Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 153: I Want a Taste
Friday, June 20th, Yi Roujing packed up her things from the outpatient duty room; she would start working in the operating room next week.
The operating room at the staff hospital of the food factory is on the second floor of the inpatient department. There’s only one operating room where all surgical procedures are conducted. Surgeries are scarce on ordinary days, but during busy times, it’s quite insufficient given the funding and limited medical equipment. After all, even the county hospital only has one operating room.
"Nurse Chief Luo, I’m treating our outpatient department colleagues to dinner tonight, you should join us." Yi Roujing specially invited Luo Yueyuan.
Luo Yueyuan agreed without much hesitation.
Luo Yueyuan had already rearranged the outpatient nurses’ duty roster, making Yi Roujing the least busy these days. During her lunch break, she booked a table at the state-owned restaurant with all the dishes selected, so she walked there with colleagues after work in the evening.
There were quite a few envious and jealous individuals, so she didn’t want people to gossip. She strictly adhered to the office hours these days.
It was just past five, and the sky outside was still bright, with the sun slanting west but not setting. It was just in time for the rush hour, and there were many people on the road.
The outpatient nurses from the staff hospital mostly stayed together, although the crowd they conversed with was somewhat differentiated. Surrounding Yi Roujing were Han Xiangxi, Jin Fengying, and Feng Lishu; meanwhile, Ye Xiangli and Pan Meixin gathered around Luo Yueyuan with flattering compliments.
Other nurses were acquaintances she could name, but their work hours were mostly staggered, so just nodding acquaintances. Some information could be gathered merely from observing the groups walking together, chatting and laughing.
Yi Roujing wasn’t wanting for cash or coupons, so she ordered a lavish dinner, featuring all the special dishes of the Huaixi County State-owned Restaurant—braised pork, garlic-flavored pork hock, sweet and sour fish, chicken stewed with mushrooms... A full set of fifteen dishes, almost all substantial and meaty.
The group walked into the state-owned restaurant and approached the reserved table. Han Xiangxi’s eyes fixed on the dishes, and she exclaimed. "Roujing, you really went all out."
"She doesn’t have to raise children, keeps all her salary, and both partners working—not lacking in any kind of meal," Pan Meixin remarked sourly.
"But you need to be generous; some people, no matter how wealthy, are stingy and won’t spare a penny," Feng Lishu added. "They’d rather sneakily eat alone, not letting outsiders enjoy a bit of good stuff."
Though Feng Lishu didn’t name names, everyone present knew she was referring to Pan Meixin, known for being a miser and begrudging others’ good fortune. Only Ye Xiangli, unmarried and not much of a talker, could get along well with her.
Of course, what Ye Xiangli truly thought deep down, others could not say.
Pan Meixin, flushed with anger from Feng Lishu’s jab, pulled out a long bench for Luo Yueyuan to sit down and then seated herself next to her, with Feng Lishu remarking this person had truly pushed the boundaries.
The next day was a weekend off, and many attendees wouldn’t be working. Yi Roujing ordered rice wine for them, while the ones working got soda. Holding onto the soda the nurses did, thinking to take it home.
After a bountiful meal with ample drinks, almost all the dishes were eaten up; however, some residuals or sauces from meaty dishes remained, which Pan Meixin packed, as she had specially brought an aluminum lunch box for the purpose.
When leaving, Yi Roujing checked her watch; it was a bit past seven, and they had spent nearly two hours eating. A crowd gathered at the door, and the sky was already dark. Most of the nurses lived in the hospital’s staff dormitories, so they went home together; but Jin Fengying and Feng Lishu, locals of Huaixi County town, lived at home.
"Jing." In the dim streetlight, a tall figure approaching slowly with a bicycle.
Except for Feng Lishu, who had seen Ding Ancheng at a wedding, the rest hadn’t met him.
Feng Lishu nudged Yi Roujing’s arm and winked at her; Luo Yueyuan and others lingered as the tall figure came closer, revealing a remarkably handsome young man.
"Greetings, comrades," Ding Ancheng greeted proactively. "I’m Yi Roujing’s husband, Ding Ancheng."
"Such a talented couple," Luo Yueyuan remarked with rare admiration.
Yi Roujing assisted with introductions, and once informed about the situation, Ding Ancheng took responsibility. "I’ll escort those not staying in the dormitories home with Jing; Nurse Chief Luo, you can rest assured to head home."
"Mr. Ding, you really excel in every aspect; my younger brother attends County First Middle School, his sophomore year. He’s mentioned plenty about you, how you led the county high school to compete in the national math competition—a great event unheard of for decades," Jin Fengying praised Ding Ancheng.
"Yes, yes, our Lishu is still single. I wonder if there are any more outstanding teachers like Mr. Ding at County First Middle School who could be introduced to Lishu, or if none fit, I have unmarried sisters, cousins who are rather good..."
Yi Roujing kept a delicate smile; she thought Jin Fengying might have had a bit too much to drink, for Feng Lishu, blushing, kept tugging at Jin Fengying’s clothes, quietly pulling her to a rearward position, letting Yi Roujing and Ding Ancheng lead the way.
Jin Fengying’s husband, a young technician at the brewery, and their child lived in staff accommodations at the brewery; they left for the power plant once Jin Fengying was handed over to her husband.
Feng Lishu, not having drunk, watched them enter the power plant’s gate, then Ding Ancheng and Yi Roujing returned home.
Yet, Ding Ancheng delayed riding the bicycle, which puzzled Yi Roujing. "Why aren’t you giving me a ride?"
"Did you drink?" Ding Ancheng leaned in to sniff Yi Roujing’s scent and asked.
"Just a little bit of rice wine." Yi Roujing gestured to show she hadn’t drunk much.
"Was it good?" Ding Ancheng softly inquired.
"It was alright, sweet." Yi Roujing nodded in reply.
"I’d like to taste..."
The last word dissolved directly into Yi Roujing’s mouth, the streetlight’s pale glow stretching their kissing silhouettes.
"No drinking outdoors next time," Ding Ancheng softly pecked.
Yi Roujing felt perhaps she’d drunk a bit too much; her mind swirled, blank, hearing only Ding Ancheng’s voice. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Yi Roujing’s face, slightly rosy from the alcohol, eyes glazed with charm—such was the first time Ding Ancheng had witnessed this captivating version, a thought tightens his chest at the idea of others seeing Yi Roujing like this.
"Hmm?" Not receiving a response, Ding Ancheng drew slightly away and continued, "If you truly want to drink, we can when we’re alone."
"Oh." Yi Roujing agreed, somewhat dazed.
Afterwards, Ding Ancheng rode the bicycle with Yi Roujing to County First Middle School, using her slightly tipsy state to coax her obediently, engaging quite an activity.
