Chapter 227 Good Things from the North
Yao Shula looked in surprise at the things Lei Jingwu had brought: boxes and boxes, and two large bamboo baskets.
"This box contains some dried vegetables and dried mushrooms, all from Northeast China. In winter, just grab a handful, soak them, and they'll taste delicious no matter what you cook with them," Lei Jingwu said, pointing to the box that Gu Changqin had just opened and showing it to Yao Shula.
Yao Shula peeked inside and saw a box full of dried mushrooms. If she soaked a couple of handfuls of these, she could stew them with a young rooster or some spare ribs...
That would surely cause the fragrant person a huge tumble!
"Where did this come from? This is a rare item!" Yao Shula couldn't help but exclaim.
Lei Jingwu smiled, offered no explanation, and turned to open the second box.
Gu Changqin did explain it to Yao Shula.
"We collected them from the mountains in Northeast China. We went a bit late this year and didn't collect many. We only collected three boxes. We took one box back to his father and one box back to my father."
The remaining box is here.
Don't worry, we've already made arrangements with the people there. They'll save all the dried mushrooms they make for us next year.
"Next autumn, it'll start snowing in Northeast China. We'll go there then and bring over dried mushrooms; they sell very well."
Yao Shula nodded, reached out and grabbed a handful, then smelled it...
It smells wonderful; dried mushrooms have a unique aroma.
Lei Jingwu continued unpacking the box without looking up, while Gu Changqin pointed to the two bamboo baskets.
"Those are all apples, brought from Shandong. We were too lazy to divide them. These two baskets are yours. If you have time tomorrow, please divide them up and give some to your relatives and friends. You probably can't finish them all. These two baskets weigh over 100 pounds!"
Yao Shula was a little dumbfounded; over 100 pounds of apples...
“If you think it’s too cold, you can boil it. My mom likes to boil apples in water in winter and add two red dates. It makes her complexion look great,” Lei Jingwu interjected, looking up.
Yao Shula nodded immediately.
You can also boil them. There are still quite a few red dates left from the last time my third sister-in-law and her family sent over. I don't like cooking sweet rice, so I can use them to make apple water.
“Okay, I’ll cook it for them later!” Yao Shula immediately agreed.
At this moment, Lei Jingwu had already opened the box in his hand.
"Shura, come and take a look at these!" Lei Jingwu gestured for Yao Shura to look at the box he had just opened.
Yao Shula quickly went over, and this box was... full of fur coats!
"These are all good leathers! We went to Northeast China specifically to get these kinds of things."
Let me tell you a secret: as soon as we got our hands on these things, someone placed an order with us for all those hides. We're making a fortune!
I later picked some out and made padded jackets for you all, like cotton vests.
"Look, there's one for each of you four siblings. I had a master tailor in Northeast China make them. They're all quite big, and they'll be very warm when worn under your cotton-padded coats." Lei Jingwu smiled as he showed Yao Shula the brown vest-like padded coat he had picked up.
Yao Shula...
"These are all made of leather!" Yao Shula exclaimed in surprise.
"Fur is the warmest thing to wear! The snow in Northeast China is waist-deep, but people just wrap themselves in fur and go out for a stroll."
"Although Yun County isn't as cold as Northeast China, it's still quite chilly in winter. Wearing this will keep you much warmer than a regular sweater." Lei Jingwu said, holding up a padded jacket and gesturing to Yao Shula.
Yes, it should fit perfectly; his judgment is never wrong.
Yao Shula kept her mouth half-open without saying a word for a long time.
"You...made them all for us?" Yao Shula finally spoke after a long while.
Lei Jingwu then looked at Yao Shula.
"Of course! If we're going to do it, we'll make it for all of you! Oh, and we made an extra one for Tiantian. He's naughty and sweats a lot, so you should air out his jacket often."
He used to wear leather jackets, but he doesn't like wearing them anymore. He'll wear a leather coat underneath instead. Lei Jingwu said, gesturing for Yao Shula to look inside the box.
Yao Shula looked carefully and, sure enough, all four of them were there.
"Oh, there's still one piece of leather that hasn't been made yet; it's for your grandma alone."
Every day, he always praised Grandma Yao, saying she was very kind to him. He said the old lady was always cold in winter, and this piece of leather was for her, so she could wear whatever she wanted. Lei Jingwu then pointed to a piece of tanned leather and showed it to Yao Shula.
Yao Shula was a little at a loss.
"This... Lei Jingwu, what am I supposed to say to this!"
Oh, that money...you remember it..."
"I know, I'll deduct it from your money! Yao Shula, why do you always say such unpleasant things when people are in a good mood?" Lei Jingwu was a little dissatisfied.
Yao Shula...
Is it a mood killer to ask you to pay me?
"Big brother, put it on my tab!" Little Tiantian immediately came over.
Lei Jingwu tapped Xiao Tiantian on the forehead.
"We have so many accounts to keep for you! This one won't make a difference!"
Alright, Yao Shula, enough with the nonsense, let's look at something else.
We also brought you cured pork, sausages, and sausage belly, as well as this box of dried shrimp—it's rare to see such large ones.
There was also a whole bag of peanuts and sunflower seeds. These are called pine nuts, which are also found in Northeast China. I think they taste better than sunflower seeds and peanuts.
You know how to stir-fry it, right? I heard from someone that it's stir-fried like peanuts or sunflower seeds, and it's perfect for eating during the Chinese New Year.
These are all durable and can be eaten until the Chinese New Year. Just be careful when storing them so that mice don't gnaw on them.
Before the Chinese New Year, when we come to pick up Tiantian, we will bring some more things with us.
Oh, Tian Tian wants to come back to Shanghai with us for the Chinese New Year!
"And these too, earmuffs. They're not cotton, they're all leather. One for each of you four, so your ears won't get cold when you go out," Lei Jingwu continued.
Yao Shula nodded, looking at everything Lei Jingwu had shown her.
Gu Changqin came closer again.
"These were all chosen by him and me together, Yao Shula. Just for these things, you should stop rolling your eyes at me so much!"
Yao Shula...
Seeing that Yao Shula didn't speak, Gu Changqin chuckled and grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds from Yao Shula's sunflower seed box, then leaned against it.
Lei Jingwu closed all the boxes and then walked around the room again.
Great, this gas-sealed stove is good; the room is much warmer than outside.
Zhou Ping'an is indeed capable of handling things.
Xiao Tiantian had already quickly taken off her sweater and put on the leather jacket that Lei Jingwu had brought, showing it to Yao Shula.
"Big sister, does this look good?" Xiao Tiantian asked with a grin.
"Beautiful!" Yao Shula nodded immediately.
"How about this one? It looks good too!" Xiao Tiantian immediately changed into another one.
“It looks good too!” Yao Shula nodded again.
Xiao Tiantian was overjoyed and quickly stuffed Yao Shula's clothes into Yao Shula's arms.
"The eldest sister looks even better!"
"Big brother, bring more next time you come, make a few more outfits for my older sister to change into, and put it on my tab!" Little Tiantian waved his chubby little hand generously.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com