Chapter 289 - 290: Gesticulating
"He just won’t look at me, where did I fall short? We were getting along well," Liu Haihua complained.
At that time, Feng Ying and Mrs. Liu were also at home. Having heard the siblings’ conversation, Mrs. Liu spoke first, "Haiguo, you are good friends with Wang Xueyong, so help your sister out. She is still young and definitely needs to get married; she can’t just waste her life away."
"Yes, Haiguo, please help out Haihua," Feng Ying chimed in. "Wang Xueyong is a catch, and if Haihua could marry him, she’d become a city dweller in the future."
The mention of being a city dweller made both Mrs. Liu and Liu Haiguo’s eyes shine.
Mrs. Liu continued, "Haiguo, your sister’s lifelong happiness is now in your hands."
Feng Ying didn’t think highly of Liu Haihua either, but she knew that if Haihua married well, it would also benefit Liu Haiguo. Besides, Feng Ying truly hoped that Liu Haihua would leave the Red Star Production Team as soon as possible. She hated how Haihua bossed everyone around there, acting as if she owned the place.
As the team leader’s wife, Feng Ying had given birth to a son, which elevated her status in the Liu family, but not so much in the production team. With Liu Haihua in front and Liu Yue behind, the production team members were not fond of Haiguo’s siblings, and naturally, they weren’t keen on the leader’s wife either.
Moreover, the Red Star Production Team was so close to the Guangming Production Team, the things Feng Ying did at Guangming had already spread here, which alone was enough reason for her to be ostracized.
Of course, there were still people who flattered Feng Ying, after all, she was the team leader’s wife. However, her position in the production team wasn’t high enough to strut around, certainly not like Li Shengmei of the Guangming Production Team.
Suddenly, Liu Haihua added, "Brother, do you think Wang Xueyong will mind that I have a son?"
"He might mind a bit," Liu Haiguo replied honestly. Any man would probably mind, and that’s why Liu Haiguo thought Wang Xueyong wouldn’t be interested in Liu Haihua, although she seemed to think otherwise.
Liu Haihua’s face fell at this, and Mrs. Liu said, "That shouldn’t be a problem. If Haihua gets married to someone in the city, Liangzi can stay with the production team."
Then Mrs. Liu asked, "Where is Liangzi?"
Neither Liu Haiguo nor Feng Ying spoke. Liu Haihua responded indifferently, "Who knows where he is."
Mrs. Liu couldn’t help but say, "Liangzi is still your child. If you can’t take him with you, then leave him with me."
"I’m sick of seeing him. He’s always crying and dirty," Liu Haihua said with impatience.
As Mrs. Liu was about to speak, Feng Ying interrupted, "Mom, Xiaoqing has wet himself. Please change his diaper."
The mention of her grandson immediately distracted Mrs. Liu, and she no longer cared about Haihua’s son.
Feng Ying wasn’t keen on having Liu Haihua’s son around the house, and Liu Haiguo also didn’t like the idea of Ge Lai’s son being there. However, the boy was only four years old, and since Haiguo was the team leader, he couldn’t neglect his nephew without others talking.
Just then, Wang Xueyong arrived. Liu Haihua’s heart leapt with joy, and she reminded Liu Haiguo, "Brother, don’t forget to speak up for me."
"Alright," Liu Haiguo went to greet Wang Xueyong and the others as they entered.
Liu Haihua greeted Wang Xueyong with a cheerful smile, "Comrade Xueyong, I didn’t expect you to visit our production team today."
"Yes, just taking a walk," Wang Xueyong replied with a smile.
"Then make yourself comfortable. I’ll go prepare some snacks and drinks with my sister-in-law," said Liu Haihua.
Feng Ying, ready to pour some water, heard Liu Haihua’s words and felt a bit displeased, feeling disrespected as her sister-in-law.
Still, in front of the guests, Feng Ying did her duty. After pouring water, she headed to the kitchen. If she didn’t step in, Liu Haihua would use up all the food.
Indeed, as soon as Feng Ying entered the kitchen, she saw Liu Haihua confidently grabbing meat and eggs, ready to cook up a storm.
Feng Ying gritted her teeth, "Haihua, those are for the New Year’s feast."
"Isn’t it just like New Year’s today? Comrade Xueyong and the others have come to celebrate with us. Sister-in-law, quickly start chopping the meat; I’ll take over the cooking."
Liu Haihua’s casual demeanor, without any awareness of a betrothed woman, was infuriating to Feng Ying. Hosting guests was one thing, but using all the meat and eggs was something Feng Ying definitely did not approve of.
And being the mistress of the household, she couldn’t stand being bossed around by Liu Haihua.
Feng Ying wasn’t aware of Liu Haihua’s cooking skills before her marriage, but after moving in, she couldn’t ignore them. Previously, Ge Lai would cook for Haihua, or else Haihua would go mooching meals off her parents. Allowing Liu Haihua to cook was simply a waste of food.
"I’ll cook," said Feng Ying.
"No, sister-in-law. I said I would do it today. Now that Comrade Xueyong has come, I have to show some skill," Liu Haihua resisted, determined to do it herself.
Feng Ying snapped, "Are you sure you can handle it?"
"You’ll guide me, right? Cooking is not rocket science, what’s so hard about it?"
As soon as Liu Haihua finished speaking, Feng Ying wanted to roll her eyes, but with guests present, she couldn’t openly argue with Liu Haihua.
Inside the house, when Liu Haiguo heard Wang Xueyong’s intentions, he felt troubled. Wang Xueyong wanted Liu Haiguo to find an opportunity to invite Gao Jiaxing out.
But after the incident involving Ge Lai, he had already offended everyone in the Guangming Production Team. Even though he was the Red Star Production Team leader, he might not even be welcomed in Guangming.
Thus, Liu Haiguo didn’t hide anything from Wang Xueyong and recounted how he had upset the Guangming Production Team, which left Wang Xueyong disappointed. "You and Gao Jiaxing have been like brothers since childhood. Why were you so reckless over this?"
Liu Haiguo smiled sheepishly; what could he say? Deep down, he felt inferior and somewhat jealous of Gao Jiaxing, especially now that Gao had married Xia Xiao, whom he liked.
"Comrade Xueyong, let me tell you, Gao Jiaxing is just a troublemaker. Finding him won’t be as good as getting in touch with the He brothers," Liu Haiguo said in a low voice.
"How so?" Wang Xueyong raised an eyebrow.
"I heard the He brothers are now platoon leaders in the Dragon Breeding Corps, and I also heard that He Xuebing has caught the eye of the regiment commander’s daughter."
At this revelation, Wang Xueyong said, "I don’t know the He brothers. But you have a good relationship with them, right?"
"Yes, we all grew up together, good brothers," confirmed Liu Haiguo.
"Then, introduce me when you can." Wang Xueyong thought that the Guangming Production Team really was something. Although several of them had joined the military, having two soldiers now really showed their capability.
Liu Haiguo agreed but then turned to Wang Xueyong, "Comrade Xueyong, how are things going with my sister?"
Wang Xueyong frowned, "What do you mean, how are things going with your sister? What are you implying? What could possibly be going on between your sister and me?"