Siheyuan: A Cook in the 60s

He smiled slightly and suppressed the restlessness in his heart.

Some things can't be rushed.

"You'll know when it's done."

"I'd like to see what delicacies you've prepared." Then she hesitated and asked, "Can't we take the ones we clean away?"

"Of course you can, but it's better not to bring it. In our line of work, we just take what we agreed on."

Qin Huairu glanced at Cao Wei and said, "You are quite principled."

Cao Wei smiled and said, "It's not that I have a principle. It's just a rule that has been passed down. As long as you don't starve to death, don't do anything that makes you uncomfortable. Today, the host has agreed to let us cook some meat dishes for us. We can have lunch and dinner here, and I'll make another dish for you to take back in the evening. It's not bad, there's no need to offend them, isn't it?"

"Hmm..." Qin Huairu nodded, then something seemed wrong: "You don't bring it?"

"I won't take it. I'm alone. There's no need to take it back. I usually eat at the factory."

Qin Huairu never expected to get such an answer. She said a little embarrassedly: "Thank you."

"Don't be so polite. You're so pretty, Huairu."

Qin Huairu:......

"Can't you be serious?"

"Very serious." Cao Wei shrugged and took a puff of smoke rising from his mouth: "Do you know how I felt when I saw you for the first time?"

"what?"

"At first glance, she looked haggard. At second glance, a question popped up in my mind: who tortured such a beautiful woman like this? You know, you have beautiful eyes." Cao Wei praised Qin Huairu in plain words, without ups and downs or excitement. He was just stating a fact.

It was these words that made her heart tremble violently.

For some reason, she felt a little aggrieved.

Her life has never been easy.

Before she got married, her family lived in the countryside, where they had to eat one meal and starve the next. It was not painful, nor was it a comparison. Her parents at that time always preferred her brothers and sisters. As for her, she was just a housewife. She had a sense of existence, but not much.

After much difficulty, she married into the city. Her husband was a nice guy, honest and quiet. But her mother-in-law was a powerful one, always trying to bully her. What could she do? She was just from the countryside, so she could only endure it silently. It wasn't until Banggeng was born that her life became a little better, but it was not much better.

After Xiaodang was born, her life became difficult again, even more tiring than before.

But no matter how tired she was, it was better than going back to the countryside. She knew that people would starve to death in the countryside. At least, they would not die here.

Things like happiness are derived through comparison.

No matter who you are, no matter what your status is, as long as you are willing to suffer grievances, there are endless grievances to express.

When her husband had an accident, her world collapsed. Not only did she have to consider family matters, but she also had to consider how to support the family.

Any good news? No.

No, maybe there is. The only good news is that her mother-in-law's attitude towards her has improved a little, but that's just a little better.

The pressure of family, children's education, salary pressure, all the things that men and women need to face, all fell on her at once. How could she not feel uncomfortable? How could she not feel haggard?

Especially during that period, when her locksmith skills made no progress at all, she couldn't sleep for whole nights.

She was afraid that she would not be able to be promoted to a normal first-level worker. What would happen to her family if there was another famine?

That was when Cao Wei saw her most haggard.

The eyes are pretty, but lifeless.

"Tsk, how should I put it? Let me use a metaphor that is not quite appropriate. At that time, I saw you as a farmhand being tortured by the landlord. But now you are much better. Your eyes have become much brighter and look very beautiful."

Qin Huairu rolled her eyes and her voice became softer: "Thank you for this."

"Thank me? Do I have anything to do here?" Mr. Cao asked knowingly.

"Well, if you hadn't told me those things, I guess I wouldn't have understood the locksmith's work. You don't know how scared I was at that time. I was really afraid that I wouldn't be able to learn anything. Fortunately, it's not my problem." Qin Huairu patted her conscience, and her conscience rose and fell twice as she patted her hand.

Cao Wei wanted to clap his hands and say it was wonderful.

But this is someone else's home, so we can't go too far. Although he is a scumbag, he still can't do anything too tasteless. Just like Lou Xiao'e said, there will be retribution.

"Then you have to thank me."

"How do you want me to thank you?"

"Stretch out your hand."

Qin Huairu stretched out her hand in confusion.

Cao Wei put a small box in her hand.

"Clam oil?" Qin Huairu was stunned for a moment. The last time she saw this thing was last time.

"Well, your hands are also very beautiful. Apply them more and take good care of them."

"No, are you thanking me or am I thanking you? Besides, don't you need it yourself?" Qin Huairu refused and wanted to return the clam oil to Cao Wei.

Cao Wei took a step back, turned around, and walked towards the kitchen: "Of course you are the one thanking me. Your hands are very beautiful. They are so tattered now. Take good care of them. I will be happy looking at you in the future. Isn't it your way of thanking me if you make me happy?"

Looking at Cao Wei's departing back, Qin Huairu quickly caught up with him: "No, what about you?"

"Me?" Cao Wei glanced at her.

At this moment, Qin Huairu happened to meet his eyes, the sunlight was just right, and his profile was very beautiful, which made Qin Huairu slightly stunned. Her heart couldn't help but beat violently.

"I'm a genius. How can a genius use clam oil? I use vanishing cream."

"Pfft!" She couldn't help but laugh out loud at his boastful look: "You are so shameless."

"I'm telling the truth, always the truth."

After saying that, he walked into the kitchen.

Qin Huairu stood where she was, touched her slightly hot cheeks, hesitated a little, and did not chase after him.

She raised her head and looked at the sunlight behind her. Today's sunlight was a little dazzling. She picked up the box of clam oil and blocked the sunlight that was shining directly into her eyes. It seemed that doing so would give her a strong excuse to keep the clam oil.

What she didn't know was.

Cao Wei bought this box of clam oil at the department store when he went shopping with Lou Xiao'e that day...

"What are you doing outside? Come in, wash the vegetables, and prepare lunch."

"Oh, oh, here it comes!" Qin Huairu came to her senses and put the clam oil back into her pocket, accidentally touching the sachet in her pocket.

She wanted to give it back to him today...