RNP Page 308
Page 308
In his view, this was just a trick played by young people.
If he were Xu Damao, he would never buy such expensive things for two girls.
It's better to eat it yourself than to give it to them.
"He really doesn't know how hard life is. He actually uses these things to please two girls. It's just outrageous."
"I really regret not working at the steel mill. If I were working at the factory, I wouldn't even look at these sesame seed cakes and pig's head meat."
"If I had known it would turn out like this, I shouldn't have become a fitter. I should have become a projectionist like Xu Damao."
“Look at him, he not only earns a salary, but he also gets a lot of food from his fellow villagers. Although he is single now, I think he lives the most comfortable life in this courtyard.”
“If I had continued working at the steel rolling mill, I might be a level six fitter by now, earning more than He Hongyang. Our family would definitely be the best off in this compound.”
A hero doesn't dwell on past glories, and a beautiful woman doesn't boast of her former charm.
What's the point of saying all this now?
196. Twin sisters-in-law attract the attention of the entire factory
They've all been fired from the steel mill for so many years.
I come home smelling terrible every day, and I only earn a few dollars a month.
If she hadn't been so frugal, her family would probably be begging on the streets!
Now, seeing that package outside, she's drooling just as much as he is.
"Don't talk about the past. Focus on the present. You have long legs, so hurry up and bring the things back when you go out."
"Make sure there's no one outside. Pretend to wander around outside first, then sneakily put the oil paper package into your arms and run back as fast as you can."
Yi Zhonghai would never go.
Even if he's doing poorly, he wouldn't stoop to stealing.
If others find out, they'll laugh at him to death.
"Since you're so resourceful, why don't you go and get it? What kind of image would it be for a grown man like me to go out like this?"
“You’re a woman, so even if Xu Damao finds out, he’ll only say a few words to you at most. But it’s different for me. What if he finds out and we start fighting again?”
Look at his pathetic state.
I want to eat pig's head meat but don't want to cook it myself.
An older woman glanced at him and said, "I'm the one who has to step in when things get really tough. You stay home and guard the door. Open it as soon as I get back."
"It doesn't matter whose food it is, or who it was given to; once it's eaten, it's ours!"
"If Xu Damao comes looking for us, we'll deny everything!"
Yi Zhonghai swallowed hard and nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, when it comes to food, I'll always be on your side."
An older woman came out.
Qin Huairu initially thought that she had entered the courtyard by accident.
With nothing to do at home, she goes in and out of the yard 800 times a day.
But you could see her rolling her eyes, constantly looking around, getting closer and closer to the package.
She sensed something was wrong.
"Oh no, an old lady is trying to steal something."
"Then what are we waiting for? We absolutely cannot let her succeed. Let's get out of here right now."
Just as the older woman was about to succeed.
Qin Huairu and Qin Jingru came out.
The older woman was so frightened that she immediately pulled her hand back.
She wanted to go back.
After all, I am an elder, and it would be so embarrassing if I were caught by a younger person.
But Yi Zhonghai kept giving her meaningful glances.
It seems to be saying, "Since you're going out, you must succeed before you come back. Don't forget, it's sesame cakes and pig's head meat, so don't be shy."
An older woman approached again.
When she touched the oil paper package.
Then you can see that there are two more hands above.
It turned out to be Qin Huairu.
The two of them were immediately startled!
However, they immediately understood.
It turns out everyone had their eyes on this package; their purpose in coming out was to obtain it.
There were no arguments, and no one dared to speak loudly.
Qin Huairu pointed to the oil paper package: "Since everyone came here for it, let's just split up and each get a share!"
An older woman thought this was a good idea.
This way, no one will find out, everyone will benefit, and it won't be publicized.
"No problem, but we have to split it equally!"
The two opened the oil paper package.
When you see the crispy, crumbly sesame seed cake and the braised pig's head meat inside...
They couldn't hold back any longer.
I wanted to grab it and stuff it into my mouth.
"Didn't we agree to split it equally? Why did you start eating first?"
"Auntie, if you take it back, you'll have to split it with your husband again. We might as well just eat it all here."
Hearing her say that, the middle-aged woman simply didn't stand on ceremony and started stuffing the sesame seed cake and pig's head meat into her mouth.
Xu Damao had just closed his eyes to rest.
Unexpectedly, when he opened his eyes, he saw that his oil paper package had been opened.
Qin Huairu, Qin Jingru, and an older woman were enjoying their meal.
Enraged, he ran over and shouted, "What are you doing? This is mine!"
Several people had their mouths stuffed full.
His words left me speechless.
Qin Huairu quickly turned on the tap and took a big gulp of water.
Qin Jingru and the older woman followed her example and took a big gulp of water.
"Is this yours? We thought it didn't belong to anyone."
When Xu Damao looked, he saw that the perfectly good sesame cakes and pig's head meat had been eaten down to scraps.
"Nonsense, of course it's mine! I just left it here for a moment, and you guys sneaked in to eat it. You're practically thieves!"
"Your name isn't on it, so how would we know it's yours?"
"Exactly, if it really is yours, why did you leave it here? Why didn't you take it home to eat?"
Xu Damao looked at Qin Huairu and said, "You're just asking a question you already know the answer to. I've already given you the sesame cake and the pig's head. Why are you still not satisfied and want to steal more food?"
“I’m just trying it out. You’ve been shouting for ages, but the Wang sisters didn’t hear you at all. It’s better to let us have it.”
As he spoke, he rewrapped the oil paper package: "You make so much money at the steel mill. We only ate some of your food. There's no need to get so angry. If others find out, it will make you, Xu Damao, look petty."
Qin Jingru hurriedly said, "Thank you for the sesame seed cakes and braised pig's head, Brother Xu. We really didn't mean it. We were just too hungry. Please don't hold it against us."
Seeing their soft words, the older woman chimed in, "Auntie knows you're the best among the young people in the neighborhood. In a while, I'll introduce you to a good match, and I'll definitely speak highly of you to her."
Xu Damao was too embarrassed to get angry after what they said.
Moreover, even if he lost his temper, given the circumstances of the Jia and Yi families, they wouldn't be able to compensate him for the sesame cakes and pig's head meat.
Who told me to leave the food here?
He should have realized that the people in the courtyard were like hungry wolves; once they saw food, they would never let it go!
Moreover, he wanted to make a good impression on the Wang sisters.
If he makes a scene, wouldn't it make him look like he's bullying a woman?
To show his magnanimity and manly spirit.
Xu Damao had no choice but to wave his hand reluctantly: "This is a one-time exception, and there will be no next time."
I decided not to argue with them.
The women thanked them repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, you're such a kind person."
"You're the only talented person to have come from our courtyard. We will always remember your kindness."
Fearing he would cause more trouble, everyone quickly ran back to their own homes.
Qin Jingru burped and said with a smile, "Sister, we really enjoyed our lunch today. I didn't expect Xu Damao to be so forgiving."
"He was afraid of losing face in front of the Wang sisters."
"In the end, we shouldn't thank Xu Damao, but the Wang sisters. I hope there will be more good things like this next time."
The woman happily returned home.
Although I hadn't had a chance to savor the sesame seed cakes and braised pig's head meat, I wolfed them down.
But at least it got some food in my mouth.
She finally got some oil in her belly.
Yi Zhonghai looked unwilling: "Why not bring it back? Why couldn't you bring some back for me?"
"Didn't you see what happened just now? If I had listened to you and hadn't put it in my mouth, but instead put it in my pocket and taken it back, Xu Damao would definitely have confiscated it."
"You won't think of any other way."
"You're always talking about me. If you're so capable, why didn't you leave just now?"
Yi Zhonghai was speechless.
I really envy the He family.
He and his wife devised a plan to steal the sesame seed cakes and pig's head meat.
She looked down on He's sister-in-law!
The He family must eat well and have plenty of oil in their stomachs, which is why they look down on these things.
Seeing that He Hongyang was stronger than him, Xu Damao was also stronger than him.
Watching the young people in the courtyard grow up one generation after another.
When they all have jobs, get married, and start their own families in the future.
Wouldn't they all be better than him?
He was the only one doing the job of shoveling manure; he was utterly useless.
After all these years, I've actually ended up like this!
...
The sky gradually darkened.
It looks like it's going to rain today.
After the two sisters finished eating, they remembered that He Hongyang hadn't taken his raincoat when he went out.
Mom had told them to take good care of their brother-in-law.