Chapter 28: Shunned by the Teacher

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Shunned by the Teacher

The piercing cries of Sister-in-law Liu next door made Fu Xiaoxiao and Lu Chen exchange a glance. As they stepped out, they saw Wang Lu standing at the door, looking helplessly at the wailing Sister-in-law Liu.

Finally, Fu Xiaoxiao understood why Wang Lu thought she was different earlier. She was too calm.

Look at Sister-in-law Liu; this is the real reaction when something happens to a man...

"Xiao Lu," Fu Xiaoxiao walked over. Seeing her approach, Wang Lu hurriedly sought help.

"Sister-in-law, please help talk to Sister-in-law Liu. Liu Lianzhang isn’t dead; he just got a little injured..." Wang Lu was frightened by Sister-in-law Liu’s reaction. He had only mentioned that Liu Lianzhang was injured, and before he could finish his sentence, Sister-in-law Liu let out a wail.

Even though he was mentally prepared, he was still startled by her cry.

"Sister-in-law, don’t cry. Xiao Lu said it’s just some minor injuries." Fu Xiaoxiao stepped forward to support Sister-in-law Liu, helping her to sit down on a chair.

"He said the same last time, and it turned out half of my Old Liu’s leg was burned. It took half a year to heal." Sister-in-law Liu wiped her tears, giving Wang Lu a accusing glance.

Wang Lu blinked innocently and forced a bitter smile.

It sounded as if he was the one who had blown up Liu Lianzhang.

"Sister-in-law, it’s just minor injuries, nothing serious! As long as he’s safe, the wounds can heal over time." Fu Xiaoxiao comforted her for a while, and Sister-in-law Liu finally calmed down.

When Fu Xiaoxiao emerged from Sister-in-law Liu’s house, Wang Lu gave her a grateful look. "Sister-in-law, thank you so much. If not for you, Sister-in-law Liu would have cried for a long time. I’m not good with words and can’t comfort people."

Wang Lu sighed in relief. These notifications always took a toll on him. If these women cried too much, he couldn’t handle it.

"Were there many injuries this time?" Fu Xiaoxiao asked.

Wang Lu nodded. "More or less everyone got hurt, though the severity varies."

"Camp Commander Lu is unconscious, so he can’t be rushed back. He should be transferred back tonight. The others might return this afternoon," Wang Lu explained to Fu Xiaoxiao.

"Thank you for letting me know." After thanking Wang Lu, Fu Xiaoxiao turned to head home.

Lu Chen peeked out, his eyes brimming with tears as he spotted Fu Xiaoxiao returning.

"It’s okay, Mr. Lu will be back tonight. We’ll go see him then," Fu Xiaoxiao comforted Lu Chen.

"Okay." Lu Chen nodded obediently, tears glistening in his eyes.

Back in the kitchen, Fu Xiaoxiao scooped out the cooked rice and began to stir-fry cured meat fried rice. After frying the cured meat to release the oils, she added some green vegetables, tossed them a bit, poured in the cooked rice, stir-fried it evenly, and added seasoning. A pot of fragrant cured meat fried rice was perfectly done.

"It smells so good." Not having eaten meat in a long time, Lu Chen clung to Fu Xiaoxiao, captivated by the aroma, unwilling to move.

"Smells good, right? Be careful, it’s hot! Blow on it first!" Seeing his yearning gaze, Fu Xiaoxiao served two bowls, and Lu Chen gazed eagerly, following her into the yard.

"Mmm..." Lu Chen eagerly blew on it and took a bite, but despite burning himself, he refused to spit it out, clutching his mouth and running around the yard.

Fu Xiaoxiao chuckled softly, gently blew on her spoonful, and savored a bite.

The aroma of the cured meat, the freshness of the vegetables, combined with the softness of the rice, created an unparalleled taste that overwhelmed with happiness.

Lu Chen’s initially sad mood was healed by this bowl of cured meat fried rice. After eating, he contentedly patted his full belly.

Watching his satisfied look, Fu Xiaoxiao felt joyful. Good food is the best remedy.

Taking out a lunchbox, she filled it up and held Lu Chen’s small hand.

"Let’s go deliver lunch to your brother!"

"Okay."

Lu Chen happily followed Fu Xiaoxiao toward Upper River Village.

This time without Wang Lu, Fu Xiaoxiao held Lu Chen’s hand as they walked to the village, just in time for lunch. The field side was filled with villagers eating.

"Hey, you’re the one who helped rid us of trouble in our village..."

An elderly aunt recognized Fu Xiaoxiao’s face and greeted her with a smile.

"Hello, aunts." Fu Xiaoxiao nodded, smiling.

"Where are you heading?" A few elderly aunts gathered around curiously.

"Delivering lunch to my eldest son." Fu Xiaoxiao pointed to the elementary school ahead and replied.

"Oh, her eldest. Hurry on then! Don’t let the child go hungry," the crowd commented but soon left her alone, each returning to their meal.

"We’ll chat again when there’s time."

Fu Xiaoxiao brought Lu Chen to the school. Many kids were running wildly, while some ran home for lunch.

When the two found the classroom, the place was empty except for Lu Lin sitting alone at his desk.

"Xiao Lin."

Fu Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but call out when she saw Lu Lin’s solemn demeanor.

"Brother!"

Lu Chen excitedly ran over to Lu Lin.

Hearing Fu Xiaoxiao and Lu Chen’s voices, Lu Lin looked up delightedly, the dullness in his eyes dispelled.

"Aunt Fu made cured meat fried rice; it’s delicious!" Lu Chen proudly placed the lunchbox in front of Lu Lin.

As soon as the lunchbox was opened, the aroma of meat wafted out, urgently calling to Lu Lin’s hungry little stomach.

"Gurgle gurgle~"

"Hehe, are you starving, brother? Hurry and eat!" Laughing, Lu Chen pulled out a spoon and placed it in Lu Lin’s hand.

"Did you eat yet?" Lu Lin looked at Lu Chen, asking seriously.

Lu Chen patted his round little belly, just as a satisfied burp escaped.

"Burp~~"

Fu Xiaoxiao was amused by his cuteness.

"Don’t worry! He ate his fill. Now you eat before it gets cold!" Fu Xiaoxiao sat nearby, smiling as she watched Lu Lin.

Lu Lin took a bite, and his eyes lit up, spooning quickly into his mouth.

"Ah! It smells so good! Hey, what are you eating?" The scent of the cured meat fried rice drifted outside, attracting several kids who were playing outside.

"Fried rice." Lu Lin glanced at them, replying blandly.

"So fragrant, and there’s meat..." Seeing the fried rice in Lu Lin’s lunchbox, several kids looked on enviously.

To eat meat without it being a holiday was something they envied.

"If you let us have a taste, we’ll be friends with you. How about it?" One of the older kids looked at Lu Lin, eyes filled with longing.

"No." Lu Lin refused decisively.

"Hey! Teacher Xu doesn’t allow us to play with you, but I’m willing to play with you. Just let me have a bite!" The child became anxious when Lu Lin refused.

Fu Xiaoxiao frowned upon hearing his words.

"Teacher Xu doesn’t allow you to play with him? What do you mean?" Fu Xiaoxiao looked at the child, beckoning him over.

Lu Lin pressed his lips together, not speaking.

The child looked at Fu Xiaoxiao and kept silent.

Fu Xiaoxiao took out a handful of candies from her pocket. "If you tell me, I’ll give you these candies."

"I’ll tell, I’ll tell. During the class, Teacher Xu asked him a question he couldn’t answer. She called him stupid and told us to stay away from him, not to befriend dummies!" Several kids saw the candies in Fu Xiaoxiao’s hand and eagerly spilled the beans, disregarding the teacher’s warning.