Rebirth in the 80s: The Scholar Wife is Cute
Chapter 569 It Turns Out to Be a Convenient Way to Mooch a Meal

Chapter 569: Chapter 569 It Turns Out to Be a Convenient Way to Mooch a Meal

"It’s a stranger."

Shen Mianmian casually made up an excuse to brush it off.

Xiaocui didn’t suspect anything, and the two quickly prepared several dishes. Shen Mianmian went to knock on He Nan’s door to call him for dinner, but he wasn’t home.

"No wonder Brother He allowed you to live opposite him; it turns out he wanted to conveniently come over for meals." Thinking about how He Nan could come over for food every day, Lu Siyuan felt so envious his stomach bubbled.

"What did Brother He do to you? Lately, every time you mention Brother He, you’re so sarcastic. What’s that about?" Shen Mianmian glared at Lu Siyuan. This guy had been acting oddly every time he mentioned Brother He lately—really strange.

Could it be that boys going through a voice change are all moody?

"I’m just saying it casually, why are you so defensive? It’s as if you’re afraid others won’t know how much you like Brother He," Lu Siyuan felt even sourer, as if he had drunk aged vinegar, and grumpily sat down, shoveling rice into his mouth with his chopsticks.

"Auntie hasn’t eaten yet. Have you no manners?" Shen Mianmian tapped him with her chopsticks, making Lu Siyuan not only feel sour but also wronged.

He couldn’t compare to Brother He, and now he couldn’t even compare to Auntie Liu.

In Shen Mianmian’s eyes, he was just a wild creature, not the least bit favored.

"It’s fine; there are no outsiders."

Auntie Liu, having been through life, swept her gaze over the two of them and understood the situation. It was clear that Siyuan had feelings for Mianmian, but Mianmian, still young, seemed oblivious to matters of the heart and unaware of the boy’s affections. Both kids were good, and being childhood friends, if they were to get together, it really wouldn’t be too bad.

"Auntie, it’s you who truly care about me." Lu Siyuan huffed at Shen Mianmian.

Shen Mianmian rolled her eyes and called Xiaocui to sit down for dinner as well.

Looking at the table full of delicious dishes, Auntie Liu didn’t even know where to start. "Mianmian, you really shouldn’t cook so many dishes for me next time. It must cost a fortune! Not even during the New Year’s celebrations would others be willing to treat guests this way!"

In the countryside during the New Year, it’s common for just one meat dish to be served at the table. After the guests leave, that same plate often remains untouched. Guests usually restrain themselves from eating the meat dishes out of politeness, or if they do eat, they only nibble just to be courteous. Once a table full of guests is gone, that very dish is reheated and served again at lunch—essentially, that plate of meat is there just for show.

Being villagers, everyone’s home conditions are similar, and these matters are unspoken common knowledge. Thus, essentially, no one would clear out the meat dishes at someone else’s home. Most would find excuses, claiming they don’t like eating it.

But in truth, who wouldn’t like to eat it?

All year round, they hardly see any oily food. Just looking at the meat would make them salivate.

Auntie Liu, sticking to her usual principles, also felt it wasn’t right to eat the meat dishes and kept picking at the vegetables. Shen Mianmian and Xiaocui clearly noticed.

"Auntie, the business at the store is not bad now; the monthly income is quite decent. Don’t worry about me not making money easily and be reluctant to eat. These dishes are supposed to be eaten the same day they’re cooked. If they’re not eaten, by tomorrow they’ll spoil and have to be thrown out," knowing Auntie Liu feared waste, Shen Mianmian purposely said this to encourage her to eat more.

"They would have to be thrown out if they’re not eaten? What a waste!"

Hearing this, Auntie Liu felt pained. She had not eaten such fine dishes in her decades of life; the thought of throwing them away would keep her awake all night.