Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 206: Xie Chenyan
Liu Guangmei was decisive and, having received Yi Weiliang’s confirmation, immediately set the meeting for tomorrow, Sunday. She left Liu Youning in Bright Alley and headed herself to Huanxi Lane in the west of the city.
Xie Chenyan was a native of Huaixi County, and her family had always lived in Huanxi Lane. Both of her grandparents worked at a textile factory, and when the children grew up, they took over the jobs from their grandparents. Xie Chenyan’s grandparents passed away early, and the house was where the three of them lived. Later, with the addition of a son, it was a warm home for four.
However, a car accident shattered this family. Fifteen-year-old Xie Chenyan took on the household responsibilities alone, first assuming her father’s job to study in the textile factory’s finance department. After five years of diligent work, she had become an accountant capable of handling things independently.
During work hours, Xie Chenyan always took her brother along. The factory’s management took special care of her, and someone would occasionally lend a hand, allowing the young girl some relief. When her brother turned five and started kindergarten, Xie Chenyan could finally relax a bit.
As she reached marriageable age, many colleagues and neighbors helped introduce potential matches to Xie Chenyan. However, since colleagues and neighbors were all familiar with each other, Xie Chenyan hoped to find someone unfamiliar. That way, she could express her opinions more freely, as those suggesting matches often had their own agendas.
The workers’ housing at the textile factory was tiny, much smaller than houses owned locally in the county, where a big family could live comfortably. Many matchmakers were primarily interested in Xie Chenyan’s property and job.
Without family support, Xie Chenyan had to consider everything for herself. Upon hearing Liu Guangmei mention Yi Weiliang, Xie Chenyan’s heart was moved. Anyone who could treat a benefactor’s son sincerely would undoubtedly be even better to a younger brother-in-law. Character was her primary criterion in choosing a partner.
When she learned that Yi Weiliang was just a temporary worker, Xie Chenyan hesitated but still wanted to meet him. As long as he was ambitious, a temporary worker could become permanent. Besides, she heard that Yi Weiliang worked in the transportation department of a food factory. If he could handle a vehicle alone, this job was one of the easiest to become permanent.
So when Liu Guangmei brought this topic up at home, she agreed immediately, adding, however...
"Going to Bright Alley for the meeting?" Xie Chenyan was a bit surprised.
"It’s at Weiliang’s sister and brother-in-law’s place. I’ll bring you and Tao there, and we’ll all have lunch together. People seeing us will think we’re just relatives visiting, so even if it doesn’t work out, it won’t affect you," Liu Guangmei said with a smile.
Xie Chenyan heard this and smiled, nodding her head in agreement.
The next day, Yi Roujing and Ding Ancheng arrived early at Bright Alley to help prepare. After all, it was the first time the girl was visiting; regardless of the outcome, they needed to be good hosts.
Yi Roujing saw her third brother wearing a new white shirt and army green work pants, along with a pair of brand-new liberation shoes. Paired with his handsome, sunny face and clean, neat buzz cut, he looked like a sharp young man.
"Third brother looks good today." Liu Youning gave Yi Weiliang a thumbs up.
"Really?" Yi Weiliang was a bit shy.
"When would Youning lie?" Yi Roujing walked over from the well, holding a grape, which she popped into her mouth, her eyes smiling in delight. "The grapes you bought this morning are really sweet."
"If you like them, eat more. I’ll buy more tomorrow," Yi Weiliang said dotingly.
"No need, brother-in-law. I’ve already arranged with a colleague. The grapes grown in their yard are delicious. They’ll bring five pounds over tomorrow." Ding Ancheng got up with a plate of meticulously washed grapes, walked over to Yi Roujing, pulled her to sit under the grape trellis, and pushed the plate in front of her. Inside were big, plump, purple grapes.
Yi Weiliang couldn’t help but feel that his sister was truly blessed in her married life. Their parents and the brothers pampered her at home, but their means were limited. And honestly, they couldn’t match Ding Ancheng’s attentiveness. A husband who would wash grapes and feed them to you was a rarity.
"Wow, we’re really lucky today to have beef." Ding Anmin, Ding Anguo, and Xia Xingchen entered with their hands full of ingredients, eager to share the good news.
"Beef!" Yi Roujing exclaimed, not remembering the last time she’d eaten beef.
"Yeah, it’s exhausting during the double harvest, but it’s mostly because of age," Ding Anmin explained. "We got a piece of ribs today, and I hear this cut is particularly tender."
"I’ll pan-fry it lightly today. I guarantee it will be so fresh, it’ll melt in your mouths," Ding Anmin said, eager to try.
"Your cooking is getting better and better," Yi Roujing praised generously.
"We got this thanks to Second Brother’s connections," Ding Anmin didn’t forget to praise Ding Anguo. "The person delivering beef from the meat factory knows Second Brother and secretly sold us a big piece first."
"I haven’t asked yet, Second Brother, how do you know this master?"
"The county governor went to inspect the meat factory, and I went along. Before the inspection, we familiarized ourselves with the place and pointed out any issues that could be corrected on the spot," Ding Anguo said.
"Wow, Second Brother, you’re too kind," Ding Anmin praised and started humming as he went to prepare the ingredients. Yi Roujing followed, wanting to personally see how big the beef was and thoughtfully slipped a clean grape into Ding Anmin’s mouth.
"This has to be about three pounds," Yi Roujing was satisfied with the weight.
"Your eyes are quite sharp."
"Let’s save half for dinner and invite Xiaobao and Lishu over for a meal together," Yi Roujing suggested.
"Sure," Ding Anmin nodded. Huang Xiaobao never forgot her when he had something good, and now she enjoyed sharing good things with him too.
"By the way, sister-in-law, when you’re off next week, come with me to check the new house, will you? I’m not as good at decoration as you, and I’m afraid I’ll regret it later. Please help me with your opinion." Having seen Yi Roujing’s taste in picking and matching furniture, Ding Anmin thought she wasn’t as good.
"Sure."
...
Liu Guangmei led Xie Chenyan and Xie Chentao to Bright Alley at ten o’clock. Bright Alley is located in the south of the city, half an hour away from Huanxi Lane to the west.
Xie Chenyan wore a floral dress today, with homemade white cloth shoes on her feet and short ear-length hair, freshly washed this morning, giving it a fluffy look.
Xie Chentao wore a set of military green cotton clothes, looking somewhat reserved, holding Xie Chenyan’s hand tightly.
Liu Guangmei knocked on the door, and Ding Anguo answered. When Xie Chenyan saw Ding Anguo, her face turned red, and she lowered her head slightly.
"Aunt Guangmei," Ding Anguo greeted and stepped aside to let them in.
"Anguo, you’ve become so calm and mature," Liu Guangmei praised with a smile.
Upon hearing the name, Xie Chenyan realized that this wasn’t the person she was meeting today, and her face turned even redder, embarrassed by her presumptuous assumption.
