Chapter 28 (Catching Bugs)

These two young comrades are great, they always think about the team.

Zhang Baosheng was so amused that his face was distorted. He brought his pipe to his lips several times without closing it and puffed. He said with a smile, "You two should come with me to Zhang Laosi's house. When it comes to weaving, Zhang Laosi's craftsmanship is the best. No one can deny his skill."

Zhou Jiani and Qiu Zeming followed. She said, "Aunt Cuiyun told me on my first day at work that this straw hat of mine was made by Fourth Uncle. I even asked Fourth Uncle to weave two baskets for me to send back home. His craftsmanship is impeccable."

Zhang Baosheng didn't know about this and didn't think much about it. He thought it was just an ordinary basket and wondered why he couldn't even buy a basket in the city.

When they arrived at Zhang Laosi's house, Zhang Baosheng greeted him, glanced at the ground, and then paused.

Aunt Zhang came over enthusiastically and took Zhou Jiani's hand, saying, "Comrade Xiao Zhou, do you think this is the style?"

This time her husband thought about it carefully and reworked two models of the baskets several times before they were finally completed.

There were four storage baskets on the floor. Zhou Jiani looked at each one in turn, nodding with delight. "That's right. Uncle Si is so skillful."

I asked Uncle Zhang to knit a lace with hollowed-out edges for me before. This time, I removed the hollowed-out parts and knitted it solid to the top. The edges are wavy, which looks nice too.

In addition to this model, there are also ingot-shaped hand baskets, round slanted baskets, and square slanted storage trays.

The handle of the ingot-shaped one is made into a movable buckle, which can be put down or stood up.

This model also has a lid, and a circle of outward-facing eight-shaped high-leg decorations is added to the bottom.

After listening to Zhang Laosi's wife's praise, Zhang Baosheng realized that Comrade Xiao Zhou had actually thought three steps ahead. Not only had he planned everything long ago, but he had also provided Zhang Laosi with new ideas. He took the baskets and rubbed them over and over, finding each one of them interesting. He kept saying, "Good, good, this style looks great!"

Then he immediately called a meeting of the few craftsmen in the village. Those who had apprentices brought them over, assigned the work in their fields to others, and went to collect the batch of rattan in the team and put together a batch of baskets first.

Zhang Baosheng felt that Zhou Jiani and the others didn't need to wait for seven or eight days. Twenty small baskets and ten of each large one would be enough for them. After they finished weaving the baskets, they could set off.

Zhou Jiani also mentioned to him that she would bring another 100 kilograms of vegetables from the village, and arranged for someone to send them on the train when they set off, and she would contact their family to pick them up.

Zhou Jiani also asked the chefs to add a batch of coasters and pot holders of different sizes.

She gave the requirements and the rest of the work was handled by Zhang Laosi.

Zhou Jiani asked Zhang Baosheng to find a brush and red ink.

Zhang Baosheng now loves to listen to Zhou Jiani talk, she always has new ideas when she opens her mouth.

He asked cheerfully, "What do you use that for?"

Zhou Jiani said with a smile, "Find someone who can write nice calligraphy and write 'Qianjin Brigade Weaving Workshop' on the bottom of the basket. Otherwise, how will people know that this beautiful basket is made here?"

When Zhang Baosheng heard this, he immediately said, "Let Xiao Qiu write it. Xiao Qiu has a beautiful handwriting." Then he laughed and said, "This can be considered a workshop!"

Zhou Jiani rubbed her left hand twice, grabbed a red envelope, and changed her words: "Captain, half and half."

"become!"

Whatever Comrade Xiao Zhou said was the truth, and Zhang Baosheng quickly went to make the arrangements.

During the days of waiting for shipment, Qiu Zeming followed the captain to look at the land, choose the location, and give advice.

Zhou Jiani strolled around the village with her hands behind her back, and when she met a warm-hearted aunt or sister-in-law, she invited her into her home to sit down.

This is probably the only person who is particularly popular when wandering around the village.

The news that the village was going to grow greenhouse vegetables and that Zhou Jiani was going on a business trip to the provincial capital and was thinking about helping the members generate income had spread, and the aunts and uncles treated her like their own nephew when they saw her.

Before she picked the vegetables, she had already harvested more than 20 kilograms of dried cowpeas.

After Zhao Mei helped her make a coat, she also took the time to go back to her parents' home to help her collect about twenty pounds of things.

After the pickles were pickled for a few days, they tasted better and better. Before dinner that day, Zhou Jiani opened the lid and packed two jars with them.

Zhao Mei had already tasted the pickles. They were clear, crisp, sour, spicy and refreshing, and went especially well with rice. Zhang Kaishan and Huihui both ate faster than before.

The small bowl that Zhou Jiani brought over was empty before she knew it.

Yu Wanxia and Sun Ping directly offered to pay for it from Zhou Jiani.

Zhou Jiani said, "The soup in the jar can be reused. After you finish it, just buy cucumbers, green peppers, etc. to replenish half of it."

The two of them agreed readily.

Zhou Jiani packed the pickles, asked Zhao Mei to borrow the broken schoolbag that Huihui had replaced, and wrapped it up to go out.

I first went to the home of a fellow villager where Qiu Zeming was staying and called out at the door. Qiu Zeming came running out in a few steps, smiling and saying, "Comrade Xiao Zhou, this is the first time you've come to see me. What instructions do you have?"

Zhou Jiani wanted to roll her eyes. Why did he have to emphasize that this was the first time he came to see him?

Bai Haoyang followed out with a bowl in hand. He peeked in and saw Zhou Jiani. His eyes lit up and he raised his eyebrows to greet her: "Dia...ah, Comrade Zhou!"

Zhou Jiani's face twitched, and the dusty memories suddenly opened up.

She had forgotten that Bai Haoyang had given her a nickname in her previous life, called "Dia Jing".

Qiu Zeming turned his head and glared at him.

Zhou Jiani nodded at him with a forced smile: "Comrade Bai Haoyang!"

Bai Haoyang chuckled and said, "What do you want from our Brother Ming?"

Zhou Jiani took out a can of pickled vegetables and handed it to Qiu Zeming. She said, "The cucumber buttons that Comrade Qiu had watched over several times the other day are now pickled. Please try some." She added, "Please wash the can and return it to me."

Surprise flashed in Qiu Zeming's eyes.

The cans contained cucumbers, green and red peppers, large slices of ginger, thick slices of garlic, and a sauce-colored soup. Just looking at them made me hungry.

Bai Haoyang stared at Du and swallowed his food, then said with a smile, "Comrade Zhou is so generous. Thank you, Comrade Zhou!"

Giving it to Brother Ming was equivalent to giving a part to him and Wang Qianjin as well, so he thanked them repeatedly and enthusiastically.

This little pickle is appetizing just by looking at it.

Zhou Jiani glanced at him with a smile, then she dropped her smile and said to Qiu Zeming, "I hold grudges. Don't give it to Comrade Bai Haoyang!"

As if she didn't hear it!

Qiu Zeming smiled and nodded: "Okay!"

Bai Haoyang was shocked.

He braked very quickly just now. How did Zhou Jiani hear it?

"Hey, Comrade Zhou, please listen to my explanation..."

Zhou Jiani has left.

Qiu Zeming took the bottle back and Bai Haoyang followed happily behind him.

After entering the house, Wang Qianjin asked, "What did you take?"

"Comrade Zhou pickled these vegetables." Qiu Zeming unscrewed the lid, picked up one and took a bite. It was very crispy and had just the right saltiness, sour and spicy, with a slight sweetness. He couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in joy.

Wang Qianjin stretched out his chopsticks to pick up something, but Qiu Zeming quickly dodged with the bottle in his hand and said, "Your chopsticks are worn out. Use these..."

Bai Haoyang followed suit in a rather servile manner, accusing him, "Exactly. You're already using your mouth to slurp, and you still have the nerve to reach into the bottle." As he spoke, he naturally handed over his bowl and said with a smile, "Brother Ming, have a try."

He heard it all; the sound was so crisp.

Standing in his position, he could smell the aroma of cucumber, pepper and vinegar. It must be delicious.

Qiu Zeming glanced at him and said, "Comrade Xiao Zhou said you can't eat it."

Wang Qianjin almost burst out laughing: "Why?"

"Giving someone a nickname, and shouting it out to their face!"

Wang Qianjin: "Serves you right!"

Bai Haoyang complained: "I didn't say it just now. It must be you, Brother Ming, who betrayed me."

Qiu Zeming nodded: "Very good, I wanted to give you two drops of soup to taste, so don't try the soup."

Bai Haoyang: ...

On the other side, Zhou Jiani went to Zhang Baosheng's house.

Zhang Baosheng's wife, Bao Zhenling, welcomed her in warmly and said sincerely, "Xiao Zhou, please stay home for dinner!"

Zhang Baosheng also said, "Girl, sit down and eat with us, and talk while we eat."

He thought Zhou Jiani came to him to report something.

"No, Captain, Auntie, I came here just to let you taste the pickles I made." She took out another jar of pickles and said, "Is there anything? I'll pour it out."

There were only a few cans and bottles, and she still needed them.

Zhang Baosheng turned his head and looked through the bottle. He saw the red, green, and white garlic cloves inside. It was all pleasing to the eye. He was surprised and said, "Is this the cucumber button you bought the other day?"

For the first time, Zhang Baosheng thought a jar of pickles was beautiful.

Bao Zhenling also praised it highly and said in surprise, "These pickles are so beautiful. It must have taken a lot of effort to make them, right?"

Zhou Jiani poured the pickles into a large blue-rimmed bowl and said with a smile, "It's not bad. It's not that time-consuming if you follow the instructions. It's just that the ingredients are a bit high. I use a lot of soy sauce, some spices, sugar for flavor, and white wine for sterilization."

Bao Zhenling was amazed when she heard this. She picked up one and took a bite to taste it. You have to say, even though so many ingredients were used, it was still delicious.

Zhang Baosheng intuitively felt that Comrade Xiao Zhou was doing more than just pickling vegetables.

But Zhou Jiani just came to deliver some pickles, and only mentioned in passing that she wanted Zhao Mei to go with her to the town restaurant to deliver food tomorrow. While she was on a business trip to the provincial capital, Zhao Mei would temporarily take over this job.

Zhang Baosheng said without hesitation: "Okay, give her the normal work points."

Zhao Mei's life was not easy either. Zhang Kaishan was sick, and she had to support the family alone and pay for her daughter's education. She was tense all day long. The job of delivering vegetables was light and gave her a chance to rest.

Comrade Xiao Zhou is a good comrade. He is taking care of Zhao Mei.

However, there was no follow-up to the pickled dish, and he always felt that something was missing. He picked up a cucumber and tasted it, and his confusion grew even more. How could such a delicious pickled dish have no follow-up?

Zhou Jiani went back with the empty bottle.

She hasn't thought about the following details yet, as she feels she can improve her skills.

The next day, he took Zhao Mei to a fellow villager's house to pick up some food, and Zhao Mei rode her bike to take Zhou Jiani to the town.

When Zhao Mei was taken in, she felt a little nervous about the people in the state-owned unit, and she couldn't help but feel at a loss as to what to do.

Zhou Jiani was already chatting with Wang Liping in an exaggerated tone, saying, "Sister Liping, I'm going on a business trip to the province in a few days. Is there anything you want to bring with you?"

Wang Liping's eyes lit up, and she said happily, "Really? Comrade Xiao Zhou, then I won't be polite with you. Please help me buy a red sweater from the Provincial Department Store. My sister is getting married next month, and I'll give you the money and tickets right away."

"Okay, that's easy." Zhou Jiani pushed Zhao Mei and took the opportunity to say, "Sister-in-law Zhao Mei will come to deliver the goods during the days I'm away. Please take care of it."

"No problem, no problem."

Zhou Jiani took Zhao Mei into the kitchen and introduced her to the others. She readily agreed to help carry things when someone asked her to.

After finishing the handover, she took out the pickles from her bag and asked everyone to taste them. She really wanted to hear the chef's opinion.

The aunt who made the noodles quickly took a bowl and poured it out, and couldn't help but praise it.

"Wow, the cucumbers are pickled so beautifully!"

Dark green cucumbers, light green peppers, and red peppers, plus garlic and ginger slices, the overall combination looks great.

Zou Kai also said "Hey", came over, picked up a stick and tasted it, surprise in his eyes: "The soy sauce is cooked, and sugar is added?"

The spices tasted like they were fried.

It's completely different from the way he pickles vegetables.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Zhou Jiani asked modestly, "Master Zou, what do you think of the taste? Is there anything that needs improvement?"

She wanted to hear comments from professional chefs.

"The cucumber is well-cooked, with just the right crunch, but the Sichuan peppercorns you chose aren't fragrant enough, and you could use a little more vinegar," Zou Kai commented earnestly. "Overall, it's very good, sour and spicy, refreshing. It's a perfect side dish with rice. Delicious."

Although he judged that the taste was lacking, he did not try to figure out the specific method of preparation.

Zou Kai didn't try to curry favor with this. If he really needed help, they would just talk openly.

I am more curious about what Comrade Xiao Zhou is planning to do so seriously.