"That makes sense, but why are they suddenly dating? Why didn't they tell me or her dad about it? At least they should have mentioned it." Mrs. Luo pursed her lips and said, "If I hadn't gone to the cinema to look for her, I would have happened to see her cuddling with a man, and she wouldn't have admitted it."
After Zhao Qing started working at the Jiang City Cinema, she found it troublesome to take two boats every day, so she rented a small house in the city and only returned to the island on weekends.
Since September last year, she has not returned to the island on her weekends. When asked about it, she says she is busy at work and too tired to have time.
Mrs. Luo thought that since Zhao Qing was busy and she had no time, she decided to go to Jiang City to see Zhao Qing and brought some pickled vegetables she made. Unexpectedly, as soon as she arrived at the cinema, she ran into Zhao Qing hugging a man.
Ning Tang asked, "Did she admit to you that he was her boyfriend?"
"I asked her, and she said no. They were hugging each other, but she was still trying to argue with me. After my repeated questioning, she told me reluctantly that the man was her boyfriend." Mrs. Luo said.
Ning Tang nodded. "That's great. Zhao Qing is alone in Jiang City, and you and Political Commissar Zhao can't visit her all the time. It's good to have someone to take care of her."
Mrs. Luo frowned and said, "But when that man heard Qingqing calling me mom, he got scared and ran away without even looking back. That was a bit rude."
Ning Tang: "Have you seen what he looks like?"
"I couldn't see her face clearly, only her body shape. She wasn't tall, probably around here." Mrs. Luo pointed to a place about two or three centimeters above her head.
"So short?" Ning Tang blurted out.
Mrs. Luo is about 1.58 meters tall, two or three centimeters taller than her, just over 1.6 meters tall. And boys generally look shorter than girls, so...
Mrs. Luo sighed, "If you say Qingqing is short, that's fine, but Qingqing is tall. When they stand together, Qingqing is at least half a head taller than him."
Zhao Qing follows Political Commissar Zhao. She is considered tall among southern girls, about 1.65 to 1.68 meters tall.
Moreover, people these days are generally not tall. Zhao Qing's height is unique.
She is thin, which makes her look taller.
The two of them standing together would definitely be a good-looking sight. Ning Tang finally understood why Mrs. Luo looked so bad-faced when they were at the port.
"It's not like he doesn't have some good points." Mrs. Luo said, "That boy looks quite fair."
It also makes Zhao Qing look darker.
Zhao Qing grew up on Hailang Island and likes to run outside every day, so her skin is darker than that of other girls.
I say so much not because I judge people by their appearance, but Ning Tang and Mrs. Luo know nothing about Zhao Qing's boyfriend right now. The only thing they know is his appearance and figure, so they can only evaluate him based on this aspect.
Ning Tang comforted him, "Qingqing's partner may be a little short, but if he's a good person, motivated, responsible, and has a good job, then we can still be together."
"That's what I thought, too." Mrs. Luo sighed. "But when I asked her what that boy did, where he worked, and how many people were in his family, she wouldn't say a word. I pressed her, and she got even more angry. Then she just said, 'You're not going to tell me,' and left."
"Xiao Ning, what do you think of Qingqing's partner?" Mrs. Luo looked at Ning Tang, a hint of anticipation in her eyes that she hadn't noticed. "You're a good judge of people. Can you give me your opinion?"
Ning Tang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Sister-in-law, you're really putting it in a difficult position for me. I haven't even seen him in person, nor have I ever spoken to him. But I guess..." She stretched out her voice.
"Guess?" Mrs. Luo asked hopefully.
"I guess the conditions aren't very good?" Ning Tang said, "Let me give you an example."
She waved to call Da Wa over, "Da Wa, come here."
The eldest child was drinking coconut water in the yard. Upon hearing this, he hurried over and looked up at me, "Mom, what did you call me for?"
"How many points did you get in the Chinese entrance exam?" Ning Tang asked him.
The eldest boy's eyes darted around, he scratched his head, and stammered, "No, I didn't do much on the test."
Ning Tang waved his hand, "Okay, go play."
The eldest child was dumbfounded, his face blank: "Mom, are you kidding me?"
So they called him from the yard just to ask this?
Not only did he ask, but he also didn't get to the bottom of it. Was he playing a trick on him?!
Ning Tang ignored him and continued to talk to Mrs. Luo, "See? If Da Wa did well on the Chinese exam at the beginning of the semester, I'd ask him and he'd tell me without a single stutter. I wouldn't even have to ask him, he'd show off in front of me every day, saying, 'Oh, how did he do on the Chinese exam?'"
Mrs. Luo understood it immediately and agreed with him deeply.
If Zhao Qing's partner was particularly good, she would definitely not avoid talking about it. She would even take the initiative to write to Luo's wife, saying that she had a partner and how good he was.
Similarly, Zhao Qing's partner's conditions are not very good. He is not tall or good-looking, his job is not very good, and his family conditions are not good. That's why Zhao Qing is so evasive.
After listening for a while, Da Wa understood that Zhao Qing had a boyfriend, and Ning Tang was using him as an example to give to Mrs. Luo.
He muttered, "Mom, can't you just say it directly? You have to use me as an example."
It reminded him of his terrible Chinese grades, and even the coconut water didn't taste sweet anymore.
Ning Tang: "Do you have any objections?"
Da Wa shrugged, "I don't dare."
Mrs. Luo went home with a lot on her mind. After seeing her off, Da Wa asked Ning Tang, "What are we having for dinner today?"
Ning Tang thought for a moment and said, "Fish and mutton hotpot."
In April, the weather has not yet warmed up completely, so it’s just right to have a hotpot.
Erniu came over and asked, "What is fish and mutton hotpot? Is it delicious?"
"It's a hot pot with fish slices cooked in mutton bone soup." Ning Tang took out a piece of paper and a pen and wrote the word 'fresh'. "Look, isn't this word 'fresh' half fish and half mutton?"
"Really?" said Sanwa.
Ning Tang: "So, using the mutton bone soup to simmer the fish fillets is, in one word, delicious. Tell me, is it good or not?"
Erniu smiled and said, "Of course it's delicious."
Big Baby drew inferences from this experience, "Then the hot pot made with mutton in fish soup is also very fresh and delicious, right? It's delicious."
Ning Tang was amused and pinched his little face, "You are the best eater in our family."
Big Boy chuckled and said, "Fish fillets alone are not enough. Let's try something else."
April is the season when Spanish mackerel is on the market. Spanish mackerel is best used to make fish balls.
"Buy a swordfish and let's make fish balls. Okay? We can make the fish balls round, rectangular, or intestinal-shaped. Add some water chestnuts or seaweed to them. They'll have a salty and fresh flavor, and they'll be crispy and chewy when you bite them," Ning Tang said. Pan Pan, "Finally, add some vegetables. Corn, lettuce, or enoki mushrooms are all fine."
He added, "If you're worried about not having enough to eat, I still have some instant noodles I bought at the supply and marketing cooperative. You can make some noodles."
She teased the eldest child, "You should be full now, little greedy cat."
The eldest boy nodded repeatedly, "I'm full, I'm full." He took a sip of water and asked, "When do we start eating?"
"Wait? I'll go to the vegetable market to buy some vegetables." Ning Tang glanced at the wall clock. It was only four o'clock. After buying the vegetables and making the meatballs, the time would be just right.
She went out for more than half an hour, bought a mackerel and a lot of vegetables, and then led the three little ones to make fish balls.
The swordfish has already been killed, so Ning Tang doesn't need to process it. It just takes some effort to puree the fish meat.
After using the pestle for a while, her hands felt sore.
Fortunately, Da Wa, Er Niu and San Wa were able to help her. They took turns and the fish balls were ready soon.
"It's a good thing you guys helped me, otherwise we wouldn't have had hot pot when your dad got off work." Ning Tang rubbed his arm and said, "Shouldn't I teach you how to cook? From now on, it won't just be your dad and I who have to cook a meal. We'll have three more little chefs."
Da Wa said, "Mom, aren't you afraid that teaching your apprentice will starve you to death?"
Ning Tang was happy, "What are you afraid of? If my cooking skills can be passed down, then it won't be me and Captain Shen who will be worried."
"Who is that?" Erniu asked with her head tilted.
"She's your future partner." Ning Tang laughed.
The eldest child made a face and said, "Mom, you are so embarrassed."
Ning Tang said, "I'm telling the truth. You three can only stay with me and Captain Shen for a maximum of twenty years. The rest of the time you spend with your partners."
Erniu said, "Then I won't get married."
Ning Tang was happy, "Okay then, if you don't want to marry, then don't marry. Just stay at home and cook for me and Captain Shen every day."
Erniu: "Then get married."
Ning Tang was amused by her and laughed out loud.
In the evening, Chen Lie returned home. As soon as he arrived at the door, he smelled the strong smell of mutton soup.
He couldn't help but sniff, and saw a pot on the table with a charcoal fire burning underneath. The milky white mutton soup in the pot was bubbling, and meatballs of various shapes were bobbing in the soup, which really aroused his appetite.
At first glance, the three little ones were sitting at the table with soup in their bowls, staring at the meatballs in the soup without blinking. It was obvious that they had already eaten their fill.
Chen Lie instructed Da Wa, "Pick up a meatball for me to try."
The eldest child turned around and asked, "Dad, when will you be back?"
"Didn't you hear the footsteps?" Chen Lie said, "You can tell he's eating. He's so focused."
"Is it really good? It's delicious." Big Boy said with a chuckle.
The fragrance kept rushing into Chen Lie's nose. He swallowed hard and asked, "What kind of pill is this?"
"Fish balls are made of mackerel with seaweed and water chestnuts added in. They are crispy and chewy when chewed." Erniu continued.
"Hurry up and give me a taste." Shen Lie urged.
"Don't order those three around." Ning Tang came out of the kitchen and handed him the clean bowl and chopsticks. "Your bowl and chopsticks, take what you want to eat."
After saying that, he glanced at him again.
Chen Lie took the dishes and put them on the table, "I understand. Wash your hands first, okay?"
He muttered, "Isn't it just that you caught me for not washing my hands once?"
Ning Tang: "You said it yourself, I caught you once, but how many times did you not catch me?"
She dared to guarantee that if it wasn't hot pot that was being cooked today, but cold dishes or fried foods, Chen Lie wouldn't have needed to command the three little ones and would have been able to do it on his own.
While Chen Lie was washing his hands in the yard, Ning Tang said to the three children, "I'll go to the clinic tomorrow to ask if they have any deworming medicine for sale. I'll buy some and give it to your dad first."
The three little ones were so amused that they fell backwards.
Chen Lie came back after washing his hands and asked, "What bad things did you say about me?"
"No." Ning Tang said casually, "You're overthinking it. We're just deciding what to serve first."
Chen Lie took a quick look and said, "Put the lettuce in first, and some winter bamboo shoots as well." He liked to eat that.
Ning Tang was amused. "You're still picking it up? Do it yourself."
"I'll do it." Chen Lie put the dishes on the table, waited for a while, picked up the colander, and poured a bowl full of fish slices for Ning Tang and the three little ones, and put some side dishes on top.
After a delicious meal, when I was about 60% full, I had some noodles and continued eating until I was 80% full. That was it.
The Shen family was enjoying their hotpot, but the Su family next door was aroused by the constant aroma coming from it.
Su Junyan swallowed hard and muttered, "What should the neighbors make today? It smells so good."
Are the twins greedy too? No.
Su Yaozu sniffed, "Good? It's like mutton soup."
Drinking a bowl of mutton soup in this weather is a wonderful thing.
Su Guangzong's stomach was rumbling. "Dad, Mom hasn't come back yet?"
Su Junyan frowned and said, "Who knows her?" He said coldly, "It's already this late and she's not home to cook for her husband and children. Is she still a woman?"
Ever since that day when Su Junyan said such hurtful words, "It's better to marry Ning Tang than Ning Xue", Ning Xue's heart turned cold. She no longer rushed home to cook for Su Junyan and the twins after work like before, but would put it off as much as possible.
It just so happened that the new year had just begun, and the Women's Committee had a lot of work to do during this period, so Ning Xue had an excuse to go home late.
Su Yaozu was so hungry that he stepped forward and grabbed the corner of Su Junyan's clothes, "Dad, I'm so hungry."
Especially the aroma coming from the neighbor's house kept coming, making him even hungrier.
He swallowed and said, "Why don't we go next door and ask Uncle Shen and the others if they have made any delicious food and if they can share some with us."
"No." Su Junyan refused without even thinking about it. He didn't want to embarrass himself by going to Chen Lie.
Su Guangzong collapsed in the chair and guzzled boiled water, hoping that drinking water would fill his stomach.
But water is just water after all. No matter how much you drink, it can't satisfy your hunger. It only makes you feel like urinating. After you urinate, you feel even hungrier.
When Su Guangzong was so hungry that he was in a daze, he suddenly remembered that not long ago, Da Wa and the other three were also very hungry and came to their house to beg for food.
Now, how come it's reversed?
Shen family
After dinner, the three kids helped Chen Lie clear the table while Ning Tang continued to sort out her newly bought books.
When the three little ones came out after washing the dishes, they saw several more books on the bookshelf.
The eldest child said, "Mom, did you buy new books?"
"Yeah, I bought a few." Ning Tang said, "After you finish reading, I'll go buy new ones."
Da Wa said, "You don't have to pay, Mom. We have saved money ourselves."
Ning Tang was amused. "How much have you saved?"
The three little ones ran up to their respective rooms on the second floor and brought down their piggy banks.
The eldest child still used the small clay pot to save money, the second girl also used her own biscuit box, and the third child was the same as before, not using anything to store money, just stuffing a little here and a little there.
He was also the slowest to go downstairs. Ning Tang seriously suspected that this kid must have searched under his pillow and under the bed before finding the money in his hand.
The three little ones each counted the money they had saved. The eldest saved seven yuan, the second girl saved ten yuan, and the third child saved the least, four yuan.
After counting the money, Da Wa and Er Niu contentedly put the money into a small ceramic jar and a biscuit box, while San Wa casually put the money into his pocket.
Ning Tang took a quick look and saw that the small clay pot used by the eldest child seemed to have been used to store oil in the past, and there was a crack at the mouth of the pot. The biscuit box used by the second girl was rusted, and the third child didn't even have a piggy bank.
She simply said, "Let's make a piggy bank for you to save money."
"How do you make a piggy bank?" asked the eldest child.
Ning Tang glanced at the empty coconuts piled in the yard. There were coconut trees everywhere on the island, and coconuts ripened all year round. A while ago, a batch of coconuts ripened again, and the Women's Committee organized people to climb the coconut trees and pick all the coconuts. On average, every household could get dozens of coconuts.
These days, the whole family holds coconuts and drinks coconut water whenever they have free time, but there are only two children, one big and three small, in the family. Even if the three children drink enough water to hear the sound of water when their bellies shake, there are still many coconuts left.
Ning Tang was also planning to cook coconut chicken soup in a few days. Coconut chicken soup is sweet and nourishing, and he was drooling just thinking about it.
The garbage hasn't been thrown away yet today, and there are already a pile of coconuts in the yard that were drunk by the eldest, second, and third kids.
"Use the coconut shells you used to drink from." Ning Tang said.
Erniu didn't believe it, "How can a coconut shell be made into a piggy bank?" But she took a quick look and saw that the coconut shell was round. If she opened a hole in it, maybe it could really be made into a piggy bank?
The three of Da Wa drank from an empty coconut, which still had a thick soft shell on the outside. They had to use a large kitchen knife to peel off the soft shell along the hard shell inside.
This job was too dangerous, so Ning Tang asked Shen Lie to do it.
As Chen Lie split the soft shell, he said, "You really can order me around. If you want a piggy bank, just buy one. Go to the department store and they have everything you need. Tin, ceramic, everything."
"But it's not made of coconut shells. This is called recycling." Ning Tang said, "I think you've made too much money and become arrogant. You don't know the principle of making big money and saving small money."
Chen Lie was stunned. It's no wonder that the welfare benefits of the army have been getting better and better in recent years. He can get a salary of about 100 yuan a month, not to mention various subsidies. When buying things, he doesn't care so much about the price.
He gave himself a warning and decided not to do that again.
She told her three children, "When you grow up and make money, don't learn to spend lavishly like your father. Money doesn't come from the wind. If you spend it lavishly now, you'll cry when you can't afford it later."
Big Baby asked, "What do you mean when you can't come up with the money?"
Ning Tang thought for a moment and gave them an example. "Suppose your father and I were sick and in the hospital. The doctor told you that treatment would cost fifty yuan a day. For the two of us, a week in the hospital would cost seven hundred yuan, not to mention the cost of hiring a nurse. If you don't save money and spend it recklessly, you definitely won't be able to come up with that much. This is called a time when you can't afford it."
When Da Wa thought of Ning Tang and Shen Lie lying in the hospital and he couldn't afford any money, his face turned pale and he clenched his fist and said, "When I grow up, I must make a lot of money and save a lot of money to pay for your medical expenses."
Chen Lie pulled the corner of his mouth and slapped the boy on the head, "Then thank you in advance."
Erniu was also frightened and pale. She gently pulled Ning Tang's hand and blinked at her with her big eyes, "Mom, please don't get sick, okay?"
Ning Tang was not in a position to promise her this, so he patted her head and said, "This is a long time coming. I was just kidding you guys."
After hearing this, Erniu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Sanwa pouted and said, "We don't need to buy too many vegetables for cooking tomorrow." He clenched his fist and said, "I, I can? I can eat less at each meal, only half a bowl of rice at a meal, to save money for the family."
Ning Tang was happy. "Third kid, our family isn't that poor yet. Don't worry, your father and I can still afford your meals. Besides, saving money doesn't mean being timid or skimping on food and clothing. As I always say, it's better to spend money on good food than on medicine. If you eat well and feel good, illness will naturally stay away."
Worried that Sanwa might be worried, she added, "Besides, using coconut shells as piggy banks is just a way to reduce unnecessary expenses."
"What is unnecessary expenditure?" asked Big Boy.
Shen Lie: "Change your name. Don't call me Shen Dawa anymore. Call me One Hundred Thousand Whys."
It would be a bit too far to explain to the eldest child and the others what necessary expenses and non-essential expenses are.
Ning Tang simply didn't say any more to them. Just at this time, Chen Lie had also cleaned up the coconut shells.
She called the three little ones over and planned to teach them how to make a piggy bank out of coconut shells.
Ning Tang drew the general shape of the coconut shell piggy bank on paper, and then started making it.
The round part of the coconut shell is used to make the pig's body, which is also the main body of the piggy bank. Two coconut slices cut into the shape of pig ears are glued to the coconut shell with glue as decoration. The same method is used to make a pig's nose. Finally, the pig's eyes are replaced by two round black conches.
"Okay, it's done."
Ning Tang looked at the coconut shell piggy bank he had made. The color was simple and elegant, and the round body looked honest and cute. He felt a great sense of accomplishment. "Isn't it just as good as the piggy banks sold in department stores?"
Chen Lie was convinced and gave a thumbs up, "It's better than the ones sold in department stores. I've seen a lot."
Erniu likes it? No, "It's so cute, this piggy bank."
Da Wa also sighed, "If I had a piggy bank like this, I would be more motivated to save money."
Sanwa kept pulling Ning Tang's hand and said coquettishly, "Mom, make one for me too."
Ning Tang followed suit and made two coconut shell piggy banks, one for each of the eldest, second and third children.
The three little ones are holding their piggy banks and adoring them very much.
Shen Lie looked at the piggy bank and felt like something was missing.
He caught a glimpse of the coconut shell on the ground, and an idea struck him. He plucked a handful of coconut hair and glued it to the pig's 'butt'. "How can a pig be like this? It doesn't have a tail. This is the only way to make it complete."
Ning Tang was amused. "This doesn't look like a pig anymore. It looks like a pony."
"Then make a pony," Chen Lie said. "Perfect. I'll put it in my office. I also want to save money."
Da Wa ruthlessly exposed him, "You give all your salary to Mom, what money do you have to save?"
"Hey, kid." Chen Lie waved, "Big boy, come here, I have some candy for you."
The eldest child ran upstairs and made a face at him, "Dad, I'm grown up now, it's not good? I lied."
Chen Lie stood up, and Ning Tang patted his arm. "Okay, stop scaring him. As long as you have coconut shells, I can make you a few ornaments. You can put them in your office. That's it."
"Okay." Chen Lie felt as happy as if he had drunk a bag of honey.
Hehehe, have something else? Got it to show off.
When Ning Tang said she wanted to make an ornament for Chen Lie, she took it to the office.
The three little ones were not happy and started making a fuss about wanting more.
Ning Tang was annoyed by them? No, he raised his hands in surrender, "Okay, okay, I'll do it."
The three little ones immediately turned their gaze towards the coconuts in the yard, with a blazing fire in their eyes, and it was obvious that they were going to have a "big fight" with the coconuts.
Ning Tang was worried that they would get sick from drinking too much, "Only two drinks a day, no more."
Erniu pouted, "Only two."
It’s not that she likes drinking coconut water very much, but she drinks all the coconut water and has coconut shells, which can be made into coconut shell ornaments.
"We're going to have coconut chicken in a few days. We'll use at least three or four coconuts to cook one meal. That should be fine, right?" Ning Tang said.
"Okay!" the three little ones responded in unison.
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