A charming widow in her 70s married a factory manager and raised his children.

Lu Congyue was very susceptible to Zhuang Qingxiang's charms and almost couldn't resist hugging and kissing her.

His gaze swept over the corner of pink peeking out from the small basket, his throat went dry, and he forced a straight face, saying in a deep voice, "Alright then, let's do it the way we agreed yesterday. I'll buy some groceries and have them delivered back later. Don't go out and squeeze in; they can eat whatever they can buy."

Zhuang Qingxiang nodded repeatedly. After seeing Lu Congyue off, she rubbed her eyes in front of the mirror.

Sigh, we were rushing too much. There was no need to rush at all. We could have finished during the day.

It's simply because I haven't touched a needle and thread for a while, and now I'm a little addicted to it.

Soon, someone brought eye drops, vegetables, and even a pound of lean meat.

"Director Lu said he went too late today and couldn't buy any pork belly; only this kind of lean meat was left," the person relayed Lu Congyue's words.

Zhuang Qingxiang recognized the person who came out as the same person who had delivered the message yesterday. She quickly thanked him and then asked with a smile, "Did you like the pastries from yesterday? I still have some here. I'll get you two more."

It's not right to let people run errands for nothing.

The man waved his hands repeatedly, indicating that he didn't need it, and ran away before Zhuang Qingxiang could persuade him.

It's obvious that the young man is shy.

As expected, Lu Congyue did not return that evening. Sun Yongxian and Shi Peiran came after work, and Sister Jin came early to help Zhuang Qingxiang prepare dinner.

When I came, I also brought a piece of braised pork.

"Now the braised food signs that state-run restaurants have bought are all up and running. We can't keep up with the demand every day. I go home as soon as we sell out. I specially reserved this spot for myself."

Sister Jin is very satisfied with her current job, but she feels a little sorry for Zhuang Qingxiang.

In the past, with such good skills, wouldn't one have made a fortune by opening their own shop?

Now we can only watch helplessly as state-run restaurants make money.

Zhuang Qingxiang, however, didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

She had never run a business before and didn't know how much money she could make selling braised dishes. To her, it was just a job on the kitchen stove at home; her mother could do it, and so could she. There was nothing special about it.

Besides, in addition to braised dishes, she can also make desserts and cook delicious food. Now she can even make bread and borscht, which are eaten by Westerners. She thinks she is great.

"Sister Jin, don't buy braised dishes anymore. If you want some, I'll braise some at home and you can take a couple." Zhuang Qingxiang said with a smile, "I guarantee it'll taste even better than what you get at state-run restaurants."

"Don't bother with three kids," Sister Jin refused outright. "Buying a little something now and then won't cost much, and I, Sister Jin, can afford it!"

Although her salary is not high, she spends very little money.

She no longer needs to spend money on her husband, son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. She has enough clothes to wear and doesn't need to buy new ones. She doesn't spend much on food either. She lives in Zhuang Qingxiang's house, and the rent is low, so she can save money every month.

I wanted to spend money on my daughter, but she's so considerate and doesn't want to spend her money.

Thinking of her own daughter, such a good person, who had gotten divorced, Sister Jin was furious.

"By the way, Qingxiang, could you make a dress for my daughter when you have time?" Sister Jin whispered. "I'll have her wear it when I find a matchmaker to introduce her to someone. Please make it nice for her."

"Sure, when do you want it?" Zhuang Qingxiang asked. "Are you looking for someone soon?"

"She's not willing. Let me talk to the matchmaker first. Later, you go and look at the fabrics. If you find any suitable ones, let me know and I'll buy them. Let's prepare in advance so we don't run out of time," Sister Jin said, planning.

Zhuang Qingxiang readily agreed, as making clothes was her specialty, and she wasn't intimidated.

Although Li Meihua wasn't particularly beautiful, she was energetic and had a good figure. Zhuang Qingxiang had already mentally drafted her plan.

When it's hot, wear a white top with a small blazer collar, cinched at the waist, to make yourself look energetic and neat. Pair it with a blazer skirt and black leather shoes for a clean and stylish look.

Upon hearing this, Sister Jin wished she could break down the doors of the department store right now and buy the fabric back.

Seeing that they were chatting happily, Sun Yongxian came over and asked them what they were talking about.

Knowing that Zhuang Qingxiang was going to make clothes for Li Meihua, she immediately asked for some as well.

"When my belly gets bigger, I won't be able to fit into any clothes. Sister Zhuang, you have to make me a couple of outfits to wear alternately. Make them a little loose, otherwise they won't cover my belly."

Sun Yongxian was worried about this when Shi Peiran said no, she should wear his.

She didn't want to wear men's clothes. Besides, although Shi Peiran was tall, he wasn't fat, and his clothes weren't that big.

"Okay, I'll definitely make it for you and make you look beautiful," Zhuang Qingxiang readily agreed.

After dinner, when Sun Yongxian and the other two were about to leave, Zhuang Qingxiang secretly slipped her a paper package.

Sun Yongxian understood immediately and quickly stuffed the palm-sized paper packet into her bag, but she still couldn't help but blush.

Upon returning home, Sun Yongxian quickly went to her room.

She's a lively person and usually chats outside for ages before coming back inside. Sister Jin was a little worried: "Pei Ran, hurry inside and check on Yong Xian. Is she feeling unwell?"

Shi Peiran responded and went inside, where he saw his wife examining a piece of pink fabric.

"What's this?" Shi Peiran asked curiously.

Sun Yongxian blushed and asked, "Do you like it?"

"What do you like?"

"This!" Sun Yongxian said, gesturing with the pink fabric that Shi Peiran had spotted in front of her.

Shi Peiran's mind went blank for a moment, and he hurriedly closed the door.

"This, this is..."

"I asked Sister Zhuang for it," Sun Yongxian said with a grin.

Shi Peiran's fair and quiet face flushed red: "W-what do you need this for...?"

"I've never worn this before, I'd like to try it on, do you want to see?" Sun Yongxian gave him a reproachful look.

Shi Peiran swallowed hard: "Yongxian, you're not feeling well right now..."

"I just wanted to show you, what are you thinking?" Sun Yongxian said, blushing and stamping her foot.

Shi Peiran: "..." Is his wife trying to kill him?

I shouldn't have gotten pregnant and had a child so early...

After nightfall, Sister Jin washed up and went back to her room to sleep.

Shi Peiran fetched water for Sun Yongxian to wash.

After washing herself clean, Sun Yongxian put on the pink bellyband and deliberately waved it in front of Shi Peiran, asking him if it looked good.

Shi Peiran nodded calmly, then took the water out and rinsed himself with cold water. He returned, still damp with sweat, and meticulously urged Sun Yongxian to go to bed. He then checked the doors and windows, blew out the light, and got into bed.

Sun Yongxian was extremely discouraged. She turned over and faced away from Shi Peiran.

The room wasn't very dark, and Shi Peiran could clearly see his wife's smooth, fair back, loosely tied with a thin rope.

It's from that pink bib.

Shi Peiran just stared at it, without blinking.

Sun Yongxian felt the burning gaze.

It's like they're going to strip someone naked.

She couldn't help but smile, and suddenly rolled over, catching Shi Peiran just as he was about to look away.

"What are you looking at?" she asked in a low voice.

Shi Peiran maintained an extremely calm expression, but his eyes were unusually deep and intense.

Then, with utmost calmness, he picked up a thin blanket and covered her with it.

"It gets cold at night, so make sure you're covered up."