Chapter 233: Chapter 233: Returning to Her Parents’ Home

Jiang Moli grinned and pinched Qian Ling’s cheek. "I wasn’t thinking of you in particular. I just brought it along."

"I’m happy even if you just brought it along."

Qian Ling smiled, tucking the cured meat into her satchel.

When Jiang Moli glanced up, she saw a tall figure standing ahead.

Yang Lijiong had a green military satchel slung over her shoulder and was watching her with a teasing look in her eyes.

Jiang Moli smiled and waved. "Vice Yang, good morning."

Yang Lijiong waited for her to draw near before they walked into the cultural troupe building together.

"When did you get back?"

"Last night."

As she spoke, Jiang Moli pulled another oil-paper package out of her bag, one identical to the one she’d given Qian Ling.

"Vice Yang, this is traditional cured meat from Gulin. I know you don’t like fatty meat, so I made sure to pick a lean piece for you."

Yang Lijiong took the oil-paper package, bounced it in her hand, and said with an unreadable expression, "You’ve already provided the main dish. It’d be wrong of me not to treat you to a meal, wouldn’t it?"

Jiang Moli laughed. "That would be wonderful. But I’m not free tonight. I have to go to my parents’ house to see my dad. Tomorrow night works, though."

Yang Lijiong was noncommittal. "I’m busy for the next few days. We’ll talk when I’m free."

Jiang Moli said, "Anticipation is a pleasure in itself."

Yang Lijiong glanced at her. "First, you think about where you want to eat. Let me know when you’ve decided. I’m heading to my office."

"Alrighty."

After Yang Lijiong had walked away, Qian Ling looked at Jiang Moli with envy. "Moli, Vice Yang is so good to you. Not only does she let you eat the special meals for cadres at lunch, but she’s also taking you out to a nice restaurant."

Jiang Moli smiled back. "And am I not good to you?"

Qian Ling laughed and linked arms with her. "You’re good to me too, tee-hee."

Not far behind them walked a group of women from the drama troupe.

"Just look at her, she really knows how to kiss up. So high and mighty in front of us, but a complete suck-up in front of the leadership, like a little lapdog."

"Why else would Vice Yang use a script from a newcomer like her?"

"Pah! So shameless!"

[Disdain Value +4. Account credited: 40,000 yuan.]

...

After getting off work and going home, Jiang Moli grabbed the Langjiu liquor and cured meat and headed to the military family compound.

At the entrance to the compound, she happened to run into Jiang Dahai, who was on his way home from work.

Jiang Dahai was both surprised and delighted. "When did you get back? Why didn’t you give us a heads-up?"

Jiang Moli teased, "Why? Are you hiding someone at home I’m not supposed to see?"

Jiang Dahai chided her, "Nonsense. We don’t have any food in the house. I’ll go buy some."

He was about to turn his bicycle around when Jiang Moli stopped him. "No need. I brought liquor and food. I’ll have a few drinks with you tonight."

Only then did Jiang Dahai notice what she was carrying. He was pleased, but also a little uneasy.

"About all this stuff you brought... do your parents-in-law know?"

"Are you kidding? They’d kill me if they knew! I snuck it out. Come on, let’s hurry home before anyone sees us."

Jiang Dahai was speechless.

Just then, a few other residents were passing by. Hearing Jiang Moli’s words, they shot her strange looks.

’Stealing from her husband’s family to give to her own parents... The nerve of some people! Utterly shameless!’

[Disdain Value +3. Account credited: 30,000 yuan.]

Back home, looking at the Langjiu liquor and cured meat on the table, Jiang Dahai was as restless as a cat on a hot tin roof, as if he were the thief.

"You should take these things back."

Jiang Moli teased, "What’s the matter, is Langjiu not good enough for you? Just make do. Next time, I’ll steal a bottle of Wuliangye for you."

"Don’t you dare! From now on, you’re forbidden from bringing things from your in-laws’ house here. If you do it again, I’ll chop your hands off!"

Seeing that Jiang Dahai was genuinely upset, Jiang Moli finally explained with an amused laugh, "Relax. My father-in-law bought the liquor and told me to bring a bottle for you to try. As for the cured meat, I bought it with my own money."

Jiang Moli took out about a pound of the cured meat and sausage, giving it to Li Hongying to cook as an extra dish for dinner. She had Jiang Dahai hang the rest in a well-ventilated spot.

The winter temperatures were low, so there was no risk of the cured meat and sausage spoiling. It would last them until spring next year without any issues.

While waiting for dinner to cook, Jiang Moli opened the Langjiu, poured two small glasses, and had a drink with Jiang Dahai, snacking on peanuts.

Langjiu was a sauce-aroma style baijiu, with a rich, full-bodied fragrance and a smooth, mellow taste.

Warmed by the drink and in high spirits, Jiang Dahai took out his recent research to show Jiang Moli.

Jiang Dahai’s research was focused on improving the hydraulic systems of low-power tractors.

At present, small-scale tractors used direct-acting valves.

This system had several significant drawbacks, including low efficiency, slow response times, and a short service life for the oil pump.

Building on a new technical approach suggested by Jiang Moli, Jiang Dahai had developed a new type of pilot-operated return valve.

This valve allowed for more precise pressure control, which reduced energy waste, saved fuel, and significantly improved the tractor’s operational efficiency.

Of course, this research was still purely theoretical. The next step would be to test and perfect it through practical application.

Jiang Dahai happily patted the half-inch-thick stack of documents and notes. "When Factory Director Yang gets back from his business trip in a few days, I’ll show him my findings. There’ve also been rumors at the factory about building new residential housing. With this, I might actually be able to secure a housing allocation spot."

Jiang Dahai’s delight was plain to see; there was a bright light shining in his eyes.

He and Li Hongying lived here, and while they appeared to be settled and at ease, they were secretly full of anxiety.

They were constantly afraid of being a burden to their son-in-law and his family.

His motivation for staying up all night studying and seeking out people for guidance was all driven by the desire to get one of the factory’s housing allocation slots.

Now that his goal was within reach, it was impossible for him not to be overjoyed.

Before the cured meat was even brought to the table, Jiang Dahai was already dead drunk.

After helping Jiang Dahai to bed, Jiang Moli and Li Hongying ate dinner together.

It got dark early in the winter. By the time they finished eating, the sky was pitch-black.

Li Hongying walked her back to the Military District Courtyard. "Moli, there are a lot of leftovers from dinner. Can I take some to Xiao Qing? Her exams are next month, and she’s been pulling all-nighters. I’m worried she’s going to wear her body out."

Hearing Li Hongying say this reminded Jiang Moli of something.

’In the plot of the original novel, Jiang Qing, the female lead, did get into university.’

"For things like this in the future, you can just ask my dad."

Li Hongying quickly said, "But you’re the one who brought everything back. I felt I had to ask you first."

After seeing Jiang Moli off, Li Hongying returned home and first went into the bedroom to check on Jiang Dahai.

Seeing that he was fast asleep, she didn’t wake him. She packed some rice, cured meat, and sausage into a lunchbox and then left.

By the time Li Hongying arrived at Jiang Qing’s residence, the cured meat and sausage were cold, and the pork fat had congealed into a white solid.

Jiang Qing didn’t seem to mind and wolfed it down.

"What’s the special occasion? We’re eating so well."

"Moli brought the cured meat back from a family visit in Lucheng. She brought liquor, too. Your Uncle Jiang got a little too happy and had a few too many drinks, so he fell asleep before he even had dinner."

"What’s he so happy about?"

Li Hongying had been cooking in the hallway and hadn’t heard much of the conversation, only that Jiang Dahai’s research was showing some promise.

Hearing this, Jiang Qing said, "You can head back. I’ll wash the lunchbox and bring it back to you tomorrow."

Li Hongying wanted to get back to look after Jiang Dahai anyway, so after offering a few words of advice, she got up and left.

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