Chapter 466: Candied Lotus Seeds and Lotus Root
Chapter 466: Candied Lotus Seeds and Lotus Root
The motorcycle disappeared into the crowd, and Jiang Xia and Zhou Chenglei continued walking ahead.
Life at sea was tough and monotonous, so Jiang Xia wanted to buy as much good food as possible to treat everyone to a better meal.
She had prepared a considerable amount of expensive dried goods like black fungus, golden needles, and mushrooms.
Meat, poultry, grains, and cooking essentials were also on the list, and Zhou Mu said she would take care of those.
They had chickens, ducks, and geese at home, which they would slaughter early the next morning and store in the boat's freezer.
They only needed to buy pork, and if there was beef available, they would get some. A sheep had already been arranged to be delivered to their home by Wen Fu before 9 AM the next day.
Jiang Xia was in charge of purchasing, while Zhou Chenglei carried the items.
Zhou Chenglei held a large snake-skin bag in one hand and wrapped his arm around Jiang Xia's shoulder to protect her as they navigated the bustling market, filled with feathers flying from chickens and geese.
Not far away, there was a beef stall, and Zhou Mu had probably bought some beef. Zhou Chenglei spotted a pair of ox horns, one of which was quite beautiful, and he purchased them.
Jiang Xia asked, "What are you buying those for?"
Zhou Chenglei teased her, "You'll see when the time comes."
Jiang Xia didn't ask further.
At the other end of the market, Zhou Guodong and Xu Ling were also browsing.
Xu Ling spotted a sugar gourd stall and said, "I'll buy some candied lotus seeds and lotus root to take back for my younger siblings."
The two approached the sugar gourd stall.
The stall was filled with bags of various sugar gourds, including sugar winter melon, sugar jujubes, candied lotus root, candied lotus seeds, and sugar coconut.
Xu Ling pointed at the candied lotus root and seeds covered in a layer of white sugar frosting and said, "I'll take half a pound of candied lotus root and seeds."
Although there were many varieties of sugar gourds, they were not cheap, so Xu Ling chose the flavors her younger siblings loved the most.
Zhou Guodong paid the stall owner, "Please weigh one pound of candied lotus seeds and lotus root, and pick out another pound of other varieties."
The stall owner took the money and asked, "Are you buying together or separately?"
Zhou Guodong: "Together."
Xu Ling quickly added, "No need, you buy yours, and I'll buy mine."
The stall owner asked again, "Should I pack them separately then?"
Zhou Guodong: "No need, just pack them together."
Xu Ling: "Yes, pack them separately!"
As they went back and forth, the stall owner noticed their shy expressions and realized they were a couple. She smiled and said, "I'll pack them together then."
She began to pack and weigh the sugar gourds on her own.
Xu Ling turned to Zhou Guodong, "I can buy them myself."
She felt too embarrassed to ask him to pay for her.
Zhou Guodong: "It's fine."
The stall owner, seeing Xu Ling's embarrassment, said, "Buying it this way is perfect! One pound of candied lotus root and seeds is just right, and one pound is ten portions, a perfect ten. Half a pound of candied lotus seeds with half a pound of lotus root is just right. You two coming to buy candied lotus root and seeds right after stepping out is a good omen! Taking these back will ensure a harmonious relationship, and you'll have a precious child soon, living a sweet life together!"
Xu Ling's face instantly turned bright red, even though her slightly darker skin tone made it less noticeable.
She was so embarrassed that she didn't realize she had worn a hole in her black cloth shoes, which were now in a precarious state after being washed and dried thoroughly.
Xu Ling bought the candied lotus seeds and lotus root simply because her younger brother and sister loved them.
Zhou Guodong was also shy, and his ears turned a bit red from what he heard.
He hadn't thought that deeply about it; he had just asked her out, and since she had walked over, and he was riding a bicycle, it was only natural that he would send her back later.
Since he was dropping her off, it would be impolite not to visit, and he couldn't show up empty-handed for the first time. Seeing her buying sugar gourds, he took the initiative to pay.
The two took the weighed sugar gourds from the stall owner and continued walking ahead, only to run into Lei Yuzhen and Ah Cheng, who had been riding their motorcycle around the market for half the day.
Lei Yuzhen was acquainted with Xu Ling.
Xu Ling often helped Lei Yuzhen's second aunt during the busy farming season.
Lei Yuzhen, sitting on the motorcycle, called out, "Sister Ah Ling, are you shopping at the market?"
After saying this, she glanced at Zhou Guodong.
He was pushing a bicycle and wearing a white shirt that was neither new nor old.
To be honest, she's quite a looker and tall, probably over 1.7 meters. She's taller than her boyfriend and better-looking too.
But riding a beat-up bicycle just wasn't as cool as a motorcycle.
She rode the motorcycle around the market, attracting envious glances from countless people.
Xu Ling glanced over and recognized Lei Yuzhen after a moment, smiling, "Yuzhen."
Lei Yuzhen, holding onto A Cheng's shoulder, introduced him, "This is my good sister, also my second aunt's niece, Xu Ling. We grew up together. Sister Ling, this is my boyfriend, A Cheng."
A Cheng took a quick glance at Xu Ling from head to toe. She was average-looking, barely passable, with dark skin and a large frame. Her hands were rough, and her shoes had holes, indicating her poverty.
"Hello," he greeted her indifferently, then averted his gaze, showing no interest.
A Cheng turned back, searching for Jiang Xia's figure, still finding her the most beautiful! A rare beauty indeed.
Her skin was smooth and delicate, her face radiant.
Just then, the pigeon in the seller's hand suddenly fluttered, causing her to instinctively step back and turn her head to dodge. The man behind her raised his hand to block her face, protecting her within his arm.
He took another glance at her, then drove the motorcycle straight to the nearest hotel, where they checked in with the introduction letter.
Zhou Chenglei bought the entire cage of pigeons and brought them home to cook soup for Jiang Xia that evening.
Lately, Jiang Xia had been eating less and less at each meal.
It wasn't that she had a poor appetite, but eating a little more would make her stomach uncomfortable, so she could only eat two meals a day.
Moreover, when sleeping at night, if she didn't lie in the right position, she would feel chest tightness and even difficulty breathing.
Every night when he held her, he could sense her labored breathing, heavier than before, not as light as it used to be.
She was someone who never had trouble sleeping, always sleeping soundly until morning. But now, she often woke up at night, either from hunger or suddenly.
She also went to the bathroom more frequently than before.
Jiang Xia never complained about feeling unwell, but Zhou Chenglei could tell she was suffering, yet he couldn't do much to alleviate her discomfort.
Zhou Chenglei had read about these symptoms in medical books, and Dr. Gao had mentioned them too. As the belly grew larger, it would compress some internal organs, and the discomfort might increase as the pregnancy progressed.
Tomorrow, after Zhou Fu went out to sea, he decided to take Jiang Xia to the city for a prenatal checkup.
After buying the pigeons, the couple continued walking and met Xu Ling and Zhou Guodong.
Zhou Guodong's bicycle had two bags and a piece of meat hanging from it.
Since they had met, Jiang Xia took the opportunity to inform Xu Ling that they would start work the day after the Qingming Festival.
(End of Chapter)
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