Chapter 15 : Brother Qi, I made you some braised pork

“Thank you,” Jiang Li said as she accepted the cloth coupons and money. There was nothing she could do. A small amount of money could change someone’s life, and she planned to return it once she found a job.

Qi Shaoqiang felt sorry for Jiang Li. Girls her age all cared about their appearance, but Jiang Li was dressed worse than others. It was rare to see such a cheerful and generous personality.

“Eat it,” Qi Shaoqiang nudged Jiang Li and began eating his plain noodles.

Jiang Li smiled and took out her meat buns, saying, “Let’s eat together.”

Qi Shaoqiang was happy inside, his soon to be wife was so caring.

“I’m a grown man, I can eat anything. You should eat more meat to replenish your body.”

The red-marinated pork elbow was a mix of fat and lean meat that melted in your mouth. The marinade, mixed with steaming rice, was so delicious it made your mouth water.

“The chefs here are really skilled at making pork elbows. I heard it’s a secret recipe passed down for generations.”

Qi Shaoqiang finished his noodles in two quick bites. He watched Jiang Li eating the meat buns, but he didn’t touch them, smiling as he saw how much she enjoyed the food.

Jiang Li finished the last bite of the tender pork elbow skin and sighed with satisfaction.

This was the first time she had eaten a full meal after traveling for so many days.

The weather was hot, and the sun was blazing. After Jiang Li walked out of the restaurant, she felt the heat, beads of sweat forming on her nose.

Seeing this, Qi Shaoqiang stepped forward, blocking the sun with his body.

His shadow fell over her, shielding her from the sunlight. Although she was still hot, it was much more bearable.

Jiang Li smiled, feeling a warmth in her heart. It seemed Qi Shaoqiang wasn’t as straight-laced as she’d thought.

“Brother Qi, didn’t you go to the cafeteria for lunch?”

Jiang Li looked up and saw a young woman with fair skin and a fuller figure calling out from the steps of the supply and marketing cooperative.

She had short hair, thin eyebrows, and slightly protruding lips. She wore the most popular Dacron floral dress, lace-up leather shoes, and bright lipstick.

“I was afraid you hadn’t eaten, so I packed you a portion of braised pork,” the woman said, handing Qi Shaoqiang an aluminum lunch box filled with the delicious-smelling braised pork.

Though the woman was smiling, her teeth were clenched tightly.

The past few days, Qi Shaoqiang had been ignoring her.

She deliberately pushed the full lunch box forward, causing some marinade to spill out and splash onto Jiang Li’s chest.

Jiang Li frowned. The woman’s words suggested intimacy.

Was she deliberately asserting dominance in front of her? Or did Qi Shaoqiang just love to flirt?

She wiped off the oil stain with a handkerchief and said, “Comrade, please open your eyes. My clothes don’t appreciate braised pork.”

Wu Meiling, who had hoped to make Jiang Li uncomfortable, turned red with embarrassment. She hadn’t expected this rural girl to dare to confront her directly.

Seeing the slight downturn of Jiang Li’s lips, Qi Shaoqiang’s heart skipped a beat. Did his wife misunderstand him?

He quickly took the lunch box, his face serious, and said, “Comrade Wu Meiling, please don’t touch my personal belongings in the future. Also, it’s working hours, so you can just call me Deputy Director Qi.”

“Brother Qi! We’ve known each other since childhood. Do we really need to be so distant? Besides, I mean well.”

Wu Meiling’s eyes were teary. “If you don’t want to, I won’t touch your things anymore.”

She glanced at Jiang Li with resentment. “Who is this woman? Won’t you introduce her to me?”

Wu Meiling felt a strong sense of crisis. Though Jiang Li’s clothes were shabby, her beauty shone through. She had a small nose, cherry-red lips, curly eyelashes, and long black hair tied in a fluffy braid, giving her a natural elegance.

“This is Comrade Jiang Li, I’m courting her.”

Qi Shaoqiang’s words sent a shock through Wu Meiling.

She quickly retorted, “How is that possible!”

Jiang Li was pretty, but she didn’t even have decent clothes. It was clear she came from a poor family, probably from the countryside.

Why would Qi Shaoqiang choose her over someone like me, who has a job?

Qi Shaoqiang looked at his watch. It was almost 1 p.m., and he was getting impatient. He wanted to take advantage of the lunch break to buy clothes for his soon to be wife.

“Do you have anything else to do? If not, please go back to work and don’t keep the customers waiting.”

Qi Shaoqiang’s expression turned serious. While walking around the food counter at the supply and marketing cooperative, he’d noticed many lazy clerks like Feng Liping. They came in late, left early, ignored customers, gossiped and ate sunflower seeds during work hours, and hoarded good products for themselves or relatives.

Wu Meiling’s eyes were filled with resentment as she looked at Jiang Li with even more disdain. “Deputy Director Qi, I’ll leave now.”

She bit her lip and turned around. Since Qi Shaoqiang would be working at the cooperative for the next few days, she had plenty of time to spend with him.

Humph, over time, Brother Qi will realize that I’m the best match for him.

“Wait!” Qi Shaoqiang’s deep voice called out.

Surprised, Wu Meiling turned back, and Qi Shaoqiang shoved some food coupons and money into her hand. “Money for the braised pork.”

Before Wu Meiling could remove her smile, Qi Shaoqiang handed the lunch box to Jiang Li and gently coaxed her.

“Lizi, I’ve eaten the braised pork in the cafeteria at the supply and marketing cooperative. It’s just as good as the ones at the state-run restaurants. You should try some. If you like it, we can go out and eat it in a restaurant next time.”

Jiang Li took the lunch box, and Qi Shaoqiang breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed his future wife wasn’t angry.

A jealous and resentful expression crossed Wu Meiling’s face. She raised her eyes and saw Qi Shaoqiang’s sincere attitude towards Jiang Li. He had no ambiguity toward her.

Jiang Li felt relieved. Qi Shaoqiang’s actions were clear, and he was very open about his feelings.

Smiling, she said, “One serving of braised pork is enough. Next time, I want to eat big carp.”

Qi Shaoqiang smiled at her. “Okay, whatever you want.”

Wu Meiling stomped her feet and ran off, crying.

Seeing that it was getting late and worried she would miss the bus back to the village, Jiang Li quickly hurried to the station, tearing off a piece of cotton cloth.

Qi Shaoqiang brought out a borrowed bicycle, patted the back seat, and said, “I’ll take you to the station.”

Jiang Li didn’t refuse and sat on the back seat. Qi Shaoqiang rode the bike nervously, explaining, “The young woman just now was called Wu Meiling. She’s from our production team, and I have a good relationship with her brother.”

“So how is your relationship with her?”

Noticing Qi Shaoqiang’s nervousness, Jiang Li teased him.

Qi Shaoqiang panicked, and the bicycle hit a stone. Jiang Li, sitting behind, stumbled and grabbed the edge of his clothes.

Her nose brushed against his broad back, and a fresh scent of soap surrounded her.

Jiang Li straightened up. “Just kidding, I know you have nothing to do with her.”

Qi Shaoqiang froze, unable to speak, and slowed down, wishing the journey could last longer so he could stay with Jiang Li.

The sun blazed, and the bus emitted an unpleasant smell. Qi Shaoqiang found a window seat for Jiang Li, bought her a ticket, and peeled oranges for her, placing them in her hands.

Seeing the bus about to leave, Qi Shaoqiang reluctantly said, “I’m leaving.”