Chapter 606: Jia Zhangshi's lunchbox dream shattered

Xiao Dang got a job at Bai Xu.

He felt the future was bright.

His mood was unusually good.

On the way back, thinking there was cause for celebration, he spent a little over a dollar buying some braised meat and returned to the Jia family home.

Just as he entered the door.

He immediately sensed that the atmosphere inside was somewhat off.

A whiff of gunpowder smell.

No need to ask.

Surely it was Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu arguing again.

As for why they were arguing,

it's simple.

Jia Zhangshi, wanting to provide for her old age, wanted Qin Huairu to keep her job at the Jia household. Even if Xiao Dang didn't want it, she could sell it to someone else who needed work, and that would be income.

In the future, if Xiao Dang didn't support Jia Zhangshi in her old age, Jia Zhangshi could rely on that money to barely make a living.

In Jia Zhangshi's eyes, Qin Huairu's current job at the steel mill was work that Old Jia and Little Jia had exchanged their lives for; what right did Qin Huairu have to take the Jia family's life‑earned job and remarry, to support another man?

Qin Huairu likewise was doing it for her old age.

Bangeng was ruined.

Xiao Dang harbored a deep resentment toward the Jia family.

Huaihua ran away from home.

Three children, three fates.

She could only rely on herself; if this job were to be given to the Jia family according to Jia Zhangshi's wishes, and Qin Huairu married into them, she would have to live at the mercy of others' faces—if they were willing to feed her, she could eat; if not, she would go hungry.

Dog meat doesn't stick to a sheep's body.

Not one's own biological child cannot be relied upon at all.

Moreover, even if it were one's own biological child, one still couldn't count on it.

Qin Huairu, on the other hand, had given birth to three children—but which of them would support her in her old age?

Everyone hated Qin Huairu.

This job.

It thus became Qin Huairu's last lifeline; naturally she would not hand over her livelihood because of a few words from Jia Zhangshi.

She wasn't that foolish.

Having been foolish for over twenty years, she had finally awakened and could not, no matter what, repeat those past mistakes by becoming an ox and horse for the Jia family.

The conflict therefore erupted.

They blamed each other.

This morning, when Xiao Dang went out, the Jia family widows were still arguing.

Jia Zhangshi scolded Qin Huairu for being ungrateful, calling her no good, saying the Jia family had been ruined and its people scattered by Qin Huairu's influence, that she should never have been allowed to marry into the Jia family, and that Qin Huairu was a jinx. She also cursed Yi Zhonghai, saying he deserved to have no offspring and had utterly destroyed the Jia family.

Qin Huairu retorted, scolding Jia Zhangshi as worthless, saying she herself had at least borne the Jia family a son and a daughter, whereas Jia Zhangshi had given them only one child, and with Jia Dongxu's death the Jia line was cut off entirely.

Even good Bangeng had been beaten by Jia Zhangshi into jail; she said that when Jia Zhangshi went to the underworld, she too would be thrashed by Old Jia and Little Jia.

I had thought that after several hours of arguing they would have eased up, but instead they kept butting heads.

Xiao Dang, unaware of it, thought to herself: Jia Zhangshi scolding Qin Huairu to death was a good thing; Qin Huairu killing Jia Zhangshi would be a joyous event.

She could monopolize the Jia family's house and monopolize the Jia family's job.

The one who would truly profit was her, Xiao Dang. She could completely exploit the situation when Bangeng was in prison and Huaihua had run away, dispose of the house and job, marry off elsewhere, and then Bangeng and Huaihua would come looking for her up there.

Deep down a small ambition stirred, and she thought, "You guys, keep fighting—why aren't you fighting?"

That couldn't be said aloud.

It had to be carried out covertly.

But one must not lose the big picture over small gains and ruin Xiao Dang's plan to take revenge on the Jia family.

She casually set the braised meat she was holding on the table, went to the small kitchen next door to wash her hands, and also wanted to see whether the Jia family widows had prepared any food.

After entering,

Xiao Dang's heart felt as disappointed as ever.

The kitchen was empty, the steamer baskets empty—a posture of drinking the northwest wind.

She washed her hands.

Returning from the kitchen, she saw Jia Zhangshi already seated on a stool, staring with greedy eyes fixed on the braised meat, drool already dripping from the corner of her mouth.

Qin Huairu, however, looked at Jia Zhangshi with a mocking expression.

Hearing footsteps,

Jia Zhangshi turned her head and asked Xiao Dang a question.

"Xiao Dang, it's not a holiday—why did you buy braised meat? With that money you'd be better off getting some meat from the supply and marketing cooperative and cooking vegetables at home."

"You'd rather not eat it, then?" Qin Huairu continued to mock Jia Zhangshi, as if she could talk her to death: "You bought it back, you complain it's wasteful—just don't eat it. You say you dislike it, claim it's wasted, yet that doesn't stop you from eating; in short, whether things go well or badly, it's all up to you to decide."

"Qin Huairu, my granddaughter bought me this braised meat—what business is it of yours? Are you jealous?"

"I'm not jealous; I look down on you, this hypocritical evil old woman who eats Xiao Dang's meals then turns around and spouts the 'money‑losing goods' talk."

Jia Zhangshi's heart.

rose to her throat.

She really felt afraid.

Worried that Xiao Dang would bear a grudge—who let Jia Zhangshi, for years, shout "money‑losing goods," causing Xiao Dang and Huaihua to confront Qin Huairu, asking whether they were such goods.

Besides scolding people, Jia Zhangshi also doesn't much like the two granddaughters; the household food, priority goes to Bangeng.

I scolded Xiao Dang for being a loss-making good, but that was all in the past; I also apologized to Xiao Dang, so Xiao Dang won't fall for your Qin Huairu's attempts to sow discord.

Jia Zhangshi, not wanting to continue this topic.

She hurriedly changed her tone.

Xiao Dang, why did you buy braised meat?

You went to Bai Xu today? Qin Huairu gave Jia Zhangshi a white-eye, "How did it turn out?"

Qin Huairu also had some ulterior motives.

If Xiao Dang enters Bai Xu, she wouldn't worry about Jia Zhangshi needing work, and could go remarry with peace of mind.

Jia Zhangshi is supported by Xiao Dang.

If not entering Bai Xu work, Qin Huairu's remarriage still full of unknown risks.

If Jia Zhangshi is desperate, she might use desperate measures to manipulate Qin Huairu.

Qin Huairu doesn't care; worst case she just continues to remarry.

Fear that the one who marries Qin Huairu will think her character is bad, that she's a cold-blooded beast, and refuse to marry her.

Qin Huairu truly became a joke; even with work, no one wants to marry her.

She looked at Xiao Dang eagerly, waiting for his answer; beside her, Jia Zhangshi, unusually, didn't oppose Qin Huairu, perhaps they thought alike.

Under the attention of the Jia Family widows, Xiao Dang pointed with his hand at the braised meat in front of him.

Qin Huairu instantly understood Xiao Dang's intention, her face surged with boundless joy, within the joy mixed a hint of surprise.

When leaving in the morning, Qin Huairu held no hope; over the years with the Jia Family and Shazhu, she knows what attitude Shazhu has toward the Jia Family.

No matter who, as long as related to the Jia Family, they have that indifferent attitude.

Huaihua looked for work, was shut out by Shazhu; Qin Huairu rented Shazhu's house, but Shazhu harshly said no, thinking Xiao Dang would also end up like Huaihua, getting the cold shoulder from Shazhu.

Argued with Jia Zhangshi all morning.

It's because Qin Huairu wanted to use the argument to, as much as possible, display her lofty attitude regarding remarriage, to make Jia Zhangshi abandon some ideas.

Grasp the initiative in her own hands.

Definitely an unexpected joy.

Xiao Dang entered Bai Xu.

What Bai Xu represents in the Capital City, Qin Huairu knows; back when working at Yagangchang, whenever meeting people to talk, nine out of ten talked about Bai Xu, talked about Shazhu, their words full of envy.

Thus: Thus: Mahua and Liu Lan, when they initially followed Shazhu to work at Bai Xu, many didn't understand, even said the two were foolish, giving up the iron rice bowl of Yagangchang to take up the worthless earthen rice bowl at Bai Xu, maybe one day they'd end up following Shazhu to drink northwest wind.

The fact was like a loud slap, hitting the faces of all doubters.

By now.

Only then did they discover Thus: Thus: Mahua and Liu Lan's shrewdness; hearing that Bai Xu's monthly wage equals one and a half months' wage at Yagangchang.

This is all money.

As for reputation, it's even better.

Those who work at Bai Xu, walking on the street, are a head above others.

Previously, Yagangchang workers said they were Red Star Yagangchang people; now Yagangchang workers say they are colleagues of Bai Xu restaurant workers.

Qin Huairu, putting herself in Xiao Dang's shoes, felt happy about his entering Bai Xu; her face rarely showed a hint of smile, she nodded at Xiao Dang, which counts as affirmation.

Seeing Qin Huairu laugh a moment, cry the next, and occasionally nod at Xiao Dang, Jia Zhangshi's mind was a tangled mess, thinking Qin Huairu had gone mad.

Wondering if her own behavior of demanding work from Qin Huairu had driven Qin Huairu mad.

Heard that mad people can do anything.

If one were to slash Jia Zhangshi with a knife, what could Jia Zhangshi do?

"Huairu, what's wrong with you?" the life-preserving Jia Zhangshi, tone slightly softer than before, "What were you just talking about? I can't understand."

Grandma, I entered Bai Xu.

What?

Jia Zhangshi's voice was loud.

Was frightened.

Like Qin Huairu, also startled by Xiao Dang entering Bai Xu work; unlike Qin Huairu, Jia Zhangshi's thoughts leaned more toward her own benefit.

Having been neighbors with Shazhu for years, knows those kitchen rules.

The cafeteria staff, not only do they get free meals, they can also take food home.

Just thinking about these.

Jia Zhangshi's mouth watered.

The head chef at Bai Xu is Shazhu; Shazhu's cooking skills are simply superb; back when cooking in the Siheyuan, Jia Zhangshi could smell the aroma from Shazhu's house and could eat a bowl of rice.

Xiao Dang entering Bai Xu work means he can bring lunchboxes from Bai Xu; Jia Zhangshi truly lives the good days of eating Xiao Dang, spending Xiao Dang, drinking Xiao Dang.

Eating Shazhu's rice.

Surely can live several more years.

Jia Zhangshi rummaged through boxes and cabinets, even squeezing her body into a cabinet.

Xiao Dang's age, after all somewhat young, was startled by the commotion of Jia Zhangshi searching for things, and he looked at Qin Huairu with a pleading gaze.

Qin Huairu originally wanted to say something, but after seeing the braised meat on the table, she smiled at Xiao Dang, then with her other hand took two steamed buns from her lunchbox, kept one for herself and gave one to Xiao Dang.

Didn't even use chopsticks.

One aspect was worrying about startling Jia Zhangshi; the other was wanting to teach Jia Zhangshi a lesson.

One hand grabbing the steamed bun, the other pinching the braised meat, she started eating.

The lunchbox contained three steamed buns total, which Qin Huairu brought back from Yagangchang yesterday, intending to heat them up tonight to eat, but because Xiao Dang made fresh dishes, the buns in the lunchbox went unused.

Now there is a place to put one's talents to use.

Qin Huairu broke half of the third steamed bun and gave it to Xiao Dang, giving him a glance.

Xiao Dang caught on instantly; the braised meat was gone, and he followed Qin Huairu's lead, dipping the bun in the remaining broth.

One person ate one and a half buns, and his stomach wasn't growling much.

He picked up the large tea jar on the table and took a sip of tea.

The sound of a burp.

It echoed inside the Jia Family house.

Jia Zhangshi, who had been rummaging through boxes and cabinets, pulled her head out of the cabinet, glanced at Xiao Dang and Qin Huairu, and saw food traces on their mouths.

She thought of something.

In her haste to stand, she bumped her shoulder against the table; Jia Zhangshi cried out in pain and instinctively rubbed the sore spot.

The object in her hand also fell to the ground.

Xiao Dang saw it clearly.

They were three lunch boxes.

He was somewhat bewildered, not understanding why Jia Zhangshi would produce three lunch boxes.

Seeing Xiao Dang looking confused, Qin Huairu kindly explained.

"Your grandmother's meaning is that since you started working at Bai Xu, you count as cafeteria staff; cafeteria staff eat for free and can take food home, so she gave you three lunch boxes, meaning you should bring three boxes of food back from Bai Xu each day. Based on my many years of knowing your grandmother, the food you bring back must also be the meat dishes made by Shazhu."

Jia Zhangshi glared at Qin Huairu.

She especially appreciated Qin Huairu's kind explanation, even wanting to give her two slaps; upon learning Qin Huairu wasn't crazy, her reverence for Qin Huairu vanished instantly.

"Xiao Dang, take these three lunch boxes to work tomorrow; when you come back in the evening, bring some rice and some dishes, so you won't have to cook for grandmother later. Grandmother can just reheat them, or even eat them cold—just open the lunch box and eat. As you know our Jia Family's situation, saving even one helps. Besides, these are leftovers; rather than throwing them into the slop to feed pigs, it's better to bring them back for grandmother to eat; grandmother doesn't mind the dirt—when we were starving, we ate anything."

"Xiao Dang, you've just started work at Bai Xu; there are some things you simply cannot do—if you don't understand after listening, it's useless."

"Qin Huairu, what exactly are you up to?"

"I don't want Xiao Dang to lose his job!"

"Can't you guys stop arguing? What are you arguing about? I've started work at Bai Xu, but Bai Xu has its own rules: first, no bringing leftovers; second, no taking things from the back kitchen; third, no bringing leftovers, no taking things."

"Who said that?"

To protect the lunch boxes.

Jia Zhangshi's questioning tone was almost cannibalistic.

"Shazhu!"

Upon hearing Shazhu say not to bring leftovers,

A moment ago Jia Zhangshi was full of vigor; the next second she became a deflated balloon.

Not allowed to bring leftovers.

What can be done about this?

What will she eat?

Her gaze fell on the table.

They had found three lunch boxes, thinking they could be useful, but they weren't; moreover, while Jia Zhangshi was searching for the lunch boxes, Qin Huairu and Xiao Dang ate the braised meat.

Three people.

Just Jia Zhangshi was unlucky.

Jia Zhangshi was so angry she didn't know what to say.