Siheyuan: I just came across and wanted to chase me away

Chapter 1022 Lu Jia's Performance

Gu Nan turned and went into the kitchen. He tied on his apron and was about to wash the rice when he heard a noise coming from the gate. He knew exactly what was going on—his old dog, Heizi, was very clever. He usually dozed off on the doorstep, and the slightest sound would not escape its ears.

It wasn't barking this time, so it must be a regular customer. He could faintly hear Ran Qiuye talking to someone in the living room. He listened for a couple of minutes, but didn't pay much attention. It was just everyday gossip among neighbors—who got a new outfit, whose child was being naughty—nothing to take seriously.

Just as she was adding water to the pot, the courtyard gate creaked open, followed by footsteps entering. Lu Jia was carrying a blue cloth bag, its edges bulging from the contents, making it heavy and clearly quite substantial.

She walked straight into the living room, placed the cloth bag on the octagonal table with a soft "thump," and said with a warm smile to Ran Qiuye, who was breastfeeding her baby, "Sister Qiuye, are you busy? I came to ask you something." She then pointed to the cloth bag on the table, her tone polite and familiar, "There's some brown sugar and eggs in here, it's nothing. I really owe you a lot for your help last time. If you hadn't reminded me of the intricacies of the household registration transfer, I don't know how many unnecessary detours I would have taken. Please don't look down on this little thing."

As she spoke, she reached for the knot in the cloth bag, clearly determined to leave the contents behind. She had a clear plan—to get close to Gu Nan, she first needed to win over his wife. Ran Qiuye was gentle and easy to talk to; starting with her and slowly infiltrating, she would eventually find an opportunity.

Ran Qiuye looked up at the bulging cloth bag, then at Lu Jia's enthusiastic face, and quickly waved her hand with a smile: "We're all neighbors living in the same courtyard, it's only right to help each other out, how could I let you spend money? Please put the things back, there's really no need to be so polite."

But Lu Jia wouldn't listen. She quickly untied the knot, revealing brown sugar wrapped in oil paper and a tray of eggs tied with thin hemp rope, each one round and plump. "Sister Qiuye, aren't you being too polite?" She pushed the things towards Ran Qiuye. "This is all I have, not even enough for a child to eat. If you don't accept it, it means you think my things are not presentable."

As she spoke, she leaned forward again, just in time to catch the child whimpering twice. She then praised, "This child is so handsome, his eyebrows and eyes are just like Deputy Factory Director Gu's. Look how clever he is." As she spoke, she reached out to tease the child.

With the child in her arms, Ran Qiuye couldn't refuse, and was left speechless by her words. She could only smile helplessly and say, "Well... thank you very much. I'll have Gu Nan bring you some of our homemade pickled vegetables later. They're homemade and not worth much, so please don't mind."

Seeing that she had relented, Lu Jia's smile became more genuine: "Oh, that's right. Pickled vegetables are great, I love that sour and crunchy taste." She sat down on the chair next to her, her eyes subtly scanning the living room furnishings, secretly noting in her mind—it seems I should come over more often, I'll always find a reason to chat.

Hearing the commotion at the courtyard gate, Gu Nan thought something had happened. He turned around and saw Lu Jia standing there, carrying a cloth bag, her eyes filled with a deliberately warm expression. He didn't want to say anything, as he was always wary of this woman, but before he could speak, Lu Jia laughed first, her tone as familiar as an old acquaintance: "Deputy Factory Director Gu, I hope I haven't disturbed you? I've come to thank Sister Qiuye. The parenting methods she taught me a few days ago have really worked."

Gu Nan knew perfectly well that Lu Jia's visit was more than just "thank you," but he didn't point it out—the fish has to show its tail to be caught. He forced a polite smile and said, "Haha, we're neighbors in the same courtyard, this is nothing to thank me for. What's in your bag? Don't forget to take it with you when you leave."

Lu Jia didn't reply. Instead, she took half a step forward and glanced into the room: "Deputy Factory Director Gu, actually I have something I'd like to talk to you about."

Gu Nan picked up the enamel mug on the table, took a sip of hot water, and said in a flat tone, "Tell Qiu Ye what you need to say first. I'll go check the fire in the kitchen; the food will be ready soon." With that, he turned and walked towards the kitchen, not giving her a chance to speak directly.

A barely perceptible hint of urgency flashed in Lu Jia's eyes, but she knew this couldn't be rushed. She turned to look at Ran Qiuye, a sincere smile plastered on her face: "Sister Qiuye, I really have something I need your help with, please don't refuse."

Ran Qiuye's heart skipped a beat, thinking it was about He Yuzhu—after all, He Yuzhu had gotten into a conflict at the factory recently and had his bonus docked, so his salary was indeed low. She was trying to figure out how to refuse, since Gu Nan always made the decisions about the family, but unexpectedly, Lu Jia changed the subject and asked about the baby: from what kind of diapers to use right after birth, to when it was appropriate to introduce complementary foods, and even how to soothe the baby when he cried at night.

Ran Qiuye breathed a sigh of relief and patiently answered all her questions. The two of them chatted quite warmly together.

Gu Nan was busy in the kitchen, the clatter of pots and pans barely drowning out the conversation in the living room. He noticed that Lu Jia showed no sign of leaving, and his brow furrowed slightly—what was this woman up to? But he didn't go out to interfere; he simply quickened his pace, ladling the last plate of stir-fried vegetables onto a plate.

Ran Qiuye had finished chatting, glanced at the sky, and tentatively asked, "Lu Jia, it's almost time for dinner, why hasn't He Yuzhu come back yet?"

Lu Jia smiled, her tone so natural as if she had planned it all along: "Brother Zhu has an urgent matter at the factory today and has to work overtime, so he might not be able to come back. I just thought Sister Qiuye's cooking was so delicious, so I came over to mooch a hot meal."

Ran Qiuye was stunned for a moment, not expecting her to say that. She glanced in the direction of the kitchen, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded: "Okay, it's not a big deal, just an extra pair of chopsticks."

Gu Nan came out of the kitchen carrying the dishes. Hearing this, he was a little unhappy, but he didn't say anything—since he was waiting for her to slip up, he had to give her a chance. He put the dishes on the table, served three bowls of rice, and quickly cleaned up the stove.

Ran Qiuye looked at him and said softly, "Gu Nan, He Yuzhu isn't coming back tonight. Let Lu Jia eat here?"

Gu Nan wiped his hands and turned around with a gentle smile on his face: "Qiu Ye, you've always been the one in charge of things in our family, it's alright."

Lu Jia didn't stand on ceremony. She pulled out a chair and sat down, picking up her chopsticks to start eating. The table was quiet for a moment. Gu Nan and Ran Qiuye didn't say much, and Lu Jia wisely kept quiet, just eating her rice with her head down—she knew that getting close to someone like Gu Nan couldn't be rushed; it had to be done slowly.