Chronicle of the 70s-Chapter 393 - 368: Fighting

Because it was raining, Li Xianglu stewed mutton, made Water Basin Mutton, cooled mixed vermicelli with bean sprouts, and also cooked a dish of spicy sheep head meat.

Water Basin Mutton is quite convenient. Boiled mutton is sliced into 0.5 cm thick pieces, briefly scalded with cellophane noodles and placed in a bowl, sprinkled with seasonings, green onions, or garlic sprouts, and finally topped with piping hot mutton broth.

However, making the bread into those hollow crescent shapes is a bit more troublesome, but Sister Su is an expert in baking them. While Li Xianglu was scalding the meat, Sister Su had already made a dozen of them.

Everyone thought it was just a normal family meal, but who knew Li Xianglu would serve mutton. That was really generous; after all mutton is considered a delicacy.

The room was bustling in no time. The old man even broke out his vintage wine, serving a cup to everyone except for Chou Xue, who doesn’t drink.

Zhang Dahu was particularly moved, saying he hadn’t expected Director Li to be not only capable at work but also an excellent cook. He repeatedly told Wang Yanan to take note and learn to cook tasty meals for him.

Li Xianglu watched everyone with a smile, not worried since the twins and the old man were eating together. She then turned to look at Chou Xue, suddenly puzzled, she asked: "Chou Xue, why have you left so much? Does it not suit your taste?"

Chou Xue gave an awkward smile and shook her head: "No, it tastes really good, it’s just that I don’t really like mutton."

Li Xianglu showed an apologetic expression: "Sorry about that, I should have asked you beforehand, didn’t realize you don’t eat mutton. Let me make something else for you, what would you like to eat?"

Chou Xue quickly shook her head: "No worries, it’s too much trouble. I am full already; the bread was really tasty!"

Li Xianglu sincerely apologized: "It was really careless of me not to ask. I’m not very good at cooking other dishes; I only do well with mutton, so I thought I’d cook it for everyone to try. I even had grandpa buy it in advance. It’s truly unfortunate."

Han Xuemei and her daughter, having finished their mutton soup, were sweating but complimented: "Oh, what a pity, Director Li’s mutton soup is absolutely superb, no gamey taste at all, both fresh and tender, too bad for Chou Xue."

Chou Xue, looking somewhat stiff, poured the meat and the soup from her bowl to Gao Kang’s and looked apologetically at everyone.

After the meal, everyone sat down to drink tea. When Li Xianglu returned to the living room, she noticed Chou Xue looking around and couldn’t help asking: "What’s up Chou Xue, saw something interesting?" 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Chou Xue shook her head, smiling gently: "No, just wondering, where is Director Li’s spouse? It’s quite an intrusion for us to come over so suddenly."

Li Xianglu smiled and shook her head: "Not an intrusion at all, we are all colleagues. It’s just this one time, no need to be so formal. My husband is away on business and will be back late."

Everyone was aware that Director Li’s spouse was a senior leader in the County Committee, usually not sucking up but still quite revered, and they were curious to see what such a leader is like at home.

While everyone was chatting, Qin Xi walked in. Li Xianglu quickly went to greet him, and, casually placing his briefcase on the cabinet at the entrance, introduced him to everyone present.

Everyone was slightly stunned by Qin Xi’s tall and handsome appearance, especially Wang Yanan who even blushed. Before Qin Xi arrived in the county, her uncle had mentioned that the new secretary was a young man. Originally, she thought she was single and could get along with the secretary, hoping to eventually become his wife, and the most prominent woman in the county. However, who would have thought that he already had a wife and child?

Previously, he was only seen from afar, either from the back or the side, but seeing him in person for the first time, she hadn’t expected him to be so handsome and tall. Thinking of her previous plans made her face flush.

Qin Xi greeted everyone politely, invited them to sit and talk, and then he went to the kitchen. Li Xianglu apologetically told everyone she would be out to help Qin Xi with a bowl of lamb soup, then took out two warm pancakes.

While eating, Qin Xi made a gesture towards the living room, to which Li Xianglu slightly shook her head.

After the children were full, they ran out to the yard to play again. Wang Yanan’s cousin’s son was a chubby boy, spoiled as the youngest child, and somewhat domineering. Initially, he was unfamiliar with the others, but after playing together for an afternoon, he got bolder.

The twins had a pair of small cars, made of fine steel and painted models, very delicately realistic, with doors that could open and could slide back and forth.

They each had one of the ride-on cars, one red and one black.

They usually loved to take them out and race in the sand pit with Gu Niannian. The kids played well, racing in pairs, and the loser would switch out.

But when the chubby boy lost, he refused to accept defeat, grabbed a ride-on car, and started playing alone. Gu Niannian was never one to refrain from hitting someone older or younger; courtesy depended entirely on his mood. He was truly a naughty kid.

When the chubby boy took the ride-on car, it happened to be Ba’er’s red one. Ba’er and Gu Niannian were almost the same type of naughty kid. Ba’er immediately grabbed the chubby boy’s short hair to retrieve his ride-on car.

The chubby boy, in pain, pushed Ba’er to the ground, and Ba’er cried out loudly, though it was more noise than harm.

Seeing this, Gu Niannian grabbed the chubby boy’s arm and bit him hard, using all his might as evident from the chubby boy’s screams.

Almost everyone in the house rushed out, and as Li Xianglu ran out, she paused slightly, tilting her head toward the last person in the room, her lips curling into a smile when she saw who it was.

The grandparents, doting on their grandchild, started walking out as soon as Ba’er cried, worried he was being bullied.

When the chubby boy was rescued, he was already crying his eyes out. Seeing Wang Yanan was like seeing a lifesaver; he hugged his aunt’s arm and wailed.

Gu Niannian, a cunning spirit, seeing everyone looking at the chubby boy’s wound, quickly shouted, "This fatty pushed Ba’er down and stole our car! I couldn’t beat him, so I bit him. It was self-defense!"

If it wasn’t for the awkward situation, Li Xianglu thought she would die laughing. The little rascal even knew about self-defense!

Wang Yanan also knew her cousin was quite mischievous, and seeing the deep bite marks, she felt helpless. What to do now!