Chapter 217: Chapter 217
People lying on the ground wailed in pain, and one of them desperately shouted at the already vanished Pang Xinran: "Xinran, come back here, damn it!"
Pang Xinran, a hefty figure, paused but shuddered when he saw those blue eyes looking his way, and with a slightly breaking voice, shouted: "Ling Wuxie, take care of yourself!" After saying that, he disappeared like the wind, which was inconsistent with his heavy weight.
The blue eyes then turned, coldly glaring at the person on the ground and said, "Are you a little thug?"
The one named Ling Wuxie swallowed hard and stuttered: "No, I was just messing around, just came to chat."
The corners of the blue eyes’ mouth lifted in a mischievous smile, then with a kick to Ling Wuxie’s calf, came a shriek as piercing as a slaughtered pig’s.
The blue eyes cheerfully said: "I’ll join your game too."
The other two lying on the ground then got up, but didn’t dare to come closer, cautiously dragging the still screaming person towards the entrance of the alley.
It was then that the blue eyes turned around, opened the window, agilely jumped up, and disappeared in an instant.
Three women watched dumbfounded, wondering, who is this cool person?
This woman looked about thirty, tall and beautifully built, those long legs made even other women blush. And her face, quite Western-looking as though sculpted, and those sea-like blue eyes, there was an indescribable charm to her, yet she had the righteousness of a swordsman.
The three of them hung at the window for a while and saw the woman heading upstairs. It’s the first-floor office of the library, could she be the new librarian?
The three of them were clueless, but the recent incident was quite refreshing, and they burst into hearty laughter, Iro laughed breathlessly: "Haha, look at that fool Pang Xinran, ran faster than a rabbit!"
Lu Anna also found it funny, and the three did not linger and walked back after sharing photos.
On the way, Li Xianglu briefly informed them about two newcomers in their dormitory.
Once she finished, Lu Anna’s expression grew solemn. Her family being in power and among those who could draft laws in this country made her particularly sensitive to conspiracies and such matters, and soon suspected something odd about the two newcomers because there are not so many coincidences in the world.
Iro then said: "Aren’t you guys overthinking it? It’s not easy to get transferred into our class; there are so many reviews to pass."
Lu Anna nodded and said, "Aluo is right, if someone got transferred, they must have significant connections. I’ll ask my brother when I get back. Don’t worry, let’s just keep in touch as usual, but not too closely."
Li Xianglu nodded and said, "Alright, I just wanted you guys to know about my suspicions. It’s good to be cautious."
Both nodded, indeed, one cannot be too careful.
When they returned to the dormitory, Tian Tian was doing laundry, and Lin Dongxue was reading on her bed. Seeing them come in they only wondered why they were late, and upon hearing they had wandered aimlessly, they didn’t inquire further and continued with their tasks.
This made Li Xianglu even more puzzled—what exactly are these two here for? Are they really here to study?
Qin Xi had been waiting in the bike shed for a long while before seeing them arrive late, and without asking, they hit the road and Li Xianglu mentioned this incident while driving.
Qin Xi was startled upon hearing this, the two they met on the road were in the same class and dormitory as Xiangxiang, calling it a coincidence felt forced, artificially forced more like it.
Then, Li Xianglu mentioned the strangely Western-looking woman with blue eyes they encountered who helped them by punishing Huai Ren.
Qin Xi didn’t answer all the way, and finally said to talk about it when they get back. The two still bought some fresh vegetables before heading home.
When they got back, Sister Xing was just washing the house’s bedsheets and quilts, Mr. Li and Mr. Xun were playing chess in the courtyard. Seeing them come in, they cheerfully asked if everything went well with their outing.
The two greeted with smiles, went inside to put down their bags, changed clothes, and came out with aprons on, smiling and asking, "Two elder gentlemen, what would you like for dinner?"
Mr. Xun, looking at Li Xianglu’s maid-like inquiry, burst into laughter and said enviously to Mr. Li, "Mr. Li, there’s nothing I envy about you except for having such a wonderful granddaughter. How come your girl is so considerate? My three granddaughters are all more delicate than the next; I’ve never even tasted an egg they’ve cooked!"
Mr. Li was very pleased, "Oh yes, my Xiangxiang is good at everything, diligent and beautiful!"
Li Xianglu, standing nearby, shook her head with a smile and said, "Oh grandpa, stop bragging, I’m blushing."
Mr. Li smiled and said, "Had some porridge at noon and now I’m extraordinarily hungry. How about making some noodles for dinner?"
Li Xianglu smiled and suggested, "How about donkey hoof noodles? We can do a dry mix and maybe add some cold dishes?"
Mr. Li nodded and agreed, "Great, let’s settle on that!"
Li Xianglu smiled and went to make the dough. Donkey hoof noodles needed to be a bit harder so they could retain their shape when cut.
Donkey hoof noodles are named for their shape resembling donkey hooves and are very chewy. After boiling, sprinkle some minced garlic and chili oil which makes them fragrantly irresistible, then pour various dry mixed sauces over them, including minced meat with mushrooms, tomato and egg, chopped peppers with diced meat, or a combination, and mix them all together before eating, which is particularly flavorful.
Li Xianglu planned to make two sauces, one with tomato and egg, and another with mushrooms and minced meat, because both elders at home couldn’t eat spicy food.
As for vegetables, she prepared a mixed cold dish with long beans, lotus slices, and wide potato strips, along with a dish of peanuts. There would be plenty of noodle soup!
After kneading the dough, Li Xianglu started to prepare the sauces. Sister Xing came in and, after asking about what was being prepared for the meal, helped wash and blanch some of the vegetables. Li Xianglu then quickly sliced the dough into thin pieces, which made them chewier and quicker to cook.
By the time the dinner was ready, it was already six-thirty, and Sister Xing hurried off. Soon, four bowls of noodles and two dishes, along with four bowls of noodle soup, were served.
Mr. Li, unable to wait, immediately started mixing his noodles, and the aroma instantly filled his nostrils. He salivated uncontrollably and, after mixing a little, started gulping them down, nodding continuously and murmuring, "Mmm, delicious."
Mr. Xun, being from North Sichuan and having never eaten such a meal before, nor even heard of it, curiously mixed his serving and took a few bites with wide eyes, exclaiming, "Wow, how can these noodles be so delicious?"
After the meal, both elders felt quite full. Mr. Xun had some tea before leaving. Li Xianglu then recounted the issues at school.
Mr. Li frowned deeply, and after a while, said, "Be attentive, those two seemed strange to me, especially that woman with blue eyes!"
PS: I owe more updates, will catch up later, but first a quick mention.
Regarding the palette dispute on the forum, I haven’t responded directly as I felt it should be left for the officials to decide. If they truly confirm it, then follow the website’s procedure.
However, the official decision came through a few days ago and there was no accusation of plagiarism.
The stress on Group Four’s editors is immense because of external pressures. Today, they asked for my thoughts on whether to respond to a possible lawsuit, namely to enter legal proceedings. (The complainant is an individual, not an official entity).
I’m conflicted. Have I been digging graves or setting fires? But these aren’t justifications; keyboard warriors want to eliminate all they deem unjust in the name of justice. I’m not sure how many updates there will be today, possibly slower because if there’s a lawsuit, I’ll need to prepare some evidence, and I will consult a lawyer tomorrow to see how to handle this situation.