Chapter 282: Rebirth in the Nineties: The Tyrannical Flower Chapter 283 No Stall Today

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Protagonist:

Chai Mi

Zhou Fang had just come out of the factory, looked up, and saw that the person selling dumplings was actually Chai Mi...

He felt a mixture of emotions in his heart.

He hadn't expected that after such a short time apart, Chai Mi had actually started doing business.

He had returned to Ke County to open a factory, and along the way things had actually gone quite smoothly. The investment promotion efforts here were strong, the incentives were many, and the support was plentiful.

He was just busy going back and forth, and suddenly became too busy.

He hadn't expected that after not seeing her for a while, Chai Mi had not only come out to set up a stall, but had also become even more beautiful.

Zhou Fang didn't know whether he should go over or not; he hesitated and stood behind the crowd, quietly watching the young lady before him.

Although Chai Mi was relatively thin, and had always been busy, causing her chin to look somewhat pointed lately, but......

Chai Mi's complexion was relatively fair.

This made Chai Mi look extremely good.

In the morning light, her features were extremely beautiful; anyone who saw her would have to say she was as beautiful as a fairy......

So, the group of workers at the factory were not talking nonsense.

After all, the looks of Chai Mi and Song Qiushui were right there for all to see.

In this small place, that was what you'd call a fairy.

Zhou Fang hesitated, but then he was so hungry he couldn't stand it, so he also quietly joined the queue.

As a result, a worker kicked him, saying he had cut in line......

After queuing for a long time, when it was Zhou Fang's turn, he said somewhat awkwardly: "One portion...... meat filling."

Chai Mi didn't have time to look up, and said directly: "Meat filling is six yuan per portion. Pay the money and go wait."

Zhou Fang hurriedly took out six yuan from his pocket and handed it over.

"Got it, one portion of meat filling!" Chai Mi responded crisply, reaching out to take the money. Just as their fingertips touched, she habitually glanced up to confirm the amount, but her gaze suddenly collided with that familiar face, which carried a touch of awkwardness.

"Zhou...... Zhou Fang?!" Chai Mi's hand shook, and the money almost fell into the dumpling soup pot; her face was full of shock. She never expected to see this "factory director" at a roadside stall in this dusty, worker-crowded industrial area.

Shouldn't he be in a spacious, bright office?

Zhou Fang's ears felt a bit hot from her exclamation. He cleared his throat and tried to look natural: "Cough cough...... it's me. Chai Mi...... what a coincidence. I didn't expect you to be doing business here, and business isn't bad." He looked around at the crowded people and the several tables full of diners; this level of popularity indeed far exceeded his imagination.

"Not bad. Come the day after tomorrow; it all depends on everyone giving us face. By the way, how's that factory of yours? It's not...... that factory of yours is nearby, right?"

At this moment, someone noticed the awkward conversation between Chai Mi and Zhou Fang.

So a few impatient workers started cursing: "That big idiot up front, are you buying dumplings or making dumplings? After you buy and pay, go sit over there! Don't you see we're all queuing?! You keep talking endlessly with the boss, who do you think you are? Are you the factory director?!"

A guy next to him retorted at the curser in a low voice: "What do you mean...... he really is the factory director!!!"

The man spread his hands: "What did I say? I just said our cafeteria food is terrible! Even the factory director has come out to eat......

"You lower your voice, the factory director isn't deaf! You don't want to work anymore?"

Chai Mi and Zhou Fang also heard the voices of the crowd talking.

Chai Mi frowned: "You're the factory director? Which factory? The Zisha Factory?"

Zhou Fang nodded and briefly explained what had happened.

It was nothing more than cooperating with the county to reopen the Zisha Factory together.

Chai Mi nodded, then nimbly put a portion of dumplings into the pot.

White, steaming vapor mixed with the aroma of dumplings wafted out: "There's an empty seat over there...... if you don't mind the crowding, go sit down."

Chai Mi said while looking at the few tables she had set up; they were actually already full of people.

Several people were still standing and eating.

But if they squeezed hard, they could squeeze out a place.

As a result, the people eating around the tables tacitly made some room, and instantly there was no place left.

"The factory director has a big ego, but he's not our factory's director. Even if the Heavenly King himself came, he'd still have to follow first come, first served."

Zhou Fang: The local customs here are still so simple and honest......

To show off that not-so-important magnanimity, Zhou Fang said directly: "Chai Mi, save me a bowl; let them eat first."

The few people around laughed and said something about the factory director needing to give them face......

Zhou Fang spread his hands: "Anyway, I'm not in a hurry. If I'm late for work, I'll still get my pay docked!"

Everyone: Zhou Fang, you're really damn something!! Being a factory director, and you're so damn mean......

However, everyone had no choice; looking at the time, they could only quickly finish eating and prepare to go to work.

Song Qiushui couldn't help but frown and gave Zhou Fang a look: "Oh my, I was just saying you have a face that's asking for a beating. I'm telling you, you're really damn idle and looking for trouble. I'm telling you, now that you're a factory director, you're starting to bully others with your power? If you get more powerful in the future, won't the earth be destroyed?"

Zhou Fang smiled and didn't bother to explain for himself, just saying: "I'm just telling the truth. If you're late for work, you do get docked pay. Besides, I did queue normally. I'm just not afraid of being late......

Chai Mi had been busy for a while.

By the time the diners had mostly left, Chai Mi left only one portion of dumplings and cooked them separately for Zhou Fang.

"If you want to eat, just eat at my house. Why come here to queue? We've been old friends for over ten years; one meal, I can afford it. But I just took your money, so I won't give it to you. I added extra dumplings for you; try them, are they okay?"

Zhou Fang held the dumplings......

Somewhat affectedly, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped the table's soup clean, then put the bowl on the table.

The unique aroma of dumplings was actually faint; mainly, the taste would be stronger when eating.

Zhou Fang dipped in vinegar and took a bite.

Not greasy despite the oil, saltiness just right, and most importantly a special fragrance that made him unable to say why — it was just delicious.

Delicious to the point of explosion……

Zhou Fang missed his mother too……

Even though his mother was still alive……

But who ever stipulated that just because one's mother is still alive, one cannot miss her?

Zhou Fang had been out for several months and hadn't had a chance to speak with his family; in this era telephones weren't yet widespread, and his parents were busy, so constant contact was impossible.

Although Zhou Fang wasn't that much of a homebody, after eating these dumplings he indeed thought of his mother……

The corners of his eyes couldn't help but feel the urge to cry.

Truly, delicious enough to make one cry……

Zhou Fang had eaten Chai Mi's cooking before, but this was his first time eating her dumplings — he never expected them to be this bizarrely delicious……

Cough cough……

Zhou Fang sneakily wiped away his tears and began to wolf down the food.

Most of the workers had already gone to work anyway, the stall was left with practically only Zhou Fang, and he no longer cared about image or no image — he ate with none of his usual composure.

……

For several days in a row, Chai Mi's stall reaped a bountiful harvest, business was booming beyond measure — basically as soon as she set up the stall, the dumplings were snatched up by people……

The surrounding stall owners were furious but helpless……

In less than half a month, Chai Mi also earned nearly five thousand yuan.

Of course, the price was that she was nearly exhausted.

Morning.

"Not going out to set up the stall today?" Su Wan asked, looking at Chai Mi who hadn't gotten up early.

"No." Chai Mi shook her head: "I'm worn out completely. Can't sleep well, can't eat well — I couldn't hold out this half month. I need to rest two days."

Chai Mi had been busy for half a month and had lost a visible ring of weight. Although setting up the stall earned some money, this work is truly exhausting.

You have to know, in setting up a stall the most exhausting part is wrapping dumplings. You have to roll the wrappers and mix the filling — Chai Mi doing it alone is simply unbearably tiring.

Her mother Su Wan at home has to coax the child and occasionally helps chop the dumpling filling, but in the end Chai Mi doesn't dare let her mother Su Wan work too much.

Su Wan's health isn't too good; Chai Mi truly fears she'll work herself to a breakdown.

That would be a loss outweighing the gain.

"Chai Mi, why haven't you gotten up yet? Not going to the market fair today?" Chai Youqing asked from inside the room.

"Not going." Chai Mi said listlessly: "If you want to go to the market fair, you and my mother go. Anyway I'm not riding the bicycle anymore — use it however you like."

Chai Mi truly couldn't move a muscle.

"Ai, look at you making good money selling dumplings, but tired is tired — rest a bit then." Chai Youqing finally spoke a sentence of human speech.

Chai Mi didn't reply either.

Chai Mi baby was simply too tired to want to speak.

When a person is extremely tired, they absolutely don't want to quarrel — because when exhausted to that point, one doesn't even want to open one's mouth to speak.

"Your Old Aunt seems to be having her funeral tomorrow……" Chai Youqing suddenly said.

Chai Mi frowned, rolling her eyes: Hm?

Chai Chunfang is only having her funeral now?

How many days has it been since then.

Three months or not? Should be about right……

Now that Chai Chunfang is gone, what are they thinking? From summer they've dragged it all the way to autumn.

A few days ago Sun Shengyue was still babbling about going to play at Chai Chunfang's funeral; Chai Mi didn't take it seriously at the time — never expected that in a flash over half a month had passed……

So it turns out……

Chai Chunfang is only having her funeral now!

That's not just a matter of stinking — the flesh would have mostly fallen off, rotted through……

Chai Mi gasped: They really fucking don't treat Chai Chunfang as a human being!

Even the basic peace of burial is made this difficult.

Hard to bear!!!

Su Wan also said: "A few days ago the old man was crying and shouting that he wouldn't go; don't know what changed, he called a meeting with your dad and the three brothers — meaning they have to attend when Chai Chunfang's funeral happens. Your dad going or not doesn't matter, your Second Uncle's side has no objection either. The problem lies with your Third Uncle Chai You De…… Chai You De and your Third Aunt Che Lianyun don't want to go."

Su Wan gestured at her head: "Chai You De's brain pan is only just better. The other day I watched him — the wound on his brain pan has only just fully healed over."

"Hmph hmm hmph…… Chai Lao San is afraid that if he goes, Sun Shengyue will give him another brick to the head." Chai Mi said with a smile: "Right, did the savings office not give the old man trouble?"

Su Wan thought a moment: "Not too clear. These two days there's been no movement…… Who knows……"

"Chai Mi…… then you say, should I go or not?" Chai Youqing asked hesitantly from the outer room.

"You go to the market fair. Asking about useless stuff…… nothing's going on anyway — you want to go then go, don't want to go then don't. No big deal……" Chai Mi didn't think attending Chai Chunfang's funeral could cause any trouble.

Those few maggots of the old Sun family……

Just a few maggots, that's all.

The Chai family has numbers and strength — surely if it comes to a fight they wouldn't lose to just the three of them……

Last time it was purely because there were too many people, too chaotic. Otherwise, Chai You De wouldn't have gotten beaten……

Of course, the main reason Chai You De got beaten last time was still because his broken leg hadn't healed properly.

It's been two months since then; Chai You De has no ailments left, no injuries or sickness exist. Although within one year Chai You De suffered two major injuries, his vitality has been depleted almost entirely.

A couple days ago when Chai Mi ran into Chai You De, she felt Chai You De was very weak.

Not kidney deficiency.

It was simply that her body was extremely weak... as if she had aged more than a decade.

However, Chai You De's foundation was still there after all; even if Chai You De was weak again, if a fight broke out this time...

Sun Shengyue and Sun Yuguang, the two of them, grandfather and grandson, also couldn't beat Chai You De alone.

Chai Youqing answered from outside and went out to feed the cattle.

Chai Mi yawned and said, "Xiu'er, you watch the child, let Mom go cook."

Chai Xiu squinted her swollen eyes: "Ah... ah... okay... fine..."

Chai Mi frowned at Chai Xiu: "No, what did you go do yesterday? How come you're exhausted like this?"

Chai Xiu looked like she hadn't woken up properly for several days.

"Sister, you have to be decent as a person. You still have the nerve to ask me what I went and did? You get up at three-something every morning, chopping dumpling filling, clattering and clanging away. You think I'm our dad? He sleeps like a log, I can't sleep..." Chai Xiu looked utterly weary of life.

Chai Mi making dumplings was indeed already as quiet as possible, but the clattering and clanging was still unavoidable. The whole family's sleep quality was actually very poor...

Chai Mi had nothing to argue, just said: "Got it, I'll try to finish prepping in the first half of the night from now on. In the morning I'll just get up directly... but, Eldest Sister, I'm too sleepy, can't get up. You get up, honestly go watch the child."

Chai Xiu didn't move.

Chai Mi startled fully awake, then sat there and gave Chai Xiu a sidelong glare, leaning over and staring cross-eyed at Chai Xiu: "Xiu'er, did you get too much face..."

Chai Xiu scrambled up at once, instantly not sleepy anymore, didn't talk back either, honestly went to watch the third child.

Su Wan quickly and simply finished breakfast, using the method Chai Mi taught, beat two eggs, took last night's leftover millet rice and rice rice mixed together, and made egg fried rice. Then she went to the vegetable garden, picked a few not-too-big-not-too-small, misshapen tomatoes, and made a tomato scrambled egg...

By the time Chai Mi woke up again, washed up, and looked at the food on the table, she couldn't help but feel a bit dazed.

"No... Mom, you went all out with eggs? How come it's all eggs? We don't raise chickens at home, where did so many eggs come from?"

Su Wan smiled and said: "Your aunt came yesterday, sent over ten-odd catties of eggs. Forgot to tell you... your aunt, you know what she's like. Who knows how long these eggs have been stored, if we don't eat them, in a few days they'll probably go bad."

As Su Wan spoke, she couldn't help but glance at Chai Youqing: "You don't eat eggs... those few corn flour cakes, you eat those."