Chapter 140: It's not exactly a great invention; it's just... giving my wife everything

The next day.

Eight thirty.

Lu Yuan woke up.

That sleep really made up for what Lu Yuan had missed.

From yesterday afternoon at four or five until now, he slept for over ten hours straight.

As Lu Yuan got out of bed, stretched, and heard the crackling of his bones.

Lu Yuan's face showed an expression of extreme comfort.

Yeah, it's only natural to rest a bit once in a while.

After all, even a perfect physique needs to relax a bit.

As Lu Yuan thought about having gotten up an hour early today and wondering what to do.

The door was pushed open.

Then Lu Yuan saw his gorgeous, alluring wife walk in.

Huh?

Lu Yuan couldn't help but stare at his wife for a moment.

And Su Liyan spoke, her eyes full of joy:

"Brother~~ When did you wake up? I was washing clothes outside and didn't hear."

Hmm…

Lu Yuan blinked and said:

"Just woke up… Wife, you didn't go to work?"

Su Liyan was taken aback, then smiled and said:

"Brother~ You forgot, today is Sunday."

Lu Yuan blinked repeatedly, this…

Lu Yuan really didn't know that.

Lu Yuan only remembers the date so he can collect his wages; he wouldn't remember this.

But it's just…

What work-start day did the Threshing Machine Factory pick?

It just opened yesterday, and today they're already off for Sunday.

Lu Yuan went to the wall with the hanging calendar and took a look.

Yesterday's page hadn't been torn off yet, and Lu Yuan glanced at it.

Hmm… Indeed, yesterday was an auspicious day for opening work.

Well, I had originally thought of going out today, but since my wife is home, why would I go out?

Not going.

Today I'll just stay home and keep my wife company~

After Lu Yuan tore off yesterday's calendar page, he turned to Su Liyan beside him and smiled.

"You haven't eaten breakfast yet, have you?"

As long as it's Sunday and my wife isn't in a rush to go to work, she'll definitely wait for me to eat.

Whenever I get up, she'll eat with me.

And Su Liyan came up to Lu Yuan, helping him put on his clothes while nodding and saying:

"I'll wait for brother to eat together~"

Looking at his cute wife, Lu Yuan gave a hehe smile, then reached out and pinched Su Liyan's beautiful face, saying:

"How was it at the Threshing Machine Factory yesterday? Was the work tiring?"

Su Liyan smiled and said:

"It's not tiring at all. I'm doing quality control with Sister Liu, and the factory even gave Sister Liu a big office with several furnaces inside."

"Pretty much all the quality inspectors from the Bing Jia Chang have come over, and we're all in the same group~"

Hearing Su Liyan's words, Lu Yuan chuckled and said:

"Is it that everyone you're close with went over?"

While helping her man put on his clothes, Su Liyan curiously raised her head and said:

"Eh? Brother, how do you know?"

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and said:

"What is it that brother doesn't know?"

Seeing her man's expression, Su Liyan laughed, hugged him, and acted coquettishly, saying:

"Mmm~~ Brother, you're amazing, you know everything~"

What a coincidence—almost all the quality inspectors from Bing Jia Chang went to the Threshing Machine Factory.

And they all ended up in the same group at the Threshing Machine Factory.

That must have been Director Xu secretly arranging it.

Director Xu really is capable—no wonder he's a big leader; he really thinks things through.

This is him finding over a dozen bodyguards for my wife~

And that big office is also for her.

What's given to Sister Liu is also for my wife.

Hmm…

Tomorrow I'll find time to go thank Director Xu.

After Su Liyan buried her head in her husband's neck and acted coquettish for a moment, she continued to dress her husband.

Lu Yuan doesn't wear much at home—just a pair of socks, an undershirt and long underwear will do.

Anyway, he isn't going out.

After Su Liyan had finished dressing her husband, she went to serve the meal.

Lu Yuan, meanwhile, sat in the main hall like an old gentleman, legs crossed, looking completely at ease.

Soon after, when the meal was on the table, Lu Yuan, while eating the fried scallion pancakes his wife made, said:

"Today, our parents, aunt, third uncle and the rest have all gone back to the village, you know?"

Su Liyan blinked, then looked up at Lu Yuan and smiled, saying:

"I know—I saw them off this morning."

Lu Yuan nodded, guessing that it was yesterday when his wife was eating at his second uncle's shop that his mother-in-law had told her.

Lu Yuan still thought his wife didn't know.

Then Lu Yuan said:

"Is there anywhere you'd like to go play today? I'll take you, brother."

Su Liyan blinked, then quickly shook her head and said:

"Brother, let's not go out; there's a lot of stuff at home that needs washing and scrubbing. Before this..."

Saying this, Su Liyan felt a bit embarrassed; it had been over a week, almost two weeks, nearly half a month.

She had been eager for a child, and after coming home and finishing dinner each night, she would cling to her husband.

Many things hadn't been tidied up yet.

Such as everyday underwear, undershirts, socks, etc. —these small items are fine.

Su Liyan gets up half an hour earlier each day and washes those.

But there are some big items, like some pants, sweaters, etc.

Washing these things is troublesome; relying only on that little morning time definitely won't work.

So, there really are a lot of big clothes piled up at home that need washing.

Just now, Su Liyan went outside, fetched water, and soaked those piled-up clothes.

After this meal with her husband, Su Liyan will go wash clothes.

Moreover, Su Liyan today wants to wash even more things.

Su Liyan also wants to take down the curtains later to wash them; the curtains are just a few pieces of cloth, and after washing they can be hung up in the warm house and will be dry by night.

Also the stove; these days they haven't really eaten at home, so they haven't gone into the kitchen much.

It's all covered in dust.

Also need to take out the bedding, pillows, pillowcases, etc., to air them.

Today's weather is really great.

But today there are really a lot of things to do.

If Su Liyan doesn't wash these things today, she'll really be miserable.

If this were talked about in the village, she'd be seen as the lazy daughter-in-law everyone gossips about.

Lu Yuan blinked.

Hmm...

This life isn't all romance and poetry; there's also rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea.

In that case, forget it; I'll just stay home honestly.

After all, going out to play in the dead of winter is actually quite foolish.

After all, outside is just a barren expanse, with nothing fun to do.

Except for freezing, what else is there to do?

Immediately, Lu Yuan nodded and said:

"Alright, then we'll just stay home today."

After the meal, Su Liyan took the plates, bowls, etc., to the sink to soak.

Then she started washing clothes outside.

And today the Siheyuan is basically like this.

Everyone, taking advantage of the good weather, took out the clothes that needed washing to wash them, and took out the bedding, pillows, etc., to air them.

As for why the other women in the courtyard don't go to work, they also store clothes to wash on Sunday.

What else could it be?

Because on Sunday their husbands get off work.

They've done all the work in the first six days, and rest on Sunday.

Then on Sunday their husbands wouldn't see them working, would they?

Of course, there's also a different situation in the Siheyuan: Pang Kaige's household.

In Pang Kaige's household, Pang Kaige does the chores while Wang Yulan doesn't lift a finger.

At this moment, Pang Kaige saw that all the women in the back courtyard were tidying up, so he, the only man, came out to scrub bowls and dishes.

Especially seeing that Su Liyan, who goes to work, also came out to wash clothes and dishes, made Pang Kaige feel angry inside.

"Why the hell?!"

"Why is it that in other families women do the work, but here it's me doing the work?"

Even though he says his wife's natal family... but he's still unhappy.

Lu Yuan didn't go out; he just put on autumn clothes and trousers—going out would be cold.

After eating, Lu Yuan moved around inside the house and then went to the window.

He watched his wife sitting on a small stool, leaning against the wall corner of his house, then scrubbing the clothes in a large iron tub in front of her.

Seeing this, Lu Yuan couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

So much stuff...

At home, Lu Yuan is a hands-off manager—doing nothing and managing nothing.

Suddenly seeing so many things gathered together, today he wants to get them all done.

Although he didn't do it himself, Lu Yuan still felt a tingling on his scalp.

Then he watched Su Liyan's tender little hands soaking in the water...

Of course, it's not all cold water; there's also a warm kettle placed nearby.

His wife is simple but not stupid.

When it rains, she knows to run home.

When the water gets cold, she knows to add hot water.

But... it's still cold.

After all, washing clothes isn't just sitting here to wash; after scrubbing here, she has to move to the washbasin to start rinsing.

She must rinse off all the soap suds and detergent suds.

Otherwise...

Just like washing socks: if not cleaned properly, once dry they become stiff as a board, like a salted fish that can stand on its own.

For rinsing, hot water isn't used; she has to keep putting water in the washbasin, constantly using that icy cold water that feels like it could freeze the bones, rinsing vigorously.

How to describe that water...

When Lu Yuan went out to brush his teeth in the morning, he had to mix hot water into his toothbrush cup.

Otherwise, holding that mouthful of cold water, Lu Yuan felt his whole body frozen.

Looking at his wife's tender little hands, Lu Yuan saying he doesn't feel sorry is false.

Speaking of which...

Back then, when he took a liking to his wife, there were those system matters and those label matters.

But more...

It was still lust at first sight.

Honestly, before that, Lu Yuan and Su Liyan had no feelings.

After all... nonsense, the two of them, on the first day they met, Lu Yuan already got engaged to his wife.

In such a short time, how could Lu Yuan possibly have any feelings for Su Liyan?

Put nicely, Lu Yuan fell in love at first sight; put bluntly, it was lust at first sight.

So, after Su Liyan married in, having her wait on him, he really doesn't feel sorry.

I'll give you good food and drink; you just have to work hard and serve me.

This is natural and proper.

The whole Great Zhou Dynasty is like this.

But now, after so long, Lu Yuan is not a cold-blooded animal.

He and Su Liyan have long since developed genuine feelings; this is called marrying first, then falling in love.

Seeing this scene now, he still feels a bit sorry.

What to do about feeling a bit sorry?

Go out to help Su Liyan wash clothes?

Impossible!

Lu Yuan still says that as a man, he absolutely cannot do any work.

Unless his wife is pregnant or ill, otherwise it's always his wife serving him.

Otherwise, why marry a wife?

Feeling sorry is feeling sorry, but men are men.

Doing this kind of work, if word gets out, people will laugh themselves to death.

Just look at Pang Kaige—though he seems pretty full of himself around here, he married Wang Yulan, whose family is well-off.

In this courtyard, it seems Lu Yuan is first, he is second.

Then everyone behind his back doesn't know how to laugh at Pang Kaige.

Lu Yuan stood at the window, pondering, then...

The next second, Lu Yuan put on his trousers, shoes, coat, and scarf.

He pushed open the door and walked out, saying:

"Wife, don't fuss with the things in this tub; just soak them. First tidy up the house, then when it's done, cook and wait for me to come back for dinner."

Lu Yuan said while going to lead the horse.

Eh?

Su Liyan sat on the stool, somewhat dazed.

And Lu Yuan, after saying that, hurriedly led the horse out the door.

At this moment, the other aunties in the courtyard, after Lu Yuan left, looked at Su Liyan with some indignation and said:

"Su Liyan, don't listen to him; he can't tidy the house. Now the weather is fine, so you must hurry to wash the clothes, in case it changes this afternoon."

"Exactly, exactly; if the weather changes this afternoon and you go wash then, you'll freeze to death."

"Su Liyan, don't listen to your man, hurry up and finish washing and tidying, then just rest. He does no work at all, just opens his mouth, and he's even giving orders now."

"The auntie in the back courtyard was so angry she couldn't catch her breath."

"You, Lu Yuan, don't know shit."

"Can you do any work?!"

"All you do is eat then sleep, or sleep then eat; every bit of work and livelihood is done by Su Liyan, and now you're even giving orders!"

"Isn't Su Liyan better at work than you?!"

"He doesn't even know to help his wife with some chores at home on his day off."

"All he knows is to go out and have fun."

"Even though her husband never does any work on regular days, at the very least on his day off he could wash his own clothes and help wring them out, so the clothes would dry faster."

"Lu Yuan just went out to have fun like that, so how is Su Liyan supposed to wring out her clothes by herself later?"

"Everyone, while talking, thought they needed to hurry up and wash the clothes."

"Don't let it happen that after Su Liyan finishes washing, she can't find anyone to help wring and has to do it herself."

"After blinking, Su Liyan didn't listen to those people's words; she just smiled, lifted the big basin in front of her, and said:"

""I listen to my husband~""

"Having said that, Su Liyan carried the big basin into the house."

"Seeing this, the many aunties couldn't help but shake their heads."

"Oh, Su Liyan..."

"She's really stupid to the core..."

"But then again, if she weren't stupid, could she have married this bastard?"

"Everyone thinks, don't look at Lu Yuan being rich now, but Su Liyan hasn't enjoyed much blessing either."

"It's not like they have the courtyard's first sewing machine, or sleep on very expensive soft dream-thought bedding, or now every meal they can eat big meat."

"What's the big deal about that?"

"Nobody is the slightest bit envious or jealous."

"How much do you eat, and how much work do you do?"

"Even though we usually only eat mixed flour, we don't have to do this much work."

"Yeah, a little envious, not at all…… gurgle…… hungry."

"……"

"At that moment, Lu Yuan rode his horse, whip in hand, all the way to Bing Jia Chang."

"Now all the factories have knocked off work; Bing Jia Chang has no one, but the gatekeeper old man and the on-duty leader are still there."

"After Lu Yuan greeted them, he went straight in."

"To Lu Yuan, Bing Jia Chang is just like his own home; he can come and go as he pleases."

"Lu Yuan went to the leader's duty room, told the on-duty leader he wanted to use the workshop, then"

"then went straight to the workshop."

"The leader was taken aback, then hurriedly followed, and while following Lu Yuan, he asked curiously:"

""Lu Yuan, what big invention are you cooking up now?""

"Lu Yuan glanced back at the leader, then gave a hehe smile and said:"

""It's not a big invention, just a hand-crank washing machine for my wife.""

"Thanks to the older brother who snatched your lollipop for 1500 book coins, thank you very much~"

"Thanks to older brother Dajian 007 for 500 book coins, thank you very much~"

"Thanks to older brother Shuyou 20190217 for 500 book coins, thank you very much~"

"Thanks to older brother Chi Mei for 588 book coins, thank you very much~"

"Thanks to older brother C for 300 book coins, thank you very much~"

"Thanks to Qing Yan Hua, Gan Dong Shenghuo, Hu Wu Ke Lian, and Demon, four older brothers for 100 book coins, thank you very much~"

"Having a meal while writing the next chapter~"

""

""

"(End of chapter)"