Chapter 73: Meeting
"Wonderful, I can’t wait," Cheng Mo said excitedly.
’Heh, this is the first time Xie Huaizheng has ever really liked a girl. I’m curious to see what kind of magic this Su Zhaozhao has to make him so captivated he’s already thinking about marriage.’
「The next day」
Su Zhaozhao woke up bright and early, carrying her goods to the cafeteria at the military base’s elementary school.
The price Su Zhaozhao offered was lower than the market rate, but the quality of her produce was much better.
The chef only needed one look before immediately accepting the delivery.
After all, the two of them had worked together many times.
Liang Zhongcheng said to Su Zhaozhao, "From now on, just bring over any vegetables and fruits you have. Where on earth do you source your products? Why is the quality so much better than what’s available on the market?"
He picked up a tomato and took a bite.
It was sweet and tangy, and incredibly juicy, as if it had just been picked.
The flavor was excellent, with a rich tomato taste.
’These would be amazing in a tomato and scrambled egg dish.’
"Okay. Oh, by the way, Uncle Liang, I have more produce, but the school can’t use this much. I was wondering, do you know any other places that might need some?"
Liang Zhongcheng thought for a moment. "The cafeteria for the military unit next door has a huge demand, but they have their own dedicated suppliers. They won’t buy from small-time, independent sellers like us."
Su Zhaozhao knew that, too. Everything for the military came from special suppliers. Ordinary people like her could only engage in regular business.
Su Zhaozhao said to Liang Zhongcheng, "Could you see if anywhere else needs produce? I can deliver to the city, too. When it’s all said and done, I can give you a two-percent cut of the profits."
’For her, it was practically a zero-cost business anyway. Giving up two percent was nothing.’
Liang Zhongcheng was tempted by her offer.
Although being a chef allowed him to skim a little off the top, it wasn’t much. If Su Zhaozhao was serious about the two-percent cut, then he would earn a commission on everything she sold!
It was practically a way to make money without lifting a finger.
Liang Zhongcheng thought for a moment, and a place immediately came to mind. "That’s it! I have an uncle who’s a chef at a textile factory in West State. If you can really make the deliveries, I can introduce you!"
The West State Textile Factory. Although Su Zhaozhao didn’t know where it was, she knew a factory like that would surely have several hundred workers.
A cafeteria for several hundred people would have a pretty high consumption rate.
’I can sell all the vegetables and fruits from my space!’
Liang Zhongcheng said, "Hold on, let me give my uncle a call first. If it’s a go, I’ll let you know when you bring the vegetables tomorrow."
"Okay."
"By the way, do you have access to other vegetables? Like napa cabbage, for example."
"Of course. I can get you anything you want, but it might take a couple of days," Su Zhaozhao said with a grin.
After all, crops needed time to grow.
"I’ll need a lot of napa cabbage," Liang Zhongcheng said. "My uncle’s factory goes through a huge amount of it every day."
Cabbage is easy to store, after all, and it’s a staple in almost every meal.
’That makes sense,’ Su Zhaozhao thought. ’I’ll just have the black soil in my space grow more cabbage!’
She left the elementary school and returned to the guesthouse, where she changed out of her all-black outfit.
The sun in the Northwest was vicious, and there was hardly any shade. Walking outside in black clothes felt like being melted by the sun.
Especially today, when the sun was already so harsh this early in the morning.
She changed into a white, sun-protective blouse over a long white skirt, making sure she was completely covered.
She even used a simple wooden hairpin from her space to put her hair up.
Xie Huaizheng arrived to find Su Zhaozhao just as she was about to head out for a meal.
Xie Huaizheng took in Su Zhaozhao’s all-white attire.
The color was understated, but on her, with her vividly expressive face, the simple outfit actually balanced the intensity of her features, giving her a more ethereal, otherworldly air.
Her hair was swept up casually, revealing her delicate little face.
Su Zhaozhao’s complexion had improved over the past few days. She didn’t look as scrawny as she had before.
However, his gaze fell to the light fabric of her blouse, which hinted at the slender waist beneath.
Xie Huaizheng pressed his lips together. ’She should really eat more. She’s still too thin.’
’This is how a girl should be cared for.’
’Like a flower, she needs more than just water; she needs nutrients and care to truly bloom in all her dazzling splendor.’
"Are you here looking for me?" Su Zhaozhao’s face immediately lit up with a brilliant smile when she saw Xie Huaizheng.
Her voice was soft and sweet, and her big, bright, dark eyes instantly curved into crescents.
He recalled what Cheng Mo had said last night—that Su Zhaozhao had a sweet smile, like a fairy.
And at this very moment, she truly did look like one.
He wondered how Cheng Mo would react when he saw her.
Xie Huaizheng cleared his throat. "I have a friend who’s visiting from Beijing. I’d like you to meet him."
Hearing this, the smile on Su Zhaozhao’s lips froze.
’What! Xie Huaizheng wants me to meet his friend?’
In that instant, Su Zhaozhao grew nervous. "Me? Uh, is what I’m wearing today... not quite right?"
Su Zhaozhao looked down at her outfit. It was too plain.
She had worn it to protect herself from the sun, deliberately choosing a simple, ordinary style.
Even her hair was just casually pinned up with a wooden hairpin, without any other adornments.
’It’s too casual to meet someone like this.’
"Should I go back and put on some makeup?"
She also considered changing her clothes; she had plenty of beautiful outfits in her space.
But to her surprise, Xie Huaizheng took her by the wrist. "No need. Let’s go just like this."
He thought Su Zhaozhao looked beautiful in this outfit. ’Even in rags, she’d still be dazzling.’
It was mainly because of that face of hers...
Su Zhaozhao went with Xie Huaizheng to the military base cafeteria, and the two of them sat in a corner.
After a little while, a man walked over.
"Ah, I’m late! My apologies. I just had a little something to take care of," Cheng Mo said breezily.
In truth, he had lingered at the guesthouse for a bit, hoping to catch another glimpse of the beautiful woman from last night.
But he hadn’t, and had to leave disappointed.
On his way over, he had even picked up a small gift. He didn’t know what his future sister-in-law liked, but he figured all girls appreciate beauty.
He bought a red silk scarf for Su Zhaozhao.
As he drew near and his smiling face met Su Zhaozhao’s gaze, the grin on his face instantly froze.
He immediately turned to Xie Huaizheng. "This is your fiancée?"
His mouth trembled as he spoke, as if in utter disbelief.
Xie Huaizheng said, "My fiancée, Su Zhaozhao. Weren’t you the one who kept wanting to meet her?"