People in the alley: A woman dressed as a man shouldn't be foolishly filial, Zhuang Chaoying

Chapter 242 Zhang Amei's Madness

When Zhuang Chaoying returned, it was already past six o'clock in the evening. Smoke was rising from the chimneys of every household in the alley, and the aroma of food wafted into Zhuang Chaoying's nose, causing his stomach to rumble a few times.

quickened my pace and pushed open my own door.

Inside the room, Xiaoting was studying, with a plate of stir-fried chives and eggs on the table.

Huang Ling came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of stir-fried edamame and pickled mustard greens. "You're back just in time. Wash your hands and eat. Xiaoting, stop reading and get your bowl ready!"

Zhuang Chaoying, carrying her luggage, deliberately feigned a wronged expression: "Why is there no one to welcome me home? I've come all this way back, doesn't anyone miss me?"

Xiaoting came over with bowls and chopsticks, and Huangling followed behind, carrying a rice cooker.

Both of them turned their eyes to Zhuang Chaoying.

"Dad, dinner's ready!"

Zhuang Chaoying looked at them and said in a serious tone, "Put your things down and stand at attention!"

Huang Ling frowned, a little worried. She put down the rice cooker she was holding, quickly stepped forward, reached out and touched Zhuang Chaoying's head, muttering, "It's not burning."

Then, she stood on tiptoe, brought her mouth close to Zhuang Chaoying's, and sniffed carefully. "You haven't been drinking, what's wrong with you?"

Zhuang Chaoying couldn't help but laugh, and suddenly reached out to hug Huang Ling's waist. "Honey, I want to eat ribs today, can you make them?"

Huang Ling pushed him away forcefully. Didn't she see that Xiao Ting was still there?

"I can't make it, Zhuang Chaoying. There's no time today. Just have a quick bite, and I'll make it for you tomorrow."

Xiaoting watched from the side, wondering to herself if her father had been traumatized during his trip to Shanghai.

Seeing their strong reaction, Zhuang Chaoying stopped teasing them and smiled as she took out the things she had bought from her bag. "Then nobody will want these."

Xiaoting's eyes lit up, and she quickly went forward to take a look, excitedly shouting, "Mom, there's perfume, lipstick, and two bottles of face cream! Mom, I want one too!"

Then, Zhuang Chaoying took out a wad of cash from the very back of her bag and waved it triumphantly. "Look what this is!"

Huang Ling quickly took the money, her eyes widening in surprise. It was noticeably thicker. "Chao Ying, it's gone up again!"

Zhuang Chaoying nodded vigorously. "Yes! Now it's fifty-eight yuan a month!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Ling turned around and headed towards the kitchen without saying a word. "Chao Ying, I'll go stew some ribs for you right away, you wait here."

Zhuang Chaoying grabbed Huang Ling and laughed. "Ling, I was just teasing you. The food is quite good. Thank you for making so much delicious food."

As he spoke, he took out the bouquet of artificial flowers from his bag and gently handed it to Huang Ling. "Ling, do you like it? I saw it when I was shopping, and I thought you would definitely like it, so I bought it."

Huang Ling took the fake flower, her mouth practically stretched to her ears, and she even subconsciously brought it to her nose to smell it.

Xiaoting looked at her parents, sighed, and shook her head. "Mom, these are fake flowers. Where is the fragrance coming from? Come and eat, I'm starving."

Seeing how pleased Ah Ling was, Zhuang Chaoying's gaze lingered on Ah Ling's face, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

What woman doesn't love flowers and romance?

It's not the flowers themselves that matter, but the person who sent them. What they care about is the sincere sentiment, the feeling of being constantly thought of, the unexpected romance in life, and above all, the genuine and unpretentious attitude of the sender.

Huang Ling carefully held the bouquet of artificial flowers, along with the delicate little vase underneath.

She walked quietly to the bedside window and adjusted the flowers at several angles before finally arranging them to her satisfaction.

From the outside, the bouquet of flowers stood out prominently on the windowsill.

"Eat! Chaoying, there are still ribs in the refrigerator. I'll stew some for you tomorrow since I'm off work."

Zhuang Chaoying looked up, a smile on her face, and nodded. "Mm!"

After dinner, it got dark.

Song Ying and Dong Zhe walked in chatting and laughing, intending to watch TV together.

As soon as Song Ying stepped into the room, her eyes were drawn to the artificial flowers on the windowsill. "Sister Ling, these flowers are so beautiful! Putting this pot of flowers in the room makes the room feel much happier."

Song Ying looked at the bouquet of flowers with sparkling eyes.

Huang Ling's eyes crinkled with laughter. She followed Song Ying's gaze to the windowsill, then looked at Chao Ying, who was brushing shoes in the yard. Her smile deepened.

"Chao Ying bought it back from Shanghai this time."

Song Ying sat down next to Huang Ling, gently nudged her with her elbow, and teased, "Sister Ling, look at how happy you are, you must be overjoyed."

Huang Ling nodded with a smile.

Lin Wufeng was also in the yard, bending over and washing clothes. Summer clothes are thin, so he just washed them by hand. Hearing Song Ying and Sister Ling's conversation inside the house, he paused for a moment, and began to make plans in his mind.

,,,,,,,,,

Meanwhile, the scene at the Wu family's house was completely different from this harmonious little courtyard.

Shanshan has received her admission letter from the Chinese Department of Fudan University, and she is now a confirmed college student.

The news spread among the neighbors, and everyone praised Shanshan for being so promising.

Zhang Amei was washing clothes for Lao Wu, her hands rubbing in the water, getting angrier and angrier as she thought about it.

They're all from the same family, so why is it that Xiaomin can't find a job and can't even keep up with Shanshan in her studies?

She couldn't understand it, and the jealousy and resentment in her heart grew wildly like weeds.

Why does Shanshan always dominate Xiaomin?

A crazy idea raced through her mind.

At this time, only she and Xiaomin were at home. Lao Wu was supposed to be off today, but he went to help his colleague cover his shift to supplement his family income.

Xiao Jun went to set up a stall on Guanqian Street with Shan Shan and hasn't returned yet.

Ignoring the clothes in the basin, she turned off the tap and quickly dried her wet hands on her apron, the water running down her arms to the floor.

She walked quickly toward Shanshan's room. The small room was divided in two by a wooden board. Xiaojun lived on the other side, while Xiaomin and Shanshan shared a bunk bed.

As soon as she entered the room, she saw Xiaomin lying on the lower bunk reading a novel. Her leisurely appearance fueled her anger even more.

Xiaomin is a vocational school student with both technical skills and a degree. The Third Factory is also recruiting temporary workers, so why doesn't she agree to go and work there?

A few days ago, when they went to the factory to cause trouble, Song Ying made a very good point: even temporary work is better than staying at home without a job.

At that moment, she was blinded by jealousy and anger, and couldn't care about anything else.

As soon as she entered the room, she began rummaging through everything—drawers, cabinets under the table—searching every possible place. Xiaomin was startled by her actions, put down her novel, and looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"Mom, what are you looking for?"

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