mc-med Chapter 148 Doing a favor while it's convenient is a waste of time.
Chapter 148 Doing a favor while it's convenient is a waste of time.
Li Xianglian had just stepped out of the large red-lacquered iron gate and hadn't even had time to properly sling her vegetable basket over her shoulder when a plump figure darted out from under the shade of a pomegranate tree beside her.
It was Aunt Hua who came to visit yesterday.
At this moment, Aunt Hua's face no longer showed any of the previous disdain and arrogance.
His chubby face was all smiles, like a dried chrysanthemum, with a fawning grin etched into every wrinkle.
"Hey, young lady! Are you going to buy groceries?"
Aunt Hua stuffed the half-full handful of melon seeds into her pocket, not caring whether her hands were drool-stained, and immediately tried to take Li Xianglian's arm.
Li Xianglian instinctively shifted her body to the side, avoiding the fat hand.
They were just being sarcastic in their own yard a moment ago, and now they've changed so quickly—they must be up to no good.
She didn't give anyone a hard time; she simply politely switched the basket to her other hand and smiled, "Yes, Auntie, we have guests over, so I'm going to get some meat."
"Guests? Those aren't ordinary guests!"
Aunt Hua's eyes widened as she glanced into the Qin family's courtyard, lowered her voice, and spoke with a look of astonishment.
"That guy who just went in, he looks a lot like Captain Wei from the county criminal investigation team, doesn't he? He's a big shot, it's hard for us ordinary folks to even see him, and he's actually buddies with Comrade Qin?"
She's lived on the back street of the machinery factory for so many years, she has a very keen eye.
Even without wearing a uniform, Wei Donghai's face was listed on the honor roll of the crackdown campaign.
The fact that the Qin couple could get Wei Yanwang to come to their door with a briefcase and a smile on his face shows how unfathomable they are.
Li Xianglian then understood why the fat aunt had been arrogant at first but then became obsequious.
She didn't expose him, and went along with the conversation, saying, "Yes, Brother Wei and my husband are comrades-in-arms, they have a life-or-death friendship. I just happened to be passing by today, so I came in for a drink of water."
"A friendship that transcends life and death!"
Aunt Hua was inwardly astonished, and the way she looked at Li Xianglian instantly changed.
If knowing they bought the house outright before just meant they were rich, now that you know their relationship with Wei Donghai, it means they are powerful and influential.
In this county, money makes you a fat sheep, but power makes you a tiger.
"Oh my, I knew it! Comrade Qin is clearly an outstanding person; his foundation is so solid!"
Aunt Hua's fawning became even more intense, practically clinging to him. "Little sister, you're being too polite, aren't you? You're new here and don't know this area well, right? Old Zhang at the meat stall at the supply and marketing cooperative is a real opportunist; if a stranger goes there, he'll definitely cut you the cheapest cut of pork belly nobody wants. Come on, come on, I'm going to buy vinegar anyway, I'll take you, and I guarantee he'll cut you the best pork belly!"
Without waiting for Li Xianglian's reply, Aunt Hua, with her swaying waist, took the lead and led the way.
Li Xianglian wasn't very familiar with the supply and marketing cooperative in this area, so having someone lead the way saved her the trouble of asking for directions, and she followed along.
Throughout the entire journey, Aunt Hua's mouth never stopped.
First, he praised Li Xianglian's clothes for their fine material, then he praised Qin Rushan for his handsome appearance, using every good word he could think of.
After going around seven or eight bends, and seeing that they were almost at the supply and marketing cooperative, Aunt Hua casually moved closer to Li Xianglian.
"Hey girl, how old is Captain Wei this year? I've never heard of him having a wife. Is he... married?"
Aunt Hua slowed her pace and walked alongside Li Xianglian, her beady green eyes gleaming.
Li Xianglian could easily see through the veiled meaning in those words.
Aunt Hua has a daughter in her early twenties who is still unmarried. She has high standards and looks down on ordinary workers. But now she's probably eyeing Wei Donghai, this juicy piece of meat.
"I'm not too sure about that." Li Xianglian smiled, neither confirming nor responding to the question. "It's not appropriate for us women to pry into men's affairs. All I know is that he's been in the army for a long time and is very busy."
"It's good to be busy! Being busy with your career is taking care of your family!" Aunt Hua felt reassured upon hearing this.
Being busy just means not having time to date!
She excitedly grabbed Li Xianglian's hand, speaking with great affection: "Sister, from now on we're really neighbors. As the saying goes, a close neighbor is worse than a distant relative. If Captain Wei comes again, please let your aunt know."
As you know, my daughter Chunyan just turned twenty this year. She's the most beautiful girl in the machine factory! She looks just like me, so she's lucky! And she's a permanent employee at the factory, isn't she a perfect match for Captain Wei?"
Li Xianglian glanced at Aunt Hua's burly physique and fleshy face, and couldn't imagine how good-looking her daughter, who "looked like her," could be.
And Wei Donghai is also included?
Brother Wei is a man even Qin Rushan admires. How could he possibly be interested in a girl from such a materialistic family?
Aunt Hua's scheme was so blatant that she didn't even bother to hide it.
Li Xianglian found it amusing. One moment they were looking down on them for being from the countryside and unable to afford rent, and the next they were trying to use their territory to snag a rich husband. The city people's ability to change their tune was no less impressive than Wang Qiao's.
"Okay, if it's suitable later, I'll ask around for you."
When Aunt Hua heard Li Xianglian agree, she was overjoyed. "Sister, if you ever need anything in this area, just let me know. If anyone dares to bully an outsider like you, I, Aunt Hua, will be the first to object!"
As the two were talking, they arrived at the gate of the supply and marketing cooperative.
The place was bustling with noise, and a long queue had formed in front of the meat counter.
To make a good impression, Aunt Hua used her enormous body to force her way through Li Xianglian and shouted inside:
"Old Zhang! Give me two pounds of the best pork belly for this girl! And two pounds of the finest rendered lard too! If you dare cut it crookedly, I'll overturn your stall!"
The butcher behind the chopping board clearly recognized this feisty woman. He gave a wry smile, and his knife was indeed very obedient. With one slice, the meat was perfectly marbled with fat and lean meat, looking absolutely beautiful.
Li Xianglian paid the money and the meat coupons, carrying the heavy meat, but she was thinking about something else.
People in this county town are indeed more cunning than those in the villages; they can make a fortune in the blink of an eye.
Although Aunt Hua is snobbish, she does have some influence in this small area of the county town.
Old Zhang, the butcher, who usually doesn't even glance at anyone, was like a mouse seeing a cat when he saw Aunt Hua. When he cut into her, the fat was thick and substantial, and there was no adulteration at all.
He who takes a bribe is bound to do his bidding; he who eats another's food is obligated to do his bidding.
Li Xianglian knew exactly what was going on.
There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. These two pounds of good meat are just an opportunity to connect Wei Donghai with someone.
As for Wei Donghai?
Being able to become the head of the criminal investigation team in the Public Security Bureau, receiving a government salary and carrying weapons, is a top-tier position anywhere.
Logically speaking, a man like this should have been worn down by matchmakers long ago, so how could he still be single?
Either their standards are so high that they can't stand ordinary women, or they are so independent that they don't have the time or inclination for such things.
Whether Aunt Hua's "flower of the machinery factory" can catch the eye of this living devil is uncertain.
But it's a favor to do someone a favor, so why not?
It's just a matter of talking; whether it works out or not is another matter. The important thing is to get along well with the neighbors first.