The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead
Chapter 121 - 119: Hua Hua has been harmed

Chapter 121: Chapter 119: Hua Hua has been harmed

After the meal, the two of them delivered the boxed meals together. Lu Jingqiu really liked the meal boxes the train attendant used for them—they were aluminum, with a handle, and didn’t burn your hands even when filled with hot food.

Upon meeting the train attendant, Lu Jingqiu casually asked, "Comrade, do you have any extra aluminum meal boxes like these?"

The train attendant was a woman in her thirties, sharp and efficient-looking. She paused, then said, "Comrade, what you’re referring to is our attendants’ exclusive kidney-shaped meal box." She then whispered, "Do you want one?"

Lu Jingqiu nodded, "It’s quite convenient to use. Do you have any spares? Could you perhaps trade me one?" Lu Jingqiu also spoke softly, knowing that one had to be cautious in public places.

The attendant hesitated, then said, "I have two, they’re almost new, issued last month."

Lu Jingqiu felt this was an unexpected surprise and asked, "How do we trade?"

"Do you have any national food coupons?"

Lu Jingqiu replied, "I have one for two kilograms and another for half a kilogram."

The attendant said, "These two coupons, plus ten yuan." She quickly added, in case Lu Jingqiu found it expensive, "The ordinary aluminum meal boxes at the supply and marketing cooperative may be cheaper, but they also require industrial coupons, which I’m not asking for from you."

Lu Jingqiu nodded without hesitation and said, "Okay, I’ll take both. How do we exchange them?"

"Are you going to place a lunch order? I can just fill them up and deliver them to you."

Jiang Nanzhou asked, "What dishes do you have for lunch?"

"Noodles, rice, steamed buns, meat-filled buns, and today we have soy-braised beef, quite a rarity. I suggest you try it. We also have shredded potatoes and braised eggplant."

"How much is the soy-braised beef?"

"Five yuan per portion, but the portion size is very generous." It was a bit pricey, but she wasn’t lying—the portions were indeed substantial.

Jiang Nanzhou asked, "Will there be beef tomorrow too?"

The attendant shook her head, "Just for today’s lunch. The beef comes from an old cow that got sick on the farm and had to be slaughtered."

Jiang Nanzhou said, "Let’s have two portions of the soy-braised beef and one portion of shredded potatoes for lunch. And two servings of rice."

"All right. I’ll bring it over to you later. Just have your things ready."

Lu Jingqiu said, "Okay."

Once the two left the dining car, Jiang Nanzhou said, "If you want meal boxes, the army has them too. I’ll get you a couple some time."

Lu Jingqiu said, "We have some at home, but I find these with a handle more practical; they don’t burn your hands, and they hold more since they’re two-tiered. When I make tasty food at home, I can use it to deliver meals to you and Dad. It’s convenient for carrying large amounts."

Jiang Nanzhou brightened up at the mention of being sent food, "The hand-held ones are better, I’ll buy two more later."

Lu Jingqiu said, "Two is enough."

Jiang Nanzhou was not one to listen. Soon after, he stepped out, and at noon, the attendant cheerfully delivered their meal. Jiang Nanzhou discreetly handed her a stack of coupons and money, clearly more than just two coupons.

Seeing the four very new meal boxes on the table, there was nothing Lu Jingqiu didn’t understand.

But the attendant hadn’t been wrong—the soy-braised beef really was a generous portion, a box full of it, and it tasted good too. The shredded potatoes were spicy and sour, very appetizing.

The portion of rice was also ample. Lu Jingqiu praised, "You really have foresight. We can continue with the other portion for dinner. I haven’t had beef in several years."

Jiang Nanzhou felt the same, but still regretted, "We bought too little, I’ll ask later if there’s any left."

Lu Jingqiu felt it was enough, two portions were already satisfying for them, the main issue was that they couldn’t be preserved, otherwise they could have brought back a couple more to let Dad try.

After eating, Jiang Nanzhou really did go to ask, but unfortunately, they were too popular and had been snapped up, everyone says this era is poor, but look, beef for five yuan a piece is still fiercely bought, there are indeed many rich people around.

Three days later, the two arrived in West City, carrying quite a few things with them, four portions of snacks from Capital City, and some melons, which were originally meant to be left for Grandpa Jiang, but they brought them all over instead, along with the things Jiang Nanzhou bought, ending up with three large bags.

They didn’t call Dad in advance to pick them up, so by the time they arrived at the main courtyard with their stuff, they were exhausted and sweating profusely, Jingqiu’s back clothes were completely soaked anyway.

Once home, Lu Jingqiu hurriedly poured two glasses of water and got the fan down, so they could cool off for a while.

Lu Jingqiu then made two bowls of egg noodles in the kitchen, and it was past four when Jiang Nanzhou finally got up to report back to his military unit.

Not being home for over ten days, Dad didn’t clean much, probably hardly ever coming home.

After sorting out the items, Lu Jingqiu took out a portion of melon for her aunt and a portion of snacks, waiting to bring them over when her aunt came back.

With everything else tidied up, she was startled to see Hua Hua on the second floor by its significantly larger belly and exclaimed, rapidly picking it up for an examination: "Hua Hua, you couldn’t possibly be pregnant, could you?"

With that, she ran out into the yard, calling out for Xiao Shun at Aunt Liu’s place a couple of times, but suddenly remembered that Xiao Shun might be studying in the study room at this time, so she gave up.

Lu Jingqiu felt awful holding Hua Hua, "Hua Hua, how could you let Ah Fu take advantage of you, you knew it meant no good, yet you still played with it, look at your belly, I thought you were just overeating before, you had gotten pregnant by then."

Lu Jingqiu complained to it for a while, with Hua Hua only meowing back at her.

Probably Dad hadn’t been feeding it on time these days, she quickly gave it the leftover noodles just made.

Seeing no serious issues with it, she stopped worrying and putting on an apron, began to clean the rooms.

After tidying up, she checked the time, it was past six, and Dad still hadn’t come home, probably not eating at home tonight.

She wasn’t hungry herself and just washed a melon to eat.

Then she took a few to the Gao Family, Aunt Gao was just at home, and seeing her, she quickly waved her in: "Xiao Qiu is here, come inside quickly."

"Aunt Gao, is Qingqing at home?"

"No, she’s been staying in the dorm these two days. She won’t come back even if I ask her to, school is about to start soon, and she’s not even worried, although her work with the Youth League Committee will also be sold off soon."

"Oh, I’ll go find her tomorrow then, I’ve brought these, take a few, you and Uncle Gao can try them."

"Melons, eh? We don’t sell these here, this is a rarity."

"I bought them in Capital City."

"Xiao Qiu, did you meet your boyfriend’s parents? How was it? Were they satisfied with you?"

"Everything’s fine, they are probably going to discuss the wedding, you must come to the banquet, Aunt Gao."

Mother Gao laughed: "Certainly, certainly, my goodness, in the blink of an eye, Xiao Qiu has found herself a match, while I have three others that are driving me nuts."

"Aunt Gao, Third Brother Gao and Fourth Brother Gao are both so handsome and have good prospects, they’ll bring home brides without you worrying, and there’s no need to mention Qingqing."

If it could be as you say, I’d be laughing in my sleep," said Lu Jingqiu, bringing much comfort to Mother Gao with her words.

Lu Jingqiu chatted with Aunt Gao for a while and then left.