Chapter 32: Chatting among the families.

At the He family's side, He's mother prepared a table full of delicious food to entertain her eldest daughter and son-in-law.

He Xiuxiu and Gu Chengli were naturally surprised by the mutton on the dinner table. They didn't expect that her mother's family could buy mutton and specially save it to treat them.

It was the first time for Haohao and Juejue to eat mutton. They kept praising the mutton for its deliciousness and even ate several pieces of radish, which they usually didn’t like.

There was also a lot of excitement at Zhao Miling's parents' home.

Because the wife of the eldest brother Zhao lived in the same village, they often saw each other. On this day, he went back to her parents' home early and then came back to entertain his sister-in-law. The wife of the youngest brother Zhao lived far away, so naturally she did not come back.

When Zhao's mother saw her daughter was happy, she didn't expect that she and her son-in-law actually brought a pound of pork, half a pound of pastries and six eggs, all good things.

"Just come here, why do you bring such a valuable thing here?"

Mother Zhao said a few polite words, stuffed the red envelopes for her three grandchildren, and then took the pound of pork in front of her son-in-law and told her daughter-in-law to cook it at noon to entertain the guests.

It was a bit disrespectful to do so, but there was nothing I could do. My family was poor and didn't have meat coupons to buy meat, and the meat distributed by the village was eaten up on New Year's Eve. Today, I finally got the dishes together, and planned to make a meat dish with scrambled eggs. Now that I have pork, of course I have to use pork to treat my daughter's family.

Brother He didn't think it was a big deal. His mother-in-law's family were nice people, and they always helped out with anything. They cooked the pork they brought over immediately for their own family, which showed that they cared about their own family.

He sat down and talked to his brother-in-law.

Guifang and her friends played with their cousins ​​from their grandmother's family.

Zhao Miling originally wanted to go into the kitchen to help her sister-in-law make lunch, but her mother pulled her into her room: "Let your sister-in-law prepare lunch first. Chat with mother first. If you want to help, go and help."

The eldest sister-in-law in the kitchen said, "Aunt, please chat with mother first. I can't let you into the kitchen. I can handle it here."

She was obviously in a good mood. Her sister-in-law and her family had brought back some pork, so she could have meat for lunch. With pork in front of her, it didn't matter what she cooked a meal by herself.

Zhao's mother pulled her daughter into the room and sat down. "How have you been doing at your in-laws' house recently? Your mother-in-law actually prepared a pound of pork for you to bring back this time. How rare."

It’s not that my daughter’s mother-in-law is a bad person, it’s just that pork is so rare that she actually gave out a pound of it as a gift to the bride’s family.

Zhao Miling said, "I'm living well in my husband's family. Mom, do you think I've become plumper? My mother-in-law is generous this time. She prepared a pound of pork for each of the three daughters-in-law as a return gift."

"Hiss, that must be three pounds of pork!" Zhao's mother exclaimed. She looked at her daughter carefully and said, "You seem to be a little plump. It seems that you have been living well in your husband's family for the past six months. The food at home should be good too."

But think about it, the return gift alone can take out three pounds of pork, it is estimated that they usually eat meat. She was very happy in her heart, happy for the marriage she had chosen for her daughter.

Mother Zhao thought for a moment and asked again, "By the way, has your aunt found a job in the past six months? Could it be that she didn't find a job and didn't work in the fields?"

If there is anything bad about my daughter's in-laws, it is that the whole family spoils my sister-in-law. She does nothing at home and supports me while I am in high school. But after graduating last year, I heard from my daughter that she still does nothing at home and does not go to work. She is so lazy.

In the past, Zhao's mother always advised her daughter to be more open-minded. No matter how lazy a girl is, it will no longer be her business after she gets married in a few years, and she can just be patient.

Now that I see my daughter, she has grown plump and round, so I think the problem has been solved.

Zhao Miling had a different feeling when she talked about her sister-in-law: "She found a job and worked as a helper in a movie theater for half a year. She came home to rest in the twelfth lunar month. She has changed a lot. Although she doesn't do much housework, she will buy meat for us from time to time."

"My plump figure is partly due to my sister-in-law's efforts."

"In order to support my sister-in-law's job, the family bought a bicycle. My parents-in-law also suddenly came to their senses and gave each of us some money after distributing the money at the end of the year. My husband also became diligent. He did not stay idle at home in the twelfth lunar month. With the help of my eldest sister-in-law, he went to work as a temporary worker in the steel factory and earned some money to support our small family. Life is becoming more and more promising."

Zhao Miling concluded: "I feel that these changes are related to my aunt. My aunt is actually a good person. She doesn't like to work because she spends more time writing articles. I misunderstood her before."

When Zhao's mother heard this, her eyes widened. She didn't expect so many things to happen in the past six months, and even her daughter's thoughts changed a lot.

My daughter also said that her sister-in-law would often use her own money to buy meat for everyone to eat.

Oh my God, why didn’t she meet such a good sister-in-law back then.

Mother Zhao didn't say much, just said: "Since you think your sister-in-law is good, you should work honestly in the future and don't complain. Anyway, the girl can't stay at home for a few more years, you and your son-in-law should live a good life and make everything good."

Zhao Miling smiled and replied, "Of course I know that."

After all, she was a person who couldn't sit still. She could continue chatting with her mother after dinner. She got up and went to the kitchen to help her sister-in-law cook.

As for Qian Chun and her mother's family, the Qian family was also shocked at first by the generosity of this pound of pork. Then, like the Zhao family, they immediately took the pound of pork into the kitchen to cook so that they could entertain their daughter's family at noon.

The brothers of the Qian family all accompanied their wives back to their parents' home, leaving only Qian's mother and father. Qian's father entertained his son-in-law in the main hall, the children played with the children next door at the door, and Qian's mother cooked with her daughter in the kitchen.

Qian's mother still asked about her daughter's in-laws.

Qian Chunhe recalled everything that happened in the past six months with a smile on his face: "Since my aunt kowtowed that time, it seems that something has changed..."

She told her mother all these things, such as how her aunt could write articles to earn money, how she would use her own money to buy pork for everyone to eat, how she was very serious at work after finding a job, and how she was not so picky and willful in daily interactions.

"Although my sister-in-law still doesn't work at home, my sister-in-law and I don't seem to have the same annoyance as before. It's as if we have completely accepted it and regard housework as something we should do. It's not hard to bear. What's more, we can eat meat from time to time, so we should do more work."

Qian Chunhe naturally knew that the extra meat they ate was actually taking advantage of her aunt, so she just considered it as helping her aunt do her share of the work.

After hearing this, Qian's mother exclaimed that it was strange, and then said, "Anyway, it's good that you can think it through. I see that Kerou and Kejie have grown taller and stronger. It's better for your family to live well. If you continue like this, your family will have a good life."

Qian Chunhe smiled and nodded: "That's right."

It was a rare occasion for the mother and daughter to meet, so they started chatting about other things while making lunch.

In Su's house in the county town, He Lianzhou brought his wife and children to visit his father-in-law and mother-in-law.

They came to the county town by oxcart, and when they got off the car, they saw the supply and marketing cooperative. He Lianzhou said, "Let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some things and bring them back to my parents."

Su Yu shook her head: "No need, mother has prepared these things which are already very decent. My parents don't care about these things, they just listen to me."

So the family went straight to Su's house.

Su Yu usually lives at her mother's house, and Dabao and Erbao are as familiar with them as if they were at home. Only He Lianzhou is a little unfamiliar, but they just had dinner together before the New Year, so they sat together now to chat about family matters.

The lunch was naturally rich.

A little later in the afternoon, He Lianzhou said goodbye and took his wife and children to visit his eldest sister.

To be honest, Su Yu and her husband were introduced to each other by He Xiuxiu. They didn't have much chance to contact each other normally, so she thought she could go to her husband's house and have a chat with her.

He Lianzhou went to a nearby department store to buy some things before going to the steel plant’s staff quarters with his wife and children.

As soon as she entered the door, she was naturally welcomed by her eldest sister's family. Her mother-in-law and father-in-law treated her warmly, and the Gu family instantly became lively.

In Qinghe Production Team, the eldest and second sons’ families of the He family have already returned.

He Susu also received candies from her nephews and nieces, who said they were given to her by her grandmother.

She picked one up and put it in her mouth. "Hmm, it's quite sweet and tastes really good."

Ke Rou was very smart. She shyly expressed her wish: "Auntie, we have some candy for you. Can you share some of your milk lumps with us next time?"

The younger Guimian and Kejie also agreed: "Yes, aunt, the milk dumplings we had last time were delicious!"

No child can resist the milk lumps with a strong milky flavor.

He Susu agreed generously: "Okay, next time I have milk lumps, I will definitely share them with you."

She thought that when she went to the county town after the New Year, she would bring back some milk lumps.

He's mother was a little sad to have sent her eldest daughter and her family away, but now she saw her grandchildren pestering her daughter to eat milk lumps, and she couldn't help but mutter, "You bunch of greedy ghosts, thinking about food all day long, but it's a northern specialty, how can it be so easy to buy. It's only because your aunt loves you so much that she agreed to let you have it."

As soon as she said this, she seemed to regain her vitality, and all the sadness disappeared. She was just being too picky. Her daughter lived in the county town, so it was not easy for her to see her.

Seeing that the grandchildren were embarrassed by the scolding, they lowered their heads and dared not look at her, but they just refused to change their words and said they would not eat milk lumps anymore, He's mother laughed and shook her head. Not to mention the children, even she liked to eat those milk lumps.

It was getting late, so she called the eldest daughter-in-law who was in charge of tonight's dinner to go to the kitchen to get busy. When there were many people in the house, cooking took longer.

A little later, He Lianzhou's family came back. He's mother asked, "Are you back from visiting Xiuxiu's house?"

He Lianzhou nodded: "Yes, my eldest sister's family is very hospitable. If I hadn't told her that they cooked for us, her mother-in-law would have insisted on keeping us at home for dinner and refused to let us go."

He picked out some topics from the conversation at the eldest sister's house and told them to his mother, who was happy to hear them. The in-laws warmly entertained the third child's family, which was to give face to the eldest daughter.

The whole family sat around the dining table and had a meal happily.

In the following days, He Susu really enjoyed the excitement of the New Year. Almost every day, people came to her house to sit. However, on New Year's Eve and the first and second days of the New Year, there were melon seeds, candies and cakes at home, and then they were put away.

In the words of He's mother, "Nowadays, those who come here are just ordinary people. They just hang out and chat when they have nothing to do. They are lucky to have a glass of water to drink. Why would they need to eat these?"

Candies, cakes and melon seeds were rare snacks. She would collect them and occasionally give them to her grandchildren, or occasionally eat them while chatting with her wife and daughters in the afternoon. This way she didn't feel she was losing out.

The He family is the most lively during these few days of the year. It is when the family members gather together. They eat around the table, the living room is full of people, and even people have to queue up to take a shower.

He Lianzhou had to return to the army on the sixth day of the New Year. It was a rare opportunity for him to have such a long vacation, especially because he had basically no vacation in the past year.

At night he asked his wife: "Xiaoyu, I have to go back tomorrow. Do you plan to live at home with the children, or go back to your parents' home?"

Su Yu hesitated for a moment and finally told the truth: "I would rather live back at my mother's house. It's much more convenient to commute to get off work in the county. My mother is retired and has nothing to do at home. She can help look after Dabao and Erbao. My mother and her family work during the day, so they don't have to worry about Dabao and Erbao."

He Lianzhou respected his wife's choice. As she said, it was better to live with her parents at home. He nodded: "Okay, I'll talk to my mother about this."

For many things, he, as a son, can explain things better than Su Yu, as a daughter-in-law.

Su Yu smiled and agreed.

He Lianzhou said, "I don't have to leave so early tomorrow. I'll take you and Dabao and Erbao to your mother's place first. There are a lot of clothes and it will be too hard for you to go back alone. I can also say goodbye to my father-in-law and mother-in-law."

Xiaoyu will switch shifts with her colleague tomorrow to have a rest.

Su Yu shook her head: "No, my parents know your intentions. I will take Dabao and Erbao back with me later. The two children can help carry things now. There is not much time tomorrow, so you can stay at home with your parents."

Knowing his wife's feelings, He Lianzhou felt comforted: "You are so thoughtful."

Thinking of the 70% chance of something happening in the future, he couldn't help but say, "If everything goes well this year, I should be able to get promoted to the next level. Then I'll apply for a house. You can bring Dabao and Erbao to join the army, and our family can be together."

Speaking of this, Su Yu was full of anticipation: "I hope this day will come sooner, and I am looking forward to going to see you."

During the New Year holidays, the couple's relationship has improved a lot.

Unlike her husband who still had some uncertainty in his words, she had memories of the future and knew that her husband would be promoted to company commander in April or May this year, and she would be able to join the army with her children.

This year is destined to be full of expectations and hope.

He Lianzhou hugged his wife, thought for a moment and then said, "Don't tell your parents about this first. I'm afraid they will be disappointed if it's not confirmed yet."

Su Yu smiled and said, "Don't worry, you and I are the only ones who know about this."

After that, the couple enjoyed a period of deep affection.

He's mother knew that her son would return to the army tomorrow, and that the couple must have something to talk about and do, so she brought her eldest and second child to sleep with her and the old man.

The next morning, after breakfast, He's mother went into the kitchen to get busy again. The third child was going back to the army, and he would be hungry on the way and need lunch, so she had to make something for him to eat on the way.

Fortunately, there was still some flour left from the flour her daughter bought last time, and the leeks planted in the family vegetable garden had managed to grow a little in the cold wind, so He's mother decided to make leek boxes.

She mixed the white flour with water, kneaded it and set it aside to ferment. She then went to the fields to cut leeks, picked them clean and cut them into small pieces. Then she took four or five eggs, fried them and chopped them up. She mixed the leeks and eggs in a bowl and added salt, soy sauce and other seasonings. The filling was ready.

After deflation of the fermented dough, rolling it into long strips, and then cutting it into small pieces, He's mother began to knead the small pieces into balls and roll them into dough sheets, wrap the fillings inside, and then seal the edges and press them into thick pie shapes.

After the chive dumplings were ready, she lit the stove, added oil to the pan, and fried the dumplings. Of course, the chive dumplings had to be fried until golden and shiny to be delicious.

When He Lianzhou walked into the kitchen, he saw his mother standing in front of the stove preparing food for him on the road. It was like this every time. He felt warm in his heart and walked over to her and said, "Mom, you have worked hard."

Mother He turned around and saw her son and smiled, "It's not hard work at all. I haven't cooked for you many times in the whole year. Go back to the army and take care of yourself. Don't starve yourself. I'll make you some long-lasting food and send it to you later."

She smiled and said, "Don't worry, it won't cost much and it won't be tiring. We can just use the money you gave us during the Chinese New Year."

During the Chinese New Year, the third son secretly gave her and the old man one hundred yuan, saying it was a gift from him and his wife.

He Lianzhou smiled and agreed: "I know, Mom, I will definitely take good care of myself. The mushroom and meat sauce you made last time was good, why don't you make some of this next time."

Hearing her son say this, He's mother was even happier: "Okay, if you like the mushroom meat sauce, it's even better. It's very simple. I'll make it and send it to you later."

After hearing what the third brother said, she finally had a direction and no longer had to rack her brains over what to send to the third brother.

He Lianzhou talked about his wife's plan to move in with her children: "It is indeed more convenient for Xiaoyu to commute to get off work if she lives there. Her mother can also help take care of Dabao and Xiaobao, and you can relax too."

He's mother had already let it go: "If she wants to go back, she can go back and live there. I am happy and relaxed. Xiaoyu is also a filial child. After she has a rest, Dabao and Erbao will come back to see me and your father. You can buy something for your father-in-law and mother-in-law later to thank them."

The third son's wife and her two children don't live at home, so the family can save food, He's mother thought.

He Lianzhou nodded: "Okay, I know."

The leek dumplings in the pan were frying fragrantly, so He's mother turned them over and continued frying them.

He Lianzhou sighed: "This leek dumpling smells delicious. Every time I take the train back to the army, people around me envy my food. By the way, mother, I will bring the aluminum lunch box I brought back last time to fill it up, so that I don't have to bring the one from home and have to wait until next time to bring it back."

The last time he came back from the army, he naturally bought some buns from the canteen in advance and packed them in a lunch box to eat on the way. When he got home, he washed them and put them away in his room, and he almost forgot about it.

He's mother naturally agreed.

He Susu was happier. She woke up a little late and missed the same breakfast as everyone else, but happened to come across some freshly baked chive dumplings.

As He's mother loved her daughter so much, she naturally reserved some food for her and immediately packed two leek boxes for her to eat.

He Susu took it and sat at the table to eat. The skin of the chive dumplings was fried crispy, and the taste was not only fragrant with oil but also with flour. When she took another bite, the chives and eggs mixed together, which was salty, fragrant and delicious, and juicy, not worse than meat filling.

The children were already full, but now they came over to smell the aroma and watched their aunt eat the leek dumplings, and they couldn't help swallowing their saliva.

After all, it was still Chinese New Year, so He's mother went to the kitchen and put the four leek boxes for the third child into his aluminum lunch box. She counted the number of leek boxes left in the pot, cut them all in half, put them on plates, and took them out for the children to eat.

"Each of you can have one piece. They are all the same size. Don't fight over them."

"Okay, thank you grandma!"

Several children immediately came over happily, each took a piece and ate it with relish.

Gui Mian was not idle while eating: "I envy my aunt who can eat two chive dumplings by herself. My uncle is even happier as he can eat a lunch box of chive dumplings."

Dabao swallowed the fragrant leeks and eggs in his mouth and said unhappily, "But I don't want Dad to leave."

Erbao nodded while eating: "I don't want to either."

Ke Jie was eating chive dumplings and trying to think of something to comfort them: "It's okay. If you miss your dad, come back to see us. I can let you have my dad for a while."

Dabao shook his head: "I don't want it, I want my dad."

Erbao nodded heavily: "Yes, I want my dad."

Then he ate the chive dumplings and sighed meaningfully, "What a delicious smell!"

He Lianzhou was sitting in the living room chatting and saying goodbye with his parents, brother and sister-in-law. Only He Susu was sitting at the dining table and heard the conversation of the kids. She couldn't help but be amused.

She ate two not-so-small leek dumplings in a row, which greatly satisfied her taste buds and made her feel full.

I simply walked into the hall and listened to their conversation.

Seeing his younger sister, He Lianzhou couldn't help but confess: "Little sister, since you have a clear plan for the future, then do it well. I'm waiting for your good news."

He Susu thought carefully about her plan for the spring, which was nothing more than looking for a job, and if she couldn't find one, she would write articles. She nodded obediently: "Okay, Third Brother, I'll remember it."

Su Yu sat aside and listened. After thinking for a while, she said, "If Su Su wants to find a job, I will help her find one after I go back. Maybe I can find a suitable one."

In the past six months, my aunt has changed a lot of her impression of her, and they have been getting along quite comfortably during the New Year period. Su Yu is willing to sell this, so please help find out.

He's mother was happy to hear this: "That's great. Xiaoyu, you know a lot of people at the radio station. If you find someone suitable, just tell Susu. The child is older now and is still very serious and responsible at work."

Su Yu nodded: "Mom, I know, I will help ask."

He Susu didn't expect that her third sister-in-law would take the initiative to ask for a job for her. No matter what, she still smiled brightly and thanked her: "Thank you, third sister-in-law. I'll trouble you then."

It was getting late, and He Lianzhou was ready to leave. Now that the family had a bicycle, it was naturally more convenient than before, and Brother He rode his bicycle to take him to the city railway station to catch a train.

He Lianzhou's luggage was simple, with one package when he returned and another package when he left. The aluminum lunch box containing the leek box had already been put into the package.

The whole family stood at the door to say goodbye, reluctant to leave. He Susu was also reluctant to leave her third brother, and kept saying, "Third brother, when you go to the army, remember to write back more often!"

They had to say goodbye eventually, and finally He Lianzhou sat on the back of the bicycle with his package on his back and left with Brother He.

After a nap in the afternoon, Su Yu packed her own clothes and those of her two children and prepared to take a ox cart back to her parents' home.

It was somewhat inconvenient for the third sister-in-law to go back with two children and clothes. Remembering that the other party had said in the morning that he would help her find a job, He Susu took the initiative to send them back.

He's mother agreed, thinking that it would be good for the two sisters-in-law to develop a good relationship.