CHAPTER 435: 435 IDEAS

Jiang Xinyu had an idea, but she couldn’t sit still. Now, it’s not appropriate to use a company car to go out. However, without a car, it’s too far, and she can’t buy too many things. Right now, the food they’re relying on is still from the last time Wei Kaiyun and she went together.

After work, she rode her bike home, and before entering the house, she managed to gather a few pounds of large shrimp. There was also a sea fish.

The two children were already off school at this time and were playing in the yard.

"Mom, you’re back?"

"Yes, Mom’s back. I’m not sure if we have any fish today. Your Uncle Ding went to look for some. If he finds any, it’ll be delivered shortly. If not, I’ve found some sea fish and large shrimp."

"Thank you, Mom."

Jiang Xinyu hurried to the kitchen, deciding to cook the large shrimp first.

The two children followed behind her. When they saw the large shrimp Mom poured out, they curiously squatted at the side of the basin watching.

"Mom, why are the large shrimp all dead?"

Jiang Xinyu was stumped by the question. She thought for a bit, "Shrimp need to breathe too, but they’re used to being in water. When they get to shore, they can’t adapt, so they die."

The two children didn’t really understand, but since Mom answered, they remembered it.

She washed the shrimp twice, then added spring onions, ginger, two star anise, and a little salt, cooking them with boiling water.

Then she went to the yard to prepare the sea fish, a flounder. This kind of fish is best when steamed.

Looking at the two children beside her, "Let’s steam it. Would you like braised fish when we get river fish?"

"We love whatever Mom makes."

The two considerate children were Jiang Xinyu’s pride.

After preparing the fish, she placed it on a large tea tray, added shredded ginger and spring onions, and sneakily poured a little cooking wine before setting it aside.

The water was boiling, so she scooped a bowl of rice, save the rice soup for drinking in the evening.

"Shi Jing, Feifei, do you want to eat steamed egg custard?"

"Mom, with shrimp and fish, we don’t need egg custard."

"Then go ask Master Shang if he wants some?"

The two children ran to find Shang Zhenkun and returned shortly.

"Mom, Master Shang said he doesn’t want egg custard."

Jiang Xinyu nodded, directly covering the pot to steam.

At this time, Ding Shihong hadn’t arrived yet, so there probably were no fish. Next week, she planned to take the kids to the reservoir to see if they could buy some fish.

She prepared a plate of garlic bok choy. Three dishes for four people, still quite a sumptuous meal.

Once the fish was steamed, she sneakily poured steamed fish soy sauce on it, then splashed hot oil over it, and the aroma immediately filled the air.

The aroma was so rich that the two children ran into the kitchen within two minutes.

"Mom, what dish is this? Why does it smell so good?"

"Steamed fish. It’s ready; Mom is going to serve it."

The family sat in the yard eating. Jiang Xinyu helped peel shrimp for the children while the fish had no bones to worry about, so they could eat it themselves with ease.

"Mom, this steamed fish is really delicious," Shi Jing said contentedly.

Feifei nodded beside him, smiling and looking at Shang Zhenkun.

"Xiao Jiang, this fish is really well made. Can we still buy such fish?"

"We’d have to go to the seaside. With this weather, bringing it back by bike wouldn’t keep it fresh. We could only bring back some dried goods."

"When we have time, let’s go play by the sea. By the way, Xiao Jiang, do you have a holiday for National Day?"

"No holiday. I’ll go to the seaside on Saturday and Sunday, leaving Friday night and arriving Saturday morning. Shi Jing and Feifei shouldn’t come; it’s too far and too tiring to ride a bike."

Shang Zhenkun nodded, but the two little ones were unwilling, "Mom, we can handle it, we want to go, we want to see the sea."

Jiang Xinyu was a bit troubled. She found it a bit difficult to fulfill the children’s request now.

Finally, after much deliberation, she said, "You two wait for Mom’s news. I’ll ask Mr. Qian if we can borrow a car. If we can, our whole family will go. If not, I’ll go alone, and you wait at home. We’ll go when your Dad comes back."

Shi Jing tilted his head, "Mom, when will Dad come back?"

"It’s not set yet, but it should be around the end or beginning of the year."

"Mom, will it be winter by then?"

"Yes."

"But won’t it be frozen then? How can we see the sea?"

"Sweetie, the sea rarely freezes because it contains salt."

"Mom, will there still be fish and shrimp then?"

"No, it’s very rare for people to fish in winter."

The two children became a bit downcast. Jiang Xinyu felt a bit heartbroken.

"Mom will ask tomorrow. If not possible, there’s nothing we can do." Though she was sympathetic to the two children, she couldn’t cater to their every demand. A person’s capabilities are limited, and she didn’t want to give them the illusion that Mom could do anything.

Early the next morning, it was milk powder and bread. After getting full, Jiang Xinyu went to work.

After the morning meeting, she went to find Qian Jun, deciding to ask just once, truthfully. If it was possible, that would be great; if not, the children would have to give up.

"Vice Factory Director Jiang, what can I do for you?"

"Mr. Qian, I want to use the factory’s car on Friday night, purely for personal matters."

Qian Jun looked at Jiang Xinyu, "How many days do you need it?"

"I want to take the kids to the seaside so they can see the sea. We’ll return on Sunday night."

Qian Jun nodded, "Alright, you can use it."

Jiang Xinyu felt a bit conflicted, "Mr. Qian, will this cause you any trouble?"

Qian Jun laughed, "Do you want to go or not?"

"Of course, I want to, but I’m worried about causing unnecessary trouble."

"Don’t worry, I’ll handle it."

"Thank you, Mr. Qian. This matter is finally settled. The kids will surely be very happy."

Leave after work on Friday and see the fishing boats land on Saturday morning, and watch the sunrise and tides at sea.

However, she returned to her office and called the village chief, asking him to tell everyone to save all dried shrimp, peeled shrimp meat, and various dried shellfish for her. They also arranged for her to stay at his house on Friday night.

With everything arranged, she felt at ease. For the kids’ sake, she’ll endure whatever challenges come her way.

At lunchtime, Yao Shimin also joined them for a meal. He really needed someone to listen to him now.

The three of them understood him and occasionally joked with him.

"Vice Factory Director Yao, you should prepare lots of wedding candies," Secretary Song said.

"Rest assured, Secretary Song, I’ll prepare plenty."

Seeing his happiness, those in the know were happy for him.

When Qian Jun walked in and saw the four of them eating together, he got his meal and joined them, attracting everyone’s attention.

The three factory directors and two secretaries were eating together, and it was in the cafeteria. Ordinary workers didn’t usually see them gathered this way, so naturally, everyone was curious.