Xue Ling had everything planned. In just one month, she would have enough money saved for her father-in-law’s prosthetic limb.
Over a thousand yuan in the 1980s was a substantial sum, but it was worth it to alleviate the old man’s suffering.
She intended to save six hundred yuan, with the remainder and her month’s salary for living expenses. However, she didn’t disclose the full amount to Cheng Tianyuan, fearing it would burden him with the cost of the prosthetic.
He was already working tirelessly day and night; she didn’t want to add to his stress. Instead, she was determined to contribute as much as possible by squeezing in translation work every spare moment.
“Grumble…” Cheng’s stomach protested, eliciting a bashful apology from him, “I ate early at noon, now I’m quite hungry.”
“Brother Yuan, let’s dine out today!” Xue Ling proposed cheerily, “I’ve just received my freelance pay. Today, my treat!”
Knowing his usual lunch was just buns and veggies and his laborious job required more sustenance, she persisted.
Cheng, always frugal and conscious of her hard-earned money, suggested a compromise, “Let’s buy ingredients from the market. You choose, and I’ll cook. It’ll be like you’re treating me.”
Delighted by Cheng’s cooking, Xue Ling agreed, “Great idea! To me, you’re even better than a restaurant chef!”
Cheng couldn’t help but smile, pleased with her appreciation.
Cooking was no easy task, and recognition meant the world to him. Raised in a traditional, modest household, he had never been praised for his culinary skills despite being the family cook from a young age. Now, seeing Xue Ling relish his dishes, he felt an unfamiliar sense of satisfaction.
That evening, as they ventured to the bustling market in preparation for the Mid-Autumn Festival, Cheng picked out fresh vegetables, but hesitated at the meat stall.
Xue Ling, understanding his strenuous evening labor required protein, interjected, “Brother Yuan, I’m craving meat!”
She headed straight for a stall displaying a pristine pig’s trotter.
“How much for this?” she inquired.
The vendor, a plump, greasy man, praised her choice, “You have a good eye! This is a local free-range pig, and the trotter is particularly delicious. It’s yours for three yuan.”
Considering the rural rarity and the reasonable price, Xue Ling was tempted but played coy about the freshness.
The vendor’s face betrayed his dilemma as Cheng, concerned she might overpay, joined in, “It’s quite large for just the two of us, and you have a small appetite.”
Xue Ling, playing along, agreed, “Yes, it might be too much, and we don’t want anything stale.”
As the market bustled, the couple stood out. The vendor, sensing a lost sale on a product hard to sell during the festival, quickly dropped the price to two yuan and fifty cents.
Xue Ling, thrilled, agreed and asked the vendor to chop it into smaller pieces.
Cheng, knowing five yuan could feed them for days, protested softly, but Xue Ling had a plan – to cook and dry the meat as a treat for their parents the next day.
Impressed by her thoughtfulness and bargaining skills, Cheng watched as she deftly organized their purchases.
Returning home, Xue Ling prepared the vegetables as Cheng started on the trotter, following his mother’s secret recipe, a precious family heirloom.
As they worked together, Xue Ling excitedly anticipated the meal, while Cheng, touched by her enthusiasm and trust in his cooking, felt a deep sense of contentment.
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