The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

Chapter 603: Chapter 590: Aunt Laughs

One could say that, for both official and personal reasons, it was obligatory to participate in such a joyful event.

So, Zhuang Qingning agreed without hesitation.

Seeing Zhuang Qingning agreeing so readily, Mrs. Han laughed heartily, her mouth almost stretching to her ears. “Good, if you’re willing to come, then come over tomorrow after breakfast. You have a good eye for quality, you can help us decide whether the dishes for the guests at noon are suitable,” she suggested.

“Sure, I’ll be there early tomorrow,” replied Zhuang Qingning with a smile.

After a few more words, seeing Chu Jinnian was there too, Mrs. Han didn’t linger longer and left first.

Zhuang Qingning saw Mrs. Han out and chatted at the entrance for a while before she returned to the courtyard. Glancing around, she noticed Chu Jinnian’s unhappy expression.

Umm…

A couple of days ago, he suggested going for a lake tour, but because she was preoccupied with her soap and textile workshop business, she declined.

He proposed the idea again today, but then came the celebration of Zhuang Sifu and Zhou Daya’s engagement.

Such continuous rejection would undoubtedly leave anyone feeling disheartened.

At that moment, Zhuang Qingning felt a little guilty.

However, no matter how guilty she felt… having already agreed to Mrs. Han’s offer, Chu Jinnian would simply have to endure it for a while.

“Um…are you hungry?” Zhuang Qingning quickly changed the subject, “do you want me to make you a bowl of chicken soup noodles?”

“Hmm…Guokui is also good, or maybe I should make you shortbread? Oh yes, let’s have barbecue! We can slice the lamb into thin pieces, grill them on a rack and eat them with fresh lettuce.”

“Manager Shang just sent some fresh mountain mushrooms, including Enoki mushrooms. I can wrap them in tofu sheets and grill them, then dip them in sweet soybean paste– always delicious.”

“Oh, and eggplants are delicious when grilled, especially with a bit of garlic…”

As Zhuang Qingning rattled on and on trying to divert his attention, Chu Jinnian’s lips twitched upwards into a small smile.

It turned out that he did mean a lot to Zhuang Qingning.

“Alright, let’s have barbecue.” Chu Jinnian rolled up his sleeves, “I’ll help you cut the lamb.”

Having witnessed Chu Jinnian’s knife skills before, Zhuang Qingning confidently delegated this task to him. Meanwhile, she busied herself with preparing tofu and Enoki mushroom wraps, along with some other veggies and sauces. She also asked Xiangqiao to prepare charcoal for the barbecue.

The thin slices of lamb, after just a brief grilling on the charcoal grill, would be cooked thoroughly while still maintaining their juicy texture. Combined with crispy fresh lettuce and a rich dipping sauce, it was simply heavenly.

Especially when the lamb slices were taken off the grill with a sizzle, it added an extra dimension to this appetizing feast.

The barbecue was so satisfying that Chu Jinnian’s eyes narrowed with pleasure.

However, due to his overly good mood, and having had a hearty lunch with Zhuang Qingning, Chu Jinnian accidentally ate a lot. As a result, he still didn’t have an appetite by dinner time. Even when he was about to go to bed, he could still feel a mild bloating feeling in his stomach. Therefore, he had to ask for some honey hawthorn to ease digestion, and even took an extended walk around the garden before he could finally lie down and sleep comfortably.

As for Zhuang Qingning, she went to bed early and got up early the next day. After breakfast, she went to Mrs. Wen’s house.

Mrs. Han and Zhou Daya were already busy with the preparations, and Zhuang Qingning, seeing their bustle, joined in to help with the decoration and food arrangements.

By mid-morning, Zhuang Sifu and his family arrived.

Cloth, rice noodles, pork, you named it – they brought lots of baskets filled with these items, all adorned with red ribbons and covered with red cloth, giving off a festive vibe.

As the two families were soon to become in-laws, their conversations sounded closer and intimate, full of joy and laughter as they revolved around the good news of Zhuang Sifu and Zhou Daya’s engagement.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

They were all saying that it was destiny, and the couple were bound to have a blessed child soon– these auspicious phrases were heard continuously.

Zhuang Sifu and Zhou Daya blushed like apples, stealing glances at each other and giggling at their fortune.

Seeing the sweet office romance about to bear fruit, Zhuang Qingning, as their boss, watched the two of them with a broad smile on her face.

Upon seeing Zhuang Qingning’s deep and heartfelt smile, the ever-blushing couple lowered their heads even more, but the affection in their eyes deepened whenever they glanced at each other.

Zhuang Qingning’s smile felt even more benevolent against this backdrop.

The news of Zhuang Sifu and Zhou Daya’s engagement was the talk of the village for several days.

The groom was known to be well-behaved and the bride was intelligent, capable and hardworking. Both of them were well-liked by everyone, and every time someone mentioned them, they would smile and give their blessings.

Even the Zhang Xiangrong and Mrs. Cao couple, upon hearing the news, specially sent Zhuang Sifu a basket of peanuts and jujubes, wishing them to have a son soon.

Zhuang Sifu often delivered goods to Ruyi Pavilion and was well acquainted with the people there. When Zhang Yongchang and others heard the news, they were so pleased that they promised to cater the wedding banquet of Zhuang Sifu and Zhou Daya.

Good vibes enveloped Enji Village for several days before gradually subsiding.

The first reason was that even the happiest news gets old after being gossiped about repeatedly. Moreover, too much repetition might strike as untrue, so after a few days, people stopped talking about it.

The second, and the most important reason, was the clear sky.

It was the kind of clear sky where not a single cloud could be seen. Even the wind blowing felt like a hot knife, causing faces to sting.

In this heatwave, which came in dry waves, cracks started to appear in the arid soil. If seeds were sown without proper autumn planting, it would be difficult for them to germinate. The seedlings that were sown early were also wilting now. Some of those who managed to water their crops morning and evening could keep them upright for a while, but some crops had already died of drought.

The situation in Enji Village was slightly better. Thanks to Zhuang Jingye arranging for the healthy young men to water the crops, the crops managed to survive even though they weren’t as lush as previous years.

The other neighboring villages, caught unprepared, were now hastily watering their crops from the river.

The race against time combined with the heavy task, forced most families to enlist all their members, including the children, to help carry water in small wooden buckets to the farming fields.