Because they received red envelopes, Aunt Wang and the others felt embarrassed to take time off, so they still came to help with cooking even during the Chinese New Year.

Breakfast on New Year's Eve was quite simple.

After cooking breakfast, the women thought that their husbands or mothers-in-law would be preparing to fry New Year's treats at home, so they didn't go home.

Instead, she stayed in the kitchen and took over Ye Lan's work, washing vegetables and chopping meat filling to prepare steamed buns.

Looking at the kitchen knife that had disappeared from her hand, Ye Lan shook her head helplessly. Just as she was about to start another pot to fry food...

The flour and bowl in my hand were snatched away again.

Aunt Wang spoke first:

"Sister Ye, what other New Year's goods do you need to prepare? Just leave it all to us. Yan gave us such a big New Year's red envelope, how can we just eat for nothing!"

The others shared the same idea as Aunt Wang.

They busied themselves agreeing with it.

"That's right! Anyway, several of our families are preparing for the New Year, so we're just sitting around doing nothing. Besides, we're getting anxious if you don't let us do anything!"

Seeing this situation.

Ye Lan couldn't refuse any longer, so she told them about all the New Year's goods her family needed to prepare.

"Then I'll have to trouble you all. There are quite a few people in my family, so I'll have to ask you to fry up some more fried dough sticks, fried dough sticks, fried cakes, as well as radish balls and sweet potato balls."

The women were all villagers from Xiaolin Village. In the past, when conditions were poor, they had never fried so much food, even during the Lunar New Year.

For a moment, they all looked troubled.

I was afraid that if I didn't fry it properly, I would offend the host, but since I had already said it, it was not easy to take it back.

Just as the group was struggling with their own ideas, Zhang Xiaohong confidently stepped forward.

"Alright! Don't worry, Sister Ye, this is my specialty, I guarantee it will taste delicious!"

Zhang Xiaohong had previously worked as a banquet helper in the county town. Although she wasn't the head chef, she knew most of the basic skills required.

When he heard that Lin Yan's family was looking for a cook, he rushed over to volunteer.

After all, a monthly wage of one or two taels of silver was too tempting.

Although Zhang Xiaohong's wages were not low in the past, there were only a few banquets in the entire county each month.

There are jobs for cooks in the county town, but she also has to take care of her children, so it's impossible for her to live in the county town every day.

Finding a high-paying job right in the village was something she never dared to dream of before!

Therefore, Zhang Xiaohong cherished this opportunity very much.

She must seize this excellent opportunity and make full use of her greatest strengths!

After saying "thank you," Ye Lan had no choice but to leave the kitchen.

The thought that she had hardly lifted a finger to do housework because of her daughter warmed her heart.

The heavy snow was still falling in the yard.

Ye Lan glanced at the sky and saw that her daughter hadn't gotten up yet. She assumed she was just staying in bed because it was cold, so she didn't wake her up.

It wasn't until the hour of Si (9-11 AM) had arrived.

Lin Yan had just woken up from her sleep.

Although she had slept for a long time, she still felt like she hadn't had enough sleep and was somewhat listless. Normally, she would have noticed something was wrong by now.

But right now, she's not even very bright; she's dizzy and can't see the difference in herself at all.

Xie Muqing was in his study when he heard the noise from the bedroom. He quickly put down his books and hurried in.

Seeing that Lin Yan had already started getting dressed, he made a move to leave the room.

"My lady is awake? There's still some porridge and steamed buns warming in the pot in the kitchen. I'll go get them for you now."

Lin Yan stopped Xie Muqing, who was about to leave, and gently shook her head, saying:

"No need, it's just a short walk, I can go eat there myself."

At this moment, Zhang Xiaohong had already fried the fried dough sticks and fried dough sticks, and was preparing to fry other foods.

Upon seeing Lin Yan enter, she hurriedly presented the fried food to her, her face full of eagerness.

"Little Yan, why don't you try it and see how it is?"

Having slept for so long, Lin Yan was starving.

Now, smelling the sweet aroma of the fried dough sticks, her cravings were awakened, and after thanking them, she began to taste them.

I just took the first bite.

Her eyes lit up, and after swallowing the fruit in her mouth, she began to praise it without reservation:

"Auntie, these fried dough sticks are really good! They're delicious!"

Upon receiving the praise, Zhang Xiaohong's face revealed a simple yet proud expression. Overwhelmed with excitement, she became incoherent in her speech.

"Hehe, I'm glad you like it. I was worried it wouldn't taste good!"

Making fried dough balls requires a lot of oil, so only well-off families in the village can afford to eat them during the Lunar New Year.

Although Lin Yan now has considerable assets, she knows the downsides of fried food.

Fried foods are rarely seen on the family's dining table.

This year's Lunar New Year is different.

As soon as Lin Muyan and Lin Yu smelled the fried dough sticks, they rashly barged into the kitchen.

"Big sister, it smells so good!"

Seeing how hungry they looked, Lin Yan had no choice but to wrap two large bags of fried dough balls in oil paper for them.

"You two little gluttons, you have such a keen nose! Here, you two go outside and share these two bags of fried dough sticks with the others!"

Children love excitement and aren't afraid of the cold.

Even though it was snowing heavily today, with snow already reaching their calves, it still couldn't dampen their excitement.

Nowadays, candles and oil lamps are expensive items for ordinary households.

Therefore, the local New Year's Eve dinner is usually eaten at noon.

We ate dumplings and leftovers for dinner.

Less than an hour later.

Zhang Xiaohong fried all the food, and without taking a break, she continued to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner with Aunt Wang and the others.

It was midday.

They had already prepared several large tables of dishes.

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