Time Travel & Rebirth : Prosperous Life in the 1980s

Chapter 12: A Flower Among Ten Miles

Gao Zhi Xiang was restless and uneasy, fearing that Jiang Heyan might suddenly bring up his embarrassing situation. Even if things with He Yuan didn't work out, it was crucial that He Zhenchang didn't find out about his failed proposal earlier in the day and his attempt to win over He Yuan in the evening. He feared that his legs would be broken if He Zhenchang knew.

Having already offended one influential person, Gao Zhi Xiang felt he couldn't afford to make another enemy. His frustration led him to blame his romantic misadventures on others, seeing himself as an innocent victim in a cruel world.

Zhang Qiang, who rarely cooked because the family had a housekeeper, was in the kitchen today. Zhang Qiang worked at the song and dance troupe and disliked cooking due to the smoke and odors. However, with the housekeeper's son ill, Zhang Qiang had given her time off to tend to her child.

Though not an experienced cook, Zhang Qiang managed well enough, and her husband, He Anmin, delighted in the rare occasions when his wife took over the kitchen. He Anmin, usually busy with paperwork, was now helping his wife wash vegetables, an unusual but pleasant sight in their small kitchen.

Zhang Qiang, stirring the pot, suddenly cleared her throat lightly.

He Anmin looked up and asked, "Did you get a bit of smoke in your eyes? I can do the cooking. You can just supervise from the side."

It really wasn't the same, Zhang Qiang thought. She remembered when they had just gotten married, He Anmin had boasted about his cooking skills and insisted on cooking for her. The result was that she ended up with a stomach infection and had to get IV treatment for a week, missing work.

Recalling that, Zhang Qiang felt a shiver and gently declined, "It's okay. I can manage."

"By the way, Lao He, where did you meet that kid? Why didn't his father come?"

Zhang Qiang remembered that Jiang Wangquan was a big shot. When He Qin married Jiang Wangquan, he was still poor. At that time, she hadn't married He Anmin yet; she was just on a blind date. She had heard that He's family was opposed to He Qin marrying that poor guy.

When they married, Zhang Qiang attended the modest wedding banquet held in their small rented apartment. The parents from both sides didn't come; He's family was angry, and Jiang's family was entirely absent.

She had given He Qin a set of pillows and a thermos as a gift.

As she grew older, her memory faded, but the past seemed as vivid as yesterday.

Who would have thought that the poor young man of those days had become a big boss? Zhang Qiang had seen Jiang Wangquan a few years ago and barely recognized him.

He Anmin brought up the issue of the mine, saying that the kid had actively come to him and had him brought home.

Zhang Qiang was shocked, "Jiang Wangquan left such a big matter to him? That's several lives at stake."

He Anmin spat, "I hope there's no trickery involved. If it's a test, fine, but if that new stepmother is causing trouble, I won't let Jiang Wangquan off easily."

He Anmin was generous in front of the child, but in reality, he was very protective.

Zhang Qiang knew he meant what he said but was worried about his temper and potential health issues. She quickly reassured him, "Don't worry so much. If the kid is wronged, he'll speak up."

"By the way, what's the deal with those two classmates of Yuan Yuan's outside? They have no manners, and that little girl keeps eating. I greeted them, but they ignored me."