Chapter 83: Fool???

The consumed hotpot base had silently replenished itself in its original position.

The beef, lamb, and other food taken from the fridge had also automatically restocked.

This space was far more than just a secluded paradise, but Jing Xi hadn’t realized it yet.

All she knew was that she had just enjoyed an incredibly delicious hotpot meal, all by herself, watching her favorite TV show with no interruptions. Even if she didn’t wash the dishes, by the next day, they would be clean and back in place.

Every time this happened, she would wonder: What did I do to deserve all this?

Sometimes, she even felt a little uneasy, afraid that she might lose everything.

But that feeling never lasted long—it always passed in a flash, only momentarily affecting her mood.

Then, she would find a way to comfort herself.

And the cycle would repeat.

—

She spent a pleasant night in the space.

After getting proper rest, she was full of energy. During the day, when she had nothing to do, she would go check the fields, pull some weeds, chat with Jin Fu and Chen Cheng, and then head to the construction site to help carry bricks.

Sometimes, if Zhang Rui was busy, she would even help cook a meal.

Just like that, nearly a month passed—perhaps the most peaceful month Jing Xi had experienced.

The house’s main framework was already in place, and today, they were finally going to put on the roof.

The courtyard walls had been built, and a large gate had been installed.

With the roof and windows done, all that was left was the interior finishing and buying furniture.

At this pace, the two-month timeline estimated by Xia Lidong was more than enough.

Jing Xi was in a great mood today. On top of that, both the village office and the Long family had paid her wages, so her pockets were full. To celebrate, she treated the uncles and elders to a special meal out of her own pocket.

She bought a pig’s head, three sets of pig trotters, and simmered them in a large iron pot over a wood-burning stove, adding a ladleful of spring water from her space. She braised and stewed them for hours.

When she finally lifted the lid, the rich aroma filled the air.

Jing Xi had also added plenty of vermicelli and soybeans. Just the smell alone was enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

The uncles and elders ate heartily, showering her with praise.

Jing Xi had also set aside two pig trotters specifically for Liu Yan and Liu Chun, planning to bring them over later.

After finishing his meal, Zhang Rui went into the kitchen to clean up and noticed the two pig trotters tucked away. “Xiao Jing, what’s up with these?”

Jing Xi explained, “Auntie, I saved these for Yan Jie and Liu Chun. I’ll bring them to town this afternoon.”

Zhang Rui was so touched she didn’t know what to say.

Her own daughters were being cared for!

“You actually thought of them too!”

Jing Xi packed the trotters into a lunchbox and also added four white wheat buns.

People here loved eating mantou.

“It’s nothing. I just miss Yan Jie, so I’ll stop by to see her.”

The more Zhang Rui interacted with Jing Xi, the more she liked this girl—cold on the outside but warm at heart, always thoughtful.

Before setting off, Jing Xi spotted the plump, white mantou and decided to grab six more to bring to Old Man Xia.

Today happened to be Old Man Xia’s monthly fortune-telling day, and when she arrived, she saw a small imported sedan parked outside his house.

Instead of going in, she called Xia Lidong’s wife to pass along the mantou for Old Man Xia and then left.

As she turned to leave, she glanced at the car’s license plate—it was from the city, and the number was 888.

She curled her lips. In this era, anyone who owned a car was either rich or powerful. An imported sedan with an 888 plate? That meant whoever came for a fortune-telling session today was no ordinary person.

One day, I’ll drive a car like that too.

—

The diesel bus rumbled as it brought her to the town’s middle school.

It was the weekend, and since she had been coming frequently, the gatekeeper already recognized her. He turned around and called a student over to fetch Liu Yan and Liu Chun.

Ten minutes later, the two sisters came running over. The moment they saw Jing Xi carrying something, they knew there was something good to eat.

The three of them sat on a bench outside the school gate.

Liu Chun couldn’t wait and immediately opened the lunchbox. “Let me see what delicious food we’ve got today!”

“Oh my god! It’s pig trotters! Ahhh! And vermicelli! My goodness! My absolute favorite!”

Liu Chun handed a mantou to Liu Yan, and the two of them each took a pig trotter and started eating right there.

The rich, fatty broth coated their lips as they ate.

Jing Xi suddenly realized—she forgot to bring garlic to cut through the greasiness.

The food at the middle school cafeteria wasn’t very rich, so every time they ate at home, they would eat a lot.

Each person always had to eat two solid white flour steamed buns.

Seeing the two of them enjoying their meal, Jing Xi took the opportunity to ask about their recent lives.

Liu Chun was doing well; Liu Yan also had no major issues.

Once they finished eating, Jing Xi was just about to pack up the lunch boxes when she noticed Liu Yan’s face looked a little uneasy.

She was just about to ask when a young male voice, accompanied by footsteps, came from not far away.

“Yo, Liu Yan, eating well, huh? Even got yourself some pig’s trotters. Got such good food and didn’t even think to share a bit with me?”

Jing Xi frowned and turned to look.

Behind them stood a boy about 1.7 meters tall, with a short buzz cut and glasses. He was holding two comic books in his hands.

This boy had a somewhat blank look on his face and an odd appearance.

His speech was also slightly slurred.

Liu Yan shot him a glance. “I’m eating my family’s food. What the hell does that have to do with you?”

The boy responded, “How does it not concern me? Did you forget what I told you yesterday? Sooner or later, you’re going to marry into my family and become one of us. That means what’s yours is mine, got it? Next time you eat pig’s trotters, you have to give me half!”

Liu Yan snapped, “Shut up, will you?”

Liu Chun chimed in, “Who the hell are you? Stop bothering my sister!”

“Who am I? You don’t know? I’m your sister’s boyfriend! My name is Kong Yu! You should call me ‘future brother-in-law,’ got it?”

Jing Xi couldn’t help but laugh.

She glanced at Liu Yan, who looked absolutely disgusted.

Then she turned to Kong Yu and pointed at her head. “Classmate, are you sure there’s nothing wrong up here?”

Kong Yu finally took a proper look at Jing Xi and realized—wow, she was a beauty. Even prettier than Liu Yan.

He immediately stepped closer.

“Yo, and who might this lovely lady be?”

Liu Yan instantly stood up and positioned herself in front of Jing Xi, looking extremely impatient. “Kong, get lost. Don’t make me start cursing!”

Kong Yu wasn’t the least bit annoyed. “Hey, no need to get worked up. I didn’t even say anything bad. But Liu Yan, I gotta say, your friend here is prettier than you. If you want to marry into my family, you better start behaving. Otherwise, I might just change my mind.”

Jing Xi was speechless.

What an unbelievably delusional narcissist.

What kind of mental illness was this?

Liu Yan had run out of patience. “Kong! I’m warning you for the last time—get lost!”

Kong Yu gave Jing Xi another once-over, making an exaggerated chewing sound with his mouth. “Alright, alright, I’ll leave, okay? Geez, so stingy. Not like your friend here.”

With that, he turned and left, though he looked back every few steps.

Just before stepping into the school gate, he even blew Jing Xi a kiss.

The sheer disgust made her want to gag.

“What the hell, Yan’er? What’s going on here?”

Liu Yan sighed. “Ugh, just an idiot. Ignore him. He’s a little slow in the head.”

Jing Xi was still uneasy. This type of guy seemed like a total obsessive. If he kept to himself, fine, but if he snapped one day, what if he became violent?

“Tell me everything. I really don’t feel good about this.”

Liu Yan shook her head. “There’s really nothing to worry about. He just talks nonsense sometimes, but he hasn’t done anything extreme. Just ignore him.”

Jing Xi was skeptical. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure! Really, don’t worry. No one can distract me from my studies. Exams are coming up soon, and I won’t have to deal with him for much longer. Trust me, if anything happens, I’ll definitely tell you. Alright?”