Chapter 213: Do You Have Enough Money to Spend?
Chapter 213: Chapter 213: Do You Have Enough Money to Spend?
Lu Cheng found her words refreshing.
"Then what about me? What does it mean that you met me?"
Jiang Moli glanced at him. "I’ve been so wicked my whole life, meeting you probably evens it all out."
Lu Cheng smiled and nodded. "So we’re two of a kind. A match made in heaven."
Jiang Moli gave his interpretation a perfect score.
As he started the car, Lu Cheng spotted Qian Ling walking toward them in the rearview mirror. He said to Jiang Moli, "Is that Comrade Qian from before also in your drama troupe?"
"Yeah, she’s a sweet and innocent girl."
"Should we offer her a ride?"
Lu Cheng wasn’t usually the helpful type, but his wife had specifically brought the girl over, which clearly meant she wanted to befriend her.
He only asked because he considered that his wife would need friends and connections at the performance troupe in the future.
"No need."
Qian Ling was a nice person, and she even lived in the same direction, but their relationship wasn’t that close yet.
Besides, the car belonged to Lu Deyao. It was one thing for her, his daughter-in-law, to catch a ride, but it wouldn’t be appropriate to bring along an outsider.
Besides, if they gave Qian Ling a ride today, would they be expected to do it tomorrow? And the day after?
So, it was best not to start, saving them the trouble later on.
On the way back, Lu Cheng asked Jiang Moli how her first day at work went.
"No one bullied you, did they?"
"You should be asking if I bullied anyone else."
Hearing this, Lu Cheng said, "I don’t need to worry about other people; you’re all I can handle. Besides, you’re not the type to bully someone for no reason."
"And what makes you so sure?"
Lu Cheng gave her a deep look, his dark eyes filled with absolute confidence. "You are gentle and kind, with a world of your own inside you and a grand vision in your heart. You’re not a petty person."
Jiang Moli didn’t think "gentle and kind" really applied to her, but hey, who doesn’t like a good compliment?
Back at home.
Upon entering the courtyard, they saw Lu Tingting squatting by the vegetable patch, watching An Hui pull up radishes.
She walked over. "You’re too young to be lazing around. Be more diligent. Learn more, do more. Don’t just watch, go help your grandma."
Lu Tingting shot her a look. "You’re one to talk. Why don’t you do it?"
"That was a suggestion for you. I, for one, don’t like to work."
Lu Tingting retorted, "And do I look like someone who enjoys working?"
An Hui emerged from the patch carrying a string of plump, red-skinned radishes. "All right, you two, stop bickering. I’m already finished."
Jiang Moli eagerly held out her hands. "Here, Mom, let me take those. I’ll carry them inside for you."
"No need. You’ll get your clothes dirty."
With that, she handed the radishes to Lu Tingting. "You take these inside and wash them. I’m going to pick a few more vegetables."
’Was I picked out of a trash can?’
Lu Tingting was fuming, but she had no choice but to take the radishes and carry them inside.
"There are so many ways to eat these red-skinned radishes. You can pickle them, or you can shred them. Marinate the shreds in salt for about ten minutes, then squeeze out the water. Add some soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and chili oil to make a sweet and sour radish salad. It’s a great appetizer and goes perfectly with rice."
Listening to Ma Hongmei chatter on, Lu Tingting helped wash the dirt off the radishes and then went into the living room.
Seeing Jiang Moli sitting on the sofa eating dates while talking with An Hui about the performance troupe, she couldn’t resist walking over.
"It was your first day at work. You didn’t embarrass Grandpa and Grandma, did you?"
Jiang Moli smiled warmly at her. "So concerned about your Third Aunt, are we? How about I treat you to some braised pig’s trotters tonight?"
At the mention of braised pig’s trotters, Lu Tingting instinctively swallowed.
"I don’t want any!"
’That damn woman! She’s definitely trying to trick me again. I’m not falling for it!’
’Still... how did that damn woman know I like pig’s trotters?’
’And I have to admit, I’m in a surprisingly good mood now.’
Jiang Moli spat out a date pit and stood up. "Really? You don’t want any? Then I’ll just go buy some for myself."
Lu Cheng got up too. "I’ll go with you."
An Hui looked at the two of them. "My wallet is in the drawer of the vanity. Take some money."
Jiang Moli said, "No need, Mom. You should keep your money for yourself."
Seeing they were really about to leave, Lu Tingting hurriedly got up and followed them.
Once outside, Jiang Moli walked in the middle, with Lu Cheng and Lu Tingting flanking her on either side.
Lu Cheng glanced at his troublesome niece. "Stop following us. Go back home."
Lu Tingting replied, "I want to go!"
Jiang Moli was amused. "Didn’t you say you don’t eat pig’s trotters?"
"None of your business."
"It’s because my love for you runs so deep. I just can’t help but look after you."
"Pfft! Stop being so gross."
Bickering playfully, they made their way to the braised meat shop.
The shop was new and very popular. A long line of people was already waiting to buy food.
By the time they got to the front of the line, the pig’s trotters were sold out. All that was left was pig’s head meat and some dried tofu.
Since they were already here, they couldn’t go back empty-handed.
Jiang Moli ordered a pound of pig’s head meat tossed in chili oil.
After paying, she glanced at Lu Tingting, who was sulking because there were no pig’s trotters, and nudged her arm.
"Hey, do you have enough allowance?"
Lu Tingting looked at her, then at the wallet in her hand.
’Is this damn woman actually going to give me money?’
’Should I take it or not?’
"Your Third Aunt is asking you a question. Is your allowance enough?"
Seeing her stand there silently, Lu Cheng urged in a stern voice.
"It’s not enough."
Jiang Moli snapped her wallet shut and patted Tingting’s shoulder earnestly. "If it’s not enough, then you should be more frugal. Don’t spend it recklessly."
Lu Tingting: "..."
’Damn it, that woman tricked me again!’
Lu Tingting was so angry she felt like she would burst. "Third Uncle, look at what she did!"
Lu Cheng looked at his wife, finding her mischievousness utterly adorable.
He found her completely irresistible.
After buying the pig’s head meat, Jiang Moli kept walking.
Lu Tingting followed her grumpily. "What are you buying now?"
Jiang Moli jutted her chin toward a state-run restaurant not far ahead. "I’m going to buy some pig’s trotters for Her Highness, of course."
Lu Tingting froze.
It wasn’t until they were inside the restaurant and she heard Jiang Moli order a plate of braised pig’s trotters from the waitress that she felt like she was in a daze, as if dreaming.
’That damn woman... she’s actually buying me pig’s trotters?’
’Then again,’ she thought, ’she *is* my Third Aunt now. It’s only right that she buys me pig’s trotters!’
After dinner, Lu Tingting rubbed her full stomach and went home happy.
Jiang Moli sprawled on the sofa, watching TV while enjoying Lu Cheng’s dedicated fruit-feeding service.
The TV screens in this era were not only small, but also black-and-white and filled with static. The programs were dull, but it was better than nothing.
"Moli."
"Hm?"
"I booked my train ticket for the 8th."
"Oh."
After answering, it suddenly hit Jiang Moli. Today was the 7th. The 8th was tomorrow.
She turned to look at him. "Why so suddenly? Is something going on with the army?"
Lu Cheng looked down at her, his dark eyes filled with helplessness and apology. "My return date was set in advance."
In fact, when Lu Cheng had first returned, he’d told her his leave was for half a month.
Counting the days, it had been almost exactly that long.
It was just that Jiang Moli had been so happy and carefree lately that she’d completely forgotten he had to go back.
"What time is your train tomorrow? I’ll see you off."
Lu Cheng reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "It leaves at 9:30. I’ll take you to work first tomorrow morning, and then head to the station."
Gazing at his strong, deep-set eyes, a wave of reluctance washed over her heart.