pick up a knife and fight with that person.
Li Chuchu suddenly thought that if Luo Yingshu, such a proud person, found out that her husband was having an affair with another woman, would she go crazy with anger?
Aunt Wang patted Li Chuchu on the shoulder. "Just act like you don't know. I'll remind her when I'm free. If she doesn't want to listen, forget it."
As neighbors, they could only turn a blind eye to such things.
Li Chuchu nodded. She wasn't the kind of person who liked to meddle in other people's business.
"Okay."
...
Just as they walked into the compound,
They saw Luo Yingshu playing with Huzi in the yard.
Xiaojun, the son of Sister Ge, was standing there at a loss. He stared at Aunt Liu for a long time and then mustered up the courage to say, "Aunt Liu, is Uncle Liu at home? I have a question about my homework and want to ask him."
Xiaojun saw Luo Yingshu's gloomy face and his voice got smaller and smaller.
Luo Yingshu glared at the kid and said impatiently, "Go home. Your Uncle Liu is busy at school. He has no time to help you with your homework today."
Although Xiaojun was scared, he still whispered, "But Uncle Liu promised me yesterday..."
Luo Yingshu was really impatient and her tone became harsh. "What did he promise you? He has his own things to do! And your mother didn't pay. Does your Uncle Liu not need to earn money to eat?"