Free Web NovelChapter 23: Chapter 223: The ’50s Scorned Wife (23)
Zhu Yun returned home in high spirits. She examined her reflection in the mirror from every angle but still felt a little dissatisfied.
She had been worked to the bone by the Wang Family, toiling away outdoors all year round. Her skin was layer upon layer of dark tan, and it wasn’t easy to lighten.
Her complexion was still quite dark, just starting to shift toward a healthy, sun-kissed tan.
Although she had planned on waiting until her skin was in perfect condition before thinking about marriage, now that a handsome young man had practically fallen into her lap, Zhu Yun wasn’t about to do something as foolish as putting the cart before the horse.
She took a bath and went through her full-body care routine, paying special attention to her naturally curly hair, which had grown out a bit.
The next morning, she woke up, washed, changed, grabbed her bag, locked the door, and headed to work.
The horizon was just beginning to pale. She could occasionally hear the clucking of chickens from their coop. The air was crisp and cool. Everything was cast in a soft, grayish-blue light, a sight that filled her with an appreciation for the simple beauty of the day.
By the time she arrived, the kitchen assistants had already finished their prep work. freeweɓnovel.cøm
She greeted them with a smiling "Good morning," and got straight to work.
She disliked routine and wasn’t fond of jobs with too many rules. She had a knack for making every day more exciting and interesting than the last.
"Chef Xiao Zhu, what are we making for breakfast today?" Her spontaneity kept her coworkers in a constant state of eager anticipation. freeweɓnovel.cøm
Zhu Yun glanced at the ingredients and said with a smile, "Let’s make Lamb Congee!"
The crew was used to her surprises. They’d heard of lamb and flatbread soup, but had never imagined mixing congee with lamb. Still, they just nodded, waiting for Zhu Yun’s direction.
When the lamb arrived yesterday, she had already thought of this delicacy and had seasoned and cooked the lamb in advance.
The congee, made from millet and soybeans, was rich and thick, with a unique, fresh aroma. While it simmered, Zhu Yun also prepared many side dishes and staples to go with it.
She liked to experiment, but never at the expense of others. When Zhu Yun first arrived, she had immediately impressed everyone with her superb cooking. That, combined with her rather plain looks, had earned her the genuine admiration of the chefs in Canteen Number One.
They had no choice but to admire her. Every mealtime—breakfast, lunch, or dinner—the line of workers at her window would snake all the way down to the first floor!
Chef Su at the station next to her also benefited from her popularity. Like today, seeing that she had already decided on the menu, he shouted over, "Chef Xiao Zhu, you need anything else?"
Zhu Yun smiled. "Could I trouble you to fry some crullers today? Crullers and congee are a match made in heaven!"
"Make them extra crispy and drain the oil well."
Chef Su readily agreed. "Can’t make any promises about other dishes, but my grandfather ran a cruller stand for half his life! It’s a family recipe, so don’t you worry."
When the busiest part was almost over, the whistle for mealtime blew, and workers began streaming in with their lunch boxes and enamel food containers to get their food.
Whether they were buying or not, everyone had a habit of first going up to the second floor to take a look, smell the aromas, feast their eyes, and see what was new.
However, Canteen Number One was located right in front of the main office building. The spending power of the people who came here was not low, so Zhu Yun’s single window attracted nearly half of the canteen’s business.
The people who went to other windows were usually in a hurry or didn’t have the patience to wait in line.
Thus, the dining situation in Canteen Number One was very strange. As the elite of the factory complex, they had to rush to get in line. These were people who were usually stern and cold towards others, yet now they had to grin and shower Chef Xiao Zhu with praise.
And why wouldn’t they? Chef Xiao Zhu absolutely loved a good compliment. She’d happily ladle out food for those who buttered her up, never tiring of the praise.
To prevent anyone from being unsure how to eat the meal, Zhu Yun always had someone write the instructions on a small blackboard so she didn’t have to waste her breath explaining to each person.
Forget about having eaten it; few people had even seen such a dish. But they had complete faith in Zhu Yun’s cooking. If she made it, they’d eat it, no questions asked. They were never picky.
A bowl of rich, thick congee was topped with a layer of savory, tender-yet-chewy slices of lamb, a spoonful of salty soybeans, a helping of pickled potherb mustard greens, and a handful of crispy fried twists. It was served with sides of hot and sour shredded potatoes and flash-fried cabbage.
Then they’d go next door to buy a few crullers.
Sure enough, eating the lamb congee this way made people want to bury their faces in the bowl. One bowl wasn’t enough; they had to have another!
After serving a few people, it was Chu Shenyu’s turn. He handed over his food container and, as usual, dryly recited the compliment he’d spent half the night agonizing over, just to follow the crowd: "Chef Xiao Zhu, you’re a culinary encyclopedia. You can make anything!"
After that, he also stuffed a jar of pearl vanishing cream into her hand, because he figured that the compliment Chef Xiao Zhu liked to hear most was people praising her for getting fairer.
Although he couldn’t bring himself to give a disingenuous compliment, he could help her achieve her wish!
Zhu Yun’s smiling lips suddenly stiffened. She took the pearl vanishing cream with a blank expression, ladled out his congee, sprinkled on the toppings layer by layer, and as she handed it to him, she suggested through gritted teeth in a very low voice, "I think Mr. Chu should perhaps reconsider. What if our child inherits my skin tone? It might be an eyesore for you."
Chu Shenyu frowned. Everything was fine a moment ago, why did she suddenly say that?
He looked at her. Her fox-like eyes narrowed, glinting with a dangerous light. She looked so fierce that if he said the wrong thing, she might just pounce and bite his neck.
He subconsciously touched his collarbone, which was still faintly aching, and hesitantly replied, "Darker skin is healthy for a child."
’Aargh, so he *does* think I’m too dark!’
Zhu Yun huffed, threw down her ladle, and stopped serving.
But just then, Aunt Zhao called out to her from outside the window, "Xiao Zhu, are you done with the rush? Come out and chat with Auntie for a bit."
Aunt Zhao’s husband was the factory director in charge of the engineering department, and his subordinates were all the factory’s technical elites. He was highly respected. Aunt Zhao herself led the employees’ families in farm work, a true heroine among women. She often helped mediate family disputes and acted as an unofficial head of the women’s committee.
Zhu Yun remembered what Chu Shenyu had said last night and her face flushed slightly, but because her skin was dark, no one could tell.
Aunt Zhao warmly took her hand with a smile and looked her over carefully. This close inspection revealed something remarkable!
Although she had been married once, Zhu Yun still had a very girlish air about her. Her eyes were dewy and bright, and she looked like a simple, kind-hearted girl.
She was tall, and now that she’d filled out a bit, she had an alluring, curvy figure. Even her hands felt soft and smooth.
But the thin calluses on her palms were a testament to the hardships and toil she had endured in the past.
Looking past her skin tone, her features were delicate and beautiful. She was truly a dark-skinned beauty. No wonder the man who was usually indifferent to women had eagerly sought her out last night to ask her to be a matchmaker!
"What a beautiful, good child," Aunt Zhao praised her sincerely. "I always said, that Shen Yu is already twenty-six and still hasn’t found a wife. Turns out he was waiting for you."
"You suffered in the past because those people were blind and mistook a pearl for a fish eye."
"Shen Yu seems cold on the outside, but he has a warm heart. When he gets married, he’ll definitely know how to cherish his wife. The two of you will have such a happy life together, you’ll be the envy of everyone!"
