Chapter 10: Conquering Magic with Magic

Lin Qingyue immediately put on a worried expression, gathering her three children before her. She said, “Sister Wu, as you can see, our family’s situation is difficult. Lu Siyi’s salary barely covers the children’s tuition.”

“The two older ones are in primary school, and the youngest is in kindergarten. We really have nothing left over.”

Lu Siyi’s deep, calculating gaze was unlike the Lin Qingyue he knew.

Sister Wu’s face was grim, as if she’d swallowed a fly.

Lin Qingyue continued, “Or, should I write you an IOU? I’ll pay you back when our family is more well-off?”

Regardless of whether a pound of meat coupons was worth an IOU, this pound of meat coupons was originally something she intended to extort. If she had been truly aggressive and written an IOU, her reputation in the compound would be ruined.

“Forget the IOU. If you don’t have meat coupons, two pounds of flour coupons will do.” Sister Wu’s expression cracked, settling for a compromise.

“Sister Wu, I really can’t give you flour coupons,” Lin Qingyue said, her eyebrows drooping. “Look at my three children, they’re still so young. How could I bear to have them eat coarse grains with us adults?”

“Sister Wu, would you like something else?”

“When I ate at your house, you never treated me to flour-based dishes.”

Sister Wu was speechless.

Lu Siyi wisely stepped aside. This was a woman’s battle, and Lin Qingyue could win it completely on her own; he didn’t need to interfere.

No one knows exactly what Lin Qingyue and Sister Wu said next, but Sister Wu’s expression changed repeatedly, finally leaving with a cheerful farewell to Lin Qingyue.

Lu Siyi was curious. When she came back, he couldn’t help but ask, “Did you agree to give Sister Wu ration coupons?”

“Are you kidding? Two jins of flour coupons are enough for our family for two days!” Lin Qingyue was unwilling to part with them.

“Sister Wu didn’t get what she wanted, yet she left happily. That’s not right.” Lu Siyi looked at her warily.

“Nothing much. I just agreed that you’ll help Sister Wu haul coal in the winter,” Lin Qingyue said calmly, as if it were an insignificant matter.

He stopped, silently looking at her. So, she used him to curry favor!

Noticing him stop, Lin Qingyue also stopped. “It’s just a bit of physical labor; it’s not a big loss. It’s much more worthwhile than giving away two pounds of ration coupons.”

You’re not powerless, the energy you put into me at night is quite substantial. Lin Qingyue secretly grumbled.

“Sister Wu’s husband is often away on business. It’s only right for our neighbors to lend a hand in the winter.” Her voice immediately softened.

Her reasoning was sound, but Lu Siyi still felt uneasy.

She used him without his consent, acting as if it were perfectly reasonable. He really needed to get to know Lin Qingyue again.

On second thought, Lin Qingyue was thrifty and good at managing the household.

If his salary were a little higher, he wouldn’t need her to haggle with people like Sister Wu.

Lu Siyi made up his mind to work harder and earn more money to support his wife and children.

The couple each had their own plans, all for the sake of their family.

Looking at her three hungry children, Lin Qingyue felt overwhelmed. How could she improve their family’s economic situation?

She felt completely dejected.

After all, in her previous life, she was a senior director of a listed company; three years of company dividends could buy her a house.

This era was an untapped oil field, full of opportunities.

Believe in yourself, you can definitely make a fortune!

Lin Qingyue encouraged herself.

The family went to the department store, bought stationery, and by the time they returned home, it was already dark.

Back home, the three children were playing in the living room. Lu Siyi gave them a few instructions before heading straight to the kitchen to cook, and Lin Qingyue went in to help.

The tall man wore an apron around his waist and worked busily at the stove. His expression was focused, as if cooking a meal was no different from commanding soldiers.

Lin Qingyue sighed, a good, family-oriented man.

Lu Siyi worked methodically, and she seemed unable to help much.

She could only help him by passing him salt or soy sauce.

Tender bean sprouts were stir-fried in hot oil with peppercorns and dried chilies. This simple home-cooked dish, prepared by Lu Siyi, was delicious and aromatic. Lin Qingyue stood beside him, swallowing her saliva, her stomach rumbling.

Soon, one meat and two vegetable dishes were served on the dinner table. Lu Yiming helped with the bowls and chopsticks, and the children lined up to wash their hands and eat.

At the dinner table, Lu Yiming quickly put a piece of meat into his younger siblings’ bowls.

Lin Qingyue noticed, “Why don’t you eat?”

“Aunt Lin, I heard everything you said today. You don’t need to hide it from us,” he said, his voice barely a whisper, his head lowered. “Our family is poor…”

The child was so sensible it was heartbreaking.

“Actually, we’re not that poor. I said that on purpose today,” Lin Qingyue confessed to the child. “Why should we give her our meat coupons?”

“Huh?” Lu Yiming’s small head was full of questions.

From her words earlier, he thought their family was so poor they could barely make ends meet, and that his father had to work for Sister Wu.

It was all a strategy.

“Eat your fill. Your father and I are here to take care of things, what are you afraid of?” Lin Qingyue smiled gently, putting a piece of meat into Lu Yiming’s bowl.

“Eat plenty. Children need to eat well when they’re growing.”

This was the first time their family had eaten together so happily.

Lu Siyi felt a sense of contentment, looking at Lin Qingyue eating quietly beside him, and for the first time, he felt a sense of having his own home.

After dinner, the couple silently cleaned the dishes and helped the children wash up. By the time they were finished, it was completely dark.

Lin Qingyue sat by the bed, missing her smartphone and tablet. She longed to relax on the sofa and watch a drama.

Oh, there’s no entertainment at night, it’s really worrying.

Lu Siyi washed up and returned to the bedroom.

He wore an old undershirt and loose pants and walked in.

His bright black eyes were sharp, fixed on her.

Lin Qingyue’s heart pounded. She quickly said, “Don’t do it tonight. My body really can’t take it.”

She felt that couples should communicate openly and not hide their feelings.

Lu Siyi hummed, his eyelids drooping, hiding the disappointment in his eyes.

Lin Qingyue took a quick shower, quickly got into bed, wrapping herself up like a burrito, giving Lu Siyi no chance.

Her refusal was clear, both verbally and physically.

Lu Siyi lay beside her, behaving himself all night.

They slept well.

The next morning, Lin Qingyue was woken up by Lu Siyi again.

She sat up abruptly. This time, she would express her dissatisfaction fully!