?Chapter 41: Forty-one, don’t leave me, don’t leave the child_1 Chapter 41: Forty-one, don’t leave me, don’t leave the child_1 Aunt Zhang watched Chenzi with a beaming smile.
“Chenzi, now that you’ve come today, let me share a few heartfelt words with you, don’t mind if auntie is a bit talkative.”
How could Chenzi possibly mind Aunt Zhang being talkative.
He hurriedly shook his head and earnestly said, “That’s not possible, please speak!”
Aunt Zhang looked at Chenzi, her face full of serious and heartfelt advice.
“Pian Ran is an honest child, and these past years, taking care of Tangtang really hasn’t been easy.”
“Now that you’ve come back, you should stop going to the city to work. Life here, every family needs its man to be truly dependable.”
As she spoke, her expression grew even more serious.
Chenzi, being away from home year-round, didn’t know how many people behind the scenes laughed at Ji Pianran for being like a widow.
But let’s not talk about that.
A woman always going out in public to borrow money.
Although people in the village might not say it to her face, could they not ridicule her behind her back?
And then there are times when she has to deal with people like Shen Cuilan, facing all that aggravation.
Aggravation and grievances can suffocate a person, you know!
Aunt Zhang, after all, was not Chenzi’s relative; there were some things that were too direct for her to say.
Fearing it might hurt the feelings between neighbors.
She could only hope Chenzi would take heed to her implicit advice.
But Chenzi was no fool.
Actually, in his previous life, after Ji Pianran was gone, he came to know most of these things.
He had felt remorse, but in this world, the most powerless and useless thing is probably remorse.
Reborn, he would never allow these things to happen again.
His wife, he would cherish himself; his children, he would raise himself! Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Chenzi nodded seriously.
“Auntie, I’ve taken note!”
Aunt Zhang smiled, “As long as you remember.”
Chenzi looked at Aunt Zhang.
“Auntie, I should get going now. Please try the dumplings soon, they won’t taste as good if they get cold. I’m heading back now.”
When he left, there were still dumplings cooking in the pot.
Timing it in his head, they should be done by now; he needed to get back to feed his little girl.
After Chenzi left, Aunt Zhang finally sat at the table.
She picked up her chopsticks and grabbed one of the steaming dumplings Chenzi had brought over.
Chenzi was a smart kid from a young age.
She’d always thought he had the makings of a talented individual.
He was just too impetuous, perhaps because he was young back then.
Or maybe social temptations were too great, leading him astray.
But now, it seemed he had finally turned around.
He could swallow his pride to sell vegetables and even cook for his wife and child.
And now, he even brought her a bowl of dumplings.
That was really good.
She had indeed not misjudged him.
That’s what they call, ‘A prodigal who returns is more precious than gold!’
Aunt Zhang had a premonition that Chenzi was about to make a comeback.
The Gu Family was finally about to turn things around!
She ate a dumpling, chewing slowly.
The beef filling was smooth and even.
The meat was marbled with fat and lean, tender and luxurious to the taste, with a rich broth.
With an intense meaty aroma and what’s most rare is that the dumplings were fragrant without being greasy.
After one bite, she was eagerly anticipating the next!
Aunt Zhang smacked her lips.
She mumbled to herself, “Goodness, the lad has a gift for cooking, could he have learned these skills in the city?”
Just when she thought he had the knack to sell vegetables and support a family,
Now, Aunt Zhang felt that if Chenzi were to open a restaurant, he’d surely be more successful than just selling vegetables!
That business would definitely be bustling and frighteningly busy!
Aunt Zhang’s own grandmother’s family was once from a big, respected household.
So, in her childhood, Aunt Zhang used to enjoy all kinds of exquisite delicacies.
The best dumplings she had ever eaten were the beef dumplings made by her grandmother.
But the dumplings made by Chenzi, they were absolutely better than her grandmother’s!
They were just too delicious.
Simply unsurpassable!
…
Chenzi came back home and headed straight for the kitchen through the yard.
Just as he lifted the door curtain, he saw Ji Pianran standing by the stove.
In her hand she held a slotted spoon, ready to scoop up dumplings.
He quickly took two steps forward, reaching out to take the slotted spoon from her hand.
“Let me do it,” he said.
Ji Pianran didn’t give him the spoon, but looked instead at the dumplings in the pot.
Her tone was casual.
“No worries, I’m not that delicate, can’t even scoop some dumplings. You go and rest; it will be ready soon.”
Chenzi had really been too busy that day.
In the morning, he went grocery shopping, at noon he took them both to buy clothes.
In the afternoon, he went to sell goji berries.
And in the evening, he even came back to make dumplings, all of which Ji Pianran saw with her own eyes.
To be honest, she really felt that Chenzi was tired.
And she genuinely felt sorry for him.
As she spoke, she extended her fair hand and dipped the slotted spoon into the pot.
Then she scooped up a spoonful of dumplings and placed them in the white porcelain bowl in her hand.
Tangtang squatted beside her, happily playing with a little wooden figure by herself.
The kitchen was steamy from the cooking dumplings, and the overhead light emitted a warm yellow glow.
It was as if everything around them was tranquil and peaceful.
Chenzi felt a warmth in his heart and suddenly a sense of happiness arose spontaneously.
This was a feeling he had never experienced in his previous life.
Warm, simple, filled with the scent of home cooking.
He knew, this was the feeling of home.
Watching as Ji Pianran filled a large bowl with dumplings,
Chenzi quickly reached out to hold it.
His fingertips just touched Ji Pianran’s hands.
Her fingers were cool, despite holding a steaming bowl of dumplings, they were still not warm.
Chenzi felt a pang of pity.
He blinked, “Listen to me! Wear more layers next time, if we don’t have enough clothes, we’ll buy more. Don’t skimp on money, we can afford it!”
Chenzi’s voice was straightforward, with a touch of roughness that somehow softened Ji Pianran’s heart.
Holding the dumplings, she stared blankly at Chenzi across from her.
Her spirited almond-shaped eyes suddenly filled with tears, looking distressingly moist.
At this moment, for the first time, she felt the warmth of life, the warmth of home.
The feeling was so beautiful it seemed almost unreal.
The vapor in her eyes quickly condensed and turned into shiny, round teardrops that rolled down her fair, delicate cheeks one by one.
Chenzi was startled and hurriedly put the dumplings on the stove, then reached out to wipe away the tears on Ji Pianran’s face.
Her long, thick lashes were clumped together by the tears, and now her eyes were faintly red.
She looked pitiful and helpless.
Chenzi’s heart almost broke as he quickly wrapped his arms around her.
“I’m sorry, Pian Ran, so sorry…”
He didn’t know why Ji Pianran was crying, but Chenzi felt that if his wife was crying, it was very likely his fault!
Seeing his anxious look, Ji Pianran suddenly lifted the corners of her mouth and let out a chuckle.
“Why the apologies again?”
Chenzi was dead serious.
“Even though I don’t know why you’re crying, I understand that the hardships you’ve endured are because of me. I owe you an apology.”
“All I can say is that our days ahead will keep getting better. We have a long time ahead of us. Let’s walk it slowly together, okay?”
“Don’t leave me behind, don’t leave the child, give us hope, give this home hope.”