The next morning, Liu Yanran was making breakfast. She first washed a suitable amount of Job's tears and soaked them in water, letting them expand. Then, she selected a few plump red dates, washed them with clean water, and removed the pits for later use.
Liu Yanran drained the soaked Job's tears and placed them in a pot. She added an appropriate amount of water and brought the pot to a boil over high heat. Then, she reduced the heat to a simmer, allowing the Job's tears to gradually soften. She stirred the mixture frequently throughout the simmering process to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
She first poured flour into a large bowl and slowly added the appropriate amount of water, stirring with chopsticks until a soft dough formed. Then, she placed the dough on the chopping board and kneaded it with her hands for a few minutes to make it smoother and more elastic.
Then, Liu Yanran rolled the dough into a thin pancake, spread a layer of fermented black bean paste on it, and sprinkled some chopped green onions and sesame seeds on it. She expertly rolled the pancake up and rolled it out again.
Next, she poured a little oil into the pan, waited until it was hot, and placed the pancake in. The pancake sizzled in the pan, and Liu Yanran gently pressed it with a spatula to ensure even cooking. Soon, one side of the pancake became golden and crispy. She carefully flipped it over and continued frying the other side.
Finally, when both sides of the sauce-flavored pancake were fried until golden brown, Liu Yanran took it out and placed it on a plate. She cut the pancake into small pieces with a knife, and the aroma of the sauce-flavored pancake filled her nose.
The Job's tears were almost cooked, so she added the red dates and continued to simmer. The sweet aroma of the dates gradually spread, blending with the fragrance of the Job's tears. She also added a little rock sugar to make the porridge even sweeter.
Liu Yanran waited patiently by the pot, waiting for the porridge to thicken. She scooped up a little porridge with a spoon and tasted it, finding the sweetness and texture just right. Finally, she turned off the heat and let the porridge cool slightly.
Just as breakfast was about to begin, someone outside brought a message saying there was a telegram from Cao Cuilan and asked me to pick it up from the security guard. The postman from the family compound couldn't get in.
Liu Yanran called into the house. "Mom, breakfast is ready. Go next door and call my second sister-in-law and second brother to come over for dinner. I'll get the telegram for you."
Liu Yanran hurried to the guardhouse and received the telegram from Cao Cuilan. She felt a surge of curiosity and anticipation, and couldn't wait to open the envelope and read it.
The content of the telegram was short and urgent: "The German army is in danger, return quickly." Liu Yanran's heart tightened. The German army was her uncle's name, and he must have been in trouble.
She quickly returned home and handed the telegram to her mother. After reading it, her mother's face turned pale and she almost fell to the ground. Liu Yanran hurried forward to support her.
"Yanran, pack up quickly and let's go back to our hometown." Cao Cuilan said. The telegram was sent by her father. If her uncle was not in real danger, he would not have come to inform her mother. After all, her uncle was her mother's only blood brother, and she had to go back for such a thing.
Liu Yanran nodded, but her heart was filled with worry. She quickly finished her breakfast and began to pack her luggage. Before leaving, she told her eldest and second sisters-in-law to take care of the business here, and then she and her mother set off on the road back to their hometown.
Liu Yanran and her mother rushed to the train station, both very anxious. After arriving at the ticket window, they quickly bought a ticket for the next train back home.
Soon, the train started moving. The carriage was crowded and noisy, but Liu Yanran paid no attention to her surroundings. Her heart was heavy, and she kept looking out the window, as if she wanted to see farther, hoping to reach her destination soon.
Time passed minute by minute, the train continued to move forward, and after a long journey, it finally arrived at my hometown in the evening of the third day.
As soon as she got off the train, Liu Yanran rushed out of the station and looked around. Soon, she saw her father waiting outside. His face was haggard, his eyes bloodshot, revealing deep fatigue and worry.
They didn't have time to exchange pleasantries. After a brief greeting, they hurried to the hospital.
Entering the hospital and walking through the long corridor, Liu Yanran's heart grew increasingly nervous. Finally, they arrived at her uncle's ward. Pushing open the door, a strong smell of medicine filled her nose, and Liu Yanran immediately saw her uncle lying on the bed. His body was covered in bandages, his face as pale as paper, his lips bloodless, and he looked extremely weak.
In the spacious hospital room, my aunt He Xiuzhen sat by the bed, weeping bitterly, her voice choked with sorrow. She held my uncle's hand tightly, tears streaming down her face, as if she wanted to pour out all her pain.
My eldest cousin Cao Chong and his wife Gao Ya stood aside, watching all this silently, their eyes filled with helplessness and sadness. They stood quietly, not daring to disturb their aunt's grief.
My second cousin Cao Cheng and his wife Lin Shuang were also in the ward, their faces heavy and solemn. They kept looking at my uncle, hoping to find a glimmer of hope in his faint breath. However, the cruel reality told them that their uncle's life was about to end.
Third cousin Cao Dong, fourth cousin Cao Yang, fifth cousin Cao Yue, and sixth cousin Cao Kun and his family were also gathered in the room, each with a look of deep worry and sadness on their faces.
They knew time was running out, their uncle's life was fading. The doctor had already issued a critical illness notice, clearly stating that his condition was irreversible and that they could only wait for the final moment to arrive.
Therefore, everyone took leave, put aside their work and daily lives, just to accompany their uncle through his final moments. They hoped to give him the warmest care and companionship before he passed away. The entire ward was filled with a depressing atmosphere that made people feel suffocated.
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