Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle-Chapter 1028 - 500: Scammer (Part 8)_2

Gong Liang waved his hand, taking a few deep breaths: "I can't walk, these coconuts are full of water, too heavy. Just dragging these two sacks of coconuts off the train nearly cost me half my life. I specifically called someone to pick me up a few days ago, just wait for them to arrive."

"You kid, looking down on this retired old man, huh? Haven't you heard? Before I entered the sales department, I was a porter unloading goods at the factory; I've got strength to spare, just two bags of fruit..." Mr. Chen said, taking the two bags of coconuts from Gong Liang, trying to prove he's still got it.

As soon as he picked up one bag, Mr. Chen silently put it down.

"It's true, you can't do heavy manual labor when you're older. Have you heard about Mr. Li from logistics? Last week, he insisted on moving a bed at home and strained his back, ended up in the hospital and may need surgery—such suffering and a waste of money. Xiao Gong, how many people did you call for help? It can't be moved back without three or four people."

Gong Liang laughed heartily.

Gong Liang and Mr. Chen waited at the train station for seven or eight minutes until the coconut carriers arrived.

Zheng Da, Huang Shengli, and a few neighbors—the two sacks of coconuts were heavy, but with many people sharing the load, it was manageable. Zheng Da didn't quite understand why Gong Liang traveled so far by boat and train just to bring back two sacks of hard-shell fruit. While carrying, he complained:

"Gong Liang, what were you thinking? Others come back from trips with radios and TVs, or at least a couple of pieces of clothing. You, on the other hand, lug back two sacks of fruit."

Gong Liang rolled his eyes, exasperated: "I'm not in Guangdong Province picking up radios for you. You should be grateful for coconuts. Have you ever seen a coconut? Tomorrow's Mid-Autumn Festival, are you eating at home or coming to my place?"

"Going to your place," Zheng Da blurted out without thinking, "I've now got a full-time position; I'm a pastry chef. The state owned restaurant is selling fresh meat mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival; I don't have time to go home for dinner. Besides, my family wouldn't wait for me to eat at home, not even during New Year's, let alone Mid-Autumn."

"Even if there's food left, they wouldn't save anything good for me. If there's any red-braised pork left, I'd be lucky to get some broth to mix with rice."

"...if you hadn't pilfered so many food, sugar, and cloth tickets from home a few years back, maybe your parents would be willing to save you a couple of pieces of meat."

"How can taking things from home be called stealing?"

Huang Shengli, who had been silently carrying coconuts, finally couldn't resist chiming in as he listened to Gong Liang and Zheng Da's conversation: "Zheng Da, you can talk while helping, can't you? Your hands haven't even touched the bags!"

Zheng Da chuckled, stopped slacking off, and joined in the work.

Mr. Chen, holding two big coconuts in his arms, looked at the young people joking and quarreling, feeling genuinely happy. As he finished chatting with Gong Liang, he joined in to continue their conversation.

From the somewhat content-rich chats between the two, Qin Huai roughly figured out the timeline. This was the point in time when Gong Liang, after experiencing life's lowest ebbs, was about to reach his first peak.

Last year, Gong Liang completed two major life events, a promotion and marriage. His father's condition had also improved, transitioning from being completely bedridden to being able to occasionally walk a few steps, though he still couldn't fully care for himself, it was much better than before.

After marrying Guo Mingzhu, Gong Liang didn't move out to live. Housing allocations were tight these days; living in a company dormitory wasn't as good as staying at home. Public grain and Guo Mingzhu were rare single children in this era, so living at home was more spacious.

Due to his job, Gong Liang was on business trips for about eight months out of the year. Though newlyweds usually see each other less frequently, which could lead to considerable family conflict, Guo Mingzhu was conveniently in a rising career phase. As a dancer, she was in her career's peak. Despite being married, she didn't want to have children too soon, so Gong Liang's frequent business trips suited her perfectly.

Moreover, Gong Liang's parents weren't in a rush to push for grandchildren. Mr. Gong was in a critical recovery phase, and Mrs. Gong devoted all her energy to him. If Guo Mingzhu got pregnant now, the old couple wouldn't have time to care for a child.

Guo Mingzhu's parents adored their daughter. Since she wasn't keen on having children early and her in-laws weren't pressuring either, they were happy with this arrangement. Moreover, when Gong Liang wasn't in Gusu, Guo Mingzhu would stay at her parent's house. Mr. and Mrs. Guo were too happy to even think about urging them to have kids.

This extraordinary couple ended up living a leisurely life that many young couples of future decades could only dream of.

Mr. Chen, after hearing this, couldn't help but exclaim in amazement: "I was wondering, you two have been together for some years now. From getting married last year till now, there's been no sign of Mingzhu being pregnant, and neither family seems anxious. I was even speculating if one of you had a health issue, thinking whether to recommend a doctor or not."

"Young people these days are really incomprehensible." Mr. Chen shook his head.

Gong Liang, smiling, said: "It's mainly my fault; I'm out on business trips all year. My mom also told me to stay home more often, but I just became a division head, didn't I? You and Vice Factory Director Li went through so much trouble recommending me to the leaders. I didn't want to let you down; I have to produce some results."

"You..."

While Gong Liang chatted with Mr. Chen, Qin Huai noticed Zheng Da constantly winking at Huang Shengli, seemingly trying to communicate something through eye signals. However, Huang Shengli completely ignored him, focusing solely on the coconuts, causing a young man who was equally puzzled while carrying coconuts to ask Zheng Da if he had a twitchy eyelid, making Zheng Da so upset that he didn't speak to Huang Shengli for the rest of the journey.

The train station wasn't too far from Gong Liang's house. When they arrived home, Gong Liang reminded everyone not to forget to come over in the evening to pick up some coconuts. Besides the coconuts, he had brought back some other Qiong Province specialties, which he'd give to everyone as well.