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The reborn of paranoid boss cannon fodder wife(81-85)
🕑 Added 2024-01-15 01:45:18 +0000 UTCChapter 81: Do You Like It?
Bai Lu wanted to make money, but she didn't plan on providing for the big Buddha. Chen Chunli didn't appreciate her, and she wouldn't swallow her pride.
"If you're not selling, then leave. Take the money you earned from selling candied chestnuts today and settle it on the spot."
She didn't even give an explanation.
Not to mention Chen Chunli, who had originally planned to make a scene, was stunned. Even Wang Cuihua and Chen Dafu were shocked by Bai Lu's sudden change of attitude and cold words.
Perhaps because Bai Lu was usually too easygoing, everyone thought she was a soft target.
Scold her a bit, and she would compromise.
This was what Chen Chunli had in mind before coming. Yesterday's good mood was all based on the intention to cooperate.
Today, hearing about the differential treatment of Chen Dafu, who only got fifty catties of chestnuts, made her extremely angry.
Seeing that Chen Dafu didn't sell all the chestnuts and held back her frustration for half a day, she couldn't bear it any longer.
With anger, she came to confront Bailu and seek an explanation, but Bailu didn't even bother explaining and told her to leave right away.
Chen Chunli was used to being pampered, especially now that she was pregnant. Whether at home or outside, everyone had to yield to her.
Wang Hao could only endure being scolded and beaten, but now Bai Lu was showing her a cold shoulder. She couldn't tolerate it.
With a cold snort, she said, "Fine, leave. Who cares about this unprofitable business? Selling good candied chestnuts to outsiders and selling bad ones to your own people? Only a fool would sell to you. Count the money, just count the money!"
"I won't come to your shabby house again in the future!"
"Who cares if you come or not? You better not come; my family doesn't welcome you." Xiao Wei, who was doing homework in the room, was disturbed by the noise, so he came out and handed a scale to Bai Lu.
His cold and stern face, much like Xiao Cheng's, stared coldly at the arrogant Chen Chunli.
Chen Chunli didn't think Xiao Wei looked much like Xiao Cheng, but the fierce and brutal aura somewhat resembled Xiao Cheng. All her harsh words were choked back.
She could only stare blankly and hand over all the money Chen Dafu earned from selling candied chestnuts to Bailu.
Bai Lu quickly counted the money. There were eight catties of chestnuts left in the basket, and a total of forty-two catties were sold.
Candied chestnuts were three yuan and five jiao per catty.
After deducting the cost of one catty of chestnuts, which was two mao, and one mao for labor, the net profit was 134.4 yuan.
Half of 134.4 is 67.2.
When they agreed to cooperate, Bai Lu had mentioned that the first day was just a trial sale, and the cost of sugar syrup was not included.
After the results of the first day's trial sale of candied chestnuts came out, and both parties confirmed that they indeed wanted to engage in long-term cooperation, they started settling the sugar syrup fee every week.
Maltose was bought by Bai Lu, so the sugar syrup fee naturally belonged to Bai Lu. The amount used each day was listed on a bill.
Bai Lu gave Chen Chunli sixty-seven yuan and two mao, not a penny more or less.
Those two mao were given by the market auntie, and who knows how many hands it had passed through, still with bloodstains on it.
Watching it made Chen Chunli's stomach churn, feeling like she wanted to vomit but couldn't. She could only endure the nausea and leave.
Chen Dafu didn't dare to linger either and quickly followed.
Bai Lu turned to Wang Cuihua and calmly said, "Are you selling or not?"
After witnessing Chen Chunli's fate, Wang Cuihua didn't dare to cause trouble. She said repeatedly, "I'm selling, I'm selling!"
"I want to continue selling candied chestnuts!"
Bai Lu remembered that before Chen Chunli came, Wang Cuihua seemed to have something to say. "What did you want to say earlier?"
Wang Cuihua was stared at until her scalp went numb. Coupled with her own promise being broken, she felt a bit embarrassed to speak.
She took out the money from her pocket and handed it to Bai Lu, answering in a low voice, "This is the money I earned from selling candied chestnuts today. I didn't sell all of my candied chestnuts..."
"How much is left?" Bailu took the money and glanced at her empty basket. "Where did the chestnuts go?"
"There are still thirty catties left, and I sold them to Aunt Wu." Wang Cuihua quickly turned from being aggressive to a pitiful flower.
"I rode my bike all over Dashizhen's streets, shouting loudly all the way until my voice went hoarse. However, many people in Dashizhen haven't tried candied chestnuts, and very few bought them. I shouted from noon until the sun went down, covering every alley, and only sold forty catties..."
"When I had the remaining thirty catties and returned to the town, I saw Aunt Wu's fruit stand had customers looking to buy candied chestnuts, but she had just sold out. So, I took the remaining thirty catties of candied chestnuts and gave them to her to sell..."
"That customer of Aunt Wu also sells fruit and is familiar with her. As soon as he arrived, he asked her for thirty catties of candied chestnuts, saying he would use them to attract new customers to his fruit stand. When I came back, Aunt Wu had already sold out..."
"Aunt Wu asked me to remind you when I came back to settle the accounts and include these thirty catties in her account."
Wang Cuihua revealed all the facts without any concealment, except...
She didn't give the chestnuts to Aunt Wu because she saw Aunt Wu's customer was out of stock but waited near Aunt Wu's fruit stand for a long time. When she saw that the big customer appeared and Aunt Wu didn't have enough stock to sell, she pretended to pass by and gave the remaining goods to Aunt Wu.
Aunt Wu and Bai Lu's cooperation settled the accounts every three days, so she told her to come back and inform Bai Lu.
Bai Lu quickly calculated the money and gave it to Wang Cuihua. "This is the money you earned today. Come and pick up the goods at nine tomorrow morning."
A total of 64 yuan.
Wang Cuihua, holding the money she earned from her first business, happily agreed to Bai Lu's words and went home cheerfully.
There was no hint of fatigue in her steps, and the thoughts of complaining and finding fault that she had when she came were long gone.
Before Chen Chunli came, Wang Cuihua did think of using the excuse that candied chestnuts were hard to sell to complain to Bai Lu.
To ask Bai Lu to increase her wages and share the profits.
It was only after seeing how much money Chen Chunli received and her subsequent fate that she decided to change her mind.
When she came back, she bought some candied chestnuts from Aunt Wu, who was selling the same product. She had compared them after trying them herself.
The taste was the same. Chen Chunli must have had similar thoughts when she came to argue with Bai Lu.
Fortunately, she was smart and didn't let herself be misled by Chen Chunli.
Only by continuing to sell candied chestnuts and saving more money could she replace Bai Lu in Xiao Cheng's heart.
Xiao Cheng liked Bai Lu because she was smart. When she also earned a lot of money, Xiao Cheng would like her and treat her as well as he treated Bai Lu.
Wang Cuihua pushed her bike, smiling happily.
Tonight, when Xiao Cheng returned home from work, he was accompanied by someone, unlike the usual solitary figure.
Bailu saw Xiao Dashuang, who brought a string of crucian carp, and couldn't help but smile wryly.
"My mom said that it's good for the sister-in-law to eat more fish." Xiao Dashuang still said the same words with his honest and simple appearance.
Xiao Cheng, with a black coat casually draped over his shoulder, hadn't entered yet. He stood outside with Xiao Dashuang, lifted his gaze slightly, and looked at Bailu standing at the door.
"Do you like it?"
Bai Lu nodded. "I like it."
After saying that, she turned and ran back to the front yard.
She poured the eight catties of candied chestnuts from the basket into the bamboo basket originally used for vegetables and brought it out for Xiao Dashuang.
"There are still some chestnuts here; take them back and let Auntie taste them."
Xiao Dashuang's fish had already been taken by Xiao Cheng, but he resolutely shook his head. "No, candied chestnuts are expensive."
They were sold for three yuan and five jiao per catty on the street.
Xiao Cheng had sold them once at the construction site, and each piece cost three yuan and five jiao. He bought two pieces, and it hurt his wallet.
Chapter 82: The Boss's Way of Protecting His Wife
candied chestnuts are delicious, and Xiao Dazhuang's mother loves them, but he hasn't been paid yet and can't afford to buy them.
However, Bai Lu smiled and said, "These chestnuts didn't sell out today, and we can't eat so many. Although they won't go bad by tomorrow, the taste won't be as good as today. If you don't mind, take them home and enjoy."
"No, I don't mind!"
Xiao Dazhuang immediately took the bamboo basket, grinning foolishly, "Thank you, sister-in-law. It's still cold outside, and the chestnut shells are very hard. Your sugar-glazed chestnuts haven't been peeled, so they won't spoil quickly. My mom's boiled chestnuts are still delicious the next day. If you leave these chestnuts for tomorrow, they'll definitely be even more fragrant and delicious."
"I've wasted them; I can't earn any money..."
"Stop nagging."
Xiao Cheng interrupted his rambling, carrying fish into the house, moving the door with his foot to close it.
Before closing the door, Xiao Cheng's gaze swept out, "Aren't you going home? Shall I accompany you?"
"Of course not!" Xiao Dazhuang vigorously shook his head. "I'm going home right now!"
As he finished speaking, he immediately turned around.
Carrying the bamboo basket, he ran away with joy.
Suddenly receiving such a generous gift from his elder brother and sister-in-law made Xiao Dazhuang too surprised, too happy, too excited.
He laughed until his eyes narrowed into slits, unable to see the road clearly, and almost bumped into Luo Shiliu at the corner.
Fortunately, Luo Shiliu had sharp eyes, dodged quickly, and grabbed his arm that was waving in joy.
"Why are you running so fast?"
Xiao Dazhuang was jerked to a sudden stop, and the bamboo basket almost slipped out of his hand.
Fortunately, his other hand quickly stabilized it. Honest people have tempers too, and he immediately glared at Luo Shiliu in anger.
"Why are you hiding here? Why didn't you make a sound? Why did you suddenly pull me? If I throw away the candied chestnuts given by my brother and sister-in-law, I won't let you off!"
Luo Shiliu had a smirk on his face and patted his shoulder with force to console him, "Unexpected, just unexpected."
"You mean these chestnuts are from brother and sister-in-law?"
Xiao Dazhuang proudly raised his head, nodding with a smile on his face, as if he had won a five-million-dollar lottery.
"Let me taste one."
Luo Shiliu reached for the bamboo basket, casually picked up a chestnut, peeled it, and threw it into his mouth.
"Mmm~ really delicious."
He grabbed a handful and ran away.
Xiao Dazhuang was dumbfounded, standing still for a full second before reacting that he had been robbed.
He immediately sprinted after him.
"Luo Shiliu, stop for me!"
...
The night was as dark as ink. Bai Lu sat in front of the mirror, combing her hair. Her eyes looked out the window, where countless stars adorned the night sky, dazzling and magnificent, one comb after another.
Xiao Cheng came in and headed straight for the bed, towel in hand, wiping his hair. The ends of his hair still had fine water droplets, but he didn't care. He casually placed the towel on the stool at the end of the bed.
He kicked off his slippers and got onto the bed.
Then he realized there was no one on the bed. The quilt at the end of the bed was neatly folded, untouched.
Never disturbed.
Xiao Cheng's pupils contracted slightly, and he subconsciously looked towards the table in front of the window. The girl who was obediently combing her hair came into view.
The surging emotions in his dark eyes gradually settled.
He also remembered what he heard today.
"Handle it however you want, no need to consider me," Xiao Cheng said as he unfolded the neatly folded quilt, covering the entire big bed.
Bai Lu turned her head upon hearing this unexpected response, looking at him with a puzzled expression, completely bewildered.
"What?"
Xiao Cheng lifted his gaze to meet hers, and in a calm tone, he uttered three words, "Chen Chunli."
Bai Lu instantly understood, raised her eyebrows, and smiled, "No problem. If she doesn't want to sell, she doesn't have to. Besides, we still have Aunt Wu, Uncle Guifu, and Wang Cuihua who can sell. We can still make money, and chestnuts can be used efficiently without wasting them."
In a nutshell, having one more Chen Chunli doesn't make much difference, and having one less doesn't either.
Xiao Cheng agreed with this perspective, but what he wanted to convey wasn't that. Instead, he said, "If she scolds you, you can scold her back. If she dares to hit you, come find me."
Bai Lu paused in her hair-combing motion, her face expressing surprise at his sudden response, "Find you for what?"
"Do you think I'll hit her?"
Xiao Cheng pursed his lips, his eyebrows slightly raised, "I'll make her stand in front of you and let you hit her."
Indeed, it matched the style of a boss. "I won't hit women. I can make a woman come and hit you herself."
Bai Lu couldn't help but laugh at his words.
Thinking of the rumors in the streets, when the bully appeared, even three-year-old children were scared to tears, she couldn't stop laughing.
Not the kind of trademark smile, but a genuine, hearty laughter from the depths of her eyes.
Xiao Cheng also smiled.
Silent, his lips curved upward, with a noticeable arc that lit up the darkness, blindingly beautiful.
When Bai Lu was happy, she couldn't control herself and took advantage of the situation, "What if I hit Chen Chunli, and Wang Hao hits you?"
"He wouldn't dare."
Xiao Cheng's tone was confident, as if he had long known Wang Hao's personality.
"What about Wang Cuihua?" Bai Lu, emboldened by her joke, touched on this topic.
Realizing the inappropriateness, she wanted to switch to a new topic immediately, but Xiao Cheng had already spoken with a detached tone, "I'm not her parents. I'm not obligated to take care of her for a lifetime."
His voice didn't show any concern, but his deep eyes had already opened a tunnel through time and space, inevitably bringing up certain bloody scenes.
The curvature of the smile on his lips gradually disappeared.
The atmosphere in the room became desolate, dim.
Bai Lu immediately put down the wooden comb, stood up, and ran to the bed, "It's late; let's go to sleep."
As soon as the words were spoken, she was already by the bedside, kicking off her shoes and getting on the bed.
A pair of long legs stretched out on the bed. She lifted her foot to step over, but the long legs instinctively retracted.
Bai Lu regained her composure, taking small steps, leaving footprints on the floor, steadily moving back to her side of the bed.
Lifting the quilt, lying down, covering herself.
Turning her head to meet the man's gaze that had fallen to the ground, she blinked, "Let's go to sleep. We've been busy all day, and you're tired, and I'm tired too..."
The tired and lazy tone in her voice indicated that she really wanted to sleep or close her eyes.
Xiao Cheng's clear gaze slowly closed as well, and he reached out to pull the cord, turning off the light before lying down.
In fact, Bai Lu didn't fall asleep. She couldn't sleep.
Having just touched on the forbidden topic, her mind was uncontrollable, beginning to play back Xiao Cheng's memories.
Remembering the first time he slept on the street.
On a night when the cold wind whistled and stung the face, in the deserted alley at the end of the dilapidated house with cobwebs all over, a black and thin, boldly dressed little boy, kicked open the door of a room.
His hands were on his hips, driving him away.
"Hey! This is my territory!"
"Who are you? When did you come in? Get out of here immediately!"
"Hey! Didn't you hear me? Don't think lying in bed motionless can occupy my territory. Get down immediately, or I won't spare you!"
"You, what do you want to do? I just asked you to come down; why are you... why are you standing so high..."
Chapter 83: The Sense of Security He Provided
"This territory is something I worked hard to snatch. If you want a piece, you'll have to beat me."
After a beating, the bruised and swollen little boy became obedient. Dragging his fragile body, he crouched in a corner where the cold wind couldn't reach, using tattered clothes as a makeshift blanket and dried straw as a mat, curling up into a small ball...
The next day, as the sun rose, the bed was empty, leaving only a warm steamed bun.
The little boy rushed over and devoured it.
Before long, "he" came again.
Not only did "he" clean up the broken house, fixing the windows with boards and replacing the old glass, but also used candles for light, crafted a broom from small bamboo sticks, and cleared the spider webs from the walls. The entire house was revitalized. The roof's broken tiles were all repaired, preventing leaks and shielding from small hail.
The wooden bed still belonged to him.
A worn-out straw mat now lay on the floor.
On the table, there was a broken bowl and a large steamed bun.
This time, there was no beating; they spent the night peacefully.
The next morning, the little boy woke up early, staring at the warm steamed bun on the table and the figure taller than himself about to leave.
"Will you come often in the future?"
He said, "Not sure."
"I'm Xiao Zhongbiao. Let's split this room in half from now on. Come whenever you want."
"Xiao Cheng."
He left after saying these two words.
Later, they became friends. "He" introduced him to another little boy, Luo Shiliu.
The three of them often acted together, using makeshift nets to fish by the river, digging for small loaches in the stream, climbing trees to reach bird nests, roasting large clams from the river, catching small crabs...
They fought together.
They were beaten together.
They picked up weapons together to defend their safety.
Later on, they gained two more friends, Wang Hao and Xiao Dazhuang. The five of them formed a group, and no one dared to bully them.
As they grew up, they entered a dark factory in the city, working day and night. When the boss withheld their wages, they beat him up and left with the money.
Later on.
He joined an organization.
It was filled with the darkest evils in the world, the most ruthless and bloody conflicts, with the highest rewards.
Through countless injuries from fists, steel pipes, knives, and guns, in numerous brawls where life and death were at stake, he earned a reputation as a tyrant, and the other four also joined the organization.
They embarked together on the bloody path of wielding blades.
Countless lessons in blood, countless nights of pain preventing sleep, and finally, they achieved the lives they desired.
Later, A Biao got married.
Choosing a better way of life for the future, he went solo despite everyone's advice.
When the white clothes were stained red with blood, every inch soaked, drops falling one by one... when the body, hacked and broken, was carried in front of them, they fell silent.
The next day, he, along with Luo Shiliu, Xiao Dazhuang, and Wang Hao, went to the enemy's lair and avenged A Biao.
Armed with weapons, they settled the score with a powerful figure in the southern city who had influence and guns—a notorious old scoundrel. They handed the debt to the big boss, reclaiming A Biao's dignity.
Every scene was tinted with blood.
In the midst of deep sleep, Bai Lu's brows furrowed, cold sweat forming on her forehead. Her hands clenched into fists, as if struggling to escape from some unpleasant memory.
The smell of medicine covered her mouth and nose, making it difficult to breathe.
She couldn't even cry for help.
In the moment of despair, a broad and sturdy chest forcefully entered, breaking all restraints. It enveloped her in a safe zone, eliminating the medicine smell and the suffocating despair. Between breaths, there was a familiar and refreshing cold breath.
Bai Lu's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
A hand with a faint callus lightly stroked her back, and the hands tightly clenched in fists were gently opened, with long fingers slowly interlocking with her delicate ones.
Ten fingers intertwined.
The rapid heartbeat of the person in his arms gradually stabilized, and Xiao Cheng's hand gently brushed the back before turning to adjust the blanket.
Pushing the blanket down, avoiding contact with her neck and above, preventing it from covering her face and nose, he placed his large hand back on her back.
Gently patting, they embraced each other and fell asleep together...
...
With the route provided by Chen Chunli, not to mention Wang Cuihua and Aunt Wu, who had already established sales channels in the town, even Yu Fugui, who had yet to open up a market, was doing well. His sales were even better than the combined earnings of Wang Cuihua and Aunt Wu.
Every time they distributed the money at Bai Lu's house, everyone was joyous, their faces brimming with the happiness of abundant wealth.
Wang Cuihua had no experience in business and initially struggled to compete with Aunt Wu and Yu Fugui. However, with the recommendations from old customers and the growing number of new customers, the reputation of the candied chestnuts quickly spread throughout Dashizhen.
Moreover, Wang Cuihua often secretly observed Aunt Wu's stall, learning how she sold chestnuts.
When she went to Dashizhen to sell, more people came to buy from her, and her earnings naturally increased.
Now, Wang Cuihua could receive at least a hundred yuan from Bai Lu every day.
Sometimes it reached one or two hundred yuan, making her ecstatic as she enjoyed a prosperous life of eating well and dressing beautifully. She bought many pretty dresses and strolled around the streets every day. Although she deliberately avoided Chen Chunli every time she saw her, her colorful and eye-catching outfits were hard to ignore.
Wang Cuihua, a widow with no relatives in town, who lacked any skills, was not accepted at the brick factory. She could only rely on selling candied chestnuts to make money.
Chen Chunli, angered and envious, transferred her frustration to Wang Hao, resulting in punches, kicks, and ear-pulling.
Scolding him was useless. Accusing him of being useless, unable to earn money when even a widow could make more, only fueled her anger.
Chen Chunli, pregnant with a child, couldn't do anything more to Wang Hao. She could only endure and bear it.
Her parents secretly wiped away tears in the house, regretting their weak bodies that prevented them from working and made them burdens to their child.
After scolding Wang Hao, Chen Chunli regretted speaking too much at Bai Lu's house. She wanted Wang Hao to mediate and ask Xiao Cheng for mercy, allowing her to sell Bai Lu's candied chestnuts.
Wang Hao had a sense of face and couldn't do it.
After last time's roundabout questioning about the candied chestnut recipe, which angered Xiao Cheng, he didn't dare to provoke him again. This time,
he didn't even dare to ask for mercy.
After Chen Chunli caused a ruckus at Bai Lu's house, Wang Hao, who had been laying bricks for the past few days, didn't dare to speak to Xiao Cheng.
The last time he subtly inquired about the candied chestnut recipe, Xiao Cheng was unhappy. This time, he didn't dare to provoke him again.
After Chen Chunli caused a commotion at Bai Lu's house, Wang Hao could only buy a large basket of fruits and personally visit Bai Lu.
"Knock, knock, knock."
"Bai Lu."
Bai Lu was in the backyard, cutting grass with a sickle, and throwing it into the small river to feed the fish.
The string of crucian carp given by Xiao Dazhuang last time was ten in total. After eating five, the remaining five were released into the small river.
Today was the weekend, and Xiao Wei didn't have to go to school. After finishing his homework, he also helped cut grass in the backyard.
Hearing the knocking at the door, his small eyebrows furrowed tightly. "Chen Chunli is here."
Chapter 84: Self-Conscious Slap
"Don't bother with her."
Bai Lu didn't even lift her head, continuing to leisurely cut wild grass and feed the crucian carp swimming in the river.
"Is Bai Lu at home?"
Chen Chunli knocked on the door for a while, but there was no response.
Suspecting that Bai Lu wasn't at home, but remembering that she hadn't seen Bai Lu when she went to buy fruits just now, passing by the vegetable market.
Suddenly understood, Bai Lu was deliberately avoiding her, pretending not to see her, making her wait in vain.
Chen Chunli instantly became furious, putting the fruit basket aside and banging the door with both hands.
The heavy wooden door shook, making a sound like thunder, attracting the attention of neighbors.
Curious heads popped out, chatting eagerly, discussing various things.
"With such force, will it break the door?" Xiao Wei from the backyard expressed some concern.
"If it breaks, she should compensate." Bai Lu, after feeding the fish, went to the vegetable garden to pick vegetables without any worries.
Xiao Wei agreed with this reasonable compensation method.
Without saying a word, they continued cutting the grass, throwing it into the river to feed the fish, completely oblivious to the commotion outside.
After picking the vegetable hearts, Bai Lu put them in the basket, hung it on the fence, and then used a long wooden spoon to water the vegetables.
The broccoli had already formed buds; a bit more and it would be ready to eat, stir-frying it with carrot slices would be the most delicious.
The white radishes were getting fatter; she planned to pick some, slice them thinly, add some vinegar, and a bit of small chili, marinate them for a few hours—a spicy and appetizing dish.
While watering the vegetables, Bai Lu calmly planned the menu, completely unaffected by the thunderous noise outside.
Xiao Wei was also very calm; after finishing cutting the grass, he went to see the old hen and brought the two cabbage leaves that Bai Lu had given to him over. The old hen was nesting eggs and needed to eat well.
Eat more vegetable leaves, fill the stomach, keep the feathers warm, and hatch the chicks faster.
Calculating the time Bai Lu mentioned, in less than a week, the chicks would hatch.
Curious, Xiao Wei reached out and touched the old hen's head, wanting to feel if there were any chicks moving inside the nest.
"Bai Lu!"
"Someone is in danger!"
"Oh my god! She's pregnant!"
"Is anyone home? Is Bai Lu there? Someone fainted at your doorstep!"
An anxious voice shouting and knocking on the door came from outside.
Xiao Wei remembered this voice: "It's Zhang Sao."
Zhang Sao's family raised a lot of chickens on the mountains in the countryside, and they also had many in the backyard of the town. Every time she saw Xiao Wei passing by, she was very enthusiastic about sharing chicken-raising tips with him.
Just because last year, Xiao Wei asked her once how the old hens hatch chicks...
Bai Lu opened the door and saw Chen Chunli sitting on the ground with her eyes closed, supported by Zhang Sao.
Many neighbors were checking and asking if she should be taken to the hospital. Of course, they weren't asking about the unconscious Chen Chunli; they were asking each other.
When the door finally opened, everyone looked at Bai Lu at the same time.
Zhang Sao asked, "Bai Lu, she knocked on the door and suddenly fainted. Should we take her to the hospital to check? It's not good if something happens later."
Bai Lu glanced at the ground, where Chen Chunli's eyelids were twitching, and a cold smile appeared on her lips.
"Then let's take her to the hospital immediately. She's pregnant, and we can't afford any delays. If something happens..."
Going to the hospital would ruin her plan!
Chen Chunli immediately opened her eyes, "I'm fine."
Zhang Sao was shocked by her unexpectedly recovered complexion. "Are you really okay? I saw you pale just now, covering your stomach. Could it be that the baby in your stomach is uncomfortable? You should go to the hospital for a check-up."
The neighbors were also surprised by Chen Chunli's instant recovery, full of doubts and suspicions.
Chen Chunli gritted her teeth, hating these people for meddling but had to put on an act. She wiped the nonexistent sweat on her forehead, and her eyelids drooped heavily.
With a seemingly weak and powerless appearance, she said, "I... I'm fine, my stomach... it's also fine."
"Just now, maybe I knocked on the door for too long, got too tired, and everything went black before I knew it."
"Now I'm much better; my stomach doesn't feel uncomfortable anywhere. No need to go to the hospital. Running around is too troublesome. Just a bit thirsty, I'll be fine after drinking a glass of water..."
It meant she wanted to go into Bai Lu's house to drink water.
The neighbors understood; pregnant women were indeed prone to thirst and needed to drink more water. As for the sudden fainting and quick recovery, everyone knew what was going on but didn't say anything.
Now the most important thing was that the pregnant woman needed water.
Since the situation had reached this point, Bai Lu didn't need to worry about gossip at this time. She opened the door generously.
Zhang Sao and the neighbors "watched" Chen Chunli stand up, carrying the fruit basket into the house.
Then, after saying goodbye to Bai Lu, they scattered and went back to their own homes.
The door was wide open, and no one was watching anymore.
But occasionally, there were footsteps passing by the wall.
Xiao Wei, with a tense face, followed Bai Lu, keeping a distance from Chen Chunli.
When Chen Chunli entered the main house, she put the fruit basket on the Eight Immortals table and sat down.
After waiting for a long time without Bai Lu pouring her water, she reached out and took the biggest green jujube from the basket, eating it while inviting Bai Lu, "These are fresh fruits I bought on the street, sweet and crispy. Try one quickly."
"We have a sack of them at home."
Bai Lu pointed to the open sack in the corner, which not only had large green jujubes but also plums and oranges.
This was just the top layer; there were likely many more fresh fruits pressed underneath.
Chen Chunli's small "big fruit basket" indeed couldn't compare, and giving it to others was probably considered inconvenient.
However, she was shameless and said, "Do you really eat all these fruits you bought? Fruits go bad if stored for too long, and it's a waste of money if you can't finish them!"
Bai Lu took an orange, sat at the table, and leisurely peeled it. "These were all given by the villagers; they cost nothing. I haven't bought fruits with money for a long time."
Chen Chunli's fruit basket may be small, but it cost money, so in comparison, the bitterness of the green jujubes in her mouth was even more pronounced.
Even Xiao Wei went to the sack to grab several big fruits, sat at the table, and ate them one by one without paying.
Of course, they were free!
Chen Chunli's face looked very unpleasant, couldn't help but retort, "Country folks are all peasants. They don't know if the fruits they pick are washed or not, clean or not. The fruit trees they plant are all crooked and deformed, and the fruit flesh has bugs. Eating them can make you sick."
Xiao Wei and Bai Lu were completely unaffected, enjoying their food. After finishing one, they moved on to the next.
Bai Lu, speaking clearly and deliberately, said, "People plant fruit trees, and whatever fruit tree they plant, they get the corresponding fruit. There's no distinction between good and bad; there's no high or low."
Chen Chunli sneered, unable to argue with Bai Lu but thought of her purpose today, so she tried to suppress her temper.
With a friendly tone, she said, "Bai Lu, I see your family has a lot of chestnuts. Selling them will have many buyers, and we have many relatives in Qing Shui Town. Business will definitely be better than before. What do you think about cooperating again?"
Chapter 85: He's Here, He's Here
Bai Lu displayed a fake smile, retracing her words, "The candied chestnuts in our shop taste bad, not easy to sell."
Chen Chunli was momentarily taken aback by her own words.
If she had known that candied chestnuts were so profitable, she wouldn't have spoken like this. It was all because of Chen Dafu, that useless guy, who couldn't sell chestnuts and disrupted her money-making plans.
Now, if she wanted to collaborate and make money again, Bai Lu's attitude was tough. Apologizing was no longer an option.
Chen Chunli cleared her throat, adopting a more friendly and humble tone compared to before, "I might have been too harsh earlier. I didn't mean anything by it. I have a bit of a quick temper, but it doesn't mean I have issues with anyone."
"You see, your husband Xiao Cheng and my husband Wang Hao have been good friends for many years. We are all on the same side. I won't have problems with my own people."
"As you know, being pregnant can make one impulsive and irritable. Sometimes, I can't control myself and say things that are not pleasant. Just ignore it; it's just some nonsense. No need to remember..."
Bailu smiled, "But I have a good memory, and I remember."
Chen Chunli: "..."
She accidentally squeezed the orange too hard.
The orange's juicy flesh splashed all over her face.
Xiao Wei quickly moved to Bai Lu's side, bringing a chair along. For the first time, a disdainful expression appeared on his cold little face.
After the disdain, there was a small expression of satisfaction.
Facing people like Chen Chunli, Bailu's straightforward approach was the right choice. Speaking kindly would only invite bullying.
If Big Brother were here, Chen Chunli wouldn't dare to make a sound. She would wait until he went to work.
Chen Chunli's fruit basket was also sent, explanations were given, but Bailu still acted as if nothing could change her mind. After enduring her temper for a while, Chen Chunli couldn't take it anymore.
"Bai Lu, people say that more friends mean more paths. Is it interesting to have conflicts with me? I already said I didn't mean what I said that day, and I've apologized with the fruit basket. How long are you going to keep this up? Doing business with such a petty and narrow-minded person, is it worth it?"
Bai Lu still smiled, "It's interesting."
Chen Chunli was left speechless.
Bai Lu continued, "You can take the fruits."
"Yes, we have a lot of fruits at home," Xiaowei agreed, pointing to a corner, "A sack full."
Chen Chunli: "..."
Her thick-skinned pride couldn't take it anymore.
The anger had reached its limit, and there was no need to endure it any longer.
She picked up her fruit basket and left. Chen Chunli didn't look back, muttering curses as she walked away.
Only when she completely disappeared from view did the onlooking neighbors disperse from the wall.
Everyone went back to their homes, each reporting the latest news.
# A pregnant woman came to Bai Lu's house in person, wanting to discuss candied chestnut cooperation. Her identity was said to be related to the brother of the bully, Xiao Cheng. Bai Lu didn't give her any face and refused cooperation. The pregnant woman left in anger, taking the fruit basket with her.
# Latest news: The pregnant woman had visited Bai Lu before, had a big argument, offended Bai Lu, swore never to come to Bai Lu's house again, but later found out that candied chestnuts were profitable, so shamelessly came back to discuss cooperation.
# The most recent and reliable news: The pregnant woman pretended to faint at Bai Lu's doorstep. Bai Lu offered to take her to the hospital, and she immediately woke up. The purpose was just to discuss cooperation, but since Bai Lu didn't agree, she left in anger, taking the fruit basket with her.
# Breaking news! Breaking news! Bai Lu has closed the door and gone home to cook!
The new house of Aunt Wu's family was completed today, with the third-floor roof being cemented for sealing.
After a group of men finished their work, they heard the aunts and uncles gossiping and spreading rumors.
Some faces turned dark, some dared not speak, and some turned as red as if they had been slapped.
The once joyful atmosphere, after completing the roof, ready for a few days of good rest before painting and decorating the interior, suddenly froze and fell silent like stagnant water.
One by one, they didn't dare to say much, quietly leaving.
Luo Shiliu and Xiao Dashuang also left.
Even if Wang Hao wasn't explicitly mentioned, his face still felt hot, knowing that the pregnant woman who pretended to faint was none other than Chen Chunli.
In order to resume cooperation, he even used his usual coercive methods on Bai Lu.
Today, he finally managed to strike up a conversation with Xiao Cheng, and their relationship had slightly eased. However, with Chen Chunli causing a scene, their relationship plummeted again. He didn't have the face to talk to Xiao Cheng now.
Clearly, Xiao Cheng also had no intention of talking to him. He walked straight home, exuding a cold and indifferent aura.
The door wasn't locked; it opened with a push.
Xiao Wei had just finished washing the vegetables and was about to take them back to Bai Lu to cook. Hearing the door opening, he subconsciously turned around.
Upon seeing Xiao Cheng, he was almost scared out of his wits. Without saying a word, he quickly ran back to the kitchen to find Bai Lu.
"Big Brother's expression is terrifying."
Bai Lu's heart skipped a beat, feeling guilty as if the sword of Damocles was hanging over her head. The instinctive reaction was that her secret had been exposed.
Who told Xiao Cheng?
Wasn't he laying bricks at Aunt Wu's house? Who told him? Who had seen her recently?
Who had seen her belly? Who knew she was pregnant? Who suspected her?
Who reported her?
"Bai Lu."
A low and cold voice interrupted all the wild guesses. Bai Lu tried to tidy up her slightly stiff smile, turned around, and her smile froze again at the man's expression.
"What... what's wrong?"
Bai Lu took a deep breath, quickly adjusted her state, and resumed her normal smile, "You finished work so early today. I haven't cooked yet. Your pants seem to have touched the cement paste. Do you want to go back and change? After changing, have some fruit and tea. Dinner will be ready soon."
He loved cleanliness so much; he would definitely go back to change, right? He would, right? He would!
Not only did he not go back, but he also walked towards her.
Bai Lu wanted to run.
But in front was him, and behind was the stove. On the left was the cupboard, on the right was the woodpile opposite the stove.
Nowhere to escape, nowhere to retreat.
In her hand was the spatula. Maybe, just maybe, it could block the big guy's attack a little?
Xiao Cheng walked up to Bai Lu, his gaze sweeping over her like a breeze. He slowly raised his hand.
Xiao Wei stood rigidly by the cupboard, slowly moving, ready to intervene.
But what he saw was the big brother with an extremely dark face, raising his hand and reaching for the top of Bai Lu's head...
Taking a half-blossomed white little bone flower.
Holding it in his hand, he then stared at Bai Lu, who was clearly stunned, and asked, "Did Chen Chunli come again?"
Bai Lu nodded in a daze, the big spatula behind her back already half exposed.
Honestly answering, "She brought a fruit basket, wanting to continue our cooperation. I didn't agree, so she left with the fruit basket... there's no hiding anything."
Xiao Cheng's terrifying face finally began to gradually return to normal. He reached out and touched her head.
"Good job."
Bai Lu's scalp tingled, her brain short-circuited, and she instinctively replied, "It's only good if everyone is well."
The reborn of paranoid boss cannon fodder wife(86-90)
