“Damn it!”
Sha Zhu lay on the bed, smelling the aroma of fried eggs wafting through his nostrils, his heart filled with resentment.
Just by smelling the aroma, Sha Zhu knew whose house was frying eggs.
It must be the Chen Family!
Other families wouldn't be willing to use too much oil.
The oil fumes coming from the Chen Family’s fried eggs had plenty of oil.
It was completely different from the dry-fried oil fumes of other families, who only used a tiny bit of oil.
Smelling the aroma, Sha Zhu couldn't help but salivate, and could only grumble a few curses to relieve the imbalance in his heart.
Equally unbalanced was the Jia Family, the residents next door to the Chen Family.
“I want to eat eggs, I want to eat eggs.”
Bang梗 lay on the ground, throwing a tantrum.
Qin Huairu tried to persuade him a few times, but Bang梗 didn’t listen, so she went to busy herself at the stove.
Letting Bang梗 cry and make a fuss.
“This little beast, it’s a holiday for once, and he won’t quiet down for a second.”
Jia Zhangshi cursed angrily.
Of course, she only cursed at home.
That night, Chen Jianye had dealt with Deaf Old Lady and Sha Zhu, and Jia Zhangshi had seen it clearly.
She didn't dare to risk her own neck to test if the Chen Family's kitchen knife was sharp.
“Chen Jianye really doesn't shortchange himself.”
Third Aunt stood at the doorway, sighing.
“A bachelor, one person eats his fill, the whole family isn’t hungry.”
“If I were like him, I’d eat eggs every day.”
Yan Fugui pushed up his glasses, a thought flashing through his mind: “You should put some effort into finding a partner for Jianye. Ask someone later.”
“Don’t worry, if this works out, that kid will surely send our family a few catties of meat.”
Third Aunt said with a beaming smile.
“That’s a given. The Chen Family understands etiquette; they won’t shortchange us.”
Yan Fugui nodded with a smile, his heart full of anticipation.
The Chen Family.
Chen Jianye didn't care about the thoughts of others.
After making breakfast, he sat at the dining table and ate his fill, then took the enamel basin to the front Siheyuan (Courtyard) to wash dishes.
“Hey, Jianye, draw water slowly.”
Third Aunt saw that the Chen Family’s wok was full of oil and quickly called out.
“What’s wrong, Third Aunt?”
Chen Jianye was puzzled.
Third Aunt turned and went back into the house, got a rag, and wiped the Chen Family’s wok.
Chen Jianye’s mouth twitched.
Awesome!
Not even a tiny bit of oil in the wok was spared.
Truly worthy of being the Yan Family’s daughter-in-law; she knows how to manage a household.
“Alright, it’s done now. You can wash the dishes.”
Third Aunt’s face was full of joy after finishing her task.
Don't underestimate the small amount of oil on this rag.
Before cooking, wipe the wok with this rag, and the dishes will have a richer, more flavorful taste.
It can add a lot of flavor to the food.
“Jianye, you just don’t know how to manage a household.”
“In the future, if there’s a lot of oil in your wok, do what your Third Aunt does: wipe it with a rag. Don’t waste the oil.”
Third Master said with a smile, giving advice.
“Third Master, you’re amazing!”
Chen Jianye gave a sincere thumbs-up.
“It’s all from everyday experience. When you take on the responsibilities of your household in the future, you’ll have plenty to learn.”
Yan Fugui chuckled.
After washing the dishes, Chen Jianye went home, wrapped the joss paper in a cloth, and left with the books he had borrowed from the Library.
Originally, he wanted to wash his duvet cover and other things today.
He thought about how washing the duvet cover would take over an hour.
Too lazy to wash it.
After leaving the house, Chen Jianye boarded a bus, heading towards the cemetery.
To save time, taking the bus was indeed a better option.
Four Nine City in April was gradually getting warmer.
Most people on the bus were wearing long-sleeved shirts.
Various smells were mixed in.
Chen Jianye deliberately covered his nose with a gauze mask to reduce the impact of others on him.
He got off at the stop next to the cemetery.
Chen Jianye walked to the familiar grave.
He took out a match, and the red match head scraped across the black phosphorus paper, making a 'poof' sound as a flame emerged from the match head.
Chen Jianye first lit the candles, then picked up the joss paper and placed it on the candle flame.
“Mom and Dad, I’m doing great in the Siheyuan (Courtyard). I eat eggs and meat every day.”
“No one dares to provoke me. Yi Zhonghai, that old bastard, even brought out Deaf Old Lady last time…”
“Oh, and I passed my Carpentry transfer exam; I’m now a First-Level Fitter.”
“I can advance one level every half month, and there are still over six months until the Carpentry transfer in the second half of the year.”
“I want to advance to Seventh-Grade or Eighth-Grade Fitter in the second half of the year, and then challenge for Assistant Engineer to enter the Technical Office.”
“Third Aunt suddenly told me last night that she wants to find me a wife.”
“Dad, Mom, it’s a pity you won’t get to see it.”
Chen Jianye babbled on about many things.
Some were about his current situation, and others were about his expectations for the future.
After burning the joss paper, Chen Jianye took the bus again to the Library.
There were two stops left until the Library.
Suddenly, a young girl with body odor boarded the bus.
She didn't have a seat, so she could only hold onto the handrail.
Coincidentally, the girl was standing quite close to Chen Jianye.
Chen Jianye couldn't bear it and got off one stop early.
After taking a few breaths of fresh air, he felt alive again.
‘After the assessment in the second half of the year, I need to make some big moves, achieve good results, and ask the factory for a bicycle ticket.’
Chen Jianye secretly fantasized about the beautiful future.
He walked briskly towards the Library.
There were two ways to get to the Library.
One was a wide main road.
The other was through a small alley.
Chen Jianye chose to walk through the small alley.
Walking through the alley gave him a different feeling, as if he was greeting the ancient city.
About five hundred meters from the Library.
Chen Jianye turned a corner, walked a few steps forward, and then stopped.
About ten meters in front of him, three young men were surrounding a tall girl.
Were they pulling her?
Hmm?
Look again.
Chen Jianye walked a few more steps forward, and this time he saw clearly.
The tall girl was indeed being entangle by three young men.
She was wearing a light green cross-collared jacket on top, a light red dress on the bottom, and cloth-soled shoes.
In an environment where everyone wore blue, black, or white shirts, the girl’s clothing was two hundred percent eye-catching.
Chen Jianye thought these hooligans had good taste.
Then he continued to walk forward.
Yes, Chen Jianye never thought of turning back and taking the main road to the Library.
He had already walked this far; the Library was just a few more minutes ahead.
He would be crazy to turn back.
As for being a hero saving a beauty.
Tsk.
Chen Jianye thought it would be better for Public Security to handle this matter.
He was just an ordinary person, after all.
He would report it to Public Security as soon as he left the alley.
That would ensure the girl’s safety just the same.
The tall girl saw Chen Jianye approaching, her lips moved, and her eyes were full of anticipation.
“Dare to make a sound, and I’ll kill you.”
The tallest of the three young men said fiercely.
The tall girl’s mouth drooped, on the verge of tears.
Chen Jianye felt the tall girl was quite pitiful.
Don’t panic.
Hold on a little longer.
I’ll call for help as soon as I get out.
“Kid, what the hell are you looking at?”
The tall young man finished scolding the tall girl and turned to look at Chen Jianye.
Their eyes met.
Chen Jianye did not avert his gaze, nor did he lower his head.
It’s often said that between people, especially between males, if you want to communicate, a simple “What are you looking at?” can often lead to a story.
“What are you looking at?” represents the other person’s challenge and intrusion.
A timid person might say, “Nothing,” to dispel hostility.
A joker might say, “You look good,” which can also dissipate the tense atmosphere into nothingness.
But if you meet a tough nut and retort with, “What about it?”,
Then something is bound to happen.