Chapter 48: A Tight Schedule

Yan Rushan was a man of his word. Two evenings later, he delivered a substantial amount of beef, mutton, and pork—altogether over twenty pounds—which was promptly carried into the kitchen.

“Sister Li, make a nourishing stew for Comrade Zhong tomorrow using the mutton and beef,” he instructed.

Li Yun nodded with a cheerful smile. “No need to wait for tomorrow, I’ll start prepping and cooking now. Beef and mutton taste best after a long simmer.”

“Alright.” Yan Rushan washed the lingering scent of blood from his hands under the tap. As he wiped his hands and stepped out of the kitchen, he nearly collided with Zhong Yuxiu. He quickly reached out to steady her. “Careful.”

Once she regained her balance, Zhong Yuxiu thanked him with a smile. “Thank you, Comrade Yan.”

“No need, it was nothing.” Retracting his hand, Yan Rushan surreptitiously rubbed his fingertips. “I only managed to get part of the meat today. Tomorrow evening, I’ll bring you the rabbit.”

Zhong Yuxiu walked past him into the kitchen, her eyes lighting up as they fell on the heap of fresh meat. “That’s a lot of meat. How much does it cost? I’ll have Sister Li pay you. You got these on the black market, didn’t you? Do you need ration coupons?”

“Just cash is fine—they were purchased directly from the countryside.” He didn’t want to make her uncomfortable by refusing payment.

“How much, then?”

A low, magnetic voice replied, “Forty will do.”

“That cheap?” Zhong Yuxiu turned sharply, staring at him in disbelief. “Don’t just name a token amount. Charge me the real price—whatever it is. I’m not short on money, and this meat will last quite a while once it’s cured.”

She hadn’t even used her bonus yet, and her monthly living allowance always came through; her finances were all inflow and no outflow.

Yan Rushan chuckled. “It’s through a connection. I just need to cover the cost; they didn’t ask for more.”

“What sort of connection gives you that kind of deal?” Zhong Yuxiu’s first reaction was curiosity.

“It’s childhood ties—we grew up together, know everything about each other. When you have time, I’ll introduce you. It’ll make future transactions convenient.”

She paused, then quickly shook her head. “Thank you, but I don’t go to the black market.”

Yan Rushan pressed his fist to his forehead, a deep, amused laugh escaping him. If he hadn’t seen the computer in her lab, he might have believed her.

He felt a flicker of guilt, but she maintained her composure.

“Alright, you won’t go to the black market. Just tell me what you need, and I’ll have someone get it for you.”

“Buying once in a while is fine, but you shouldn’t make a habit of going to the black market.”

The young woman raised her chin slightly, her tone tinged with pride, and her words were oddly endearing.

Yan Rushan touched his nose, the smile on his handsome face growing even more apparent. Embarrassed by his laughter, Zhong Yuxiu shot him a glare and turned away. “Sister Li, be sure to settle up for the meat later—don’t short him.”

“Alright.” Li Yun glanced at them, then went back to her work.

“No need to be so precise. I eat here too—let’s split the cost fifty-fifty, alright?”

Zhong Yuxiu relented. “Fine, half each. How much is half? If it’s less than what I expect, you’re not allowed to eat here anymore.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll be fair.” Yan Rushan’s eyes crinkled with indulgence. “The total was one hundred and eighty yuan. The beef and mutton were pricier, the pork cheaper.”

One was willful, the other indulgent.

Li Yun shook her head—these two, perfectly matched in their own way.

“Sister Li, give him ninety yuan,” Zhong Yuxiu said, her tone softer than before.

“Yes, Comrade Zhong, I’ll fetch the money.”

After Li Yun left, Yan Rushan leaned in. “Comrade Zhong, not angry anymore?”

“I wasn’t angry.” What was there to be angry about? She was simply sticking to her principles.

He nodded, relaxing a little. Their gazes met in silence, until Li Yun’s return broke the quiet as she handed the money to Yan Rushan.

“Comrade Yan, ninety yuan. Please count it.”

“No need.” He slipped the bills into his pocket, then looked at Zhong Yuxiu. “Comrade Zhong, it’s getting late—I should head home. Registration at the school is the day after tomorrow. I’ll come by and we can go together.”

She nodded gently. “Alright, see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.” As Yan Rushan turned away, a subtle smile curved his lips.

One step closer.

Dawn was breaking as Zhong Yuxiu went downstairs to wash up and joined Hao Nan and the others for breakfast. On the table was a nourishing mutton soup that Li Yun had begun simmering the previous night, using medicinal herbs to remove any gaminess. The broth was rich and aromatic.

After setting down her chopsticks, Zhong Yuxiu couldn’t resist another bowl of soup. “Sister Li, what herbs did you put in the mutton soup? There’s no trace of that usual odor.”

In ancient times, such delicious mutton soup was the result of master chefs’ careful seasoning; ordinary folk could only use simple herbs to mask the smell, never achieving such flavor.

“Just codonopsis, dried tangerine peel, and black cardamom—those three,” Li Yun replied, glancing up.

Zhong Yuxiu nodded. “I taste star anise as well.”

“I did add a star anise for flavor.”

“Any other seasonings?” She found it no less impressive than what grand chefs had prepared in her past life.

Li Yun smiled. “Yes. Before stewing, I marinated the meat with ginger, wine, and Sichuan pepper for half an hour. When cooking, I added vinegar and cumin, along with the three herbs I mentioned. It’s warming and perfect for this season.”

“It’s delicious—just what we need. I feel warm all over after drinking it.” Zhong Yuxiu stretched. “Comrade Hao, Comrade Tian, have you finished eating? We need to head to school.”

The steps weren’t difficult, but it was a moot point—she could never get it right. No matter how she followed the instructions, she always managed to turn out something inedible.

“All done,” Hao Nan replied, downing the last of his soup and getting up.

Tian Shangguo nodded, setting down his chopsticks. “Comrade Zhong, I’m full.”

“Then let’s go—there’s still work to do at school. The semester starts the day after tomorrow, and there’s much to finish for Professor Ding.” Her lesson plans were ready, but she wanted to help Professor Ding with whatever she could.

The three left the house together as usual. Upon exiting the compound, Zhong Yuxiu walked alone along the street, while Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo followed at a distance—close enough not to lose sight of her, but far enough not to attract attention.

At the office, Professor Ding had already arrived at some unknown hour and was busy preparing lessons, too preoccupied to notice anything else.

“Good morning, Professor Ding,” Zhong Yuxiu greeted.

“Good morning, Comrade Zhong. You’re here early!” Professor Ding looked up briefly, then bent over her work again.

Zhong Yuxiu entered. “It’s not that early—it’s almost eight. When did you arrive?”

“Around seven-thirty,” Professor Ding replied, checking her watch. “It’s already twenty past eight. Time flies when you’re busy—blink and it’s gone. I haven’t managed to get much written today.”

“That’s how it is when you’re busy.” Zhong Yuxiu smiled. “When I’m busy, time just disappears too. Sometimes I wonder why there aren’t forty-eight hours in a day instead of twenty-four. Then when I look back, it all seems a little childish and funny.”