"I haven't even said you deliberately tripped me yet. When you stuck out that foot, did you think about the baby in your belly?"
After saying that, Xie Yuyao put away her sarcasm and explained the reason to Yang Chunhua: "Aunt Yang, she was jealous that I had plenty of money and said some mean things. She deliberately stretched out her leg to make me fall, without caring about my body at all."
Upon hearing this, Yang Chunhua exploded on the spot. Having previously held back her anger towards Huang Qiufen, she unleashed her fury, pointing at Huang Qiufen and launching into a tirade:
"Huang Qiufen, Huang Qiufen, do you really think that just because you're pregnant, everyone in the world has to cater to you? I've been too good to you! Starting tomorrow, you and Xiumei will do the laundry and cooking together, so you don't just cause me trouble!"
"Mom!" Huang Qiufen's eyes reddened with grievance, looking utterly pitiful.
Yang Chunhua wasn't buying it: "If you keep causing trouble, you and Hongfei will separate and live on your own. I want to see how he can support you and the baby in your belly by working alone!"
Huang Qiufen, who bullies the weak and fears the strong, didn't dare to say a word. Seeing that her mother-in-law was no longer willing to tolerate her, she finally lowered her proud head, wiped away her tears, and sobbed.
After Yang Chunhua finished venting her anger, she turned to Xie Yuyao and said, "Yaoyao, she's been blinded by greed. If anything happens again, tell me and I'll teach her a lesson."
"Okay." Xie Yuyao admired her imposing manner and smiled as she waved the bag in her hand. "We'll make braised ingredients tonight, and I'll prepare the braising sauce."
"Oh? Is it the kind of braised meat that Jianbin brought back? I've heard his mother talk about it many times; it's really delicious." Yang Chunhua was extremely envious back then, but now that Yaoyao is family, if it really is delicious, then she can eat it whenever she wants in the future!
"Yes, let's do it now."
Yang Chunhua and Xie Yuyao went back to their room affectionately, leaving Huang Qiufen behind, who stomped her feet and cried in anger.
When Xie Yuyao arrived at the kitchen, she found that it was quite spacious, with two stoves built on the left and right sides. Presumably, there were too many people and it wasn't enough for holidays, so they built an extra stove.
Wen Xiumei was tending a fire at a stove, and the aroma of steamed buns wafted from the pot. She saw her mother-in-law and Xie Yuyao come in carrying several bags, and she was secretly delighted—more good food was coming!
"Aunt Yang, making braised meat takes quite a while. Can I use the spare stove?"
"Of course, let me wash the pot." After Yang Chunhua finished speaking, she called to her second daughter-in-law, "Xiumei, go and start the fire."
Wen Xiumei obediently went to light the firewood. She would do anything as long as there was something delicious to eat.
Xie Yuyao then busied herself in the kitchen. She first washed all the seasonings, mixed them according to the experimental proportions, and then put them into a pot to simmer the braising liquid.
While waiting, she opened the bag and found that Zhao Honghui had bought a pork knuckle, which was perfect for making braised meat.
Yang Chunhua chopped the pork hock into small pieces, washed it, and set it aside. She also prepared a variety of vegetables, including lotus root slices, peanuts, kelp, bean curd sheets, and dried bean curd sticks.
Once the braising liquid is ready, first cook the braised pork knuckle, then make the braised vegetables.
The kitchen was filled with a delicious aroma, which even reached Zhao Laoda and the others in the main room. Zhao Laoer and Zhao Laosan, in order to have dinner as soon as possible, went together to help move tiles at the educated youth compound, which was unprecedented for them.
They knew very well that if Zhao Honghui and his colleagues didn't come back, there would be no meals served at home.
Half an hour later, all the tiles on both houses were in place, and Zhao Honghui and his group finally returned.
This wasn't Hui Zi's first visit to the Zhao family. He had visited them frequently during Zhao Honghui's illness and had become quite familiar with the Zhao family.
Besides Hui Zi, Zhao Honghui also invited Zhao Jianbin, Li Weidong, and Chen Kai, who had come back with him, and the house suddenly became lively.
In the kitchen, Wen Xiumei listened to a group of grown men chatting and laughing in the main room, and she was secretly anxious. Was there enough braised meat for them? What if there wasn't any for her at all?
Concerned, she asked directly, "Xie Zhiqing, is the braising liquid you made salty enough? Should I add some more salt to the meat?"
"No, please!" Xie Yuyao hurriedly stopped her, not wanting to ruin the perfectly good meat.
Yang Chunhua scolded her second daughter-in-law: "Focus on your fire!"
Just then, Zhao Honghui walked in and saw Yao Yao wearing an apron and arranging plates. He felt a warm glow in his heart.
"Yaoyao, are you almost done with your work?"
Xie Yuyao turned her head and saw him. "It'll be ready soon. Come and try it to see if it tastes good."
Before he could speak, Xie Yuyao picked up a piece of braised meat with her chopsticks and held it to his mouth.
Zhao Honghui smiled, opened his mouth and took a bite, his eyes full of affection, "It's so delicious, it tastes just like last time."
"That's good." Xie Yuyao put down her chopsticks, opened the pot and looked at the vegetables that had been cooking for some time. "Aunt Yang, I think we can start eating now."
Yang Chunhua, who had been ignored once again while standing aside, put aside her complicated thoughts and asked Wen Xiumei to set out the bowls and chopsticks.
Zhao Honghui picked up his chopsticks and continued arranging the dishes. "Yaoyao, go next door and ask Yang Shumei to come over for dinner."
"good."
Xie Yuyao untied her apron, filled half a basin with soup and braised vegetables, and went to the brigade leader's house.
The brigade leader's family was having dinner at that moment. Aunt Tian heard the noise and warmly went out to greet them, "Yaoyao, it's great to see you here! Join us for a simple meal. Oh? What are you carrying?"
"Aunt Tian, these are braised vegetables. Please try them. If you like the taste, use clean chopsticks to scoop them out. The braising liquid can be used to braise meat and vegetables again."
Xie Yuyao smiled as she introduced common braised vegetarian dishes to Aunt Tian. Aunt Tian wrote them down one by one, took the bowl to the kitchen, filled it into her own bowl, and then washed the bowl she brought back and returned it to Xie Yuyao.
"Thank you, Yao Yao. Come on, let's go eat." Aunt Tian pulled Xie Yuyao towards the main room.
Xie Yuyao quickly grabbed her hand, "Aunt Tian, the neighbors will be having dinner soon, I've come to call Shumei to come over together."
Aunt Tian knew there were guests next door today, and Honghui's colleague helped transport the tiles. Ultimately, this was a matter for the brigade headquarters; she even delivered about ten eggs to the neighbors at noon.
She didn't insist any further and turned to call Yang Shumei.
Xie Yuyao greeted the brigade leader and then returned to the next room with Yang Shumei.
In Zhao Honghui's main room, a new square folding table has been placed.
The food is served, and the meal is about to begin.
As soon as Xie Yuyao and Zhao Jianbin arrived, Zhao Honghui waved for them to sit at the men's table. He left empty seats next to Zhao Jianbin, so they could sit side by side.
Things are different now, and they are all acquaintances, so Yang Shumei did not hesitate and sat down next to Zhao Jianbin in a generous manner.
Zhao Jianbin said excitedly, "Shumei, Xie Zhiqing made a lot of braised ingredients today, you should eat more."
"I'm already full, so I came to sit down."
"Try some too, I'll pour you a drink." He got up, took the juice Zhao Honghui handed him, and poured Yang Shumei a full glass.
On Xie Yuyao's side, Zhao Honghui remembered that she liked to drink red wine. He opened the bottle cap and poured her half a glass, saying, "Drink slowly."
The other men, of course, all drank baijiu (Chinese liquor).
Amidst the clinking of glasses, the men drank until their faces were flushed, while Xie Yuyao and Yang Shumei chatted and laughed quietly, drinking red wine and juice.
The banquet was a great success, with both hosts and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves.
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