Chapter 532: Angelica of Versailles

Chapter 532: Angelica of Versailles

When the two arrived at Liu Guifang's house, Instructor Yang and his son had just returned from playing ball.

The father and son, both covered in sweat, walked side by side, chatting and laughing.

Upon seeing Lu Ye and Bai Zhi, Instructor Yang smiled and said, "Old Lu, Little Bai, Happy New Year, please come in."

"Happy New Year."

Instructor Yang noticed what Lu Ye was carrying and frowned. "Look at you neighbors, what are you doing carrying that?"

Lu Ye said, "It's just a small token of my appreciation."

"No, take the things home and put them down before coming back." Instructor Yang was very principled and resolutely refused to accept gifts.

Lu Ye looked at Bai Zhi with a helpless expression.

It means she should persuade Lao Yang.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to lift it in at all.

Bai Zhi could only step forward and speak with a smile.

"Instructor Yang, how could we come empty-handed during the New Year? If you don't accept our gifts, we'll turn back and not come back. We can't have this meal together. My wife and I would feel bad about eating and drinking for free during the New Year."

After Bai Zhi finished speaking, she gave a haughty look, took Lu Ye's arm, and turned to leave.

Instructor Yang laughed, "Sister-in-law, you've got a sharp tongue. I can't argue with you. Take it in."

Yang Kai was quick-witted and took the things from Lu Ye's hands, saying, "Uncle Lu, let me take them."

Upon entering Instructor Yang's home, Liu Guifang, wearing an apron, was busy in the kitchen. Hearing the commotion, she came out and warmly greeted them.

Yang Kai handed the things in his hand to his mother, saying, "These were given to me by my Uncle Lu and Aunt Bai Zhi."

Seeing the fish and fruit, Liu Guifang felt embarrassed. "Xiaobai, why are you being so polite? We're all neighbors, just having a meal together. You even have to bring things."

"It would be impolite for us to come in empty-handed during the Chinese New Year."

Bai Zhi followed Liu Guifang into the kitchen to help.

Bai Zhi looked surprised when she saw so many things prepared on the cutting board.

Liu Guifang said, "My husband, Lao Yang, also invited Political Commissar Zhang and Xiao Wei. Political Commissar Zhang is taking care of the child alone, and his house is quite quiet during the Spring Festival. We invited him to have a meal together, but we didn't invite anyone else. He said it's just a small gathering of a few close comrades, which is also a way to celebrate the New Year."

"Xiaobai, look how much rice I steamed, is it enough?"

Bai Zhi glanced into the pot and said, "That should be enough."

Liu Guifang then introduced to her, "I cooked a chicken. I was going to give some to the neighbors, but there are only two chickens. There are too many neighbors, so I can't give them all to them. Today, we'll cook one so everyone can sit together and taste it. I won't give any away."

As Bai Zhi listened to Liu Guifang's words and looked at her simple and unpretentious face, she truly liked this older sister from the bottom of her heart.

She is truly simple and warm-hearted.

Liu Guifang sighed, "Old Zhou and Yumei have both gone home, so they're out of luck with the food."

"However, she took one of my chickens, but she's already had her fill."

"Let's cook this fish too, but I'm not very good at cooking fish." Liu Guifang smiled at Bai Zhi, "Xiao Bai, I'll have to let you show off your skills."

Bai Zhi replied, "Okay, you stew the chicken first, and I'll prepare the fish."

Bai Zhi knew that Liu Guifang hadn't bought many New Year's goods this year, as her family's ingredients were mostly dried goods.

For example, she brought out the dried eggplants and dried chilies she had dried in the fall, as well as the vermicelli and dried wood ear mushrooms she had bought.

However, in Bai Zhi's opinion, these dishes, when prepared together, are much more refreshing and delicious than those heavy meat dishes.

But in this day and age, it's naturally better to have plenty of meat and fish, as they're rich in oil and fat.

After all, current living conditions haven't reached the point where city dwellers crave wild vegetables.

The two were cooking and chatting in the kitchen when they heard Political Commissar Zhang arrive with his son.

Upon seeing Lu Ye there, Zhang Political Commissar's son, Xiao Wei, first inquired about Bai Zhi.

Instructor Yang chuckled and joked, "Your angel aunt is in the kitchen."

"I'll go take a look."

Xiao Wei ran into the kitchen, stood at the kitchen door, and called out in a clear voice, "Auntie Angel!"

Bai Zhi responded with a rather awkward "yes".

It's all her fault; she insisted on talking to the child about angels in white...

The kid remembered it.

Liu Guifang pretended to be angry, "Xiaowei, you only call your 'Angel Auntie' but not me?"

Xiao Wei tilted his head back, his eyes shining. "Auntie, of course I'll call you that. In my eyes, you're just like my mom. We're so familiar with each other that I'm a little informal."

Liu Guifang clicked her tongue twice, "Listen to this kid's eloquence, how can he be so good at talking? No wonder he was trained by the political commissar."

"Have a piece of meat, and see if it's cooked."

Liu Guifang put a small piece of chicken in his mouth so he could taste whether it was raw or cooked. Xiao Wei chewed the meat and kept saying how delicious it was.

She laughed and said, "Go find your little Kai brother to play first, I'll call you when the food is ready."

"Thank you, Auntie."

After Xiaowei ran out, Liu Guifang couldn't help but sigh again, "This child is so cute, yet so pitiful. Sigh."

She said regretfully, "If only his mother were still alive. She used to be a model citizen in our compound. She was very kind and helpful. She would treat anyone who had a headache or fever."

“I had only been here for three months when I heard the news of her sacrifice. I really had a hard time accepting that fact at the time.”

As Liu Guifang recalled the past, she became sentimental again.

Bai Zhi patted her shoulder and comforted her, "Sister-in-law, don't talk about such sad things during the New Year."

This topic is too heavy, and Bai Zhi always feels a conditioned reflex of fear when she hears the word "sacrifice".

I can't help but think of Lu Ye, Ye Qingbai, and even Gu Jingyi, whose whereabouts are still unknown.

For her, that word was taboo.

"Okay, I won't say anymore." Liu Guifang wiped away her tears and forced a smile. "That's just how I am. I have low tear ducts and I can't help but cry easily. If my husband Yang sees this, he'll scold me again."

Outside, three men were chatting about work when Liu Guifang called out, "Let's eat!"

Instructor Yang quickly tidied up the table.

Liu Guifang went outside and called Yang Kai and Xiao Wei in.

The two children's eyes widened when they saw the table full of delicious food.

My mouth is watering.

Stewed chicken and braised fish—it's been so long since I've had these dishes!

Yang Kai couldn't remember when he last ate fish.

It seems like I've forgotten what fish tastes like after all this time.

The children, though eager for the food, still waited patiently for the adults to sit down. After they finished their polite conversation with their drinks, Instructor Yang announced, "Let's start eating."

Yang Kai and Xiao Wei then picked up their chopsticks.

But they didn't rush to pick up the food. They waited until the adults took their first bite before eagerly picking up the meat to eat.

Liu Guifang gave each of them a chicken leg, saying, "Here, you two eat more."

"Xiaobai, you eat too."

Bai Zhi ate too much meat last night, and she still feels like she hasn't fully digested it.

She wasn't very interested in meat.

But Liu Guifang was incredibly enthusiastic, constantly putting meat on her plate.

"Sister-in-law, please don't put any more meat on my plate. I'll have some of the dried eggplant you stir-fried. I like that."

Bai Zhi also likes to eat spicy food.

So stir-fried potato shreds with dried chili peppers is also her favorite.

Liu Guifang looked at her with concern and insisted on putting meat on her plate, saying, "Eat more meat, look how thin you are."

Bai Zhi: "I'm tired of eating meat."

Liu Guifang, “.......”