Chapter 29: Greasy

Wang Li glanced at Leng Mohan’s back, then turned to Mu Bai, his face full of confusion. “What’s wrong with this guy? Isn’t fatty meat the most chewy and flavorful? Doesn’t he know the subtleties?”

Mu Bai looked at the greasy piece of meat in Wang Li’s bowl and frowned, his appetite waning.

“You enjoy your delicious food. I can’t even bring myself to eat this fatty meat; it’s too greasy,” Mu Bai said. Although his family was well-off, his parents being factory leaders, he didn’t like overly greasy food.

Unlike Leng Mohan, who was raised by wolves until he was ten, when he was discovered by Luo Jiaojiao’s father and brought to live in the village. However, he could hunt, so he never starved and always picked the best parts to eat—a person who never lacked meat since childhood.

In contrast, Wang Li’s life was much more difficult.

At the age of five, he lost his mother, and soon after, his father remarried. Villagers say, “A stepmother is like a step-father.” This saying proved profoundly true for Wang Li.

If it weren’t for his grandfather’s protection, Wang Li might not have survived. His stepmother bore two younger brothers for his father, pushing Wang Li further to the margins, making his life even harder.

His stepmother, greedy for the family’s wealth, repeatedly plotted against him, attempting to kill him.

However, he was lucky and narrowly escaped death each time. Nevertheless, he endured much abuse and beatings from his stepmother.

It was only when his grandfather discovered his shocking injuries that he realized Wang Li had almost died. His grandfather decisively took him away from that dangerous and violent home.

His life only gradually improved after he joined the army. Now, he was a deputy battalion commander, but this news was rarely known in the village; even his father mistakenly believed he was just an ordinary soldier.

Since his grandfather’s death, he rarely returned home. To avoid family conflicts and trouble, his father specifically sought out an elder in the clan, giving him money under the guise of supporting his old age, thus severing ties with him. Half of that money was borrowed from Leng Mohan.

“The icy Mohan actually got married before us. I really wonder, if my mother had arranged a childhood betrothal for me, maybe I could also be married and spending my life with a wife now,” Wang Li said with a hint of helplessness and jest.

Mu Bai’s mouth twitched involuntarily. Could Wang Li be serious?

“Are you really sure you’d like the person your mother arranged for you? It depends on fate. Don’t think everyone is as beautiful as Luo Jiaojiao. You should look in the mirror and see what you look like; maybe they wouldn’t even want you,” Mu Bai said with an almost speechless expression.

Wang Li was taken aback. “Although I’m not as handsome as Mohan, I’m not bad, right? My abilities are only slightly inferior.”

Mu Bai watched him stuff the food Mohan had left for them both into his lunchbox and sighed. “Leave some for me; don’t be so greedy.”

“Half and half. I traded fish for it,” Mu Bai glanced at him, a wry smile on his lips. “You’re not really angry because of what I just said, are you?”

Wang Li paused, nodding and shaking his head. “I’m a little annoyed, but not too angry. By the way, Mohan got married. I need to find time to pay him back. I’ve been putting off repaying the money I borrowed from him; it’s really inexcusable.”

Mu Bai chuckled lightly. “Right, he’s not just feeding himself anymore; he has a wife to support and children in the future.”

The atmosphere between the two didn’t seem to be affected by the little incident, maintaining their rare tacit understanding.

“It’s time to repay the debt. Now that Mohan has announced his marriage, everyone is starting to prepare to repay the money they borrowed from him. After all, a new wife and future children cost money,” Mu Bai nodded in agreement. “Me too, I need to start repaying. I always thought he wasn’t in urgent need, so I delayed repayment, but it’s time now.”

“You borrowed money from him too?” Wang Li’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“I borrowed money a long time ago, but I didn’t tell you. My parents always opposed me being a soldier, so I left home with almost no money; I borrowed it all from Mohan,” Mu Bai said frankly.

“Speaking of Mohan, he’s an amazing guy. Before joining the army, he saved a lot of money from hunting and collecting herbs,” Mu Bai said with respect.

“That’s right, even if Mohan hadn’t become a soldier, he would have been an outstanding person. But the army allows him to better utilize his talents; his abilities are absolutely qualified,” Wang Li agreed deeply.

Leng Mohan, carrying steaming hot food, unlocked the door with his key. Luo Jiaojiao on the bed had already heard the sound and sat up, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

She looked at Leng Mohan, her eyes full of hope. “I’ve already put away the clothes outside,” her voice carried a hint of anticipation, as if hoping for his approval.

Leng Mohan felt the anticipation in her eyes, but he felt a little helpless. He didn’t know how to respond, so he simply nodded stiffly. “Mm, I know.”

Luo Jiaojiao looked at him, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes. But she didn’t say anything, silently bearing the coldness. Although somewhat disappointed.

Leng Mohan keenly caught the disappointment in Luo Jiaojiao’s eyes, and his mood became complicated. He didn’t want to see this always sunny face show such a painful expression.

He looked at her quietly, but couldn’t find the right words to comfort her. Finally, he simply invited, “Come eat.” He placed the lunchbox on the table, his gaze still cold as ever, directed at Luo Jiaojiao.

Luo Jiaojiao nodded and obediently walked to the table. Leng Mohan carefully found a small bowl for her and started serving her rice.

At the dinner table, Luo Jiaojiao looked at the fresh fish in her bowl, a hint of longing in her eyes. However, her fear of fish bones made her hesitate; her chopsticks hovered in the air for a moment before finally not falling.

Leng Mohan had specially left the fish for her, but he found her hesitating to use her chopsticks.

He frowned slightly, a little puzzled. “Don’t you eat fish?” Luo Jiaojiao hesitated, nodding and shaking her head quickly, seemingly unsure how to answer.

Her actions caught Leng Mohan’s attention. He looked at her, waiting for her explanation.

Luo Jiaojiao felt Leng Mohan’s impatience and quickly explained, “I want to eat, but I’m afraid of fish bones. Aunt Zhong always picked out the bones for me before I dared to eat it.”

Luo Jiaojiao’s heart was filled with worry, fearing he would despise her.

She gently bit her lower lip, trying to hide her nervousness, finally mustering the courage to softly say, “You eat the fish, I won’t eat it.”