Chapter 108: Just How Lazy Is Su Taotao?

Chapter 108: Just How Lazy Is Su Taotao?

Su Taotao was kept up by someone until midnight, and she kept begging for mercy. The night on the island was too quiet, and Su Taotao didn’t dare to make too much noise. After various concessions and exploring new boundaries, the person finally relented.

This morning, a light mist rose over the island, and the distant mountains were faintly visible, like something out of a fairy tale. However, Su Taotao, who had been overworked the night before, didn’t get the chance to enjoy this beautiful view.

She was still sound asleep.

Fu Zhengtu held the softness in his arms, his hand resting on her smooth, fair skin, which he adored. With a wife like this, he was beginning to understand why some emperors were reluctant to attend morning duties.

Fu Zhengtu kissed his wife’s hair, gently withdrew his slightly numb arm, and tucked Su Taotao’s blanket in before quietly closing the door and going to check on the children in the opposite room.

Fu Yuanhang was already up, standing by the window with his eyes closed, reciting his textbook.

Chenchen, who had helped his father with the oven the night before, was exhausted and still fast asleep.

Fu Zhengtu didn’t disturb them and quietly went downstairs to start his busy day.

After washing up, he left the house. This time, instead of going to the canteen, he jogged to a small stall opposite the supply and marketing cooperative.

Zhou Zheng had told him that there was an old man selling breakfast here. His son had died unexpectedly while on duty, and to support him, the base provided housing, a monthly allowance, and allowed him to set up this breakfast stall to pass the time.

The old man’s specialty was making *jianbing guozi* (a type of Chinese crepe). He opened his stall at 6 a.m. every day, selling only 30 servings. Once sold out, he would pack up and go home.

He usually closed up before 7 a.m.

No wonder Su Taotao had never encountered him.

Auntie Zhong, on the other hand, never bought breakfast outside, so even if she knew about it, she wouldn’t have patronized the stall.

When Fu Zhengtu arrived, sweating from his run, there were already a few elderly people in line at the stall—early risers who didn’t sleep much.

Fu Zhengtu stood out noticeably, and everyone couldn’t help but glance at him.

Unfazed, Fu Zhengtu took out a small notebook and pen from his pocket, scribbling and calculating something. His aura created a natural barrier around him, and no one dared to approach.

"Comrade, how many would you like?" the old man asked Fu Zhengtu.

Fu Zhengtu put away his notebook and pen. "Three," he said, then added, "Please go light on the sauce for one of them."

Su Taotao preferred lighter flavors, especially for breakfast. If there was too much sauce, she might only take a few bites.

Thinking about Su Taotao’s eating habits, Fu Zhengtu couldn’t help but frown.

The old man gave Fu Zhengtu a few more glances and replied, "Sure thing."

In those days, *jianbing guozi* wasn’t loaded with fancy ingredients. It was just a thin, mung bean-based pancake brushed with bean paste and filled with a crispy cracker. Eggs were too expensive to include.

Even so, in an era where a bowl of plain noodles cost eight cents, and sesame pancakes and fried dough sticks were only four cents each, the old man’s *jianbing guozi*, priced the same as a bowl of noodles, wasn’t exactly cheap.

But mung beans were expensive, and the crispy crackers required oil, so the large *jianbing* was worth the price.

Most elderly people could only afford one or two to share with their families. Buying three at once, as Fu Zhengtu did, was seen as extravagant.

If an egg, which cost seven or eight cents, were added, the *jianbing* would have to sell for nearly twenty cents each, making it even less affordable.

After buying the *jianbing guozi*, Fu Zhengtu also picked up a few young coconuts, restocked the household’s dwindling supply of seasonings, and bought a pig’s foot before heading back.

On his way home, people were shocked to see Fu Zhengtu carrying the pig’s foot. Fu had never visited the supply and marketing cooperative before, never bought breakfast himself, and certainly never carried a pig’s foot!

Fu has been getting up early to buy breakfast for quite some time now, hasn’t he? Just how lazy is Su Taotao?

Sigh, ever since Fu got married and had kids, he’s started to let himself go. He’s no longer the untouchable Fu, perched high on his pedestal!

Before long, rumors of Su Taotao being a lazy wife spread like wildfire across the island.

Su Taotao was overjoyed to see the jianbing Fu Zhengtu brought back.

Fu Zhengtu handed her the one with less sauce.

Su Taotao took a big bite and nodded enthusiastically, "It's delicious! Did the canteen have this today? It's so good!"

Seeing her rare appetite for breakfast, Fu Zhengtu’s smile deepened.

He didn’t really care what he ate for breakfast, but Su Taotao was different.

She was a skilled cook with a discerning palate. If something didn’t suit her taste, she might just take a few bites and leave it at that.

The old man’s craftsmanship was truly exceptional. The ratio of mung beans to mixed grains was just right, the pancake was fragrant and chewy, and the fermented soybean sauce was perfectly seasoned, with the crispy layer melting in the mouth. Su Taotao had never tasted such delicious jianbing in both her lifetimes.

Fu Zhengtu: "It’s not from the canteen. It’s from a stall set up by a lonely old man."

On the island, those who could set up stalls were usually people like Huang Po, who were specially cared for by the base. She took another big bite, "Why doesn’t the old man work in the canteen? Such delicious jianbing would be in high demand there."

Fu Zhengtu shook his head, "I don’t know. The old man is quite old, probably can’t handle the workload of the canteen."

Su Taotao, in high spirits from the delicious food, temporarily forgot about the argument she had with Fu Zhengtu last night.

She savored the soybean sauce, smiling as she spoke, "The old man’s soybean sauce must be a family secret. When my food factory grows bigger and stronger, I’ll buy the recipe from him and open a production line specifically for his ancestral soybean sauce. It’s so delicious."

Fu Zhengtu had no choice but to humor her. She was now fully focused on the factory, wanting good talent, good products, good projects... she wanted it all.

Su Taotao then ordered Fu Zhengtu around, "Go soak some soybeans. We’ll use them to stew the pig trotters tonight. Next time you buy jianbing, see if you can buy some sauce from the old man. This sauce would add a unique flavor to the stewed pig trotters."

Fu Zhengtu: "..." Alright, she still puts a lot of thought into food.

But no matter how delicious, Su Taotao could only eat half. Even Chenchen could finish half.

Fu Haochen, though reluctant, had to go to school with his uncle today. There was no choice, as both Su Taotao and Fu Zhengtu were at critical points in their "projects" and would be very busy today, unable to take care of him.

Fu Haochen had strong adaptability. He packed his favorite toys, the milk candies his mother gave him, rice crackers... all into his little backpack.

Su Taotao handed the keys to the stroller to Fu Yuanhang and had him carry the lunchbox.

"Yuanhang, push the stroller. Chenchen can sit in it and play during class."

Fu Yuanhang nodded, "Okay, sister-in-law."

Su Taotao adjusted the child’s clothes, kissed his cheek, and said, "Wait for mom at the canteen after school at noon. We’ll have lunch together."

Chenchen nodded, "Okay, mommy~~"

Then, with his little backpack on and straw hat in place, he waved goodbye to the whole family, including Bai Bai, and happily followed his uncle to school.