After Transmigration, I Reached The Top of My Life

Chapter 23

On the second day, Jiang Zhou went to the village blacksmith to pick up the pot he had ordered.

The blacksmith’s house was right next to Aunt Lu’s house, and as he made his way there, he decided to share some of the cooked oden soup base and various types of balls with her.

Aunt Lu happened to be at home, sitting on her doorstep, peeling soybeans.

Next to her sat a quiet man who was being reprimanded, “I told you to establish good relations with the people in the government office. It wouldn’t have mattered even if Master Qiu got transferred. It would have been better for you. Now, it’s like talking to a wooden post. There’s no work left except for the new employees! You’ll end up drinking the northwest wind!”

“Mom!” The man was embarrassed and helpless, so he could only call out.

Aunt Lu glared, “Even calling upon god won’t help you! Go to town tomorrow to find work.”

Jiang Zhou cleared his throat, “Auntie.”

Aunt Lu’s face immediately lit up upon hearing his voice and seeing him. She asked, “Oh, why are you here?”

She held a soft spot for Jiang Zhou. In her eyes, the pre-replacement Jiang Zhou was the epitome of honesty, hard work, and resilience.

Although she felt disappointed after the replacement, she still held onto the hope that he could change. Indeed, a serious illness had awakened Jiang Zhou. His business was flourishing, and she had tasted his sponge cakes, which were much better than the dry, tough ones in town.

Lately, she had been talking about Jiang Zhou to her son, Lu Xiangxi.@@@@

Lu Xiangxi typically lived in town due to his work at Master Qiu’s house, and he wasn’t well-versed in the news from Xiaohe Village. So, while Jiang Zhou seemed vaguely familiar, he couldn’t quite place him.

Being taciturn, he observed quietly without asking questions.

Jiang Zhou had already handed over the items he brought to Aunt Lu, saying, “I’ve been working on some new food recently, and I plan to sell it in town. I thought I’d let Auntie have a taste.”

Aunt Lu opened the basket and saw the meatballs inside. She was momentarily speechless and declined, “These meatballs are valuable. I can’t accept them. Take them back and give them to your wife. It’s good for his health.”

She was still thinking about Jiang Zhou’s estranged wife.

Originally, he assumed the pot wouldn’t be too heavy, so he hadn’t arranged for a cart to transport it. However, when he tried to move it, it became clear that it was quite heavy, even for two people, like Uncle Tie.

He was about to ask his uncle for a bullock cart when Lu Xiangxi, who had been silent, stepped forward and said, “Let me help you move it!”

Without waiting for Jiang Zhou’s response, Lu Xiangxi bent over, secured his clothes, lifted the pot from the ground, placed it on his back, and then effortlessly lifted the entire pot without showing any signs of fatigue.

Jiang Zhou was genuinely surprised, “Brother Lu, you’re incredibly strong, aren’t you?”

Lu Xiangxi simply offered a shy smile.

It was Aunt Lu who spoke up, “My son may not have much, but he’s strong. He used to work as a laborer at Master Qiu’s house and barely made ends meet.”

Jiang Zhou shook his head, “Everyone has their strengths, and your son here is clearly very powerful.”

.

In truth, had he met Lu Xiangxi during his sponge cake-making days, Jiang Zhou might have saved more energy.

After all, whipping eggs can be quite demanding on the hands. It’s not challenging, just tiring on the arms. Nowadays, with less sponge cake business, he had more opportunities to rest.

However, Jiang Zhou couldn’t help but feel that Lu Xiangxi spoke too little and seemed to have something on his mind.

Recalling what Aunt Lu had mentioned about Lu Xiangxi’s situation, Jiang Zhou casually inquired, “Are you currently unemployed?”

As he posed the question, Lu Xiangxi felt a pang of bitterness. He wasn’t one for words and had never been one to seek out favor, even when he heard that Master Qiu was being transferred. He hadn’t shown much interest, let alone tried to curry favor with the new manager.

Consequently, when the others had gone, he was easily left behind, losing his job and still struggling to find new employment.

Seeing his silence, Jiang Zhou suddenly had an idea but wasn’t sure if Lu Xiangxi would be receptive.

Yet, he was one to speak his mind, so he asked, “I have a good opportunity right now. Would you like to give it a try?”