Chapter 147: Zhu Mengmeng

Chu Ge felt that his mother had become much more trendy in her speech than before. He wasn’t sure if it was because she spent more time online or because there were many young people in her department who influenced her.

It reminded him of how Qiuqiu had been influenced by the silly chat group and the internet.

“Alright,” Wu Xiuyun said. “Mom can’t stay for too long. I need to continue following up on last night’s case and bring people back to Beijing. I’ll probably only stay for a day, and we might not even have lunch here. So, let’s make good use of the morning and teach you. Let’s see how smart you are.”

Chu Ge said, “I also want to learn that spatial ability you just used to conjure things. Is it like the Infinite Storage?”

“Not exactly. It’s called portable space, but it can only store inanimate objects,” Wu Xiuyun explained. “Learning this is much harder than achieving simple invisibility. Are you sure you can learn it?”

Chu Ge pondered for a moment. Perhaps his mother couldn’t fully understand his perspective just by listening to his description. In his own perception, this portable space was actually more closely related to his current situation than having a separate personal space.

And it would be so useful… Qiu Wuji couldn’t bring things with her, and he didn’t have a storage ring. Having his own storage space would be amazing!

“I’ll learn both,” Chu Ge said firmly. “Learning these won’t be difficult for me. You’ll see what it means to have intelligence!”

………

Meanwhile, at the market, Qiu Wuji was feeling a little hesitant.

She wasn’t sure how to buy groceries today. It used to be easy to buy groceries because Chu Ge would eat whatever she bought. Even if there were things he didn’t like, he wouldn’t complain. He would eat everything she served with a smile.

She would also pay attention to which dishes he ate more of or less of, quietly remembering. As a result, when Chu Ge would squint his eyes while eating, Qiu Wuji felt very happy about it. It was the familiarity and companionship that grew day by day, the connection that developed day by day.

Who said I don’t understand you? I understand so many aspects of you.

But now that the mother-in-law was here, Qiu Wuji suddenly didn’t know how to buy the groceries. She had no idea about her taste. What if she didn’t like any of the dishes on the table? That would be so awkward.

After hesitating for a moment, she sought the assistance of her helper, Zhu Mengmeng. “Mengmeng~”

Zhu Mengmeng replied, “Hey, I was just looking for you. I saw a picture online today called ‘Qiuqiu Romance,’ and I felt like the person in the picture looked like you.”

Qiu Wuji said, “…You’re also surfing the internet? Are you MM or GG?” ( MM -“Mei Mei” translates to “little sister” or “girl.” GG- “Ge Ge” translates to “big brother” or “guy.” Chinese internet slangs.)

Qiuqiu felt proud. Now I can even say things like this. I can pretend to be a very trendy netizen!

No, wait. I am a very trendy netizen. Every day, I have to reflect on myself when I enter the group. Who am I, where am I, and how do I interact with the group members… I learned to be trendy from the members who are knowledgeable about everything. How can I not be trendy?

Meanwhile, Zhu Mengmeng continued, “Ah, am I on Mars? Right, it’s almost Mid-Autumn Festival now. So, is that person really your boyfriend?”

“Yes, it’s him. What’s wrong?”

“Your boyfriend is so handsome and gentle!”

Qiu Wuji said, “…Have you dealt with the meeting of your husband, lover, and child’s father?”

“I’ve managed to fool them a long time ago. Hey, why did you contact me today? Did you have a fight with your boyfriend? Well, that’s great, introduce him to me.”

“Get lost.”

Zhu Mengmeng sent a crying emoji.

Qiu Wuji said, “You’re married, so you must be familiar with cooking for your mother-in-law, right?”

Zhu Mengmeng, “?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Sorry, that’s an area of knowledge I’m not familiar with,” Zhu Mengmeng suddenly became interested. “Are you going to cook for your mother-in-law? Are you going to the nearby market to buy groceries?”

Qiu Wuji regretted asking this unreliable friend and could only say, “Yes, I don’t know what groceries to buy.”

Zhu Mengmeng said, “Is it the market across the street from my teahouse? Wait for me there, I’ll come over and join you.”

Qiu Wuji felt helpless and asked, “Why are you coming?”

“Just to learn how to buy groceries for a mother-in-law. I think it will become a secret weapon for me in the future.”

“I think your secret weapon won’t be of any use when your husband realizes that he and the father of your child aren’t the same person.”

“Just kidding, I don’t have a child at all. Look how gullible you are, hahaha.”

Qiu Wuji sent her a facepalm emoji and said, “If you want to come, then come. It would be nice to have some advice on what to buy.”

Not long after, Zhu Mengmeng came over excitedly. Qiu Wuji stood at the entrance of the market, waiting, and could see her waving from a distance. She thought Zhu Mengmeng was quite amusing. Maybe this was what they called a natural affinity.

Zhu Mengmeng was a rich second-generation girl who looked decent and didn’t have the typical snobbish attitude. She was carefree, always laughing and had no worries. Her biggest hobbies were spa treatments and yoga, in other words, focusing on her skin and figure.

She probably had quite a romantic history, which was perfect for learning from.

Although most of the time she wasn’t reliable… Why should one care if friends are reliable or not? Zhu Mengmeng was Qiu Wuji’s first friend in this world, and for now, the only one. Sometimes after buying groceries, if there was no rush to go home, they would go to Zhu Mengmeng’s teahouse across the street, have tea, and listen to the zither. It was quite enjoyable.

After confirming with Zhong Yi that there were no issues with this family, Qiu Wuji felt even more reassured.

Zhu Mengmeng ran over and hooked her arm, pulling her inside. “You, carrying a basket like a virtuous wife and loving mother, really makes me want to take a bite.”

Qiu Wuji laughed. “Are you secretly a lily?*”

“Yes, yes. Little lady, do you want to join me? I guarantee you’ll live a life of luxury.”

“No thanks… By the way, even though you run a classical teahouse, why is there no classical elegance? It doesn’t have the charm of the girls playing the zither in your teahouse.”

“Qiuqiu, you need to understand… My family started with mining, then made teapots, and only later started selling tea…”

“Emmmm…”

“So, you are perfect for the teahouse. Once you sit there, it feels like a beautiful woman from ancient times walking out of a painting, without even needing to wear ancient clothing.”

Qiu Wuji asked curiously, “Is it that obvious?”

“Yes, especially with the way you frequently use certain phrases and expressions. It’s a bit overwhelming.”

Qiu Wuji smiled and remained silent. In the past, if someone said something like that, she might have been a bit flustered, thinking her secret was exposed. But now she realized it wasn’t a big deal. Speaking modern Chinese most of the time was enough, and the subtle hint of antiquity couldn’t be concealed. Others would think she had a scholarly upbringing or, at most, that she liked to show off. Who would think she actually came from ancient times or jumped out of a book?

She paused in front of a vegetable stall, hesitating as she looked at the spinach. She thought the spinach looked beautiful today. But she had heard that spinach shouldn’t be eaten with something else, and some people are allergic to it… When eating with Chu Ge, she didn’t care about these things, but now…

“Excuse me, how much is this cucumber, boss?” Zhu Mengmeng was asking the stall owner.

Qiu Wuji glanced to the side.

So you actually bought it? Cucumber, I don’t know if my mother-in-law likes it…

The stall owner looked at the two beautiful girls holding hands and couldn’t help but get a little mischievous: “Beauty, cucumbers aren’t popular now.”

Zhu Mengmeng was taken aback. “Huh? Then what is popular?”

The stall owner held up a lotus root. “Now everyone is using lotus root, it’s breathable and hydrating.”

Qiu Wuji didn’t even understand, but Zhu Mengmeng immediately got it and angrily said, “I’m buying the cucumber for a face mask!”

The stall owner realized he might have been too straightforward and awkwardly said, “This kind is eight yuan per kilogram.”

Zhu Mengmeng thought to herself, why does it cost eighty yuan for a few pieces when I go for a spa? “That’s so cheap, give me a whole cart!”

Qiu Wuji couldn’t help but pull her back. “Mengmeng, just buy two or three.”

“Oh… ” Zhu Mengmeng picked two large ones and placed them on the electronic scale. Suddenly, she looked a bit mischievous. “And give me a lotus root too.”

Qiu Wuji: “?”

Stall owner: “???”

Qiu Wuji realized there was an unexpected benefit of being with Zhu Mengmeng—she didn’t have to worry about what to buy anymore. Because Zhu Mengmeng bought whatever she saw.

One moment it was for replenishing the kidneys, the next it was for diuresis with pig tails. She came up with a whole bunch of theories on the spot, and Qiu Wuji’s shopping basket was soon filled. Although they all seemed to be somewhat related to that matter…

Well, if her mother-in-law asked, she could just say that certain foods were good to eat and had benefits. It would serve as a basis for grocery shopping, and she wouldn’t have to worry so much…

Suddenly, her phone rang.

This time it was Zhu Mengmeng who glanced sideways—Qiu Wuji’s ringtone was “Rowing the Raft Together”! Who still uses that as a ringtone nowadays? Is it considered outdated or just a childlike choice?

Qiu Wuji answered the phone, and it was the voice of Chu Ge on the other end. “Qiuqiu, you don’t need to worry about grocery shopping anymore. My mom has left.”

“You actually knew that I was worried about grocery shopping.”

“Of course.” Chu Ge sounded a bit proud. “How could I not understand you?”

Qiu Wuji felt a little pleased as well but maintained a serious tone. “But couldn’t you have told me half an hour earlier? I’ve already bought everything!”

“Emmmm, half an hour ago, I hadn’t finished practicing yet.”

Qiu Wuji checked the time and was somewhat surprised. “Are you saying you’ve finished practicing now?”

“Yes, just two spatial abilities. It’s too simple,” Chu Ge said matter-of-factly.

Qiu Wuji was speechless.

That was spatial manipulation! One of the most difficult principles throughout history! Do you think you’re just buying groceries?