Liang Haibo never expected that despite his meticulous efforts to conceal his actions, his Little Uncle had still managed to uncover the truth.
Panic immediately set in, his chubby face trembling uncontrollably.
Chen Hongjiao, standing beside him, reacted swiftly. “Qiurun, there must be some misunderstanding here.”
“Our Haibo would never do such a thing. He’s been attending classes properly all day and hasn’t gone anywhere.”
This was clearly a prepared defense.
Upon hearing this, Liang Feng frowned. “Liang Haibo came to me this morning saying Liang Rui was getting a stepmother. He told me to sabotage Little Uncle’s blind date and even taught me how to do it. He instructed me to tell Liang Rui to set fire to the Meatpacking Plant Workshop, claiming that would make my Little Uncle cancel the blind date.”
Chen Hongjiao immediately retorted, “Liang Feng, you can eat carelessly, but you can’t speak carelessly! You’re a motherless child who lies constantly. Our Haibo is the most well-behaved boy.”
These words struck Liang Feng’s raw nerve. “I may be motherless, but I don’t lie! If Liang Haibo didn’t come to me, may I be struck by a car when I go out!”
This was an extremely vicious oath.
Chen Hongjiao’s face showed embarrassment. “What nonsense are you spouting in broad daylight, child?”
Liang Qiurun commanded, “Get up there.”
“What?”
Before Chen Hongjiao could process this, Liang Qiurun had already removed his belt, cracking it through the air with a sharp snap. “Hang yourself from the beam, Liang Haibo. Don’t make me do it for you.”
Seeing the belt, Liang Haibo’s chubby body trembled, and he instinctively hid behind Chen Hongjiao. “Mom, save me!”
Chen Hongjiao’s face also paled. “Qiurun, Haibo is my child. For a distant uncle like you to beat him is going too far, isn’t it?”
All gentleness vanished from Liang Qiurun’s expression as he stared at her. “As long as he bears the Liang surname, I have the right to discipline him.”
“Liang Haibo, get up there. I won’t repeat myself.”
“Otherwise, you’ll get two hundred lashes.”
This—
Liang Haibo wanted to cry, but intimidated by his Little Uncle’s authority, he tearfully fetched a stool and climbed onto it.
Liang Qiurun turned to Liang Rui and Liang Feng. “Tie his hands.”
Liang Rui and Liang Feng immediately complied, secretly wishing Liang Haibo would be beaten to death!
This troublemaker was the root of all their current problems.
With Liang Haibo securely bound, Liang Qiurun glanced at Liang Feng and Liang Rui. “You two get up there too.”
“What?”
Liang Rui was stunned.
Liang Feng shared his surprise.
“Dad.”
“Little Uncle.”
Liang Qiurun’s voice was stern. “Did you really think you could commit such serious mistakes without facing consequences?”
“If you were older, I’d send you to the police station to turn yourselves in!”
Liang Rui was fifteen, Liang Feng sixteen (having skipped a grade to reach high school sophomore year), while Liang Haibo was the youngest at only fourteen.
At this, Liang Rui and Liang Feng fell silent. Both stepped onto stools and bound their own hands.
Liang Qiurun swung his belt—CRACK!—the leather cutting through the air and leaving red welts across all three boys’ bodies.
Liang Haibo was the first to break, bursting into loud sobs.
Unable to bear the sight any longer, Chen Hongjiao ran out in tears to fetch help. When Mother Liang entered and saw the three children hanging, she exclaimed in shock, “Qiurun, what are you doing? Let the children down at once!”
Liang Qiurun replied, “Mom, stay out of this. These three have committed a grave offense.”
As Mother Liang tried to intervene, Liang Qiurun threw down the leather belt. “Then I’ll send them to the police station. Given their ages, they might not face sentencing, but a few days’ detention is certainly possible.”
“By then, it won’t just be a leather belt anymore.”
This—Mother Liang smiled bitterly. “Qiurun, why must you go to such extremes?”
She knew her son’s temperament was usually gentle. His current fury showed he had been pushed to the brink.
Liang Qiurun declared, “I don’t care. If they turn to murder and arson in the future, there’ll be no way back for them.”
With that, he lashed out with the belt again.
His strikes were ruthless and severe. Liang Haibo immediately burst into loud sobs.
Liang Rui clenched his jaw tightly, making no sound, though blood dripped from his back.
Liang Feng, being frail and bookish, had already turned pale.
Yet he refused to beg for mercy.
Liang Qiurun was truly merciless, acting as if he saw nothing, delivering lash after lash.
After a hundred strikes, Liang Haibo was the first to pass out, followed by Liang Feng.
Only Liang Rui, with his sturdier constitution, managed to stay conscious enough to be let down and stand on his own, though he nearly collapsed after two steps.
Liang Qiurun wasn’t without pity, but compassion was one thing, discipline another.
“Remember this!” he demanded. “The Liang family produces no cowards who fight among themselves!”
“And no fools who destroy public property!”
Liang Rui pressed his lips together and remained silent.
Liang Feng was supported by Mother Liang.
Chen Hongjiao helped Liang Haibo as they all left.
Only Liang Rui remained standing. Thanks to his robust health, he could still lean against the wall despite the beating.
“Can you walk?” Liang Qiurun asked him.
Liang Rui nodded.
Liang Qiurun said, “I once promised your father I wouldn’t hit you. I broke that promise.”
“Liang Rui, you have every right to hate me.”
Liang Rui shook his head, the taste of iron filling his mouth.
“I lost the bet and accept the punishment. I admit my wrongdoing.”
There was a stubborn pride and fierceness in him.
This gave Liang Qiurun some solace. “Come on, let’s get you medicated.”
Lying on the bed, Liang Rui was covered in bloody welts from the belt.
Even when the medicine stung unbearably, he didn’t make a sound.
Liang Qiurun asked, “Do you resent me for hitting you?”
Liang Rui shook his head.
“Then do you still object to me going on blind dates?”
Liang Rui didn’t speak, just lowered his head and bit his lip.
Slowly, Liang Rui looked up, his voice hoarse. “Must you really go on blind dates?”
Instead of answering, Liang Qiurun asked him, “Is there anyone to discipline you?”
“Anyone to tutor you with your studies?”
The questions left Liang Rui speechless.
He wanted to say he needed no discipline.
And no help with his studies.
But under Liang Qiurun’s knowing gaze, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
“The blind dates might not succeed, right?”
“Right.”
“But our family needs a mistress of the house.” Liang Qiurun spoke earnestly. “Liang Rui, I may soon be sent on a business trip to another province. Once I’m gone, you’ll be alone at home.”
A Liang Rui left to his own devices would grow even more unruly.
Liang Rui stayed silent for a long moment before finally saying, “We’ll see.”
He felt like a clown.
Utterly powerless to stop his father from meeting other women.
And even if he succeeded in stopping Jiang Meilan, there would still be Li Meilan, Wang Meilan, and others.
He simply couldn’t stop them all.
Just as he couldn’t change his father’s way of thinking.
This was Liang Rui’s first compromise.
He thought perhaps he should try to accept that stepmother—Jiang Meilan.
Jiang Meishu had spent enough time in the Trade Union Office.
No, she had eaten enough.
She alone had eaten half of a large plate of peanuts, and when leaving, she stuffed her pockets with another small handful.
She planned to bring them back for her sister and mother.
Her little brother would get a share too.
And several nieces and nephews.
Calculating like that, this handful of peanuts wouldn’t be enough to go around. Unfortunately, Jiang Meishu didn’t dare take more.
Because if she took any more, the plate would be nearly empty.
She could just consider this portion as what Liang Qiurun ate.
When Jiang Meishu left the office, she didn’t forget to take the two jars of Yellow Peach Canned Fruit that Liang Qiurun had previously given to her aunt.
These were valuable items.
She hadn’t dared to open them earlier, planning to bring them home to share with everyone.
Jiang Meishu was in a rather good mood. Although the blind date hadn’t been successful, at least she had satisfied her cravings and was taking two jars of yellow peach canned fruit home.
It wasn’t a wasted trip.
Jiang Meishu felt she resembled those elderly ladies in later years who attended morning lectures just to collect free eggs and noodles.
The main goal was to not leave empty-handed.
As soon as she stepped out, Jiang Lamei was waiting outside, looking somewhat worried. But then she noticed the red peanut skin at the corner of Jiang Meishu’s mouth.
Jiang Lamei, “…”
She glared at her but still reached out to wipe her mouth clean.
“Had your fill?”
She asked in a lowered voice.
Jiang Meishu hummed in agreement, patted her stomach, her little face full of satisfaction. “Only ate dry food. I’ll open the canned fruit when I get home. Auntie, come to my place tonight, and bring Xiao Juan and Xiao Gang too.”
This was the benefit of one person’s success bringing prosperity to all—even the chickens and dogs rise to heaven.
This blind date wasn’t in vain!
She got two jars of yellow peach canned fruit out of it. She hadn’t eaten such luxurious things since arriving here.
Seeing her carefree attitude, Jiang Lamei felt a headache coming on. “All you think about is eating.”
“Aren’t you afraid Factory Director Liang won’t come for the blind date? It’s been all morning without any movement, and no one has come to deliver a message.”
To be honest, Jiang Lamei had initially wanted to climb the social ladder by connecting with Liang Qiurun.
But after this morning’s experience, Jiang Lamei had completely cooled off.
Factory Director Liang only cared about work, not female comrades, and had no intention of getting married or starting a family.
Compared to that, even if he had mountains of gold and silver, he wouldn’t be a suitable match.
Who would have thought.
Just as Jiang Lamei was anxious enough to consider giving up,
Jiang Meishu remained unhurried, completely calm, her tone even slow and drawn out. “If he hasn’t come, he’ll come later.”
Seeing her like this, Jiang Lamei felt for the first time that having a carefree niece like this wasn’t so bad.
At least she didn’t worry, right?
If it were the real Meilan here, being stood up by Factory Director Liang like this would probably make her cry in frustration.
But these two children had completely different personalities.
Jiang Meilan was ambitious and quick-tempered.
In contrast, Jiang Meishu was the opposite—carefree, slow to anger, and even a bit slow-witted.
Thinking this way,
Jiang Lamei became less anxious. “You go back first and explain the situation to your mother. I’ll keep an eye on things at the factory. Whether Factory Director Liang sends word or not, I’ll come to your house after work to discuss how to handle things from here.”
After speaking, seeing Jiang Meishu still standing there, Jiang Lamei urged her, “Go back early.”
“Looking at you gives me a headache.”
Jiang Lamei directly shooed her away.
Jiang Meishu was being particularly cheeky. Even as she walked away, she didn’t forget to wave back, “Auntie, if you come across any more good blind dates like this, be sure to introduce them to me!”
“I’m not picky.”
She wouldn’t mind having a few more. Even if nothing else came of it, she could at least score a free meal. Jiang Meishu truly felt she had fallen from grace—after all, in her previous life, she had looked down the most on people like this.
Never did she imagine that in this life, she would become one of them—eating, taking, and still wanting to continue going on blind dates.
It was all because of poverty!
Those who have experienced true hunger know that dignity is worthless.
Jiang Lamei held back her anger again and again, “Jiang Mei… Lan, you really are asking for trouble.”
“Get lost!”
Jiang Meishu responded with an “Oh.”
Happily carrying two jars of Yellow Peach Canned Fruit and a pocketful of peanuts, she headed home. But when she arrived, why was there no one at home?
Jiang Meishu was taken aback and asked Aunt Lianhua, who lived next door, “Auntie, where’s my mom?”
“Oh, Meilan, you haven’t heard? Your dad had an accident. They say there was a fire at the Meatpacking Factory, and your dad got injured while helping to put it out. Everyone’s at the hospital now.”
“Your mom went too.”
Hearing this, Jiang Meishu was instantly alarmed, “Did they say which hospital?”
“I don’t know that.”
“Only that your mom got the news and left right away.”
In the Dazayuan, news couldn’t be kept secret. Even the smallest incident in any household would quickly become known to everyone.
Jiang Meishu stood frozen in place, feeling flustered for the first time, unsure of what to do.
If she went to the hospital, she wouldn’t know where her father was.
If she didn’t go, waiting anxiously at home felt unbearable.
Fortunately, Jiang Meishu didn’t have to wait long before Wang Limei returned, supporting Jiang Chenliang. The moment she saw them, Jiang Meishu rushed over.
“Mom, is Dad okay?”
Wang Limei’s face no longer showed the earlier panic. She nodded, “The doctor at the clinic checked him. While he was helping to put out the fire, a beam fell from above. Your dad tried to dodge it but couldn’t avoid it completely, so he ended up with some superficial injuries.”
Jiang Meishu looked worried, “Did they check thoroughly? Is there any damage to the bones?”
She was afraid he might have fractures that weren’t visible from the outside.
What was visible, of course, were just the surface wounds.
“Probably not?”
Wang Limei wasn’t entirely sure and turned to look at her husband, Jiang Chenliang.
Jiang Chenliang was a burly man. Having worked as a butcher for years, he carried an intimidating aura. Fortunately, with age, he had gained some weight and didn’t look as frightening anymore.
Faced with his family’s concern, he waved it off indifferently, “It hurts a little inside, but not noticeably. These external injuries are nothing—like a light drizzle. It’s no big deal.”
Back in the day, when he was butchering, he once missed his mark and slashed his own left thigh instead. Blood gushed out, but he didn’t even go to the hospital. He just grabbed a handful of ashes from the stove, pressed it onto the wound, and the bleeding stopped soon after.
He didn’t even take more than a few days off before returning to work.
“So, compared to back then, what’s this injury? It’s like a mosquito bite.”
Jiang Meishu’s heart ached terribly upon hearing this, her eyes nearly welling up with tears, “Dad!”
She called out.
She truly felt heartbroken—how could anyone treat an injury like that?
What father could withstand his daughter’s distress?
His heart softened into a puddle, “Alright, it’s really nothing serious.”
However, Jiang Chenliang gave Jiang Meishu a strange look, “Meilan, you really shouldn’t be like this.”
“I’m not used to you being like this.”
Because only his younger daughter would show such a concerned expression for him.
His eldest daughter would only lecture him like his mother did.
“Dad, how could you be so careless?”
Jiang Meishu, “…”
Wang Limei beside them couldn’t help covering her mouth to suppress laughter, knowing about the swapped identities between the eldest and youngest daughters.
Her husband was still kept in the dark about this.
“Alright, alright, let’s go inside and talk, not here at the entrance.”
There were so many neighbors watching from the Dazayuan communal courtyard.
Sure enough, as soon as Wang Limei and the others entered, everyone immediately poked their heads out, “Limei, how’s your Old Jiang doing?”
“Is it serious?”
More than half of the residents in their Dazayuan worked at the Meatpacking Factory, with others from the neighboring Zha Gang Factory and Fang Zhi Factory.
They were all people who hadn’t been allocated housing by their work units and had to live outside.
Wang Limei smiled, “It’s not serious, thank you for your concern.”
After bidding farewell to everyone.
She then led her husband and daughter inside.
Once inside.
Jiang Meishu couldn’t help but ask, “How could such a big factory like the Meatpacking Factory catch fire?”
Wang Limei truly didn’t know.
She looked at her husband Jiang Chenliang.
Actually, Jiang Chenliang only had partial information, “When I came out of the factory building, I saw Director Yang’s son being caught, not sure if it’s related to him.”
“Anyway, these things have nothing to do with us ordinary people.”
Wang Limei wasn’t concerned about this anymore, instead asking Jiang Meishu, “How was your blind date? Did you meet Factory Director Liang? What did he think of you?”
This question left Jiang Meishu unsure where to begin.
She first took out the Yellow Peach Canned Fruit she was carrying, “Here.”
“I didn’t meet Factory Director Liang, but he sent two cans of yellow peaches.”
Jiang Meishu quickly recounted everything that happened in the morning.
This left Wang Limei confused, “So did it work out or not?”
Jiang Meishu gazed longingly at the glistening canned peaches, “Probably not. Didn’t he have work troubles? We didn’t even meet face to face, how could that count as success?”
Wang Limei felt somewhat uneasy, “What did your aunt say?”
Jiang Meishu reluctantly tore her eyes away from the canned peaches, “My aunt said she’ll come to our house after work to discuss it.”
“My side didn’t work out, but I wonder if my sister succeeded?”
Truth be told.
Jiang Meilan’s side was mostly successful.
Cafeteria.
At the long dining table, Jiang Meilan and Shen Zhanlie sat opposite each other, on the narrow benches, neither daring to look at the other.
The atmosphere was both shy and awkward. They avoided making eye contact, glancing elsewhere, and whenever their eyes accidentally met, they would immediately look away in embarrassment.
After who knows how long.
Jiang Meilan finally looked up, transitioning from stealing glances to openly observing.
Shen Zhanlie was tall and sturdy, like a small black tower, yet sitting on this long bench made him appear somewhat constrained.
Moreover, he was so easily shy when young – before they even spoke, Shen Zhanlie’s ears had already turned mostly red, like a rabbit’s.
Jiang Meilan looked him over from head to toe – broad shoulders, thick chest muscles indicating well-developed muscles.
Further down, his legs were slightly bent. Knowing the chair was eighty centimeters tall.
By this estimate, Shen Zhanlie’s legs must be at least one and a half meters long.
From the length of his legs, one could estimate the size of his third leg in between.
It should be over fifteen centimeters, and if exceptionally gifted, possibly even eighteen centimeters.
With this calculation.
Jiang Meilan was extremely satisfied with Shen Zhanlie. With a physique like his, wouldn’t she be ecstatic in bed?
She had craved this her entire life.
Finally, this dish was served.
Her gaze was too intense for Shen Zhanlie to ignore.
He nervously tugged at his clothes, his rugged face full of embarrassment and tension. “Comrade Jiang.”
His voice was magnetic.
His features weren’t bad either—not as refined as Liang Qiurun’s, but Shen Zhanlie naturally leaned toward the rough, tough type.
“Just call me Jiang Meishu.”
Jiang Meilan deliberately imitated her sister’s manner, lowering her voice and letting two blushes spread across her cheeks.
Shen Zhanlie froze for a moment, then a sense of dissonance arose in his heart.
He hesitated briefly and looked at her more carefully.
It was still the same person, with the same features.
Yet, there was an indescribable feeling about her.
Seeing Shen Zhanlie scrutinize her so intently, Jiang Meilan’s heart skipped a beat. “What’s wrong?”
She touched her face and deliberately leaned closer. “Is there a flower on my face?”
As she leaned in, a delicate fragrance instantly wafted into Shen Zhanlie’s nostrils.
His earlier sense of dissonance vanished completely, his mind went blank, and he instinctively gripped his knees tightly. “C-C-Comrade Jiang!”
Jiang Meishu was looking at him!
Shen Zhanlie was incredibly excited, but the next moment—
Rip.
His already fragile pants tore.
Exposing the pale flesh of his thighs.
Shen Zhanlie, “…”
Jiang Meilan couldn’t help but sneak a quick glance upward. She didn’t see his thigh flesh but noticed the prominent bulge in the middle, clearly outlined.
She felt delighted inside.
Her sex life was secured.
Future children were secured too.
Even though she was overjoyed internally, Jiang Meilan maintained a shy and reserved demeanor. “Your clothes are torn. Should I take them back to mend for you?”
Shen Zhanlie instinctively shook his head like a rattle drum. “No, no need.”
These were his only pair of pants. If he took them off for her to mend, he’d likely have to go home bare-bottomed.
Jiang Meilan was somewhat disappointed but not in a hurry.
After a moment’s thought, she changed the subject. “You know about my family situation, right?”
Shen Zhanlie nodded. His eyebrows were particularly thick, extending to his temples, dark and heavy over his eyes. Normally, this might make him look fierce, but he happened to have phoenix eyes, which softened the sharpness of his brows, adding a touch of simplicity and honesty.
“Master told me everything.”
He was somewhat shy and nervous. “Comrade Jiang, I’m very satisfied with your family’s situation, but…”
“Do you know about my family’s situation?”
He was afraid Jiang Meishu was blindly agreeing to the matchmaking and might regret marrying into his family later.
So.
Shen Zhanlie laid out his family’s circumstances plainly. “I’m twenty-one this year, with a junior high school education, and I earn twenty-nine yuan and fifty cents a month. My father has passed away, and I have a half-blind mother. Besides, I have two younger sisters and one younger brother.”
After saying this, he grew rather anxious. “Comrade Jiang, this is the situation in our family. If you’re willing, we can proceed. If not—” A flicker of disappointment crossed his face, “then let’s pretend today never happened.”
Though his words sounded magnanimous, his subtle gestures betrayed him.
From the moment he arrived, his eyes had never left Jiang Meilan.
The truth was, she was simply too beautiful—arched eyebrows like moth antennae, almond-shaped eyes tinged with a shy springtime charm, and skin as pale and smooth as fresh tofu.
Her beauty was beyond words.
Shen Zhanlie swore he had never seen a girl more beautiful than Jiang Meishu.
Jiang Meilan had been waiting for those very words. She smiled faintly and said, “I won’t comment on your family’s situation, but mine isn’t much better.”
“As for me, I don’t have many demands—just one.”
Shen Zhanlie’s eyes lit up eagerly. “Tell me.”
His gaze sparkled with unconcealed affection.
Jiang Meilan understood exactly why he felt that way—it was because he mistook her for her younger sister, Jiang Meishu.
She told herself it didn’t matter.
There would be plenty of time ahead.
Winning over a straightforward young man like Shen Zhanlie shouldn’t be too difficult.
Once she sorted out her thoughts, the last trace of displeasure in her heart vanished.
“If we marry, I don’t want to share a room with your parents or siblings.”
She had serious plans to carry out.
How could she get anything done if they lived under the same roof as his family?
According to her plan, she intended to have two children within three years, and ideally, one of them would carry her surname.
In the future, when she made a fortune, part of it would go to her sister, and part to the child with her surname.
As for the rest, it would be divided among the children bearing the Shen family name.
That’s right.
Jiang Meilan had already decided—she would have at least five children!
She wanted a big, lively family.
Faced with Jiang Meilan’s condition, Shen Zhanlie agreed almost instantly. “Of course we won’t share a room with my mother and the others.”
“I’ve been saving up to build an extra shed by the house. We can move into the earthquake shelter then.”
At the mention of living in a small shed, Jiang Meilan frowned slightly.
The so-called “small shed” was an extension built when a family didn’t have enough space—some called it an earthquake shelter, others a small shed.
A few even mockingly referred to it as a “doghouse.”
Opinions varied, but the root cause was always poverty.
Places like the Dazayuan (communal courtyard) were originally single-family homes. After the founding of the nation, when landlords were overthrown, these houses were redistributed.
Each family got only about ten square meters—maybe twenty if they were lucky.
A newlywed couple could make do, but as children multiplied and sons needed to marry, space became clearly insufficient.
So, families who couldn’t secure company welfare housing had no choice but to squeeze in an extra bed at home or build a small shed outside as the newlyweds’ new home.
Seeing Jiang Meilan’s frown, Shen Zhanlie quickly explained, “I’ll use good asbestos tiles for the shed, so don’t worry—it won’t be shabby.”
“Besides, I’ll work hard. If I earn the ‘Outstanding Worker’ title for three consecutive years, I can apply for company welfare housing.”
“Comrade Jiang, I promise you this.”
Shen Zhanlie looked at her, his expression utterly sincere. “If we’re together, we might struggle a bit now, but I’ll never let you suffer in the future.”
Jiang Meilan knew he was telling the truth.
In her previous life, her younger sister Meishu had married him, and within just over a decade, he had soared to success—from a penniless temporary worker to the renowned local tycoon.
Nearly every Dazayuan in that alley had eventually belonged to Shen Zhanlie.
Jiang Meilan thought for a moment, then smiled with pursed lips. “I’m not afraid of hardship.”
If there was too much hardship, she would run away herself.
Of course, she would take her child with her.
Hearing this, Shen Zhanlie breathed a sigh of relief. “Then it’s settled?”
“We finished the matchmaking this morning, shall we go get our marriage certificate this afternoon?”
Jiang Meilan agreed immediately. “Then I’ll go back at noon to inform my parents. Let’s meet at the civil affairs office this afternoon.”
Upon hearing this,
Shen Zhanlie became even happier. He stood up and rushed to the cafeteria window, spending all the money and food coupons his mother had given him in one go.
“Master, give me two eggs and a bowl of Yangchun noodles. Oh, and—” He noticed some braised pork left in the large basin nearby.
Shen Zhanlie swallowed hard, gritted his teeth, and asked, “How much for the braised pork?”
“Five mao for two liang, plus two liang of meat coupons.”
Shen Zhanlie glanced at the money in his hand and handed it over without hesitation. “I’ll take two liang.”
Master Chen, the server, looked at him. “Xiao Shen, did you get your paycheck?”
As workers at the Meatpacking Factory, they naturally knew Shen Zhanlie. His family was notoriously poor, and he usually only bought coarse grain steamed buns when he came to the cafeteria.
Not to mention braised pork, he had never even splurged on a single bowl of Yangchun noodles.
Shen Zhanlie grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. “I’m treating my matchmaking date to a meal.”
When he smiled like that, his eyes carried a touch of sunshine, softening the fierceness and sternness about him.
Hearing this, Master Chen peeked at Jiang Meilan sitting not far away. Understanding the situation, he scooped from the braised pork basin with his large iron ladle, not only not shaking it off but even adding two extra pieces of braised pork.
“Congratulations, Xiao Shen.”
Shen Zhanlie paused, then thanked Master Chen. “When we get married, I’ll definitely invite you for a celebratory drink.”
Shen Zhanlie had endured scornful looks since childhood.
Simply because he had no father and was the eldest in his family. Poverty brings trouble—that described his household perfectly. So, Shen Zhanlie remembered even the smallest acts of kindness.
Master Chen responded with a laugh.
Shen Zhanlie took the aluminum lunch box with the prepared meal and placed it in front of Jiang Meilan. “Eat quickly.”
A bowl of Yangchun noodles, a ladle of braised pork topping, plus two eggs.
This was the best Shen Zhanlie could offer at the moment.
And his greatest show of sincerity.
Jiang Meilan looked at the food laid out before her. She paused, then went to borrow a pair of chopsticks from the cafeteria server. Turning to Shen Zhanlie, she said, “Let’s eat together.”
Shen Zhanlie instinctively waved his hand in refusal.
But Jiang Meilan shoved the chopsticks into his hand. “If you don’t eat, I won’t eat either.”
Shen Zhanlie looked at the chopsticks she handed him.
Jiang Meilan’s hands were very fair, with slender fingers that looked quite elegant holding the chopsticks.
Shen Zhanlie’s face flushed inexplicably. “Then you eat first.”
“You can give me whatever you can’t finish.”
This time, Jiang Meilan didn’t argue. She simply started eating from the edge of the bowl, beginning with the Yangchun noodles—taking a slurping bite.
The noodles were made from proper Fuqiang flour, clean white thin noodles seasoned with soy sauce, sprinkled with bright green scallions, and drizzled with sesame oil on top.
After the sesame oil melted, it created a shimmering, multicolored effect in the bowl.
Very beautiful, and very fragrant.
Jiang Meilan instinctively swallowed. The last time she had eaten fine grains like Yangchun noodles was on her eighteenth birthday.
She and her younger sister Jiang Meishu had shared a bowl of Yangchun noodles back then, with a poached egg in it.
She thought about it and realized it had actually been three years since she last ate Yangchun noodles.
“Hurry up and eat.”
Seeing her hesitate to start.
Shen Zhanlie urged her, “Yangchun noodles should be eaten while they’re hot, to savor the wok’s aroma. The noodles are soft and warm, sweet and delicious, coated in sesame oil—one bite is incredibly fragrant.”
He looked at her, though he himself was desperately craving it, he forced himself to look away.
Urging Jiang Meilan to eat quickly.
Jiang Meilan wasn’t oblivious; she was clever enough to notice. Of course she knew that the Shen family’s circumstances were worse than hers, and it was likely Shen Zhanlie hadn’t tasted such egg noodles in years either.
Without a second thought, she went to the cafeteria to get another bowl and divided the single serving of Yangchun noodles into two portions.
After dividing it.
Jiang Meilan pushed one half toward Shen Zhanlie, “Let’s eat together.”
She looked at him with a serious expression, and upon closer inspection, one could see a faint trace of concern in her eyes.
This made Shen Zhanlie pause slightly; he didn’t know how to describe his feelings at that moment.
It was like drinking a cup of hot water on a cold day, warming him to the core.
Jiang Meishu was concerned about him.
Realizing this, Shen Zhanlie couldn’t help but tremble slightly.
He grinned, his eyes brightening, his rugged features seeming to glow, “I already ate this morning.”
One bowl of Yangchun noodles wasn’t even enough to fill one person’s stomach.
Jiang Meilan pretended to be angry, “If you don’t eat, I won’t either.”
At this, Shen Zhanlie immediately grew anxious, “That won’t do.”
Jiang Meilan arched her willow-leaf eyebrows and stared at him.
In no time, Shen Zhanlie surrendered, “I’ll eat, alright? I’ll eat.”
His usually robust voice softened by several degrees, almost like a clip.
That was more like it.
But as he lowered his head to eat the noodles, he couldn’t help glancing at Jiang Meilan out of the corner of his eye. Shen Zhanlie thought to himself, Is this what Meishu is really like in private?
She isn’t introverted at all.
In fact, she’s quite formidable.
But he liked it either way.
Jiang Meilan had just taken her first bite of noodles; the freshness made her instinctively narrow her eyes, “If only Mei—” Shu were here.
Her sister loved good food—she would definitely enjoy these Yangchun noodles.
“What?”
Shen Zhanlie looked up and asked.
Only then did Jiang Meilan remember that she and her sister had swapped identities. She covered up her expression and said, “Nothing, just that my older sister also loves Yangchun noodles.”
Shen Zhanlie was taken aback for a moment before carefully recalling.
Jiang Meishu did have an older sister.
He didn’t really know much about Jiang Meilan, only that he’d heard many stories about her.
She seemed quite impressive.
Shen Zhanlie hesitated, “Then, when you go back, do you want to take a portion of Yangchun noodles for your sister?”
He calculated—he still had enough money to buy one more serving.
Jiang Meilan was tempted, but thinking about Shen Zhanlie’s poor financial situation, she shook her head and said, “Forget it.”
“The noodles will get soggy by the time we get back; they won’t taste good anymore.”
It was an excuse.
That wasn’t really the reason; it was just that Shen Zhanlie had no money now—he hadn’t even bought a bowl of Yangchun noodles for himself.
Under these circumstances, Jiang Meilan naturally couldn’t ask him to buy Yangchun noodles.
However, after they finished eating.
Jiang Meilan even drank up all the broth in the bowl. The two stood up and walked to the cafeteria entrance.
Shen Zhanlie stood in place for a moment before saying to Jiang Meilan, “Wait for me a bit, I have something to take care of.”
Jiang Meilan thought he was going to the restroom and nodded.
Shen Zhanlie ran to the cafeteria and found Master Zhang. “Make me another bowl of Yangchun noodles, quickly.”
Master Zhang found this rather unusual.
After all, Shen Zhanlie was usually quite frugal.
Shen Zhanlie explained sheepishly, “My sister-in-law hasn’t eaten yet. I’m getting a portion for her too.”
Now Master Zhang understood.
This was all to impress his love interest.
He worked swiftly, grabbing a handful of noodles and tossing them into the boiling pot while preparing the seasoning on the cutting board.
After ladling a spoonful of milky-white broth to dissolve the seasoning, he scooped out the cooked noodles. “I cooked them about sixty percent done. By the time you bring them back, they’ll have softened in the broth.”
If cooked completely through, they would become mushy and clump together, ruining the texture.
Shen Zhanlie thanked him, paid sixty cents plus ration coupons, then carried a large bowl toward the entrance.
Jiang Meilan was already waiting at the door. When she saw the bear-like Shen Zhanlie approaching carefully with the large bowl, she froze momentarily. “You said you had something to do – was it to buy Yangchun noodles?”
Shen Zhanlie looked like a child who’d done something wrong, flustered. “I didn’t mean to deceive you.”
Such a tall man, now shrinking awkwardly. His long limbs seemed to not know where to place themselves.
“I heard you’re close with your sister, so I thought to get a portion of Yangchun noodles for her too.”
His family was poor. Jiang Meishu had been set up with him.
He feared her sister Jiang Meilan would look down on him.
After all, Jiang Meilan was supposed to be set up with Factory Director Liang.
He worried Jiang Meishu would return home and be scorned by her sister.
He also feared people would say she married into poverty to suffer.
So he always wanted to do more, and then more again, trying to cover every detail.
So Jiang Meishu wouldn’t face gossip when she returned.
Jiang Meilan’s heart felt sore and conflicted. She looked up at the man before her – tall and sturdy, with an honest face.
He might be poor, but he devoted all his attention to his wife.
This was care she hadn’t received in two lifetimes.
“Shen Zhanlie.”
She called him by his full name.
Shen Zhanlie looked puzzled, raising his eyes to meet hers. He had particularly thick eyebrows that made him look somewhat fierce, but combined with his flustered expression, it appeared rather endearing.
“Thank you.”
Thank you for remembering “Jiang Meilan.”
Jiang Meilan felt like a thief – having stolen her sister’s happiness, then righteously replacing her.
And still deceiving him.
Facing Shen Zhanlie’s sincere devotion, Jiang Meilan felt like a filthy rat in the sewers.
Shen Zhanlie didn’t understand why, though Jiang Meilan was thanking him, he sensed she seemed sorrowful, on the verge of tears.
“What’s wrong?”
He looked down at her, his fierce eyebrows drooping like inverted commas, full of concern.
“Are you unhappy? Did I do something wrong?”
“Comrade Jiang, just tell me, and I’ll change, alright?”
He just wanted Jiang Meishu to be happy.
He disliked seeing her upset.
Because when Jiang Meishu was sad, he felt sad too.
Jiang Meilan looked at the drooping big bear and broke into a teary smile. “It’s nothing, I’m just too happy.”
“If my sister saw this bowl of Yangchun noodles, she would definitely love it.”
Some lies, once spoken, require countless more lies to cover them up.
And she was living that reality now.
Shen Zhanlie didn’t overthink it. “Shall I walk you home?”
Though really, what was there to escort? They both lived near the Meatpacking Factory, just a short walk away.
Jiang Meilan hummed in agreement. “Then we should hurry, otherwise the noodles will get soggy by the time we get back.”
Her younger sister was quite picky about food.
Shen Zhanlie scratched his head. “Let me borrow a bicycle to take you back.”
Soon enough, Shen Zhanlie returned with a Large Frame Bicycle borrowed from a workshop colleague.
Being tall, he effortlessly swung his long leg over and mounted the bicycle, calling out to Jiang Meilan, “Quick, get on.”
Jiang Meilan cradled the bowl in her arms, one hand gripping the rear seat, but she couldn’t get enough leverage.
Finally, with no other option, she patted Shen Zhanlie’s waist. “I need to hold onto you to get on.”
Carrying the bowl made it really inconvenient.
Shen Zhanlie froze for a moment, then, thinking of something, his ears flushed bright red. “Go ahead and hold on.”
The thought of Jiang Meilan’s slender, pale hands resting against his firm, sturdy waist…
It made Shen Zhanlie’s imagination run wild uncontrollably.
His whole body heated up as if on fire.
Even through the fabric of his clothes, a scorching warmth seemed to radiate.
Jiang Meilan paused briefly, then, realizing something, she couldn’t help but curl her lips into a slight smile.
She had thought as much.
Men were all the same.
If she really wanted to win him over, it definitely wouldn’t be difficult.
Worried about the noodles getting soggy, Shen Zhanlie pedaled the bicycle swiftly the entire way. A trip that should have taken fifteen minutes ended in less than five as they arrived at the entrance of the Dazayuan.
Noticing that “Jiang Meishu” showed no intention of inviting him inside,
Shen Zhanlie felt somewhat dejected.
Was Comrade Jiang thinking he was too poor to introduce to her family?
Just as Shen Zhanlie was lost in these wild thoughts, Jiang Meilan stopped and turned to look at him. “Aren’t you coming?”
Shen Zhanlie snapped back to reality, pointing at his own nose in surprise. “Me???”
Jiang Meilan was both amused and exasperated by his foolish expression. “If not you, then who? Is there a third person here?”
Little did she know that Shen Zhanlie felt so inferior around her.
Hearing this, Shen Zhanlie quietly explained, “I thought you were embarrassed by me and didn’t want to introduce me to your family.”
Jiang Meilan hadn’t expected that response.
She also hadn’t expected that the confident, ambitious Shen Zhanlie of the future would be so insecure now.
She paused for a moment, then said very seriously, “Shen Zhanlie.”
“If my parents introduced us for a matchmaking, that means they approve of you. You don’t need to feel this way.”
Shen Zhanlie made an acknowledging sound and breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to follow Jiang Meilan inside to meet her family,
Shen Zhanlie suddenly felt his clothes were too shabby.
But since they were already at the door, he looked at “Jiang Meishu’s” back and thought to himself, next time, next time he definitely wouldn’t be this disheveled.
And he wouldn’t embarrass her either.
Inside the Jiang family home.
Jiang Meishu rushed out upon hearing the noise and was delighted to see Jiang Meilan. She was about to call out when Jiang Meilan interrupted her, “Sis, Shen Zhanlie bought you Yangchun noodles. Eat them while they’re hot.”
With that, she handed over the large bowl she was carrying.
Jiang Meishu finally snapped back to reality. She blinked at Jiang Meilan and said, “Thank you, Meishu.” After a pause, she turned her gaze toward Shen Zhanlie.
The man stood at their doorway, so tall that he towered over the doorframe by several inches, forcing him to duck his head to enter.
She was instantly startled—such a burly and intimidating man! His thighs were likely thicker than her waist.
Jiang Meishu gasped sharply, instinctively taking two steps backward like a frightened rabbit. With a terrified stammer, she managed, “Th-Thank you, brother-in-law.”
Shen Zhanlie was momentarily taken aback by Jiang Meishu’s reaction.
A strange sense of familiarity nagged at him. Driven by a beast-like intuition, he suddenly asked, “Are you Comrade Jiang Meilan?”