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When Lu Changzheng reacted, he slapped his thigh, exclaiming, “Damn! I actually guessed right. Who’s this girl? From Beijing?”
“Well, Old Zhou, I thought you were always quiet, but it turns out you were hiding a big move. Isn’t this the first time in a thousand years that an iron tree has blossomed? Hurry up and take us back to see!”
Zhou Jinchuan snorted, “Don’t listen to Xie Xiaojun’s nonsense. It’s not what you think!”
He then shot a warning glance at Xie Xiaojun.
Xie Xiaojun, not daring to joke further, quickly explained, “No, no, it’s not what you think, Commander Lu. She’s here temporarily to help Commander Zhou look after the children. The buns you ate last time were made by her.”
Speaking of the buns, Lu Changzheng recalled, “The buns were good, but are you sure this person is reliable? She’s not some spy planted from outside, is she? Let me tell you, spies these days are very covert!”
With that, Lu Changzheng continued to emphasize his point.
Xie Xiaojun hurriedly explained, “Definitely not. She’s from Deputy Company Commander Qin’s hometown. She originally came to find Deputy Company Commander Qin, but due to a mix-up and having nowhere else to go, she ended up staying to look after the children. In short, Comrade Su is not what you think!”
Lu Changzheng grew more confused as he listened, “Why is Qin Yunfeng involved again? I’ve been gone for just a month, and so much has happened.”
“Old Zhou, you should still be cautious about this woman. Better to be safe than sorry. How about I go over and check for you now?”
Zhou Jinchuan snorted, “I’ve got it under control. You’ve just returned, and you’re already looking for something to do?”
He then looked at Xie Xiaojun, “You two get out and head ahead. I’ll go back and check on the children first, then I’ll head to the office.”
After the two got out of the car, Xie Xiaojun shot a resentful glance at Lu Changzheng.
If it weren’t for him speaking out earlier, he would already have his lunch sorted.
Zhou Jinchuan parked the car in front of the courtyard and, as he got out, felt an inexplicable mix of emotions.
This time, something felt different from before, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint why.
Perhaps it was the suddenness of leaving the two children with a stranger that made him uneasy?
Additionally, during his trip, he had secretly visited a fortune teller.
At first, the fortune teller thought he was a decoy or conducting a sting operation and falsely claimed to have no insights.
However, once the fortune teller saw his face, they were taken aback and insisted that some things were best left unsaid.
They assured him that keeping the person around was the right choice and that he would understand in time.
With these complicated feelings, Zhou Jinchuan pushed open the door, only to find a group of people gathered in the courtyard, eating dumplings.
After only a few days, she seemed to have gotten along so well with the neighbors?
And in just a few days, it felt like the courtyard had completely changed.
Su Yi heard the commotion and realized Zhou Jinchuan had returned.
Of course, he chose to come back just as they were enjoying their meal!
Despite her grumbling, Su Yi quickly stood up, “Commander Zhou, you’re back!”
Sister Zheng and Sister Yao also felt a bit embarrassed and quickly stood up to greet him.
Zhou Jinchuan nodded, “Just got back and came by to check on the kids.”
Ye Xiaowu and Ye Nuannuan had already run up to him, “Uncle Zhou, Sister Su’s dumplings are really delicious. You should stay and eat with us!”
Seeing that the two children seemed fine and even looked a bit plumper, Zhou Jinchuan felt relieved. “No need, I still have some work to do and need to head back to the office.”
While they were talking, Su Yi quickly packed a box of freshly cooked dumplings.
“These two days, Sister Zheng and Sister Yao have helped us a lot, from providing us with vegetable seedlings to making clothes for us. It’s just right to have them over for a meal today.”
“These dumplings are freshly made. Take them back and enjoy them; it will save you a trip to the mess hall.”
Zhou Jinchuan nodded, glancing at the light yellow shirt Su Yi was wearing, which looked quite nice. He also noticed that the two children were dressed in new clothes.
Even the previously barren soil was now filled with thriving vegetable seedlings. It was no wonder Zhou Jinchuan had noticed something different when he entered the courtyard earlier.
Zhou Jinchuan took the lunchbox, saying, “Thank you. I’ll head back now. Enjoy your meal!”
Su Yi nodded and suddenly remembered something, “By the way, Commander Zhou, I have some errands to run tomorrow. Xiao Wu will be home to look after Nuannuan. If you have time, you might want to come by and check on them too.”
Zhou Jinchuan turned to look at her and nodded, “Alright!”
[Zhou Jinchuan seems to have lost weight and looks darker, probably due to hardship while he was away. Meanwhile, the three of us at home have become plump and fair, which makes me feel a bit guilty.]
[Even though it’s my own money spent on the meat, I suddenly feel a bit uneasy.]
As Zhou Jinchuan turned, he paused momentarily, then strode off decisively.
When Zhou Jinchuan returned to the office and was downstairs, he ran into Xie Xiaojun and Lu Changzheng coming back from lunch.
“Old Zhou, we didn’t touch your food. Xiao Xie said you’d be eating at home!”
Zhou Jinchuan shook the lunchbox in his hand, “Not needed.”
Lu Changzheng, smelling the aroma, approached and, before even sitting down, opened the lunchbox.
“Dumplings? Nice!”
Zhou Jinchuan quickly covered the lid again, “There’s none for you! What if these dumplings are made by a spy? If you eat them, you’ll be entangled in the mess!”
Lu Changzheng clicked his tongue, “I never realized you held grudges so well. Was it wrong for me to be cautious earlier? The dumplings are innocent.”
“I’m just looking out for you.”
Lu Changzheng twitched his lips, “Old Zhou, here we are, roughing it outside, and you’ve got someone at home making dumplings and feasting. It’s not even a special occasion. You really don’t know how to enjoy life.”
“None of your business!”
Xie Xiaojun chuckled behind his hand, “Commander Lu, stop being sour about not getting any. You’re just jealous.”
Lu Changzheng clicked his tongue, feeling a bit bitter! Just thinking about the delicious buns from before made his mouth water.
Zhou Jinchuan quickly washed his hands and then shooed the two out of his office.
Once the door was closed, he sat down seriously at his desk.
When Zhou Jinchuan opened the lunchbox, he saw it was packed full of dumplings, all plump and white, still emitting steam.
Taking a bite, he was greeted by a thin, delicate wrapper and a generous, juicy filling, bursting with freshness and flavor!
After days of less satisfying meals, Zhou Jinchuan’s taste buds were suddenly awakened by the delicious dumplings.
…
The next morning, Zhou Jinchuan returned home early with the cleaned lunchbox.
However, he found the two children already eating breakfast.
She left so early?
The children, upon seeing him, eagerly moved benches and fetched bowls and chopsticks for him.
“Sister Su wasn’t sure if Uncle Zhou would come back for a meal, so she left the dumplings in the pot,” said Ye Xiaowu.
Zhou Jinchuan was momentarily stunned. “She left this early?”
“Yes! The station is crowded in the morning. Sister Su said it’s better to go early and return early!”
Zhou Jinchuan, who usually didn’t pry into others’ private matters, broke his usual habit and asked, “What’s she going out for?”