Chronicle of the 70s-Chapter 335 - 323: Crying and Fussing, Part 2

More than an hour later, at Old Mo Restaurant.

Now Old Mo Restaurant is packed with people. As living standards slowly improve, the number of customers has been increasing.

After ordering an extra portion of the braised beef in a jar for Mr. Li and the twins, Li Xianglu sat quietly, sipping the mushroom soup in front of her.

Iro glanced at Li Xianglu, who hadn’t changed much since their school days, and let out an almost imperceptible sigh. No one would guess that this woman, who looked as young as a girl, was already a mother of two and had nearly six years of marriage behind her. Among all the girls in their dorm, Li Xianglu must be the happiest.

Though she was adopted by Mr. Li, Li Huai Ren cherished her as if she were his own flesh and blood. What’s the difference between an adopted and a biological child? Then there’s Qin Xi, a looker with height, who graduated top of the law faculty.

She made her mark shortly after starting work and was almost fought over by the secretariat to be kept on.

Li Xianglu’s career is not bad either. Although she’s not in finance, she’s been promoted in the bank due to her capabilities, and has received multiple commendations for her achievements.

She’s also exceptional at giving birth, having twin sons on her first try; with the current family planning policies, everyone worries about having a girl for their firstborn. Even Lu Anna’s family was concerned because their daughter had a girl. Some people are just that fortunate.

Thinking this, Iro sighed again. People really shouldn’t be compared.

Watching Li Xianglu drink her mushroom soup, she softly said, "I got a divorce."

Li Xianglu raised her head, showing no surprise, and nodded, "Hmm, what are your plans now?"

Iro stared at Li Xianglu for a while before finally speaking, "What plans could I have? I’ve moved out now, and I’ve cut ties with my family."

Seeing Iro like this, Li Xianglu’s brows furrowed. After a while, she said, "My third brother is already married."

Hearing this, Iro let out a snort, picked up a piece of cream-grilled fish for Li Xianglu and said, "You think I want to destroy his family? You’re overthinking it. Didn’t we make it very clear last time? He has moved on a long time ago."

Li Xianglu didn’t know what to say to Iro, who looked so indifferent. Seeing her picking at her food with little appetite, she advised, "You should take care of yourself. Life is long. If you find it boring to stay in the country, why not travel abroad? It’s different from here."

Iro was slightly taken aback, "Go abroad?"

Li Xianglu nodded earnestly, "Yes. You could continue your studies, maybe go for a postgraduate degree overseas, and change your environment. After graduating, if you like it there, you can stay, or if you decide to return, you’ll have a high level of education and it won’t be difficult to find a good job."

Iro suddenly felt that Li Xianglu’s suggestion was really suitable for herself. She felt a mix of excitement and apprehension, as moving abroad wasn’t common for most people at that time.

Li Xianglu thought her proposal was quite good. Although the trend had just ended, and not many were going abroad, in the next ten years, it would become a craze. By then, it would be much more difficult. Moreover, Iro’s current mood was rather troubled, and she seemed to have lost her normal perspective on things. Perhaps changing her environment, where she wouldn’t be easily disturbed by those who knew her, could help her get back on her feet and become the Iro of the past.

After they parted, Li Xianglu felt much better, knowing that Iro said she would seriously consider it.

When she got home, it was Hu Zi who opened the door for her. He sighed with relief, "Oh, Sister Li, you’re finally back. Ba Yibao have been crying for a long time."

Hearing this, Li Xianglu didn’t ask why and quickly started to run back.

And just as she reached the living room entrance in the front courtyard, she heard the bell-like crying of the two children. Li Xianglu hurriedly lifted the curtain and went inside.

Mr. Li, who saw Li Xianglu first, quickly said to the two little ones, "Look, look quick, Mommy’s back."

The two little ones stopped their wailing instantly as they looked at Li Xianglu holding a porcelain jar, but they still had that intermittent, pitiful little look that was incredibly heart-wrenching.

Li Xianglu warmed herself by the cast iron stove until she felt her body and hands heat up a bit before she quickly walked over to the round couch. Both little ones were reaching out and calling for their mommy, sounding so aggrieved.

But Li Xianglu didn’t want to indulge these two, just because she came back a bit late and they’re causing such a fuss, what if she has to work overtime in the future? So she pulled over a stool to sit down and started to scold them: "Tell me, why are you crying?"

The two little ones didn’t get the comfort from their mother and were actually getting scolded, their mouths pouting as if they were about to cry again.

Su Yan’s heart couldn’t take it and she quickly stepped forward to hold Ba’er, then patted Li Xianglu’s shoulder, seeing her bare her teeth, she said: "Bad mommy, scolding the babies!"

Ba’er’s originally upset little face instantly turned into a surprised little expression. Ba Yi also stopped crying. Seeing this, Li Xianglu, who couldn’t bear to scold them because they were too young, picked up Ba Yi and comforted the two little ones for a long time.

She had called home in advance to let them know she was going out for dinner with Iro. The family had just finished eating, and Mr. Li opened the clay pot, finding the beef brisket still warm, he scooped out a bowl.

Su Yan then fed two pieces to each of the little ones. Old Mo Restaurant is a Russian restaurant, and this clay pot-stewed beef was slightly sweet and quite tender, which the two little ones enjoyed very much.

Seeing this, Su Yan said unhappily, "Didn’t you see? When Qin Xi came home, we just sat down for dinner, and the two of them kept looking left and right. Ba Yi is a smart one and called out ’Mommy.’ As soon as Ba’er heard ’Mommy,’ he started crying."

Li Xianglu said amusedly, "Maybe it’s because I usually come back around that time, and the two kids aren’t used to me not being back suddenly."

Helplessly shaking her head, Su Yan said, "No matter how good we are to them, it’s useless, they’re still closer to their own mommy, sigh."

With a smile, Li Xianglu teased Qin Xi, "Oh my, whose jar of vinegar tipped over? So sour."

Su Yan smacked Li Xianglu without good humor, chastising her for talking nonsense again.

Li Xianglu didn’t eat much at Old Mo, just as she was thinking of having some more food, Qin Xi said, "Change your clothes, let’s go out."

Li Xianglu raised her eyebrows, "It’s so late, where are we going?"

Smiling, Qin Xi said, "There’s an auction at Xu Wu’s friend’s place, private one. Both you and Grandma go, see if there’s anything you like."

A private auction, huh? Now that Qin Xi holds a public office, is it appropriate for her to go?

Seeing Li Xianglu’s hesitation, Mr. Li immediately waved his hands and said, "Go, go, if you see something you like, don’t buy it, let Grandma buy it."

So that works? Since Grandpa said it’s okay, then it must be okay, so she hurriedly changed her clothes and explained to the twins that she was going out and asked them to play nicely at home.

The two little ones were puzzled; if you told them you were going out, they would nod in confusion and wouldn’t make a fuss, just like when she and Qin Xi went shopping on weekends. If you say a word to the kids before leaving, and then leave, the two little ones won’t be upset. But if you just leave without a word and they find out, they would definitely cry and make a big fuss.