Speaking of which, Bailu learned how to make roasted chestnuts from her grandfather in later generations.
The era in which Bai Lu's grandparents met was earlier than the 1990s when Bai Lu is living now. Bai Lu's grandmother came from a scholarly family and was a classmate of her grandfather.
Grandma loved eating roasted chestnuts. Back then, there were itinerant vendors on the streets, selling roasted chestnuts from carts along the way, not from a fixed location.
Sometimes, even if we wanted to eat them, we couldn't buy them. To please Grandma, Grandpa specially went to learn how to make sugar-roasted chestnuts from the vendors.
After learning how to make it, I would make it for my grandmother every few days. In that war-torn era, my grandmother was won over by my grandfather, who had nothing but roasted chestnuts.
Later, they spent the rest of their lives together, sharing joys and sorrows.
No matter how time changes, his black hair turns gray, and wrinkles appear at the corners of his eyes, Grandpa still remembers that Grandma likes to eat roasted chestnuts, and he will make them for her whenever he has free time.
Almost every time Bai Lu visits her grandparents' house, she can smell the aroma of roasted chestnuts as soon as she enters. When she was little, she was curious about everything and wanted to learn, and she learned as she went along.
Xiao Wei originally wanted to put on a stern face and say it was alright, but under Bai Lu's glare that said "you can't eat anymore if you don't say it's delicious," he reluctantly whispered, "It's delicious."
Bai Lu's eyes crinkled into a smile, then instantly brightened: "Actually, it tastes even better with maltose, but there's no maltose for sale on the street, and the old man who sells maltose hasn't come in a long time, it's such a pity... By the way, were the chestnuts you stored in the sand pile picked from the tree in the vegetable garden?"
Xiao Wei nodded: "After the Mid-Autumn Festival, chestnuts will fall down and cover the ground."
My older brother doesn't like boiled food, nor does he like raw food, so he has to store the eggs in the sand pile until the old hen in the backyard lays enough eggs to hatch chicks. Then he can raise the chicks to adulthood and make braised chicken with chestnuts.
My older brother might like it.
However, Bailu is pregnant, so the eggs should be given to her and she can't hatch chicks anymore.
But it tastes good this way too...
Xiao Wei went back to the main house, tore off a page from yesterday's calendar, rolled it into a funnel shape, ran to the kitchen, filled it with some roasted chestnuts, and said goodbye to Bai Lu very politely for the first time.
"I'm going to school."
Bai Lu said with satisfaction, "Go ahead, drive carefully. Is this enough? Why don't you take a few more? You can eat them on the way home if you get hungry after school."
"No need, that's enough."
Xiao Wei picked up his schoolbag and went out.
Because it was an experiment, Bailu didn't make too many. She only laid a layer of golden chestnuts on the round winnowing basket. Although the aroma was strong and filled the kitchen, it actually weighed just over a pound.
But this little over pound had already ignited a spark, and its taste was almost identical to that of the 20-yuan-per-pound street vendors of later generations.
The house belongs to Xiao Cheng, and the chestnuts belong to Xiao Weicun. If they want to do something with the chestnuts, they have to wait until the little guy comes home from school and discuss it carefully in the evening before making a decision.
—
Xiao Cheng was shoveling sand when a small figure suddenly appeared beside the sand pile, raising its little head to look up at him.
The little boy, carrying a small schoolbag, stood ramrod straight, his bright black eyes filled with tension, his face taut, and he reached out his hand to him. In his small palm was a paper funnel, constantly emitting an enticing, cloyingly sweet aroma.
"She made it for you."
Knowing that he didn't like sweets, Xiao Wei spoke up before he could refuse, being frank and honest.
Upon hearing that Bai Lu had specially made it for him, Xiao Cheng's gaze paused, then fell on the paper funnel in his hand.
Xiao Wei's little hands trembled slightly with nervousness.
Trying to stay calm, she said, "She wants to eat maltose."
Finally, they know to make requests.
Xiao Cheng pursed his lips, a hint of a smile appearing in his deep eyes, and reached out to take the paper funnel and chestnuts.
Having completed his mission, Xiao Wei turned and ran.
Luo Shiliu and the others crowded around: "Brother Cheng, what did your wife make for you? It smells so good, we could smell it from far away, it looks delicious!"
"It looks like a chestnut. I've seen boiled chestnuts, roasted chestnuts, and chestnut braised chicken. When I was a child, I even picked them and ate them raw quite a few times. But I've never seen anything like this before, with its golden and shiny appearance and a slightly charred aroma."
The town's economy was underdeveloped, and there weren't many wealthy families who could afford to eat meat every few days. The braised chicken with chestnuts that was served every Chinese New Year was a dish that everyone remembered fondly.
Every time I think about it, my mouth waters uncontrollably.
Amidst a chorus of envious voices and gazes, a lecherous hand reached for the chestnut, only to be spotted by Xiao Cheng, who wore an air of smug envy. Xiao Cheng raised his hand and delivered a devastating blow.
Luo Shiliu yelled and withdrew his hand.
He had already successfully snatched a chestnut from his hand, and while peeling it while it was still burning his mouth, he wolfed it down.
Wang Hao, Xiao Dazhuang, and the others were filled with jealousy and regret, hating themselves for being too slow and regretting that their hands weren't quick enough.
She eagerly asked him if it tasted good and what it was like.
Under Xiao Cheng's gloomy and cold gaze, Luo Shiliu loudly proclaimed "Delicious!" sixteen times.
It's true, it tastes really good!
Seeing him licking his lips with lingering satisfaction, Xiao Dazhuang immediately stared at Xiao Cheng with pleading eyes.
Luo Shiliu was one of the first to hang out with Xiao Cheng. They had many street-level revolutionary friendships. He was usually outspoken and his little squabbles were never taken seriously by Xiao Cheng.
He dared to take things from Xiao Cheng, but they wouldn't. Didn't you see Luo Shiliu's pig's trotter, which was badly hit and turned completely red? It must be in a lot of pain.
However, it's worth it for a delicious chestnut.
Xiao Cheng was in a good mood today, and with a cold face, he generously gave each person a chestnut.
Then, amidst expressions of envy, they lost themselves.
"Sister-in-law is so kind. She came up with a new way to eat it and even had Xiaowei bring it to Brother Cheng. Brother Cheng is so lucky!"
"These chestnuts are so delicious! I want to marry a wife as amazing as you in the future!"
"Come on! You don't even have a girlfriend, yet you want to marry a virtuous and gentle wife like your sister-in-law? Do you have Cheng-ge's ability? You're just daydreaming in broad daylight!"
"If you follow Brother Cheng, things will get better eventually..."
Bai Lu prepared dinner that evening, but Xiao Cheng hadn't returned yet, so Xiao Wei and she sat at the table waiting.
These past few days, I've been getting off work and going home around this time, but now it's already dark and I still haven't seen anyone.
Bai Lu was worried that Xiao Wei would be hungry, so she told him to eat first, but the little guy shook his head and refused, insisting on waiting for Xiao Cheng. She even told him to eat some chestnuts to fill his stomach.
Fortunately, it didn't take long before footsteps came from the open courtyard gate, and the man's tall figure strode back.
As before, the first thing he did upon returning was to go to the well and pump water to wash his hands.
He washed the mud off his shoes as well. His clothes were fine; his shirt and pants were clean, except for a small patch of mud on the cuff, which he picked off.
After spending time together, Bai Lu knew that Xiao Cheng was a very clean person. Even when he went to work on the construction site, his clothes were always clean and tidy, and he was meticulous in every way.
On the day the foundation was laid, Wang Hao and the others were covered in cement slurry of all sizes, but his clothes were the least covered.
I changed my clothes as soon as I got home.
And then... uh... she accidentally saw it...
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