The pig farm was built in a rather remote location.
Qin Baozhu, bored out of her mind, picked up a handy stick from the ground. With the thermos lunchbox in one hand and the stick in the other, she prodded and kicked at the snow.
Sometimes she flicked a small stone into the air, sometimes tossed a handful of snow.
Aunt Feng walked a short distance behind her. Being older, she was a bit out of breath after walking so far and moved more slowly than usual, but she still called out, “Baozhu, be careful walking. Don’t fall.”
“Got it,” Baozhu replied. She lifted her head to look ahead at the red-brick factory at the end of the stone path. From a distance, it looked quite imposing, sprawling across the snow-covered ground.
Aunt Feng said, “That’s Little Zhou’s pig farm. It was just built last year, still very new.”
Baozhu asked, “Do I have to go in with you to deliver lunch?”
“Of course,” Aunt Feng replied. “It’s freezing out here, and it’s warm inside the factory.”
Baozhu glanced at the snow and pursed her lips, saying nothing. She wasn’t keen on delivering lunch to Zhou Fuguang, nor did she want his employees to see her. It felt as if going in there would make it seem like she really was his wife… which made her unhappy.
Aunt Feng paid no attention to her subtle feelings and led her into the pig farm’s employee cafeteria.
“Little Zhou, Little Zhou, Baozhu and I are here to deliver lunch! Where are you?”
Inside the cafeteria, a few young employees were resting after finishing their meals. Family members who had brought them food were still seated, chatting with their sons or husbands. As Aunt Feng called out, everyone’s attention turned to the door. They were familiar with Aunt Feng, but who was the woman wearing a white fox fur coat and a red scarf beside her?
Baozhu, feeling cold, buried most of her face in the cashmere scarf, only her large, dark, sparkling eyes visible.
Her long black hair, slightly curled at the ends, framed her neck. Holding the lunchbox, her small, delicate fingers peeked out—white and smooth.
From a distance, it was obvious she was strikingly beautiful.
Jiang Canran had just finished lunch and was chatting with his sister, Jiang Zhi. Upon hearing Aunt Feng, he lazily complained, “Aunt Feng, you’ve been late delivering lunch lately. Little Zhou just went to feed Lusheng. Lao Liu, go call Little Zhou and tell him—”
His gaze briefly fell on Baozhu, standing there in her fox-fur coat. He said lazily, “His wife came to deliver his lunch.”
Once he said that, everyone’s eyes naturally lingered on Baozhu. Even Jiang Zhi couldn’t help but look.
Yesterday, Liang Xiyue had said Baozhu was awake, and Jiang Zhi had been wondering when she would visit Zhou’s family. Now she had arrived unexpectedly.
At first glance, Baozhu seemed no different from before, bundled up tightly, just a quiet, obedient young girl. But when her sharply defined cat-like eyes wandered lazily around, meeting Jiang Zhi’s curious gaze, Jiang Zhi realized—Baozhu was truly awake.
It wasn’t just Jiang Zhi who was surprised; even Zhou Fuguang’s employees were amazed.
Everyone knew that their factory manager had married a “fool” yet seemed devoted, and had three healthy children. That proved the “foolish” wife had not been foolish at the start.
But so what?
A fool was still a fool.
No healthy man would want a fool as a wife, especially someone as good-looking and wealthy as Zhou Fuguang.
Everyone regretted it in their hearts.
Usually, Zhou Fuguang kept Baozhu out of sight because the farm was far from town, fearing accidents on the way. Today was unusual—this little fool had come out on her own.
Aunt Feng said, “Baozhu, go sit over there.” She pointed to Zhou Fuguang’s usual seat.
“Okay,” Baozhu said, feeling the curious eyes like looking through a magnifying glass. She pursed her lips and walked over.
Zhou Fuguang’s employees… one by one, they seemed ridiculously nosy. Had they never seen a woman before?
Zhou Fuguang arrived quickly, carrying Lusheng who had just finished drinking milk.
His eyes paused on Baozhu, sitting quietly at a corner table. He composed himself, handing Lusheng to Aunt Feng.
Surprised by his quick arrival, Aunt Feng accepted Lusheng and apologized, “Little Zhou, sorry I’ve been late delivering lunch these past two days. Tomorrow I’ll be on time.”
Zhou Fuguang’s tone was steady. “It’s normal. You were taking care of Baozhu, so it’s fine.”
He then took out fifty yuan for groceries from his pocket. “Here’s the money for the next meals. Keep it. If it’s not enough, let me know.”
Aunt Feng was a little surprised. She hadn’t even mentioned that Baozhu had spent all the grocery money, yet Zhou Fuguang seemed to have anticipated it.
Cradling Lusheng, Aunt Feng nodded and quietly said, “Let’s go eat lunch. I’ll play with Lusheng and not bother you.”
Once Aunt Feng walked away with Lusheng, Zhou Fuguang turned toward Baozhu, who looked a bit bored. He walked over and sat across from her, opening the lunchbox and taking out the two dishes and soup.
Aunt Feng cooked well, tailoring the flavors to Baozhu’s tastes.
Baozhu hadn’t been hungry initially. But after walking in the cold, young as she was, she had burned a lot of energy. Seeing Zhou Fuguang eating, she felt a little tempted.
She blinked at him silently, watching as he ate.
After a while, Zhou Fuguang noticed her gaze—intense and unignorable.
He paused, looking up at her. “Haven’t eaten lunch?”
Not exactly. She had eaten a few snacks.
Baozhu nodded.
The guy didn’t eat properly at home, yet now he made her eye his lunch hungrily.
Sighing inwardly, Zhou Fuguang felt a bit helpless. He offered her the chopsticks.
“Eat,” he said. “I’m not hungry yet.”
…Hmm, this felt a little awkward.
Someone coming to deliver food shouldn’t be eating the person’s lunch!
Noticing her hesitation, Zhou Fuguang kindly added, “It’s fine. You haven’t eaten much, and in a while you’ll walk back for over an hour. Eat a bit to fill your stomach.”