Chapter 419 - Chapter 419: Pure-Hearted
Chapter 419: Pure-Hearted
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Du Xiaoju revealed a happy and sweet smile. She had been worrying about her brother and felt he had been so busy that he did not have time to find himself a wife.
Previously, Du Xiaoshuan said nothing about finding a wife when his mother brought it up. His sister was also worried and did not know if she would get a sister-in-law.
In addition, Du Xiaoju would restrict her brother from seeing someone who was not good to him. She also feared that the person would mistreat their mother. Du Xiaoju had many concerns but still wanted her brother to be happy.
That was why she always told herself not to be selfish.
However, she began to understand the situation when she saw her brother’s and Li Mei’s appearances in each other’s presence. Du Xiaoju was thrilled, and her heart pounded.
She worked a lot with Li Mei and knew she had a good character and temperament. Li Mei was also hardworking and capable while being kind to her younger siblings.
She was exceptionally pure-hearted and even knew how to care for her family.
Du Xiaoju would be delighted if Li Mei were to become her sister-in-law.
Since Li Mei and her siblings lived in Su Teng Village, it would be very convenient if Du Xiaoshuan could live there, too.
‘In the future, Big Brother can also settle down in Su Teng Village. Since he’ll be closer to me, does that mean I can live with him and Mother after work?’
Du Xiaoju had saved her salaries and bonuses and had initially planned to save her money for her mother. She was excited about going home to her mother and brother to eat with them.
She hurriedly took the candied hawthorn and handed it to Li Mei, saying, “Take it and eat it, Li Mei. It’ll be a waste if you don’t. I can’t eat two alone, and my brother doesn’t enjoy it.
“Besides, it was more cost-effective for my brother to get two. He would’ve missed a good deal if he had only bought one. Take it quickly. You’d treat me as a stranger if you didn’t eat it.
“You’ve always cared for me, but I never know how to thank you. I’ll feel more at ease if you take the candied hawthorn. 0-0therwise, I’d be too embarrassed when you help me again next time.”
Du Xiaoju took Li Mei’s arm and stuffed the candied hawthorn in her hand.
Li Mei was too embarrassed to return it now, mainly because she could not refute Du Xiaoju’s words. Li Mei’s face was red hot as she held the treat. She lowered her head and dared not look up.
She felt her heart beating differently from usual and wondered what was wrong with her.
Du Xiaoshuan heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Li Mei taking the treat. He was afraid she would not want it.
Then Du Xiaoju took the goods for her brother and said, “You have no idea how good Li Mei is, Big Brother. She has a good temperament and personality.
She even takes excellent care of me.”
She felt she should try to put her brother and Li Mei together since Du
Xiaoshuan had good intentions and Li Mei had a good impression of him.
“So, you should bring us more delicious food next time. Then I can enjoy the food with Li Mei.”
“All right. Don’t worry, Little Sister,” Du Xiaoshuan readily replied.
Meanwhile, Li Mei’s head remained lowered, and her face was still red hot. She returned to her senses when she heard her friend’s words before hurriedly waving around. “T-Theres no need for that.”
Du Xiaoju took Li Mei’s hand and said, “Li Mei, you think of me as a little
sister, right? You don’t have to be so formal around me.”
Li Mei’s mind went blank as her lips moved. However, she did not know what to say. She and Du Xiaoju were usually very talkative as they typically chatted while working, but Li Mei was not good with her words at this moment.
She only regained her senses when Du Xiaoshuan left. She was perplexed and thought, ‘Did I make a fool of myself just now?
Du Xiaoju told Li Mei, “Let’s eat these treats. They must be extra sweet since my brother bought them.”
Li Mei looked at the candied hawthorn and was too embarrassed to say anything more. Instead, she followed Du Xiaoju’s actions and ate the treat. Li Mei’s eyes lit up after taking a bite.
After all, she had not eaten candied hawthorns for a long time. When she was younger, and her parents were still around, they would buy her such treats. She greatly missed those days and had wholesome memories of candied hawthorns.
It reminded her of the carefree and warm times she had as a child. At that moment, she revealed a faint smile. However, she could not bear to eat anymore after having one piece from the skewer.
“Xiaoju, can I take the rest home for my younger siblings?” She asked while looking at Du Xiaoju. She was also a little cautious while asking this question.
After all, she had received the candied hawthorn from Du Xiaoju’s brother, so it might be rude if she took some back. Still, Li Mei felt guilty as she could eat delicious food at the factory, but her younger siblings could not.
Du Xiaoju nodded. “Of course, you can. What my brother gives you is yours to do with as you please.”
She did not think anything was wrong with Li Mei being considerate of her younger siblings. Du Xiaoju i s mother had said she should try putting herself in other’s shoes, so Du Xiaoju could better understand Li Mei now.
‘I would be sad if my big brother ate good food and didn’t share it with me. Even so, he always saved the best food for me. He must feel the same way as Li Mei in that regard.’
She heaved a sigh of relief and sincerely thanked Du Xiaoju.
“Li Mei, you’ve cared for me all this time. You don’t have to thank me, okay?” Du Xiaoju said smilingly.
Then the duo walked back into the factory while talking and laughing to continue their work.
Su Binglan saw everything when she arrived at the factory. Her expression changed, and a smile appeared on her face. She felt a sense of innocence when she saw Du Xiaoshuan and Li Mei’s interactions.
‘The people of this era are so reserved.’
She did not let them notice she was there and snuck into the factory.
Meanwhile, Shen Qiuhua feigned innocence when she saw her daughter. “Binglan, you’re back from town, huh?”
“Yes, Mother. I came to discuss stinky tofu with you.”
Shen Qiuhua immediately nodded. “Oh, you want to start making and selling stinky tofu, right?”
Su Binglan had mentioned this before, and her mother thought she would have already arranged for it.
However, Su Binglan never mentioned it again and seemed busy, so Shen Qiuhua avoided bothering her daughter. Instead, Shen Qiuhua managed the factory’s affairs one step at a time.
Su Binglan nodded. “We’ll use one of our factory’s rooms to make stinky tofu from tomorrow onward.”
The vast factory had several significant sections, so she planned to use one section to make stinky tofu.
Shen Qiuhua asked with some concern, “Does that mean the entire factory will smell like stinky tofu?”
‘Stinky tofu is delicious but doesn’t smell good. Would others be willing to smell it since they’re working inside?’
Su Binglan explained, “You don’t have to worry about that, Mother. The process is the same as making regular tofu, so it won’t smell. The smell will only come after we’ve fired it and added some spices to flavor it..”