Mrs. Luo wiped the dirt off her hands with the hem of her skirt and went to the kitchen to get four cans of sweet and sour radish. "Here, Xiaoning. I want to apologize to you again on behalf of Qingqing. She's young and naive."
Ning Tang took the sweet and sour radish and said, "It's really okay, sister-in-law."
Sister Luo paused for a moment, "Sister-in-law, let me ask you something. Why did you marry Captain Shen?"
Don't say Zhao Qing doesn't understand. In fact, Mrs. Luo is also confused about Ning Tang marrying Captain Shen.
After spending some time together, Mrs. Luo discovered that Ning Tang was not only beautiful, but also a very smart and independent-minded girl.
A girl like this married a widower soldier and became his stepmother. To be honest, Mrs. Luo felt that Chen Lie was marrying above her station.
Ning Tang said, "There's nothing else to it, really. It's mainly because of two reasons. First, I like Chen Lie's good conditions and high salary. If I marry him, I won't have to work in the fields. Second, I don't want to have children. Chen Lie already has three children, a boy and a girl, and he won't let me have one."
Mrs. Luo nodded. "I understand. I'll go tell Qingqing later. If she says that to you again, I'll make sure she gets a beating."
Ning Tang waved her hand. "It's up to you, sister-in-law. But I'll be frank with you. If Zhao Qing embarrasses me again, I won't be polite."
She never gets bullied.
What if it wasn't for this time? For Mrs. Luo's sake, she could make Zhao Qing cry.
When I got home, Chen Lie had already prepared the meal.
A pot of vegetable and lean meat porridge made by simmering finely chopped vegetables with lean meat has a fragrant aroma.
The three children were awakened by the aroma of porridge. The eldest child rubbed his eyes and came downstairs in a daze, "Dad, what delicious food are you cooking? It smells so good."
Shen Lie brought the porridge to the table, "It's vegetable and lean meat porridge."
The eldest child's eyes lit up. "Wait a minute, I'll wash my face and come right over."
Ning Tang placed four earthenware jars in the corner of the kitchen. Chen Lie asked, "What are these?"
"Mrs. Luo gave it to me. It's sweet and sour radish. I'll scoop some out on a plate. It's perfect to go with the porridge." Ning Tang said.
Ning Tang put the sweet and sour radish on the table, cut the white radish into small cubes, and dotted it with red peppers, which looked very appetite-stimulating.
Chen Lie took a sip of porridge and put a piece of sweet and sour radish into his mouth. It was sour, sweet, spicy, and crisp, and it went very well with rice. "Hmm, delicious."
He ate breakfast while chatting, "I've cleared all the weeds in the yard. What do you think we should plant? How about doing like Sister Luo and planting some fruits and vegetables in the yard?"
Ning Tang: "No, I don't have the energy to serve you."
If you really grow fruits and vegetables, it is equivalent to farming in disguise, except that you move from Shangang Village to Hailang Island, just a different place.
Chen Lie curled his lips, "Are you too lazy to die?"
Ning Tang glanced at him and said, "If you're not lazy, then you can plant the crops and take care of every ridge of land."
Chen Lie didn't have the time, "Then what do you want to plant?"
Ning Tang thought for a moment and said, "Let's plant mint, that kind of wild grass that has a very fresh smell. I heard from my eldest son that there is some in the back mountain. I can plant a bunch of it in the yard and under the windowsill. It can repel mosquitoes in the summer, and the mint leaves can be used to make tea to clear away heat and relieve summer heat."
Chen Lie said, "It's almost winter, and you're still using mosquito repellent? Where do these mosquitoes come from?" Having said that, he called out to Da Wa and Er Niu, "When you two go to the wilds in the mountains behind, dig up a few plants and bring them back."
The eldest child swallowed the porridge and nodded, "Then Dad, you have to make us some sugar cakes."
"Sugar cake?" Chen Lie cast an inquiring look at Ning Tang.
"It's made by coating the dough with syrup and rolling it into a pancake shape. Then, frying it in oil until both sides are golden brown. When you take a bite, you first taste the crispiness of the pancake, and then the hot and sweet syrup." Ning Tang said.
Chen Lie licked the corner of his mouth. "Sounds good. Okay, big kids, pick the mint and I'll make you some sugar cakes."
Two days later, Da Wa and Er Niu dug up mint from the back mountain, and Chen Lie planted them in the yard.
When the breeze blows, the green mint sways in the wind, emitting a faint and refreshing fragrance.
Chen Lie supported himself on the wooden handle of the hoe with one hand, glanced at the mint he had planted, then glanced at the onion, ginger and garlic sprouts planted in the yard of the Su family opposite, and suddenly felt that the things he planted were more impressive.
He raised an eyebrow. Why was there still no movement in the Su family's yard at this hour? Usually at this time, Ning Xue would be out there tending to her small plot of land. "I haven't seen your cousin in the past two days. What's wrong? Is she sick and hasn't left the house?"
How could Ning Tang know that she didn't care about Ning Xue at all.
The eldest child swallowed the sugar cake made by Chen Lie and raised his hand, "I know."
Chen Lie was amused. "Then tell me."
"We are about to have the final exams in the first grade. Our aunt is asking Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu to study. Not to mention that she doesn't leave the house. It's rare to see you, Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu," said the eldest boy.
Chen Lie thought about it for a moment, and it seemed to be like this. He glanced down at the eldest child and said, "It's the final exam soon, huh? Then why don't you do the same as them and study hard?"
What's so fun about reviewing? The eldest child rolled his eyes and cried out, "I'm hungry. I'll go back to the house and get some sugar cookies."
Chen Lie sneered, "Are you still itching for trouble? You want to bring back the red lantern and see how I beat you up."
"What can I do? Stir-fried pork with bamboo shoots." Ning Tang said, "Captain Shen, what's for dinner?"
Chen Lie put the hoe back into the house. "Let's have crispy fried chicken legs and silver noodles with old duck soup."
Ning Tang was stunned. "What kind of festival is today? Why are there so many meat dishes?"
Chen Lie: "It's not a holiday, I'm in a good mood." He also wanted to annoy Ning Xue by letting her provoke the big kid.
Ning Tang called into the house, "Big boy, don't eat the sugar cakes anymore. Save some space for your dad to cook some chicken and duck for us."
Cook chicken or duck?
The eldest child twitched his ears, put down the half-eaten sugar biscuit, and ran out of the house. "Really, stepmother, are you lying to me so that I can leave the sugar biscuit for you to eat?"
Ning Tang sneered, "That's all you can do. If you don't believe me, ask your dad."
The eldest child looked at Chen Lie, and Chen Lie said, "Really? Look carefully, isn't it just a big crispy chicken drumstick? We have it at home too. I even made you some duck soup silver thread noodles."
The eldest child's mouth was almost grinning from ear to ear. "Dad, you're so nice." He thought for a moment and added, "You're my real dad, better than the stepmother next door."
Comparing him with Ning Xue? Shen Lie glared.
Seeing that Chen Lie was about to lose his temper, the eldest child quickly said, "Dad, I'll light the fire for you."
Chen Lie snorted, "That's more like it."
Crispy chicken legs and silver noodles in duck soup were served. Ning Tang picked up a few noodles with his chopsticks and put them into his mouth with the sauce. He gave a thumbs up and said, "Captain Shen, your cooking skills are good."
The eldest child took a bite of the crispy chicken drumstick. He was first struck by the crispy skin, then by the tenderness of the chicken meat. He couldn't help but exclaim, "So this is what crispy chicken drumsticks taste like! So delicious!"
Erniu, "I still think the sugar cakes are delicious." She prefers the sweet ones. "Sanwa, do you think they are or not?"
Sanwa also liked the sugar cake more and nodded his little head vigorously.
Chen Lie was amused. "If you like, I'll make it for you tomorrow. It's just a sugar cake, not worth the effort."
The eldest child rolled his eyes and said, "Dad, I like crispy chicken legs too."
Shen Lie said with a forced smile, "Shen Da Wa, say it again."
The eldest child wanted to cry but couldn't. "I, I like sugar cookies."
Ning Xue is in the room, tutoring Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu.
She graduated from high school and was more than capable of tutoring two first-grade kids.
Su Guangzong leaned over the table, his delicate little hand grasping a pencil, leaving a large portion of the end exposed. He sniffed, "What a nice smell, like fried chicken legs."
Su Yaozu twisted his butt restlessly and said coquettishly, "Mom——"
Ning Xue patted the twins' heads and said, "Be good, study hard and I'll cook for you at noon."
"Do you want to cook big chicken legs?" Su Yaozu asked.
Of course not. Last time, in order to differentiate herself from Ning Tang, Ning Xue bought chicken for several days and spent quite a bit of money. She was often scolded by Su Junyan and knew that she had to be frugal for the time being.
"No? Let's do it later. Let's eat seafood today." Ning Xue said.
Su Yaozu frowned and said, "No, I want to eat crispy fried chicken legs."
Ning Xue loved the twins from the bottom of her heart. "Okay, okay, wait until your dad comes back this afternoon and I'll talk to him about making bigger chicken legs, okay?"
Su Yaozu was finally satisfied and said sweetly, "Mom, you are so kind."
Su Guangzong added, "Better than our own mother."
When Ning Xue heard the twins say that she was better than their biological mother, she felt like she had drunk a bag of honey.
"You two should study hard and try to get first place in both exams. If your dad is happy, I'll make you chicken legs every day."
The twins said crisply, "Okay, we'll study hard and make sure we get first place."
Ning Xue smiled and nodded.
She also figured it out: relying on food to compete is not a long-term solution.
Raising both children into talented people is the real thing, and Ning Tang will be envious of them then.
Thinking of this, Ning Xue asked the twins, "Have you played with the eldest child recently?"
Su Guangzong shook his head, "No."
Ning Xue: "The final exams are coming up soon. I wonder if my cousin has forced him to study."
The eldest child looked very smart. If she could surpass the twins and get the first place in the class in the exam, she would definitely vomit blood.
Su Yaozu said, "Hey, Mom, don't worry. The eldest son plays outside every day and doesn't pay attention in class. Besides, his stepmother doesn't seem to want to force him to study. It's not like you who keeps an eye on my brother and me studying every day. He will definitely not be able to pass the exam as well as us."
Ning Xue thought the same thing. She nodded and said, "You're right." Then she continued to teach, "Here, this is how to do it..."
At the end of December, the entire Hailang Island was dressed in autumn and winter clothes, and the eldest child was about to take the final exam for the first grade.
On the morning of the exam, Chen Lie got up early and made breakfast.
After watching the eldest child eat and drink his fill, she sent him off to school, reminding him, "Do your best on the exam. Don't be careless and make mistakes. Check your answers at least twice." She added, "I'll make you something delicious when you come back tonight."
The eldest child swallowed his saliva and said, "What's delicious?"
"If you do well in the exam, you can have a big meal. If you do poorly, you can have stir-fried pork with bamboo shoots." Ning Tang continued.
When he heard the words "Stir-fried Bamboo Shoots with Pork", the eldest boy was startled and waved his hand, "I'll be leaving first." After that, he ran away.
Chen Lie looked at his back, his heart in turmoil.
Ning Tang was puzzled. "It's just an exam." Or the first-year final exam? "Are you that nervous?"
Shen Lie said, "You don't understand, this is a matter of face."
"It's a matter of face?" Ning Tang said, "Whether he does well or poorly on the test is Big Kid's own business. If he has to lose face, it's his own. What does it have to do with you?"
Shen Lie glanced at her sideways. "You don't understand. If my eldest son comes back with two red lanterns, and I go to the army, and people ask me, 'Hey, Captain Shen, I heard your eldest son is in first grade this year, how did he score on the exam?' What would I say? Should I say he failed? Where would my face be then?"
He paused, then continued, "I'm also a regimental commander, with battalion commanders and company commanders under me... If the sons and daughters of the soldiers under me all scored better than my eldest son, I'd be so embarrassed. People would then say, 'Oh, the sons and daughters of the battalion commander and company commander all scored 80 or 90 points, why did my eldest son only score this low?'"
Ning Tang was amused. She hadn't expected Chen Lie to have this side of her. She stood on tiptoe and patted Chen Lie on the shoulder. "Okay, then you can just stay home and pray that your eldest son can get a perfect score on the exam."
The next day, Ning Tang went to visit Sister Luo's house. "Sister-in-law, the sweet and sour radish you gave me last time was so delicious. Teach me how to make it."
Mrs. Luo stared straight ahead, holding the insole in her left hand and the needle in her right. She stabbed, "Ouch!"
Ning Tang stretched out his hand and waved it in front of her. "Sister-in-law?"
Mrs. Luo came back to her senses and said, "I was distracted. Xiaoning, what did you say just now?"
"Sister-in-law, the sweet and sour radish you made is sour, spicy, crispy and especially delicious. I want you to teach me how to make it." Ning Tang said.
Mrs. Luo: "Oh, okay, this is very simple. Cut the white radish into strips or cubes, add salt to reduce the water content, then add two spoons of sugar, chili peppers, half a bowl of white vinegar, and two bowls of boiled water. Marinate for two days and it's done."
Ning Tang nodded and took note of the method. "I understand. By the way, sister-in-law, what were you thinking about just now? Why did you get distracted?"
Mrs. Luo pinched her index finger that had been pricked by the needle. "Qingqing has final exams in the next two days. I'm thinking about her exams. She's graduating next year, and I don't know what she's going to do in the future."
Ning Tang recalled that it was now 1976, and the college entrance examination would be resumed next year in 1977.
Zhao Qing is only seventeen years old, it is not too late to study for another two years.
"You can study for another year to consolidate your knowledge. There's a rumor from higher-ups that the college entrance exam might be resumed next year. Maybe you can pass it and become a college student." Ning Tang said.
Mrs. Luo waved her hand. "I know my own children. This girl has always been at the bottom of the class in terms of grades. This year, she'll probably have to carry two red lanterns back home. She'll be the same even if she studies for another year, not to mention another ten."
She sighed, "My husband, Zhao, has always advised me that academic performance isn't important for a girl. He asked someone to find her a job at the Jiang City Textile Factory after she graduated from high school."
Ning Tang, "That's good too. A regular worker in a textile factory, a stable job, and you can earn quite a bit every year."
After chatting for a few more words, Ning Tang saw that Mrs. Luo's attention was not there, so he said goodbye and went home.
When I got home, it was already six o'clock and Chen Lie had not returned home yet.
It's the end of the year, he has a lot to do and is very busy, so he often comes home late.
Ning Tang didn't care and asked the three little ones, "What do you want to eat?"
The eldest child said without hesitation, "Eat meat."
Ning Tang was amused. "How about a pickled cabbage hotpot? Use pickled cabbage as the base, add some beef, mutton, and fish balls."
Erniu's mouth was watering when she heard this. She slurped and said, "Just eat this?"
The sauerkraut pot is ready. The soup base is light green, with milky white fish balls floating on top and undulating red meat slices. It makes people's appetites whetted just by looking at it.
While waiting for the food to be cooked, the eldest child asked, "Stepmom, if Dad doesn't come home tonight, can we still eat this well?"
When his biological mother was around, his father was not at home for dinner, and the family did not cook such delicious dishes. At most, they would just have pickles and steamed buns.
It's nothing like Ning Tang, which has both fish and meat.
Ning Tang said, "Of course, Captain Shen has a big appetite. If he eats at home, there won't be any left for us. While he's away, we should eat more delicious food for him and save money."
Ning Tang scooped a bowl of pickled cabbage soup, put a few fish balls in the soup, and gave it to Sanwa, "Let it cool down before eating."
Sanwa nodded, held the bowl with his two little hands, and blew air into it in small sips.
The two big ones didn't need Ning Tang to watch over them, they just put their chopsticks into the food in the pot.
Seeing the three little ones eating so happily, Ning Tang couldn't help but eat a little more, half a bowl.
It was nine o'clock in the evening before Shen Lie came back.
As soon as he came back, he yelled, "Is there anything to eat? I'm starving."
Ning Tang glanced at him and asked, "What's wrong? Didn't the army cafeteria feed you enough?"
Chen Lie waved his hand. "I've been in meetings all night, and I've digested all the food I had for dinner."
Ning Tang went into the kitchen and cooked him a bowl of noodles. The soup base was the leftover sauerkraut soup from the sauerkraut hotpot at dinner. The thin white noodles were dotted with a few fish balls, a handful of green vegetables, a poached egg, and two drops of sesame oil.
Chen Lie didn't despise it either. He picked up the bowl and ate the noodles in a few mouthfuls. He wiped his mouth and said, "Oh, comfortable."
He glanced at the older kid standing beside him and said, "I've been too busy these days to ask you, how did you do on your final exam?"
In the past few days, the primary, middle and high schools on the island have finished their exams one after another. Everyone asks everyone how their children did in the exams, and Chen Lie is no exception.
The eldest child pouted and said, "Dad, you know to pick a fight with me as soon as you're full. I don't know how I did on the test. I won't go to school to get my report card until two days later."
Ning Tang was also amused. He patted Chen Lie on the shoulder and said with emotion, "Ah, Captain Shen, you want your son to be a successful person."
Chen Lie glanced at her sideways, "Don't you also want your son to be a successful person? What if your son comes back with two red lanterns on his back? If someone asks you about it, would you be embarrassed to tell them?"
"Why am I embarrassed to say it?" Ning Tang pointed at herself. "I'm the stepmother. Whether the eldest child does well or not in the exam has nothing to do with me. People will only say, 'Oh, look at how stupid the child of Captain Shen and his ex-wife is. How come he only got such a low score?'"
She said, "Besides, this test is not for us. It's Da Wa's test. Whether he does well or not is his own business. He doesn't take it seriously and doesn't study hard. He deserves to be criticized for carrying a red lantern back home. Similarly, if he gets a perfect score, he deserves to be envied and praised. Captain Shen, Da Wa's test has nothing to do with you."
Captain Shen curled his lips, "You're always right." He looked at the eldest child, "If you do well in the exam, I'll make you proud. This year, I'll give you double the red envelope for the New Year."
When Da Wa heard this, he wished he could go back to the examination room and review the test paper three more times.
The Chinese New Year is coming soon, and Ning Xue is at home sewing New Year clothes for Su Junyan, Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu.
The big red cloth is embroidered with white auspicious clouds, which looks beautiful and fashionable.
Ning Xue spread out the cut clothes and nodded with satisfaction.
Li Yun took one look at the exquisite dress and said enviously, "Your craftsmanship is truly superb. The embroidery looks just like the real thing."
Ning Xue curled her lips slightly, "Where? If so, your embroidery is good too."
Li Yun looked at the clothes in her hands and curled her lips in disdain. "Just comfort me. Look, I can't even sew a stitch properly. If I take clothes like this back, my little six will definitely make a fuss."
Ning Xue said, "It's okay, I'll help you sew it again later."
Li Yun rolled her eyes cunningly, "Then it's a deal. Oh, by the way, my little six still likes the little tiger you sewed for your twins last time. Can you help me sew it on as well?"
She gestured, "It should be bigger, preferably two palms' worth. If it's smaller, my little six will make a fuss again."
Tiger head?
Ning Xue remembered that last time the twins' pants had a hole, she thought patching it would not look good, so she ingeniously sewed a lifelike tiger head on it, which made the twins very happy.
Li Yun's son Liu Xiaoliu was in the same class as Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu. It was probably because Liu Xiaoliu saw them wearing it to school, so he pestered Li Yun for it.
Ning Xue hesitated and didn't agree immediately, because sewing this tiger head would take a lot of effort.
It required five kinds of threads, red, white, blue, yellow and black, and other materials such as pink, wheat green, eggplant purple, silver pieces and colored silk for inlay and embellishment. It took her a whole week to sew it all.
Moreover, the tiger head she sewed was the size of a fist. This time, Li Yun specifically requested two tiger heads the size of a palm. After doing this, she won't be able to sleep for the next few weeks!
Li Yun noticed her hesitation and pretended to sigh, "Well, if you don't want to, forget it. I thought we were good friends, but it seems I was overthinking it."
Hearing this, Ning Xue gritted her teeth and said, "Okay, I'll sew it for you. I promise to help you make your little six's clothes by the end of the month."
Li Yun smiled with satisfaction, holding her hand with one hand and stuffing the clothes into her hand with the other hand, "Thank you for your help."
As soon as Li Yun left, Ning Xue started working overtime to sew Liu Xiaoliu's clothes.
As she sewed, she looked absentmindedly outside the house, because today was the day when the Su twins would come home with their first-grade final exam results.
Ning Xue hadn't slept well since two days ago.
It’s the same now? With the next shot, I can see outside the house three times.
At 4:30, the loud laughter of Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu was heard outside the house.
Ning Xue's eyes gleamed, she put down the work in her hands and went out to greet them, "Guangzong, Yaozu, you're back."
Su Yaozu tightened his grip on the small cross-body bag, held his head high and said crisply, "Mom, we're back."
Ning Xue asked without hesitation, "How was it? How did you score on the final exam?"
Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu exchanged a glance, their faces beaming with smiles. They said in unison, "We both scored 100 points on this exam! We're first in the class!"
"How much?" Ning Xue almost fainted on the spot when she heard such good news.
Su Yaozu stepped forward and shook Ning Xue's arm. "My brother and I both got 100 points in Chinese and math. Mom, you have to make us delicious food and buy us fun things as a reward."
Su Guangzong was a bit more composed than his brother, but he also said, "My brother and I were the only ones in the class who scored 100 points on the test this time. Even the teacher praised us for being smart."
"Okay, okay," Ning Xue said repeatedly, "Whatever delicious food you want to eat, whatever fun things you want to play, just tell me and I'll buy them for you!"
"Great!" Su Guangzong and Su Yaozu were delighted.
"Wait a minute, you said you were the only two in your class who scored 100 points in both exams." An inexplicable light flashed in Ning Xue's eyes.
Su Guangzong tilted his head and said, "Yes, Mom, what's wrong?"
Ning Xue was delighted. "Big Baby and you two are in the same class, right? You said you were the only ones in the class who scored 100 points on the test. That means Big Baby did worse than you, right?"
Su Yaozu curled his lips in disdain. "Shen Da'er, he not only did worse than us in the exam, he, did he take the exam this time?..."
The more Ning Xue listened, the more delighted she became. She slapped her thigh and said, "Great, great! I think the Shen family will be in turmoil this time!"
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