Chapter 288: Selection

"On a day like this, imagine being hungry and exposed to the cold wind, that's not how people live!

If you can bear this kind of life, then follow your mother!"

Cao Youcai looked hesitant. He knew how cold it was outside, especially in the afternoon when it started snowing and the wind was biting.

However, "I heard that the peasant woman used 800 kilograms of grain and sheep to exchange for my mother and sisters. How could she let my mother and sisters starve with so much food?"

Cao Da glanced at his son and snorted, "You also know that she's a peasant woman and that it's 800 kilograms of grain? I'm just asking you, how many farmers can take out so much grain and still have food at home?

I'm afraid not everyone will have to live frugally! Besides, your mother is a servant, wouldn't she still be a servant if she went there? She was injured and couldn't work, but the Cao family still gave her and her four daughters a bite to eat. How greedy they are! "

Cao Youcai pursed his lips and said nothing.

It was because Dad insisted on eating so much that Mom and my sisters didn’t have enough to eat, so they had to leave.

But what Dad said is not entirely wrong. Mom didn’t have enough to eat in the Cao family. Does that mean she will be able to eat enough if she goes to the new owner’s house?

The Cao family used to be so magnificent. Even though they have fallen on hard times, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. My mother is really too narrow-minded to accept the fact that she would rather stay with a farmer than stay with the scholarly Cao family.

Cao Da spat out another mouthful of thick yellow phlegm with a "Puh" sound, smacking his lips and saying, "All you need now is more work. Look at those disaster victims. They don't have enough food, warm clothes, or shelter. They can't even work in the heavy snow. If you don't cherish it, you'll end up like your mother!"

Cao Youcai looked at the sticky phlegm, the corners of his mouth twitched, but he held back and didn't speak.

Daddy was right. At least he had food, drink, and shelter now. What was wrong with doing some work? Mother and my sisters had to work, yet they were hungry, cold, and shivering.

Compared to them, his life is already very good...he can't ruin it.

*

Pinggu was woken up by the heat in the morning.

It took me a while to realize that it was the fire wall next to me. At night, there was only floor heat. The new bedding was fluffy and soft, and the temperature was just right. But now that the fire wall was heated, it was obviously too high. It seems that I have to move somewhere farther away from the fire wall tonight.

She got up, put on her coat, and went to the kitchen to wash up.

Lei Chuntian poked his head out from behind the stove and said with a bright smile, "You're awake, were you woken up by the noise we made?

But it just so happens that there is hot water in the pot over there. You can wash up and then have the corn porridge ready in a while."

Pinggu was stunned, then realized that the reason the fire wall was hot was because there was a pot boiling in the kitchen. She quickly said, "I, I will boil it myself, why would I need you--"

Lei Chuntian interrupted casually: "Well, it's just a matter of making a fire, why do we need to distinguish so clearly?"

It’s just some hot water, it doesn’t matter who heats it.

Pinggu was still very embarrassed. Others got up early in the morning and braved the cold to light a fire and boil water in the kitchen, which also required fetching water and chopping firewood... She also had four daughters. It was okay to do it once or twice, but it would be unacceptable if it happened too many times.

She smiled and said, "Thank you for your help today. I will make breakfast tomorrow."

Originally, we had two meals a day at Cao's house, but Shen Qing said yesterday that people in the village who don't work have two meals a day, and those who work have to get up early or have three meals a day, otherwise it is not good for the body to work on an empty stomach.

The workshop has a kitchen and a well, and is fully stocked with firewood, rice, oil, and salt. Since they live here, they don't have to brave the cold to go to the main house just for a meal. They eat lunch together with everyone, and cook for themselves in the morning and evening.

The Lei family’s food, meat and vegetables were also delivered together with their bedding yesterday.

Lei Chuntian thought that they might have to live together for several months, so he didn't insist and agreed with a cheerful smile.

She suggested: "There are many people in our Lei family, and most of them are men who can eat. The amount of food we cook is also very tiring. Xia Tian and I will take charge of the Lei family for two days, and your family will take charge of one day, Aunt Ping. How about this rotation?"

Pinggu's hand was injured, and Xiaojin and Xiaoyin were young, so since they had a division of labor, they couldn't take advantage of others.

"Okay." Pinggu felt that her heart was warmer than the fire in the stove.

The four little girls woke up after a while. When they saw their mother was not there, they immediately got up, dressed themselves, and went to the kitchen to look for her.

My mother's arm is injured and she can't work. Otherwise, if the bone doesn't grow well, she won't be able to hold a needle in the future. They are used to working. They ate well and slept well yesterday, so they can definitely work today.

When they entered the kitchen, they found that the hot water was already boiled and there was enough for them to wash.

The big iron pot was emitting steam, and inside it was thick corn grits porridge. Pickled radish and fried sauerkraut were placed next to the stove to go with the porridge.

Sister Chuntian laughed and called to them: "The hot water is in the pot, scoop it up and wash up, and take a bowl to serve yourselves the porridge. The pickled radish is Aunt Shen Qing's craft;

My mother sent me the pickled mustard greens yesterday. I just fried them. These two side dishes go really well with the porridge. Will you try them later and see if you like them?"

The four little girls felt hot in their eyes, their noses felt sore, and they nodded continuously.

If you are used to eating it, how can you not be used to it?

When you wake up in the morning, there is already hot water available, hot food waiting for you, and even side dishes are thoughtfully prepared.

The people I face when I open my eyes are no longer harsh, picky, and domineering, but warm, kind, and cheerful. Can life be any better?

They even have the motivation to get out of bed.

*

After breakfast, Pinggu went to the main house.

Today we are going to select a girl who is suitable for embroidery.

Shen Qing was thinking about where to set up an embroidery workshop - it was freezing cold, and it was too late now.

Especially embroidery requires very precise hand movements, which cannot withstand even a little cold. Otherwise, how can you hold the needle and thread if you are frozen?

Fortunately, we are just starting to learn, and we don’t need too much space to sit in a row. The main hall of her main house should be enough.

They will wait until spring to build the house. Not only will they need to provide heating, but they will also need to build the kitchen and accommodation. Then Pinggu and her daughter will have their own little home.

Whether you live with your own family or in a brush workshop, you will never have a sense of belonging.

When the embroidery workshop was built, Pinggu's hand was almost healed, and now she just stayed in the main house, living in the workshop.

After a while, Pinggu came in despite the wind and snow. Before the two of them could say a few words, women from the village came in one after another with their children.

"Aunt Ping, how is my baby?"

"I have several of these for you to look at."

.....

From women in their twenties to children as young as five or six years old, all were brought over.

Shen Qing stared at the five or six-year-old child in amazement.

No, if a five or six-year-old were in China, he would still be in kindergarten. Would he be able to hold chopsticks steadily? Would he be able to hold a needle?

Besides, it’s useless even if he can hold it steadily. It’s so pitiful to see such a small thing sitting there for half a day!

She looked at Pinggu, afraid that Pinggu would choose her.

Ping Gu waited until everyone was present and saw that no one else was coming. Then she smiled warmly and said politely, "No one under ten years old can come. Wait until you are over ten.

The main reason is that they are young, lack patience and can't sit still, and their hand-eye coordination is not good. It is difficult for the learners and tiring for the teachers. Others can become masters in one or two years, but they need several years. "