Her Cultivation Diary-Chapter 1916 - 1707: Men Who Act Cute Have It Easier
Although everyone was fooling around taking pictures and finding the best angles, there were still about twenty people here.
By the time the sky darkened, the boat was already loaded with three baskets of water chestnuts, not to mention a whole large basket of water chestnut stalks.
These city folks really know how to work; even the kids have energy!
Song Tan quickly said, "No more picking, no more. We’re just doing this for fun. It’s a shame if we pick too many and can’t finish them."
Hearing that it was time to head back, the adults, who had almost finished playing, quickly gathered their kids. Watching the kids paddling deeper with their swimming rings like little frogs, they also hurried into the water to catch up with them.
Meanwhile, the dads held the kids by their armpits, regardless of whether they were boys or girls, and gave them a few turns in the river.
The moms on the side were anxious: "Is that how you clean the kids?"
They’ll be stepping and soaking in muddy water; it’s not enough to just swish them around a bit. After a few times, they’re still covered with waterweed.
So Lun Chuan obligingly brought the boat over. The moms sat on the small boat and scrubbed their kids’ legs in the water until they were satisfied:
"This way, it’ll be easier to bathe when we get back."
Off we go!
The sun set in the west, and the river sparkled with golden waves, reflecting the last rays of the sun. Everyone returned home fully loaded, feeling especially joyous.
...
When they got back, Master Chai was stunned at the sight.
This, this!
He complained, "This is just meant for occasional fresh enjoyment, but if you needed to pick, you should have done it earlier. Now it’s dark, and you’ve brought back such a big pile. No time to prepare it tonight; tomorrow it’ll be wasted!"
After eating his food for a few days, everyone had become very confident in his cooking. They respectfully said, "No rush, Master Chai. You tell us how to prepare it; there are plenty of us."
Master Chai looked at the crowd—there were indeed many people, about twenty, and they ate quite a lot. After just a few days, his cooking had become less refined.
Oh no! At this rate, he’ll be unprepared when he returns to Changleju.
So he picked up a water chestnut stalk and said, "It’s not hard; it’s just like peeling string beans. Just peel off the tough outer skin."
While demonstrating, he chewed on the stalk he’d just peeled—
Raw eating had a bit of flavor but wasn’t outstanding; it probably wouldn’t be good stir-fried: "How about a sour and spicy stir-fry?"
Upon hearing this, the stalks weren’t even prepared, and everyone’s mouths were already watering: "Sure, sure, Master Chai, you get busy; we’ll take care of this!"
The men willingly moved small stools to sit in front of the large basket, ready to try their hand at the task. The moms, seeing the children still lively and energetic—forget it, they scrubbed them quickly, changed them into dry clothes, and let them run wild. They’d deal with them at night.
Everyone was bustling about, eager to prepare something tasty for dinner. Nobody was idle.
Yet Lun Chuan had faith in Qiaoqiao. Since he said it wouldn’t taste as good as sweet potato stalks, it probably wouldn’t. He leisurely sat on the rattan chair, picking up a water chestnut.
The water chestnut was tender and easily peeled with a bit of effort, far less troublesome than the older ones.
When peeled, the water chestnut’s green or slightly red shell revealed the small white kernel. Tiny and smaller than a broad bean, it tasted sweet and crisp when popped into the mouth—different from a tender chestnut.
"Not bad," he commented, then went to the kitchen to fetch a large bowl, sitting under the light and concentrating on peeling.
Qin Yun had been focused on peeling water chestnut stalks. These long and slender things took up little space, and after a long while, the large basket still seemed untouched!
And he saw that the stainless steel basin, surrounded by a group of men, had only a shallow layer at the bottom...
This wouldn’t be nearly enough! Got to work harder!
From the door came some noise, and he heard his wife’s voice. As he turned to greet her, he saw several young women crowding at the door, whispering and glancing toward Lun Chuan.
Looking at Lun Chuan, also working, but with clothes dried from the river, now in slippers, sitting like a kitchen helper.
Meanwhile, Lun Chuan sat under the light, apparently freshly bathed and changed, his jade-like skin warm in the light, his long fingers clearly defined as he peeled water chestnuts.
The glow of a beauty under the lamp, nothing more.
Then turning to his wife:... Well, the three helpers’ hearts felt sour.
Isn’t it life’s unfairness? Youth isn’t deceived by poverty, but by unattractiveness.
Qin Yun cleared his throat: "Chuan Er, you see, I’ve picked all night; why don’t you let me taste one of your water chestnut kernels?"
After saying this and just about to flash a proud look at his wife, the three young moms frowned and drew their necks back, creating double chins.
Though silent, their faces clearly said [disgusted]. Looking at his wife, she seemed even more embarrassed.
They whispered, "Men can really act spoiled...tsk tsk tsk."
"Yes, they’re like that. My husband has heart-to-heart talks with his friends, laughing and talking till three or four in the morning..."
"Don’t mention it. Last time, a friend of his broke up, and he went to accompany him for dinner and drinks, moved to a BBQ stand, played cards, spent thousands and came back cheerful, saying his buddy deserves better..."
The young men:... It’s the end of the world!
They were just valuing brotherhood. What was wrong with that?
Besides!
Qin Yun looked again at Lun Chuan:
"Chuan Er?"
Why not answer? Give me a water chestnut kernel to save brotherly face.
Lun Chuan didn’t even lift his head: "Are you serious? My girlfriend spent half a day with you, and didn’t even take a single water chestnut."
Although they could pick a few at the riverside every evening, which wasn’t a novelty anymore—he was shelling them for Tan Tan anyway.
Looking at Qin Yun’s sunburned and sweaty face under the light...
Lun Chuan paused: "I won’t join you for dinner tonight; I’m going to Tan Tan’s house."
He didn’t utter a word, but the disdain was evident. Indeed, Song Tan hadn’t taken a single water chestnut, and even when they offered some of the stalks, Qiaoqiao shook her head and ran off quickly.
Qin Yun grunted, "Fine, don’t give me one. My wife will shell them for me."
Just then, He Kuang turned around and shouted, "Honey, these water chestnuts are tough to shell. Once I’m done here, I’ll shell them for you tonight."
Yun Feng added, "Tidying up the kids is quite tiring too. You go take a nap; I’ll call you when dinner’s ready."
Qin Yun: ??? What? You guys?!
He turned his head again, and sure enough, his wife rolled her eyes, grabbed their child, and sat in front of the water chestnut basket:
"Oh dear, poor mommy; no one will shell the chestnuts for her. Baby, will you shell one for mommy?"
