"I made a lot this time, so take more back with you and share some with Lao Wu and the others," she said.
Wu Zheng and his wife were very good people, worth befriending.
"Mhm," Gu Xingdong nodded. Seeing her busy figure, he couldn't help but bend down and kiss her cheek. "My wife has worked hard."
Chen Lishu pursed her lips and smiled, "Since you know I worked hard, you have to massage my back tonight as punishment."
"Just a back massage isn't enough to show my sincerity; I must give you a full-body massage."
Chen Lishu was surprised, "You know how to give massages?"
"I studied human acupoint identification for a while, so I know a little." Of course, he hadn't learned it for this purpose.
Chen Lishu's eyes lit up when she heard his words, and she felt a faint sense of anticipation.
Seeing her expression, Gu Xingdong knew what she was thinking and couldn't help but shake his head. His wife was still too naive.
After making the braised pork, Chen Lishu put the head and trotters into the braising liquid. Once they were done, she finally added the cleaned offal.
Fortunately, Gu Xingdong had chopped plenty of firewood, otherwise, the little that was left at home might not have been enough for her.
When Li Xiulan and the others returned in the evening, they could smell the aroma of meat wafting from their courtyard from afar. Many villagers returning along the road couldn't help but swallow their saliva when they smelled it. They had originally planned to keep the meat they had for a few more days and eat it slowly, but now, they wouldn't be stingy.
After dinner, Chen Lishu cut a section of braised intestine and a piece of pig's head for Gu Xingye to take to the village secretary's house.
Although she didn't expect anything in return for giving them the wild boar, the village secretary had voluntarily offered to give them work points. She had to remember this favor.
Seeing Gu Xingye leave, Chen Lishu also prepared another portion and returned to the Chen family with Gu Xingdong.
"Xingdong is here, come in quickly," Chen Mandun said happily, inviting them into the house.
"How has my mother been recently?" Chen Lishu asked as she handed over the braised meat.
Chen Mandun took it and sighed helplessly, "She still has no energy, she can only recuperate slowly."
As they talked, they entered the house and saw that Wu Chunmei's complexion was still not good, her skin still sallow. Judging by her condition, her qi and blood deficiency was still severe. Chen Lishu secretly made a note that she needed to find time to get some Chinese medicine to help Wu Chunmei recuperate.
As it was getting late, she and Gu Xingdong didn't stay long before returning home.
After washing up at night, the couple lay on the kang. Gu Xingdong, true to his promise, gave her a "full-body massage."
By the time Chen Lishu realized his intentions, it was already too late. How could her arm twist the thigh? The only outcome was to surrender obediently.
"Gu Xingdong, you big liar," Chen Lishu mumbled discontentedly before falling asleep.
The next day, seeing that Gu Xingdong was about to return to his team, they packed their things and informed their families before heading back to town. Chen Lishu also brought some of the clothes that Zhang Qin and the others had made during this time.
Upon returning to town, Chen Lishu first sent some braised meat to the Ding family and took the opportunity to introduce Gu Xingdong to Ding Yongfeng and Sun Shuzhen.
"Xingdong, these are Uncle Ding and Aunt Sun, who have been taking good care of Xingping and me, as I told you about. Uncle, Aunt, this is my husband, Gu Xingdong."
"Hello, Uncle Ding, Aunt Sun. Lishu and Xingping have troubled you with their care. Thank you for looking after them."
Ding Yongfeng and Sun Shuzhen waved their hands with a smile, "They are good children, not troublesome at all."
Although they were meeting Gu Xingdong for the first time, seeing his clear eyes and upright posture, they knew he was an honest and upright young man.
"Don't cook dinner tonight. I'll ask your uncle to buy a fish later, and I'll make you my signature sweet and sour fish," Sun Shuzhen said with a smile, inviting them.
"Aunt Sun's sweet and sour fish is delicious. I've learned to make it twice, but I've never been able to make it as tasty as hers," Chen Lishu said with a smile, turning her head to Gu Xingdong.
"Lishu is usually a very good cook. If she says so, then I must try Aunt Sun's cooking."
Sun Shuzhen was delighted when he readily agreed and spoke so charmingly.
After leaving the Ding family, Chen Lishu guessed that the batch of goods she had ordered from Jiang Weiguo had probably arrived, so she dragged Gu Xingdong along to help with the labor.
There were two bags of fabric in total. Gu Xingdong effortlessly carried one in each hand as if they were empty bags, without even switching hands. He carried them all the way home in one go.
After returning home, Chen Lishu checked them carefully to ensure everything was in order. Then, she went to the telephone booth at the street corner to call Jiang Weiguo and inform him that she had received the goods.
On her way back, she happened to run into Gu Xingping coming home from school. When Gu Xingping heard that Gu Xingdong had also come, she was overjoyed and eagerly pulled Chen Lishu along to walk home quickly.
"Third Brother, people say that once you marry a wife, you forget your mother. You've been back for several days and only now remembered to see me."
Gu Xingping put down her schoolbag and pouted in dissatisfaction, "Third Sister-in-law is also heartless, leaving me alone at home for so many days."
Gu Xingdong and Chen Lishu exchanged a look, seeing the helpless smiles in each other's eyes.
Before the three could say much, Ding Chen came in from outside. As soon as he entered the house, he bumped into Gu Xingdong, who was sitting on the sofa.
Since Gu Xingdong had left a deep impression on Ding Chen during their first meeting, and knowing that he was Gu Xingping's third brother, Ding Chen was so nervous that he stammered, "Gu, Third, Third Brother, hello, my name is Ding Chen. My mother has finished cooking and asked me to call you for dinner."
"Are we going to eat at your place? What's for dinner?" Gu Xingping, who had intended to take out her homework to write for a while, looked up instinctively when she heard Ding Chen.
"There's your favorite Di San Xian and sweet and sour fish. I also bought a few bottles of soda. Didn't you say you didn't drink enough last time..."
Ding Chen's expression relaxed considerably when he spoke to Gu Xingping, and there was a hint of pampering in his eyes that even he didn't notice.
Before he could finish speaking, Ding Chen felt two gazes fixed on him as if they were tangible. He subconsciously turned his head and met Gu Xingdong's sharp, hawk-like eyes.
Ding Chen was startled and choked on his own saliva, coughing violently until his entire face turned red.
"How old are you, and you can still choke on your own words?" Gu Xingping said disapprovingly, making Ding Chen's face turn even redder.
Chen Lishu looked at his flustered appearance and smiled, trying to ease the situation, "Ding Chen is here to call us, let's go quickly. We shouldn't keep Aunt Sun and Uncle Ding waiting."
As Chen Lishu spoke, she secretly nudged Gu Xingdong's arm. Seeing Ding Chen and Gu Xingping go out first, she whispered, "I don't think little sister has thought about it in that direction. You mustn't alert her."
"Hmph," Gu Xingdong snorted in displeasure.
His own hard-earned cabbage was almost being snatched by someone else's pig, so how could he have a good expression?