The first batch of chives in spring was so fresh and tender that Chen Hong really liked it, so she stir-fried chives and eggs for lunch.

Considering that today's main dish is rice, these three dishes are a bit bland, and my dad, who prefers strong flavors, might not find them very appetizing.

Chen Hong made another braised pork belly with a rich, dark sauce, and a pot of spicy soup. Fresh daylilies will soon be in season, and she still has quite a few dried daylilies at home, so she needs to eat them quickly.

Considering that the front yard was very busy and Xiao Hao and Wang Xin's mother couldn't take care of the children, Chen Hong decided to let the two children stay at home for dinner.

I also sliced ​​a plate of braised beef and braised a flounder, which is also called a flatfish.

Chen Hong chose a flounder weighing about two pounds and made it into a braised dish for lunch.

Don't let its ugly appearance fool you; this fish is anything but beautiful. Its eyes and nostrils are on one side, and its body is flat and round.

It is said that the uglier the seafood, the tastier it is! As early as the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the flounder was praised in a poem by the writer Guo Pu:

The flatfish, also known as Wang Yu.

Although there are two pieces, they are actually one fish.

Cooperation cannot be too close, nor can separation be too distant.

Halibut is rich in protein, various vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients, and low in fat.

Halibut is particularly high in vitamin B6 and rich in DHA, a major component of the human brain. Regular consumption of halibut can enhance intelligence, making it especially suitable for children.

This fish has tender flesh with few bones, white and sweet meat, and a firm and bouncy texture. It is a type of fish that the Japanese like to use for sashimi, and it tastes especially delicious.

As soon as the meal was ready, Chen Hong went to the guest room to wake her parents up for breakfast.

When Chen Hong's mother and Erni finished washing their faces and looked at the table, she couldn't help but be startled.

"Xiaohong, there are only a few people in our family, why did you cook so many dishes?"

"You're learning to not like eating leftovers now, aren't you worried about wasting food if you can't finish it?"

Chen Hong's father was already used to his daughter's "generosity," so he sat up straight as usual, reached for the wine bottle next to him, and poured himself a glass of baijiu.

He took a sip, smacked his lips, and then said, "Wow, it's Wuliangye! This wine is not bad!"

"Xiao Hong, do you still have any of this tavern left? The village chief and the others are coming tonight, so let's drink this!"

Before Chen Hong could say anything, her mother spoke up again, "All you do is drink. This wine must be expensive. It's a waste to let you drink it all."

There are no outsiders here, so just buy two bottles of Jingzhi Baijiu for about ten yuan each.

"It's not a holiday, and we're not even visiting in-laws, why drink such expensive wine?"

Seeing that the elderly couple was about to argue again, Chen Hong quickly interrupted her mother.

"Let my dad drink it. This wine was a gift from someone during the Spring Festival. If he doesn't drink it, why would we spend money to buy more?"

Mom, don't worry. Eat whatever I give you, drink whatever I give you. I know what I'm doing.

The shop was very busy up front, and the women didn't have time to look after the kids. So, I had Yu Sheng's children stay for lunch today. They're like little pigs, growing fast and eating the most; there wouldn't be enough food if we didn't have plenty.

Knowing about Chen Hong's family situation, Chen Hong's father, sipping his wine, asked, "Where are the children? Why aren't they at the table for dinner yet?"

"They're feeding the dogs outside! I called them, they'll be right there," Chen Hong said as she served everyone their meals.

Chen Hong's father nodded: "Your mother and I can't help much with the work at the beginning. Let's stay home these few days and invite the children over for dinner!"

I think everyone is quite down-to-earth; they're so busy that they don't even have time to take care of their kids.

Anyway, your mother and I are just looking after the kids; whether we're herding one sheep or a whole flock, it's all the same!

"That's what I think too. Mom, our family makes up the majority of the business in the front yard, so watch your words. A large portion of their profits comes from your daughter."

Kids these days have very sharp ears, so don't misunderstand the situation and ruin everyone's relationships.

All our businesses are partnerships. Even though Yu Yang and I weren't home, we were able to keep an eye on things thanks to the village chief and a few other families.

My family is the easiest to manage, so please wait for your share of the money. This is also because everyone is taking care of my mother and me.

We need to be aware of this and not be ungrateful.

Chen Hong's mother reluctantly replied, "I know, I'm so old, how could I not understand social etiquette!"

"Look at you, carrying a heavy load of porcelain—trying to manage both ends! I told you to go back to Jinan earlier, why did you set up such a huge operation here?"

Chen Hong didn't say anything more, but she thought to herself: Can Jinan compare to this place?

Even if I told her, her mother wouldn't understand. What could an old rural woman who has spent her whole life farming and working around the stove possibly know?

Just then, Yu Yang led the children into the house, and Chen Hong quickly went to supervise them as they washed their hands.

These little guys just played with two dogs; if we don't keep a close eye on them, they won't wash their hands properly.

They rinsed their hands in the sink without even using soap or rubbing them, and then tried to dry them with a towel.

After they finish using the towels, her towels will definitely be unrecognizable.

When Xiao Hao and the other kids saw Chen Hong watching them from the bathroom door, they all obediently followed the seven steps their Aunt Hong had taught them, carefully washed their hands, and then went to the table to eat one after another.

Chen Hong immediately praised them: "Good job! You haven't forgotten how to wash your hands. You are all good children who love cleanliness and hygiene!"

Okay, let's eat!

At her command, the five older children scrambled with their chopsticks, and after just two rounds, nearly half of the dishes on the table were gone.

"Eat slowly, eat slowly!" Chen Hong quickly served them soup. "Didn't you eat breakfast? How come you're so hungry? Here, everyone have some soup, don't choke."

"Aunt Hong, your cooking is still the best!"

"I've already had breakfast and played all morning, so it's all digested by now."

"Aunt Hong, I've been craving your cooking for so long. Please don't go back to Jinan anymore, it's so much better at home!"

"Aunt Hong, your dishes look delicious, and they taste amazing!"

The children were full of praise, exclaiming how delicious the food was.

Chen Hong's mother was also amused by them and laughed heartily: "The food from another pot always smells better, all children are the same!"

Xiaohong, were you like this when you were little? Every time you went to someone else's house for a meal, you would say that the food was better than what we made at home.

Actually, it's all the same. There are many families who are not as well off as us!

Back then, every family was struggling financially, and if no guests came, they couldn't even afford to buy a piece of meat.

The meals at home are usually low in oil and salt, just plain water; we're lucky if we can fill our stomachs.

There were more children than adults at the meal, and everyone ate with great enthusiasm and chatter.

Especially Yu Yang and the other boys, who hadn't seen each other for a long time, seemed to have endless things to talk about when they got together.

You talk about your school and teachers, and I'll talk about my classmates and the interest groups I participate in.

Who fought with whom? Who pulled a girl's pigtail? Who made a new friend? Who was bullied and ostracized by a bad classmate?

Chen Hong's father sipped his wine and listened to the children's innocent chatter, feeling quite happy!

After dinner, he quietly said to Chen Hong, "I didn't expect that this little kid in first grade would have so many problems."

It seems that even a small class of about fifty people is like a mini-society; they can even be divided into several factions. Hehehe, interesting!