Not long after, the aroma of food drifted out from the kitchen. People returning from work paused as they passed by, sniffing the scent a few extra times. When they realized it was coming from the Huo household, they curled their lips.
These past two days, meat aromas had been wafting from the Huo family every mealtime, sparking a lot of speculation. Many were guessing that Huo Zheng must have brought back something good.
Song Huaisheng also smelled it. He poked his head into the kitchen and let out a “yo.”
“Looks pretty good. A married man really is different now.”
“In other families, it’s the daughter-in-law who cooks. Yours is the opposite.”
“If it were before, Su Qi’an probably wouldn’t even want to eat your cooking.”
Huo Zheng glanced at Song Huaisheng with a flash of annoyance in his eyes.
He really wanted to slap that face flat.
“If you want to eat, shut your mouth.”
Sensing he had hit a sore spot, Song Huaisheng finally vented the frustration of being kicked out earlier. He turned and left.
Hmph. You kicked me out, so I’ll stab you where it hurts.
Make you mad.
Inside the main room, there were two men, and Su Qi’an felt a bit embarrassed staying outside, so she returned to the room.
Little Huo Jibei had just woken up from a nap on the way back. Seeing Su Qi’an, he broke into a toothless grin and made soft “ah-pu ah-pu” sounds.
Su Qi’an played with him for a while and chatted with him until Huo Zheng called them for dinner.
The table was filled with two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes—very lavish.
Song Huaisheng somehow produced two bottles of alcohol and opened them. A rich, mellow aroma immediately filled the air.
“I stole these from my old man. Want a taste?”
His father was a drink lover and kept many good wines at home. Song Huaisheng often stole some to share with the group. Zhao Yingjun hadn’t had a drink in days and immediately fetched some cups.
While they drank, Su Qi’an quietly ate her meal. Seeing that they wouldn’t finish anytime soon, she went back to the room first.
After some time, the noise outside finally quieted down.
The door to the room opened.
Huo Zheng seemed drunk—his steps were unsteady, his handsome face flushed red, and a strong smell of alcohol lingered on him.
“Huo Zheng, are you drunk?” Su Qi’an frowned slightly and leaned away when he approached.
“I’m not drunk.”
His voice was hoarse and deep, but then he suddenly darkened his expression and asked sharply, “Su Qi’an, why were you staring at that bastard Song Huaisheng just now?”
His usually cold eyes were now hazy, as if covered in mist, making his emotions unreadable.
Su Qi’an looked confused.
When did she stare at Song Huaisheng?
“Do you like him?!” Seeing she didn’t answer, he pressed further. His tone grew more absurd, and he even grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him.
“Hmm? Speak.”
“Huo Zheng, you’re hurting me~”
Her chin hurt from his grip. She tried to pry his hand away, glaring at him with wide eyes.
What kind of drunken madness was this?
Hearing she was hurt, he loosened his grip slightly, but still looked displeased. “You haven’t answered me. Do you like Song Huaisheng?”
“Why would you ask that?” she asked seriously after thinking.
After a moment of silence, he muttered, “You were looking at him just now.”
She thought about it. She had only looked at him a couple of times when he first came in. His face was too eye-catching—it was hard not to look twice.
She shook her head. “I don’t like him.”
“Really?” he asked suspiciously.
“Mm.”
His expression immediately relaxed. Then he leaned closer and whispered, his breath carrying the scent of alcohol, “Song Huaisheng isn’t a good person. He’s a rogue. Don’t get close to him.”
Su Qi’an froze for a moment.
“Did you hear me?”
She nodded blankly.
Satisfied, he finally calmed down.
He even tried to climb into bed, but she stopped him. “You still smell like alcohol. Wait until it fades before getting on the bed.”
She liked cleanliness and insisted on changing clothes before lying down.
“Oh.” He pulled a stool to the doorway and sat there to catch the wind.
His tall, over-six-foot frame curled awkwardly on the small stool, looking somewhat comical.
Thinking there were two other drunk men at home, Su Qi’an went out to check. The main room was empty, but in a guest room she found Song Huaisheng and Zhao Yingjun sleeping while hugging each other, muttering nonsense.
Seeing the dishes still not cleaned, she tidied them up. When she came back out, the stool at the door was empty.
Returning to the room, she found Huo Zheng already lying straight in bed asleep, having pushed little Huo Jibei into the corner.
The little one was crawling on him, poking his face, mouth, and eyes, but he didn’t wake.
Still unwilling, he slapped him twice, trying to wake him to play.
Su Qi’an quickly picked him up and whispered, “Beibei, we can’t disturb Dad sleeping. Mommy will play with you, okay?”
“Ah en—” the little one nodded as if he understood.
Such a clever little thing.
She couldn’t help but smile.
The morning gong sounded outside as workers hurried off to work, while the house remained peacefully asleep.
The gifts brought by Song Huaisheng were still untouched. She glanced at them—mostly snacks: fruit candies, White Rabbit milk candies, osmanthus cakes, chestnut pastries, and canned fruits.
It seemed Song Huaisheng’s family was indeed wealthy.
In the afternoon, the weather was cool with no harsh sun. Earlier, Ma Youlan had invited her to go up the mountain, saying there were many edible wild foods there at this time of year, so she agreed.
“An’an, are you ready?” Ma Youlan called from outside.
“I’m coming!” she replied and hurried out.
The Red Star Production Brigade was backed by mountains. Villagers often went there to gather food, though they didn’t dare go too deep because of wild animals.
Su Qi’an was lucky and found several wild mushrooms. Unsure if they were poisonous, she only picked them after Ma Youlan confirmed they were safe.
“These kinds sell at the supply cooperative for eight cents a jin,” Ma Youlan said with a smile.
Hearing that they could be sold, Su Qi’an immediately became more motivated and focused entirely on picking mushrooms.
“Su Qi’an—”
A sharp voice suddenly rang out behind her, accompanied by an aggressive figure approaching.