Wang Fengqin was so shocked by the sight of the gleaming silver and banknotes that she could barely speak. "Yi, Yi Mian, where did you get so much silver, and, and a banknote?"
This was the first time she had ever seen a banknote, and she was a little unsure.
Jiang Yimian only smiled and talked about Lin Yan'an.
She only said that the other party gave her money as a thank you, ignoring the series of events that followed.
Wang Fengqin breathed a sigh of relief and repeatedly exclaimed, "Young Master Lin is such a good person."
They didn't spend much time together that time, and she thought he was just a playboy who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun.
I didn't expect him to know how to repay kindness; it seems his character is at least not a big problem.
After explaining the origin of the silver, Jiang Yimian smiled and said, "This is quite a lot of silver, enough for us to use for a while. Let's keep it with Mother for now. If Mother needs it, she can use it directly."
Wang Fengqin only kept some copper coins, and said with a smile, "Keep the silver and silver notes. You're the one who goes to town on weekdays. Buy whatever you need yourself."
She wasn't worried about Jiang Yimian spending money recklessly; the other woman was a decisive person, so she didn't need to worry about her.
Jiang Yimian then put away the silver notes, but left the loose silver coins with Wang Fengqin, worried that she might need the money.
After putting away the silver, Wang Fengqin asked about selling konjac.
Upon learning that it was popular, she simply smiled and said, "Then I'll make more before the next market day."
Jiang Yimian nodded.
Today, fearing that the konjac wouldn't sell, I didn't make too much. I only made about 20 jin of konjac tofu, which sold for over 200 wen.
These konjac tofu only used three catties of fresh konjac. If dried konjac powder were used, about two ounces would be enough.
In other words, one pound of fresh konjac can make about eight pounds of tofu, which can be sold for more than seventy coins.
This is a good business; if we can keep selling it, it would be a great business.
Just then, Xiao Ye and Xiao Nuan'er ran in.
The two had already finished sharing the snacks, and were now handing over pastries wrapped in oil paper to Jiang Yimian and Wang Fengqin.
"Mother, my sister and I will eat too, this flower is delicious."
Xiao Nuan'er picked up a lotus-shaped pastry and handed it to Wang Fengqin, then handed one to Jiang Yimian.
The lotus flower pastry is beautifully made, shaped like a flower. The crust is so crisp it crumbles, and it has a sweet taste. It tastes great too.
Seeing that the little guy, who had already devoured quite a few pastries, still wanted to eat more, Wang Fengqin quickly confiscated the pastries and candies, saying helplessly, "You can eat them next time. You've already eaten quite a lot today."
Although Xiao Nuan'er was reluctant to part with the sweet pastries, she nodded earnestly; she was very obedient.
Ono wasn't too reluctant to part with them, but her eyes lit up when she saw the three books on the table. "Sister, did you buy these books?"
Although he has learned quite a few characters these days, they are all in bits and pieces, and he is not sure if he knows enough characters to read books.
Upon seeing the book, he immediately went over to it, opened a copy of the Three Character Classic, and casually read out the words, but he didn't recognize some of the words in the later sentences.
Little Nuan'er was also looking around, shaking her little head. She saw many unfamiliar words, and her fair little face scrunched up in worry.
Jiang Yimian quickly sat down at the table and looked at the words in the book. "This word is pronounced zhù. 'Once, Mencius' mother chose a good neighborhood. When her son didn't study, she cut the threads of her loom.' This story tells of Mencius' mother..."
Time flies, and before we knew it, it was the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month.
These past few days, apart from a few children who are still free, everyone else in the small depression has been busy preparing for the New Year.
In the past, we would make dumplings, steamed buns, mantou, and sugar triangles every year around this time. Even if we were starving, this custom would never be abandoned.
Most families simply mix cornmeal with ash flour and steam some buns, and that's it. Those who are more particular will steam some wild vegetable filling buns and make a few sugar triangles for the children to enjoy.
This time, however, the women from the small depression not only steamed buns, sugar triangles, and steamed bread, but also made pork dumplings. The aroma of the filling could be smelled from afar, making Mimi and the children so tempted that they circled around in the yard.
The men chopped wood while glancing towards the kitchen, unconsciously swallowing hard.
When they heard a greeting from inside the house, everyone rushed into the kitchen, making the already crowded kitchen even more cramped.
Zhao Xing'er impatiently chased everyone out and then invited them in to get food.
Finally, everyone gathered under the eaves and in the courtyard, some standing, some squatting, and some sitting, to eat the steaming dumplings.
Zhao Da arrived just now, carrying quite a few things in his hands.
He scratched his head a little embarrassedly, "Grandpa, I've come to celebrate the New Year. You won't be unwelcome to me, will you?"
As soon as the county government opened for the afternoon, he rushed to Xiaowadi, and managed to get there just in time for dinner.
Old Liu just smiled and said, "Why wouldn't I welcome you? You've come all this way with so much stuff. Come and eat some dumplings. Stay here tonight and don't leave until after the New Year. It'll be more fun to celebrate the New Year together with more people."
Zhao Xing'er quickly invited him to eat dumplings.
Zhao Da didn't stand on ceremony. He put down his things, went into the kitchen, filled a bowl with dumplings, and squatted under the eaves with Zhang Li to eat.
The pork dumplings were so delicious and flavorful that he ate two large bowls of them.
Fortunately, we made quite a few dumplings today, so we didn't run out.
In addition, there were steamed buns, mantou, and sugar triangles, which made everyone eat until they were stuffed. As night fell, they sat around the fire table to digest their food and chat.
The group gathered around the fire for a late-night chat, talking about everything under the sun, which kept the kids, including Gou Sheng, very excited, and they didn't fall asleep until midnight.
Zhao Dashu and the others, all men, squeezed in with Zhao Da and Zhang Li and easily fell asleep.
The next morning, as soon as the rooster crowed, everyone got up and began a new round of busy work.
On Lunar New Year's Eve, people put up couplets and red "Fu" characters, symbolizing bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, wishing for a prosperous and lucky year ahead.
Jiang Yimian forgot to buy them last time she went down the mountain, but Zhao Da specially bought a few sets yesterday and sent them over along with some braised pork, wine, and firecrackers.
At this moment, Zhao Da and Zhang Li and a few others were putting up posters in front of several houses. The bright red paper could be seen from afar, looking very festive.
Old Liu stood in the yard, watching to see if the pasted paper was symmetrical, giving instructions from the side. The sound of their conversation could be heard from afar, mixed with the rhythmic sound of Liu Dayong chopping wood nearby.
The once peaceful little depression now has a festive atmosphere.
While washing vegetables, Zhao Xing'er smiled with red eyes, "I thought I would die at the hands of the refugees, but I didn't expect to survive until now. In the past, the house was always in chaos during the New Year. This is the first time it has been so peaceful."
In the village, if you prepare too many things for the New Year, you'll be envied and jealous; if you prepare too few, you'll be looked down upon and everyone will want to kick you while you're down.
Add to that the uncles and relatives, none of whom are easy to get along with, and the New Year becomes quite meaningless.
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