Chapter 111: Time for a Cleanup

Chapter 111: Chapter 111: Time for a Cleanup

When Wang Lu drove over, he saw the pile of items behind Lu Feng and was equally stunned.

"Mr. Lu, are you getting ready for New Year’s? Did you spend all your money?" Wang Lu quietly asked Lu Feng, noting the rice, flour, and all the big bones purchased, and even fabrics. Aren’t these available for purchase in the army too?

"These didn’t cost much." Lu Feng said calmly.

Although there are many items, apart from rice and flour, the rest were bargained by Fu Xiaoxiao. For example, buying lean meat came with bones and offal; there were more gifts than purchases.

"In this area, your wife is impressive." Wang Lu admired Fu Xiaoxiao’s bargaining skills.

A few words and the results were substantial.

"Take the items back first, and leave them in my yard! I’ll take her to stroll around some more." Lu Feng instructed Wang Lu to take the items back while Fu Xiaoxiao seemed to want to shop a bit more, returning later.

"Alright!" Wang Lu nodded and began loading everything into the car one by one.

Fu Xiaoxiao and Chen Xiu dove back into the marketplace, purely to accompany Chen Xiu shopping. Chen Xiu was eyeing a piece of fabric, deliberating whether to buy it for her two mischievous boys at home.

They hadn’t worn new clothes for a long time.

If she bought the fabric, they’d have to tighten their belts again during New Year.

"Do you have any concerns?" Fu Xiaoxiao saw that Chen Xiu liked it but was reluctant to buy it and asked.

"Stone and Wood haven’t worn new clothes for many years, I’m thinking of making them each a set..." Chen Xiu glanced at Fu Xiaoxiao and spoke softly.

"Then why not buy it? Is... it because of money? I can lend you some first." Fu Xiaoxiao thought she was financially strained and offered to lend her some.

Chen Xiu shook her head. "I have money with me, it’s definitely enough, but... buying this fabric would mean tightening our belts again this year."

"Why?" Fu Xiaoxiao chuckled, "You buy it, and for New Year’s, bring the kids to my house to celebrate together."

"Lu Feng and I have no relatives, this is also our first New Year, there are many things about celebrating that I’m not familiar with, so I’d like you to join us, what do you think?" Fu Xiaoxiao invited.

"Is... is it convenient?" Chen Xiu was naturally willing, but when she thought of Lu Feng, she wasn’t sure if he’d agree. "In previous years, Li Si had tasks, so it was just me and the kids celebrating. I’m willing, just unsure about you guys..."

"We’re just neighbors, celebrating together is perfect. If the men have tasks, let them go. We won’t worry about them; we’ll celebrate on our own." Fu Xiaoxiao knew the army doesn’t grant holidays during New Year, generally on duty to prevent incidents.

Just as Chen Xiu’s family would be alone, why not celebrate together for a lively atmosphere? She bought so many items just for New Year!

"Alright... I’ll buy it then." Chen Xiu was delighted. Under such circumstances, she could grit her teeth and buy the fabric, making two new outfits for the kids.

"Buy it." Fu Xiaoxiao laughed. "Though you scold the kids daily, deep down you care immensely."

"It’s... they’re my own flesh and blood, what can one do! Even if I’m furious, it’s at my own lack of toughness, even after being bullied like this, not having the courage to leave the kids. I won’t hide it from you; my mom came over and was infuriated, saying with my qualities, remarrying wouldn’t be a problem. If things don’t go well, I should separate from Li Si, and she’ll find me someone better." Chen Xiu looked at Fu Xiaoxiao, embarrassed.

Fu Xiaoxiao was truly surprised; in these times, divorce would lead to being drowned in neighbors’ criticism, not to mention family losing face. Chen Xiu’s mother actually supported her daughter’s divorce?

"My mom... isn’t quite like other mothers. She always encourages us, marriage is for living life, but living comfortably is a good life. If it’s not comfortable, then don’t live it." Chen Xiu explained quickly, fearing Fu Xiaoxiao would misunderstand.

"No, I think Auntie’s words are very right. Marriage is about living life together; if life is good, then you’ll feel at ease, but if it’s constant arguments and unhappiness, it’s better to separate sooner." Fu Xiaoxiao didn’t think it was bad. Being from the future, she’s seen too many miserable couples stuck unhappily together, she didn’t understand why they wouldn’t just split straightforwardly. Yet they use divorce as a threat.

"You and my mom would get along well, she thinks just like you." Chen Xiu looked at Fu Xiaoxiao; she frequently heard this mentality from her mother, never expecting Fu Xiaoxiao felt similarly.

"I’d like to meet her; I’m sure I’d get along with Auntie." Fu Xiaoxiao agreed, expressing her eagerness to meet Chen Xiu’s mother.

Lu Chen and Lu Lin, following Fu Xiaoxiao, exchanged glances, remembering her saying if she wasn’t happy, she’d separate from Lu Feng, leaving them?

Once Chen Xiu bought the fabric, Lu Feng checked the time and found a state-owned restaurant nearby for a meal. "It’s late; going back to cook would be inconvenient, let’s just eat out!"

"Just a bowl of plain noodles for me is fine." Chen Xiu quickly said, taking out her money.

"We’ll order braised fish and two vegetable dishes." Fu Xiaoxiao didn’t stop her, turning to order from the waiter; Lu Feng presented his food coupons.

When all the dishes arrived, Lu Chen and Lu Lin were very excited. They’d heard so much about how delicious state-owned restaurant food was, but once the dishes were in their mouths, the two kids froze.

Fu Xiaoxiao watched their originally enthusiastic faces turn inexplicably complex and asked bewildered, "What’s wrong? Are the dishes off?"

Fu Xiaoxiao took a bite, tasted fine to her?

"They were expecting too much," Lu Feng straightforwardly pointed out the kids’ disappointment; their expectations of the state-owned restaurant had been too high.

Lu Feng tasted the dishes, they were just okay, not too different.

Perhaps slightly better than the army’s, but nowhere near as good as Fu Xiaoxiao’s cooking.

"Not as good as Mom’s cooking," Lu Chen muttered, swallowing the food in his mouth.

"You’ve spoiled them, making their tastes picky, now their hopes are dashed." Chen Xiu laughed, eating her plain noodles. She tried Fu Xiaoxiao’s cooking, finding it spectacular, clearly different from the routine cooking of restaurant chefs.

The taste of home was missing, not as flavorful.

"Aunt Chen, have some vegetables." Lu Chen picked some from the dish and put it into Chen Xiu’s bowl.

Chen Xiu chuckled. "You cheeky boy, trying to block my mouth with food, telling me not to say more?"

Fu Xiaoxiao ruffled Lu Chen’s hair. "Bear with it today, once home, I’ll make you something delicious! Today we bought mustard greens, and when home, I’ll pickle them into salted vegetables to make you mustard green buns."

"Okay." Upon hearing Fu Xiaoxiao’s words, the two kids nodded vigorously.

Not sure what mustard green buns are like, but surely they’ll be delicious.