Chapter 130 Persimmon Cakes - No Persimmons Left
In the end, Ning Jia made the newly picked persimmons into persimmon desserts.
This time, however, the food wasn't given to the little people; instead, it was sent to Liu Yue, who was already in the year-end overtime period.
"Waaaaah, Ning Jia, you're so kind! You've brought me warmth again!"
Liu Yue had long been tired of the company cafeteria food, and the nearby takeout options were expensive and unpalatable. In addition, she was so busy that she lost track of time and had no time to eat properly. Soon she joined the ranks of those who were miserable and ate bread every day with her colleagues.
Bread and coffee, coffee and bread, bread and coffee... she's almost sick of it!
Ning Jia hugged her friend, who had two large dark circles under his eyes, and couldn't help but say:
"You can never earn enough money. You should rest when you need to. Don't overwork yourself, or you'll lose more than you gain."
Liu Yue immediately replied, "I understand, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
He further explained, "The main reason is that I've been following this project for so long, and it's about to yield results. At such a crucial time, I really can't leave."
As she spoke, she swept away her previous tired expression and, with bright eyes, told Ning Jia about the latest progress of the company's research and development of a nanny-type robot.
"Wow, this robot is amazing! And it's so meaningful!"
As Ning Jia listened, she thought seriously that once this robot was on the market, she would definitely get one for her family to take care of Ning Fang and Wang Lin.
"Right, right?"
Liu Yue said excitedly, "I knew you would say that."
"Actually, I quite like my current job. Although it's a bit busy, it's very fulfilling. Sometimes I get so engrossed in it that I lose track of time..."
Ning Jia looked at Liu Yue with some envy. The way Liu Yue shone when talking about her work was something many people dreamed of.
But the effort involved is something many people cannot do, at least Ning Jia couldn't.
But back then, Ning Fang was just as passionate about running her restaurant, ultimately succumbing to illness from overwork...
She suddenly said, half-jokingly:
"My mother said the same thing before she got sick. Don't say I didn't warn you, no matter how much sense of accomplishment you feel, it can't replace rest. Once your body is completely exhausted, it will be too late!"
Liu Yue was also taken aback, then nodded solemnly and made a salute gesture:
"Rest assured, we will complete the rest assignment!"
Ning Jia chuckled and returned a salute:
"receive!"
...
After Ning Jia left, Liu Yue opened the large cardboard box she had brought and, as expected, found a huge pile of food.
The heavy bento box and the delicate snacks were like a breath of fresh air, healing Liu Yue's gloomy mood.
Ning Jia made several different kinds of desserts this time, including persimmon Basque cake, persimmon daifuku, persimmon cheese shortbread, persimmon cookies, and persimmon egg tarts...
Liu Yue took them out one by one, clicking her tongue in amazement:
Wow, these snacks all look so delicious, but... why are they all related to persimmons?
She suddenly remembered that Ning Jia had mentioned before that the persimmon tree in the courtyard had borne fruit, and that he had picked a lot of persimmons and asked her if she wanted to eat them, but she refused because she didn't like persimmons.
It seems that the persimmons in these pastries are the "persimmons picked from home" that Ning Jia mentioned.
Next to the persimmon pastries was a small note that asked Liu Yue to share some of the pastries with her colleagues as a way of thanking them for their care.
"No wonder this guy did so much; he was just trying to get me to do him a favor."
Despite her complaints, Liu Yue had already eagerly picked up a piece of persimmon Basque cake and started tasting it.
Hmm, even though I added persimmons, which she wasn't interested in, the taste was sweet and refreshing, not cloying at all, and even better than the cakes from the bakery!
However, Liu Yue pondered as she ate:
Why has Ning Jia suddenly found herself making desserts lately?
She used to dislike baking, especially delicate pastries. She always said that making these things was too time-consuming and laborious, and that she should use that energy to make more money...
In short, it feels a bit strange...
Liu Yue thoughtfully opened "Ning's Sachet" on WeChat Moments. When she saw the latest post, which was pinned to the top, she was somewhat surprised and checked it again:
"Thank you for your continued support... Ning's Sachet will be officially closing down starting next week. We will no longer be accepting pre-orders from today onwards. We apologize for any inconvenience..."
I didn't misread it.
Given Ning Jia's previous personality, with Ning's sachets selling so well, it's impossible for her to be willing to close down the business.
However, now that all the problems have been solved, there's no need to be busy making money anymore, and I can finally take a good rest.
Thinking of Ning Jia's frugal lifestyle over the years, Liu Yue smiled slightly and was genuinely happy for her.
Liu Yue finished the small cake in a great mood, sighed contentedly, took a sip of coffee, and then shared most of the other snacks with her colleagues, which, as expected, elicited a series of happy thanks.
After the snacks were almost distributed, Liu Yue returned to her workstation and took out the lunch boxes from the cardboard box.
Hehe, I finally don't have to eat bread or go to the cafeteria for lunch today!
Liu Yue happily opened the heavy Ning family-made lunchbox, then stared blankly at its contents:
Persimmon bacon rolls, persimmon scrambled eggs, persimmons...
Good heavens, all these dishes are made from persimmons!
Are Ning Jia's family really that rich in persimmons?
Fortunately, apart from the first few dishes, the rest were all normal dishes, and all of them were Liu Yue's favorites. She smiled and put some of the food in the refrigerator to enjoy later that evening.
It's a rare treat to eat Chef Ning's cooking again, but she won't share it with anyone else, not even the dishes made with persimmons!
...
At this moment, Ning Jia had just sent a large box of persimmons to Zhou Chi, who was studying hard in the suburbs, along with heartfelt wishes from "family."
She also specifically stated that these persimmons were carefully picked and selected by her and her family, and that they were guaranteed to be sweet.
As for their hometown, it's too far away, so they can only wait until all the persimmons are dried into persimmon cakes before bringing them back for Ningfang and Wang Lin to taste.
After sending the package, Ning Jia carefully selected about ten plump, round persimmons that looked very appealing. She packed them in a sturdy paper bag and then rode her bike to the nearest KFC.
Ning Jia walked into KFC carrying a large bag of persimmons. She had only been sitting down for a minute when Ms. Yao, the landlady's daughter, arrived.
As soon as Ms. Yao sat down, she said apologetically:
"I'm so sorry to have made you come all this way just for these persimmons."
Ning Jia smiled and said:
"Please don't be so polite. These are the fruits from the persimmon tree that the old lady planted. One generation plants the trees so that another can enjoy the shade. I got so many persimmons, so it's only right that I give some to the old lady."
When she signed the contract, she promised that when the persimmons in the courtyard ripened, she would definitely send some to the old lady who planted the persimmon tree.
Unexpectedly, the elderly woman has now been sent to a nursing home by her children due to Alzheimer's disease. She had no choice but to ask Ms. Yao to pass on the message.
"Thank you so much, you're so thoughtful to still remember the old lady."
Ms. Yao's eyes reddened, and she spoke with some emotion.
She's almost fifty now, and she looks exhausted when she talks about her mother.
“My mother is not thinking clearly now and often wanders around. Everyone in the family has a job and we really can’t take care of her, so we have to send her to a nursing home for the time being.”
"However, although my mother can't remember many things, she still has some impression of those two persimmon trees, and sometimes she'll mention them. When I go over there later, I'll definitely tell her that these persimmons are the fruit of those two persimmon trees, and that the girl who rents our house kindly gave them to us. She'll definitely be happy to eat them."
Ning Jia listened quietly and nodded understandingly, "Taking care of the elderly is really not easy. Your family has worked so hard."
"Oh dear," Ms. Yao finally realized, "I'm so sorry, I've been so presumptuous in saying so much, I've taken up your time, haven't I?"
"How about I buy you something to drink? Coffee would be fine?"
As she spoke, she stood up to go to the counter to order, but Ning Jia quickly waved her hand and said, "No need to trouble yourself," then said goodbye and hurried away.
On her way home by bike, Ning Jia thought about her landlady and felt uneasy.
Time flies, and years take their toll. She doesn't know how much time she has left to spend with Ning Fang, Wang Lin, Liu Yue, and all the people she likes.
Even among the little people, no one knows when they might face separation.
So now, she just wants to cherish the present and live each day to the fullest.
...
To ease her melancholy, Ning Jia went to the farmers' market to experience the everyday life there and witness the price wars over all sorts of trivial matters.
After successfully snatching a bunch of scallions from the vegetable vendor and a piece of pig liver from the butcher, all my melancholy and sadness vanished instantly.
Ning Jia happily carried a large pile of groceries back to the warm courtyard.
As soon as I entered, I saw the little figures lying in the yard, leisurely basking in the sun, and I couldn't help but smile.
Dongkui, who was diligently practicing martial arts in the courtyard, saw Ning Jia return and immediately left Su Mu behind, running quickly to greet her.
"Ningjia, Ningjia, shall we start cooking now?"
Similar to Ning Jia's sudden obsession with making exquisite afternoon tea, Dong Kui is now also obsessed with cooking, wishing she could live in the kitchen every day.
Ning Jia smiled and shook her head, "No rush, today's lunch is all quick and easy dishes. I'll call you when we start."
"Okay, then I'll continue practicing."
Dongkui scurried back to Su Mu's side, and the two of them, holding makeshift spears made from small tree branches, practiced the moves He Meng had taught them, laughing and chuckling. Looking at the bright sunshine, Ning Jia couldn't help but mutter to herself:
He Meng is really lucky. As soon as he went out to train, the sky cleared up and the temperature rose a lot.
If she can successfully find the little tree hole left by her friend, then her days will be incredibly pleasant.
To ensure comfort at home in the future, she still has some things to do.
Ning Jia had just put the groceries she bought in the kitchen when she called Xue Cao and Bai Su over:
"The clan chief has already told you about the new social practices, hasn't he?"
"Um."
Xuecao and Baisu exchanged a glance and nodded nervously.
Ning Jia smiled and patted the two of their heads:
"There's nothing to be afraid of. You two have been studying diligently for so long, don't you want to test your learning results?"
Hearing this, the two little ones relaxed a lot, and even showed a hint of anticipation.
Seeing this, Ning Jia chuckled, quickly pulled out an account list printed with a newly purchased secondhand printer, and said:
"Let's not delay, shall we begin now?"
Looking at the thick stack of bills, almost taller than them, Bai Su and Xue Cao were both stunned:
Tree God above, how can there be so many numbers to calculate?! This is terrifying!
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Author's Note: Happy Saturday, my darlings! [Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers]
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