A Ten-Thousand-Word Mega Chapter
Because Zhou Shuling was always "inventing" new dishes, her refrigerator always had chicken soup and pork bone soup on hand. Liu Chang'an went to get a box of frozen chicken soup to cook water chestnuts.
The water chestnuts were fresh and had a mild flavor, making them perfect for pairing with chicken broth. After simmering for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, most of the water chestnuts floated to the surface. Liu Chang'an picked out the water chestnuts that had sunk to the bottom of the broth and discarded them. He then poured out some of the chicken broth, added chestnuts and ginkgo nuts, and simmered them until tender. The result was a deliciously tender, soft, and sweet dish that was truly mouthwatering.
Ginkgo nuts are the seeds and kernels of the ginkgo tree, and they are divided into medicinal and edible varieties. The edible ginkgo nuts that Liu Chang'an used have a refreshing taste without bitterness. Ginkgo trees grow slowly and are also known as "grandfather-grandson trees." Zhou Wenhua said, "The grandfather plants them, and the grandson eats them." Liu Chang'an had planted them before and didn't find them particularly slow; they were just so-so.
After all, it used to be common for people in their twenties or thirties to become grandfathers, but now this age group produces a breed of people called "single dogs".
As for sliced pork belly, northerners often think that even if southerners make it the same way, it won't taste good. Liu Chang'an made a version with a sauce, not intending it to be the same as the northern style, but with its own unique flavor.
Speaking of sliced pork belly, one can't help but think of Empress Dowager Cixi. Although she is often criticized by later generations, she would undoubtedly rank two or three ranks after Emperor Yongzheng among the ruling emperors and empresses of the Qing Dynasty. She was very particular about how she ate sliced pork belly. She would select a specially fed piglet weighing seventy or eighty pounds, and feed it a specially formulated feed for three or four days before slaughter. Two hours before the slaughter, she would send a eunuch with a bamboo stick to chase the pig all over the yard, making sure the stick only hits the pig's rump, until the pig could no longer run. Only then would she begin to slaughter the pig. This process concentrated the pig's essence and blood in its hind legs, making the hind leg meat exceptionally sweet and juicy when used to make sliced pork belly.
Liu Chang'an boiled some edamame, soaked it in soy sauce, and instead of opening Liu Yuewang's Wuliangye, he went to Auntie Xie's shop and bought a bottle of Red Star Erguotou to drink.
Wine, snacks to accompany the wine, a reclining chair, and a palm-leaf fan.
The bright moon hangs in the sky, the autumn sounds rustle in the trees, and a sense of tranquility fills my heart.
Feeling that his calm and leisurely demeanor wasn't quite right, Liu Chang'an fanned himself with a palm leaf fan, spat out the edamame shells, wiped his hands, and took out his phone to send a text message to An Nuan.
Liu Chang'an is a person who is willing to take initiative and keep a low profile. He does not always show the pride of a special human being. He is more willing to act like an ordinary college student.
Is there anything wrong with an ordinary college student sending a message to his girlfriend, who is considered a campus beauty, when she's angry, even if he doesn't know why and feels it has little to do with him?
In romantic relationships, a man's special tolerance and lowering of his stance due to his doting and affection for his partner is simply a necessary quality in love. Only abandoning self-respect and blindly catering to others is what makes someone a "simp."
Many people can't tell the difference. Once the man lowers his stance, they immediately accuse him of being a "simp," showing how fragile their hearts are.
After sending the message, Liu Chang'an received no response. So he went to the doghouse, called out "Lu Si'en," and went to walk the dog.
He put a leash on the dog's collar, and although the dog followed him, it didn't dare to show any aggression, behaving as obediently as a cat by a fireplace in winter.
This is also a way to appease passersby, and it's also a regulation that must be followed when feeding large dogs. As someone whose words and actions conform to the core socialist values, Liu Chang'an would naturally adopt such a positive and correct attitude.
Just like when Zhu Juntang's dog bit Wu Fan, the reason why Zhu Juntang didn't bear too much responsibility was because she put the dog on a leash. If she hadn't, the consequences would have been unimaginable, and the responsibility would have been heavier.
After school, Zhou Dongdong went to the rice noodle shop to do her homework. Otherwise, it would be more interesting to walk a dog and a silly little girl. Watching her repeatedly try to climb onto Lu Si'en's back and fail is what makes it so interesting.
Liu Chang'an wrapped the dog's head in Zhou Dongdong's clothes several times so that it could better understand and get used to Zhou Dongdong's scent.
Is stupidity contagious? This dog will probably become stupid too. Liu Chang'an glanced at Lu Si'en's vacant eyes, expressed a little sympathy and expectation, and walked out of the community.
Old Man Qian was jogging at night when he saw Liu Chang'an walking his dog. He ran backwards to catch up, saying, "That dog is nice."
Liu Chang'an nodded.
"You're so high and mighty!" That's what Old Man Qian disliked most about Liu Chang'an. He often just nodded and didn't say anything, indicating that he wasn't very interested in arguing with him.
"I'll unleash my dog on you, you believe me?" Liu Chang'an made a move to release the leash. His girlfriend had stormed off in anger; in his bad mood, wouldn't it be human nature to unleash a dog to bite her?
"I don't believe it..." Old Man Qian certainly didn't believe it, but such a big dog still made him a little scared. Too lazy to pay attention to Liu Chang'an, he sped up and ran forward again.
Liu Chang'an stood there for a moment, thinking. Should he organize a learning class for middle-aged and elderly people, holding interest-enhancing classes in the evenings to bring together these idle old men and women to improve their spiritual and cultural level and promote social progress? Learning some musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and telling ancient and modern legends, etc., seemed quite interesting. If he didn't have time, he could arrange for Shangguan Dandan to teach them, establishing a circle of friends and learners among the elderly. Presumably, as fellow elderly people, Shangguan Dandan would share common language and mindset with them and be easy to get along with.
Just thinking about it, I actually still enjoy playing cards and mahjong. If they all go to learn it, what will I do? Besides, mahjong is also an intangible cultural heritage.
Liu Chang'an continued walking the dog and soon arrived at the hospital he had visited a few days ago. Looking up at the gray hospital walls, he couldn't help but recall the bustling construction scene of the hospital back then. Then he saw Zhong Qing, dressed in a black business suit, walking out of the hospital.
Zhong Qing was unusually dressed in trousers today, which made her legs look even straighter and her sleeves longer. Two buttons on her collar were undone, and the dazzling white was quite captivating in the night. When she saw Liu Chang'an, she smiled slightly, adjusted her glasses, brushed aside a strand of hair that was obscuring her glasses, and walked up to Liu Chang'an.
"Is Wu Fan still living here?" Liu Chang'an asked. Zhong Qing's presence here is unlikely to be for any other reason. For example, girls her age often worry about unplanned pregnancies and usually choose a hospital specializing in their field.
"Yes, actually, there's no problem with him Central Sea to recuperate now." Zhong Qing pressed his chest, bent down, and patted the head of the third High Templar.
"He's quite lucky; he gets to see a reasonably attractive woman like you every day."
Zhong Qing rolled her eyes at Liu Chang'an. "Do you think I'm as free as you? His parents came from the Central Sea today, and I came to confirm the follow-up compensation matters with them and sign a settlement agreement."
"Does this little thing really need you? Aren't you the Third Mistress's assistant? Logically speaking, you should have a pretty high position in the Baojun Group. Why are you always doing all sorts of messy things for Zhu Juntang?"
"Large dog attacks are always a sensitive issue that's been under intense scrutiny. If not handled properly, Wu Fan could make a scene in the media, and people could push him to believe that the eldest daughter of the Zhu Family let her dog attack someone... It's not a big deal, but it would be very troublesome, and it might even affect the third young lady's school life," Zhong Qing said, stroking the dog's head. "The eldest daughter of the Zhu Family" was a media term.
I see.
"This dog... seems a bit listless?" Zhong Qing, somewhat puzzled. "But it's quite remarkable that it's survived so many days in your care."
Zhong Qing was, after all, a witness to Liu Chang'an killing two High Templar. She thought Liu Chang'an would take this one back, even though she had seen Liu Chang'an walking around with a live dog a couple of days earlier.
"I renamed it Lu Si'en. Zhu Juntang's name was unlucky," Liu Chang'an explained.
"What's unlucky about it? It's all because of you." Zhong Qing stood up, reaching out with some interest. "Give me a walk."
Liu Chang'an handed the leash to Zhong Qing, and Lu Si'en immediately became more lively. She stood up, hugged Zhong Qing's leg, shook her head, and stuck out her tongue to lick the back of Zhong Qing's hand.
"Shall we go grab a late-night snack?" Zhong Qing suggested.
When it comes to late-night snacks, Liu Chang'an will never refuse an invitation from an acquaintance, unless it's someone he dislikes or has no interest in talking to.
How's university life?
"It's alright, except my deskmate is a bit annoying."
Zhong Qing smiled. In university, there was no such thing as sitting next to someone else, but since they usually attended classes together in their first year, the Third Miss liked to sit next to Liu Chang'an. This was something Zhong Qing knew and had reported to him.
"The Third Miss still maintains an extremely strong interest in you, but it's not in a romantic way." Zhong Qing actually knows more about Liu Chang'an than An Nuan does, but slightly less than Qin Yanan and Zhu Juntang.
"Are you saying I lack masculine charm?" Liu Chang'an said with dissatisfaction.
"No, that's not it. I admit you have a lot of masculine charm, even a bit too much. It's just like many men who see a beautiful woman, they might admire her, but they won't necessarily take any action to pursue her." Zhong Qing sighed. "Unfortunately, some girls aren't that rational."
Zhong Qing was referring, of course, to his cousin. That silly girl! Didn't she notice how much the Third Miss was interested in Liu Chang'an, yet she kept everything outside the bounds of ambiguity? His cousin wasn't so clever; when chatting with Zhong Qing, the conversation would frequently drift to Liu Chang'an. What's the difference between that and a moth drawn to a flame?
"Huh? I remember you didn't see me like that before," Liu Chang'an said, quite surprised.
Zhong Qing's cheeks flushed slightly as she recalled telling Zhu Juntang that she suspected Liu Chang'an was involved with a middle-aged madam. Feeling a little embarrassed, she brushed her hair aside. The mature woman's side-swept bangs, like leaves, exuded charm.
"You're so stingy, you still remember that." Zhong Qing opened the car door and let Lu Si'en squat down in the back.
Liu Chang'an sat in the passenger seat. That's how women are. Men can't remember their mistakes; if they do, they're considered petty. But they'll never forget the mistakes men make. They keep a clear record in their little notebooks, and they can bring it up every time they argue, using it as a reason to be even more justified in their anger.
Zhong Qing, of course, wasn't as carefree as Liu Chang'an, able to walk anywhere. She decided to go to the riverside barbecue stall and said to Liu Chang'an, "I'll change my shoes, is that alright?"
"Your feet don't smell, do they?"
Zhong Qing really wanted to stick the heel of her high heel into his nostril to make sure that even if he had smelly feet, it wouldn't matter.
Zhong Qing changed his shoes, drove off, and asked Liu Chang'an, "Should we call Bai Hui?"
Zhong Qing would just ask casually, and if Liu Chang'an agreed, she would say that it was better not to, as she was in her dormitory today and it was inconvenient for her to come over.
Zhong Qing is a beauty, but Liu Chang'an is certain that, based on his current observations, the most beautiful thing about Zhong Qing is her feet, which are no less stunning than those of several other beauties.
"No, she doesn't like eating lamb testicles." Liu Chang'an shook his head.
What reason could this be? Zhong Qing couldn't understand Liu Chang'an's thought process at all. Perhaps Liu Chang'an attracted the Third Miss because his way of thinking was similar to hers.
Upon arriving at the barbecue stall, Zhong Qing ordered a plate of plain lamb chops for Lu Si'en without any seasoning, and then ordered the lamb testicles that Liu Chang'an loved, before slowly looking at the menu and ordering.
"Want some alcohol?" Liu Chang'an asked for a case of beer.
"No, I'll have to call a designated driver again later... Something happened the other day. Someone hired a designated driver after dinner, and the driver kept making phone calls in the car. When the driver finished his call, he realized something was wrong. The designated driver was sitting there, unresponsive. He quickly braked and stopped the car, but by the time the ambulance arrived, they said the driver was beyond saving... The worst part is, the autopsy couldn't even determine the cause of death. Isn't that terrifying?" Zhong Qing said fearfully. "I'm afraid to hire a designated driver anymore."
"Life is unpredictable, live in the moment." Liu Chang'an raised his beer can.
Zhong Qing didn't dwell on other people's affairs; she simply felt a bit annoyed. She took the order and handed it to the waiter. She already knew Liu Chang'an's tastes, so she didn't ask him if he wanted anything else.
"Life is unpredictable, I agree with that. When I was a child, I thought I would kill my dad sooner or later, but I never expected that he would die in a car accident while driving drunk, so I guess I got what I wanted." Zhong Qing's lips curled up slightly, the hatred rooted in his childhood was always particularly difficult to erase.
"You disagree with living in the moment?"
"I'm not going to argue with you." Zhong Qing revealed a sly and knowing smile. "Bai Hui said no one can out-argue you, so I'm not going to talk to you about life or ideals. I'm not some artsy young woman."
"It's a pity that artsy young women are so easily fooled," Liu Chang'an said regretfully.
Zhong Qing seemed taken aback, her eyes darting around with a hint of shyness. "You would lie to me?"
"Well, I was planning to trick you into going to Kaifu Temple. I heard that their temple is very popular lately and they're short-staffed, recruiting monks and nuns with university degrees. They offer a 30,000 yuan referral fee for each one you recommend." Liu Chang'an was even more disappointed.
Zhong Qing was a little embarrassed and angry. She twisted open a bottle of water and took several sips before calming down. So Liu Chang'an was too shrewd. Even if her words contained a slight hint of a joke between men and women, Liu Chang'an dug a hole for her. How much more so would he be able to catch her little cousin, whose bust size and brain capacity were disproportionate?
Liu Chang'an laughed and drank a can of beer.
"I've always felt that truly capable men are rarely smooth talkers. Especially those skilled in martial arts, they disdain being talkative." Zhong Qing found it strange. Aside from those works of art, most martial arts practitioners he met in real life were taciturn, often conveying their meaning with just their eyes, intimidating those who challenged them without uttering a word. Liu Chang'an, on the other hand, had also made a move, which was quite frightening, but most of the time, he talked too much and preferred to use words to deal with situations.
"Those are all people who aren't powerful enough." Liu Chang'an shook his head. "Because none of the people I've encountered so far can fight me, so I have to lower my standards. Only in a battle of words can humans have an equal dialogue with me, and that's where the real fun lies... Do you know the loneliness of being invincible?"
Zhong Qing didn't think Liu Chang'an was talking nonsense. Someone who wasn't strong enough wouldn't get the attention of both the Third Miss and the Third Mistress. But it just sounded like he was too good at bluffing and talking nonsense.
"Why don't you become a lawyer?" Zhong Qing retorted.
"Turning a hobby into a profession is pointless. A favorite song played on repeat for a month will eventually hurt your ears. A favorite dish eaten ten times in a row for three days straight will make you want to vomit at the sight of it." Liu Chang'an shook his head. "Besides, being a lawyer isn't a profession where you can simply enjoy yourself."
"Fine, whatever you say, you're right."
Liu Chang'an agreed with Zhong Qing.
After eating and drinking for a while, Zhong Qing suggested taking a group photo so she could post it on her WeChat Moments.
Liu Chang'an was eating sheep testicles and ignored her.
Zhong Qing took a picture, posted it on her WeChat Moments, and then looked at her phone and said to Liu Chang'an, "Within a minute, someone will reply: Where are you guys eating? You didn't even invite me! I want to come!"
Women really love to stir up trouble... Liu Chang'an continued eating, Zhong Qing picked up her phone and pointed triumphantly at Bai Hui's reply to the comment: Where is it? Take me with you, I want to eat too!
"Just bored." After finishing his lamb testicles, Liu Chang'an started peeling the lamb chops to eat the meat. Unlike the lamb chops in many places where only a thin layer of meat is scraped off the bone, the hand-shredded lamb chops here are first steamed, then marinated, and then lightly roasted before being served. The sauce is a dipping sauce, which preserves the characteristics of the lamb to a greater extent, rather than just tasting the seasoning.
"Oh no, my aunt saw it." Zhong Qing saw Bai Hui's mother comment, "Who is this with?" and quickly deleted the post she had just made on her WeChat Moments. Sure enough, her aunt sent her a message: "Who is this?", "She's not bad looking. What does she do for a living?", "Bring her home to meet us." This kind of three-question Zhong Qing is something girls Zhongqing's age often encounters. Although her relationship with her father's relatives is terrible, her relationship with her mother's relatives is very normal and warm.
"You women just love doing these kinds of self-inflicted troubles." Liu Chang'an some mutton and gave it to Zhong Qing.
Zhong Qing was also a bit annoyed. She hadn't considered this kind of issue for the past few years. She casually put the car keys on the table. "Forget it, what's the point of eating mutton without drinking beer? You can come back with me later, I'll just call a designated driver."
Liu Chang'an nodded. He had eaten someone else's late-night snack... Last time he ate Zhong Qing's late-night snack, he picked up a corpse and dumped it in a hotel. This time he ate her late-night snack, so he still had to do something.
However... Liu Chang'an seemed to have a clue. He looked at Zhong Qing's car keys, picked them up and examined them, and then seemed to understand something.
"Hand! Hand!" Zhong Qing took back the car keys, slapped Liu Chang'an's hand, and wiped the car keys clean with a tissue.
"What do you think of the room key?" Liu Chang'an asked the woman in front of him. She was an intelligent bystander with no vested interest, so her answer was for reference.
"I didn't really look... I don't have a room key, including the Third Miss's room. You know which door has a key, right?" Zhong Qing asked curiously.
"What I mean is, what does a man's house key mean to a woman?" Liu Chang'an had always understood that some things that he himself didn't take seriously were a different matter in other people's eyes. However, people's thinking is always flawed, and it is quite common to overlook such things, even in the simplest and clearest matters.
"That's extraordinary. It's practically a symbol of status, security, and enlightenment, granting unparalleled prestige," Zhong Qing said expectantly, almost as if it were a dream.
"Oh, I don't usually lock the door." Liu Chang'an chewed on the delicious mutton in his mouth.
"Men like that are usually womanizers; anyone can get into their house, need I say more?" Having had a few drinks, Zhong Qing no longer spoke with the cautiousness of Secretary Zhong. He chuckled and pointed at Liu Chang'an, "Did you just casually give your house key to someone else?"
"Would you just casually give it to someone else if it were only for your own relatives?" Liu Chang'an asked Zhong Qing... but asking Zhong Qing that question was pointless.
"No, that doesn't count." Zhong Qing smiled. "Come on, cheers."
After finishing the barbecue, Bai Hui didn't come. Zhong Qing was just teasing her; he didn't tell her where it was, and he also said that he and Liu Chang'an would be leaving by the time she arrived.
Zhong Qing called a designated driver. The driver laid out seat covers, put on gloves, and drove. Zhong Qing held Lu Si'en in his arms and sat in the back, while Liu Chang'an sat in the passenger seat.
Liu Chang'an noticed that the designated driver's eyes were still glancing at Zhong Qing. If a woman like that gets drunk and doesn't have a companion, calling a designated driver alone carries a certain risk.
Zhong Qing wasn't as drunk as last time. After the car pulled into the underground parking lot and the designated driver left, she didn't ask Liu Chang'an to help her upstairs. She waved goodbye to Liu Chang'an, watched him leave with the dog, and then entered the elevator.
Back in his room, Zhong Qing took off his coat and trousers, lay on the bed, and looked down at the myriad lights of the homes below, which resembled a shower of starlight falling to the ground.
The phone rang; it was Bai Hui calling to ask if Zhong Qing had arrived home safely and if Liu Chang'an was still in Zhong Qing's room.
"What was he doing in my room? He just dropped me off downstairs and left." Zhong Qing chuckled. "Look at you, so petty. Did you think I'd molest him?"
"Cousin! I didn't! I'm afraid he'll molest you," Bai Hui quickly said.
"Liu Chang'an... he's such a clean person, you wouldn't think he harbors even a trace of sleazy or dark thoughts." Zhong Qing said with some emotion. If Bai Hui could really find a boyfriend like that, she would be very happy for Bai Hui.
"Is he really that nice? I feel like he sometimes sneaks peeks at my chest," Bai Hui retorted shyly.
"He's a great friend. My cousin doesn't have many friends in Junsha, and she's not very close to Liu Chang'an, but having meals and chatting with him is very comfortable. Unlike some people who keep glancing at you furtively or making endless probing remarks and gestures, you don't have to be wary of them trying to take advantage of you. You have to be careful not to give them any opportunities..." Zhong Qing subtly reminded Bai Hui, "For sisters like us, this kind of vigilance is necessary, so it's always tiring... Getting drunk with Liu Chang'an feels perfectly fine, very relaxing... This kind of person is great as a friend."
Bai Hui wasn't stupid. Her cousin kept saying they were suitable as friends, and she understood what she meant. She glanced at the diary in her hand, nodded over the phone, and quietly said, "I know."
"Good to know, I'm going to take a shower." Zhong Qing hung up the phone, but before she even reached the bathroom, she lay down on the sofa again. She'd eaten and drunk her fill, and didn't want to move... If only she had a boyfriend who would take care of her right now, strip her naked, wash her thoroughly, wrap her in a blanket, and carefully place her on the bed, with a glass of water beside her—wouldn't that be wonderful?
I'm overthinking. Time for bed.
Liu Yuewang drove An Nuan home.
An Nuan remained silent the entire way. Liu Yuewang knew that her daughter was incredibly stubborn. While cursing Liu Chang'an in her heart, she pondered what exactly was going on.
Although she didn't understand what had happened, Liu Yuewang wasn't a judge; she wasn't fair or impartial, nor was she gentle or magnanimous. In any case, scolding Liu Chang'an was a must.
Back home, An Nuan carried the succulents from the doorway to the balcony, then sat on the sofa to watch TV.
Liu Yuewang wasn't in the mood to cook today, so she ordered a few dishes from her usual private restaurant and had them delivered.
After dinner, Liu Yuewang brewed tea, and An Nuan went to get a ball of yarn and a knitting needle.
Liu Yuewang sat down next to her and searched on her phone for "why is my girlfriend angry". She thought she was smart to choose this question, as she had chosen the right perspective. However, after searching, she discovered that it was an age-old mystery.
"You came back to knit without saying a word. Are you playing the heroine in a romance novel?" Liu Yuewang said irritably.
An Nuan pouted, sniffed, and ignored Liu Yuewang.
"Did you discover that Liu Chang'an was cheating on you, or that he had changed his mind, or perhaps he lied to you about something?" Liu Yuewang thought for a moment. For a talented young man like Liu Chang'an, these possibilities were quite likely.
"No!" An Nuan shouted loudly, then lowered her head to knit her sweater again.
"What could possibly be wrong?" It wasn't anything that would break a woman's heart, so Liu Yuewang immediately lost interest. "Then keep being angry. I'm going to watch TV."
So Liu Yuewang took some hazelnuts, pine nuts and other nuts, washed cherries and blueberries and other foods that she considered healthy, placed them in front of her, and started watching TV with great interest.
After watching for a while, Liu Yuewang wiped away her tears and nudged An Nuan beside her, "It's so touching! Look, the male lead has cancer, and he's secretly taking care of the female lead, who also has cancer, without telling her."
"The female lead's cancer will be cured, but the male lead's cancer will kill him," An Nuan said expressionlessly.
"Don't spoil it." Liu Yuewang playfully slapped her daughter. "What if they both end up together?"
"Stop dreaming. How could these stupid screenwriters give such an ending just to cater to stupid viewers?" An Nuan felt that she was a bit too aggressive today.
"Who are you calling stupid? I think you're the stupid one. You throw tantrums for no reason, then come home and start knitting. You look like a crazy woman who's lost her mind in love." Liu Yuewang scoffed.
"I want to knit sweaters, towels, woolen pants, and woolen hats. I'll start practicing now, and by winter my skills will be much better. Then I'll give them to Liu Chang'an," An Nuan said angrily.
"Aren't you angry with him?" Liu Yuewang didn't understand her logic and found it a bit hard to comprehend. In romance novels, when the heroine is angry, she waits for the hero to coax her, going to great lengths and using every possible method, such as booking the entire restaurant, placing only one table in the center, and arranging it in a heart shape with candles and roses all around.
"Yeah." An Nuan had been keeping quiet for so long, and she really wanted to talk. Girls are especially good at keeping quiet in front of their boyfriends, but they definitely want to tell their best friends or someone else about the stupid things men do!
"If I get angry, I'll punch someone and knit them a sweater?" Liu Yuewang still looked at An Nuan with the same look that said, "You've lost your mind."
"I'll only hit him when I'm not angry!" An Nuan raised her knitting needles. "I want to prove I'm the best girlfriend. When I give him these, he'll know how good I am, he'll know how wrong it was to make me angry, he'll know how much he'll regret making me angry, and only then will he learn his lesson!"
"So you're not going to wait until winter to make up with him?" Liu Yuewang didn't believe it.
An Nuan paused for a moment, then lowered her head, not wanting to say anything, and continued knitting.
Liu Yuewang was too lazy to pay attention to her anymore. The behavior of a young girl in love was simply illogical and incomprehensible. It was much better to watch TV. The male and female protagonists on TV were never so awkward and unreasonable. They even got cancer together. It was really touching. Liu Yuewang wiped the corner of her eye and ate a cherry.
An Nuan knitted for a while, then picked up her phone and looked at the messages Liu Chang'an had sent. Unlike other boyfriends, he didn't send countless text messages or make numerous missed calls for his girlfriend to post on social media to brag about.
An Nuan hadn't expected this. It wasn't that she thought Liu Chang'an had cheated on her, changed his mind, or was having an affair with Qin Yanan, but she really couldn't accept the fact that Qin Yanan had a key to his house. He had to give her an explanation and closure.
As for Qin Yanan... there's no doubt this woman saw that An Nuan was bothered by her, so she knew even better how to infuriate An Nuan. Did An Nuan actively ask Liu Chang'an for that key, or did Liu Chang'an give it to her voluntarily?
This is very important. An Nuan wanted to ask Liu Chang'an about this, but she couldn't help it... He should take the initiative to explain. If she didn't show some restraint now, he would care even less about her feelings in the future.
"Mom, what are your feelings for Qin Yanan?" An Nuan nudged Liu Yuewang, who was wiping away tears.
"I don't really feel anything, she's just a colleague... But it's really impressive that she managed to get a discount on appliances. You know, those appliance sellers would rather give away gifts than offer a discount, especially for TVs. I have a friend who's a store manager, and she said that for cheap items under 5,000 yuan, they basically lose money on every single one they sell..."
"I'm talking to you about Qin Yanan!" An Nuan said helplessly.
"Yes, it's high-end brand appliances. The profit margin is big, so it's possible to get some discounts, which is great. I really like the rice cooker she bought for Liu Chang'an. It only cost less than five thousand yuan! I saw the same model in the mall for at least seven thousand. I'm a little reluctant to spend that much. Next time I see it, I'll ask her if she can get one for me too..."
"Qin Yanan is my rival in love!" An Nuan, feeling a little embarrassed by her incessant chatter on the rice cooker, had to remind her of the important point: her rival was actually an older woman. How could she not feel awkward if others found out?
Liu Yuewang pressed pause, shifting her attention from the rice cooker she admired, and looked at An Nuan incredulously, "Are you kidding me? Isn't Qin Yanan Liu Chang'an's cousin? Do you think this is feudal society?"
"I'm not in the mood for jokes! They're distant relatives, the kind of relatives you can't even connect with through who-knows-how-many twists and turns. Originally, Qin Yanan's family wanted them to get engaged, but Liu Chang'an refused. But I don't think this woman has given up." An Nuan said with great suspicion. Although there are still many "brother-obsessed" women, these are real siblings. I've never heard of a distant cousin being so devoted to her cousin.
"No way, Qin Yanan looks only a little younger than me," Liu Yuewang admitted somewhat reluctantly. "She must be at least twenty-five or twenty-six. Liu Chang'an is the same age as you. What's her family thinking with such a big age difference?"
"How would I know? Anyway, Liu Chang'an doesn't have any romantic feelings for her," An Nuan said softly.
"You and Liu Chang'an have argued about this?"
"It wasn't very noisy; he told me himself."
What did he say?
"I forgot... I cried back then, but he easily coaxed me and I wasn't angry anymore." An Nuan covered her face.
"Useless."
"I'm going to stay angry all day, for a long time, so he won't just easily coax me out of it."
"So you get angry every time you see Qin Yanan? He might appease you this time, but you'll still get angry next time. Are you going to tell Liu Chang'an to kill Qin Yanan?" Liu Yuewang said irritably.
"Today... today Qin Yanan showed off Liu Chang'an 'Liu Chang'an house key in front of me!" An Nuan collapsed onto the sofa, kicking her legs wildly.
"Wasn't she buying appliances for Liu Chang'an? It's normal for her to have a key. Did she just wait downstairs with the delivery person after buying the appliances?" Liu Yuewang didn't think it was a big deal.
"She's showing off that key!" An Nuan couldn't stand it.
"If she really had an affair with Liu Chang'an, would she have the guts to do it?"
"Anyway, I'm going to be angry."
"Let's be reasonable."
"I've explained everything to you, that's how it is... You wouldn't understand." An Nuan sat up and continued knitting. "Watch your TV."
"Why should I care?" Liu Yuewang pressed play without a care and continued watching TV.
Liu Chang'an strolled around outside Baolong Center with his dog. A passageway on the first floor facing the street had been converted into the entrance of a trendy brand store. Inside, there were many photo opportunities, making it a popular spot for girls like Bai Hui. Of course, there was an entrance fee.
This reminded Liu Chang'an of photo studios. Since the birth of photo studios, a background wall has been an indispensable part of them, and it is still the case now. It has only changed from a simple background to a three-dimensional set. Thanks to the development of mobile phone photography and various filter apps, the birth of such trendy photo studios is equivalent to photo studios not even needing to prepare cameras, and a series of procedures such as developing and framing have also been omitted.
If I get married in the future, is it okay to take some selfies to use as wedding photos?
Just as she was thinking about these random things, the shops inside closed, and Zhou Shuling led Zhou Dongdong, who was carrying a schoolbag and ready to go home, out of the shop.
"Business is good today, but customers are generally saying there aren't enough options," Zhou Shuling reported to Liu Chang'an, her smile as warm as a spring breeze. "I need to work harder to invent some new dishes."
"Take your time inventing it; I'll only consider it good after I've tried it." Liu Chang'an nodded.
Zhou Shuling felt a little wronged. "You're so picky! I made the pig's feet noodles myself, and everyone in the shop said they were good."
Zhou Dongdong ran over, hugged Liu Chang'an's leg, and then climbed onto Lu Si'en's back.
But this dog is quite tall, and Zhou Dongdong's size means she must be a short-legged little girl.
Lu Si'en bent down a little with his hind legs, and Zhou Dongdong finally climbed up. Before she could even be happy, she fell down from the other side.
"Oops, I rolled down!" Zhou Dongdong said, lying on the ground.
"Alright, now it's a teaching scenario." Liu Chang'an lifted Zhou Dongdong up. "You used the word 'roll' very accurately. Generally speaking, the motion of an object falling after traveling a certain distance on a plane is described by the word 'roll,' which fully indicates that it is a round object. For other shapes, we can simply say 'falling down.'"
"I'm Yuanyuan's little friend?" Zhou Dongdong cleverly understood what Chang'an's brother meant.
"You're a stupid little kid." Zhou Shuling frowned slightly, expressing her dissatisfaction with Liu Chang'an. "Why is it that when she's with me, I feel like she's just a little bad at studying, but otherwise quite normal? Why do I think she's silly when you're around? Look at her... climbing again, you'll trip over your head!"
Zhou Dongdong repeated the falling motion of the circular object.
"Because you're also a foolish mother, unable to see the difference, understand?" Liu Chang'an reminded Zhou Shuling to have self-awareness.
Before she could fully comprehend the meaning of the word, Zhou Shuling gave Liu Chang'an a disgruntled glare.
Liu Chang'an handed the leash to Zhou Dongdong, who then gave up trying to climb onto Lu Si'en's back. However, she put her schoolbag on the dog's back instead. The schoolbag only went through Lu Si'en's two front legs and couldn't be secured to his back, so Zhou Dongdong struggled to hold her schoolbag while the dog carried it the whole way.
"Actually, she put in a lot of effort herself, and the dog put in a lot of effort too," Zhou Shuling mocked Zhou Dongdong again.
"Children's fun never lies in maximizing benefits, nor in how to complete tasks easily and efficiently. It's truly foolish to mock children's fun with your adult mindset." Liu Chang'an thought for a moment, "Why don't you buy a pig's head tomorrow morning to nourish yourself?"
"You're the one who wants to eat pig's head." Zhou Shuling scolded him while admiring him. Although Liu Chang'an always liked to make fun of others, his knowledge was really much better than hers.
-
-
Requesting monthly votes; a long chapter of 10,000 words is complete.