Chen JianShe was getting a little antsy and stood up.
"Brother Leng, I didn’t realize your wife had prepared so much food. This is too extravagant! I’ll go catch so more fish and bring them over."
Gu Jiaojiao’s cooking was better than a state-run restaurant’s. A al like this would cost at least ten yuan there.
The few fish he’d caught weren’t worth much in comparison.
Leng Yuan looked at the endearingly simple Chen JianShe, speechless. "No need. Sit down and eat."
As he spoke, he pushed the man back down into his seat.
Only then did Chen JianShe sit, but he had already made up his mind. He would definitely bring more fish next ti.
Gu Jiaojiao heard Chen JianShe as well and ca out carrying the mushroom soup, a helpless look on her face. "You’ve already brought more than enough. Hurry up and eat."
When Leng Yuan saw Gu Jiaojiao co out, he rushed forward to take the soup from her hands.
His gaze fell on her fingers, which were flushed red. "Next ti you have to carry sothing hot like this, rember to call ."
Country folk who worked the fields had rough, thick skin. Few of them were afraid of getting burned.
But Gu Jiaojiao was different. Her fingers were fair, slender, and delicate. She was terrified of even slightly high temperatures. Ever since Leng Yuan learned of this quirk, he’d never let her carry a soup bowl.
Gu Jiaojiao smiled. She was actually fine; her husband was just overly concerned about her.
The three of them sat down, with Gu Jiaojiao beside Leng Yuan. No one picked up their chopsticks.
Gu Jiaojiao couldn’t help but look at Leng Yuan with a small smile.
Leng Yuan sighed helplessly and picked up his chopsticks.
His young wife was incredibly insistent on giving him enough face in front of outsiders.
With Leng Yuan leading the way, Gu Jiaojiao and Chen JianShe finally picked up their chopsticks.
Each of the three took a piece of the spicy rabbit. After one bite, Gu Jiaojiao found it a bit too spicy. Once she finished the piece in her hand, she didn’t reach for any more.
Leng Yuan, however, particularly loved the spicy diced rabbit. He couldn’t stop after the first bite.
Chen JianShe could handle his spice, too. The two n gnawed on the spicy rabbit, ate scallion pancakes, and drank mushroom soup. They also feasted on the pickled cabbage with stewed pork and the sweet and sour eggs.
Every single dish was delicious. This was simply heaven on earth.
Chen JianShe glanced enviously at his Brother Leng. ’The good life with a wife and a warm ho really is different from being alone.’
Just as he was thinking this, Chen JianShe saw the rabbit at rapidly disappearing.
He imdiately cast aside his autumn lancholy; it was getting in the way of a good al.
Gu Jiaojiao was full when the two n were only halfway through the al, so she put down her chopsticks.
The remaining two n ate every last bit of the food Gu Jiaojiao had prepared before stopping, their faces full of satisfaction.
Gu Jiaojiao watched, dumbfounded.
’These two are incredible,’ she thought. ’I prepared enough for five people, and they finished it all.’
After dinner, it was customary for Leng Yuan to clear the table, and she wanted to take this opportunity to ask about the skincare products.
But after waiting a while, Leng Yuan didn’t move.
Gu Jiaojiao didn’t move either. She smiled at Leng Yuan, trying to give him a aningful look.
Leng Yuan turned his head, pretending not to see anything.
Chen JianShe watched them from the side, looking awkward. ’Maybe I should clear the dishes?’ he thought.
Gu Jiaojiao stared at her husband for a long ti, but the man stubbornly refused to budge. She was speechless.
’It’s not like it’s so shady business, anyway,’ she decided. ’I’ll just ask him directly.’
"JianShe, I actually asked you over because I have a question for you. Right now, the supply and marketing co-op only sells bar soap, which is a bit limited. I know how to make so facial soaps and skincare products that are good for a girl’s skin. Do you think there’s a market for them? Would people have the purchasing power?"
The question hung in the air.
Chen JianShe imdiately started to stamr.
’She’s... asking... ?’
’How would a big guy like know the answer to a question like that?’
’What am I supposed to say?’
Chen JianShe shot a pleading look at his Brother Leng. Leng Yuan was also a little confused, not understanding why Gu Jiaojiao would ask Chen JianShe such a question.
However, he knew that if Gu Jiaojiao was asking Chen JianShe, she must have her reasons.
He certainly wasn’t going to undermine his own wife, so he ignored Chen JianShe’s silent plea for help.
"Just tell her what you think."
’What I think!’
Chen JianShe was at a loss. What kind of opinion could he possibly have?
He could only force himself to start thinking.
Gu Jiaojiao looked at him expectantly.
Chen JianShe thought for a long ti and finally rembered sothing. A couple of days ago, his younger sister, Qiushou, had been complaining that her skin had gotten darker again and said she wished there was a face cream that could lighten it.
"Ma’am, I think as long as the products are good, there will definitely be... a market. Yes, a market."
Gu Jiaojiao nodded, signaling for him to continue.
Chen JianShe: ...
He felt like he was being put through the wringer.
Being forced to discuss things girls liked was pure torture.
He mulled it over for another mont and vaguely understood what "purchasing power" ant. The term was actually quite descriptive.
"Ma’am, I think the co-op’s selection is limited, and you still need ration tickets to buy things. If we have sothing better than what they offer, it’ll definitely sell well."
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