Chapter 8

"The medical conditions are better in the city, and everything else like food, housing, transport is also more convenient," Xiao Jun stroked her icy cold hand.

"We have money now, we can rent a small house. If you want to run a snack shop, I'll go get a business license. After you're discharged from the hospital, we can go look for a storefront. How about that?"

Ding Sha moved her fingers. She was very attracted to Xiao Jun's proposal.

Although life in the village was good too, moving to a city she was familiar with would mean a much better living environment. It would also be very close for her to come to the hospital for prenatal checkups.

Moreover, consumption levels and demand were higher in cities than rural villages. If they could open a small store, who knows, they might even be able to save up some money.

She counted with her fingers and thought it through seriously. Xiao Jun just stood by her side quietly watching her, feeling very happy.

After thinking it over for a long time, Ding Sha nodded in agreement. She thought of something and said, "Jun, could you help me go sell lunch boxes tomorrow?"

She felt a little embarrassed, "I was thinking I should formally tell the brothers at the construction site. After all, they've always been very supportive of my business."

Xiao Jun had no objections. Although he didn't like others always doting on his wife, he was still someone who remembered favors.

The hospital didn't allow people to stay overnight. Xiao Jun reluctantly rode his electric bike back to the village.

It was almost dark, smoke rising everywhere.

Xiao Jun's eyes were sharp. From afar, he saw a shadowy figure sneaking around his house door. He silently parked his bike to the side, then like a cat, walked over soundlessly but with big strides. He grabbed the person from behind by his collar, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Wang Kun had been brewing a plan to teach Ding Sha a lesson these past few days. He snuck over when it was dark, but found the doors tightly shut when people were usually home.

Just as he felt strange and was peering through the door gap wanting to take a look, he was scared out of his wits by the person behind him.

Turning around, he saw a fierce face with eyes that looked murderous. Wang Kun shuddered, "I...I'm not doing anything..."

Xiao Jun glanced at the door, "What rotten scheme are you brewing? Tell the truth and you might get beaten less." Wang Kun was afraid of pain. His eyes darted around cunningly, and his expression became fawning and ingratiating, "Brother, I don't recognize you. Is this your first time in our village?"

Xiao Jun didn't know what tricks he was playing. He hmm-ed and kept a firm grip on his collar.

After being dragged a couple of steps, Wang Kun panicked, "Brother! Let's talk this through!"

"Talk through your ass!" Xiao Jun crudely dragged him into the woods and pushed him against a tree.

Without another word, he swung his fists, large as sandbags, and started punching. His hands were big and powerful, beating Wang Kun until he wailed and dodged continuously.

Only when Wang Kun's face was bruised and swollen did Xiao Jun feel slightly better. But thinking of the filthy words from his mouth, he still felt restless.

Wang Kun's face was smeared with snot, tears and blood. He lay on the ground crying and wailing. Xiao Jun kicked him, "Shut up."

Wang Kun shuddered in fear and sobbed softly.

Xiao Jun lowered his head, "Do you know who I am?"

Wang Kun shook his head vigorously like a rattle drum.

Xiao Jun felt an itch in his throat wanting to smoke, but held back for Ding Sha's sake. "I'm the one who lives in the house you were peeping at. The one you were spewing filth about is my wife."

Wang Kun was so frightened he forgot to cry.

"If I ever hear that dog mouth of yours spout anything indecent again... it won't be just a beating." He gritted his teeth and lowered his voice ominously, sending chills down Wang Kun's spine.

Wang Kun nodded repeatedly, "I won't say it again! Never again!!!"

Xiao Jun snorted coldly and left him there. He pushed his electric bike back to the yard.

He tidied up the ingredients at home and took out what he needed for tomorrow. Then he started looking on his phone for suitable storefronts to rent.

At the construction site entrance, a group of burly men stood expectantly, eyes peering down the road. It was past the usual dinner time, but that beautiful figure still hadn't appeared.

A thin man sighed, "Not coming again today either? Where has our lunchbox fairy gone? I'm so used to her lunchboxes that I can't swallow anything else!"

Da Zhuang was also droopy. He said dispiritedly, "Who knows... I didn't eat much yesterday either, just waiting to order two lunchboxes..."

"Here he comes! Here he comes!" There was a sudden commotion in the crowd. Looking up, it was indeed the figure of Ding Sha's boyfriend riding an electric bike over.

Up close, they saw it wasn't the beauty herself.

Although a little disappointed not to see the beauty, the thought of delicious food to fill their souls still made everyone pretty happy as they lined up. Xiao Jun opened the box, "Scan the code to pay, fifteen yuan per box."

After getting his lunchbox, Da Zhuang couldn't wait to open it. Today's dishes were packed extra full, still the usual two meat and one veggie dishes.

The braised potato and long beans with fatty pork was unrestrained. The potatoes were soft and flavored, the long beans also soft and juicy. The large chunks of pork belly were plump and fat, effortlessly pierced by chopsticks. One bite brought immense satisfaction, making one feel like they ascended to heaven.

The garlic stir-fried chicken was one he'd never seen before. The aroma was pungent garlic.

The chicken was cut into small pieces and blanched, then directly thrown into the wok with ginger, scallion and garlic. Once the skin was fried golden, a large box of crushed garlic was added and fried until the garlic turned golden brown and released its fragrance. Then a bit of water was added, followed by a sauce made of oyster sauce, soy sauce, salt, sugar and pepper to adjust the flavor. It was cooked over low heat until the sauce thickened. One bite brought the flavors of garlic and chicken perfectly blended, without any garlic stench or meat odors. It made one just want another bite after the first.

The last dish was spicy potato shreds. The bright red dried chilies were eye-catching, and the sourness stimulated the appetite.

Da Zhuang wolfed down a huge mouthful of rice before feeling satisfied.

He looked at the silent Xiao Jun beside him, intentionally striking up a conversation, "Boss, what have you been busy with recently? When you guys don't come for a day, so many of us go hungry."

Xiao Jun's expression softened a little hearing Ding Sha mention this man before. "I went with Sha Sha for a prenatal checkup."

Da Zhuang's hands paused subconsciously and he glanced around at the other people eating beside him, seeming to hear the sound of more breaking hearts.

But still, Da Zhuang congratulated him with a smile, "Wonderful news! My congratulations to you two!"

Xiao Jun thanked him and thought for a moment, "We won't be coming here to sell lunchboxes anymore."

Da Zhuang almost jumped off his stool, "Why?!!"

"Sha Sha is pregnant. We're preparing to move to the city for her convenience going out," Xiao Jun explained. "We're planning to open a small store in the city. You can come eat at our store if you have the chance."

Da Zhuang sadly shoveled down two more mouthfuls of rice. He suddenly seemed to recall something. He took out his phone, "Boss, let's add each other on WeChat. We can keep in touch that way in the future, yeah?"

Xiao Jun agreed.

After adding Xiao Jun's WeChat, he prepared to head back since he still had a real estate agent meeting in the afternoon to see houses. He was short on time.

Not long after returning home, he heard a knock on the door. Opening it, he saw a kindly and sturdy old woman.

Zhang Granny had dug up some Jerusalem artichokes from her vegetable garden, thinking of bringing them over for Ding Sha. But when she knocked, a young man came out instead.

Zhang Granny was surprised seeing the young man. She blurted out nervously,

"Are you that scumbag who got little Sha pregnant?"