Chapter 37 Feeling sorry for me?
It snowed all night, and the sky and the earth were covered in white. When I opened the door in the morning, the dark blue sky covered the white ground. The sky was bright yet chaotic.
Zhao Xiping gathered his clothes, took a long breath and stepped into the snow. He pushed open the kitchen door and saw Cat Official squatting in front of the stove to keep warm. He just opened his eyes when he saw someone coming in.
"Is the stove still burning?" he asked the cat, closing the door behind him. He first lifted the curtain to look at the noodles in the basins. All three basins of thin noodles had risen.
"Is the noodles ready?" Sui Yu rushed in with her neck hunched, stamping her feet and saying, "It's so cold, so cold! It's warmer in the kitchen, and there's a fire in the stove. Get up, cat official! I want to cook."
The cat jumped to the ground, shook its fur, walked to the door, looked through the crack, pulled open the closed wooden door, and dived into the snow.
Sui Yu took a look, turned around, picked up a fire poker, and poked the ashes in the stove. There were no sparks, but there was still some warmth. She stoked the fire again and heard a crisp bang outside the door. She walked over to the door and leaned out. "Is the water frozen?"
"Yeah, a thin layer of ice." As soon as he opened his mouth, large clouds of white mist covered his face and blocked his vision. Zhao Xiping turned his head and exhaled, then took a ladle and scooped water and ice into the bucket.
Sui Yu made way for him. The hay at the bottom of the pot had been taken out. When the water was poured in, some hay residue floated up. It was just boiling water for washing face, so there was no need to worry about it.
After stuffing a few more sticks of firewood into the stove, Sui Yu went out to the camel pen to dig radishes. There was no shed in the camel pen, and a thick layer of snow had accumulated in the sand pit. The two camels knelt on the ground without fear of the cold, smacking their lips, and the hair on their chins became sticky lumps of ice.
Sui Yu dug half a basket of radishes and carried them to the kitchen. She stamped the snow off her feet and asked, "Is the water hot?"
Smoke was already coming out of the pot. Zhao Xiping scooped water from a basin and washed his hands and face first, as the work of mixing and kneading the noodles was still waiting for him.
"How old is our camel?" Sui Yu asked.
Camels don't measure age, they're not people. Zhao Xiping took one look at her and said, "She's three years old. I guess she was just weaned when I brought her here."
"Didn't you buy it?" Sui Yu was surprised.
"It's too expensive. I went to the desert to catch camels. I caught two at a time." Zhao Xiping couldn't hide his pride when talking about this. Catching camels depends on both luck and skill. Some people go to the desert several times a year and still can't catch a single one. Even if they do catch one, they may not be able to keep it alive.
"That's amazing." Sui Yu gave a thumbs up.
Zhao Xiping did not refute.
"How old are they before they give birth?" This is what Sui Yu wanted to ask.
"About five or six years." Zhao Xiping was not very clear either.
It took so long. No wonder camels were so expensive. Sui Yu's immature thoughts were immediately dismissed. She stopped thinking and rubbed the radish with the remaining hot water from washing her face. Then she washed it again with the remaining hot water in the pot mixed with cold water. After washing it clean, she put it in the food cabinet so she could use it directly when chopping stuffing after breakfast.
After washing the pot clean and adding water, Sui Yu pushed open the large ceramic jar containing grain. There were still two handfuls of rice left from the previous grinding. She grabbed two handfuls of beans and mixed them together. She washed them clean and poured them into the pot to cook.
"I'll soak a bowl of soybeans and stir-fry them when they sprout. Do you like them?" Sui Yu asked.
Zhao Xiping nodded.
"If you like it, I'll make more. When it sprouts, I'll steam a pot of bean sprouts and tofu buns for you. Pancakes are also fine. Oh, and there are chives in the vegetable garden. I don't know if they've grown yet. I hope they won't freeze to death when it snows."
"I covered it with hay a few days ago. By the time you remembered, that little bit of leeks had wiped out your entire clan." The man was quite resentful. She asked him to dig the vegetable garden and plant the leeks. After the leeks were planted, she didn't nag or care about it. He was the one who watered and fertilized them. Everything became his business.
Sui Yu chuckled and said, "When the chives are harvested, I'll make you some flatbread with chive and egg filling. Pancakes are also fine."
Zhao Xiping ignored her. After kneading the dough, he picked up the curtain and covered it. He then rushed out of the warm kitchen, picked up a wooden shovel and started shoveling the snow in the yard. He also wanted to let the camel out for a run.
"Meow--" The cat official came in from the gate, covered in snow, and ran into the kitchen.
"Come here." Sui Yu stretched out her hand, and the cat rubbed against her. She brushed the snow off its fur and muttered, "It's cold, don't run outside. I won't take you with me to the stall today. Just stay home with Liang Ge'er."
As she spoke, she called out, "Brother Liang, get up, the meal is almost ready."
Sui Liang pulled on all four sets of clothes and new straw sandals stuffed with hay. The snow in the yard had been swept clear, leaving the roofs and walls still white. He shivered at the sight of it; after last winter, the sight of snow chilled him to the bone.
"Is your brother-in-law in?" Sui Yu was serving rice. She turned her head and pointed at the basin on the ground, saying, "The water is warm. Wash your face and hands."
There was a stomping sound in the yard, and Zhao Xiping came in. He lowered his head and said, "There's no one outside. Are you sure business is good today?"
"Let's talk about it after we set up the stall." Sui Yu handed over a bowl of thick porridge and said, "Eat quickly. There's more to serve after you finish. I'll need the pot later."
As soon as the stove door was closed, the room fell into darkness. Sui Yu sat in front of the stove with a bowl in her hand. She put some more firewood into the stove. When the flames soared, the room was filled with light.
Zhao Xiping scooped up two chopsticks of rice for the cat official. The cat squatted at the foot of the wall and licked the rice, which complemented the slurping sound of people eating.
After finishing the meal, Sui Yu washed the pot. There was a layer of rice in the washing water. She felt it was a pity and thought that after buying the piglets after the New Year, the slop would not be wasted.
A steamer was placed on the wash basin, and a basin was also placed on the warm stove. Sui Yu buried a cavity of grass residue in the stove hole and gave Sui Liang a few instructions. He then sat in front of the stove holding the cat official and watched it. If there was a flame, he would use a fire stick to extinguish it, and use the flickering sparks to keep the temperature in the pot hot but not scalding.
Sui Yu lit the oil lamp and immersed himself in chopping radishes on the chopping board. After chopping for a long time, his knife skills have improved. At first, he stared at the blade carefully when chopping radishes, for fear of cutting his hands. Now he doesn't need to look at it. The knife rises and falls, and the radish pieces that fall off are evenly sized.
After chopping half a basket of radishes and half opening the dough on the stove, Sui Yu took the basin off the steamer and began to stir-fry the stuffing. As she added the radish pieces to the pot, she heard a knock on the door. It was Zhao Xiping returning from her camel. She went to open the door and found that the camel was carrying two bundles of firewood, all thick branches covered with snow.
"Did you go collect firewood?"
"Um."
She was such a waste of time. She needed hot water to wash her face and hands, she had to cover the fire when making dough in the middle of the night, the stove would burn all night long, and she would bring firewood to set up her stall during the day. Zhao Xiping felt that the half-room of firewood stored in the woodshed could not withstand her work for a whole winter.
"It hasn't rained, so the firewood is dry and can be burned after shaking off the snow," he said.
"Then take it to the street later. We'll keep the firewood at home." Sui Yu said. Before she finished speaking, she strode into the kitchen. There was still stuffing in the pot, and she couldn't delay.
After the two pots of stuffing were fried, and the oil tank was almost empty, Sui Yu lifted the curtain and looked outside, then shouted, "Boss, the dough is done. You come and knead it. I'll wait and wrap the stuffing."
"If the raw dough is brought to the street, will it be too cold to be kneaded?" asked Zhao Xiping.
Sui Yu was unsure. After Zhao Xiping finished kneading the dough, she cut off half to make the filling for the buns and put the other half in a basin and took it to the yard. When the pot of buns was ready, she brought the basin in again. The dough in the basin was hard, like a scab.
"I can steam the buns at home and then sell them on the street." Sui Yu thought of a compromise. Suddenly, an idea flashed in her mind. She slapped her head and said, "Silly, silly, I don't need to set up a stall in the future. I can steam the buns at home first, then lead the camel to sell them door to door in the streets and alleys."
It just may take longer, and you may not find anyone buying something even if you shout in an alley. People who take money to the street have the desire and ability to spend it, while people who stay at home will not spend money easily unless they have extra money at home.
Sui Yu figured it out clearly and decided to give it a try first to find a way out.
She spent most of the day at home stuffing and steaming buns. She piled the buns into large bamboo baskets that had been cleaned and dried. The steaming buns cooled and hardened little by little.
It was not until after noon that the last pot of buns came out of the oven. Sui Yu breathed a sigh of relief. She shook her sore arms, moved her wrist joints, squatted down with a bun and filled her stomach.
Zhao Xiping led the well-fed camel out, tied the wicker basket to it, and stuffed the bamboo basket containing the buns into it. He looked at the sky and said, "It's going to snow again."
"It's okay if it snows. Your hat will keep me warm." Sui Yu, driven by the desire to make money, braved the cold. She ate two steamed buns and drank a bowl of hot water, feeling particularly satisfied with her full stomach. She had already embarked on her journey of exile this time last year, persevering in a simple outfit and thin shoes. How could this little inconvenience today hinder her from making money?
Before going out, Sui Yu stuffed alfalfa into her jacket and puffed out her trouser legs. When everything was ready, she put on a large bamboo hat and went to lead the camel.
"I'm leaving." She strode out the door.
Zhao Xiping followed him out. The cold wind was howling outside, sweeping the snow particles on the roof and rushing through the alley. The camel was choking and squinting its eyes, but the man leading the camel still had a smile on his face.
"If I come back late at night, remember to cook, Liang'er, remember to remind your brother-in-law." Sui Yu smiled cunningly. She was complacently thinking that if she stayed out longer in the future, she wouldn't have to cook dinner.
Zhao Xiping hesitated for a long time, but in the end he was a little worried. He compromised and said, "I'll go with you."
"No, no, no—" Sui Yu refused outright. She didn't want a fireman, so why did she bring a cold-faced man with her? But she flattered him, "Captain Zhao is a salaried man, how could he wander around the streets with me selling things?"
Zhao Xiping found it irritating and waved his hand to tell her to get out.
Sui Yu giggled twice, took out two handfuls of alfalfa from her arms to feed the camel, and led the camel out of the alley.
She went to Nanshui Street first. The snow on the street had not been swept. There were a few rows of footprints here and there, but no human figures could be seen. At this time, she was glad that she did not come here to set up a stall.
"Selling buns, radish stuffed buns, three cents each, fried in lard, so delicious." Sui Yu walked along the empty street with her two camels, scanning the streets for open doors or windows. Whenever she heard movement, she would lean over and ask, "Boss, would you like some buns? They were steamed this morning, so just light a couple of fires and they'll be warm when you're ready."
"Are you still selling buns on a snowy day? Aren't you afraid of the cold?" asked the bamboo craftsman.
"I want to make money." Sui Yu was very honest.
The bamboo craftsman laughed twice and said, "Bring the camel here. My wife went to get the money."
"Hey." Sui Yu strode over and handed the basin to her. She put the buns in it and said, "Sister-in-law, how many do you want to buy?"
"Will you come tomorrow?"
"Come here, you want to buy something fresh, right? I'll bring it to you tomorrow."
"Okay, buy ten today, and send me another ten tomorrow." The bamboo craftsman's wife handed over thirty copper coins. Seeing the shop next door open, she asked, "Buy some buns? The bun-making lady is the one who has a stall outside the wine shop. Her buns are pretty good."
Sui Yu counted the copper coins and hurried over with the camel, saying, "Grandma, don't come out. The snow is wet on the ground. I'll take you there."
The shop owners were not short of money. They were worrying about cooking on a snowy night. When they heard the shouts of the bun sellers, most of them opened their doors to buy buns. Most of them had made reservations with Sui Yu for buns for tomorrow.
After selling out a basket of buns on one street, Sui Yu approached the friendly oil shop owner for a bowl of hot water to soothe her throat before continuing her hawking on another street. By dusk, only half of the four baskets were left. Sui Yu hesitated for a moment before leading her camel into Juntun. She was still far from Shisantun, so the customers didn't recognize her. She was still quite happy buying buns.
After selling the last bun, Sui Yu was about to go back with the camel when he heard the person who came out late shouting, "Wait a minute, bun seller! I'm buying two for my kids."
"No more. I'll come again tomorrow." Sui Yu wiped his nose and quickened his pace to walk back.
When we turned into Shisantun, it was completely dark. The doors of every household were closed and we could only hear voices but no one was seen.
"It's dark now, who's still walking around with a camel? Go out and take a look."
"It's freezing. I won't go. What does it have to do with you who leads the camel?" The man curled up in bed and didn't want to move.
Zhao Xiping also heard the sound of the camel's hooves. He covered the pot and prepared to open the door, but in a flash, Sui Liang and the cat official ran out.
"I'm back. Is the meal ready?" Sui Yu led Luotuo in. Her hands were cold, so she didn't touch Sui Liang. She hugged him from a distance and said, "Close the door. It's much warmer in the house."
Zhao Xiping came over to untie the basket from the camel. As soon as the basket fell to the ground, the camel went straight into the circle.
"Please take off my hat, my hands are stiff." Sui Yu came close to the man and raised her head.
Zhao Xiping paused, then leaned over to untie the rope for her. His hand touched her chin, which was as cold as a stone.
"Your hands are so warm." Sui Yu took the opportunity to put her hands into his sleeves and sighed again: "They are so warm."
Zhao Xiping shivered with cold. He held his bamboo hat and pushed her into the kitchen to warm herself by the fire, saying, "I won't go tomorrow."
"That won't work. Even though tomorrow's buns haven't been made yet, I've already sold two baskets." Sui Yu took off his shoes to warm his feet, then raised his eyes and asked jokingly, "Do you feel sorry for me?"
Zhao Xiping filled a bowl of boiling hot dumpling soup and asked her to hold it in her hands.
I value money over my life.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com