Chapter 144: What a Coincidence

Liu Chuxue replied directly, "I'll be back very soon. Come over after you've unloaded the cargo and we'll talk then."

Fu Yan Cheng's mood improved instantly: "Good, it'll be ready very soon."

Watching Fu Yan Cheng turn and get into the car with a smile on his lips, she felt the man was somehow strange.

Seeing the car drive away, Liu Chuxue turned and walked toward the auntie's house: "Auntie, I'm here?"

"Liu Chuxue, come in quickly."

Seeing the woman bent over working in the field: "Auntie, what are you busy with?"

The woman straightened her back, smiled, and pointed with a mud-stained finger toward the basket outside the fence: "I happened to get a few extra strawberry seedlings and thought I'd plant some myself so the little gluttons at home could have something rare to eat."

Liu Chuxue approached the basket, which held about seven or eight seedlings: "Auntie, thank you so much. How can I repay you?"

The woman waved her hand with a smile: "There aren't many in total. Just take them and plant them; there's no need for repayment. I only said that earlier because so many people were watching, and I was afraid they'd all come asking me for some."

"That won't do. Strawberry seedlings are rare to begin with; how could I accept them for free?"

She thought for a moment; the only thing she could offer right now was fish: "Auntie, later I'll catch a fish and bring one over for you. You can't refuse, or else how will I feel comfortable asking you for help in the future?"

"Alright, alright, alright. Then I've really gotten a great bargain."

Liu Chuxue made up her mind in her heart: she would bring two fish later, one for the auntie's family and the other for the auntie to take to her maiden home to repay the favor.

Coming out of the auntie's house, she immediately stored two strawberry seedlings in her space, planning to plant the rest later in the newly allocated private plot; that way, the strawberries produced by the space could be concealed by them.

As soon as she arrived at the new house, her mother-in-law pulled her aside: "What's going on? Why has Comrade Fu come again?"

Liu Chuxue glanced around: "He received some river sand as repayment for a favor and thought we could use it, so he brought it over."

Her mother-in-law didn't understand: "River sand as repayment for a favor?"

Seeing her mother-in-law's expression, Liu Chuxue simply repeated what Fu Yan Cheng had said earlier: "That's the whole story."

Her mother-in-law wore a bewildered expression: "What a coincidence?"

Liu Chuxue shrugged: "Anyway, that's what he said. Since he's already brought it over, it wouldn't be right to ask him to haul it back."

Her mother-in-law looked up at the sky: "It's getting late. I'm going home to cook. Later, you must invite Comrade Fu to stay for a meal before he leaves."

Having said that, she hurried back.

Watching her mother-in-law leave in a rush, Liu Chuxue thought: He said he still had to train the dog; even if I don't invite him to stay for lunch, he's already decided to eat.

She had just finished planting those few strawberry seedlings when she heard the sound of a car.

Fu Yan Cheng stopped the car and strode toward the private plot: "Liu Chuxue, where are you planning to unload the rest of the sand? Have you decided?"

Liu Chuxue stared at him blankly: "Why are you still..."

Before she could finish her question, Fu Yan Cheng said: "We've dealt with each other so many times now; we're practically acquaintances. It feels rather distant to keep calling you Comrade Liu. May I call you Liu Chuxue?"

Liu Chuxue wanted to roll her eyes at him; he had already called her that, so what was the point of asking again: "Sure."

Fu Yan Cheng knew when he had won and didn't dare say anything else, afraid that being too eager would scare the little girl.

Liu Chuxue walked forward: "Uncle Liangzi, Comrade Fu said there's still some sand on the truck. Where do you think would be suitable to unload it?"

Uncle Liangzi looked around: "I'll have someone clear that area over there. Later, he can unload it there. Whether it's used in the yard or taken later to reinforce the slope, it'll be very convenient. Besides, that spot happens to be a shallow pit, so even if it rains, there'll be no loss."

"Alright, then unload it there."

Having said that, she pointed to that spot for Fu Yan Cheng, signaling him to drive the car over.

(End of chapter)