I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel-Chapter 354 - 309: Yong Is Here

A gust of wind swept away the leftovers, and not a single bite was left on the table. Everyone was super satisfied with the meal.

Xiao Ran patted his full belly, shyly letting out a burp.

Jiang Mingyue was very pleased with everyone’s performance, especially with her senior brother Qiao Rang. He could really help spread the word about her in Qingshan Village. If, if her senior brother could also promote Jiang Zhenzhu’s stories for comparison, that would be even better.

Originally, she thought of asking Yun Di to handle this, but suddenly she realized her senior brother was more suitable. As for not knowing Jiang Zhenzhu?

No, he knows her! As someone from the same school, even if you don’t know, you know.

"Hey! Want anything else to eat? I can make some more."

Everyone was still savoring the taste from before, the truffle sauce that penetrated deep into their souls, and that cold century egg salad was so delicious. But now their stomachs were so full they couldn’t even move, they had to painfully refuse.

"Enough! Enough! We’re all stuffed! I ate the equivalent of three meals at once, it was just too good!"

Jiang Mingyue was a bit embarrassed by the praise: I just like folks like you who are so straightforward. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Jiang Mingyue felt more and more that Qiao Rang was the most suitable.

Cousin Yong was the first to clean up the dishes, and Jiang Mingyue laughed, "Cousin Yong, no, sit and rest for a bit. I’ll clean up later. How could I let you handle it?"

Even though she said that, she made no move to stop him.

Cousin Yong chuckled honestly, "What’s there to be embarrassed about? I’m your brother; don’t be so formal with me."

To him, these things were nothing. It’s not like men don’t enter the kitchen. At home, when Uncle’s family came back from earning work points, they went inside to rest, leaving the housework to them.

He and his father would always help out together.

And Grandpa and Grandma didn’t like people gossiping, thinking men shouldn’t be in the kitchen. They’ve repeatedly forbidden it. His father didn’t want to upset them, so he would also rest in the courtyard, but he was the grandson, and there was nothing wrong with being a bit disobedient. At worst, he’d get a few teasing words, but he could help his mom with firewood, washing vegetables in winter, or occasionally helping his sister wash dishes in secret. Over time, everything became a habit, and he really didn’t think washing dishes was a big deal.

Oh! Who doesn’t love a hardworking person!

Xiao Ran was also very diligent, scampering in and out to help. Yun Di reminded her to clear the basket.

Only then did Jiang Mingyue notice the basket full of warm-hearted gifts.

"Oh! What’s this?"

Yun Di had to help and started explaining while working, "This package is maltose candy that Grandma made herself. The candied winter melon... I made." Yun Di was a bit embarrassed, afraid she would dislike it.

"Wow! That’s amazing, our Yun Di can make candied fruits now. This is quite a skill; maybe you can earn a big courtyard with this someday! I have to try it." The candied fruit looked like strips, in large chunks, resembling jade dusted with frost. She broke off a piece and popped it into her mouth. The sweet, delightful flavor instantly warmed her heart.

"Not bad at all!"

Receiving praise, the young boy rarely smiled.

Besides the two packages of candy, there were two bundles of chili seedlings, wrapped tightly in bamboo leaves; she thought it was more candy at first.

"Grandma thought you might need them. Uncle Tiezhu came across these while going around the village and traded some to bring back. Grandma planted some in the private plot."

East Four had good things, but winter was coming fast, and Jiang Mingyue couldn’t express praise this time.

Based on the original owner’s memory, even though winters in Nanxi City weren’t cold, with only two or three cold spells, the rest of the time, as long as there was sunshine, it remained warm. But the temperature was nothing compared to spring and summer, and while some plants could grow, chili peppers weren’t one of them.

She was worried that by the time they grew, the peppers would only be the size of pinky fingers, and deformed.

Yun Di probably thought of this issue too and didn’t really know how to continue the conversation.

Oh well! It’s the thought that counts. Jiang Mingyue happily carried them to the sink, "I’ll plant them in the evening."

Yun Di breathed a sigh of relief. He felt that although the prospects weren’t great, they shouldn’t waste them. What if by chance they grow?

Jiang Mingyue exposed the root of the seedlings, propped them up in a shady spot, and then ladled some water over them, done.

Qiao Rang wandered around both courtyards, clicking his tongue enviously, "Junior sister, you’re living a great life here!"

Jiang Mingyue smiled and denied, "Not really? It’s not mine; my cousin wanted to bring Xiao Ran over to stay together, so he rented this courtyard. The neighbor’s belongs to his colleague’s family."

In this era, she didn’t dare to show off her wealth; many family courtyards had been confiscated!

"Ah? The rent must be really expensive, right?"

"I don’t know. But I heard he won several honorable model awards, so there were some discounts given."

"It’s not private?"

"No."

Even though Jiang Mingyue knew her senior brother wouldn’t have any thoughts about it, she had to stop it at the source in case villagers started talking when rumors spread.

Once the conversation started, Qiao Rang couldn’t stop. He talked about how the mushroom sauce factory was doing, and about today’s collection.

Heard that the department store people came to take the goods, but they have to come up with the payment themselves, and only settle after selling everything. Jiang Mingyue thought this needed to be mentioned. The mushroom sauce was her recipe, given to her in gratitude by an old gentleman she met in her previous life while seeking gourmet food. This was not the usual way of preparing mushroom sauce; the taste was worlds apart. She was confident it would be well-received, the market would open up, Qingshan Village’s participation wasn’t a profit share, just buying goods from her, and settling in cash wasn’t unreasonable, was it?

Right, she’d ask her cousin later, and if needed, she’d go talk to Manager Zhuang.

"Oh yes, our school is almost built. Are you going back soon?"

That’s right! If work at the office was slow, she could return!

But then she thought of Cousin Yong, and Jiang Mingyue wasn’t sure anymore, "I’m not sure."

Qiao Rang opened his mouth: this junior sister didn’t quite match what the teacher said!

"If you don’t go back, Mr. Shu might come over to discuss staffing and management after completion. By the way, did you know your second brother is joining the army?"

He deliberately lowered his voice...

"Okay, I’ll think about it."

"By the way, while you were away, some other things happened. You wouldn’t know, but Li Minzhang actually teamed up with your second uncle to steal construction materials from the school. Those were the steel bars Mr. Yan helped source, and others couldn’t buy even if they wanted to. Those two actually climbed the fence to steal them! Luckily, they were caught by patrol, and they found the missing five steel bars buried in Baihua Forest. Isn’t that infuriating?"