When she arrived at her home, Lu Jueyu removed the carts from her bicycle and stored them in the woodshed. She then went into her space to prepare lunch for her children and husband. After she came out from her space, she harvested some vegetables.
At fifteen minutes past eleven in the morning, she took out lunch for her children from her space, placed it in the kitchen, and covered the food with a basin before she packed meals for herself and her husband in a layered bamboo basket.
After locking the doors, she left on her bicycle. When the villagers saw the layered bamboo basket tied to the back of her bicycle, they wondered about what delicious meals she had prepared for her husband.
Over the past few months, their previous doubts and disdain toward her had turned into a mix of envy, admiration, and jealousy.
Though she remained physically weak and didn’t work in the farmland, her exceptional cooking skills were widely acknowledged by everyone in the brigade. With a capable husband by her side, she had become the envy of many women in the village.
However, her lack of pregnancy despite being married for several months still gave some villagers grounds for gossip. While she had adopted two children, it wasn’t enough to quell their judgments. This also makes them feel more balanced.
Unaware of the villagers’ thoughts, Lu Jueyu parked her bicycle under an old tree and untied the bamboo basket. Checking her watch, she saw that it was still half an hour before noon.
Using the basket as a cover, she retrieved a cloth from her space and spread it on the ground. It wasn’t out of pretentiousness. She simply couldn’t bring herself to sit directly on the soil, knowing it harbored bacteria and parasites.
Seeing her husband working not far away, she decided to wait for him. Sitting under the tree, she enjoyed the breeze and watched the villagers working.
While she appreciated the beautiful scenery and the peaceful atmosphere, the sight of her relaxing under the tree made the other women envious.
As they worked like a horse and a cow under the harsh sun, they couldn’t help but compare their struggles to her seemingly carefree life. In their minds, it was unfair.
They were all women, so why did they have to work like there was no tomorrow while Lu Jueyu enjoyed her days in leisure?
Despite their complaints and unhappiness, there was nothing they could do but stare at Lu Jueyu with jealousy. After all, who could they blame besides themselves for their inability to find a good man to marry?
Under everyone’s envious gazes, Lu Jueyu glanced at her watch and began to set up lunch on the mat.
Since the weather was hot, she prepared a cold noodle salad with sesame dressing. Not only was this dish filling, but it was also packed with vegetables and light on the stomach.
With the sweetness of honey and the savory flavors of soy sauce, sesame oil, and bone broth used to cook the noodles, combined with crisp, fresh vegetables and crunchy almonds, it made the perfect dish for summer.
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