Chapter 61 : Visiting Neighbors

At breakfast, Shen Haifeng didn’t use his left hand to hold his bowl.

Zheng Lanhua only glanced at him but said nothing.

In the morning, she had heard the sound of the ruler, but she figured it wasn’t something she needed to interfere with.

At school, when Shen Haifeng handed in his homework, Yu Feixu, who sat behind him, noticed his hand right away.

“Shen Haifeng, what happened to your hand?”

Shen Haifeng snapped, “Mind your own business!”

Yu Feixu laughed, “Let me guess, it was your stepmother who hit you, right?”

Shen Haifeng growled, “I hurt myself, stop making things up.”

Yu Feixu scoffed, “I don’t know what’s so great about your stepmother. Didn’t you hate her at first?”

Shen Haifeng quickly defended himself, “I didn’t!”

Yu Feixu muttered, “Not hating her doesn’t mean you like her. Shen Haifeng, you’re so indecisive.”

Shen Haifeng shot back, “At least my family’s not as inconsistent as your little brother Yu Xiaopang, who comes to my house to eat my mom’s cooking!”

After breakfast, Fang Xiaoluo rode her bike to buy meat and vegetables.

At the market, she happened to run into Liu Lijua.

“Xiaoluo, you’re out shopping for groceries too?”

Fang Xiaoluo noticed that Liu Lijua had bought quite a bit, including a lot of fruits.

“Yes, Sister-in-law, you bought so many things!”

Liu Lijua smiled, “I was actually planning to come by your house, but since I ran into you, here I am.”

“Those meat buns you brought last time smelled so good. I was thinking of making something too, but nothing I made tastes as good. I bought some stuff, and if you’re free, why don’t you come over to my place and sit for a bit?”

Fang Xiaoluo didn’t decline Liu Lijua’s kind invitation. “Okay, Sister-in-law, I’ll buy a few more things, and then we can head back. Since I’m already on my bike, I’ll give you a lift.”

Both of them bought a lot of items, hanging them on their handlebars.

As they made their way home, Fang Xiaoluo and Liu Lijua chatted and laughed.

Fang Xiaoluo helped Liu Lijua carry her groceries inside.

“Xiaoluo, you sit down for a while. I’ll put these things away and wash some fruit for you.”

Liu Lijua had three kids, two in high school and one in middle school, all of whom were out during the day.

First, Liu Lijua poured some water for Fang Xiaoluo and then gave her sunflower seeds and biscuits before heading off to wash the fruit.

Fang Xiaoluo wasn’t in a hurry and sat down in the living room.

Before long, Liu Lijua brought over the washed apples and cantaloupe. “I just found this cantaloupe today, try it and see if it’s sweet.”

She also said, “These are for you to take home and share with your aunt and the kids.”

Fang Xiaoluo was about to decline when Liu Lijua insisted, “You gave me those buns last time, and I didn’t have anything to give you in return. The kids will enjoy the fruit, so don’t turn it down, or I’ll feel bad.”

Fang Xiaoluo smiled, “Sister-in-law, we still have your walnuts. Now you’re making me feel embarrassed.”

Liu Lijua waved it off, “What’s the big deal? Don’t be so polite, we’re neighbors, and we’ll be seeing each other often.”

Fang Xiaoluo thought that she could give Liu Lijua some dumplings next time and agreed to take the fruit.

The two chatted for a while when suddenly someone shouted from outside, “Lijua, are you home?”

Liu Lijua glanced outside and said, “Xiaoluo, wait for me a moment, I’ll go see.”

Fang Xiaoluo watched her leave and thought she should head back too. She needed to work on her second qipao and also had to prepare lunch later.

At the gate, someone told Liu Lijua, “Lijua, you need to hurry to your daughter’s school. The teacher says she’s complaining of stomach pain.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Lijua became anxious. Her two sons were in high school, and her only precious daughter was attending middle school in Qingshi Town.

She quickly turned and walked back, “Xiaoluo, my daughter’s stomach hurts. I’m going to the school.”

Fang Xiaoluo saw how urgent Liu Lijua was and said, “Sister-in-law, my bike is over there. You can ride it to the school.”

“Xiaoluo, thank you! Can you help me by closing the door? I’ll be off now.”

Watching Liu Lijua hurriedly leave, Fang Xiaoluo didn’t think much of it. She gathered the fruit and the meat and vegetables she had bought, locked up Liu Lijua’s house and yard, and headed home.

Meanwhile, Liu Qianru was a bit anxious when she heard Liu Lijua had invited Fang Xiaoluo over so quickly.

She had originally planned to come up with an excuse to send Liu Lijua out, but since Liu Lijua had already rushed off to school, she was left alone with Fang Xiaoluo at home.

Liu Qianru felt that this was a sign from fate, helping her out.

She watched Fang Xiaoluo leave, and with no one around, she quietly went into the house, retrieved the qipao she had placed there the day before, and carefully put the box back exactly as it had been, so it looked as though nothing had changed.

Back at home, Fang Xiaoluo first blanched the ribs, then added clean water to the pot along with a couple of slices of ginger, simmering it on low heat.

Zheng Lanhua glanced at the way Fang Xiaoluo was making the ribs. She didn’t stir-fry or steam them, and it was quite similar to her own way of preparing them.

She thought to herself, “Let’s see what kind of dish Xiaoluo will make for lunch. Even if it’s something similar to mine, I’ll feel better about my own cooking.”

Once done with that, Fang Xiaoluo spent an hour and a half embroidering the qipao, then began preparing the rest of the meal.

Before leaving to buy groceries in the morning, she had already set the cornmeal dough, which was now ready. She shaped the dough into small steamed buns and put them into the steamer.

By then, the ribs had simmered until they were tender, filling the kitchen with a rich meaty fragrance. She added the yam and carrots she had bought, peeled and chopped them, and added them to the pot.

Next, she prepared the cucumber, carrot, and chicken breast by cutting them into small cubes for later use.

The steamed buns were ready, golden and looking perfect when she opened the lid.

Zheng Lanhua, standing nearby, scooped the buns into a bowl.

She was puzzled. Why did Fang Xiaoluo’s buns look so much yellower, more fragrant, and softer than her own? The ones she made were hard, like wood, and could hurt if thrown.

The yam, carrot, and rib soup was light and refreshing, and also ready. She ladled it into bowls, cleaned the pot, and carried everything to the table.

Fang Xiaoluo heated the pan, added some oil, and sautéed the chopped scallions. She then added the chicken cubes, frying them until golden. Once done, she added the cucumbers and carrots.

This dish, salty and savory, paired perfectly with the steamed cornmeal buns, creating a delicious vegetable and grain-packed meal.

Just minutes after setting the table, Shen Haifeng came home from school.

As Shen Haifeng was washing his hands, Fang Xiaoluo noticed Yu Xiaopang happily walking into their front gate.

She turned to Zheng Lanhua and asked, “Mom, everyone says that Yu Xinzhen and Shen Zheng are arch-enemies. Do you know why?”

Zheng Lanhua untied her apron, “The two of them competed for the position of the Third Regiment Leader, but Yu Xinzhen lost.”

As she said this, Zheng Lanhua seemed a bit pleased with herself.